Article

Building information modelling (BIM) for sustainable building design

February 2013
Facilities 31(3)

Authors:

Purpose Because of global environmental concerns, sustainable design has become a mainstream building design goal in recent years. Sustainable development is even more urgent in the light of global climate change. This paper aims to examine the contributions which building information modelling (BIM) can make to the production of sustainable building designs. Design/methodology/approach Various research methodologies have been adopted, including literature review, design tool analysis, a case study and structured face‐to‐face interviews. Data collected were synthesized as part of the research process. Findings BIM is found to be ideally suited to the delivery of information needed for improved design and building performance. Two most significant benefits of BIM for sustainable building design are: integrated project delivery (IPD) and design optimization. However, there are also barriers to adopting BIM for sustainable design. Research limitations/implications This paper does not attempt to address all aspects of BIM functionality because the scope of BIM is very great and the resources of this research were limited. Practical implications Successful implementation of BIM is able to eliminate the extra cost of design changes during the subsequent phases of construction process. BIM, therefore, is also capable of enhancing the project delivery culture in future. Social implications BIM solutions can contribute to the selection of best solutions to reduce energy and resources consumption. This new technology and the approach also can generate the need of more innovative professionals and job opportunities. Originality/value This paper investigates the contribution of BIM to sustainable buildings from the perspective of design performance and improved communication and coordination.

Developing a Green-BIM team to improve construction of green buildings in Sri Lanka

Article

Dec 2024
Eng Construct Architect Manag

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to propose a novel Green-BIM team (GBT) through a framework that would be essential in mitigating barriers to Green-BIM integration. Design/methodology/approach An interpretive stance is adopted for this study. Through a qualitative survey, 25 experts with proficiency in green building construction and building information modelling (BIM) implementation were interviewed. Code-based content analysis was carried out using NVivo12. Findings The findings of this study signified the need for a GBT and proposed architect, client, Green consultant, designer (mechanical, electrical and plumbing [MEP], structural), BIM coordinator, engineer (MEP, structural), project manager, quantity surveyor and facilities manager to be involved in the team representing design phase, construction phase and operational phase. Research limitations/implications The experts were limited to the Sri Lankan context; however, the findings can also benefit countries with socio-economic and cultural backgrounds similar to Sri Lanka. Practical implications Findings will be beneficial for policymakers and industry professionals to promote a BIM-enabled green building environment. The proposed GBT model extends existing theoretical frameworks, emphasising the need for a multi-disciplinary team throughout the entire lifecycle of a green building. Social implications The proposed GBT model aligns with broader societal goals related to sustainable development. This approach provides a sustainable pathway to achieve economic goals for all stakeholders in the construction sector. Originality/value There is a dearth of literature on a GBT to improve the construction of green buildings in Sri Lanka. Thus, the developed model is unique as it presents a novel GBT for the Sri Lankan construction sector. Further, it elaborates roles and responsibilities of team members with comprehensive details on how to mitigate the barriers to Green-BIM integration.

6D Bim for Sustainability Analysis: A Conceptual Model for a Typical Residential Building

Preprint

Full-text available

Mar 2025

The primary focuses of today’s world are: How to create energy-efficient buildings? How to design high-performance structures? How to achieve sustainability in construction? The answers lie in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its 6D capabilities for energy efficiency and sustainable analysis. This research aims to gain a deeper understanding of energy consumption by analyzing the sustainability of a residential building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, using BIM tools such as Autodesk Revit 2020, Autodesk INSIGHT360, and Green Building Studio. The building’s energy model will be developed in Autodesk Revit in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 90.1 for Zone 1A, with energy simulations performed in Green Building Studio and Autodesk INSIGHT360. The study incorporates energy savings, cost efficiency, compliance with BNBC codes, literature reviews, and Bangladeshi design practices to evaluate sustainability. Based on the findings, the research identifies the most optimal Autodesk INSIGHT360 building parameters from a Bangladesh perspective, achieving a 7.2% reduction in Energy Use Intensity (EUI) compared to the ASHRAE-90.1 benchmark for a Dhaka-region building.

BIM-based approach for analyzing carbon emissions of residential buildings in India

Article

Mar 2025

The rise in carbon emissions poses a critical threat to global climate, necessitating a comprehensive analysis of buildings' whole lifecycle carbon emissions. Since buildings typically have extensive lifespans, analyzing their operational carbon emissions—emissions produced during their use phase- is critical. Building Information Modeling (BIM) facilitates the organization and exchange of various building information within virtual models and is a valuable tool for such studies. This paper introduces a method for gathering, analyzing, and presenting data on the operational carbon emissions of a typical house in India by combining Building Information Modeling (BIM) with building performance analysis (BPA) tools. It aims to support design teams in identifying and addressing carbon emissions hotspots, ultimately working towards reducing total operational carbon emissions. The study utilizes Autodesk Revit and Green Building Studio (GBS) for energy simulations, focusing on the design phase to address operational CO₂ emissions. India is used as a case study, with analyses conducted across five diverse climates: Ahmedabad (Hot and dry), Delhi (Composite), Kolkata (Warm and humid), Srinagar (Cold), and Tumakuru (Temperate). The simulation results underscore the significant potential for carbon emissions reduction using BIM across all climates. While Kolkata yields the smallest potential reduction in operational carbon emissions (approximately 50.67%), Tumakuru showcases the most substantial decline (around 75.55%). This research provides a practical benchmark for similar buildings in comparable regions worldwide and offers valuable insights into effectively reducing operational carbon emissions in the future.

Assessing Building Information Modelling Usage Level in Construction Projects: Construction Professionals Perspectives

Conference Paper

Full-text available

Feb 2025

Building Information Modelling (BIM) usage in the construction industry has rapidly become a game-changer in construction activities, which has revolutionised project planning, designing, construction and management, leading to significant improvements in project coordination, collaboration, efficiency, and overall project outcomes. Hence, this study aims to assess BIM usage in construction projects based on construction professionals' perspectives toward establishing its usage level for different construction activities. Structured questionnaires were distributed to construction professionals in Gauteng province, South Africa, using systematic random sampling techniques to collect data on the level of BIM usage for construction activities for projects within the construction industry. Data was collected through the quantitative approach using a questionnaire survey. A valid mean item score was determined in the study using a statistical data equation; each item was ranked with standard deviations, and Cronbach’s alpha was established. The study findings indicated that project design and planning were the highest-ranked levels of BIM usage in projects in the construction industry. The study recommends that evolving BIM with other innovative technologies, such as cloud-based collaboration, digital twins, and artificial intelligence, will drive the digital transformation of construction projects, improve project delivery processes, and create value for construction stakeholders. The study concluded that the continuous usage of BIM for construction activities will play a key role in reshaping the future of activities in projects and driving digital transformation within the construction industry

Evaluating the Impact of Phase Change Materials and Double-Skin Façades on Energy Performance in Office Buildings Under Climate Change Scenarios: A Case Study in Iran

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2024

The potential for energy efficiency in office buildings is critical, especially in regions facing rapid climate change impacts. This study investigates the use of phase change materials (PCMs) and double-skin façades (DSFs) to optimize energy performance in office buildings in Iran, a country with significant energy demands for heating and cooling. Utilizing Building Information Modeling (BIM) and EnergyPlus 24.1.0 software, we evaluated energy consumption trends across climate scenarios from 1981 to 2030. The findings underscore the rising energy demand due to global temperature increases and demonstrate that integrating PCMs and DSFs can mitigate energy consumption. This research highlights the importance of region-specific building strategies to achieve energy-efficient designs and contributes practical insights for developing sustainable energy policies in Iran.

