Journal of Civil Engineering and Management

How does the collaborative innovation network in construction industry evolve? Evidence from China

2025-02-07T13:35:54+02:00

Technology innovation in the construction industry involves collaboration among multiple innovation organizations which formed an intricate collaborative innovation network (CIN). To understand the evolution characteristics of structural characteristics of CIN in China’s construction industry and to clarify the collaborative patterns among innovation organizations, the CIN were analyzed in terms of overall network characteristics and local collaborative patterns by using the social network analysis (SNA) and network motif analysis (NMA), respectively based on the data of projects winning the China’s Science and Technology Award in Construction (CSTAC) in 2004–2021. The results indicate that the CIN became larger but less connected and exhibited scale-free and small-world characteristics during the study period. There is a giant component in the CIN, which is gradually increasing in size and becoming more cohesive. China Academy of Building Research which had the highest degree centrality and closeness centrality and Tongji University which had the largest betweenness centrality had an important position in CIN. The main collaborative innovation mode in China’s construction industry is collaboration between enterprises, followed by collaboration between enterprise-university, which has an increasing share. The results help organizations clarify their position in the CIN and inform their development of co-innovation partners.

Diagnosis, management, and treatment of a heritage-built environment in South Chile

2025-03-05T10:26:28+02:00

In Chile, photography arrived at the end of the 19th century together with the establishment of settlements of migrants from central Europe to southern Chile. The aims of this study are: (i) contextualise functional states of existing buildings in a specific sector of the historic Valdivia city centre; (ii) determine the state of conservation of the 42 cases under study; (iii) conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses of the main pathologies presented in the sample; (iv) perform an analysis focused on the urban context according to façade alignment, façade visibility index, and ratio of height versus street width; and (v) comparatively analyse the results achieved. This research reflects the importance of developing innovative procedures and mitigation strategies focused on preventive maintenance actions and future control systems that can maximise the resilience of a specific local context (Los Ríos region) and its surroundings. This study revealed that the number of pathologies detected was directly proportional to the state of conservation of the cases, classified by the functional service life model. Properties in Condition C were mainly affected by pathologies of a structural nature, which indicates that their functionality is not guaranteed, and a deeper inspection is needed for conservation and preservation actions.

First published online 12 December 2024

Exploring BIM technology development using patent citation analysis: USA case study

2025-03-05T10:38:57+02:00

Broadening the perspective on technology and stakeholders within the construction sector, this study aims to uncover the trajectories of BIM’s technological progression, alongside the interconnected industries and knowledge networks. Information in Derwent Innovation’s patent database originates from the United States Patent Database (USPTO). Initially, 1,062 patents related to BIM were gathered to form a patent citation network. The subsequent stage of expanding patent citations involved accumulating a total of 9,755 patents. The main path is composed of three streams: Stream I is used for the construction and application of 3D models, Stream II is used for the presentation of 3D images, and Stream III is used for the automatic analysis of architectural information. This study also uses edge-betweenness clustering for cluster analysis and conducts a more in-depth main path study of the specific patent clusters on the main path. These findings are: (1) Energy consumption management control, (2) 3D building modeling for design and construction, (3) Asset tracking, monitoring, and security monitoring. The development of BIM should be directed towards the integration and application of transformative information and communication technologies. Integration with innovative technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence, and 5G is an important trend.

First published online 20 December 2024

Experimental and theoretical investigation of tension stiffening and curvature in RC beams with extended concrete cover

2025-03-05T18:30:56+02:00

Accurate assessment of tension stiffening is important for predicting deflection and crack width in RC structures. Earlier studies by the authors have shown that an extended cover thickness increases tension stiffening in bending RC members. The current study experimentally and theoretically investigates curvature and tension stiffening in RC beams nominally having a 50 mm cover for 32 mm bars of tensile reinforcement. The four-point bending tests were carried out on square section (400×400 mm) RC beams. Mean experimental curvatures were obtained for the pure bending zone by different approaches, namely, from a mid-point deflection and from strains at several horizontal layers measured either by LVDT or DIC technique. The tension stiffening effect in the test beams was quantified by inversely calculating the resultant internal force of tensile concrete, N_ct, using the test moment – curvature diagrams. Tension stiffening is characterized by parameter β₀ indicating the ratio of β₀ = M / M_cr at which the force N_ct reaches zero. The condition N_ct = 0 represents the bending stiffness of a fully cracked RC section. Earlier studies by the authors have shown that parameter β₀ equals to 3 for the beams with a typical cover thickness (25–35 mm). The current study has demonstrated that for the beams having nominal cover thickness of 50 mm and bar diameter of 32 mm, parameter β₀ reached rather high values indicating a little degradation of tension stiffening with increasing load.

Achieving sustainable urban mobility with a modified VIKOR method to improve the selection of a park and ride system

2025-03-05T18:30:56+02:00

In many European cities, municipal authorities have placed restrictions on private transport in city centres to comply with national and European regulations aimed at reducing traffic congestion, air pollution levels, polluting gases emission from transport and the consequences on climate change that have affected the quality of life of the inhabitants. Park and ride (P&R) facilities are key elements to introduce restrictions on private transport in city centres to reduce congestion. In this paper, a methodology is proposed, through multi-criteria decision methods, to determine a sustainable P&R rating and classification. The optimal solution or set of solutions, for P&R facilities is determined by taking into account sustainability criteria: environmental, economic, functional and social. A modified VIKOR multi-criteria decision method was developed and applied by using the Mahalanobis distance by taking into account the correlation between variables. The proposed methodology provides the most sustainable alternatives of P&R and allows local authorities to prioritize necessary actions to achieve more sustainable urban mobility. The method developed was applied to study the P&R system designed for the city of Madrid.

Decision-making of corporate clients during strategic briefing process according to knowledge acquisition types

2025-03-05T18:30:55+02:00

Organizational clients with limited experience in strategic briefing often face challenges in identifying building project outcomes for achieving a competitive edge in their business. Communication with practitioners during strategic briefing facilitates clients in acknowledging the importance of timely decision-making and being involved in a knowledge spiral to acquire the information. Knowledge-acquisition by clients can lead to behavioral changes, both within themselves and their organizations. This study classifies knowledge-acquisition types (KATs) and investigates the potential for rational decision-making in briefings. A framework, developed through a literature review and practical insights, is validated by introducing the Action Research approach with stakeholders across ten building projects in sectors: manufacturing, retail, and public enterprises. The framework, refined during interactions among researchers, clients and service providers, identifies KAT1 as the domain knowledge, KAT2 as the administrative knowledge, and KAT3 is the facility knowledge of clients. KAT4, the difference between groups with and without construction-project experiences, relates to the procedures for achieving strategic objectives. This involves understanding the project and organizational characteristics through knowledge accumulation and managing client interactions to ensure successful projects. The Action Research framework facilitates knowledge exchange among clients and practitioners, empowering corporate clients to effectively achieve strategic objectives through group decision-making.