Research on Construction Innovation and Digitization

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 (28 February 2025) | Viewed by 23459

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Interests: construction innovation; building information modeling; computer-assisted construction management; life-cycle management

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Management, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Interests: technological innovation; strategic management; global innovation; digital intelligence innovation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Construction management faces new challenges given the popularity of digital construction, innovative project delivery methods, emerging technologies in design and construction, and computer-assisted construction management. Project management has become more complex, and it requires advanced models and technology to improve the quality and efficiency of design, construction, operation, and maintenance of buildings. Computer technologies incorporate various processes, software, and hardware that could be used in different phases of a building life cycle. It is urgent to propose solutions through research and practice, to improve the traditional project management theory, and to accommodate the complex project management.

This Special Issue aims to publish high-quality research papers on the inter-disciplinary field of ICTs and computer applications in construction management.

We look forward to receiving your papers!

Dr. Yingnan Yang
Prof. Dr. Hongming Xie
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 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 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 automation
  • digital construction
  • computer-assisted construction
  • management BIM (building information modelling)
  • lifecycle management
  • construction supply chains
  • smart construction
  • advances in digital technologies for the built environment

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

18 pages, 8001 KiB  
Article
Nonplanar Robotic Printing of Earth-Based Material: A Case Study Using Cob-like Mixture
by Lina Ahmad, Wassim Jabi and Marco Sosa
Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2589; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082589 - 22 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1451
Abstract
The study presents an integration of cob with robotic processes. By challenging conventional monolithic earth-building methods, the study proposes the use of spatial nonplanar formations that are robotically fabricated, presenting an alternative geometric language for earth construction. The research methodology is derived from [...] Read more.
The study presents an integration of cob with robotic processes. By challenging conventional monolithic earth-building methods, the study proposes the use of spatial nonplanar formations that are robotically fabricated, presenting an alternative geometric language for earth construction. The research methodology is derived from existing factors within the robotic lab, encompassing both constant and variable parameters. Through an experimental approach, the variables are systematically manipulated while observing the outcomes to identify patterns and relationships. Incremental refinements to the research conditions result in an optimal equilibrium state within the defined lab parameters. An empirical investigation approach serves as the foundation for controlling the printing process; wherein an iterative adjustment of the robot extrusion parameters is based on the behaviour of the deposited material. The outcome is several robotically printed cob nonplanar prototypes. Depending on their geometric formations and complexity, the printing process combined three variations: continuous, intervals, and modular. The latter enabled the production of a cob arch, serving as proof of feasibility for the creation of modular cob structures through a segmented assembly process. The study contributes to expanding the possibilities of cob construction by leveraging robotic technologies and paving the way for innovative applications of cob in contemporary architecture practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Construction Innovation and Digitization)
Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 13618 KiB  
Article
Augmented Data-Driven Machine Learning for Digital Twin of Stud Shear Connections
by Gi-Tae Roh, Nhung Vu, Chi-Ho Jeon and Chang-Su Shim
Buildings 2024, 14(2), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14020328 - 24 Jan 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1624
Abstract
Existing design codes for predicting the strength of stud shear connections in composite structures are limited when adapting to constant changes in materials and configurations. Machine learning (ML) models for predicting shear connection are often constrained by the number of input variables, resembling [...] Read more.
Existing design codes for predicting the strength of stud shear connections in composite structures are limited when adapting to constant changes in materials and configurations. Machine learning (ML) models for predicting shear connection are often constrained by the number of input variables, resembling conventional design equations. Moreover, these models tend to overlook considerations beyond those directly comprising the connection. In addition, the data used in ML are often biased and limited in quantity. This study proposes a model using AutoML to automate and optimize the process for predicting the ultimate strength and deformation capacity of shear connections. The proposed model leverages a comprehensive dataset derived from experimental studies and finite element analyses, offering an advanced data-driven solution to overcome the limitations of traditional empirical equations. A digital twin model for the static design of pushout specimens was defined to replace existing empirical design codes. The digital twin model incorporates predictions of the geometry model, ultimate strength, and slip as input parameters and provides criteria for evaluating the limit state through a bilinear load–slip curve. This study advances predictive methodologies in structural engineering by emphasizing the importance of ML in addressing the dynamic and multifaceted nature of shear connection behaviors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Construction Innovation and Digitization)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

