Digital Commons Network^™

The Viability Of Product-Service Systems In The Uk Built Environment: An Exploratory Appraisal, Sasha Swannell Mr, Alex Copping Dr

CIB Conferences

There is growing industrial consensus that the built environment must rapidly transition to a more circular economy to maximises resource lifespan, minimises waste, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While circularity often focuses on design and waste reduction, new business models are essential for enabling this transition. Product-service systems (PSSs), a circular business proposition centred on product or service usage rather than ownership, has been the subject of growing research. Comprehensive feasibility appraisals on PSSs in this sector, however, are lacking. As such, this study employs Stewart Brand's 'shearing layers' concept to analyse the viability of PSSs in the built environment …

Using Large Language Models To Identify Project Risks For Sustainable Operations, He Wen, Simaan Abourizk, Yasser Mohamed

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Risk identification in construction projects is crucial for sustainable operations. However, it is often hindered by omissions and participant subjectivity. This study explores the application of large language models (LLMs) in identifying risks and impacted activities within construction projects. The methodology includes developing a RiskGPT agent, fine-tuning it with prompt words, augmenting it with structural knowledge, and evaluating its application on real projects. Preliminary results from a case study demonstrate the potential benefits and challenges of using LLMs in this context. Despite the generalization tendency and occasional technical issues, LLMs show promise in augmenting human expertise and providing a robust …

Aligning Values And Priorities Through Collaborative Action Research: An Opportunity To Connect, Co-Create And Achieve The Sdgs, Ani Raiden, Laura Alvarez, Andrew King

CIB Conferences

Social value is a practical vehicle for realising the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within built environment processes. Research and practice in this space recognises co-creation and stakeholder management as fundamental to achieving the desired outcomes. However, given differences in individual perceptions and organisational/industry ethos and goals, involving a diverse range of stakeholders in social value work is not without challenges. We discuss collaborative action research methodology as an approach to help placemaking and construction management fields meet and, together, respond to the grand challenges facing cities. This methodology is aligned with social constructivist research philosophy, and includes a …

Exploring Gain/Pain Share Mechanisms For Carbon Emission Reduction In The Australian Construction Industry: A Scoping Review, Mohamed Abdellah, Yingbin Feng

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This study investigates the application of gain/pain share mechanisms to incentivize carbon emission reductions in the Australian construction industry, addressing a critical gap in sustainable construction practices. The research employs a scoping review methodology to explore existing literature on collaborative contract models, carbon reduction strategies, and incentive mechanisms. The objective of this study is to develop a conceptual gain/pain share model specifically designed to align financial incentives with carbon reduction goals in construction projects. Through thematic analysis of secondary sources, including peer-reviewed articles, industry reports, and policy documents, the study identifies key components necessary for an effective model, such as …

Wui Ready: A Serious Game For Promoting The Adoption Of A Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Hazard Mitigation Methodology, Daniel Paes, Zhenan Feng, Tianqi Huang, Fei Ying, Xilei Zhao, Max Kinateder, E.R. (Lisa) Langer, Ruggiero Lovreglio

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The rising frequency and intensity of wildfires, particularly in wildland-urban interface communities, pose significant risks to residents. To address this, research and government organizations have developed wildfire hazard mitigation strategies. However, effective implementation requires residents to have adequate knowledge about such strategies. Serious games (i.e., designed for learning and training, not just entertainment) offer a promising and effective approach to educating communities about natural hazard mitigation. This paper presents the preliminary results of a research project focused on developing and evaluating a web-based serious game designed to educate residents about wildfire hazards and associated mitigation strategies, thereby enhancing their preparedness …

Discussion Of Low-Carbon Development Pathways In Shanghai Urban-Rural Development Area, Weiqin Wu, Yan Jiang, Beihong Zhang, Zhuolin Wang

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The urban-rural development area, as one of China's key sectors, plays a crucial role in achieving China's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. As a mega-city, Shanghai faces even more severe challenges in energy conservation and carbon reduction in the construction field. According to relevant statistical data, since the 13th Five-Year Plan, the scale of construction and carbon emissions during the operation phase of buildings in Shanghai have shown a continuous growth trend, with the total carbon emissions from residential buildings growing faster than those from public buildings, while the carbon emissions per unit area of public buildings are gradually …

Conversion Of Existing Buildings To Green In Developing Economies: A Preliminary Study For Sri Lanka Focusing On Challenges And Policies, U. G. D. Madushika, Weisheng Lu

