scholarly journals Optimizing the Sustainable Aspects of the Design Process through Building Information Modeling

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3041
Author(s):  
Clara Vite ◽  
Renata Morbiducci

More than thirty years after the definition of sustainable development, the commitment to protect the planet has been renewed, and all sectors of human activity have been called to contribute to this critical challenge of our time. Therefore, the construction sector can also make an essential contribution. Designers are called upon to modify their actions to consider the environmental, social, and economic impacts during the entire life cycle of construction. The digital revolution could be a suitable opportunity for a profound renewal oriented towards sustainability. The new digital technologies and the increased computing power are useful for managing the increasing complexity in current projects and supporting collaboration between the many experts involved. The presented research analyzes the current state and identifies the signs of change and the cues to imagine possible virtuous complicity between sustainable development goals and the digital revolution’s potential, which is supported by the operational features of optimization methods. Based on this in-depth analysis, an operational strategy has been defined, combining the three macro themes usually treated separately—sustainability, digitization, and optimization. This strategy can be a valuable tool to guide designers in optimizing the process of sustainable design and regenerative construction.

Author(s):  
Xiaoliang Li ◽  
Wenjie Xia ◽  
Zongcai Li

Due to the continuous introduction of new building technologies, research results, and technical specifications, the design and construction process of buildings has become extremely complex, paying more attention to the sustainable development of the building itself; it not only requires close communication between project participants, but also an in-depth analysis of building performance and structure is required during the design phase. Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology has been widely used in the development of the construction industry in recent years. It can effectively realize the integration of building information, so that all parties involved in the project can work together based on the same platform, which can more effectively improve work efficiency and save resource input, lower construction costs, and ultimately achieve the goal of sustainable development. On the basis of summarizing the previous research results, this paper uses BIM technology to analyze the optimization effect of large-scale construction engineering from the aspects of information model, resource allocation and technology optimization. The analysis results provide reference for subsequent in-depth research.


Author(s):  
N. Rodigina ◽  
S. Moleva ◽  
M. Logina ◽  
V. Musikhin

This article is devoted to digitalization as a challenge of the modern world economy. The digital revolution has changed our lives and societies with unprecedented speed and scale, providing huge opportunities as well as daunting challenges. New technologies can make a significant contribution to achieving sustainable development goals, but positive results should not be taken for granted.


AI and Ethics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee van Wynsberghe

AbstractWhile there is a growing effort towards AI for Sustainability (e.g. towards the sustainable development goals) it is time to move beyond that and to address the sustainability of developing and using AI systems. In this paper I propose a definition of Sustainable AI; Sustainable AI is a movement to foster change in the entire lifecycle of AI products (i.e. idea generation, training, re-tuning, implementation, governance) towards greater ecological integrity and social justice. As such, Sustainable AI is focused on more than AI applications; rather, it addresses the whole sociotechnical system of AI. I have suggested here that Sustainable AI is not about how to sustain the development of AI per say but it is about how to develop AI that is compatible with sustaining environmental resources for current and future generations; economic models for societies; and societal values that are fundamental to a given society. I have articulated that the phrase Sustainable AI be understood as having two branches; AI for sustainability and sustainability of AI (e.g. reduction of carbon emissions and computing power). I propose that Sustainable AI take sustainable development at the core of its definition with three accompanying tensions between AI innovation and equitable resource distribution; inter and intra-generational justice; and, between environment, society, and economy. This paper is not meant to engage with each of the three pillars of sustainability (i.e. social, economic, environment), and as such the pillars of sustainable AI. Rather, this paper is meant to inspire the reader, the policy maker, the AI ethicist, the AI developer to connect with the environment—to remember that there are environmental costs to AI. Further, to direct funding towards sustainable methods of AI.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franco Fassio

Food, the basic connecting unit of all the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, plays a crucial role in the ecological transition towards a circular economic paradigm. This paper takes scientific considerations as a starting point in order to contribute to the definition of a theoretical-operational framework in which to grow the Circular Economy for Food. This is a still-open question in a sector of the circular economy that is emerging as vital to sustainable development. The 3 C's of Capital, Cyclicality and Co-evolution offer a systemic, holistic vision of the food system's role. Within this conceptual framework, the designers can find the main boundaries of the system, within which to express their creativity. The aim must be to avoid damaging relationships with the best supplier of raw material known to humanity (Nature), respecting planetary boundaries and at the same time offering a fair space to civil society.


Author(s):  
Matthias Rolf Tietze ◽  
Frank Schladitz ◽  
Manfred Curbach ◽  
Alexander Kahnt ◽  
Robert Zobel

<p>The world of construction becomes smarter. New building processes, such as building information modeling (BIM), automated manufacturing (Industry 4.0) and sustainable building are an integral part of today’s industry. Also, new material combinations, like carbon reinforced concrete, capture more and more construction applications. The number of practical examples of carbon reinforced concrete has increased. However, this is only the beginning, as the development goals have not been reached yet. After the first approved systems, further questions arise, including high-temperature-resistant reinforcement, economic production processes and the vision of an integral planned, automatically produced, and sustainable smart building. In this vision, the embedded carbon reinforcement is part of the infrastructure that enables smart-home applications and pushes the research ahead. For example, pre-pregs of carbon reinforced concrete are being developed, based on well-known carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) applications. The curing process can be controlled and brought to an end at the construction side, days, or even weeks after the pre-fab production has taken place. Automated robots are capable of placing the carbon yarn in the pre-fabricated formwork. So, the typical manufacturing (value) chain is becoming outdated, as the usual rebar or grid manufacturing is omitted</p><p>– these are also part of the current developments. Also, mineral coatings for the high-temperature- resistant reinforcement are also under development, and it is showing promising results. Another niche industry revolves around multifunctional pre-cast components with integrated heating and energy storage and load-bearing functions, which are already cheaper than the classic separated components. We lead the C³ carbon concrete composite R &amp; D project and have an overview of the latest forward- looking and visionary development approaches in carbon reinforced concrete.</p>


Author(s):  
Donatella Ettorre ◽  
Nicola Bellantuono ◽  
Barbara Scozzi ◽  
Pierpaolo Pontrandolfo

This chapter focuses on social innovation, a topic that the literature has been increasingly discussing in the last decade. The authors revise the many available (and, to some extent, too general) definitions as well as identify the main features that have been claimed as relevant for social innovation (e.g. Mumford, 2002), which concur in providing its definition. By doing so, they pursue the assessment of a less fuzzy definition of social innovation and make a first attempt to focus on the role that companies play in developing as well as scaling social innovations. The adopted approach exploits the literature review and is based on an in-depth analysis of the definitions of social innovation: the authors collected and catalogued them, so identifying the main dimensions of analysis. Clarifying what social innovation is and the role that companies play in social innovation initiatives can increase companies' awareness of what they (can) do with respect to social innovation, possibly taking advantage of this in terms of business objectives.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuangliang Tai ◽  
Yao Zhang ◽  
Ting Li

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to promote the application of building information modeling (BIM) in China’s construction industry, key factors and their relationships are explored. Design/methodology/approach Based on a literature review, 28 factors were extracted and their relationships (239 in total) obtained using the Delphi method. A social network model of the factors was constructed and factors were analyzed using social network analysis (SNA). Findings The top 10 key factors and their relationships were obtained using SNA. Among the top 10 critical factors, six were source factors. They were: training for the application of BIM, guidance from experts, proper management modes, efficient BIM teams, specifications and demonstrations and standards for building information communication. The other four factors included as follows: a willingness to accept BIM, knowledge of its value and benefits, the definition of its benefits and the availability of IT software and hardware. These were mediating factors that could further the influence of the source factors. Originality/value The results provide useful information for public agencies and professionals to understand the immediate and mediating influences of the factors on the application of BIM. Solutions and future efforts for different participants are presented to promote the application of BIM-based on the key factors and their relationships.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i32-i35
Author(s):  
Dineke Zeegers Paget ◽  
David Patterson

Abstract In this article, we examine the essential role of law in achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Following the World Health Organization’s broad definition of health, all SDGs can be seen to impact on human health and hence the health goal (SDG3) should be right at the centre of the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We note recent research on the contribution of law, including international human rights law, to achieving health for all and discuss the role of law in addressing seven emerging health challenges. Law can and should play an important role in achieving all health-related SDGs, by respecting, protecting and fulfilling the right to health, ensuring that no one is left behind.


Soil Systems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Bouma

The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an excellent channel to demonstrate the significance of soils when considering e.g., food production, water availability, climate mitigation and biodiversity preservation. For environmental sciences, including soil science, the SDGs provide “a point at the horizon” for future research. Progress to achieve the SDGs by 2030 will bureaucratically be monitored by targets and indicators but questions as to how effective research should be organized remain unanswered so far. The soil security concept, based on the five Cs (capability, condition, capital, connectivity and codification) can provide a clear guideline for soil science research, defining soil functions contributing to interdisciplinary ecosystem services that, in turn, can define measures to reach SDGs. A “storyline” is proposed linking the five Cs, emphasizing connectivity that becomes increasingly important in our modern “fact-free” world. The traditional linear research model does not apply when characterizing SDGs because of many conflicting interests that don’t allow definition of specific “solutions”. But different action-perspectives can be defined as a basis for decision making, creating much needed transparency in the decision process. Soil contributions are most effective when framed in the context of soil-water-atmosphere-plant models. Proper codification, including clear and candid communication with stakeholders, is essential to link science with society, a link that needs improvement.


2018 ◽  
Vol 170 ◽  
pp. 04006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anatoly Lepeshev ◽  
Vasiliy Kuimov ◽  
Olesya Sidorkina ◽  
Anatoliy Kozlov ◽  
Tatyana Pogrebnaya

The relevance of article is caused by increasing speed of new technique and technologies emergence upon transition to the sixth wave of Municipal Facilities and Urban Development. It leads to the fast obsolescence of the engineering decisions ensuring technique and technologies ecological safety. New, earlier unknown types of pollution which influence on live organisms appear. For achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals it is necessary to solve essentially new task: to create future engineers’ ability to find in due time solutions of newly created technologies ecological safety problems. Research objective: Definition of the cognitive technologies entering a kernel of the sixth wave innovation and this wave NBIC-convergence opportunities to form future engineersЭ abilities to stably solve ecological safety problems Importance of a research: The research showed a possibility of effective TRIZ application for forecasting and the preliminary solution of again arising environmental problems and also a possibility of effective TRIZ studying at schools, colleges, universities without additional excessive number of class periods expenses. Results of a research can significantly promote achievement of a number of the UN Sustainable Development Goals connected with environment protection.


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