Leveraging BIM for Sustainable Construction: Benefits, Barriers, and Best Practices

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2024

The building sector is still criticized for its excessive energy use and negative environmental effects, even with significant improvements in recent years. It makes a major contribution to the world’s energy, waste, and water use. This study investigates the possible benefits of using Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology in environmentally friendly building methods. It also seeks to identify and rank the major obstacles to the industry’s integration of sustainability and BIM. The study aims to accomplish its research objectives by means of a questionnaire survey approach. The three primary categories of the possible benefits associated with BIM are social, economic, and environmental, which correspond to the generally acknowledged elements of sustainable development. The provision of a centralized database that facilitates the administration of the full building lifetime, less material waste, and increased design efficiency have all been noted as key benefits. In the building industry, BIM approaches have shown to be quite successful in improving sustainable practices. The study does, however, point out a few difficulties. The number of people with a BIM degree has increased significantly, but there are still not enough qualified professionals with the necessary knowledge and experience. Project managers with the necessary skills are needed to oversee BIM deployment successfully. They should be able to advice and counsel clients and other stakeholders on the benefits of BIM. Building professionals may maximize the environmental performance of structures across their lifetimes and make well-informed decisions by integrating sustainability concepts into the BIM process.

Performance of traditional Chinese courtyard buildings from a sustainability perspective and implications for contemporary green building design

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2024

Climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity decline have prompted the construction industry to seek more sustainable solutions. While high-tech and often high-cost technologies and equipment support progress toward more sustainable built form, the sustainability performance of historical and vernacular buildings should also be reviewed. These buildings may offer advantages that are “hidden in plain sight.” This research focuses on the use of building information modeling technology to model and simulate a historical Chinese courtyard building. The outcomes of the simulation were evaluated using the green building council of Australia’s green star rating criteria to provide quantitative results. At the same time, relevant literature was explored to obtain a qualitative perspective. The final results indicate that courtyard buildings can serve as useful references for contemporary building design and retrofitting. The choice of building materials offers designers effective ideas for designing sustainable buildings. Courtyards can enhance ventilation, cooling, humidity control, light exposure, and connectivity to outdoor areas while ensuring privacy. In developing countries, this approach may be a viable way to promote sustainable development and energy conservation.

Digital Twins and Civil Engineering Phases: Reorienting Adoption Strategies

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2024
J COMPUT INF SCI ENG

Digital twin (DT) technology has received immense attention over the years due to the promises it presents to various stakeholders in science and engineering. As a result, different thematic areas of DT have been explored. This is no different in specific fields such as manufacturing, automation, oil and gas, and civil engineering, leading to fragmented approaches for field-specific applications. The civil engineering industry is further disadvantaged in this regard as it relies on external techniques by other engineering fields for its DT adoption. A rising consequence of these extensions is a concentrated application of DT to the operations and maintenance phase. On another spectrum, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is pervasively utilized in the planning/design phase, and the transient nature of the construction phase remains a challenge for its DT adoption. In this paper, we present a phase-based development of DT in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry. We commence by presenting succinct expositions on DT as a concept and as a service, and establish a five-level scale system. Furthermore, we present separately a systematic literature review of the conventional techniques employed at each civil engineering phase. In this regard, we identified enabling technologies such as computer vision for extended sensing and the Internet of Things for reliable integration. Ultimately, we attempt to reveal DT as an important tool across the entire life cycle of civil engineering projects, and nudge researchers to think more holistically in their quest for the integration of DT for civil engineering applications.

Combining BIM and Strategic Management for Efficient Planning and Execution of Construction Projects

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2024

Kenneth O. Ogirri

Construction projects are faced with a range of challenges. These can be addressed significantly by combining Building Information Modeling (BIM) and strategic management (SM) right from planning to execution phases of construction projects. This study argues that these two problem-solving mechanisms can be leveraged in combination for the attainment of efficient planning and execution of construction projects. It draws evidence from secondary data, sourced from the internet and subjected to systematic review and thematic and content analyses. The descriptive analysis done proves BIM and SM to be indeed capable of ensuring efficient planning and execution of construction projects, when duly deployed and the constraints to their application tackled sufficiently. The study concludes that the combination of BIM and SM produces more results and guarantees efficient planning and execution of construction projects much more than when either of them is used alone. Organizations and institutions are charged to resort to combining these strategies as well as others in finding solutions to problems such as those confronting construction projects.

A System That Allows Users to Have a Job Interview Experience

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2023

Pelin Vardarlier

Today, corporate companies spend a lot of time on and attach importance to job interviews in recruitment. In job interviews, they select or eliminate many of the candidates using interview techniques. This poses a serious problem, especially for candidates who have not had job interview experience, even though they meet sufficient requirements. Because these candidates do not have previous interview experience, they experience more difficulties in this process. In this regard, the study is about a system created in a virtual environment that allows a job interview experience through a user interface. The system subject of the study is a model consisting of a user interface unit, server, interview information database, language processing unit, behavior analysis unit, virtual interview unit, reporting unit, and social media integration unit. This proposed model has been detailed modularly through the web-based system.

INVESTIGATING THE CHALLENGES AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE HOUSING IN THE UK

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2024

Kenneth Chidiebere Ezebuilo

IDENTIFICATION OF KEY DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES (DTS) DRIVING SUSTAINABLE HOUSING INITIATIVES IN UK: STUDYING THE BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING (BIM)

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2024

Kenneth Chidiebere Ezebuilo

The recent advancement trend of the technology had motivated the need for the study to explore the readiness of the employees in the workplace in accepting the new technology engagement. With this, the current study will focus on investigating the readiness of the employees towards the social interaction with the technology in the workplace in Malaysia. The previous study had suggested that there is indication of the social interaction among employees to have positive relationship against the acceptance of the technology at workplace which provide the indication that the employees are not ready for the shift into the digitalization era of working environment. The quantitative analysis method had been taken into the account for the methodology of the research where the quantitative analysis will focus on the output based on the 150 questionnaires distribution among the Malaysian employees based on the convenience sampling. The outcome of the result through the quantitative analysis had observe the lack of evidence to prove the presence of the significant in the relationship between the social interaction of the employee towards the acceptance of the technology in the workplace. This had been providing the evidence to show that the Malaysian employees had been not affected by the social interaction factor when comes to the transitioning towards the engagement of new technology in the workplace provide the indication that the Malaysian employees are likely to be ready for the shift into the transitioning and shift into the use of technology in the workplace.

Applications of BIM in Support of Sustainable and Green Building

Conference Paper

Mar 2025

The construction industry contributes significantly to non-renewable resource consumption and the current global climate change crisis. Sustainability in infrastructure is hence, crucial, and identification of sustainable criterions and assessing their feasibility using Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the major focus of this study. BIM is advantageous for visualizing virtual buildings and resolving complexity, making it an efficient way to achieve sustainability in building during the conceptual phase. For the current study, a comprehensive literature review and an online structured questionnaire survey was conducted with BIM experts (academicians and industry professionals). 53 BIM experts have successfully responded to the survey and the data obtained was analyzed using statistical tool SPSS. The current study considered 10 out of 13 major sustainability criterions and 24 sub-criterions, with increasing productivity to save time and cost, optimize energy performance, and minimum indoor air quality (IAQ) performance being the most important and achievable using BIM whereas material reuse or use of sustainable materials, and outdoor air monitoring or increase ventilation were also deemed critical but not well achieved through BIM. Criterions such as transportation, quality, and culture were excluded from this research's scope. The study emphasizes the importance of sustainability within construction industry and potential of BIM for attaining sustainable design for buildings. Hence, this research will be useful to public sector institutions in modifying their policies on raising awareness of sustainability in developing countries with various cultural practices and making BIM as a mandatory design and analysis tool in the construction sector for achieving sustainability.