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Current society is interested in incorporating green technologies into existing buildings with aiming economic, social, and environmental sustainability. This is green retrofitting. However, limited attention has been given to green retrofitting adoption in particular regions, for example, Sri Lanka. Recently, several green retrofitting technologies have been adopted globally, contingent upon policy frameworks. In this light, the current paper intends to identify the obstacles hindering green retrofitting adoption in Sri Lanka and how policies might effectively address these challenges. The study's qualitative research methodology included semi-structured interviews with twelve professionals working in Sri Lanka's green construction industry. Accordingly, 25 possible obstacles …

Renewable Energy Or Energy Efficiency? Building Occupant Preferences Toward Net Zero Carbon Retrofit Measures, Lichini Nikesha Kumari Weerasinghe, Amos Darko, Albert P.C. Chan

CIB Conferences

One of the most important targets the world aims to attain is net zero carbon (NZC) by 2050. To achieve this target, there is an urgent need for NZC retrofits in existing buildings, as they account for 37% of global carbon emissions. While previous studies have assessed the energy consumption, carbon emissions, and costs of retrofit measures, there is a lack of knowledge on building occupant preferences toward NZC retrofit measures. Therefore, the intention of this study is to assess the preferences of building occupants in Hong Kong regarding NZC retrofit measures for existing residential buildings. Following a comprehensive literature …

Heat Stress In Informal Settlements: Complex Solutions For A Multifaceted Problem, Jan Marais Hugo Dr, Joyce Shirinde Prof

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Heat stress is a well-known climate change-affected risk that typically impacts the most vulnerable sectors of our society. While its climate change correlation is well defined, drivers of heat stress exposure and mitigation measures to address it are complex - especially in informal settlements. This paper will unpack the heat stress-related vulnerabilities and adaptive capacity of inhabitants living in a South African informal settlement, highlighting the internal drivers that increase the inhabitants’ exposure to and limit any structural and behavioural response measures on dwelling and urban levels. As part of larger interdisciplinary projects, this paper conveys an analysis of triangulated …

An Exploration Of The Feasibility Of Using Plastic Waste For Sustainable Road Construction In Nigeria: A Qualitative Approach, Rosheedat A. Lawal, Emmanuel I. Daniel, Louis Gyoh, Ezekiel A. Chinyio, Nnedinma Umeokafor

CIB Conferences

Every country, both developed and developing, has problems with waste management, specifically plastic waste. Plastic wastes are non-biodegradable and can decompose between 100 to 500 years. The negative impact of plastic waste is felt by the environment and all forms of living things, either on the land, in the air, or underwater, because of the chemical composition of plastic and its poor management. Nigeria, as a developing country, is faced with a poor and inadequate road network with about 200,000km road network and only 50,000km paved; therefore, there is a need to make more roads that are environmentally friendly, socially …

Integrating Nature-Based Solutions For Urban Resilience In The Pursuit Of Sustainable Built Environments, Zahra Jandaghian, Abhishek Gaur, Abdelaziz Laouadi, Henry Lu, Michael A. Lacasse

CIB Conferences

Urban areas increasingly face climate-related challenges such as extreme heat, flooding, and biodiversity loss, that demand innovative, resilient solutions. Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) have emerged as a transformative approach for adapting urban areas, by integrating natural processes into urban planning process to enhance resilience and sustainability. In this paper, the role of NBS in promoting urban resilience is examined, aligning closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11, which is intended to alter cities to become inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Key NBS strategies—such as green roofs, urban forests, bioswales, permeable pavements, sustainable building materials having high …

Unified Risk Approach For Construction Contracts: A Comparative Analysis Of Nec, Jct, And Fidic From A Contractor’S Perspective., Saad Rasool, Yuting Chen, Chika Udeaja, Daniel Fong

CIB Conferences

In the construction industry, effective contractual risk management is critical to the success and resilience of projects in avoiding the soaring construction disputes. However, construction contract risks are inevitable for the contracting parties due to the complexity of the Standard Forms of Contract (SFoC). This study investigates and compares risk management approaches across three widely used construction contracts: NEC 4, JCT Design and Build 2016, and FIDIC Yellow Book 2017, focusing on contractor-specific risks. Through a comprehensive analysis of contract clauses, industry practices, and existing literature, this paper identifies key commonalities and differences in how these contracts handle various risk …

