Discussion Thread

  • 1.  University study on RFID and BIM in the built environment

    Posted 10-19-2021 03:35 PM

    Hi ASCE community,

    I'm a new ASCE member. I am a building information management student from the University of Portsmouth, UK, and I'm carrying out a study on the industry perspective towards the use of RFID sensor technology in BIM construction projects. I'm trying to get more engagement with specific sectors of the AEC industry, and more engineering input would be greatly appreciated to balance the outcome, and hopefully be beneficial to the industry.

    If you can read this, then your opinion counts and I'd like to hear your take, whether you know/use RFID in your BIM projects or not!  The study will be published to open access once it is completed. There are no obligations and no personal data collected. Interested parties can access my study questionnaire link, a Google forms document, here:

    Research survey on the industry perspective towards guidelines for the application of RFID sensor technology in BIM construction projects

    Google Docs remove preview
    Research survey on the industry perspective towards guidelines for the application of RFID sensor technology in BIM construction projects
    Dear Reader. My name is Dirk Lourens, a MSc Building Information Management student at the University of Portsmouth's School of Civil Engineering and Surveying. The title of my research dissertation is "The adoption of guidelines for RFID sensor technology in BIM-enabled construction methods".
    View this on Google Docs >

     



    ------------------------------
    Dirk Lourens EIT, R.A., S.M.ASCE
    Prof. Architect, BIM Specialist
    Johannesburg
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: University study on RFID and BIM in the built environment

    Posted 10-27-2021 07:56 AM
    Hey Dirk, I know RFID utilization in manufacturing and logistic, but I'm not sure how it would be applied in AEC. Perhaps you could share an article or video so it gives us more context? Interesting topic though!

    Charles

    ------------------------------
    Charles Ou-Yang S.M.ASCE
    Yorba Linda CA
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: University study on RFID and BIM in the built environment

    Posted 11-02-2021 09:42 AM

    Hi Charles,

    Excellent question. I've explored the use of RFID in AEC to varying degrees of depth and would like to say I believe it could benefit the entire arrangement of disciplines. Unfortunately, none of my old coursework videos explicitly broke it down by discipline, and my literature sources may be the best bet to learn about active applications of this topic. Due to the large amount of sources cited, it may be easier to wait until around Feb 2022, when I can publish the full list of sources in the contexts they are cited.

    However, in light of trying to provide some high level examples (avoiding specific examples as I may want to explore these at a later stage!), I'll spin a few off the top of my head for AEC disciplines:
    - Architecture: RFID sensors for live monitoring and access control, which can furthermore double up to determine occupancy levels and thereby automatically making smart building adjustments. This may in some instances have clashes with regulations regarding privacy, because I believe in some countries this may count towards invasion of privacy, despite being in an office.
    - Engineering: RFID sensors submerged in concrete or attached to specific items to automatically monitor or report certain readings.
    - Construction: RFID sensors to manage equipment programmes to limit down-time and maintain schedules.

    I hope this answers some of your questions - my apologies for the vagueness. And naturally, BIM ties in to all of these applications mentioned by tying into software that could aid the data stored of a digital twin, or to liaise with consultants. The more one explores the entire topic of BIM and RFID/IoT, the more fascinating it becomes!



    ------------------------------
    Dirk Lourens EIT, R.A., S.M.ASCE
    Prof. Architect, BIM Specialist
    Johannesburg
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: University study on RFID and BIM in the built environment

    Posted 10-28-2021 10:29 AM
    Hi Dirk,

    Have you considered posting this question in the Professional and Career forums as well? A different group of people may see it who have more experience in this field.

    Here's the link:
    https://collaborate.asce.org/professionaltopics/communities/community-home/digestviewer?tab=digestviewer&CommunityKey=c95c7fc3-ed66-4208-8841-14604b5a3c32

    ------------------------------
    Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
    Civil Engineer
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: University study on RFID and BIM in the built environment

    Posted 11-02-2021 09:42 AM
    Hi Christopher. Thank you for your suggestion! I have now posted there as well. I've been careful to not post it too much here, as the last thing I want to do is cause people to feel like I'm spamming. I hope the Professional and Career forum gains more participants!

    ------------------------------
    Dirk Lourens EIT, R.A., S.M.ASCE
    Prof. Architect, BIM Specialist
    Johannesburg
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: University study on RFID and BIM in the built environment

    Posted 10-31-2021 01:30 PM
    Hi! that's such a great study indeed! I wanted to know if you need more participants, so I can help spread this and until when. Happy to help. And I hope we can read your research too when it's done.

    ------------------------------
    Llala Chrishaye Ocampo S.M.ASCE
    Student
    City of General Trias Cavite
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: University study on RFID and BIM in the built environment

    Posted 11-02-2021 09:43 AM

    Hello Llala. I would appreciate it very much if you would spread the word to new participants - thank you kindly for offering!

    My study is currently heavily skewed by many participants from one country (nice problem to have!), so the more new participants, the merrier.
    Also the wider the audience I can reach, the wider range of context and answers I may receive, which may provide insight into limitations and opportunities the technology faces in the building industry and in certain countries.

    The study should remain open for participation until the 12th of November 2021. I may extent it a week to 19th of November 2021 depending on response sources.



    ------------------------------
    Dirk Lourens EIT, R.A., S.M.ASCE
    Prof. Architect, BIM Specialist
    Johannesburg
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: University study on RFID and BIM in the built environment

    Posted 11-10-2021 07:50 AM

    This study feedback has been excellent, but there can never be enough participants. If you haven't had a chance to contribute yet, now is the time - the study closes next week Friday, 19 November!

    More feedback from a wider audience is critical in promoting an impartial study.



    ------------------------------
    Dirk Lourens EIT, R.A., S.M.ASCE
    Prof. Architect, BIM Specialist
    Johannesburg
    ------------------------------