Daniel Hall

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Hall

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Daniel

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0000-0002-0957-484X

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Publications 1 - 10 of 95

Decentralized project delivery on the crypto commons: Conceptualization, governance mechanisms, and future research directions
Hunhevicz, Jens Juri; Hall, Daniel; Brasery, Pierre-Antoine; et al. (2024)
Project Leadership and Society
This paper presents a first conceptualization for decentralized project delivery through the combination of blockchain technology and common pool resource governance theory, also known as the ”crypto commons”. While previous literature on project delivery models identifies the use of decentralized governance, there is not yet a holistic conceptualization nor a specific overview of governance applications that can be applied. To develop the concept, we use a literature review to synthesize fourteen blockchain governance mechanisms useful for managing the crypto-commons. Subsequently, we use systematic combining to identify twenty-two specific applications for decentralized project delivery in the construction industry, one of the largest project-based industries. Each application is briefly reviewed, and examples of their relevance to realize decentralized project delivery models are provided. We discuss the potential for novel forms of project delivery, but also the need for future research on the applications, as well as on the system level implications, the system design challenges, and the implementation barriers in the specific context of the construction industry. Overall, the concepts and mechanisms presented provide a theoretical foundation upon which future researchers can use to design novel decentralized project delivery models.
Design for digital fabrication: an industry needs analysis of collaboration platforms and integrated management processes
Ng, Ming Shan; Bonanomi, Marcella M.; Hall, Daniel; et al. (2020)
ISARC Proceedings ~ Proceedings of the 37th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC)
Digital Fabrication is an emerging systemic innovation in the architecture, engineering and construction sector. However, the design process for digital fabrication lacks an integrated management process or digital collaboration platform. One reason may be a lack of industry stakeholder needs for such processes and platforms. To explore and facilitate such solution in the current practice, more information about the socio-technical industry requirements on such solution and its implementation to support and manage the BIM-based design process of digital fabrication is needed. To fill this gap, this work conducts an industry-needs analysis through content analysis and an online survey of 144 project stakeholders. Based on the results, this work identifies the most needed fabrication-related information, tools and roles at different design stages and the requirements of platform-based management, which include a common virtual environment for collaboration and a common data environment for data management. Moreover, this work shows that fabrication-related information and new roles are required by project stakeholders since the early design stage. The paper concludes by proposing a conceptual management framework for BIM-platform-based integration for design for digital fabrication in construction projects and identifying potential future research directions on the topic.
Real-time Digital Twin of Robotic construction processes in Mixed Reality
Ravi, Kaushik Selva Dhanush; Ng, Ming Shan; Medina Ibáñez, Jesus; et al. (2021)
ISARC Proceedings ~ Proceedings of the 38th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction
The use of robotics in construction improves safety and productivity in construction sites. However, there are limitations for construction managers to monitor robotic construction processes. This is due to the lack of well-developed human-robot collaboration interfaces. Digital Twin (DT) and Mixed Reality (MR) are two emerging technologies that can help to address these limitations by enhancing human-robot interaction, for on-site construction processes. However, DT in MR for human-robot interactions in robotic construction processes has not yet been widely studied in research or in practice. This work explores effective human-robot collaboration for automated construction processes using on-site real-time DT of robotic process in a MR construction environment. First, a DT prototype of a robotic construction process establishes a two-way communication between the physical and virtual models of the robot arm. Next, real-time process data is collected from the robot and sent to the visualisation and database platforms. This work describes the workflow in order to send the real-time data to the MR headset for direct visual feedback and direct interaction with the robot arm. The prototype is validated using a case study demonstration of a robotic masonry construction process. By demonstrating this proof of concept for real-time DT of robotic construction processes in MR, this work contributes to construction management for digital fabrication through human-robot collaboration. This work concludes with potential future research directions including data access and manipulation for digital processes in construction sites.
Cheaper Smart Contracts for the Built Environment? Linking On-Chain and Off-Chain in a Blockchain-Governed Approach