State-Of-The-Art In The Use Of Generative System Models In The Built Environment, Jose Paolo Gregorio A. Calma, Claudio Martani, Hazar Dib

CIB Conferences

The challenge of optimizing design in the built environment lies in evaluating a wide range of potential options to achieve sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective outcomes over the lifecycle of assets. Traditional methods struggle to generate and assess multiple design alternatives, limiting optimization effectiveness. Generative Systems Modeling (GSM) offers a promising approach by creating diverse, data-driven design options automatically. This literature review explores GSM’s use in built environment optimization, focusing on its objectives, processes, and applications, while identifying trends and areas for future development to enhance its impact on construction and infrastructure projects.

Research On Carbon Emission Assessment Methods And Demonstration Applications For Low Carbon Blocks, Yuncan Sun, Gaijing Zhang, Yan Jiang, Zhuolin Wang, Ying Zhang

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Based on a low-carbon perspective, creation and evaluation methods of low-carbon blocks was established. Two major carbon reduction areas contain five key carbon reduction technologies were identified, including building and infrastructure, focusing on building energy efficiency, renewable energy utilization, green transportation, solid waste treatment, water resource utilization, and carbon sequestration. Calculation methods of carbon emission were also clarified. Using the "1+N" multi-scenario comparison, the carbon reduction potential analysis of single technology and combination technology were carried out, and the carbon reduction technology combination scheme of low-carbon blocks was built. A comprehensive evaluation model combining quantifiable factors and non-quantifiable factors was …

What Is Stopping Building Information Modeling (Bim)-Based Whole Life Carbon Assessment Of Buildings In Hong Kong?, Anson Tsz Kwan Chan, Amos Darko, Selorm E. Adukpo, Stephen L.M. Au

CIB Conferences

Building information modeling (BIM)-based whole life carbon assessment (WLCA) of buildings is critical to reaching Hong Kong’s 2050 Net Zero target. However, the adoption of BIM-based WLCA is not as apparent as it should have been. This study aims to examine the criticality of various challenges that prevent the wide adoption of BIM-based WLCA in Hong Kong. To this end, 20 challenges were identified from a comprehensive literature review, and a questionnaire survey was performed with 80 construction professionals. The mean score ranking analysis results indicated that 13 challenges were critical. The top three most critical challenges were “data collection …

Beyond Covid-19: Integrating Disposable Face Masks In Asphalt To Combat Plastic Waste And Improve Pavement Resilience, Tianjiao Zhao, George Wang, Carol C. Massarra

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Single-use disposable face masks, largely proliferated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have created substantial challenges in global waste management due to their persistent accumulation. Composed predominantly of non-biodegradable polypropylene (PP), these masks significantly contribute to plastic pollution. This paper explores an innovative approach to mitigate the environmental impact of discarded face masks by repurposing them as an additive in hot mix asphalt (HMA). Through incorporating shredded face masks into HMA, this study aims to enhance asphalt pavements' mechanical performance, particularly in rutting resistance, while offering an economically viable solution. A life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) evaluates the economic feasibility of mask-modified …

Construction Delay Disputes: A Model For A Reduction In The Escalation Of Technical And Factual Disagreements, Vasil A. Atanasov, Harry Hussey

CIB Conferences

Although construction delays are often inevitable, the escalation of construction delay claims is problematic as it is a leading and persistent cause of costly disputes. Such claims involve disagreements over legal, technical and factual matters. Disputed delay assessments are at the core of the latter. This research involves the analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of academic and professional literature, and twenty-one case studies involving construction, infrastructure, and engineering projects located on three continents. While the literature has been highly critical of the current approaches to the measurement and management of construction delays, it has not offered a comprehensive solution to this …

Investigating Student Perceptions Of Biophilic, Visual And Acoustic Design On High-Performing Learning Spaces, Rana Asad Javid Khan, Jason D. Lucas

CIB Conferences

High-performing educational buildings are designed to foster optimal learning, teaching, and research environments. However, many higher education spaces still lack a fully integrated approach that combines biophilic design principles with effective acoustic solutions. This gap between envisioned performance and current reality highlights the need to understand students' perceptions of indoor conditions within high-performance buildings. This study investigates students’ perceptions of environmental quality, specifically focusing on biophilic, visual and acoustic design features in two contrasting classrooms at the Research University’s Lee Hall. Using a mixed-methods approach, objective measurements of lighting and acoustic conditions were combined with subjective survey responses to evaluate …

