BIM-based tools can contribute to addressing some of the challenges faced by structural engineering practitioners. A BIM-based framework for the development of components that deliver Automatic Code Compliance (ACC) is presented. The structural design problems that such components solve are categorised as simple, where ACC can be implemented directly, or complex, where more advanced approaches are needed. The mathematical process of Multi-Dimensional Data Fitting (MDDF) is introduced in order for the latter, enabling the compression of complex engineering calculations to a single equation that can be easily implemented into a BIM software engineering package. Proof-ofconcept examples are given for both cases: offsite manufactured structural joists are utilised as a nonrecursive example, implementing the results obtained in the manufacturer's literature; the axial capacity of metal fasteners in axially loaded timber-to-timber connections are utilised as an example of recursive problems. The MDDF analysis and the implementation in a BIM package of those problems are presented. Finally, the concept is generalised for non-structural aspects at a framework level, and the challenges, implications, and prospects of ACC in a BIM context are discussed.

This paper describes a software application that visualises environmental data from post-occupancy evaluation surveys. Such surveys are increasingly common but the data are rarely meaningful to non-experts. The software aims to address this by providing static and dynamic visualisation of data in a building context. The paper provides the rationale for the software and technical information with regard to its development. It describes the software's use in three projects: a small UK housing development, a large modular housing development in Mexico and a mixed-use university building in England. The paper concludes with future directions of the application and the potential for industry adoption on a larger scale.

Offsite Timber Construction has the potential to deliver important benefits for the housing sector, but there are obstacles that prevent a more widespread adoption. The advent of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has the potential to address many of these, improving the process and enhancing the end product. The paper identifies the key aspects of offsite timber construction in which BIM can play a significant role, and describes the immediate benefits that can be derived from applying BIM to those, with an emphasis on the UK market. The respective limitations are identified and discussed. The issue of financial viability is addressed and suggestions are made about how research and government initiatives can provide support for those. Finally, the need for a mid-term paradigm shift in BIM is identified, moving towards a more open and extensible strategy for construction that can respond to the expanded needs of Offsite Timber Construction.

Abstract:The performance gap between simulation and reality has been identified as a major challenge to achieving sustainability in the Built Environment. While Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) surveys are an integral part of better understanding building performance, and thus addressing this issue, the importance of POE remains relatively unacknowledged within the wider Built Environment community. A possible reason that has been highlighted is that POE survey data is not easily understood and utilizable by non-expert stakeholders, including designers. A potential method by which to address this is the visualization method, which has well established benefits for communication of big datasets. This paper presents two case studies where EnViz (short for "Environmental Visualization"), a prototype software application developed for research purposes, was utilized and its effectiveness tested via a range of analysis tasks. The results are discussed and compared with those of previous work that utilized variations of the methods presented here. The paper concludes by presenting the lessons drawn from the five-year period of EnViz, emphasizing the potential of environmental visualization for decision support in environmental design and engineering for the built environment, and suggests directions for future development.

Timber is a material with significant potential which, however, is underutilised in professional practice. One reason for this is a relative lack of software that would help practitioners handle the complexity of new design codes such as Eurocode 5. This paper documents the development of a structural timber design software package that evolved from research software developed at the National Technical University of Athens. The jump from research to practice introduces significant challenges in both structural and software engineering. There is a requirement for a multidisciplinary approach throughout the project team as structural engineers need to be able to write code that is efficient and easy to maintain. Identifying the exact problem to solve is particularly important as a balance must be struck between optimisation, usability and programming complexity. Finally, the testing process, including the identification of appropriate source data, plays a key role. Despite the challenges, however, the development of specialised software for niche markets remains a viable option for the evolution of research projects as the infrastructure requirements are relatively low and the continuing integration of information and communication technology in civil and structural engineering will generate new opportunities for researchers.

Building users play an important role in determining the energy use of a specific building. Indeed, their behaviour could be one of the reasons behind the energy 'performance gap' observed in many buildings. Moreover, informed building users can promote the sustainability agenda through their consumer choices. This, however, raises the issue of understanding the energy performance of buildings. This paper presents an exercise on developing and testing a computer game which introduces players to the basic concepts of building energy performance. A software application was developed to visualise post-occupancy evaluation data in a dynamic three-dimensional context. A pilot study was used for assessing and fine-tuning the methodology, followed by the main study of two workshops with two different user groups: non-experts and entry-level specialists. The results are presented using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The findings suggest that the advantages and challenges of 'gamification' described in the literature are generally confirmed by the tentative evidence of this exercise. In addition, the process highlights the potential of novel ways of presenting building data in enabling more stakeholders to engage with the issue of building energy performance. Engineering SustainabilityA computer game to help people understand the energy performance of buildings Patlakas and Raslan ice | proceedings Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers Engineering Sustainability http://dx.

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