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Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance
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Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 40305

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jun Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Interests: BIM; computer vision; construction automation; lean construction; blockchain
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Shuyuan Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Interests: BIM; IFC; computer vision; bridge management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Yong Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Interests: public-private partnership in AEC industry; public perception and community engagement in construction management; NIMBY infrastructure projects
Prof. Dr. Feng Yu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Interests: behavior of pile foundation; deep excavation engineering; underground space development

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As Industry 4.0 has increasingly been adapted to the construction sector in recent years, transformations are happening throughout the lifecycle of civil assets. Advances and smart technologies have been proposed to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability for successful project delivery. High levels of automation and digitalization are pursued, as well. In this Special Issue, we would like to invite and attract contributions on the implementation and adoption of emerging technologies in the construction sector, including but not limited to:

  • BIM/CIM
  • Digital twin
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Deep learning
  • Internet of Things and wireless sensor networks
  • Computer vision
  • Knowledge graph
  • Robotics in construction
  • Mathematical modelling
  • Simulation

Dr. Jun Wang
Dr. Shuyuan Xu
Prof. Dr. Yong Liu
Prof. Dr. Feng Yu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • construction management
  • construction automation
  • BIM
  • artificial intelligence
  • digital construction
  • digital asset management

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (17 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

4 pages, 195 KiB  
Editorial
Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance
by Shuyuan Xu, Jun Wang, Yong Liu and Feng Yu
Buildings 2023, 13(5), 1147; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13051147 - 26 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1505
Abstract
Over the preceding several decades, the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries have witnessed significant advances due to the rapid development of information technology [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

22 pages, 8093 KiB  
Article
Sound-Based Construction Activity Monitoring with Deep Learning
by Wuyue Xiong, Xuenan Xu, Long Chen and Jian Yang
Buildings 2022, 12(11), 1947; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12111947 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2236
Abstract
Automated construction monitoring assists site managers in managing safety, schedule, and productivity effectively. Existing research focuses on identifying construction sounds to determine the type of construction activity. However, there are two major limitations: the inability to handle a mixed sound environment in which [...] Read more.
Automated construction monitoring assists site managers in managing safety, schedule, and productivity effectively. Existing research focuses on identifying construction sounds to determine the type of construction activity. However, there are two major limitations: the inability to handle a mixed sound environment in which multiple construction activity sounds occur simultaneously, and the inability to precisely locate the start and end times of each individual construction activity. This research aims to fill this gap through developing an innovative deep learning-based method. The proposed model combines the benefits of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for extracting features and Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) for leveraging contextual information to handle construction environments with polyphony and noise. In addition, the dual threshold output permits exact identification of the start and finish timings of individual construction activities. Before training and testing with construction sounds collected from a modular construction factory, the model has been pre-trained with publicly available general sound event data. All of the innovative designs have been confirmed by an ablation study, and two extended experiments were also performed to verify the versatility of the present model in additional construction environments or activities. This model has great potential to be used for autonomous monitoring of construction activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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9 pages, 8825 KiB  
Article
Mechanical Strength and Energy Absorption Optimization of Biomimetic Honeycomb Anti-Collision Pier
by Jianjun Wei, Yufei Wang, Jiaqing Wang, Xupei Yao, Di Wang and Xiangyu Wang
Buildings 2022, 12(11), 1941; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12111941 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1283
Abstract
The anti-collision pier plays an irreplaceable role in road traffic protection due to its significance. In this research, the biomimetic honeycomb structure was applied to internal anti-collision pier interior structures. The enhancement of mechanical strength and energy absorption characteristics was explored and optimized [...] Read more.
