A round-up of BIM and digital construction stories that you might have missed in the past week.
Digital transformation needs rules, leaders, and resources
The top three barriers to digital transformation in the construction and engineering sectors are a lack of guidelines, leadership, and resources.
Researchers from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and the University of Lincoln carried out a literature review and then surveyed 192 construction professionals on the impact of the obstacles. Their findings were published in the journal Engineering, Construction, and Architectural Management.
The most significant barrier to digital transformation of the three, according to the report, is a lack of regulations and guidelines. Dr Fangyu Guo, assistant professor at XJTLU’s Department of Civil Engineering and corresponding author of the paper, said: “Well-established standards and regulations are critical for directing an effective digital transformation and motivating stakeholders to invest more in various digital technologies and tools.”
BIM and digital twins important in soil mechanics and geotech engineering
The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) is leading a new technical committee focused on building information modelling and digital twins. The International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) technical committee TC222 formed this summer, and a recording of its first workshop held last month is available here.
TC222 chair Magnus Rømoen said: “BIM and digital twins are important tools in modern soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. The level of knowledge and the state-of-the-art varies significantly between countries and continents.”
BESA recognised for digital training transformation
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) Academy has won an Association Excellence Award for its work during the pandemic to rapidly increase its digital services.
In four months it accelerated its plan to move more training online and transformed its offering for apprenticeships, regulatory and short courses, and the delivery of experienced worker training programmes.
New multi-functional material for soft robotics
A multi-functional material has been developed that can be used as a lightweight machine part in soft robotics, and a recyclable construction material. It can also be used to purify water and moved remotely using a magnet
Scientists at the Chalker Research Lab at Flinders University in Australia created the material from magnetic iron particles and a sulfur-rich polymer, which combines elemental sulfur (a by-product of petroleum refining) and an unsaturated plant oil, such as canola oil.
The study – Magnetic responsive composites made from a sulfur-rich polymer – was published in the journal Polymer Chemistry.
Dates for your diary
Remote Inspection Tools for Heritage Buildings: 26 October
Digital Construction Summit: 1-10 November
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