Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.4
3.1
Journals
Buildings
Special Issues
Digital Technologies in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC)—2nd Edition
share announcement

Digital Technologies in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC)—2nd Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 November 2025 | Viewed by 2638

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Feng Guo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
Interests: intelligent construction; enterprise management; organization management; project management; program management; construction waste management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is undergoing a significant shift from conventional labour-intensive methods to automation through the use of digital technologies (DTs), bringing various benefits to the industry, such as enhanced visualization and productivity, better data sharing, reduced construction waste, sustainable performance, and safety improvements. However, the rapid growth in the application of DTs in the AEC industry still poses many challenges, with scientific issues deserving of scholarly attention. This Special Issue therefore invites authors to submit high-quality contributions on topics related to digital technologies in this sector. We welcome original research or systematic literature reviews using survey or qualitative research, mathematical modelling, and other methods.

We sincerely appreciate your interest and look forward to your valuable contribution to making this Special Issue a success. We also wish to encourage you to share this invitation among your colleagues and any researchers who may be interested in participating.

Prof. Dr. Feng Guo
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. 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

  • intelligent construction
  • green construction
  • sustainable construction
  • computer-aided design and engineering
  • automated inspection
  • robotics in construction
  • innovation management in construction
  • construction waste management

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.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

19 pages, 2221 KiB  
Article
Challenges in Asset Management and Digital Twins: Industry Insights
by Abdelmoneim Mohamed Abdelmoti, Muhammad Tariq Shafiq, Abdul Rauf and Malik Mansoor Ali Khalfan
Buildings 2025, 15(11), 1809; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15111809 - 25 May 2025
Viewed by 380
Abstract
Effective asset management in the architecture, engineering, and construction/facilities management (AEC/FM) industry is crucial for improving asset performance and lifespan, as well as reducing downtimes and maintenance costs. Current asset management practices mostly rely on outdated paper-based approaches that are prone to data [...] Read more.
Effective asset management in the architecture, engineering, and construction/facilities management (AEC/FM) industry is crucial for improving asset performance and lifespan, as well as reducing downtimes and maintenance costs. Current asset management practices mostly rely on outdated paper-based approaches that are prone to data loss, security attacks, and missing information. Emerging technologies, such as digital twins, are being proposed to solve existing asset management problems in the AEC industry. However, the industry perspective is often missing in the evaluation of such technology-led approaches regarding actual applications and implementation challenges. This study seeks to understand the potential of digital twins in solving current asset management issues and challenges within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) context. To achieve this aim, structured interviews were conducted with 14 industry experts to capture their understanding of current digital technologies and existing issues in asset management. The findings of this study underscore the transformative potential of digital twins as a tool for optimizing asset performance and decision-making throughout the asset lifecycle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Technologies in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC)—2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 17330 KiB  
Article
Research on Automated On-Site Construction of Timber Structures: Mobile Construction Platform Guided by Real-Time Visual Positioning System
by Kang Bi, Xinyu Shi, Da Wan, Haining Zhou, Wenxuan Zhao, Chengpeng Sun, Peng Du and Hiroatsu Fukuda
Buildings 2025, 15(10), 1594; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15101594 - 8 May 2025
Viewed by 497
Abstract
In recent years, the AEC industry has increasingly sought sustainable solutions to enhance productivity and reduce environmental pollution, with wood emerging as a key renewable material due to its excellent carbon sequestration capability and low ecological footprint. Despite significant advances in digital fabrication [...] Read more.