The anti-collision pier plays an irreplaceable role in road traffic protection due to its significance. In this research, the biomimetic honeycomb structure was applied to internal anti-collision pier interior structures. The enhancement of mechanical strength and energy absorption characteristics was explored and optimized by five anti-collision pier honeycomb structures. Finite elements of the piers are designated as 650 mm in diameter and 850 mm in height. Polypropylene Acetate (PLA) material is utilized in this research due to its environment-friendly characteristics. Displacement loading in finite element simulation is 50 mm to the middle region of the model at YOZ direction. The energy-absorbing properties of five optimized honeycomb anti-collision piers at the same force position will be carefully compared. Moreover, the influence of internal hexagon direction-quantity configuration upon loading resistance under displacement loading is outlined. The results determined the best biomimetic structure to be three honeycomb shapes with a central triangle area, with maximum stress of 503.8 MPa and fracture displacement of 58.02 mm. Furthermore, the numerical simulation shows that the number of nest increases has a negative relationship with the effect upon force and deformation of the model. Moreover, the triangular central area is superior to the Y-shape central area in both mechanical strength and energy absorption performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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Graphical abstract

21 pages, 1693 KiB  
Article
Influencing Mechanism of Safety Sign Features on Visual Attention of Construction Workers: A Study Based on Eye-Tracking Technology
by Yaqi Fang, Guodong Ni, Fengling Gao, Qi Zhang, Miaomiao Niu and Zhihua Ding
Buildings 2022, 12(11), 1883; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12111883 - 4 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2045
Abstract
Visual attention of construction workers is closely related to their safety performance. Identifying and understanding safety signs on workplace effectively is beneficial to improve visual attention. This study focuses on exploring the influencing mechanism of construction safety sign features on visual attention of [...] Read more.
Visual attention of construction workers is closely related to their safety performance. Identifying and understanding safety signs on workplace effectively is beneficial to improve visual attention. This study focuses on exploring the influencing mechanism of construction safety sign features on visual attention of construction workers using the eye-tracking technology, in order to improve visual attention and workplace safety performance through optimizing the construction safety signs. A theoretical model of influencing mechanism of safety sign features on visual attention was constructed based on visual information processing theory. To verify the theoretical model, an experiment was conducted as follows: 28 pictures of safety signs including visual and cognitive features were shown on the computer screen, then eye movement data from 41 subjects was obtained using EyeLink1000 Plus. Statistical test methods were employed to analyze the relationship between safety sign features and eye-tracking metrics. The statistical results of theoretical model indicate that, among visual features, red and rectangular safety signs can reduce cognitive load of first fixation, green signs can reduce cognitive difficulties, however visual attention is not closely related to auxiliary words. Among the cognitive features, unfamiliar signs require more cognitive effort, while no significant difference exists in visual attention of different levels of concreteness and sematic closeness. This study provides theoretical and practical basis for improving construction workers’ visual attention through optimizing visual and cognitive features of construction safety signs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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16 pages, 1439 KiB  
Article
Relation Extraction of Domain Knowledge Entities for Safety Risk Management in Metro Construction Projects
by Na Xu, Hong Chang, Bai Xiao, Bo Zhang, Jie Li and Tiantian Gu
Buildings 2022, 12(10), 1633; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12101633 - 8 Oct 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1733
Abstract
Gathering experience and organizing knowledge from a large number of engineering construction projects is conducive to more effective and efficient safety risk management in construction projects. Metro construction practitioners often find it difficult to determine what professional knowledge is needed to establish better [...] Read more.
Gathering experience and organizing knowledge from a large number of engineering construction projects is conducive to more effective and efficient safety risk management in construction projects. Metro construction practitioners often find it difficult to determine what professional knowledge is needed to establish better management. By constructing the knowledge structure of safety risk management, which is composed of domain knowledge entities (DKEs) and their hierarchical relations, practitioners can systematically master the knowledge of safety management, enhance safety management levels, and reduce the occurrence of accidents. Traditionally, domain knowledge structure was determined by experts, the mistakes occur due to the limitations of individual knowledge, and high time costs are unavoidable due to the massive amount of data. Therefore, in this study, we used a rule-based Chinese-language natural language processing (C-NLP) method to automatically extract the hierarchical relations between DKEs from a large dataset of unstructured text documents; we aimed to clarify the affiliation relationship and parallel relationship between DKEs. First, 68,817 sources of literature written in Chinese were collected. Next, the specific syntactic structures of relations of the DKEs were analyzed. Hierarchical extraction rules, including 16 hyponymic indicators and 8 appositive indicators, were revealed based on the linguistic characteristics. Then, the relations were extracted from test dataset. The precision and recall values were used to verify the model. Finally, the hierarchical relations of all the DKEs were extracted, and the knowledge structure was formed. The proposed method of hierarchical relation extraction contributes to the quick automatic construction of knowledge structures and minimizes expert bias. The knowledge structures can be used to guide safety training and can assist practitioners in safety risk management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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21 pages, 7693 KiB  
Article
Optimization for the Model Predictive Control of Building HVAC System and Experimental Verification
by Qiang Si, Jianjun Wei, Yuan Li and Hao Cai
Buildings 2022, 12(10), 1602; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12101602 - 4 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2285
Abstract
This article presents an optimized prediction model of building dynamic HVAC system load, which simplifies the input parameters of the model while meeting the accuracy requirements of the prediction results. The model was established using the open-source Modelica-based building library, and the linear [...] Read more.
This article presents an optimized prediction model of building dynamic HVAC system load, which simplifies the input parameters of the model while meeting the accuracy requirements of the prediction results. The model was established using the open-source Modelica-based building library, and the linear aggregation method was used to establish the model. A reduced-order model was developed, and the accuracy of the simplified and reduced-order models was verified. A control strategy was constructed using the indoor mean radiant temperature (MRT) aggregated from a simplified prediction model of HVAC system load as the target feedback parameter, and its feasibility was verified experimentally. It was found that the MRT adopted by the new control strategy can reflect the changes in outdoor air temperature and load in a timely manner; moreover, using this as a control parameter can significantly reduce the influence of load changes to maintain a stable indoor temperature. The control system is further simplified by the predictive model, which improves the engineering practicability by maintaining the control accuracy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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21 pages, 12317 KiB  
Article
Numerical Investigation on Local Scour and Flow Field around the Bridge Pier under Protection of Perforated Baffle and Ring-Wing Plate
by Yan Wang, Jinchao Chen, Zhihang Wang, Ziqi Zhu and Junxiong Yan
Buildings 2022, 12(10), 1544; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12101544 - 27 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1364
Abstract
In this paper, a series of numerical experiments are carried out on the anti-scour device combined with perforated baffle and ring-wing plate. In addition, the optimal dimensions and location of the combined device are obtained: The perforated ratio of the baffle is S [...] Read more.
In this paper, a series of numerical experiments are carried out on the anti-scour device combined with perforated baffle and ring-wing plate. In addition, the optimal dimensions and location of the combined device are obtained: The perforated ratio of the baffle is S = 20%, the distance from the center of the bridge pier is L = 2d (d is the diameter of the bridge pier), and the ring-wing plate is located at H = 1/3h (h is the water depth). To verify the effect of the anti-scour device, the scour characteristics and flow field are further investigated. Compared with single pier and single ring-wing plate, the results revealed that the combined device with the optimal dimensions is of great anti-scour performance. Moreover, the maximum scour depth at the front and side of the pier reduced by 84.20% and 78.95%, which is better than the single ring-wing plate and other combined conditions in the orthogonal experiments. Due to the diversion of perforated baffle and ring-wing plate, the flow velocity at the pier side near the bed surface decreases by 30.7%, and the down-flow is almost eliminated on the vertical plane. Furthermore, the turbulent kinetic energy at different horizontal and vertical planes is reduced due to the reduction in horseshoe vortex and wake flow. Based on the investigation presented herein, the combined device is a promising tool for mitigating scour around the bridge pier. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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16 pages, 9448 KiB  
Article
Integrating Virtual Reality and Building Information Modeling for Improving Highway Tunnel Emergency Response Training
by Xinhua Yu, Pengfei Yu, Chao Wan, Di Wang, Weixiang Shi, Wenchi Shou, Jun Wang and Xiangyu Wang
Buildings 2022, 12(10), 1523; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12101523 - 23 Sep 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3301
Abstract
During the last two decades, managers have been applying Building Information Modeling (BIM) to improve the quality of management as well as operation. The effectiveness of applications within a BIM environment is restrained by the limited immersive experience in virtual environments. Defined as [...] Read more.
