Enhancing the value of Facilities Information Management (FIM) through BIM integration

Building Information Modelling (BIM) provides a robust platform for information management in built environment facilities. However, one of the consequences of the limited application of BIM in facilities information management (FIM) is that the potential value gain through the integration of as-built information during the operations management process has had limited exploration in current practice. This paper attempts to explore the potential impact of BIM to enhance the value of Facilities Information Management. A detailed literature review was undertaken to identify BIM application in a construction context, and to develop a framework to investigate the value of information. An interpretative approach was adopted for data collection and analysis. 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted with construction industry professionals to identify how value of FIM can be enhanced through BIM integration. The interview data were analysed using open and selective coding. The findings confirm that information exchange between the construction and facilities management phases of a project are important in terms of efficient and effective maintenance of a facility as well as optimising the design task. With these promising benefits, BIM is an efficient mechanism to facilitate construction information exchange. However, there is an uncertainty over the optimum level of information that ought to be on a BIM model for facilities management purposes. The relationship between different aspects of value is a starting point to filter the required information for each individual project. In contrast, limited awareness of value of information exchange and the potential of BIM enabled FIM during construction is noted. The information exchange considered within this investigation was limited to two key phases of the facility lifecycle, namely construction and facilities management (in-use). The findings bring insight into an unseen aspect of facilities management information needs that should be given priority in upcoming BIM developments. Also, it draws attention to how value is concerned in a daily basis beyond monetary terms. The investigation of value enhancement through BIM integration in particular to facilities information management and ongoing research with new value dimensions

EVALUATING THE ABILITY OF BIM TO ENHANCE VALUE IN FACILITIES INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

The concern towards information management in construction industry has been changed over the past decade with the introduction of Building Information Modelling (BIM). With this influence the Government Soft Landing Policy focuses on early end user engagement to enhance the in-use performance of buildings. Literature reveals number of advantages that BIM promises on enhancing the efficient management of buildings. However, many of these findings explain what BIM can do and only limited effort has been taken to reveal the mechanism to exploit those good practices. This knowledge gap has slowed down the adoption of BIM beyond government projects. The success of BIM is based on information it holds. Hence this paper attempts to investigate the value of construction information to the facilities management to understand optimum level of information to be handed over through BIM. Also, it further attempts to explain how BIM can be used as a vehicle to improve such value. 14 interviews were conducted among construction professionals to gather the value perception of information. The qualitative data were analysed through thematic analysis based on grounded theory. The information value matrix was developed to assist facilities managers on understanding information requirement and value of information

Towards the sustainable construction through minimizing site waste in Sri Lanka

The term ‘Sustainability’ is one of the critical issues that caused multiple repercussions in the global arena. The concept focuses economic, social and environment well being of a whole nation and there is an identical link between construction activities and the environment. Construction products and processes create considerable impact on the environment and it is significant to protect the environment for our future generations too. Construction site waste is one of the big issues that diminishes the environment soundness. Therefore minimization of site waste is becoming extremely attractive to management as a strategy to save costs while improving overall sustainability. The success in site waste reduction usually depends upon worker awareness and the commitment of the management. Most of the construction firms are not aware of waste minimization strategies at all. Therefore it is inevitable to suggest some ways or strategies for construction firms to reduce construction site waste. Identification of types and sources of waste would lead to suggesting ways and strategies to reduce construction site waste. Further, it was identified that poor performance of workers directly contributes to the generation of waste in construction. This paper is focused on how environment sustainability could be achieved through minimizing site waste and the factors that affected the generation of site waste in the Sri Lankan context. A comprehensive literature survey and a structured questionnaire survey were carried out to achieve the research aim of this study. Keywords - Construction Materials, Labour, Site Waste, Sri Lanka, Sustainable Construction

Paradigm shift towards whole life analysis in adaptable buildings

Economic evaluation is a significant consideration in the initiation of a facility. This evaluation process should take into account all costs, benefits and performance associated with a facility in its through life cycle. There are a number of techniques available for economic valuation, however, the practical application is poor in most of the techniques. Whole Life Analysis (WLA) is identified as a comprehensive approach for economic evaluation. At present there is a growing trend towards designing buildings to be more adaptable within the UK property market. Hence, economic evaluation of adaptable buildings needs to be undertaken as early as possible for appropriate long term decisions. This paper examines the paradigm shift required for a WLA approach for adaptable buildings while identifying the benefits and barriers of its practical application. A comprehensive literature review was undertaken to analyse how WLA could be used as a decision support technique for adaptable buildings. Literature reveals WLA as one of the best decision support techniques for use in the building industry, and it seems logical to adopt it for adaptable buildings. However, detailed economic evaluation remains an untapped area within adaptable buildings. Being involved in the ‘Adaptable Futures’ research project at Loughborough University, the authors have blended their thoughts with available literature and attempt to identify how important in undertaking WLA is for an adaptable facility while identifying the barriers of current applications. Stakeholder input is crucial towards the betterment of WLA particularly concerning its understanding and application in adaptable buildings. Key words: economic evaluation, whole life analysis, adaptable buildings, barriers, benefits, stakeholders’ rol

