Digital Construction Research Articles

Research on Digital Construction Technology for Special-Shaped Shell Pipe Structures

The aesthetic appeal of special-shaped shell pipe structures makes them highly favored by architects and holds promising prospects for various applications. In the detailed design stage, NURBS curves should be divided into multiple continuous arcs due to the limitations of current steel structure fabrication equipment, which can only accommodate pipes with equal-curvature bends. However, the traditional manual fitting methods suffer from several issues including low efficiency, undercutting at the interface, poor smoothness of curves, and lack of control over tolerances. Furthermore, the weaker out-of-plane stiffness and utilization of bending arc pipe sections pose significant challenges in terms of spatial positioning and installation accuracy that need to be addressed. The study focuses on addressing these challenges by investigating digital construction technology for special-shaped shell pipe structures and developing a parametric algorithm that enables automatic fitting of spatial NURBS curves into multiple arcs, thereby achieving seamless curve fitting. A post-processing program was developed to enable the parametric generation of fabrication and installation information for structural members, which can be seamlessly integrated into the BIM database. Finally, structural position control technology is proposed to improve assembly efficiency and ensure consistency between the completed construction state and the design shape. The above digital construction technology has been applied in projects such as the Haihua Island International Conference Center. It can provide complete technical solutions for modeling of special-shaped shell pipe structures, including establishment of a member information database, fabrication at the workshop and installation on site, construction organization management, as well as installation accuracy control.

Construction Project Organizational Capabilities Antecedent Model Construction Based on Digital Construction Context

In the context of high-quality development and the digital age, digital technology-enabled construction projects have become the only choice to promote organizational capabilities and innovation. However, the micro foundation of the organizational capabilities of construction projects has not been clarified, and its formation path is even less clear. This paper focuses on the characteristics of the times when digital technology and engineering construction are deeply integrated, conducts in-depth research on typical projects in the context of digital construction, and uses the qualitative research method of grounded theory to explore the antecedents of the formation of organizational capabilities. The results of the study establish a systematic antecedent model framework, including value integration, data traction, resource integration, technology integration, digital collaboration, and digital routines, and find out the “black box” process of the formation of construction project organizational capacities under the digital construction context. The conclusion of this study provides a theoretical basis and practical enlightenment for the construction of organizational capabilities of construction projects to cope with technological turbulence.

The Role of Digitalization in Enhancing Outward Foreign Direct Investment: New Advantages for Chinese Enterprises

With the rapid development of big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other technologies, digital construction has gradually become a crucial means of enterprise development, significantly impacting the operation and management activities of enterprises. Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI) is one of the key pathways for Chinese enterprises to “go global,” contributing to improved economic efficiency and promoting national economic development. Therefore, studying the advantages of digitalization in OFDI activities will aid in exploring effective methods for Chinese enterprises to engage in OFDI within the digital economy and provide an important foundation for strategic enterprise planning and national policy formulation. This paper combines the current state of OFDI among Chinese enterprises, analyzes the advantages and roles of digital construction in OFDI, and explores relevant countermeasures, aiming to provide theoretical references for enterprises’ OFDI activities in the context of digitalization.

Digital workflow in oral splint manufacturing.

The objective of the present article is to demonstrate the digital workflow used to manufacture an adjusted oral splint in a patient case. A 25-year-old female patient presented for management of her bruxism. Therefore, an adjusted oral splint was manufactured. A computer-aided motion analysis of the patient was conducted (JMA Optic). Full-arch scans of the maxilla and mandible, a biocopy of the maxilla with a bite fork, and buccal scans of the centric jaw relation (Primescan) were performed. The jaw relation was determined beforehand by ballistic closing on a chairside-fabricated anterior jig. The digital construction of a Michigan splint took place in the dental laboratory. The design was nested and milled from a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-containing blank (CLEARsplint Disc). The oral splint was inserted into the patient's mouth and checked to ensure a tension-free fit. The static and dynamic contact relationship was checked. During the follow-up visit, the patient reported an improvement in tension in the masticatory muscles. The described procedure allows for the manufacture of an adjusted oral splint through a purely digital workflow.

