Developing a BIM and simulation-based hazard assessment and visualization framework for CLT construction design

BuHamdan, Samer; Duncheva, Tsvetomila; Alwisy, Aladdin

Abstract

The sustainability of the urban built environment has previously been investigated through many angles in relation to the growing global urban population and provision of energy-efficient housing. One emerging trend in sustainable medium-density construction is the increased use of mass timber products such as Cross Laminated Timber (CLT). Yet the construction processes for the CLT superstructure are novel in the construction industry and involve numerous connectors and the potential health impacts of different connectors have not been previously investigated by research. This paper utilised a 5-layer discrete event simulation engine to correlate the specification of CLT connectors to potential risk of exposure to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). An innovative adaptation of the Location-Based Management System (LBMS) flow line is proposed, which adds a health risk dimension using line thickness. A cutting-edge case study building, the tallest timber building in Scotland, was used as a case study to validate and demonstrate the developed simulation model. The results revealed the potential to integrate a health and safety dimension in the BIM workflow of mass timber buildings to increase the social sustainability of such construction in the future. The findings will be relevant to structural engineers, architectural technologists, BIM managers, housing associations, key industry stakeholders and researchers in the built environment.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 30, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jan 4, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Deposit Date: May 13, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 1, 2020
• Journal: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
• Print ISSN: 0733-9364
• Electronic ISSN: 1943-7862
• Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 147
• Issue: 3
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0002000
• Keywords: offsite construction, CLT, HAVS, occupational health and safety, simulation based research
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1799738