Research Areas

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

BIM is a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility. BIM allows architects, engineers, and construction professionals to collaborate and plan a building project before it is built by creating a shared digital model that can be used to simulate and analyze different design options, identify potential problems, and make better-informed decisions. BIM allows professionals to anticipate and plan for issues that might arise during construction and can be used to optimize the performance of the building in terms of energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and safety. It can also be used to manage the building throughout its life cycle, including operation, maintenance, and, eventually, demolition. BIM is widely used in the construction industry as a way to improve collaboration, reduce errors, and enhance the overall quality of a building project.

Resilient Infrastructure

Resilient infrastructure focuses on the ability of infrastructure systems to withstand and recover from disruptions caused by natural or man-made hazards. This includes the ability to adapt to changing conditions, such as extreme weather events, sea level rise, and population growth. Resilient infrastructure is designed to be more robust and flexible, with the ability to withstand and recover from disruptions and to continue to provide essential services to the community. This approach to infrastructure planning and design takes into account both short-term and long-term risks and vulnerabilities and aims to reduce the negative impacts of disruptions on communities and the economy. Resilient infrastructure may include measures such as:

  • Building infrastructure that is resistant to damage from natural disasters (such as floods, earthquakes, and storms)
  • Providing redundancy and backup systems to ensure continuity of service during disruptions
  • Planning for long-term changes in the environment and population demographics
  • Developing early warning systems and emergency management plans to prepare for and respond to disruptions.

Reality Capture in Construction

Reality capture in the construction industry is the use of technology to create a digital representation of a physical environment, such as a building or construction site. This includes technologies such as laser scanning, photogrammetry, and structured light scanning, which are used to collect data on the physical characteristics of a building or site, such as its shape, size, and layout. This data is then used to create a 3D model of the environment, which can be used in a variety of ways in the construction industry, such as for design, planning, and construction management. Reality capture allows architects, engineers, and construction professionals to create accurate, detailed digital models of a building or site, which can be used for a variety of purposes, such as:

  • Identifying potential problems and making better-informed decisions
  • Monitoring and managing the construction process
  • Creating as-built documentation

Reality capture technology has become an important tool for the construction industry, as it allows professionals to work more efficiently and effectively and helps to improve the overall quality of a building project. It can also be used for ongoing maintenance and future retrofitting by providing accurate data on the as-built conditions, which can be used to plan and execute work more effectively.

Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA)

LCSA is a systematic approach to evaluate the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a product, service, or infrastructure project over its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal or end-of-life. LCSA aims to identify and evaluate the environmental and social impacts of a product or infrastructure throughout its entire life cycle and to use this information to identify opportunities for improvement and optimization. LCSA follows the principles of life cycle assessment (LCA) and includes three main stages:

  • Goal and scope definition: outlining the objectives, boundaries, and assumptions of the assessment.
  • Life cycle inventory analysis: collecting and analyzing data on the inputs and outputs of a product or infrastructure over its entire life cycle.
  • Life cycle impact assessment: evaluating the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a product or infrastructure based on the data collected in the life cycle inventory analysis.

LCSA can be used to evaluate products, services, and infrastructure projects in a wide range of sectors, including construction, transportation, energy, and manufacturing. It can help to identify opportunities for improvement and optimization and to make more informed decisions about the design, construction, operation, and end-of-life management of products and infrastructure projects. By providing a comprehensive and holistic view of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a product or infrastructure, LCSA helps to ensure that the most sustainable options are selected and the negative impacts are minimized.