Sustainable building design: optimizing building geometry and external envelope to minimize energy consumption and CO2 emissions

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2025

Large energy use throughout a building's operating phase leads to greater energy expenditures. Optimising energy use is therefore essential to reducing these costs. Pre-construction stages can be used to investigate several options to make this happen using building optimisation. This study aims towards optimizing energy consumption, CO2 emissions from the use of electricity, and saving energy costs by investigating several design options in the pre-construction phase. Specifically, this study analyses building geometry, utilising the Autodesk Insight software to determine best possible orientation, windows-to-wall ratio (WWR), and glass selection. A commercial building in Mumbai serves as the case study, where the building model is examined in three different geometries. Each geometry is rotated 360° at 90-degree intervals, utilising Building Information Modelling (BIM) to apply energy-efficient design considerations, and integrating its operating schedule. Five options of window glass and WWR are examined in the study, along with four distinct building orientations, leading to a comprehensive analysis of 300 scenarios. The objective is to identify the configuration that optimises energy costs while reducing energy use and CO2 emissions. The findings of this research provide valuable insights for building designers and developers seeking to minimize energy use, cut CO2 emissions, and design low-carbon, energy-efficient buildings.

Building information modelling (BIM)-based solar path and shadow analysis for energy-efficient building design

Conference Paper

Feb 2025

Fazlul Hoque Tushar

This study investigates using BIM for solar path and shadow analysis to enhance energy-efficient building design in the tropical climate of Dhaka, Bangladesh. It focuses on a site area of 6910 m² in Mohammadpur, aiming to optimize solar gain, minimize unwanted heat, and improve natural daylighting in buildings. Utilizing tools like SketchUp with Skelion and Curic Sun, detailed analyses of solar paths and shadows were conducted for key dates across different seasons. The findings demonstrate that strategic building orientation, site layout, ventilation, and the implementation of shading devices can significantly enhance energy efficiency, reducing both heating and cooling demands throughout the year. Moreover, the study underscores the importance of integrating solar and shadow data into the design process to develop sustainable buildings that balance functionality with energy conservation. These results offer valuable insights and practical guidelines for architects and engineers aiming to promote sustainable building practices.

Based BIM techniques to clash detection for construction projects

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2023

et. al. Braa F. Abdalhameed

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has brought about a qualitative change in the design and management of construction projects because it represents a digital simulation of the physical characteristics of the build-ing, and this increases its efficiency before the actual construction begins. In Iraq, most construction pro-jects still use CAD two-dimensional drawing for the purpose of the implementation process, especially gov-ernment projects, and this causes many problems due to the difficulty of communication between the vari-ous disciplines involved in the design and misunderstanding during implementation. This type of problem is reduced by combining BIM drawings prepared by designers and making them into a single model. In this process of merging conflicts are found using BIM tools such as Autodesk Navisworks. There are three main types of detection. This article includes how a clash detector can help improve clashes in the design phase before starting to construct a specific building using BIM applications and focuses on hard detection type (overlap of a particular element with the others). The methodology involved in this research is to study an educational building (24-classroom model school) consisting of structural and architectural BIM models only, clash detection analysis is done using Autodesk Revit and Autodesk Navisworks Manage software.

Finding relevant stakeholders and related social topics for the implementation of Social Life Cycle Assessment in the multistorey timber construction sector

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2025
INT J LIFE CYCLE ASS

Purpose This study aims to identify the most relevant stakeholder groups and related social topics for the multistorey timber construction sector and provide first insights on the potential social effects—negative (risks) and positive (benefits)—produced by the prospective increase of multistorey timber constructions in Europe considering their whole life cycle. Methods The advancement of social materiality assessment was conducted to unveil the most relevant stakeholder groups and related social topics of the building sector by considering what is proposed by the UNEP Guidelines for Social Life Cycle Assessment and Handbook for Product Social Impact Assessment. To verify selected social topics and collect information on their level of relevance, we based our research approach on stakeholder engagement through a dedicated online workshop and interviews. Results Seventeen social topics were selected as material for the multistorey timber construction sector according to the literature review and the stakeholder engagement activities. No significant variance in relevance level was observed according to a five-level Likert scale (from 1, not at all relevant, to 5, very relevant), all rating above level 3 (relevant); the ones perceived as very relevant being “Health and safety” (Users), “Safe and healthy living conditions” (Local Community), and “Fair salary” (Workers). Conclusions This study highlights how conducting a social materiality assessment and engaging stakeholders play a crucial role in identifying an initial set of critical social topics to focus on for further evaluation of potential impacts and performance. Since there is not yet a standardized approach for the S-LCA application in the construction sector, results from this work represent an initial step towards the prioritization process of social topics. This prioritization process aims to assign priority levels to a list of social topics derived from a review process based on various sources.

Errors and Omissions in Concrete Structures Technology Solutions

Conference Paper

Full-text available

Apr 2024

Concrete is an indispensable material in contemporary construction, used for various elements such as foundations, columns, beams, and slabs. Construction and design phases are prone to errors and omissions, which can lead to a wide range of negative consequences, resulting in delays, increased costs, compromised structural stability, and safety hazards. A significant part of the construction industry's efforts is directed toward enhancing efficiency and mitigating such issues. This study aims to identify errors and omissions in concrete structures and assess technologies and techniques that have the potential to prevent these issues. This study uses a three-phased qualitative content analysis and found the top three categories associated with concrete errors and omissions were: "Design-related, Formwork installation and execution, and Defective formwork and structural," which encompassed 70% of the identified problems. In addition, the research identified that the majority of the solutions identified could be identified as the theme of "Technological Tools."

The Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technologies for Sustainable Building in the Context of Smart Cities

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2024

The development of information technologies has been exponentially applied to the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. The extent of the literature reveals that the two most pertinent technologies are building information modeling (BIM) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The radical digitization of the AEC industry, enabled by BIM and AI, has contributed to the emergence of “smart cities”, which uses information technology to improve urban operational and sustainable efficiency. Few studies have investigated the roles of AI and BIM in AEC from the perspective of sustainable buildings in assisting designers to make sustainable decisions at building and city levels. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the research status and future development trends in the relationship between AI and BIM-aided sustainable building in the context of the smart city to provide researchers, designers, and technology developers with potential research directions. This paper adopted a macro and micro bibliographic method, which is used to map out the general research landscape. This is followed by a more in-depth analysis of the fields of sustainable design, sustainable construction, sustainable development, and life cycle assessment (LCA). The results show that the combination of AI and BIM helps to make optimal decisions on materials, cost, energy, construction scheduling, and monitoring and promotes the development of sustainable buildings in both technical and human aspects so to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 7 (ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable modern energy for all), 9 (building resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industries, and foster innovation), 11 (building inclusive, safe, risk-resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements), and 12 (ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns). In addition, the combination of AI, BIM, and LCA technologies offers great potential to improve building performance, and the future development of AI and BIM integration should not only consider the sustainability of buildings but also consider the human-centered design concept and the health, safety, and comfort of stakeholders as one of the goals to realize the multidimensional development of smart city based on city information model.

Web3D Graphics enabled through Sensor Networks for Cost-Effective Assessment and Management of Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Preprint

Nov 2018

The past decade has seen the advent of numerous building energy efficiency visualization and simulation systems; however, most of them rely on theoretical thermal models to suggest building structural design for new constructions and modifications for existing ones. Sustainable methods of construction have made tremendous progress. The example of the German Energy-Plus- House technology uses a combination of (almost) zero-carbon passive heating technologies. A web-enabled X3D visualization and simulation system coupled with a cost-effective set of temperature/humidity sensors can provide valuable insights into building design, materials and construction that can lead to significant energy savings and an improved thermal comfort for residents, resulting in superior building energy efficiency. A cost-effective hardware-software prototype system is proposed in this paper that can provide real-time data driven visualization or offline simulation of 3D thermal maps for residential and/or commercial buildings on the Web.