Hunhevicz, Jens Juri; Bucher, David; Hong, Kepeng; et al. (2024)
Computing in Construction ~ Proceedings of the 2024 European Conference on Computing in Construction
The digitization and automation of contracts within the built environment through blockchain has demonstrated potential. Nonetheless, the use of on-chain smart contracts can amount to substantial costs. This study proposes a blockchain-governed approach to individually assess whether and how to use blockchain for different components of contracts. We explain the rationale behind the concept and implement a pilot prototype of a performance-based, blockchain-governed contract. The results promise an alternative and more cost-effective approach to smart or intelligent contracts in the built environment, while still allowing for trusted verification of key contract parts through blockchain.
A Customized Data Environment for Small and Medium Construction Enterprises
Hunhevicz, Jens Juri; Bucher, David; Ehret, Paul; et al. (2025)
Computing in Construction ~ Proceedings of the 2025 European Conference on Computing in Construction
The architecture, engineering, and construction supply chain is predominantly composed of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Despite the growing adoption of digital tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), SMEs often face challenges streamlining these tools with existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. This paper presents a study that worked with an SME to develop a "customized data environment", inspired by common data environment approaches, linking their BIM and ERP workflows. The paper describes the action research cycle used to develop the prototype. Insights into both the tool and the process evolution will help other SMEs facing similar integration challenges.
Module Library Development via Graph Mining
Cao, Jianpeng; Hall, Daniel (2021)
Computing in Construction ~ Proceedings of the 2021 European Conference on Computing in Construction
The use of prefabricated modules can benefit the construction industry with the economy of scales and production efficiency. However, the existing approach to develop module libraries is project-based, lacking the potential to reuse and manage in future projects. By taking the repeatability and manufacturability into account, this paper proposes a graph-based framework to identify possible modules automatically from multiple projects by frequent pattern mining. The results show that the repeated patterns share a degree of standardization and can be considered as module candidates. Finally, the framework is implemented as add-ons in the BIM
Identifying the Design Feature That Causes Project Delay in DfMA: A Dominant Element Analysis Method for Project Scheduling
Cao, Jianpeng; Zhang, Hang; Pan, Bo; et al. (2024)
Computing in Civil Engineering 2023: Visualization, Information Modeling, and Simulation
Design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA) is an engineering methodology which aims to increase ease of manufacture and efficiency of assembly by considering manufacturing and assembly constraints in the design process. However, current DfMA approaches in the construction sector are not automated enough to identify the design features that may cause project delay in real time. This leads to longer design cycle. Also, current scheduling algorithms rely on human intervention to generate activity network from a design output. Addressing these inefficiencies, we propose an interpretative machining learning model to predict the construction duration given a design output. More importantly, the same model identifies the design features that may cause the most delay in the project. The model is trained on a residential design dataset with various features, such as layout, geometry, and element typology. The output of the model is the project duration and an importance map, indicating the influence each feature of the given design has on the total project duration. The results from this model can considerably reduce the design cycle by supporting architects to create fabrication and assembly aware design even when they have little knowledge of production and assembly processes. This model will contribute to a novel computational approach for DfMA.
Using look-ahead plans to improve material flow processes on construction projects when using BIM and RFID technologies
Chen, Qian; Adey, Bryan T.; Haas, Carl T.; et al. (2020)
Construction Innovation
Purpose Building information modelling (BIM) and radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies have been extensively explored to improve supply chain visibility and coordination of material flow processes, particularly in the pursuit of Industry 4.0. It remains challenging, however, to effectively use these technologies to enable the precise and reliable coordination of material flow processes. This paper aims to propose a new workflow designed to include the use of detailed look-ahead plans when using BIM and RFID technologies, which can accurately track and match both the dynamic site needs and supply status of materials. Design/methodology/approach The new workflow is designed according to lean theory and is modeled using business process modeling notation. To digitally support the workflow, an integrated BIM-RFID database system is constructed that links information on material demands with look-ahead plans. The new workflow is then used to manage material