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Interoperability of Systems in the Construction Industry

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Computing and Artificial Intelligence".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2026 | Viewed by 59

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Software & IT Engineering, École de Technologie Supérieure, Montréal, QC, Canada
Interests: BIM interoperability and LCA

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The construction industry is automating its processes and products at an increased speed, embracing information systems and automation. The clear and accelerating trend toward digital transformation is being driven by the need to address persistent challenges such as labor shortages, tight margins, and safety concerns, while also striving for greater efficiency and sustainability. A major challenge of the proposed solutions is to interoperate them for a practical use in architectural and construction projects. Interoperability is defined as the ability of different technologies, systems or applications to exchange and use information in a coordinated way. Today, architects and construction engineers are faced with a lack of standardized interoperability of tools, data format and protocols, including BIM and CAD software proprietary data formats. They face the operation of a multitude of standalone software and technologies, which becomes a major operational challenge. 

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive and forward-looking collection of applied research solutions dedicated to exploring the multifaceted challenges and innovative solutions related to collaboration and interoperability of technologies in the construction industries. We seek to move beyond simply identifying the problem, and instead present practical solutions to understand its technical, organizational, and strategic dimensions. Submissions will explore topics of integration, including the following:

  • Machine control systems integration,
  • Connecting and imbedding artificial intelligence agents,
  • BIM interoperability issues,
  • Cloud-based data environments and data rooms,
  • Imbedding IOT solutions for the construction industry
  • Drones for sites inspections,
  • Wearable technology,
  • Augmented reality and virtual reality applications,
  • Green building applications and LCA calculators,
  • Telematics,
  • Project management and building maintenance technologies.

We welcome empirical research, case studies, and theoretical papers from both academic and industry authors.

Prof. Dr. Alain April
Guest Editor

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. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

  • interoperability
  • construction industry
  • building information modeling (BIM)
  • data integration
  • digital transformation
  • AEC industry (architecture, engineering, construction)

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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