In recent years, the AEC industry has increasingly sought sustainable solutions to enhance productivity and reduce environmental pollution, with wood emerging as a key renewable material due to its excellent carbon sequestration capability and low ecological footprint. Despite significant advances in digital fabrication technologies for timber construction, on-site assembly still predominantly relies on manual operations, thereby limiting efficiency and precision. To address this challenge, this study proposes an automated on-site timber construction process that integrates a mobile construction platform (MCP), a fiducial marker system (FMS) and a UWB/IMU integrated navigation system. By deconstructing traditional modular stacking methods and iteratively developing the process in a controlled laboratory environment, the authors formalize raw construction experience into an effective workflow, supplemented by a self-feedback error correction system to achieve precise, real-time end-effector positioning. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the system consistently achieves millimeter-level positioning accuracy across all test scenarios, with translational errors of approximately 1 mm and an average repeat positioning precision of up to 0.08 mm, thereby aligning with on-site timber construction requirements. These findings validate the method’s technical reliability, robustness and practical applicability, laying a solid foundation for a smooth transition from laboratory trials to large-scale on-site timber construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Technologies in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC)—2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 1814 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Dynamic Evolution and Prevention of Technological Innovation Risks in Major Railway Projects
by Feng Guo, Qixuan Liu, Lemin Li, Yixue Zuo, Yifang Pan and Wanping Pan
Buildings 2025, 15(8), 1294; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081294 - 15 Apr 2025
Viewed by 369
Abstract
Technological innovation risk in major railway projects is high, and the risk factors in the innovation process are complex and variable. In order to successfully complete the goal of technological innovation in major railway projects. This paper identifies the risk factors of technological [...] Read more.
Technological innovation risk in major railway projects is high, and the risk factors in the innovation process are complex and variable. In order to successfully complete the goal of technological innovation in major railway projects. This paper identifies the risk factors of technological innovation in major railway projects, establishes a system dynamics model of technological innovation risk evolution, and carries out simulation analysis by taking the C railway project as an example, to understand the risk evolution process, clarify the key tasks of risk prevention, and finally draw the following research conclusions: (1) Technological innovation risk is categorized into innovation management risk, technology R&D risk, and technology application risk, of which innovation management risk has a greater impact on technological innovation risk. (2) During the construction process, the risk of technological innovation shows a general trend of increasing and then stabilizing, with the technology R&D stage being the centralized emergence stage of technological innovation risk. (3) Changes in the values of risk factors will have different degrees of impact on technological innovation risk, with changes in planning and implementation having the greatest impact on the technological innovation risk system, followed by the feasibility of results, and changes in the value of technological difficulties risk having a lesser impact on the system. The results of this study can provide lessons and references for the prevention of technological innovation risks in major railway projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Technologies in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC)—2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 17688 KiB  
Article
Risk−Based Cost−Benefit Optimization Design for Steel Frame Structures to Resist Progressive Collapse
by Feng Guo, Xuancen Li, Aiyan Xu, Yuchen Zhang and Wanping Pan
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3880; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123880 - 3 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 853
Abstract
The design of structures to resist progressive collapse primarily focuses on enhancing structural safety and robustness. However, given the low probability of accidental events, such designs often lead to a negative cost–benefit. To address this problem, this paper uses risk analysis to optimize [...] Read more.
The design of structures to resist progressive collapse primarily focuses on enhancing structural safety and robustness. However, given the low probability of accidental events, such designs often lead to a negative cost–benefit. To address this problem, this paper uses risk analysis to optimize the progressive collapse resistance design of steel frame structures. The elements’ cross-section design for the progressive collapse resistance of steel frame structures is optimized using genetic algorithms and SAP2000 23, which identify the structural model with the minimum robustness index while ensuring safety. The results show that the risk-based robustness index can effectively assess the cost of progressive collapse design. More importantly, the optimization model can rapidly identify the most cost-effective structural design solution that complies with progressive collapse resistance guidelines, enhancing the simplicity and usability of the structure design optimization process. Additionally, the integration of the SAP2000 API with Python 3.8 automation streamlines the parameterization process, minimizes manual errors, and enhances the precision and efficiency of the structural design optimization. Finally, the model’s effectiveness is validated through a case study, where the refined single-frame structure shows a reduction in initial construction and collapse-related costs by 2.4% and 9.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, the three-dimensional frame shows a 2.9% rise in initial costs but a 13.5% decrease in total collapse-resistant design costs, illustrating the model’s ability to balance safety with cost-effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Technologies in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC)—2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop