A Competency Knowledge-Base for BIM Learning

Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools and workflows continue to proliferate within the Design, Construction and Operation (DCO) industry. To equip current and future industry professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to engage in collaborative workflows and integrated project deliverables, it is important to identify the competencies that need to be taught at educational institutions or trained on the job. Expanding upon a collaborative BIM education framework pertaining to a national BIM initiative in Australia, this paper introduces a conceptual workflow to identify, classify, and aggregate BIM competency items. Acting as a knowledge-base for BIM learners and learning providers, the aggregated competency items can be used to develop BIM learning modules to satisfy the learning requirements of varied audiences - be they students, practitioners, tradespeople or managers. This competency knowledge-base will facilitate a common understanding of BIM deliverables and their requirements, and support the national efforts to promote BIM learning.Keywords:BIM competency, BIM education, BIM learning modules, competency knowledge-base, learning triangle.

Innovate or Perish? Exploring some of the Myths of Construction Innovation

The construction innovation literature suggests that managers face a stark choice. They can innovate or perish in the face of growing global competition and an increasingly uncertain and dynamic world. Innovation is presented as a key area of reform needed to raise business performance, yet at the same time it is argued that Australia is falling behind in the global innovation stakes. Evidence suggests that the Australian Construction sector is a poor innovation performer when compared to all-industry averages and contributes relatively little to the national innovation effort. Drawing on international innovation research, this paper argues that these views are overly simplistic and explores some of the myths that surround the process in the construction industry. Through interviews with some of Australia’s leading innovators and policy-makers it suggests that many of the factors that are said to drive innovation are not as straight forward as they may seem. There are important qualifications to consider and it would seem that construction innovation is a highly interactive and amorphous process, involving many people with multiple interests dealing with day-to-day challenges.Keywords: Innovation, opportunism, strategy, risk.

Procurement Selection Model: Development of a Conceptual Model Based on Transaction Costs

Procurement is a major improvement area and a crucial element contributing to project success, and the selection of an optimal procurement system is an important and difficult step in project execution. The criteria for choosing suitable procurement methods are based on client’s objectives and priorities, and influenced by project constraints. The procurement path determination chart has largely dominated research in procurement selection process in construction. Eight factors need to be considered by the client when developing procurement selection criteria. At the procurement strategy the focus should be on factors such as cost, quality, and time, while at the procurement route the consideration should focus on complexity, certainty, risk, responsibility, and degree of control by the client. However, including certain criteria and ignoring the magnitude of transaction costs (TCs) associated with uncertainties in the transaction environment simplifies this process. This study addresses this shortcoming by combining evaluation criteria with TCs incurred because of external and internal environmental uncertainties in a theoretical model on procurement selection. This is achieved by developing a conceptual framework model based on TCs. Uncertainties in the transaction environment have a positive or negative impact on the magnitude of TCs such as information, procurement, administration, and enforcement. The model represents an analytical form of a suitable combination of factors influencing procurement systems, which guide procurement decisions. The model will increase understanding of how efficient procurement selection of construction projects can be achieved through appropriate procurement procedures, which could positively impact project performance.Keywords: Construction, Procurement systems, Transaction costs

Bio-inspired Parametric Design for Adaptive Stadium Façades

The challenge of developing sustainable, adaptive architecture requires unconventional approaches to innovative knowledge about composition and dynamic interaction between building façades and environmental conditions. These approaches are often inspired by biology, its complex fine-tuned behaviour and integration of living systems. This paper proposes a system inspired from the optics of reflecting superposition compound eyes to create responsive façade structures that capture and distribute daylight within a building in response to the movement of the sun. This is investigated using the parametric reshaping of a building envelop as part of solar radiation and target ray simulations. The prototype façade system is capable of adapting to different functional needs, locations, times of the day, and other contextual conditions.Keywords: Biomimetics, kinetic/adaptive façades, reflecting superposition compound eyes

Model of Absorptive Capacity and Implementation of New Technology for Rural Construction SMEs

Absorptive capacity has been acknowledged as a critical component for organisations to sustain, grow and compete in their markets. Many researchers have used the concept of absorptive capacity in their analysis at different levels: individual, organisation, industry and country. However, most of the studies focus on very large organisations with sophisticated structures and strong R&D orientation. Very few studies address the theory of absorptive capacity in the context of SME organisations. This paper presents part of the findings of research that investigated absorptive capacity in the context of Malaysian rural construction SMEs. The aim of this paper is to prescribe a model of absorptive capacity for rural construction SMEs. The model is based on validation drawn from five case studies of construction SMEs operating in the rural area in Malaysia. The developed model serves two functions: Firstly, to help rural construction SMEs to understand the issues and process related to absorptive capacity and the implementation, and use of, new technology; secondly, to provide a mechanism for policy makers to transfer new technology to rural contractors. This research contributes to the body of knowledge of absorptive capacity by highlighting issues related to absorptive capacity and implementation of new technology in the context of rural SMEs. Keywords: Absorptive Capacity, Malaysia, Rural Construction, Small and medium sized enterprise (SME).