Four Futures One Solution For A Sustainable Reduction In Construction Delay And Disruption Disputes By 2030, Vasil A. Atanasov

CIB Conferences

Scenario planning is a research method that enables leaders to prepare for the future by revealing the impending opportunities and threats to businesses and markets. Although scenario planning has been used to forecast forces that will impact the construction sector, none of the recent studies investigates the potential of dispute reduction solutions to mitigate the negative impact of such future developments. Thus, the objectives of this study are to (i) offer a conceptual dispute reduction solution; (ii) establish the characteristics of four hypothetical scenarios based on the main forces that will impact the construction sector in 2030 and (iii) seek …

Identifying Uncertainty In Interpreting Building Regulations Through Conservative, Pragmatic, And Romantic Perspectives, Peter Nørkjær Gade, Judith Fauth, Eilif Hjelseth, Mouloud Messaoudi, Jonas Goul Pedersen, Nawari O. Nawari

CIB Conferences

This article examines the critical issue of uncertainty in the construction industry, particularly in the realm of automated building code compliance. The study explores Fallman’s framework on how different design perspectives, Conservative, Pragmatic, and Romantic, impact the perception and management of uncertainty within building projects. A theoretical framework based on Fallman's design accounts was employed to guide semi-structured interviews with industry professionals, uncovering how uncertainty influences design and regulatory processes, particularly in the context of building permits. Findings demonstrate that each design perspective offers unique strengths and limitations in handling uncertainty: Conservative approaches favour strict rule adherence, Pragmatic strategies emphasize …

To What Extent Do Prevailing U.S. Transportation Infrastructure Sustainability Rating Systems Align With Unesco Sgds: An Empirical Study, Yunping Liang, Jung Hyun Lee

CIB Conferences

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Sustainable Development Goals (UNESCO SDGs) were adopted by UN General Assembly in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As a member state of UN, United States also adopted SDGs. However, the United States were not a member of UNESCO during 2017 to 2023. The United States has never submitted any voluntary national review so far, as what has been done by 115 countries across the world. Nevertheless, rather than claiming that the United States does not commit to the SDGs, there is more supporting evidence for the argument that …

The Exploring Of The Importance Of Indoor Environmental Factors In University Educational Spaces Based On Participants' Psychology, Hanyu Zhou, Zhaozhe Yang, Wenchang Wang, Chang’An Liu, Yifan Ding

CIB Conferences

The comfort feeling of human body to indoor environment is a comprehensive reflection of multi-factor interaction. The research on human comfort is developing from single factor to multi-factor interaction. At present, the research on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is limited to the single IEQ domain of heat, sound, light and air quality or the interaction of environmental factors between two IEQ domains, while the research on the relationship between comfort and psychological emotion is relatively scarce. Based on this, this paper takes the education space related to the art museum and college student activity center of Shandong Jianzhu University as …

The Role Of The University In Making The Built Environment More Accessible And Inclusive For People With Disability: A Case Study From New Zealand, Claire L. Flemmer, Rory C. Flemmer, Alison J. Mcintosh, Andries Van Heerden, Mikael Boulic, Chinthaka Atapattu, James O B Rotimi Prof

CIB Conferences

The need to reduce inequality for people with disabilities is a strong theme in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Cities and communities should be inclusive, but the Built Environment has many buildings and spaces with problematic access features that make full participation impossible for this demographic. Universities can play an important role in addressing the issues underlying barriers to access and in providing clear steps for improvement and inclusion. The role involves interacting with all the key stakeholders including people with disabilities, disability advocacy organisations, construction professionals, legislators, students and the general public. This research demonstrates the role in …

Best Practices In Applying Public-Private Partnership (P3) To Us Transit Facility Electrification, Hyun Woo Lee, Laura Osburn, Bart Treece, Huoi K. Trieu, Yohan Min

CIB Conferences

The growing number of state, county, and city regulations aimed at achieving zero-emission goals is a significant driver pushing many agencies to transition to electric fleets within the next 10 to 20 years. Despite the accelerated timeline and increasing social/political demands, many transit agencies do not have internal capability required for developing, managing, and operating transit electrification infrastructure, or the required capital. To meet these challenges, some transit agencies have explored the potential for using a Public-Private Partnership (P3) delivery method, yet their practices and lessons-learned are neither documented nor reported broadly. In response, this study aims (1) review the …

