CE3CDT-Digital Technology Use in Construction

Module Provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Dragana Nikolic
Email: d.nikolic@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
Digital technologies rapidly change the way we build, manage, and interact with facilities and the built environment. Life cycle information modelling of built facilities offers exciting new opportunities for their integrated delivery and management. However, technological advances also bring numerous challenges and social resistance to change. This module will explore how digital technologies and collaborative information modelling initiatives such as those promoted by the UK BIM agenda, shape construction; what difficulties companies are facing; and in this process expose students to some common technology- and process-related implementation challenges they will face in the industry.

Aims:
Participants will learn about the concept of building information modelling (BIM) as a collaborative process supported by a range of digital tools, and the common considerations of interoperability, information exchanges and life cycle management

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Identify and use different types of digital technologies appropriate to professional work within a collaborative project team using BIM;


• Apply collaborative practices and structured processes to create, share and manage project information informed by the current UK BIM standards and protocols;


• Explain drivers and steps for current BIM implementation procedures mandated by the UK Government and identify relevant documentation;


• Expla in interoperability and the rationale for using open standards such as IFC and COBie;


• Make recommendations about the implementation of BIM and digital technologies, and how they are changing the delivery of projects

Additional outcomes:

• Identify and use different types of interactive digital technologies appropriate to professional work within a collaborative project team using BIM;


• Assess the opportunities and challenges of digital technologies on projects at different stages.

Outline content:

The module involves various guest speakers presenting the use of advanced digital technologies in construction projects, including areas of Building Information Modelling (BIM), collaborative digital practices, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR). The taught elements cover:

• Types of digital technologies for design, construction, and operations and their key features;


• BIM as a structured collaborative project information delivery pr ocess;


• Advanced collaborative and interactive technologies for stakeholder engagement – virtual prototypes


• The potential practical, socio-technical, economical, and organisational issues related to the implementation of digital technologies on construction projects.

Global context:
The tutorials involve hands-on work with digital technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) as applied in construction practice, providing a context of current approaches and benefits.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
This course will combine lectures, demonstrations, in-class discussion, hands-on projects, presentations, and guest lectures. Hands-on practical work will introduce students to the range of applications used on construction projects covered in lectures. This work will take place in the computer lab, the BIM Lounge and the CAVE lab at the University£s Visualization and interactive Technologies Centre.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Practicals classes and workshops		5
Guided independent study:		75
Total hours by term		100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	60
Project output other than dissertation	35
Set exercise	5

Summative assessment- Examinations:
n/a

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Summative assessment includes a two-part project consisting of group work component and an individual reflective report. Set exercises during the term will serve to reinforce the knowledge and principles covered in lectures, related to the project.

Formative assessment methods:
Feedback on the group work will be provided on a weekly basis during tutorial sessions.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Assignment that will include modelling equivalent to the original project work submitted in August

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 29 June 2021