Abstract
The construction sector in the UK has been closely scrutinised in relation to
workmanship standards and general build quality in the aftermath of the incidents at Grenfell and Oxgangs Primary School. Construction quality concern comes at a time when the sector has been reinvigorated thanks to digital transformation in relation to the design, management and delivery of projects, mainly driven by the introduction of BIM working processes. This has seen organisations transform their workflows, deriving benefits in terms
of greater efficiencies, clarity and certainty on projects. The wider benefits, aligned to the dimensions of BIM (3D, 4D, 5D, 6D and 7D), are also well recognised at this stage. With the industry beginning to accept and embrace technology, there is the potential to further innovate and investigate technological solutions which have the potential to align with the BIM process for the purpose of inspection and ultimately improving construction quality. Hence, the need for a focus on an additional dimension, the Quality dimension (qD), is
proposed. However, before this stage is reached, a full understanding of the challenges faced is required. This paper presents the findings of an online survey which was undertaken to provide a deeper understanding of quality concerns within the industry from the perspective of professionals specialising in technical design. This was followed by a series of focus group sessions aimed at creating a benchmark for common construction defects against which technological solutions could be evaluated. The findings would suggest that inadequate
construction quality is a concern both within the UK and internationally, with common defects identified posing a risk in relation to life safety. The paper discusses the potential for digital technologies to assist with ensuring a robust approach to inspection of quality in relation to material usage and workmanship detailing on site, before concluding by calling for greater research in to the area of technology assisted inspection.
workmanship standards and general build quality in the aftermath of the incidents at Grenfell and Oxgangs Primary School. Construction quality concern comes at a time when the sector has been reinvigorated thanks to digital transformation in relation to the design, management and delivery of projects, mainly driven by the introduction of BIM working processes. This has seen organisations transform their workflows, deriving benefits in terms
of greater efficiencies, clarity and certainty on projects. The wider benefits, aligned to the dimensions of BIM (3D, 4D, 5D, 6D and 7D), are also well recognised at this stage. With the industry beginning to accept and embrace technology, there is the potential to further innovate and investigate technological solutions which have the potential to align with the BIM process for the purpose of inspection and ultimately improving construction quality. Hence, the need for a focus on an additional dimension, the Quality dimension (qD), is
proposed. However, before this stage is reached, a full understanding of the challenges faced is required. This paper presents the findings of an online survey which was undertaken to provide a deeper understanding of quality concerns within the industry from the perspective of professionals specialising in technical design. This was followed by a series of focus group sessions aimed at creating a benchmark for common construction defects against which technological solutions could be evaluated. The findings would suggest that inadequate
construction quality is a concern both within the UK and internationally, with common defects identified posing a risk in relation to life safety. The paper discusses the potential for digital technologies to assist with ensuring a robust approach to inspection of quality in relation to material usage and workmanship detailing on site, before concluding by calling for greater research in to the area of technology assisted inspection.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | CitA BIM Gathering 2019 Proceedings |
| Editors | Alan Hore, Barry McAuley, Roger West |
| Publisher | Construction IT Alliance |
| Pages | 160 |
| Number of pages | 168 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-0-9573957-1-8 |
| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 26 Sept 2019 |
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Paper shortlisted for Best Overall Paper Award at the 2019 CitA BIM Gathering
Comiskey, David (Recipient), Hyde, Trevor (Recipient), Millar, Phillip (Recipient) & O'Kane, Erin (Recipient), 26 Sept 2019
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