Development of a Maturity Model for the Digital transformation of companies in the context of Construction Industry 4.0

The construction industry is characterized by a low level of productivity and digitalization, as well as the critical perceived instability of costs, deadlines and quality. One way to address these challenges is to increase the use of digital methods and technologies in the future. Optimal use of these can help to improve the quality of planning and execution and optimize the operation of existing buildings. The challenge is the implementation and integration of these methods and technologies into existing company structures. In many cases, companies do not have a unified understanding of the current state of digitization in their organization. This article closes this research gap and presents the development of a novel maturity model for construction companies in the context of Construction Industry 4.0, the Digital Construction Company Maturity Model (DCCMM). Based on a literature review, the appropriate technologies used in the construction industry are identified and the basic requirements for the maturity model are defined. Once implemented, the model comprises five dimensions and 28 assessment parameters that describe digital transformation across six maturity levels. The conceptual model is tested and validated in eight construction companies. This is done in the context of qualitative interviews. The DCCMM serves as a holistic framework for the individual classification of companies in terms of digital transformation. This provides construction companies with a transparent and comprehensible indication of the degree of digitalization of their own structures. The result will make a significant contribution to further digitalization in the construction industry.

The Metaverse Territorial Brand: A Contemporary Concept

The “Metaverse Territorial Brand” integrates core and interconnected elements into a virtual, interactional, experiential, and immersive space known as the metaverse. This type of brand encompasses the connection with immersive territories that may or may not be digital twins of real territories. It also encompasses two interconnected physical scales: the territorial and the regional, involved in another type of emerging territorial scale, known as the metaversal scale. Therefore, the “Metaverse Territorial Brand” is a digital-immersive extension of the territorial brand of physical territories, encompassing specific geographical and cultural aspects, but directed to the metaverse environment. This brand is a symbolic digital construction, but also a multifaceted one that incorporates discursive and visual elements, articulated by the social actors of the immersive territory, aiming to create a specific and distinct identity for a space in the metaverse. When talking about social actors in the metaverse (users), we highlight that this set of actors may or may not be the same as the physical territory. It is also important to highlight that both the territorial brand directed to physical territories and the “Metaverse Territorial Brand” are formed from the power relations of a given set of social actors. Therefore, without the strategic intention of a plurality of social actors that stimulate these relationships, there is no type of territorial brand involved.

Digital Construction Preservation Techniques of Endangered Heritage Architecture: A Detailed Reconstruction Process of the Dong Ethnicity Drum Tower (China)

This study suggests a pioneering conservation framework that significantly enhances the preservation, renovation, and restoration of heritage architecture through the integration of contemporary digital technologies. Focusing on the endangered drum towers of the Dong ethnic group in Southwestern China, the research employs a meticulous data collection process that combines manual measurements with precise 2D imaging and oblique unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photography, enabling comprehensive documentation of tower interiors and exteriors. Collaboration with local experts in drum tower construction not only enriches the data gathered but also provides profound insights into the architectural nuances of these structures. An accurate building information modeling (BIM) simulation illuminates the internal engineering details, deepening the understanding of their complex design. Furthermore, UAV-obtained point cloud data facilitate a 3D reconstruction of the tower’s exterior. This innovative approach to heritage preservation not only advances the documentation and comprehension of heritage structures but also presents a scalable, replicable model for cultural conservation globally, paving the way for future research in the field.

Research on information extension of mountainous rack railway engineering based on IFC standard

In response to the practical demands for data sharing and exchange in the field of rack railway systems engineering, as well as to address the gaps in the rack railway domain within the framework of the IFC4 standard, we extend and define the rack railway domain through entity extension and custom attribute sets. By utilizing the ongoing construction of the Dujiangyan to Mount Siguniang Railway as a case study, we validate the utility of this IFC extension and modeling approach. Leveraging IfcOpenShell, we incorporate the extended data content into the generated IFC file. We present a process for extension tailored to the characteristics of rack railway engineering. This study aims to provide broader information support for the digital construction of track structures in the design phase of rack railway engineering and to facilitate more efficient data exchange and sharing.