flows in the erection of an office building with prefabricated columns. The performance of the new workflow is compared with that of a traditional workflow, using discrete event simulations. The input for the simulations was derived from expert opinion in semi-structured interviews. Findings The new workflow enables contractors to better observe on-site status and differences between the actual and planned material requirements, as well as to alert suppliers if necessary. The simulation results indicate that the new workflow has the potential to reduce the duration of the material flow processes by 16.1% compared with the traditional workflow. Research limitations/implications The new workflow is illustrated using a real-world-like situation with input data based on expert opinion. Although the workflow shows potential, it should be tested on a real-world site. Practical implications The new workflow allows project participants to combine detailed near-term look-ahead plans with BIM and RFID technologies to better manage material flow processes. It is particularly useful for the management of engineer-to-order components considering the dynamic site progress. Originality/value The research improves on existing research focused on using BIM and RFID technologies to improve material flow processes by showing how the workflow can be adapted to use detailed look-ahead plans. It reinforces data-driven construction material management practices through improved visibility and reliability in planning and control of material flow processes. (© Emerald Publishing Limited 2020,).
A preliminary overview of emerging trends for industrialized construction in the United States
Pullen, Tyler; Hall, Daniel; Lessing, Jerker (2019)
White Paper
This paper seeks to capture and analyze the recent growth in industrialized construction in North America from new and existing companies. The concepts and technologies of industrialized construction (IC) - such as prefabrication, preassembly, modular, offsite, and volumetric construction - are relatively well-established. However, the sudden attraction of large-scale investments for entrepreneurial firms adopting these strategies is unprecedented in the AEC sector. The causes of this interest are varied and outside of the scope of this paper. Instead, , this paper provides an overview for the current status and potential future of practitioners in this space. To do so, we compare the orientations of industrialized construction firms in the United States across a broad spectrum of categories comprising target markets, business models, and basic strategic details. This white paper reports on high level trends for industrialized construction spreading across the AEC sector in the United States. Specifically, we find nine distinct trends evident in the data across the last two decades: 1. IC companies are growing in number 2. IC is attracting investor funding 3. IC companies emerge from different origins 4. California is leading the United States market 5. The majority of the companies are building volumetric modular 6. Structural system type correlates with building height; mid- and low-rise leads the market 7. IC companies are vertically and horizontally integrated 8. Most IC companies are targeting housing 9. The affordable housing market is active despite a lack of investment Overall, we find that industrialized construction companies are generating the investment, strategic variety, capacity, and ambition to be worthy of serious attention across the AEC sector. The white paper concludes with future opportunities and strategies yet to be taken that may be important in achieving meaningful differentiation. These include the role of city governments, investment in operations and maintenance, the use of factory automation, and possibilities for more business integration. As old and new firms expand, business models mature, and effective technologies are implemented, more in-depth research can build upon this white paper to yield additional insights and trends for industrialized construction in the United States.
Constructing Building Layouts and Mass Models with Hand Gestures in Multiple Mixed Reality Modes
Savov, Anton; Kessler, Martina; Reichardt, Lea; et al. (2023)
Towards Radical Regeneration
This paper presents a Mixed Reality framework for schematically defining building layouts and massing in multiple representations. Non-experts can use the framework to explore possible building configurations alone or in tandem with an architect. Our framework relies on a single-truth voxel matrix to track design changes and construct view-specific representations using the Marching Cubes and Marching Squares algorithms. We use only hand gestures for all design interactions instead of tangible objects or markers, to increase the mobility of users and make the application more accessible. The framework is tested in two prototypes for the HoloLens. The two prototypes have an objective to implement and test a variety of gestures for adding and removing volume, respectively area, from the designed building. The unified model representation across multiple MR views and interaction modes is the main contribution of this work and can be a valuable reference for the community developing applications of Mixed Reality in architecture. Additionally, we present a catalog of gesture-based interactions with the findings from our development process and the feedback from user studies.

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