During the last two decades, managers have been applying Building Information Modeling (BIM) to improve the quality of management as well as operation. The effectiveness of applications within a BIM environment is restrained by the limited immersive experience in virtual environments. Defined as the immersive visualization of virtual scenes, Virtual Reality (VR) is an emerging technology that can be actively explored to expand BIM to more usage. This paper highlights the need for a structured methodology for the integration of BIM/VR and gives a generic review of BIM and VR in training platforms for management in infrastructures. The rationales for fire evacuation training were formed based on the review. Then, methods of configuring BIM + VR prototypes were formulated for emergency response in highway tunnels. Furthermore, a conceptual framework integrating BIM with VR was proposed to enable the visualization of the physical context in real-time during the training. The result indicated that, extended to the training system of highway management via the “hand” of BIM, the VR solution can benefit more areas, such as the cost of fire evacuation drills in highway tunnels and the tendency of accidents to occur in the emergency response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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21 pages, 1301 KiB  
Article
Study on the Improvement Strategy of Trust Level between Owner and PMC Contractor Based on System Dynamics Model
by Hongyan Li and Jingchun Feng
Buildings 2022, 12(8), 1163; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12081163 - 4 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1598
Abstract
Based on the theory of system dynamics, we investigated the factors influencing the trust relationship between owners and PMC contractors in a Chinese management scenario, and proposed effective management strategies to increase the level of trust between the two parties. In the early [...] Read more.
Based on the theory of system dynamics, we investigated the factors influencing the trust relationship between owners and PMC contractors in a Chinese management scenario, and proposed effective management strategies to increase the level of trust between the two parties. In the early stages of PMC project implementation, calculative trust between the owner and the PMC contractor predominated, while relational trust predominated in the middle and late stages. The applicability of the PMC model and the control configuration between the owner and the PMC contractor are also vital factors influencing the trust level. Principal determinants of calculative trust are the management capability and reputation of the PMC contractor, the sufficiency of the owner’s authorization, and the efficacy of the owner’s supervisory measures. There are four factors that influence relational trust, in order of decreasing influence: the sufficiency of the owner’s authorization, the effectiveness of the owner’s supervisory measures, the social similarity between the owner and PMC contractor, and the management capability and reputation of the PMC contractor. The research can be used as a guide for enhancing PMC project management performance and achieving PMC project success. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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30 pages, 10637 KiB  
Article
A Semantic-Based Methodology to Deliver Model Views of Forward Design for Prefabricated Buildings
by Zhao Xu, Jiali Wang and Huixian Zhu
Buildings 2022, 12(8), 1158; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12081158 - 3 Aug 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2216
Abstract
Contemporary engineering in the construction field has put forward higher requirements on the value utilization of building information models, and as the prefabricated building is the core of construction industrialization, using BIM (Building Information Model) technology to realize the forward design of prefabricated [...] Read more.