The Flexibility Of Detached Wooden Houses By Local Builders In Japan, Toru Eguchi, Rise Tanaka, Hideaki Sumikura, Shiro Watanabe

CIB Conferences

This study examines the flexibility of detached wooden houses supplied by local builders, which constitute a significant portion of Japan's housing production. Historically, prior to World War II, wooden houses dominated the housing supply in Japan, with standardized modules prevalent nationwide. Moreover, century-old wooden houses, considered local historic assets, continue to be utilized through component replacements, additions, and refurbishments, highlighting the inherent flexibility of Japan's wooden housing system. Despite the postwar rise of reinforced concrete and steel-frame houses, numerous local builders emerged across Japan and retain a substantial presence in the current housing market with wooden houses.

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Ecosphere: A Decision-Support Tool For Automated Carbon Emission And Cost Optimization In Sustainable Urban Development, Siavash Ghorbany, Ming Hu, Siyuan Yao, Matthew L. Sisk, Chaoli Wang

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The construction industry is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, with embodied carbon being a key component. This study develops EcoSphere, an innovative software designed to evaluate, and balance embodied and operational carbon emissions with construction and environmental costs in urban planning. Using high-resolution data from the National Structure Inventory, combined with computer vision and natural language processing applied to Google Street View and satellite imagery, EcoSphere categorizes buildings by structural and material characteristics with a bottom-up approach, creating a baseline emissions dataset. By simulating policy scenarios and mitigation strategies, EcoSphere provides policymakers and non-experts with actionable insights …

Scientometric Review Of Barriers To Carbon Trading Adoption In The Construction Industry, Augustine Senanu Komla Kukah, Xiaohua Jin, Robert Osei-Kyei, Srinath Perera

CIB Conferences

The construction industry is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions. To reduce the impact of climate change, carbon trading has become an emerging domain. The urgent requirement for construction projects to comply with relevant environmental regulations shows that carbon trading application to the construction industry is expected to aid the industry mitigate its carbon emissions. The purpose of this study is to undertake a scientometric literature review of the barriers construction industry faces in adoption of carbon trading. Scopus and Web of Science were the databases adopted. Relevant keywords aided by Boolean search operators were used. Of 342 articles …

A Conceptual Framework For Measuring Productivity And Performance In Industry 5.0: A Built Environment Perspective, Godfaurd A. John, Kasun Gomis, Kelechi Bukola Babatunde

CIB Conferences

The construction industry in most countries is an early indicator of the nation’s economic health. When things are buoyant and the construction market is booming, it indicates the state of the viability of the country’s economic position. The model used in measuring productivity since WWII (e.g., labour productivity, GDP per capita, multifactor productivity) does not seem suitable for the emerging industry 5.0 (I5.0), considering the prevailing factors within the Built Environment (BE). These metrics are optimised over the years to provide detailed and comprehensive insights into productivity trends and drivers, which lacks necessary attributes to measure productivity and performance in …

Integrated Project Delivery And Its Use In Construction, Steven P. Iwankovitsch, Raed Jarrah

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Integrated project delivery (IPD) is a unique delivery method that involves a collaborative approach among the primary stakeholders. Unlike traditional methods, where parties tend to prioritize their individual interests, IPD aligns everyone's goals for the collective benefit of the project. This approach encourages open communication, shared risk and a collective commitment to success. This study will provide a comprehensive review of the literature, an overview of the IPD delivery structure and a review of case studies comparing and contrasting IPD with traditional methods. Key findings indicate that IPD is still a relatively niche project delivery method but has had great …

Development Of The Change Readiness Diagnostic Tool Through Industry 4.0 Transformation; Uk Infrastructure Sector Case Study, Haddy Jallow Dr, Suresh Renukappa Dr, Subashini Suresh Professor, Lingaraja Gandhi Professor, Jayakara Shetty Professor, Chandrashekara Kalenahally Gangegowda Dr

CIB Conferences

Industry 4.0 implementation still proves to be a challenge within the UK infrastructure sector and the decision-makers within organisations in the sector despite its clear importance as it introduces several changes to the organisation's structure, processes, and business practices. Due to the challenges and lack of understanding in the sector, it is vital for change management to be highly considered in the decision-making process of implementation of Industry 4.0 initiatives to ensure successful implementation. It has been highlighted that organisational culture and resistance to change is a key barrier to successful implementation which should be addressed before organisations implement Industry …