Cloud Computing for Green Construction Management

Abstract

Integrated information, innovation and collaboration are the key factors for the sustainable development of construction organizations nowadays. The advancement of cloud computing technology offers construction organizations great potential for developing a collaborative and integrated environment for construction management. This paper presents an in-depth literature review of cloud computing in construction management. Findings from this review have shown that the benefit of using cloud computing technology for construction collaboration will reduce both energy consumption and CO2 emissions, indeed, it is more towards a green mission as it also provides both a financial return and a tangible environmental benefit. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to investigate the most valuable construction collaboration tools as the cloud computing technology along with the main concepts of sustainable project management. The findings in this research illustrate that with implementing the cloud computing in construction industry, it will facilitate the construction processes, collaborations, communications, relations and networks through the construction industry. Firstly, it is hoped that this study will contribute on improvements in construction industry collaboration which could ultimately improve and enhance the competitive advantages within the construction industry. Secondly, it introduces the new visions of construction industry integration and most significantly collaboration in an efficient way that will eventually maximise the productivity, enhance the efficiency and improve the effectiveness towards a green construction industry.

Full text

CLOUD COMPUTING FOR GREEN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Norshakila Muhamad Rawai
1,a
, Mohamad Syazli Fathi
2,b
, Mohammad Abedi
1,c
, , Shuib Rambat
3,d
1
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM Skudai, 81310, Johor, Malaysia
2
UTM Razak School of Engineering & Advanced Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia International Campus,
Jalan Semarak, 54100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3
UTMSPACE, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia International Campus, Jalan Semarak, 54100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
a
norshakila3@live.utm.my;
b
syazli@utm.my
c
amohammad22@live.utm.my, and
d
shuram@ic.utm.my
Abstract---Integrated information, innovation and
collaboration are the key factors for the sustainable
development of construction organizations nowadays.
The advancement of cloud computing technology offers
construction organizations great potential for
developing a collaborative and integrated environment
for construction management. This paper presents an
in-depth literature review of cloud computing in
construction management. Findings from this review
have shown that the benefit of using cloud computing
technology for construction collaboration will reduce
both energy consumption and CO2 emissions; indeed, it
is more towards a green mission as it also provides both
a financial return and a tangible environmental benefit.
Thus, the main objective of this paper is to investigate
the most valuable construction collaboration tools as the
cloud computing technology along with the main
concepts of sustainable project management. The
findings in this research illustrate that with
implementing the cloud computing in construction
industry; it will facilitate the construction processes,
collaborations, communications, relations and networks
through the construction industry. Firstly, it is hoped
that this study will contribute on improvements in
construction industry collaboration which could
ultimately improve and enhance the competitive
advantages within the construction industry. Secondly,
it introduces the new visions of construction industry
integration and most significantly collaboration in an
efficient way that will eventually maximise the
productivity, enhance the efficiency and improve the
effectiveness towards a green construction industry.
Keywords-- Construction Collaboration; Cloud
Computing; Green Construction; Sustainable Project
Management; Collaborations;
I. INTRODUCTION
Incorporating sustainability as a major objective of the
construction process is a strategic, competitive factor in
today’s construction industry. Fragmentation, poor
integration and the complexities of activities associated with
construction projects, makes the managing task increasingly
complex [1]. Additionally, same information is manipulated
and exchanged within the construction industry Such as
drawings are re-drawn and lists are re-entered. This similar
information can eventually lead to unproductivity of
construction projects. Hence, the major effort will be to
improve the coordination, collaboration and communications
within the construction project supply chain at early stages
of planning and design. Otherwise, any variation and
revisions by supply chain parties within the construction
projects could indeed rise up many communications
contributing to inefficiencies and less productivity [1].
Nowadays, the critical factors in designing, planning and
developing a project need to be more focused on sustaining
and protecting natural and human resources. Hence, the
major effort will be to improve the coordination,
collaboration and communications within the construction
project management at the early stages of planning and
design. These factors could have negative consequences for
the project objectives which could influence the time of
completion, cost, quality and safety [1]. While as, clients as
major parties within the construction projects are demanding
for cost efficient, higher quality, shorter construction time
and achieving accurate and up to date information within the
construction projects will lead to the uprising of innovative
collaborative technologies for the construction industry [2,3]
Even though there have been different implementations
of technological tools within the construction industry [4,5],
there are still numerous challenges in the current
construction processes which have contributed to poor-
quality projects [4]. Therefore, one of the main concerns
within construction projects is to enhance the collaboration
and integration of the construction industry parties by the
implementation of cloud computing in order to overcome the
difficulties and hazards inherent in dynamic and
information-intensive construction projects and ultimately to
improve their efficiency, effectiveness and productivity,
which will lead to greener construction management [6].
According to [7], cloud computing is an extensive
distributed computing standard whereby a pool of
virtualized, scalable, vastly available and manageable
computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage,
software, hardware, applications, data) could be achieved,
utilised and managed with minimal effort. Therefore, this
research aims to discover the concepts and benefits of cloud

