Digital Technology Use in Construction

Module Provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Summary module description:
Digital technologies rapidly change the way we build, manage, and interact with facilities and the built environment. Life cycle information modelling of built facilities offers exciting new opportunities for their integrated delivery and management. However, technological advances also bring numerous challenges and social resistance to change. This module will explore how digital technologies and collaborative information modelling initiatives such as those promoted by the UK BIM agenda, shape construction; what difficulties companies are facing; and in this process expose students to some common technology- and process-related implementation challenges they will face in the industry.

Aims:
Participants will learn about the concept of building information modelling (BIM) as a collaborative process supported by a range of digital tools, and the common considerations of interoperability, information exchanges and life cycle management

Assessable learning outcomes:
?Identify and use different types of digital technologies appropriate to professional work within a collaborative project team using BIM;
?Apply collaborative practices and structured processes to create, share and manage project information informed by the current UK BIM standards and protocols;
?Explain drivers and steps for current BIM implementation procedures mandated by the UK Government and identify relevant documentation;
?Explain interoperability and the rationale for using open standards such as IFC and COBie;
?Make recommendations about the implementation of BIM and digital technologies, and how they are changing the delivery of projects
Additional outcomes:
?Identify and use different types of interactive digital technologies appropriate to professional work within a collaborative project team using BIM;
?Assess the opportunities and challenges of digital technologies on projects at different stages.
Outline content:
The module involves various guest speakers presenting the use of advanced digital technologies in construction projects, including areas of Building Information Modelling (BIM), collaborative digital practices, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR). The taught elements cover:
?Types of digital technologies for design, construction, and operations and their key features;
?BIM as a structured collaborative project information delivery process;
?Advanced collaborative and interactive technologies for stakeholder engagement ? virtual prototypes
?The potential practical, socio-technical, economical, and organisational issues related to the implementation of digital technologies on construction projects.

Global context:
The tutorials involve hands-on work with digital technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) as applied in construction practice, providing a context of current approaches and benefits.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
This course will combine lectures, demonstrations, in-class discussion, hands-on projects, presentations, and guest lectures. Hands-on practical work will introduce students to the range of applications used on construction projects covered in lectures. This work will take place in the computer lab, the BIM Lounge and the CAVE lab at the University?s Visualization and interactive Technologies Centre.

Contact hours:
lectures- 20
Practicals classes and workshops- 5
Guided independent study- 75
Total hours by term- 100
Total hours for module- 100

Summative Assessment Methods:
Project output other than dissertation- 60%
Set exercise- 40%

Other information on summative assessment:
Summative assessment includes a two-part project consisting of group work component and an individual reflective report. Three set exercises during the term will serve to reinforce the knowledge and principles covered in lectures, related to the project.

Formative assessment methods:
Feedback on the group work will be provided on a weekly basis during tutorial sessions.

Length of examination:
n/a

Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Assignment that will include modelling equivalent to the original project work submitted in August

Last updated: 29 February 2016