Traversing the complexity of digital construction and beyond through soft skills: experiences of Malaysian architects

Traversing the complexity of digital construction and beyond through soft skills: experiences of Malaysian architects

Digital improvements in the design and construction process of classical Chinese garden rockeries: a study based on material digitization

Rockeries have a complex and significant role in classical Chinese garden designs. They present distinct artistic characteristics and spatial hierarchies and are crucial to garden heritage conservation. Craftsmanship in rockery construction is a significant part of China’s intangible cultural heritage. Rockeries are primarily composed of naturally occurring rocks chosen for their uniqueness and complex shapes and textures. These rocks present challenges as nonstandard elements within the traditional Chinese garden context, as it is not easy to depict them using conventional blueprints and models. This complicates the design, adjustment, display, and construction of rockeries, which lacks tangible bases for reference. Consequently, the preservation and restoration of garden rockeries is difficult, and the perpetuation and dissemination of rockery construction skills face numerous challenges. This study introduces a method that combines laser scanning and photographic measurements to digitize precisely nonstandard elements of rockery stones. This approach presents an innovative design and construction workflow for rockeries by refining design processes, showcasing real effects, and resolving assembly issues. The results demonstrate that the combination of three-dimensional laser scanning and close-range photogrammetry can accurately replicate the complex forms and textures of these nonstandard elements. The stone coding and digital management system devised based on the logic of construction effectively satisfies the design and building requirements of rockeries. Correspondingly, the proposed digital construction workflow enhances the accuracy of rockery design, presentation, and evaluation, thereby contributing to the protection and restoration of rockery heritage sites and the transmission of rockery construction techniques.

Regional digitalization and corporate ESG performance

Against the backdrop of rapid digitalization growth and deep integration with the real economy, companies are faced with more extensive and complex social responsibilities. Based on the data of 1178 A-share listed companies in China's Shanghai and Shenzhen markets from 2014 to 2021, this study empirically analyses the impact of regional digitalization on corporate ESG performance by constructing a double-difference model using the establishment of China's National Pilot Zone for the Innovative Development of the Digital Economy. This paper found that regional digital construction can improve corporate ESG performance by enhancing corporate environmental information disclosure, improving the scale of social donations, and enhancing risk resilience. In addition, the higher the level of public environmental concern in the region, the more obvious the enhancement of digital construction on corporate ESG performance. The contribution of regional digital construction to corporate ESG is also stronger in firms with high executive environmental awareness than in those with low. At the same time, this paper also responds to some scholars' questioning of corporate ESG by verifying that corporate ESG report disclosure is motivated by corporate sustainability rather than self-impression management from the dimensions of corporate management's manipulation of information and the corporate's actual environmental behavior. This paper enriches the research on the impact of the external digital environment on corporate ESG performance. It is of great significance for developing countries to promote the active participation of enterprises in ESG practices through the opportunity of digital development.

ADDRESSING THE COMPETENCY OF PRACTITIONERS WITHIN BIM E-SUBMISSION IN MALAYSIAN LOCAL AUTHORITIES

This paper delves into the impact of the transition to Building Information Modelling electronic submission (BIM e-Submission) within local authorities (PBT) in Malaysia. The study comprehensively analyzes the essential competencies necessary to implement BIM e-Submission successfully. It emphasizes the potential dire consequences of inadequate skill allocation in Malaysia's BIM e-Submission initiatives, underlining the urgency of addressing this issue. Using a multi-method qualitative approach to gather primary data and thoroughly examine existing literature, the research constructs a robust conceptual framework elucidating the critical competencies required of BIM e-Submission practitioners within the PBT domain. The findings underscore the necessity of developing a BIM e-Submission occupational competency framework as a development strategy to enhance the training and proficiency of BIM e-Submission practitioners. This paper aims to advance understanding of BIM e-Submission in Malaysia, increase stakeholder awareness of relevant roles, responsibilities, and competencies, and promote the advancement of digital construction through optimized utilization of BIM e-Submission practices.