Contemporary engineering in the construction field has put forward higher requirements on the value utilization of building information models, and as the prefabricated building is the core of construction industrialization, using BIM (Building Information Model) technology to realize the forward design of prefabricated buildings and maximize the value of BIM is in urgent demand in the current construction industry. However, in the application process of forward design, there is a lack of standardized implementation guidance and mature technical support, leading to many problems such as a redundancy of model information, heterogeneity of data information, and low efficiency of transmission. Based on this, this paper proposes a model view delivery method of forward design for prefabricated buildings. Firstly, a simplified assembly model and an assembly knowledge model are designed and extended with IFC (Industry Foundation Classes), then we realize the knowledge visualization expression by combining with an ontology semantic system. For the model view of a prefabricated building domain, this paper realizes the reusable concept module by ontology IDM (Information Delivery Manual) and properties selection of knowledge graphs, and then completes the model view delivery through data mapping and IfcDoc (Ifc Documentation Generator) tool output. Finally, the implementation model of information delivery management for forward design is built with model view delivery as the central link. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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20 pages, 2989 KiB  
Article
BIM for the Realization of Sustainable Digital Models in a University-Business Collaborative Learning Environment: Assessment of Use and Students’ Perception
by Alberto Sanchez-Lite, Patricia Zulueta, Alcínia Zita Sampaio and Cristina Gonzalez-Gaya
Buildings 2022, 12(7), 971; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12070971 - 8 Jul 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1974
Abstract
This paper develops an assessment of an academic implementation of building information modeling (BIM) carried out in an expert project subject of a School of Industrial Engineering. The objectives were for the students discover sustainable industrial during the design process and the students [...] Read more.
This paper develops an assessment of an academic implementation of building information modeling (BIM) carried out in an expert project subject of a School of Industrial Engineering. The objectives were for the students discover sustainable industrial during the design process and the students understand and participate in a real process of the implementation of industrial projects through real collaboration between academic and business contexts. The outcomes of this academic initiative were evaluated using academic results as well as students’ perceptions. Academic results were analyzed using the FUZZY VIKOR method. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine whether the use of BIM, the proposed university-enterprise environment and the sustainability proposal rate of the students’ projects had statistically significant effects on the results. Students´ perception evaluation was based on a Likert survey with five levels, and the results were interpreted using fuzzy k-means clustering and classification tree analysis. The results show that 77.8% of students consider that for learning, it is more effective to carry out a project related to an existing company, with the realization of the project with BIM methodology being of great value. The sustainability aspects were applied more easily thanks to the proposed methodology, and they were positively valued by the company. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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20 pages, 7359 KiB  
Article
Safety Risk Management of Prefabricated Building Construction Based on Ontology Technology in the BIM Environment
by Ye Shen, Min Xu, Yini Lin, Caiyun Cui, Xiaobo Shi and Yong Liu
Buildings 2022, 12(6), 765; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12060765 - 4 Jun 2022
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4868
Abstract
The extensive application of building information modeling (BIM) technology has brought opportunities and challenges to safety risk management in the field of prefabricated building construction. It is of great significance to provide timely information and knowledge for safety risk decisions in prefabricated building [...] Read more.
The extensive application of building information modeling (BIM) technology has brought opportunities and challenges to safety risk management in the field of prefabricated building construction. It is of great significance to provide timely information and knowledge for safety risk decisions in prefabricated building construction, and to display this information visually. In response, based on the ontology theory and using the Revit software, in this study we aimed to establish a monitoring system for the construction of prefabricated buildings, which was verified through a practical case. The results revealed that, first, ontology technology can be applied in the Revit software through plug-in integration, and knowledge regarding construction safety risk management in prefabricated building construction can be shared, reused, and accumulated using this system. Second, problems with the design and construction models of prefabricated buildings that do not meet the specification requirements can be detected by the monitoring system in the Revit software. Third, automatic risk identification and response methods using ontology theory and BIM technologies can effectively promote construction safety risk management performance in relation to prefabricated buildings. These findings examine the application of ontology to the field of prefabricated construction safety risk management for the first time, enrich the research on ontology technology, and contribute to safety risk management in the construction of prefabricated buildings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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18 pages, 11436 KiB  
Article
Vision-Based Methods for Relative Sag Measurement of Suspension Bridge Cables
by Can Huang, Yongwei Wang, Shuyuan Xu, Wenchi Shou, Chengming Peng and Danfeng Lv
Buildings 2022, 12(5), 667; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12050667 - 17 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2131
Abstract
Main cables, comprising a number of wire strands, constitute a vital element in long-span suspension bridges. The determination of their alignment during construction is of great importance, and relative sag is commonly measured for the efficient sag adjustment of general strands. The conventional [...] Read more.