Decoding Carbon Footprints: How U.S. Climate Zones Shape Building Emissions

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2024

The construction industry accounts for over 40% of carbon emissions in the United States, with embodied carbon—emissions associated with building materials and construction processes—remaining underexplored, particularly regarding the impact of location and climate. This study addresses this gap by investigating the influence of different climate zones on the embodied carbon emissions of residential buildings. Using Building Information Modeling (BIM), 3D models were developed based on the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and International Residential Code (IRC). A lifecycle assessment (LCA) was conducted using Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to evaluate the embodied carbon of building materials during the product stage. The findings reveal that buildings in colder climates exhibit higher embodied carbon emissions, ranging from 25,768 kgCO2e in Zone 1 to 40,129 kgCO2e in Zone 8, due to increased insulation requirements. Exterior walls and roofs were identified as significant contributors, comprising up to 34% of total emissions. Sensitivity analysis further indicates that the window-to-wall ratio and interior wall design substantially affect embodied carbon, with baseline emissions around 170 kgCO2e/m² in warm areas and 255 kgCO2e/m² in cold areas. These results establish a baseline for lifecycle embodied carbon values across different climate zones in the United States and align with international standards. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and designers, offering data to inform effective carbon reduction strategies and optimize building designs for sustainability.

Assessing the Impacts of Using Building Information Modelling Among Professionals in the Construction Industry †

Conference Paper

Full-text available

Nov 2024

The need to adopt BIM and its usage to keep up with new construction trends has impacted construction works and made its activities much easier and more accurate. This has influenced construction industry professionals, prompting this study to evaluate BIM's effects to establish its significance within the field. To gather data on the effects of BIM in the South African construction industry, structured questionnaires were administered to professionals in Gauteng province using a systematic random sampling method. Questionnaire data were analysed descriptively, applying a statistical equation to calculate a valid mean item score. Each item was ranked, and standard deviations along with Cronbach's alpha were determined for reliability assessment. The results of this study indicated that the highest-ranked impacts of using BIM professionals in the construction industry were saving construction time, integrated design systems, accurate designs, construction risk management , reliable working procedures, and keeping track of past corrections. This study concludes that construction professionals' institutions and bodies should continue training and retraining their members toward deriving BIM benefits for different construction activities. This study advocates that special attention should be given to supporting construction SMEs in adopting BIM technologies with relevant training, resources, and financial incentives from relevant government agencies.

Impact of Building Information Modelling in achieving Sustainable Efficiency

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2024

Linsy Kavanancheeri

This review paper explores into the impact of Building Information Modelling (BIM) implementation on sustainable efficiency within construction projects. It systematically examines BIM’s influence on sustainable project performance, its utilization in construction organizations, and the identification of barriers and enablers affecting the integration of sustainable practices through BIM, with recommendations to overcome these barriers. Methodologically, the review synthesizes extensive literature on BIM in construction field is conducted through systematic searches across databases like Scopus and Google Scholar from 2006 to 2024. The findings reveal BIM’s transformative role in the construction industry’s digital evolution, enhancing collaboration, design clash detection, cost estimation, and scheduling, with promising potential for environmentally conscious design through its integration with sustainable practices. Nonetheless, challenges such as high adoption costs, expertise limitations, and software compatibility hinder widespread BIM implementation, particularly in sustainability-focused projects. The study underscores the immense potential of BIM in supporting sustainability within construction, emphasizing the necessity for guidance, training, modified business models, and collaborative efforts to unlock its full potential. This review bridges the gap between BIM’s potential and practical implementation, providing insights into leveraging BIM for sustainable construction practices, thereby promising a more environmentally conscious future for the construction industry.

Enabling Circularity in Turkish Construction: A Case of BIM-Based Material Management Utilizing Material Passports

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2024

Yagmur Toprakli

Purpose The Turkish construction sector, facing mounting environmental pressures, needs to rapidly adopt circular economy (CE) principles. However, a critical barrier is the lack of accessible and comprehensive material information. This paper investigates how building information modeling (BIM) can facilitate the adoption of material passports (MPs) to overcome this challenge and helps enabling circularity in Turkish construction. Design/methodology/approach A case study approach is adopted, focusing on the New Istanbul Esenler Arena, a major sports facility designed with BIM. An in-depth analysis of the project's BIM model and material data was conducted to develop a practical framework for integrating MPs into BIM workflows. The framework outlines a comprehensive MP data structure, addresses technical integration strategies and highlights the importance of stakeholder collaboration. Findings The research demonstrates that integrating MPs with BIM has the potential to significantly enhance material tracking throughout the building lifecycle, leading to more informed decision-making regarding material selection, reuse and recycling. This approach can improve material recovery rates, reduce construction waste and minimize the environmental impact of construction projects. The study also identifies key challenges to MP implementation, such as ensuring data accuracy and interoperability, and proposes strategies to overcome these hurdles. Originality/value This paper contributes to the limited but growing body of knowledge on the practical implementation of BIM and MPs for circular construction, particularly in the Turkish context. The proposed framework, informed by a real-world case study, provides valuable guidance for construction professionals, policymakers and researchers seeking to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in the built environment.

Implementation Challenges of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Participating in Public Projects in Qatar

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2024

This research investigates the implementation challenges of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) participating in public projects, with a focus on the construction industry in Qatar. Through a combination of literature review, surveys, and interviews, the study identifies key obstacles such as interoperability issues, financial constraints, organisational and cultural resistance, and the lack of comprehensive training programs. The literature highlights the fragmented nature of construction projects and the potential of BIM to improve efficiency through enhanced data handling and collaboration. However, SMEs often struggle with the high initial costs of software and hardware, as well as the need for extensive training to bridge the skill gap. Interviews with industry professionals reveal that while mandatory BIM integration in public projects drives adoption, it also exacerbates these challenges for SMEs, which may lack the necessary resources and expertise. Survey findings indicate that contractors frequently encounter issues with understanding and implementing BIM and meeting the government body standards, suggesting a need for better training and support. The study also emphasises the importance of strategic incremental adoption, where SMEs gradually integrate BIM into their processes, starting with low-level implementation in privately funded projects. The research concludes that while BIM offers significant benefits for the construction industry, its successful adoption requires targeted support for SMEs. This includes financial incentives, improved interoperability standards, comprehensive training programs, and strategic change management approaches. Addressing these challenges will enable SMEs to fully leverage BIM's potential, enhancing project efficiency and competitiveness in the construction sector.

A Systematic Review of Client Satisfaction and Success Factors in A Systematic Review of Client Satisfaction and Success Factors in BIM-Enabled Projects †

Conference Paper

Full-text available

Oct 2024

The adoption of building information modelling in construction projects has a transforma-tive impact, driving improvements in collaboration, efficiency, quality, sustainability, and regulatory compliance throughout the project lifecycle. This systematic review examines client satisfaction and success factors in BIM-enabled projects. Building information has emerged as a transformative technology in the construction industry, promising enhanced collaboration, efficiency, and project outcomes. Understanding client satisfaction and the factors contributing to project success in BIM-enabled projects is crucial for stakeholders aiming to maximise the benefits of BIM adoption. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, this review synthesises key findings related to client satisfaction levels, as well as the critical success factors influencing project outcomes in BIM-enabled environments. The review highlights the importance of effective communication, collaboration, stake-holder engagement, and technological infrastructure in ensuring client satisfaction and project success. Additionally, it identifies gaps in current research and offers recommendations for future studies to further advance our understanding of client satisfaction and success factors in BIM-enabled projects.