Five years of radiographic evaluation for the peri-implant bone changes of all-on-four implant prostheses constructed from different framework materials using different digital construction techniques

BackgroundThere is insufficient evidence recommending a framework material and a CAD/CAM manufacturing technique for mandibular implant-supported prostheses. The study objective was to evaluate the clinical application of different materials and construction techniques used for mandibular All-on-4 prosthesis on circumferential peri-implant bony changes after 5 years.MethodsThirty-six male patients with all-on-4 mandibular implant-supported prostheses were recalled and divided into three groups. Group PK (patients with frameworks milled from PEEK blocks), Group PSM (patients with frameworks milled from soft metal blocks), and Group SLM (patients with frameworks constructed with additive manufacturing; selective laser melting). The circumferential bone level on all implant faces was assessed with a CBCT. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare vertical bone loss (VBL) and horizontal bone loss (HBL) between different groups, implant positions, and observation times followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons.ResultsFor all observation times, there was a significant difference in VBL between groups for both anterior and posterior implants (P < .001). For anterior implants, group PSM showed the lowest VBL while group PK showed the highest for anterior and posterior implants. For all groups, HBL significantly increased after 5 years for both anterior and posterior implants (P < .001). For anterior implants, group PSM showed the highest HBL. For posterior implants, group PK and SLM showed the highest.ConclusionWithin the study’s limitations, mandibular implant-supported fixed frameworks fabricated with either milling from PEEK or soft metal blocks, or additive manufacturing (laser melting technology) exhibited significant vertical and horizontal bone height changes after 5 years.Clinical Trial Registry Number(NCT06071689) (11/10/2023).

Digital age: The path choice of government-citizen value co-creation

This study explores the relationship between government and citizen in the digital age and proposes a specific path to realize the value co-creation of government and citizen in the digital age. Quantitative analysis of 40 policy texts on “digital government construction” of 30 provincial and municipal governments in China before November 2022 was conducted using NVivo12. The case of Minsheng Cloud revealed that provincial and municipal government departments have not paid sufficient attention to citizen participation. Furthermore, citizens' participation ability and enthusiasm are not high. The study found that in the process of strengthening the construction of digital government, “government optimisation”, “citizen participation”, “governance guarantee”, “data governance” and “government digitization” are the key elements. We discuss the feasibility, necessity and coupling of the value co-creation theory to establish the benign interaction between government and citizens and realize co-creation. We find that the “DART” model can be co-created based on value, and that the continuous Improving the four aspects of “dialogue”, “access”, “transparency” and “risk assessment” will undoubtedly help realize the value co-creation of government and citizens in the digital era, and form a governance pattern of co-construction and sharing. It is therefore of great significance to promote the government's digital construction and digital governance capability to accelerate the construction of digital China and promote the modernisation of the national governance system and governance capability.

Research on Cryptography-based Data Security and Trustworthiness in Digital Construction of Water Resources and Hydropower

Research on Cryptography-based Data Security and Trustworthiness in Digital Construction of Water Resources and Hydropower

Opportunities and Threats of Adopting Digital Twin in Construction Projects: A Review

Digital twin (DT) is recognized as a pillar in the transition from traditional to digital construction, yet the risks (opportunities and threats) associated with its implementation have not been thoroughly determined in the literature. In addition, there is a scarcity of research relating the risks of DT implementation to DT maturity levels, which has hindered the optimum consideration of such risks when DT is adopted at different maturity levels. To address these gaps, this study conducted a literature review of 1889 documents from Scopus and Web of Science databases. After rigorous filtration, 72 documents were selected and comprehensively reviewed. A total of 47 risk factors (RFs) were identified and categorized into opportunities (economic, technical, environmental and sustainability, monitoring and safety, and management) and threats (economic, technical, and policy and management). Subsequently, these RFs were mapped onto the five-level DT maturity model, providing users with insights into opportunities and threats on each level. The exhaustive list of RFs and proposed integration of a DT maturity model with corresponding RFs enables stakeholders to identify the risks in their specific use cases and facilitate the decision-making and success in transition across various levels of DT in real-life construction projects.