computing applications for the green construction industry.
Cloud computing is a significant potential tool to support the
construction industry and its currently available
collaboration tools include desktops, internet networks,
tablets, smartphones and laptops [6]. Consequently, it is
hoped that recommending the implementation of cloud
computing (a shared collaborative information technology
system) rather than conventional methods of construction
management will help all the construction project parties
including consultants, contractors, designers, the owner,
architects, suppliers and engineers to cooperate and
collaborate with high efficiency and productivity leading to a
greener construction industry. Firstly, this paper presents the
variety definitions, delivery models and types of cloud
computing. The second part of this research demonstrates
the integration concepts of green, sustainability and cloud
computing within the construction industry. Finally, the
conclusion develops ways to enhance the potential
opportunities offered to the construction industry by
collaborative technologies and tools.
II. CLOUD COMPUTING
Cloud Computing is the most recent technology which
has been established by the IT industry. Its revolutionary
impact provides a timely, cost effective and energy-efficient
technology that supports access to applications, information
and services, such as storage, networks, hardware
infrastructures and servers, without restrictions of time and
place using only an internet connection. Additionally, the
fundamental concept of cloud computing can be described as
the accessing, sharing and implementation of applications,
services, information and resources via a network
environment which enables the business to operate without
any concerns regarding the ownership, management and
maintenance of the network’s resources, applications and
services[6].
Figure 1: Cloud Computing Types (Adopted from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing )[17]
There are four types of cloud computing delivery (Fig
1): public cloud, private cloud, community cloud and hybrid
clouds. Armbrust defined a public cloud as a pay-as-you-go
implementation for the public while a private cloud is not
made available to the public [8]. A community cloud is
utilised via a collection of organisations which have
common interests and a hybrid cloud is a combination of a
public and private cloud [9,10].
Figure 2: Cloud Computing
Three broad types of cloud computing (shown in fig 2)
defined by [4,9] are as follows:
(1) Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): It is the lowest
layer of the network which the user via the cloud
providers uses fundamental computing resources
such as processing power, storage, memory,
operating system and networking components such
as firewalls or middleware.
(2) Platform as a Service (PaaS): The users build
their own applications based on the infrastructure
service providers. They control the applications but
they do not have control over the operating system,
hardware or network infrastructure and;
(3) Software as a Service (SaaS): The consumer uses
an application, but does not control operating
system, hardware or network infrastructure on
which it's running.

Cloud computing implementation will assist individuals
and organisations to access the resources and services
within the information technology (IT) domain. It is a
combination of hardware and software which organizations
or individuals can use, anywhere in the world through the
internet. Additionally, it will ground the opportunity to
penetrate and disseminate the computing resources and
information technology (IT) services through the world
industries such as construction industries that if
appropriately implemented and adapted it will ultimately
enhance the productivity, efficiencies and the effectiveness
of the construction industry [9]. Thus, allowing IT
departments to reduce the need of powerful processors and
the use of large quantities of paper-based data, which will
contribute to an increasingly green technology [9] and give
more attention to the core organisational strategies rather
than putting their efforts into operating and maintaining
datacentres.
III. CLOUD COMPUTING AND THE CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY
While the physical presence were needed in client’s
meeting, site meeting or site job; Cloud technologies help to
balances the back offices function such as billing, payrolls,
logistic planning and running a financial report. This
technology provides a solution which is able to serve users
in both work settings.
Cloud technology making business applications available
remotely is an advantage in construction management. This
remote access allows staff to work from any location without
being tied to a specific physical location. Without to have the
decentralization of offices and travel-based positions, even if
the project work being done in different regions of the
country or even internationally, cloud system were be able to
offer solid remote access technology to employees is critical
for a construction company’s success [11].
IV. CLOUD COMPUTING AND SUSTAINABILITY
The main advantages of using cloud computing, besides
the efficient collaboration throughout the development
process, is its contribution to a healthy environment [1]. The
healthy environment regards to human activities such as
development projects, commuting from place to place,
farming, and other sorts of activities that cause the
increasing of air pollution thus affect the ability of the
project team and organisation to comply with the concept of
green construction [12] and in Malaysia the deterioration of
air quality is increasing [13]. Therefore, taking positive
action by implementing the cloud computing can be an effort
to reduce the use of transportation and thus, reduce carbon
dioxide emissions.
Most of the organizations are aware of sustainability and
realise that it should be a part of their strategy. The
integration of sustainability should be implemented in the
concepts and methodologies that the organization is using.
Practical tools are needed to align business methodologies
with the principles of sustainable development, which
systematically include sustainability within the evaluation
process [14].
It should be signified that the innovative and practical tools
such as cloud computing technologies should be aligned
with the principles of sustainable development in order to
implement the business methodologies of sustaining a
systematic evaluation process [15]. Whilst, the success and
health of an organisation measured by ‘triple bottom line’
(TBL) [16] also can be integrated in the cloud computing
technology for best result in managing the construction
projects.
Cloud computing systems should begin in the early stage
of the process in the management strategy such as when the
concepts of the project are decided. Therefore, this system
will become an essential tool that makes managing a project
much more efficient, throughout the development process.
The last part of this research will set out a brief overview of
the significant points within this research
V. CONCLUSION
The complexity of construction processes within the
construction projects necessitates the exchange of increasing
amounts of data and information. Overall, this paper has
reviewed valuable collaborative tools and technologies as a
significant and valuable subclass of information and
communication technology (ICT) including cloud
technology. Consequently, cloud technology provides the
ability to communicate and exchange data and information
easily, efficiently, effectively and accurately independent of
time and place, thereby providing major benefits for the
construction management.
This valuable technology could result in better green
construction management which will eventually ensure the
delivery of applicable and reliable information to enhance
collaboration within the construction supply chain and with
project stakeholders. Finally, the study presented in this
paper is a preliminary survey and is a part of an on-going
research, which will eventually attempt to further enhance
the practices and implementation of cloud computing
technology as one of the significant innovative construction
collaboration tools towards a greener construction industry.
VI. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank UTM Razak School of
Engineering & Advanced Technology for sponsoring this
research under research grant 4B012.