Institutional shaping of CDE implementation in BIM-enabled AEC projects

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2024

The common data environment (CDE) for information sharing is one of the fundamental requirements for effective workflow management to harness the potential of building information modeling (BIM). While studies are replete on BIM from a technology adoption perspective, notably lacking in the literature is the understanding of the influence of institutions and their pressures on CDE adoption as an information management platform. This study aims to address this gap. Using the action research approach, a flagship university construction project in India was studied to understand the interplay of institutions and CDE adoption. Institutional theory was used as a theoretical lens to illuminate and analyze the implementation issues of CDE. The findings show that CDE implementation undergoes a series of transformations due to institutional pressures. The responses to institutional pressures are conformance, coupling and decoupling, and mutations. Insights of this study guide practitioners to be aware of the processes through which institutional pressures contextualize and transform the intended change. Accordingly, findings can help managers and public sector agents on aspects related to nudging and shaping the implementation of change through action strategies and tactics. The study extends the BIM adoption/localization literature by highlighting that institutional pressures modify the objectives of CDE. It theorizes the processes through which institutional pressures contextualize and transform a change agenda.

The application of building information modeling (BIM) system in the smartification of green and sustainable buildings

Article

Jun 2024
Eng Construct Architect Manag

Erfan Anjomshoa

Purpose Nowadays, designing environmentally compatible buildings with acceptable performance in terms of cost, materials, and energy efficiency is considered crucial for developing sustainable cities. This research aims to identify and rank the most influential factors in the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems in the smartification of green and sustainable buildings. Design/methodology/approach The present research is applied and descriptive. In this study, we identified the most influential factors in the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems through library studies and expert opinions. Data were collected using a questionnaire, and a combination of the one-sample t-test method with a 95% confidence level and the fuzzy VIKOR method was employed for analysis. Findings The results show that the most influential factors in the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems in the Smartification of green and sustainable buildings, in order, are: “Energy saving and consumption reduction,” “Increased productivity and efficiency,” “Life-cycle assessment (LCA),” “Eco-friendly design,” “Integration with IoT and other technologies.” Originality/value In this study, while addressing the intersection of BIM technology, green building principles, and smart building objectives to optimize the performance of buildings during their life cycle, the most influential factors in the use of this system were ranked based on the criteria of “impact level,” “importance level,” and “availability of necessary tools” for implementation in Kerman. Moreover, solutions for more effectively utilizing this system in the smartification of green and intelligent buildings were proposed.

Investigation of the driving power of the barriers affecting BIM adoption in construction management through ISM

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2024

A Bibliometric Review of the Trends of Construction Digitalization Research in the Past Ten Years

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2024

The adoption of digital technologies into construction practices has become a critical area of interest, particularly in addressing challenges related to efficiency, quality, and sustainability. This study focuses on the impacts of digital technologies such as building information modeling (BIM), automation, and blockchain on the construction industry. An in-depth bibliometric analysis of the literature from 2013 to 2023 was conducted using data from the Elsevier Scopus database. Employing the key terms “Construction” and “Digitalization” in the Scopus database ensured that this research systematically identified and examined relevant articles related to digital technologies in construction. Advanced tools like the VOS viewer were used to analyze bibliometric networks, providing insights into current research trends within the built environment sector. The findings strongly focused on digital modeling, automation, and blockchain technologies. The findings also revealed new paradigms such as smart contracts and modular construction. This investigation enhances the academic discourse by elucidating the various nuances, ongoing developments, and future directions in the evolving field of construction digitalization research.

Harnessing Digital Twins in Construction: A Comprehensive Review of Current Practices, Benefits, and Future Prospects

Preprint

Jan 2024

Dimitrios Sargiotis

This paper presents an in-depth review of the development, implementation, and impact of Digital Twins in the construction industry. Defined as digital replicas of physical assets, systems, or processes, Digital Twins integrate data from IoT, BIM, AI, machine learning, cloud computing, and big data to enhance decision-making, efficiency, and proactive project management. The review covers the historical evolution of Digital Twins, emphasizing key technological milestones such as AR/VR incorporation and advanced simulation tools. Practical applications are discussed across the construction lifecycle, including design, planning, construction management, and facility management. Case studies from infrastructure projects, building developments, and smart city initiatives illustrate the real-world benefits of Digital Twins, such as cost reduction, efficiency improvements, and sustainability gains. The paper identifies challenges like data integration, real-time processing, security, privacy, interoperability, and workforce skill gaps. The future potential of Digital Twins is explored, highlighting opportunities for integration with emerging technologies, greater sustainability efforts, predictive maintenance, and autonomous systems. Recommendations for industry stakeholders include investing in technology and workforce training, standardizing practices, fostering collaboration, and driving continuous research and development to maximize the potential of Digital Twins in construction.

BIM FOR DOCUMENTING ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS (ARCHES, FATIMY POINTED ARCHES)

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2022

Adoption of Advanced Building Technologies and Materials in Construction Project Management

Article

Jul 2024

Egbebi Adeleke Oluwatosin

BIM and Energy Efficiency: Digital Transformation and Sustainability in Architecture

Chapter

Full-text available

Jun 2024

Mumine Gercek Sen

Study on Lean Construction Implementation in PalembangKajian Penerapan Konsep Konstruksi Ramping di Palembang

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2024

This research investigates the implementation of lean construction and its benefits in construction projects in Palembang. A qualitative approach is applied through literature review and in-depth interviews with respondents experienced in the construction projects. The interview results indicate that the implementation of lean construction in Palembang is still limited, although it has the potential to reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency. Additionally, it is found that further introduction to the concept of lean construction is highly necessary, especially among architects, to facilitate the decision-making for sustainable design. The development of awareness of lean construction to practitioners in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry in Palembang is essential to support the realisation of sustainable development.

Investigating trends in Green BIM: a systematic review

Article

Apr 2025
Architect Eng Des Manag

Digital Technologies: Description, Classification, and Links to Circular Economy

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2025
Bus Strat Environ

Digital technologies (DTs) and circular economy ( CE ) are currently two topics that are expected to contribute significantly to sustainable development, and digitization is generally considered a key enabler of CE . However, most studies only cover the most known Industry 4.0 technologies, and very limited research detailing how DTs can support the implementation of CE is available. The first objective of this paper is to fill these gaps by offering an overview of 24 key DTs enablers to CE , thanks to a systematic literature discussion and the development of the DATE (Digital Architecture Type) classification. The second goal is to analyze how these DTs can specifically contribute to the CE strategies of narrowing, slowing, closing, and regenerating. The results demonstrate that DTs can provide a wealth of information regarding production and consumption chains, from micro to global levels. Real‐time diagnostics and forecasting can be obtained for efficient service provision, component lifespan extension and better design practices, besides improved remanufacturing, recycling, and refurbishment approaches. To inform future research, significant gaps in the literature and new research initiatives are addressed.