Demand and Strategy of Lifelong Education Digital Integration and Innovative Development

With the comprehensive advancement of the information-based Education 2.0 action plan, digital integration and innovative development have become an important measure to promote the high-quality development of lifelong education. The digital construction of lifelong education not only has the basic characteristics of “wide, large, deep and comprehensive” but also can provide collaborative services for academic education and non-academic education so as to meet the needs of diverse groups of audiences and diverse school systems, and achieve the goal of innovation and upgrading of all elements, all processes and all scenarios. Therefore, in the process of digital construction of lifelong education, it is necessary not only to clarify the necessity of digital integration development based on realistic needs but also to determine the basic characteristics of digital integration of lifelong education through connotation analysis and to determine development strategies, so as to build a lifelong education digital integration innovation development path.

Collaborative Innovation in Construction Supply Chain under Digital Construction: Evolutionary Game Analysis Based on Prospect Theory

In the context of Digital Construction (DC), collaborative innovation in the construction supply chain (CSC) is crucial for long-term competitiveness. However, transparent information flows and fickle market circumstances hinder enterprises from actively participating in collaborative innovation, making it challenging to establish effective incentive mechanisms. To achieve sustained and stable collaborative innovation, an evolutionary game model of collaborative innovation between core enterprises and member enterprises in the CSC under DC based on Prospect Theory is constructed. Five equilibrium scenarios and evolutionary stability strategies are analyzed, and the corresponding stability conditions are obtained. Finally, the impact of different parameters on strategy selection are analyzed by numerical simulation. The results indicate that the balance between knowledge sharing and knowledge leakage is the premise of the positive impact of DC technology on collaborative innovation. Moreover, the adjustment of gain sensitivity and loss sensitivity is the key to enhancing managerial enthusiasm for collaborative innovation. Furthermore, the design of income distribution and innovation incentives must adhere to the reciprocity principle, while subsidies from owners demonstrate a prominent positive impact on collaborative innovation. This paper systematically expounds the dynamic influence of DC technology application, knowledge spillover effects, and managerial cognitive structures while confirming the intrinsic effect of innovation incentive mechanisms. It provides substantial theoretical reference and management enlightenment for promoting the development of collaborative innovation in the CSC under DC.

A study on yield calculation method using suspension power chart in beam pumping systems

Abstract Accurate production prediction plays a crucial role in well fault diagnosis and parameter optimization, significantly contributing to the advancement of oilfield digital construction. This paper focuses on the dynamic analysis of beam pumping machines to establish a calculation model for the power diagram of rod pumping systems. The solution involves employing the finite difference method and Fourier series method, facilitating the transition from the suspension point work diagram to the pump work diagram. The effective stroke of the plunger is determined by analyzing the opening and closing points of the Ver using the maximum curvature analysis method. Subsequently, the leakage and volume coefficients are derived by integrating on-site production data, culminating in the realization of an oil well production calculation method based on the suspension work diagram. The compilation of the pump power chart and oil well production calculation program was executed using QT 6.2.3. Comparative analysis with measured production data revealed an average accuracy of 90.05% using the finite difference method, surpassing the performance of the Fourier series algorithm. The established model not only offers a reliable means of predicting production but also provides valuable technical support for the digital and intelligent applications within the oilfield.

Exploring a data-driven framework for safety performance management: A theoretical investigation at the enterprise level

The effective utilization of massive safety performance data has become an urgent necessity in response to the growing complexity and scale of work safety systems. Data-driven technologies and theories have emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing safety performance management with the rapid development of big data, which urgently need to develop a comprehensive data-driven framework to continuously improve the performance of work safety systems. Firstly, the discipline support and rationale behind safety performance management in the information age are analyzed, and the research stages and strengths of data-driven are clarified. Subsequently, the three-dimensional structure of safety performance management under data-driven is depicted, the three-level data flow in the work safety process is summarized, and the data feedback process for safety performance management were described. Lastly, the overall framework of data-driven safety performance management is constructed, and the sub-frameworks are analyzed from four aspects: infrastructure, data collection and storage, data analysis, and information services. Framework advantages, development strategies, and research limitations for data-driven safety performance management are also provided. Overall, this study aims to advance the informatization and digitization construction of work safety performance management at the enterprise level through the synthesis of existing data-driven theoretical views and data analytic techniques.