24 pages, 8182 KiB  
Review
Digital Technologies for Promoting Construction and Demolition Waste Management: A Systematic Review
by Comfort Olubukola Iyiola, Winston Shakantu and Emmanuel Itodo Daniel
Buildings 2024, 14(10), 3234; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14103234 - 12 Oct 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3968
Abstract
The increasing concern about the environment has led to the necessity of ensuring efficient Construction and Demolition Waste Management (C&DWM) in the built environment. Despite the extensive research on C&DWM, the industry still faces significant challenges, including inefficiencies, high costs, and environmental impacts. [...] Read more.
The increasing concern about the environment has led to the necessity of ensuring efficient Construction and Demolition Waste Management (C&DWM) in the built environment. Despite the extensive research on C&DWM, the industry still faces significant challenges, including inefficiencies, high costs, and environmental impacts. Meanwhile, incorporating digital technologies (DTs) has emerged as a way to eradicate the challenges of C&DW. In response to the knowledge gap, in this research, we conducted a systematic literature review (SLR), incorporating bibliometric, text-mining, and content analysis to meet the research objectives. In total, 126 papers were retrieved from the Scopus database and transferred into VOSviewer to conduct the bibliometric analysis. The findings identified seven specific DTs, namely, blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Robotics, Computer Vision (CV), and Building Information modeling (BIM). This study demonstrates that these technologies play a significant role in promoting efficient C&DWM in the construction industry. The study’s implication lies in its potential to guide industry stakeholders and policymakers in promoting the use of DTs and overcoming the barriers to their adoption, thereby facilitating more efficient and sustainable C&DWM practices. Finally, the findings of our research indicate possible future research directions for promoting DTs for C&DWM and eradicating the barriers to efficient implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Construction Innovation and Digitization)
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 3349 KiB  
Review
Stakeholder Relationship in Construction Projects: A Mixed Methods Review
by Yingnan Yang, Ziyi Wei and Zhicheng Zhang
Buildings 2023, 13(12), 3122; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13123122 - 15 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 11013
Abstract
Relationship management among different stakeholder groups plays an increasingly important role in construction innovation, which could explain the growing interest in stakeholder relationship studies of construction projects (SRCP) over the last two decades. However, most of the recent literature review studies have focused [...] Read more.
Relationship management among different stakeholder groups plays an increasingly important role in construction innovation, which could explain the growing interest in stakeholder relationship studies of construction projects (SRCP) over the last two decades. However, most of the recent literature review studies have focused on stakeholder management, and there are very few studies systematically describing what types of relationships actually exist in construction projects. To fill the gap, a mixed-methods review is conducted to explore the state-of-the-art work on SRCP. 312 relevant peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2000 and 2022 were examined and analyzed using data from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. A follow-up systematic review of the identified literature was conducted with three main objectives: identifying the main research category, summarizing the main research topics, and proposing future research directions. It was found that over the past 20 years, SRCP has been extended to a greater variety of research topics, such as information technology, which needs to take into account the multi-dimensional research agendas. Overall, this study contributes to the research field in the SRCP domain by offering insightful information on the current state of SRCP and proposing potential future directions for research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Construction Innovation and Digitization)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

20 pages, 1597 KiB  
Systematic Review
Barriers to the Application of Digital Technologies in Construction Health and Safety: A Systematic Review
by Emmanuel Itodo Daniel, Olalekan S. Oshodi, Nnaemeka Nwankwo, Fidelis A. Emuze and Ezekiel Chinyio
Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2386; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082386 - 2 Aug 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4423
Abstract
Construction is one of the most dangerous industries, with workers frequently exposed to hazardous environments, resulting in numerous occupational injuries and illnesses globally. While digital technology (DT) can improve construction health and safety management, there are barriers to its global adoption. This research [...] Read more.
Construction is one of the most dangerous industries, with workers frequently exposed to hazardous environments, resulting in numerous occupational injuries and illnesses globally. While digital technology (DT) can improve construction health and safety management, there are barriers to its global adoption. This research examines these barriers in both developed and developing countries. A systematic review of 88 articles identified critical barriers, including technical issues, training and knowledge gaps, implementation challenges, data analysis limitations, and system efficiency problems. Standardising the use of new technology is challenging due to the constantly changing nature of construction projects. There is a lack of knowledge on increasing the use of DT in construction. Future research should focus on targeted strategies, pilot studies, and prioritising workers’ health to overcome context-specific barriers and maximise the benefits of these innovative tools to prevent injuries and improve health and safety management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Construction Innovation and Digitization)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop