scholarly journals Healthy BIM: the feasibility of integrating architecture health indicators using a building information model (BIM) computer system

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Rice
Keyword(s):  
Architectural Design ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Optimal Strategies ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Important Relationship ◽  
Building Information

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has forced billions of people into lockdown; foregrounding the important relationship between architecture and health. In this context, there is heightened urgency for the construction sector to improve the healthiness of buildings. Accordingly, the research identifies the feasibility of measuring various building health indicators (BHIs) through the use of a building information management (BIM) model. The research seeks to find optimal strategies for integrating the near ubiquitous use of BIM with a range of health indicators related to building design.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review was undertaken to identify potential BHIs for use in BIM models. The research then undertook a Delphi technique in order to test the hypothesis. In total, three rounds of questionnaire-based surveys were undertaken with expert participants.FindingsThe research identifies three different levels of BIM complexity in order to achieve the integration of health indicators. The most simple strategy suggests BHI can be directly measured using existing BIM models; the next level of sophistication requires “plug-in” software to BIM models; the final level would require additional sensors and detectors in a “smart” building.Practical implicationsThe research is significant for users of BIM, building designers, public health advisors, construction professionals, healthcare providers, social prescribers, architects and clients.Originality/valueThe integration of BHI into the architectural design process is an important step towards the construction sector improving health and well-being. The research provides for the first time a rigorous identification of the most viable mechanisms through which BIM may be used to measure the healthiness of a building.

scholarly journals BIM for Healthy Buildings: An Integrated Approach of Architectural Design based on IAQ Prediction

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10417
Author(s):  
Alessandro D’Amico ◽  
Giacomo Bergonzoni ◽  
Agnese Pini ◽  
Edoardo Currà
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Model ◽  
Architectural Design ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Control Instrument ◽  
Building Information ◽  
And Control

The relationship between users and the built environment represents a fundamental aspect of health. The factors that define the properties linked to health and well-being are increasingly becoming part of building design. In these terms, building information modelling (BIM) and BIM-based performance simulation take on a priority role. Among the key features for the design of Healthy Buildings, indoor air quality (IAQ) plays a central role. There are numerous indoor pollutants with significant health effects; volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are to be mentioned among these. The paper presents the proposal of an integrated workflow in the BIM process for the check and control of VOC emissions from building materials and their concentration in confined environments. The workflow is developed through the systematisation of IAQ parameters for the open BIM standard, the integration in the BIM process of a numerical model for the prediction of the VOCs concentration in the indoor environment, and the development of model checkers for performance verification. The results show a good adhesion between the numerical model and the implementation in BIM, providing the designer with a rapid control instrument of IAQ in the various phases of the building design. The present study is the first development focused on TVOC, but implementable concerning other aspects of IAQ, as needed for the effectiveness of performance building-based design for health and wellness issues.

Health literacy and mental health of school principals. Results from a German cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Dadaczynski ◽  
Claudia Kotarski ◽  
Katharina Rathmann ◽  
Orkan Okan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Emotional Exhaustion ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
School Principals ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type

PurposeSchool principals are generally seen as key facilitators for the delivery and long-term implementation of activities on school health promotion, including health literacy. However, there is little evidence on the health literacy and health status of this occupational group. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the health literacy of school principals and its association with mental health indicators.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional online survey with German school principals and members of the management board (vice principals) was conducted (n = 680, 68.3% female). Demographic (gender, age) and work characteristics (type of school, professional role) as well as health literacy served as independent variables. Mental health as a dependent variable included well-being, emotional exhaustion and psychosomatic complaints. Next to uni- and bivariate analysis, a series of binary logistic regression models was performed.FindingsOf the respondents, 29.2% showed a limited health literacy with significant differences to the disadvantage of male principals. With regard to mental health, respondents aged over 60 years and those from schools for children with special educational needs were less often affected by low well-being as well as frequent emotional exhaustion and psychosomatic complaints. Taking into account demographic and work characteristics, regression models revealed significant associations between a low level of health literacy and poor mental health across all indicators.Research limitations/implicationsThe cross-sectional nature of this study does not allow to draw conclusions about the causal pathways between health literacy and mental health. Although the sample has been weighted, the results cannot be generalized to the whole population of school principals. There is a need for evidence-based interventions aiming at promoting health literacy and mental health tailored to the needs of school principals.Originality/valueThis is the first study to investigate health literacy and its association with health indicators among school principals.

Assessing design buildability through virtual reality from the perspective of construction students

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Don Amila Sajeevan Samarasinghe ◽  
Imelda Saran Piri
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Building Information ◽  
2D Drawing ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of visual models on the ability of construction students to assess design buildability.Design/methodology/approachThe study engaged 45 construction students from one selected tertiary education institute in New Zealand. The data collection process involved meeting the students face-to-face and demonstrating the VR model to them, after which the students completed an online questionnaire and assessed design buildability using both 2D drawing and virtual reality (VR) models. To make this assessment, the participants considered a residential earth building modelled to promote sustainable building features. The assessment process required the participants to evaluate the design buildability of the same building design using a 2D drawing and a 3D VR model.FindingsThe study found that VR models have significant advantages for assessing design buildability. Students measured 16.80% higher average buildability with the 3D VR model compared to the 2D drawing. The participants in the evaluation felt that the visual model significantly improved the comprehensibility of complex designs, which helped identify and manage design buildability (overall, 83% of participants strongly supported this).Originality/valueThe paper showed construction digitisation such as VR, augmented reality and building information modelling is highly cooperative as it can easily be made available for online learning. Thus, the findings support construction educators use online-based VR learning to promote efficient teaching of design buildability to students.

The application and barriers of BIM in sustainable building design

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olufolahan Oduyemi ◽  
Michael Iheoma Okoroh ◽  
Oluwaseun Samuel Fajana
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Building Information Modelling ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Modelling ◽  
Building Information

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and rank the benefits and barriers (technological and non-technological) of using Building Information Modelling (BIM) in sustainable building design. It also employs the use of a design tool analysis of a case study using BIM compatible tools (Ecotect and Green Building Studio) to determine the environmental performance of a proposed multi-use building at Derby North. Design/methodology/approach The paper explores the benefits and barriers of using BIM through a literature review. Regression and factor analysis were used to rank these benefits and barriers. A questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 120 practitioners with 69 completing the survey. Finally, the paper employs the use of a design tool analysis of a case study using BIM-compatible tools (Ecotect and Green Building Studio) to determine the environmental performance of a proposed multi-use building at Derby North riverside. Findings The key findings of the statistical analysis indicated that professionals ranked the integrated project delivery as the most established benefit, while the lack of interoperability was ranked the greatest technological challenge. Only three of the attributes of non-technological challenges made statistically unique contributions, namely, training costs and software costs, client demand and potential legal issues. It was also discovered that BIM delivers information needed for environmental performance. In a forward-looking approach, the paper attempts to provide some recommendations that would encourage the continuous application of BIM in sustainable building design. Research limitations/implications This paper does not cover all features of BIM functionality, as the scope of BIM is very enormous and the resources of this research were limited. Practical implications The implication of the study is that it will assist in exploring and ranking the benefits and barriers (technological and non-technological) of using BIM while proffering recommendations for future use. This research will be of interest to industry practitioners and academic researchers with an interest in building information modelling. Originality/value This paper contributes with new outlooks aimed at syndicating sustainability with environmental performance and adds to the limited empirical studies on the benefits and barriers of the application of BIM.

scholarly journals A model for spatial planning of site and building using BIM methodology

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonas USTINOVICHIUS ◽  
Aurelija PECKIENĖ ◽  
Vladimir POPOV
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Planning System ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Building Information Modelling ◽  
Planning Stage ◽  
Information Modelling ◽  
Territorial Planning ◽  
Building Information ◽  
A Site

In this day and age, as information technology develops at an intense pace, the construction sector cannot af­ford to fall behind. The term “building information modelling”, or BIM, is now used increasingly more frequently. BIM covers the entire life span of a building – from planning to demolition. However, it should not be forgotten, that with­out a site, there can be no building. Territorial planning documents establish certain requirements for both the site itself and the buildings to be built within its boundaries. At present, territorial planning and building design are, for the most part, carried out as separate processes. In order to develop a more rational and effective process for the execution of a construction project, more attention should be paid to the stage of initial site and building planning (spatial planning). The requirements established by territorial planning documents must be taken into account at the initial site and building planning stage. A spatial planning model for buildings associated with a territorial planning system was developed as part of this study and could be used as a basis for further building information modelling.

ADOPTING BIM IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OFFICES

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeliz Tulubas-Gokuc ◽  
David Arditi
Keyword(s):  
Architectural Design ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Perceived Ease Of Use ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Design Firms

Developments in technology such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) have recently created serious competitive pressures on architectural design firms and building construction companies. Design firms and construction companies need to adopt these new technologies to survive and thrive in this environment. Despite the advantages of BIM in building design, its adoption by architectural design firms has been slow due to obstacles such as lack of familiarity with BIM, lack of training in BIM, and lack of supporting resources such as hardware and software. The problems faced in adopting BIM were investigated by only few researchers who focused on the acceptance or penetration of BIM into construction firms. The objective of this research is to develop an integrated model to understand the adoption of BIM in architectural design firms. The model involves (1) the fit between the tasks to be performed by design professionals and the technology provided by BIM, (2) the fit between the organizational competency in the design firm and the capabilities offered by BIM, and (3) the fit between the designers’ knowledge/skills in BIM and the sophistication of the BIM product. After a thorough review and synthesis of technology adoption models and theories, this paper proposes an integrated model to understand the adoption of BIM by architectural design firms. The model argues that using BIM depends on BIM’s properties as well as the tasks at hand, the organizational competency of the company, and the perceived ease of use.

scholarly journals An investigation into BIM uptake among contracting firms: an empirical study in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Olusola Babatunde ◽  
Srinath Perera ◽  
Damilola Ekundayo ◽  
Damilola Sarah Adeleke
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current State ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Building information modeling (BIM) is vital in the performance improvement of contracting firms. Thus, there is a need to stimulate its implementation in the construction sector with a view to meeting the competitive demands of the industry. However, there have been very few studies on BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria. Hence, this study aims to examine the current BIM uptake among Nigerian contracting firms, assess the barriers to BIM implementation and examine the ways of improving BIM implementation within these contracting firms. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was conducted on contracting firms (comprising small-, medium- and large-sized firms) in Lagos, Nigeria. The obtained data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. These included percentage, mean score, standard deviation, the Kruskal–Wallis test and factor analysis. Findings This study revealed the current state of BIM implementation among contracting firms in Nigeria in terms of their knowledge of BIM, their usage of BIM as well as the BIM software adopted. Furthermore, the study identified 25 barriers to BIM implementation in contracting firms and identified 15 ways to improve BIM implementation in contracting firms. The relative importance of both the identified barriers and the ways for improving BIM implementation was gauged among contracting firms comprising small-, medium- and large-sized firms. The result of the Kruskal–Wallis test revealed that, except for two (out of 25) identified barriers, and one (out of 15) identified ways of improving BIM implementation in contracting firms, there is no significant statistical difference in the perceptions of the three respondents’ groups. The result of the factor analysis categorized the identified 25 barriers into seven main factors. Practical implications This study provides empirical evidence on the barriers to BIM implementation and the ways of improving its implementation among contracting firms, thereby providing a better insight of the Nigerian construction industry’s BIM environment. Originality/value This study’s findings can positively inform the decisions of construction stakeholders to formulate strategies capable of improving BIM implementation in the construction industry at large.

Differentially Private Medical Texts Generation Using Generative Neural Networks

2022 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Md Momin Al Aziz ◽  
Tanbir Ahmed ◽  
Tasnia Faequa ◽  
Xiaoqian Jiang ◽  
Yiyu Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Science ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Original Text ◽  
Sensitive Information ◽  
Classification Problems ◽  
Medical Texts ◽  
Health Records ◽  
Content Type

Technological advancements in data science have offered us affordable storage and efficient algorithms to query a large volume of data. Our health records are a significant part of this data, which is pivotal for healthcare providers and can be utilized in our well-being. The clinical note in electronic health records is one such category that collects a patient’s complete medical information during different timesteps of patient care available in the form of free-texts. Thus, these unstructured textual notes contain events from a patient’s admission to discharge, which can prove to be significant for future medical decisions. However, since these texts also contain sensitive information about the patient and the attending medical professionals, such notes cannot be shared publicly. This privacy issue has thwarted timely discoveries on this plethora of untapped information. Therefore, in this work, we intend to generate synthetic medical texts from a private or sanitized (de-identified) clinical text corpus and analyze their utility rigorously in different metrics and levels. Experimental results promote the applicability of our generated data as it achieves more than 80\% accuracy in different pragmatic classification problems and matches (or outperforms) the original text data.

Learning from the experience and effectiveness of retirement village and extra care housing responses to the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael Dutton
Keyword(s):  
Building Design ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
First Year ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Retirement Village ◽  
General Community ◽  
Extra Care Housing

Purpose This paper aims to describe the RE-COV study and to summarise its findings. It focuses particularly on the implications of lessons learned for national, operational and building design policy and practice. Design/methodology/approach Invitations to take part in a RE-COV study survey were emailed to the operators of 270 retirement villages and older people’s extra care housing schemes in England which were known to the Elderly Accommodation Counsel. Completed questionnaires were returned from 38 operators, online or electronically, between December 2020 and February 2021. Findings Survey findings evidenced the breadth and depth of the operators’ responses, the effects these had on residents’ lives and worthwhile changes which could be made. Outcomes demonstrated included higher levels of protection for residents from the COVID-19 virus compared to older people living in the general community, and high levels of residents feeling safe, supported and reassured. Practical implications The findings are used to offer evidence-based recommendations for housing operators, building designers and policymakers which could enhance resident, staff and operators’ health and well-being, both going forward and during possible future pandemics. Social implications There is evidence that retirement villages and extra care housing provided safe, resilient and supportive environments during the first year of the pandemic which were highly valued by residents. Originality/value This study addressed a knowledge gap regarding how the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted housing-with-care stakeholders, evidencing specifically how operators had responded, and what their response achieved.

scholarly journals The effect of sexual activity on wages

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Drydakis
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Market Outcomes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wage Returns ◽  
Productive Traits

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to estimate whether sexual activity is associated with wages, and also to estimate potential interactions between individuals’ characteristics, wages and sexual activity. Design/methodology/approach – The central hypothesis behind this research is that sexual activity, alike health indicators and mental well-being, may be thought of as part of an individual’s set of productive traits that affect wages. Using two-stage estimations the author examines the relationship between adult sexual activity and wages. Findings – The author estimates that there is a monotonic relationship between the frequency of sexual activity and wage returns, whilst the returns to sexual activity are higher for those between 26 and 50 years of age. In addition, heterosexuals’ sexual activity does not seem to provide higher or lower wage returns than that of homosexuals, but wages are higher for those health-impaired employees who are sexually active. Over-identification tests, robustness checks, falsification tests, as well as, decomposition analysis and sample selection modelling enhance study’s strength. Social implications – Contemporary social analysis suggests that health, cognitive and non-cognitive skills and personality are important factors that affect wage level. Sexual activity may also be of interest to social scientists, since sexual activity is considered to be a barometer for health, quality of life, well-being and happiness. Originality/value – The paper adds to the literature on the importance of unobserved characteristics in determining labour market outcomes.

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