Understanding the Building Certification System: A Need for Accreditation Reform

The building and construction industry makes a major contribution to the New South Wales (NSW) economy, with an annual input of 7.6% during 2010 that is projected to rise to 8.4% in 2020. Irrespective of the sector’s growth potential, it is experiencing a severe skills shortage across a range of professions including building certification. Interestingly, the certification sector and the regulatory environment in which it operates is yet to receive rigorous attention in academia and industry. In the context of NSW, the role of the accredited certifier is multifaceted and involves confirming that building work complies with environmental planning controls and the National Construction Code. The Building Professionals Board (BPB) is the statutory body responsible for accrediting these professionals. The BPB is partnering with the University of Newcastle to ameliorate the current skills shortage through the development of an evaluation instrument regarding: certifiers seeking to upgrade to a higher level of accreditation but who do not have a recognised qualification and/or are unable to obtain the practical experience relevant to progression; and associated professionals who, although not accredited, wish to become a certifier but lack the recognised qualifications and/or experience.The proposed evaluation instrument will incorporate a mix of current technologies and approaches to address the current and likely future demographics of certifiers, and their preparedness to engage with and access novel IT technologies. This paper introduces the current certification environment and the technologies proposed to structure the evaluation instrument. Keywords: Key Words: construction, building surveying, accreditation, education, assessment.

Establishment of Performance Scales for Team Integration Assessment

The increased use of the alliance model in recent years highlights the importance of integration practice among multi-disciplinary teams, as it promotes a collaborative culture and the continuity of equitable relationships to improve project performance. If continuous improvement in project alliances is to be achieved through the use of integrated teams, then a means of assessing how well teams integrate and how team integration changes over time, needs to be introduced. In response to that need, an Alliance Team Integration Performance Index (ATIPI) has been developed as part of a wider study to develop an assessment tool for team integration in road construction alliance projects in New Zealand. In this paper, a set of Key Indicators (KIs) of team integration practice and the Quantitative Measures (QMs) for each KI are first introduced and then, in order to enhance the associated ATIPI model, the establishment of scales for the performance levels, namely ‘poor’, ‘average’, ‘good’, ‘very good’ and ‘excellent’, for each KI are described. The establishment of performance scales will help ensure that the assessment of team integration practice is quantified in a consistent and objective manner. Keywords: Alliance, Assessment, New Zealand, Performance Scales, Team Integration

Adoption of Solar Grid-Tied PV-System Adopted in a Residential Building

Emerging construction technologies focussing on the role and development of energy-conserving equipment can play a major role in solving a wide range of environmental and nature resource problems such as the greenhouse gas. Alternative energy is becoming a popular for property developers because of its potential of becoming more economically viable option when compared to current energy source-electricity. The objective of this research report is to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of adopting a solar energy technology specifically the solar grid-tied system by comparing the cost of initial investment and usage in a typical three bedroom residential building a conventional electricity power supply. Using a case study research approach, the research findings showed that the PV system is more cost-effective in the long term compared to the conversional electricity supply. Although the pre-investment is relatively high in the PV system, it is a reliable investment in the long-term. It is important to emphasise that the use energy efficient appliances, lighting, insulation and double glassing has enhanced the effectiveness of the system. Keywords: Photovoltaic system (PV); Solar energy; Cost-effectiveness

A Passive Rotary System for Seismic Risk Mitigation of Steel Structures

This paper presents a novel bracing system designed for earthquake risk mitigation for steel structures. It involves a rotary system which a Chebyshev linkage connected to the ground and the building frame. Upon earthquake excitation, movement of structure floor slabs causes a rotational motion in the disc. Displacement-based dampers are installed between the rotary system and the ground which damp the structural vibrations. The system amplifies the travel of the dampers and efficiency is enhanced. In addition, the cross-brace members are always in tension, permitting the use of very slender sections. The paper first reviews the governing equations of the system, followed by a physical model demonstration. A 3-degree-of-system model with the proposed rotary system was subjected to simulated ground shaking. Acceleration on top floor was measured. Results demonstrated that proposed system effectively supresses the vibrational characteristics of the structure, and represents a viable and inexpensive solution to mitigate seismic risks.Keywords: Earthquake engineering, passive energy dissipation