Sürdürülebilir Mimarlık Araştırmalarında Bilimsel Eğilimler: Bibliyometrik Analiz ve Tematik Haritalama

Article

Apr 2025

Bu çalışma, sürdürülebilir mimarlık alanındaki akademik yayınların genel eğilimlerini, tematik odak noktalarını ve bilimsel katkılarını değerlendirmek amacıyla bibliyometrik analiz yöntemini kullanmıştır. Web of Science veri tabanında yer alan “sustainable architecture”, “sustainable building” ve “sustainable structure” anahtar kelimeleriyle gerçekleştirilen taramada toplam 3690 makale incelenmiştir. VOSviewer yazılımı aracılığıyla gerçekleştirilen analizlerde, alanın gelişim süreci, en etkili yazarlar, kaynaklar, dergiler, anahtar kelimeler ve iş birliği ağları detaylı bir şekilde haritalanmıştır. Bulgular, sürdürülebilir mimarinin enerji verimliliği, yeşil bina sistemleri, termal konfor ve çevre dostu malzeme kullanımı gibi başlıca temalar etrafında şekillendiğini göstermektedir. Özellikle 2023 yılı, sürdürülebilir mimarlık üzerine en yoğun akademik üretimin yapıldığı yıl olarak dikkat çekmektedir. Çalışma, ayrıca sürdürülebilir mimarlık literatürünün disiplinlerarası bir yapıya sahip olduğunu ve çevre mühendisliği, enerji sistemleri, malzeme bilimi gibi alanlarla etkileşim içinde zenginleştiğini ortaya koymaktadır. ABD ve Çin’in bu araştırmalarında lider konumda olduğu görülürken, Türkiye’nin bu alandaki katkısının artmakta olduğu belirlenmiştir. Çalışma, sürdürülebilir mimarlık literatürüne ilişkin kapsamlı bir durum değerlendirmesi sunarak, gelecekteki araştırmalara rehberlik edecek önemli bilgiler sağlamaktadır.

Optimization of an integrated hybrid commercial building with building information modelling

Article

Apr 2025

The growing effects of global warming, urbanization, population expansion, and land scarcity require environmentally friendly building designs. This study optimises the design, construction, and operation of a hybrid commercial building using Building Information Modelling (BIM) to meet the growing need for integrated, multipurpose retail, office, healthcare, and recreational spaces. BIM facilitates collaboration, reduces design disagreements, and reduces rework. BIM helps identify Mechanical, electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) problems early and optimizes resource consumption for sustainability and cost-effectiveness through digital modelling and simulations. A case study on the 10-story, hybrid uses Crystal Nexus skyscraper located in Rajkot shows how Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) promote sustainability. BIM enabled real-time interference tests and design revisions, while BIPV on the facade generated renewable energy, minimizing dependence on non-renewable resources. BIM is used in lifecycle cost analysis, predictive maintenance, and IoT integration for dynamic facility management after occupancy. The study recommends hybrid building BIM protocol development due to BIM data standardization and stakeholder collaboration issues. BIM and BIPV promise energy-efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable urban infrastructure. BIM is used to develop, model, and analyze hybrid commercial buildings with BIPV systems and vertical gardening. BIM optimizes building performance and sustainability by integrating systems. BIPV uses the building envelope to harvest solar energy, while vertical planting offers a green facade for insulation and energy savings. Restaurants, retail, medical facilities, libraries, offices, and parking are part of the hybrid design, which uses sustainable materials. A Madhapur Chowk case study and survey emphasize the need for optimum hybrid construction. A multi-disciplinary, collaborative approach to self-sustaining, energy-efficient commercial buildings is examined, along with the economic viability and benefits of BIM, BIPV, and green facades. These technologies are projected to improve energy efficiency, sustainability, and occupant wellness in commercial spaces.

Assessing the implementation of BIM for enhancing green building certification evaluations

Article

Mar 2025
Architect Eng Des Manag

Sustainable built environments: Integration of BIM, AI, and MuSIASEM with biomaterials for urban decarbonization.

Conference Paper

Dec 2024

This study explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) can be integrated into the Model Analysis and Sustainable Construction (MACS) to optimise sustainability in urban construction. In response to climate change and environmental degradation, MACS combines multi-scale analysis of urban metabolism (MuSIASEM) and BIM technologies in its 6D dimension, focusing on sustainability. The model includes four methodological phases: materials mining and classification, sustainability analysis and decarbonisation, waste management and adaptive feedback. AI facilitates the selection of sustainable materials, simulates energy consumption through optimal structural configurations and improves waste sorting and transportation, driving a circular economy. Tools such as EnergyPlus and machine learning algorithms can predict material behaviour and energy flows in real time, promoting decarbonisation decisions. Comparative studies between vernacular and conventional building systems, applied in urban and rural contexts, show a significant reduction of the carbon footprint. The MACS methodology, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 11, contributes to transforming the building sector towards more efficient and sustainable practices, with an adaptive approach that responds to future environmental needs.

Harnessing Digital Twins in Construction: A Comprehensive Review of Current Practices, Benefits, and Future Prospects.

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2025

Dimitrios Sargiotis

This paper presents an in-depth review of the development, implementation, and impact of Digital Twins in the construction industry. Defined as digital replicas of physical assets, systems, or processes, Digital Twins integrate data from IoT, BIM, AI, machine learning, cloud computing, and big data to enhance decisionmaking, efficiency, and proactive project management. The review covers the historical evolution of Digital Twins, emphasizing key technological milestones such as AR/VR incorporation and advanced simulation tools. Practical applications are discussed across the construction lifecycle, including design, planning, construction management, and facility management. Case studies from infrastructure projects, building developments, and smart city initiatives illustrate the real-world benefits of Digital Twins, such as cost reduction, efficiency improvements, and sustainability gains. The paper identifies challenges like data integration, real-time processing, security, privacy, interoperability, and workforce skill gaps. The future potential of Digital Twins is explored, highlighting opportunities for integration with emerging technologies, greater sustainability efforts, predictive maintenance, and autonomous systems. Recommendations for industry stakeholders include investing in technology and workforce training, standardizing practices, fostering collaboration, and driving continuous research and development to maximize the potential of Digital Twins in construction.

Exploring stakeholders' perceptions of the Triple Bottom Line in the UAE construction sector: A structural equation modeling approach

Article

Jan 2025

TRAINING MODULES FOR MAINTENANCE AND BUILDING AUDIT PROFESSIONALS

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2024

The increasing complexity of modern building systems necessitates a highly skilled workforce capable of effectively managing maintenance and auditing tasks. This study explores the design and implementation of training modules tailored to equip maintenance and building audit professionals with the necessary technical, analytical, and managerial competencies. Key areas of focus include emerging technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and sustainability practices. The paper presents a framework for developing training modules, evaluates their effectiveness, and highlights the importance of continuous learning to keep pace with technological advancements.

A review of road 3D modeling based on light detection and ranging point clouds

Article

Dec 2024

Fueling the future: Sustainable Biodiesel Production Strategies for a Cleaner Tomorrow

Chapter

Full-text available

Dec 2024

Biodiesel is an eco-friendly fuel derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. It is produced through the esterification of fatty acids or the transesterification of fats with short-chain alcohols. In the transesterification process, triglycerides are converted into fatty acid alkyl esters and glycerol, facilitated by an alcohol such as ethanol or methanol, and a catalyst such as an acid or alkali. The growing interest in biodiesel as a sustainable fuel option stems from concerns about depleting petroleum reserves and the negative environmental effects of emissions from traditional diesel. The sustainability and biodegradability of biodiesel are attributed to its production from renewable sources such as animal fats and vegetable oils. Most biodiesel today is produced using transesterification with methanol and an alkali catalyst, which is known for its relatively fast reaction time. Nonetheless, to avoid soap formation, the alcohol and vegetable oil used must be almost water-free and have a low concentration of free fatty acids (FFAs). This chapter explores various biofuel feedstocks, particularly edible oils; the role of different catalysts, including enzyme-based ones; and the latest technological advances in biodiesel production.

An update of the choosing by advantages (CBA) method from a probabilistic perspective: The selection of a heating system in a residential building

Article

Aug 2024

The applications of building information modeling in the life-cycle of green buildings: a comprehensive review

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2024

Methodologies for assessing building embodied carbon in a circular economy perspective

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2024

The global warming effect represents an increasingly severe environmental issue in the contemporary world, with the construction industry contributing up to 40% of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, as advancements in technology have enabled the realization of net-zero energy buildings, there has recently been a growing focus on research primarily aimed at reducing the embodied carbon (EC) of building materials. Assessment and calculation of EC emissions in buildings typically utilize life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, evaluating both direct and indirect carbon emissions throughout all stages, from raw material extraction to end-of-life demolition. However, the substantial potential of carbon reduction within the material beyond life cycle stage in the building, which is the decisive process of closing the loop of circular economy, is often overlooked. This paper examines a large number of research cases on EC in buildings over the past 20 years, selectively identifying those including the benefits beyond life cycle of buildings. By conducting a case-by-case analysis of methods and tools employed for the assessment of circular practices, their respective strengths, weaknesses, and variances are evaluated. Following the normalization of EC in phase A-D, a significant research finding revealing that buildings can offset an average of -113.9 kg CO2e/m² of carbon emissions through recycling and reuse in phase D, accounting for 16.85% of the total EC assessed in LCA. Steel recycling offsets the highest amount of carbon emissions, with an average number of -183.86 kg CO2e/m². The objective of this paper is to identify the key factors that influence carbon emissions in the circular economy and to identify methods and tools for integrating building materials at the early design stage to minimize EC emissions throughout the entire lifecycle of buildings.

Clean Energy: Technology, Advances, and Applications

Book

Full-text available

Dec 2024

The text includes various technologies and methods that help in generating clean and renewable forms of energy. It also includes the aspects of using fuels in energy conversion media such as internal combustion engines, and comparison with existing fossil fuels. The book also focuses on green hydrogen revolution and urban heat island effect. This book: Covers topics such as Sustainable Biodiesel Production, Photovoltaic Devices optimization and performance enhancement, maximizing energy production, and improving the overall efficiency, reliability, and performance of solar energy systems. Explains energy efficient green buildings, Blue-Green Infrastructure, high building energy demand, Solar Chimney, Urban Green Spaces in reducing Urban Heat Island Effect, Urban Air Quality, Building Resilience to Airborne Pathogens and challenges related to urban green infrastructure. Discusses Carbon sequestration potential of Urban Parks, Evolution of Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage Technology, Hydrogen Production Technologies, Production and Utilization of Hydrogen as a Future Fuel for Electric Vehicles, Evaluation of Carbon Emissions from Various Vehicles. It is primarily written for senior undergraduates, graduate students, and academic researchers in the fields of mechanical engineering, environmental engineering, energy engineering, electrical engineering, electronics and communications engineering, automotive engineering, and renewable energy.

Building Information Modeling for Sustainable Construction

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2021

The possibilities of building information modeling (BIM) for solving the problems of sustainable construction to improve the quality of construction of buildings, ensuring maximum comfort inside the premises at the expense of a minimum amount of resources are studied. The assessment of the possibility of BIM for solving the problems of sustainable construction for the conservation and Thrifty use of natural resources was carried out. The use of BIM for humanistic design is analyzed. The principle of reorganization of the last stage of the life cycle (LC) of a sustainable construction object for optimizing the LC of materials and components in construction based on BIM is studied. A scheme of the machine learning process for optimizing design based on BIM is proposed.

BIM-based Sustainability Analysis: An Evaluation of Building Performance Analysis Software

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2009

Contrasting the Capabilities of Building Energy Performance Simulation Programs

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2008
BUILD ENVIRON

For the past 50 years, a wide variety of building energy simulation programs have been developed, enhanced and are in use throughout the building energy community. This paper is an overview of a report, which provides up-to-date comparison of the features and capabilities of twenty major building energy simulation programs. The comparison is based on information provided by the program developers in the following categories: general modeling features; zone loads; building envelope and daylighting and solar; infiltration, ventilation and multizone airflow; renewable energy systems; electrical systems and equipment; HVAC systems; HVAC equipment; environmental emissions; economic evaluation; climate data availability, results reporting; validation; and user interface, links to other programs, and availability.

The impact of BIM on the architectural design process

Article

Jan 2010

Sustainable design through BIM and analysis

Article

Oct 2008

R.E. Middlebrooks

Building information modeling (BIM) based design tools help mechanical engineers provide greener building systems. BIM is an approach to building design involving the use of a digital building model created from coordinated, consistent design information enabling whole-building analysis, faster decision-making, and better documentation. The best BIM software uses a centralized, parametric model allowing live viewing and automatic coordination of all plans, quantity takeoffs, and other related documentation. The design model is used for a variety of building analyses, automatic clash detection, design visualizations, and precise quantity takeoffs. Sustainable building design depends on the ability to gain insight into a building's performance through design analysis and optimization. As the use of BIM in the building industry grows, building designs will become more accurate, buildable, predictable, and sustainable, enabling the cost-effective design and delivery of resource efficient buildings.

BIM and life-cycle analysis help determine value of green strategies

Article

Jan 2010

Daniel Niewoehner

Early Design Energy Analysis Using BIMs (Building Information Models)

Conference Paper

Apr 2009

An emerging area of interest within the A/E/C industry is designing sustainable buildings, as evidenced by the increasing use of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system. This research utilized Building Information Modeling (BIM) for energy analysis during the conceptual design phase. Most building energy analyses are conducted late in the design by energy analysts. This paper describes a process of exploring different energy saving alternatives in early design using 3D-CAD (computer aided design)/BIM technology. The recommended process allows project teams to utilize BIM models in energy simulations and compare results quickly. In order to test the feasibility of the proposed approach, a prototype energy modeling process was developed and tested on a new construction project, the Community Emergency Service Station at Fort Bragg, North Carolina with a team led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The energy modeling process was applied to explore different building envelope and equipment scenarios to enable energy conscious decisions early in the design process when they make the biggest impact on buildinglife cycle costs.

Building information modeling and changing construction practices

Article

Mar 2011
AUTOMAT CONSTR

Understanding and facilitating BIM adoption in the AEC industry

Article

Dec 2010
AUTOMAT CONSTR

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is one of the important areas in current Virtual Reality (VR) research. VR research considers not only the technological development, a very important part of the research also concerns the application of the technologies and their adoption by the practices. This paper firstly presents an analysis of the current state of BIM in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry and a re-assessment of its role and potential contribution in the near future. The paper analyses the readiness of the industry with respect to the (1) product, (2) processes and (3) people, to position BIM adoption in terms of current status and expectations across disciplines. The findings indicate that there were both technical and non-technical issues that need consideration. The evidence also suggests that there are varying levels of adoption and therefore the need for a specific tool to facilitate BIM adoption. The study revealed that even the market leaders who are early technology adopters in the Australian industry in many cases have varying degrees of practical experiential knowledge of BIM and hence at times different understandings and different levels of confidence regarding the future diffusion of BIM technology throughout the industry. There have been numerous factors affecting BIM adoption, which can be grouped into two main areas: technical tool functional requirements and needs, and non-technical strategic issues. There are varying levels of adoption and understanding within countries — from discipline to discipline and client to client. There are also varying levels of adoption from country to country and although many researchers and practitioners espouse collaborative working environments there are still challenges to be met in many parts of the world, particularly, in relation to a fully integrated collaborative multidisciplinary mode of operation. The challenges for the research community lie not only in addressing the technical solutions or addressing human centred issues but it is also in creating the enabling environment of a decision framework, which integrates both the technical and non-technical challenges. The need for guidance on where to start, what tools are available and how to work through the legal, procurement and cultural challenges was evidenced in the exploratory study. Therefore the Collaborative BIM Decision Framework has been initiated to facilitate the BIM adoption in the AEC industry, based upon these industry concerns, which consists of four interrelated key elements. The findings are drawn from a major research project funded by the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation (CRC-CI), with a focus on the Australian context.