Life Cycle Costing in Construction: Current Trends and Emerging Directions

The current construction climate in the UK is moving forward with a much greater attention on cost certainty, sustainability and adoption of innovative technologies. The UK Construction Strategy 2025 provides a clear direction towards achieving such goals by 2025. Life Cycle Costing (LCC) is one of successful techniques for identifying the total cost of ownership in construction assets. Even though the technique has 50 years of history, the application and the diffusion of the technique within the construction domain is comparatively limited. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the evolution and current status of LCC within construction context through Bibliometric Analysis of journal publications indexed in Web of Science database (1970-2020). A series of Contents Analyses was performed and visualisation maps were generated via VOSviewer. The findings proved that LCC has been absorbed into construction in late 90’s and there is a continuous rise in the global uptake from 2013 onwards. With limited budgets and growing demand for sustainability, an integrated methodology linking LCC, Life Cycle Assessment and Performance optimisation is apparently the way forward for LCC

Unveiling the potential of design for deconstruction in the circular economy

The construction industry plays a vital role in fostering sustainability through various concepts and strategies being implemented globally. Among these, Circular Economy (CE) stands out as a prominent approach to enhancing sustainability. CE aims to move the industry away from the traditional linear model (i.e., build-use-demolish) towards a more sustainable circular approach. In the built environment, the ‘Design for Deconstruction' (DfD) aims to integrate planning for a building's end-of-life disassembly and material/component salvaging into the design process, thereby promoting sustainability through waste minimisation. However, the relationship between DfD and circularity is less evident. For example, most of the literature about DfD explains the potentials of end-of-life disassembly is limited in terms of discussion on the second life (potential reuse) of those disassembled materials/components. This research aims to bridge this gap. A detailed literature review has been undertaken to establish the status of DfD within the construction industry, including principles, practices, advantages, and barriers of DfD and its contribution to CE. The findings confirm that the blurred link between DfD and CE, and the required improvements in standardisation, awareness, and deconstruction information model/databases are the key priorities to enhance the circularity through DfD

Achieving the best value through environmental sustainable construction : integrated process model

Value Management (VM) and Environmental Sustainability (ES) are increasingly becoming important tools to be considered in construction. VM is one of the recognized techniques that made substantial cost savings on construction projects and sustainability is about delivering better long term value for the built environment and its inhabitants. The attention on ES issues in VM remains untapped area due to scarcity of information. Theoretically, the intrinsic capabilities and the positive relationships between these two heighten VM position as an effective means for sustainability improvements. The purpose of this research study is to identify how the ES criteria could be incorporated into the VM process and it's acceptability by the construction clients. The research is focused on a development of a process model by combining both ES and the best value criteria to select construction materials. The research was placed in qualitative research philosophies as the aim was to generate rich data from the experiences of VM team to find the means of ES delivery in VM. This -research begins from the data gathered through a comprehensive literature review and unstructured interviews. Based on the literature review the Integrated Process Model (IPM) was developed. The developed model was tested through multiple case studies to find the client's acceptance towards the environment favourable material selection. It was found 47% of materials derived from the IPM are purely matching with the client's choice. By adopting this process model at the very early stages of material selection the acceptance can be improved further. The research can concluded that the VM and ES can be incorporated through the Integrated Process Model to select construction materials. Further the model has the high level of acceptance among the construction clients and the early application of the model provides multiple benefits to the project stakeholders. Key Words: Best Value, Value Management, Environment Sustainability, Construction Materials, Integrated Process Mode

Effect of two types of total mixed rations on production performances of Holstein Friesian cows in early lactation

The milk production of high producing European dairy cattle breeds in tropical environment is not in satisfaction level. In general, cows develop negative energy balance at the early lactation resulting poor production performances. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of total mixed ration feeding systems (TMR) over conventional feeding system to increase the production performances of cows in early lactation. Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) based conventional feeding system (CFS) versus two different types of total mixed rations as TMR1 (with the same ingredients and same quantity in CFS) and TMR2 (16% dry matter of napier in TMR1 was replaced with legume and non-legume) were studied on production performances of 15 Holstein Friesian cows in early lactation (n=5). The highest average daily milk yield was observed in TMR2 fed cows (17.88±3.03 L/d) while the lowest was observed in CFS fed cows (12.23±0.88 L/d, p<0.0001). The percentage of average daily weight gain was differed (p=0.01) among the treatments (CFS=1.53%, TMR1=2.79%, and TMR2=4.32%). The body condition score of the cows fed with TMR1 and TMR2 was increased by 0.1 and 0.25, respectively at the end of the experimental period whereas it was unchanged in the cows fed with CFS. Results revealed that feeding of TMR for Holstein Friesian cows in early lactation is a better way to achieve increased milk production with a better body condition in the tropics. TMR consisted of legume and non-legume fodder was more efficient