Purpose This paper aims to provide a bibliometric analysis of advances in building information modeling (BIM) research globally. It provides a recent state-of-the-art assessment on trends as it relates to the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. Being a vastly emerging research area, there is a need for the appraisal of research trends. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive bibliometric analysis was conducted using a dual step filtering system on an initial volume of 2347 documents in the first stage between 2010 and 2020, and of 311 publications in the final stage of the analyses which emphasized more on 2015–2020 from the WoS database. Frequency analyses on the sources, affiliations, authors and country/ region of publication were assessed in the first stage of the analyses. Co-authorship and evidence of author collaboration were also examined. The second stage included a co-occurrence keyword network analysis. Further, text mining/mapping of the abstract of the documents was performed. Findings Emerging trends in the field of BIM research include but are not limited to historical building information modeling (h-BIM) applications, the use of blockchain technology, digital twin, Construction Operations Building information exchange (COBiE), Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), dynamo-bim, energy plus software and BIM laser scanning innovations. The possibility of these innovations solving some current BIM challenges were also discussed. Originality/value The study provides an insight into the BIM research trends globally while identifying existing challenges. The study uses text mining of unstructured abstracts, which has not been reported in BIM research.

This study presents the development of a fuzzy-TOPSIS multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model for material selection with integrated safety, health, and environment risk assessment. As safety, health, and environment is very much linked to sustainable design and manufacturing, it is imperative that safety, health, and environment is taken into consideration in ensuring a comprehensive and holistic material selection process. This paper shows the possibility of fuzzy logic utilization in assessing safety, health, and environment risk and proposed a methodology based on fuzzy-TOPSIS MCDM model for material selection suitable for the manufacturing sector. This method has the capability of producing a ranking result with strong reasonings. The proposed method facilitates the designer to select, evaluate, and rank material alternatives based on given attributes from design requirements and weighting given by the decision-makers. Additionally, the other benefits of the proposed methodology are the elimination of a complex structure and/or a black-box algorithm. The fuzzy-TOPSIS approach capable of considering not only the uncertainty related to qualitative judgments but also the uncertainty that may reside in the measurement of quantitative or qualitative parameters that exist within the safety, health, and environment risks assessment. A numerical example of selecting material for automotive body panels using the proposed method has been discussed.

Tertiary institutions offering Built Environment courses yearly produce graduates but few of these graduates are registered as professionals or are full members of professional institutions in Nigeria. This insufficient registered professional is therefore creating room for quacks and all comers to operate in the construction industry resulting in building failures, substandard work, rework and various quality issues. This study examines the registration challenges of built environment professions in becoming full members of professional institutions. The study adopted a quantitative and qualitative method of research targeted at different professions in the built environment. The results were analysed using percentages, mean response analysis, ranking and narrative analysis. The study revealed the overbearing cost of registration, examinations and interview charges, complexity of examination and interviewing processes/procedures, Imposed of pledge/donations on incoming professionals, rigorous practical work and technical report writing, overbearing cost of providing maximum numbers of CPD certificates of past workshops, seminars and conference and Insufficient link between professional bodies and academic institutions etc. as the major challenges hindering Built environment professions from registering into professional institutions. These challenges pose a great danger to the built environment professions and the construction industry because professionals are a valuable resource for achieving project delivery and their availability in large numbers will curb the activities of quacks, reduce poor workmanship and underperformance in the construction industry and also reduce economic loss and underdevelopment in the country

The purpose of this study is to examine the readiness of Building technology graduates for the construction industry from four selected Polytechnics in Southwestern Nigeria. With a random sampling technique, a sample of 170 Higher National Diploma Building technology graduates was collected to assess their competence areas in readiness for a future in the construction industry. Results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Kruskal-Willis H test). The findings of the study revealed that the level of preparedness of Building graduates for the construction industry is encouraging but shows a declining trend in practical capabilities in carrying out building surveys, preparation of site reports and preparation of reliable estimates for materials, labor and cost of construction works. The study results also presented no significant difference (r>0.05) in the competency of Building technology graduates based on their institutional training in three competency areas (capability to carry setting out of all kinds of buildings, understanding and interpreting structural drawings, understanding, and interpreting architectural drawings). However, the study also presented a significant difference (r<0.005) in seven competency areas of Building technology graduates based on their institutional training. The study recommends curricula restructuring to focus more on practical training and professional collaboration with the industry.

Aims: This study is aimed at evaluating the training acquired by built environment students in maintenance courses to determine areas of training inadequacy and improvements. This is achieved by identifying of learning outcomes in maintenance courses acquired by built environment students, accessing the level of competence in training maintenance courses, and the barriers to the competence in the training maintenance courses. Study Design: The study adopted a quantitative analysis technique, relative important index (RII) was used to analyze the data collected. In other to determine the reliability of the data collected, the study sought information on the learning outcome of students in maintenance specifically, student competence area in the training of maintenance, and the barrier to student competence in the maintenance training. Place and Duration of Study: Data is collected through well-structured questionnaires administered to the selected department in the built environment in Federal Polytechnic Ede. 100 questionnaires were administered, while 90 were duly completed and returned for analysis. Data Analysis: The data was analyzed using Statistical Software for Social Sciences (SPSS) and an excel statistical package for prediction. Results: The observed that built environment students are not sufficiently trained in some topics in the Building maintenance courses. Also, students are not competent in the ability to prepare documents for work alteration, maintenance of high rise building and estate roads. The major barriers to the competence of students in building maintenance are lack practical in maintenance, the lack of student’s interest in the course, lack of conducive environment and limited time for learning. Conclusion: The study concluded that Built environment Students did not receive adequate training in building maintenance courses and recommended that sufficient time should be allocated to carryout practical works in building maintenance and the adoption of training methods to enhance the learning and competency of students in carrying out maintenance work.