@inproceedings{LafhajAlbalkhyLinner, author = {Lafhaj, Zoubeir and Albalkhy, Wassim and Linner, Thomas}, title = {Teaching Construction Robotics for Higher Education Students "Imagine and Make"}, series = {Proceedings of the 39th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2022): Bogot{\´a}, Colombia, July 13-15, 2022}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 39th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2022): Bogot{\´a}, Colombia, July 13-15, 2022}, editor = {Linner, Thomas and Garc{\´i}a de Soto, Borja and Hu, Rongbo and Brilakis, Ioannis}, publisher = {International Association on Automation and Robotics in Construction}, isbn = {978-952-69524-2-0}, issn = {2413-5844}, pages = {47 -- 54}, abstract = {The use of robotics in construction projects is still in its infancy despite the opportunities that robots can present to the improvement of construction practices. One of the strategies to effectively increase the reliance on robots in construction is increasing the knowledge and improving the educational programs about robotics for university students. This paper contributes to the ongoing efforts around the world to improve the teaching methods about construction robotics through the presentation of a novel method that is called "Imagine and Make", in which students learn how to integrate robotics in different aspects and practices in construction projects. The method has been applied at Centrale Lille in France since 2018. The results of the application of "Imagine and Make" in the first semester in 2021-2022, evaluation by students, and teaching outcomes are reported in this paper. Keywords - Robotics, Construction management techniques, Construction 4.0, Robotics teaching, France}, language = {en} } @article{LafhajAlBalkhyLinner, author = {Lafhaj, Zoubeir and AlBalkhy, Wassim and Linner, Thomas}, title = {"Imagine and make": teaching construction robotics for higher education students}, series = {Construction Robotics}, journal = {Construction Robotics}, number = {7}, publisher = {Springer}, issn = {2509-8780}, doi = {10.1007/s41693-023-00092-9}, pages = {65 -- 75}, abstract = {The use of robotics in construction projects is still in its infancy despite the opportunities that robots can present for the improvement of construction practices. One of the strategies to effectively increase the reliance on robots in construction is increasing the knowledge and improving the educational programs about robotics for university students. This paper contributes to the ongoing efforts worldwide to improve the teaching methods about construction robotics through the presentation of a novel method called "Imagine and Make", in which students learn how to integrate robotics in different aspects and practices in construction projects. The method has been applied at Centrale Lille in France since 2018. The results of the application of "Imagine and Make" in the first semester of 2021-2022, evaluation by students, and teaching outcomes are reported in this paper.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchmailzlSpitzhirnEderetal., author = {Schmailzl, Marc and Spitzhirn, M. and Eder, Friedrich and Kr{\"u}ll, Georg and Obergrießer, Mathias and Linner, Thomas and Albalkhy, Wassim and Lafhaj, Zoubeir}, title = {Towards interfacing human centered design processes with the AEC industry by leveraging BIM-based planning methodologies}, series = {40th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2023): Chennai, India, July 3-9, 2023}, booktitle = {40th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2023): Chennai, India, July 3-9, 2023}, publisher = {I.A.A.R.C.}, isbn = {978-0-6458322-0-4}, issn = {2413-5844}, doi = {10.22260/ISARC2023/0045}, pages = {325 -- 332}, abstract = {Digital workflows in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry have been working with a wide range of software solutions trying to enable a Design-to-Production (DtP) end-to-end data flow. Thereby, state-of-the-art software solutions attempt to streamline the design and production processes accordingly. However, most digital workflows lack in terms of adequate sequential data preparation, agglomeration, and interfacing capabilities for consecutive design phases. These issues result in long, tedious correction loops, a wide range of software solutions and extensions to mitigate the issues. In addition, many digital workflows do not consider or integrate construction, production and machine relevant data holistically (respectively geometry and semantics). In this context, the production relevant data in from of human-centered work process data referring to digital human models (DHM), derived human abilities, safety and ergonomic criteria are often neglected. However, this is essential to interface the construction, human and machine relevant data in a holistic manner. This paper therefore proposes a DtP-workflow which is intended to solve some of the issues by interfacing relevant software solutions incorporating construction, production (including DHM and more) and machine relevant data in a holistic manner using a Building Information Modeling (BIM)-approach (based on the IFC schema). In this regard, the DtP-workflow aims to reverse common top-down digital workflows by considering and integrating the relevant data for consecutive design phases from the beginning. Subsequently, the DtP-workflow should achieve a reduction in planning effort.}, language = {en} } @article{AlBalkhyKarmaouiDucoulombieretal., author = {AlBalkhy, Wassim and Karmaoui, Dorra and Ducoulombier, Laure and Lafhaj, Zoubeir and Linner, Thomas}, title = {Digital twins in the built environment: Definition, applications, and challenges}, series = {Automation in Construction}, volume = {162}, journal = {Automation in Construction}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.autcon.2024.105368}, abstract = {Digital Twins (DT) implementation in the Built Environment (BE) industry is still in its early stages. Aiming to increase the knowledge about DT, this study analyzes how DT can be understood in the BE sector and investigates its different potential benefits and expected challenges. To do so, the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach was employed. Using 228 publications, the current study presents a proposed definition and structure for DT systems. The proposed structure is based on four main layers: physical, digital, application, and user layers. The study also classified the applications of DT into six groups: sustainability and environmental, facility management, safety, health, and risk management, structural performance, construction management, and architectural and urban-related applications. The challenges of DT implementation were also grouped based on industry-related, social and organizational, economic, technological, and political and legal challenges. Based on the results, future research directions and practical recommendations were presented to support the successful deployment of the technology.}, language = {en} }