REFERENCES
[1] M.S. Fathi, N. Rawai and M. Abedi: Mobile Information System for
Sustainable Project Management, International Journal of Applied
Mechanics and Materials, Vol. 178-181 (2012), p. 2690-2693.
[2] O’Brien, W. J., Hurley, M. J., Solis, F. A. M. and Nguyen, T. (2011),
‘Cognitive Task Analysis of Superintendent’s Work: Case Study and
Critique of Supporting Information Technologies,’ Journal of
Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 16, 529-556.
[3] Aziz, Z., Anumba, C.J., Ruikar, D., Carrillo, P. and Bouchlaghem, D.
(2006), ‘Intelligent Wireless Web Services for Construction: A
Review of the Enabling Technologies,’ Automation in Construction,
15 (2), 113-123.
[4] C. J. Anumba, J. Pan and R.R.A. Issa: Collaborative Project
Information Management in a Semantic Web Environment,
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 15
(1) (2008), p. 78-94.
[5] L. Sze-wing, S. Mak and B.L.P. Lee: Using a Real-Time Integrated
Communication System to Monitor the Progress of Quality of
Construction Works, Automation in Construction, Vol. 17 (6) (2008),
p. 749-757.
[6] M.S. Fathi, M. Abedi, S. Rambat, S. Rawai and M.Z. Zakiyudin:
Context-Aware Cloud Computing for Construction Collaboration,
Journal of Cloud Computing, Vol. 2012 (2012) (2012), p. 1-11.
[7] D.W. Sun, G.R. Chang, S. Gao, L.Z. Jin and X.W. Wang: Modelling
a dynamic data replication strategy to increase system availability in
cloud computing environments, Journal of Computer Science and
Technology, Vol. 27 (2) (2012), p. 256-272.
[8] M. Armbrust, A. Fox, R. Griffith, A.D. Joseph, R.H. Katz, A.
Konwinski, G. Lee, D.A. Patterson, A. Rabkin, I. Stoica and M.
Zaharia: Above the Clouds: A Berkeley View of Cloud Computing,
Technical Report UCB/EECS-2009-28, EECS Department,
University of California, Berkeley (2009), [Online], [Retrieved Sep 7,
2012]. http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/Pubs/TechRpts/2009/EECS-
2009-28.pdf.
[9] S. Goyal: A Comparative Study of Cloud Computing Service
Providers, International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer
Science and Software Engineering, Vol. 2 (2)(2012), [Online],
[Retrieved Sep 7, 2012], http://www.ijarcsse.com/February2012.php.
[10] K. Vats, S. Sharma and A. Rathee: A Review of Cloud Computing
and E-Governance, International Journal of Advanced Research in
Computer Science and Software Engineering, Vol. 2 (2)(2012),
[Online], [Retrieved Sep 7, 2012],
http://www.ijarcsse.com/February2012.php.
[11] Cloud Computing and the Construction Industry, Article in The
associated general contractors of America (AGC of America)
[retrieved on 19 Sept 2012] , www.agc.com.
[12] J.G. Reena, R. Roshini and L. Divya: Media Cloud: An Open Cloud
Computing Middleware for Content Management, IJCA Proceedings
on National Conference on Advances in Computer Science and
Applications (NCACSA 2012) NCACSA (5), p. 13-20.
[13] N.A. Ramli, P. Wathern and M.R. Razman: Issues of Air Pollution in
the Environmental Impact Assessment of Development Projects,
School of Civil Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains
Malaysia, Malaysia, (2003).
[14] World Development Indicators 2011. The World Bank, part 3.8, p.
154-157, [online], [Retrieved on Sep 7, 2012].
http://data.worldbank.org/data-catalog/world-development-
indicators?cid=GPD_WDI.
[15] C. Labuschagne and C. Brent: Sustainable project life cycle
management: the need to integrate life cycles in the manufacturing
sector, Department of Engineering and Technology Management,
University of Pretoria, (2007).
[16] J. Elkington: Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21st
Century Business, New Society Publisher, Gabriola island, Canada,
(1998).
[17] Cloud Computing, [retrieved on 21 sept 2012],
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing.