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9th European Conference on Product and Process Modelling. Reykjavik, 25-27 July 2012
Posted on: 27 September 2012
By: mackene
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The European Conference on Product and Process Modelling (ECPPM) is a biannual conference series dating back to 1994. ECPPM was the first BIM conference founded on the basis of European BIM research projects preceding IFC and BuildingSMART and has fostered BIM development over the last 18 years. The conference series has gained a recognized position as an important event in the international AEC/FM ICT research agenda. The aim of the latest conference is to identify the most recent achievements and directions in dealing with these exciting, but challenging issues by focusing on Product and Process modelling technology in integrated project working, value-based life cycle management and as support for intelligent and sustainable building and construction. Presentations are available online.
Modelling risk impacts on the variability between contract sum and final account
Posted on: 25 September 2012
By: mackene
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This report looks at the prediction of construction costs, and the difference that varies between the contract sum and final account. The report argues that the Bills of Quantities (BOQ) is not an accurate prediction of construction costs, and the difference varies between the contract sum and final account.A predictive model was developed for new build commercial projects using the ANN. The validation results from testing the developed model showed that the difference between the predicted variation and actual variation ranges from 0.2% and 6.5%. The developed model is potentially a practical useful tool to the professional quantity surveyor in providing a more accurate cost advice based on the notion of risk. It is also of practical relevance to the construction client who is interested in cost certainty and no surprises.
A guide to off-site construction for academies and schools
Posted on: 18 September 2012
By: mackene
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In this article, Simon Ambler, Director of Yorkon, looks at the latest advances in off-site construction, and how the approach is helping academies deliver world class education facilities more effectively. He also provides 10 practical tips on how to Select an off-site specialist.
Unpublished research reports: Planning, building and the environment
Posted on: 18 September 2012
By: mackene
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Department for Communities and Local Government is publishing the thirteenth group of reports presenting the findings from research projects commissioned by the previous administration. The present administration inherited a significant backlog of unpublished reports that were commissioned by the previous government which are now being published in groups themed on a particular topic. The reports are:
Evaluation of minerals policy statements: This report by the British Geological Survey considered the implementation of a number of the Minerals Policy Statements and Minerals Policy Guidance notes, and evaluated the impacts of the policy’s implementation.
Investigating the influence of settlement pattern and morphology on the sterilisation of shallow coal resources: This report by the British Geological Survey assessed the impact on shallow coal resources of using separation zones around urban areas.
Research to understand the rural impacts of Regional Spatial Strategies: This report by Land Use Consultants noted that the Regional Strategies were not rural proofed, had an urban-centred approach and planned housing provision in rural areas was on a declining trend.
A quality local development management service: The last Government’s Killian Pretty Report recommended that Government should review the then existing national planning indicator (National Indicator 157) on timeliness for progressing planning applications and proposed a new satisfaction with the planning application service indicator. There was concern from applicants, local planning authorities and others that the performance regime focused on the 8 and 13 week timescale targets had unintended effects on behaviours and outcomes. In response the Department commissioned research into alternatives. The research report by Addison & Associates with Arup recommended monitoring 37 different indicators.
A tool to assess the Impact of EU Directives on UK Sub National Planning Policies: This research by Ove Arup aimed to develop a tool to assess the impact of future EU directives on national planning policies.
Mapping the standard of existing stock and its turnover: This report by Building Research Establishment considered the work to develop a model of the existing housing stock in England and Wales, which could be used in assessing the impact of current and future policy in relation to energy use, carbon emissions and water consumption.
Case studies of change of use of dwellings: This report by Faber Maunsell looked at achieving satisfactory acoustic performance for buildings to be converted from industry or commercial use to residential use. Although sound insulation was the main concern of this project, all other relevant requirements of the Building Regulations were to be considered and methods of compliance outlined.
Lessons from Stamford Brook: Understanding the gap between designed and real performance: This report by Leeds Metropolitan University conveyed the results of a research designed to evaluate the extent to which low carbon housing standards could be achieved in a large commercial housing development and incorporated into future Building Regulations.
Investigation of real fires: This report by the Building Research Establishment provided feedback on the performance of real buildings in real fires. The findings noted the overall effectiveness of the Building Regulations in providing for the safety of life in the event of fire and most of the significant issues that have been identified during this study fell outside the scope of these regulations.
Modelling the current and potential accessibility of the housing stock: This report by Building Research Establishment considered the accessibility of the existing housing stock in England with particular reference to its utility for older and disabled people. The report uses data from the English Housing Condition Survey to identify the frequency and suitability of a range of built features within homes to arrive at an overall assessment of their accessibility and future adaptability.
Future administration of the Energy Performance Buildings Directive Quality Assurance regime: The objective of the work was to set the long term standards and quality assurance arrangements for the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (regime and infrastructure, including Accreditation Schemes (and energy assessors, to ensure that robust, repeatable and accurate Energy Performance Certificates, Display Energy Certificates and Air Conditioning Reports were produced in a consistent manner.
Review of the impact of the draft European Basic safety standard Directive on Building Regulations; This report by the Building Research Establishment examines the implications of the proposed European ionising radiation Basic Safety Standard Directive for Building Regulations.
Glazing under abnormal loads: This report by Buro Happold and the Building Research Establishment addressed the issue of abnormal loads on glazing and the response of glazing systems. The research was commissioned in particular to examine the role of building regulations in mitigating the risks involved from abnormal loads on glazing. It reviewed structural assessment methods currently used to design buildings with glazed systems and assess their adequacy in the area of abnormal loadings.
Safety of Masonry Parapets: The overall aim of this project was to determine and analyse the most common structural problems associated with masonry parapets and the potential hazards and dangers that may arise. Having identified the problems, conclusions and recommendations require to be made regarding measures that ought to be taken in the specification, design, construction and maintenance of masonry parapets to ensure that they remained safe and structurally sound over the service life of the building.
Radon: Current and future performance of radon protective measures. This report by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) reviews the performance of radon protective measures in new buildings. The research notes that radon protection measures installed 20 years continue to provide a high degree of radon protection, and were not adversely affected by improvements such as extensions, conservatories, double glazing or insulation.
A better deal for public building
Posted on: 17 September 2012
By: mackene
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A report from the All Party group for Public Excellence presents the findings of an inquiry into achieving best value in the procurement of construction work.
London 2012: The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007: Dutyholder roles and impact
Posted on: 13 September 2012
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Frontline Consultants was commissioned by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) to review duty holder implementation of The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM 2007) on the construction of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (London 2012). The objectives of this research are to: review the effectiveness of the 2007 Regulations as implemented by duty holders for the construction of the new 2012 venues against the criteria set for the CDM revision during 2005/6; assess the extent to which the Regulations assisted the management of health and safety during the construction of the new 2012 venues; identify examples where the Regulations produced obvious and demonstrable benefits in both health and safety and business delivery terms and the extent to which such benefits can be transferred to the construction of other sites; identify any requirements within the Regulations which affected good health and safety performance or which were considered burdensome or unfair, or inhibited the competitive environment with little overall benefit to improved health and safety performance; and capture the good practice and present it for dissemination by HSE, ICE and ODA in a way that will inspire and enable a genuine and lasting health and safety legacy from the construction of the games to benefit construction across Britain. This report is part of a suite of research projects and independent evaluations undertaken on health and safety at work on the London 2012 construction programme.
World Green Building Council launches Global Green Survey
Posted on: 13 September 2012
By: mackene
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The World Green Building Council is partnering with McGraw-Hill on a new global green survey. The survey will offer key insights on construction activity around the world by examining important trends affecting and transforming the construction industry on a global, regional and national level. The survey aims to explore the benefits of green construction throughout the world, as well as looking at the variation of green practices and standards by region.
Construction4Growth
Posted on: 10 September 2012
By: mackene
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Construction4Growth is an industry campaign calling on Government to invest in construction as the best route out of recession and back to growth. The construction coalition includes industry leaders from federations, trade associations and employers. Links to recent reports and case studies demonstrating the importance of investing in construction for growth are also available.
Tendering 2012
Posted on: 10 September 2012
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The Joint Contracts Tribunal has published the 2012 edition of the Tendering Practice Note 2012, a guidance document covering the selective tendering process, including single-stage, two-stage and competitive dialogue procedures, as well as the process of pre-qualification. The note is intended to reflect current best practice, and provide general guidance about developments in the use of quality criteria in the tender assessment, increased use of e-tendering and areas of impact of EU public procurement rules. Model forms covering the pre-selection and tender stages are included in the note. Price £12
The State of the Industry: Construction Market Barometer
Posted on: 7 September 2012
By: mackene
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The latest findings from the construction market research barometer from Leading Edge details how the construction industry is performing in terms of sales and market conditions and what is happening to marketing.
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