Sustainable Building Rating Systems Summary

Article

Jan 2006

The purpose of this document is to offer information that could be used to compare and contrast sustainable building rating systems.

Building information modeling for sustainable design and LEED (R) rating analysis

Article

Mar 2011
AUTOMAT CONSTR

Today, there is a high level of demand for sustainable buildings. The most important decisions regarding a building's sustainable features are made during the design and preconstruction stages. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) is the most widely adopted sustainable building rating system in the United States. For projects pursuing LEED® certification, designers have to conduct in-depth sustainability analyses based on a building's form, materials, context, and mechanical–electrical–plumbing (MEP) systems. Since Building Information Modeling (BIM) allows for multi-disciplinary information to be superimposed within one model, it creates an opportunity to conduct these analyses accurately and efficiently as compared to the traditional methods. In this exploratory research, a case study was conducted on Salisbury University's Perdue School of Business building to demonstrate the use of BIM for sustainable design and the LEED® certification process. First, a conceptual framework was developed to establish the relationship between BIM-based sustainability analyses and the LEED® certification process. Next, the framework was validated via this case study. The results of this study indicate that documentation supporting LEED® credits may be directly or indirectly prepared using the results of BIM-based sustainability analyses software. This process could streamline the LEED® certification process and save substantial time and resources which would otherwise be required using traditional methods.

Benchmarks for sustainable construction: A contribution to develop a standard

Article

Nov 2005
ENERG BUILDINGS

Sustainability has been enshrined as a goal of society to ensure that the satisfaction of present needs does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is thus a social objective, achievable only where all areas of society co-operate in fulfilling the associated demands. Ecological sustainability is, in turn, a basic prerequisite for sustainable economic and social development. The first step in formulating an effective response to this challenge, focused solely on the environmental issues, entails a quantification of the contribution required from the various areas of human activity for the achievement of sustainable development. Without binding sub-targets for the different sectors, it will be all but impossible to move systematically towards a sustainable society. These benchmarks for sustainable construction therefore set out to define the requirements to be met by buildings and structures in contributing to the achievement of a sustainable society. The permissible impact of buildings, in terms of energy demand and pollutant loads, during construction, maintenance and operation is determined. The analysis focuses on identifying the permissible levels of loads based on the specific energy consumption per m2 and year for heating, hot water, electricity and construction. A conscious attempt is made to combine existing methods with the general political consensus by taking account of:-the ecological scarcity method [G. Brand, A. Scheidegger, O. Schwank, A. Braunschweig, Bewertung in Ökobilanzen mit der Methode der ökologischen Knappheit (Life cycle analysis using ecological scarcity method), Environmental Publication no. 297, Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape (SAEFL), 1997] used to define critical pollutant loads;-the limitation of greenhouse gas emissions specified by the intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Climate Change 2001, IPCC Third Assessment Report, www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/];-the demands of the 2000 W society [Leichter leben – Ein Verständnis für unsere Ressourcen als Schlüssel zu einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung – die 2000-Watt-Gesellschaft (Easier living – understanding our resources as the key to sustainable development – the 2000 Watt society), novatlanis, sia, energieschweiz, January 2005] for the conservation of energy resources.The study shows that buildings designed to the Passive House standard just about comply with the requirements for sustainable construction, provided electricity generation is based largely on renewable or low-CO2 resources (Swiss power supply mix). The targets are substantially harder to meet where mainly fossil-fuel-generated electricity (European supply mix UCTE) is used.

Building information model based energy/exergy performance assessment in early design stages

Article

Mar 2009
AUTOMAT CONSTR

Due to the rising awareness of climate change and resulting building regulations worldwide, building designers increasingly have to consider the energy performance of their building designs. Currently, performance simulation is mostly executed after the design stage and thus not integrated into design decision-making. In order to evaluate the dependencies of performance criteria on form, material and technical systems, building performance assessment has to be seamlessly integrated into the design process. In this approach, the capability of building information models to store multi-disciplinary information is utilized to access parameters necessary for performance calculations. In addition to the calculation of energy balances, the concept of exergy is used to evaluate the quality of energy sources, resulting in a higher flexibility of measures to optimize a building design. A prototypical tool integrated into a building information modelling software is described, enabling instantaneous energy and exergy calculations and the graphical visualisation of the resulting performance indices.

Sustainable development and the construction industry

Article

Dec 1995
HABITAT INT

The construction industry, together with the materials industries which support it, is one of the major global exploiters of natural resources, both physical and biological. The industry thus contributes very significantly to the current unsustainable development path of the global economy. This paper has two purposes. First, it attempts to identify the principal ways in which construction contributes to environmental stress, and to quantify the contribution of construction where possible. Secondly, it considers the means available to reduce these environmental impacts, through improved technology, design or changed practices; and it suggests ways in which governments can take action to promote these changes.

The Impact of Building Information Modeling on the Architectural Design Process

Conference Paper

Jan 2008

Many benefits of Building Information Modeling, BIM, have been suggested by several authors and by software vendors. In this paper we describe an experiment in which two groups of designers were observed developing an assigned design task. One of the groups used a BIM system, while the other used a standard computer-aided drafting system. The results show that some of the promises of BIM hold true, such as consistency maintenance and error avoidance in the design documentation process. Other promises such as changing the design process itself seemed also promising but they need more research to determine to greater extent the depth of such changes.

Introduction to Architectural Science: The Basis of Sustainable Design

Article

Jan 2004

Steven Szokolay

Building Information Modeling – Planning and Managing Construction Projects with 4D CAD and Simulation, McGraw-Hill Construction Identifying Sustainability Priorities and Engaging Stakeholders – The Hong Kong Housing Authority's Challenges and Experience

Jan 2008

W Kymmell

Kymmell, W. (2008), Building Information Modeling – Planning and Managing Construction Projects with 4D CAD and Simulation, McGraw-Hill Construction, New York, NY. Lee, D. (2008), Identifying Sustainability Priorities and Engaging Stakeholders – The Hong Kong Housing Authority's Challenges and Experience, Hong Kong Housing Authority, Hong Kong.

BIM and analysis for sustainable design (1-2-3 Revit Tutorial)

R Rundell

Rundell, R. (2007), " BIM and analysis for sustainable design (1-2-3 Revit Tutorial) ", available at: http://aec.cadalyst.com/aec/article/articleDetail.jsp?id¼417408 (accessed 10 April 2007).

Using BIM for sustainable design”, available at: www10.aeccafe.com/nbc/articles/view_weekly.php?articleid=386029

S Smith

Smith, S. (2007), " Using BIM for sustainable design ", available at: www10.aeccafe.com/nbc/ articles/view_weekly.php?articleid¼386029 (accessed 7 May 2007).

Early design energy analysis using BIMS (building information models) Introduction to Architectural Science: The Basis of Sustainable Design What LEED is " , available at: www.usgbc.org/ DisplayPage.aspx?

Jan 2007

A Stumpf
H Kim
E Jenicek

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R A Welland

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The advantages of BIM-enabled sustainable design for improving commercial building performance

Autodesk

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BIM: enhancing construction design and workflow”

Hong Kong Housing Authority

Identifying Sustainability Priorities and Engaging Stakeholders - The Hong Kong Housing Authority's Challenges and Experience, Hong Kong Housing Authority

D Lee

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Autodesk

Barriers to the adoption of building information modeling in the building industry

P G Bernstein
J H Pittman

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T Biswas
T H Wang
R Krishnamurti

Building Information Modeling - Planning and Managing Construction Projects with 4D CAD and Simulation

W Kymmell

The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design

S F Mendler
W Odell
M A Lazarus

Hong Kong building environmental assessment method

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Building information modelling (BIM) for sustainable building design

Abstract

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