Main cables, comprising a number of wire strands, constitute a vital element in long-span suspension bridges. The determination of their alignment during construction is of great importance, and relative sag is commonly measured for the efficient sag adjustment of general strands. The conventional approach uses the caterpillar method, which is inconvenient, difficult-to-implement, and potentially dangerous. In order to realize the high-precision measurement of cable alignment in a strong wind environment, a vision-based method for relative sag measurement of the general cable strands is proposed in this paper. In the proposed measurement system, images of pre-installed optical targets are collected and analyzed to realize the remote, automatic, and real-time measurement of the relative sag. The influences of wind-induced cable shaking and camera shaking on the accuracy of the height difference measurement are also theoretically analyzed. The results show that cable strand torsion and camera roll have a great impact on the measurement accuracy, while the impacts of the cable strand swing and vibration, camera swing and vibration, and camera pitch and yaw are insignificant. The vision-based measurement system tested in the field experiment also shows a measurement error within 3 mm, which meets the requirements for cable adjustment construction. At the same time, the vision-based measurement method proposed and validated in this paper can improve the measurement accuracy and efficiency of strand alignment in a strong wind environment. Potential risks involved in the manual measurement, e.g., working at heights and in strong wind environments, can be eliminated, facilitating the automation of the cable erection process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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21 pages, 4736 KiB  
Article
AlphaTruss: Monte Carlo Tree Search for Optimal Truss Layout Design
by Ruifeng Luo, Yifan Wang, Weifang Xiao and Xianzhong Zhao
Buildings 2022, 12(5), 641; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12050641 - 11 May 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2525
Abstract
Truss layout optimization under complex constraints has been a hot and challenging problem for decades that aims to find the optimal node locations, connection topology between nodes, and cross-sectional areas of connecting bars. Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) is a reinforcement learning search [...] Read more.
Truss layout optimization under complex constraints has been a hot and challenging problem for decades that aims to find the optimal node locations, connection topology between nodes, and cross-sectional areas of connecting bars. Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) is a reinforcement learning search technique that is competent to solve decision-making problems. Inspired by the success of AlphaGo using MCTS, the truss layout problem is formulated as a Markov Decision Process (MDP) model, and a 2-stage MCTS-based algorithm, AlphaTruss, is proposed for generating optimal truss layout considering topology, geometry, and bar size. In this MDP model, three sequential action sets of adding nodes, adding bars, and selecting sectional areas greatly expand the solution space and the reward function gives feedback to actions according to both geometric stability and structural simulation. To find the optimal sequential actions, AlphaTruss solves the MDP model and gives the best decision in each design step by searching and learning through MCTS. Compared with existing results from the literature, AlphaTruss exhibits better performance in finding the truss layout with the minimum weight under stress, displacement, and buckling constraints, which verifies the validity and efficiency of the established algorithm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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18 pages, 3438 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigation of h-Type Supporting System for Excavation beneath Existing Underground Space
by Yang Xiao, Xiangge Wang, Feng Yu and Zijun Wang
Buildings 2022, 12(5), 635; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12050635 - 10 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1551
Abstract
A double-row pile support system combined with existing and additional support piles offers an effective solution for further excavation beneath existing underground space. A large-scale test chamber was therefore built to simulate the whole construction process of underground space extension. Several parallel tests [...] Read more.
A double-row pile support system combined with existing and additional support piles offers an effective solution for further excavation beneath existing underground space. A large-scale test chamber was therefore built to simulate the whole construction process of underground space extension. Several parallel tests are conducted through observation, data monitoring, and analysis to study the influence of several parameters on an h-type support system containing double-row piles. The relevant parameters include pile row spacing, pile length ratio, pile-head constraint, and in-service foundation pile. The tests reveal that a significant load-transfer effect is generated between the pile rows, and increasing the spacing between pile rows within a certain range can lead to a more reasonable distribution of bending moments and pile force. The displacement of the pile top and its rate of increase are directly proportional to excavation depth, and additional excavation to the bottom of the back-row piles tends to be a critical point, after which the deformation will be significant. The stability of the system varies inversely with the reduction in pile length ratio, but is positively related to the existing pile-head constraint. Furthermore, in-service foundation piles can result in increased bending moments and reduced displacement of the pile top. Finally, the rationality of the model test results was verified according to the numerical simulation and the stability of the double-row piles support system was calculated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

24 pages, 5166 KiB  
Review
Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis on the Integration of Geographic Information Systems and Building Information Modeling for the Generation and Management of 3D Models
by César A. Carrasco, Ignacio Lombillo, Javier M. Sánchez-Espeso and Francisco Javier Balbás
Buildings 2022, 12(10), 1672; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12101672 - 12 Oct 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2408
Abstract
3D virtual management is a topic of growing interest. The AEC industry is undergoing a real revolution because of the technological changes that are taking place. Synchronized 3D visualization is one of the tools being deployed at an accelerated pace. This, together with [...] Read more.
3D virtual management is a topic of growing interest. The AEC industry is undergoing a real revolution because of the technological changes that are taking place. Synchronized 3D visualization is one of the tools being deployed at an accelerated pace. This, together with collaborative work, contributes to optimal management for all stakeholders. The integration of geographic information systems and building information modeling and heritage BIM is one of the most innovative concepts; it enables the generation of collaborative, fluid systems. The objective of this research is to identify the most significant technological developments and potential applications of the aforementioned integration. For this purpose, after a bibliographic consultation (26,245 sources), two analyses are carried out (from the screening of 179 sources), one quantitative (bibliometric) and the other qualitative (focused on five key concepts). The results show that regarding the integration of GIS with BIM and HBIM, the highest concentration of contributions is in engineering with 30.66%, followed by computer science with 21.01%. The country with the highest number of citations is China with 717, followed by Australia and the USA with 549 and 513, respectively, but relativizing the number of citations based on various indices (human development index, gross national income per capita, and population-tertiary education level), Hong Kong (18.04), Australia (10.64), and Egypt (10.16) would take the top positions, respectively. Regarding universities, the entity that has generated the most references is Delft University of Technology (the Netherlands) with 15 papers, followed by University College London (UK) with 13. Finally, the results show that GIS and BIM and HBIM provide virtual 3D models with multiple applications for buildings and infrastructures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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21 pages, 2517 KiB  
Review
Utility of BIM-CFD Integration in the Design and Performance Analysis for Buildings and Infrastructures of Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industry
by Ki-Yeob Kang, Xiangyu Wang, Jun Wang, Shuyuan Xu, Wenchi Shou and Yanhui Sun
Buildings 2022, 12(5), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12050651 - 13 May 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3742
Abstract
To scrutinize the current application of building information modelling (BIM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) integration in research as well as industrial fields, the present study conducted a holistic review including a bibliometric exploration for existing articles, specific content analysis in different sectors, [...] Read more.
To scrutinize the current application of building information modelling (BIM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) integration in research as well as industrial fields, the present study conducted a holistic review including a bibliometric exploration for existing articles, specific content analysis in different sectors, and follow-up qualitative discussion for the potential of this integrated technology. The bibliometric exploration is focused on analyzing main journals, keywords, and chronological change in representative research content by selecting 115 relevant studies. In content analysis, the representative integrated BIM and CFD application cases are divided into three different sectors. The functionality, interoperability, and sustainability of such integration in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) projects are described in detail. Furthermore, the future research based on the applications of BIM and CFD integration is discussed. Specifically, the more advanced hazard analysis is proposed reflecting the strength of such an integration. Comprehensive information for the possible hazards in AEC projects is digitized and quantified to make a more sensitive hazard recognition tool which can formalize reduction strategies and measures of potential hazards. As a result, the present review study contributes to relevant research by identifying representative application parts and practical requirements for BIM and CFD integration in whole design aspects, reviewing the current research trends and future direction in detail, and analyzing the major issues, such as an interoperability in BIM-compatible CFD for sustainable built environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Emerging Technologies to Improve Construction Performance)
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