| Robert Amor's Publications in 2019 |
|---|
 |
Dimyadi, J., Bookman, S., Harvey, D. and Amor, R. (2019) Maintainable Process Model Driven Online Legal Experts Systems, Artificial Intelligence and Law, 27(1), https://doi.org/10.1007/s10506-018-9231-3, pp. 93-111. |
Abstract: Legal expert systems are computer applications that can mimic the consultation process of a legal expert to provide advice specific to a given scenario. The core of these systems is the experts' knowledge captured in a sophisticated and often complex logic or rule base. Such complex systems rely on both knowledge engineers or system programmers and domain experts to maintain and update in response to changes in law or circumstances. This paper describes a pragmatic approach using process modelling techniques that enables a complex legal expert system to be maintained and updated dynamically by a domain expert such as a legal practitioner with little computing knowledge. The approach is illustrated using a case study on the design of an online expert system that allows a user to navigate through complex legal options in the domain of International Family Law.
|
Zou, Y., Gonzalez, V., Lim, J., Amor, R., Guo, B.H.W. and Jelodar, M.B. (2019) Systematic Framework for Post-earthquake Bridge Inspection through UAV and 3D BIM Reconstruction, Proceedings of CIB WBC 2019, Hong Kong, 17-21 June. |
Abstract: In the aftermath of major earthquakes, rapidly capturing and quantifying the extent and severity of damage on critical bridges play an important role in post-earthquake operations such as search and rescue, emergency repairs and long-term reconstruction. Current damage assessment practices, however, are labour intensive, time consuming and subject to errors, which also raise safety concerns for those engineers undertaking the inspections. To overcome this challenge, a rapid, intelligent and automated strategy for inspection of seismic damage to bridges is needed. This paper thereby proposes a systematic framework for post-earthquake bridge inspection using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and 3D Building Information Modelling (BIM) reconstruction. The framework is driven by various state-of-the-art digital technologies and consists of three main systems: route planning system, data collection and analysis system, and decision support system. The existing bridge and its surrounding environment are digitalised by Geographic Information System (GIS) and BIM, from which geospatial data is extracted for generating optimum UAV's inspection route automatically by pre-defined algorithms. Image data collected through high-quality camera mounted on UAV is uploaded to the Cloud, which is then leveraged by analytics engine for damage detection and representation, and generation of the post-earthquake bridge BIM. Moreover, a knowledge-based system processes the data for generating recommendations for the bridge's safety condition and the retrofit strategy. The proposed strategy can be further extended for routine bridge inspection. Challenges of implementing the proposed strategy are also discussed.
|
Fuchs, S., Dimyadi, J. and Amor, R. (2019) Data visualization of multiple time-series datasets in a 3D environment, Proceedings of CIB WBC 2019, Hong Kong, 17-21 June. |
Abstract: There is a growing body of research looking to understand the best approaches to visualize data within a 3D context. A particularly difficult form of visualization is where there are multiple streams of time-series data present in that context. This is found with Building Management Systems (BMS) which provide a sensor rich view of the functioning of a building, often navigable down to the level of a single space. The prevalence of Building Information Models (BIM) in the industry, and more frequently as the handover model, provides a 3D context of a built facility upon which time series data can be attached. However, there is no simple method to correlate the 3D BIM data with the BMS time-series data. In this research we explore approaches to the visualization of streams of time-series data coming from a BMS in the appropriate context of a BIM, and develop a visualization within a game engine (Unity) that allows a user to navigate the rich set of data that is sourced from a BMS over a lengthy time period. The visualization aims to provide the user with a method to comprehend the interrelationships between many types of BMS data over particular time periods and to assess this at scales ranging from the complete building, through to individual floors and down to spaces.
|
Erri Pradeep, A.S., Yiu, T.W. and Amor, R. (2019) Leveraging blockchain technology in a BIM workflow: a literature review, Proceedings of ICSIC 2019, Cambridge, UK, 8-10 July, pp. 371-380, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1680/icsic.64669.371 |
Abstract: Building Information Modelling (BIM) involves the exchange of models and information between stakeholders and within collaborating teams. This information is prone to contractual, legal, security and system issues amongst others. The existing practices aim to address a digital concept such as BIM with solutions from the paper world - contracts and other documents, which do not solve the problem completely. A recent advancement in database management - Blockchain Technology (BCT) aims to provide a new stream of solutions to industries across various sectors. BCT is a system of recording a database that stores information chronologically and distributes a copy of it over a network of computers that maintain its authenticity and security collectively. This paper first reviews the literature on the issues of information exchange in a BIM workflow and next explores the concept of BCT and its connection with BIM. The literature indicates that BCT shows high potential for solving challenges during the design phase of the project by clarifying liabilities, increasing the reliability of information and enhancing the security of information flow. Its ability to ncorporate self-executing contracts enable many more applications around ownership and payments. Finally, the paper discusses a few of its challenges with scalability, user acceptance amongst others.
|
Jabin, J, Dimyadi, J. and Amor, R. (2019) From a meagre 'testing for interoperability' to the 'measurement of interoperability' in BIM, Proceedings of CIB W78, Northumbria, UK, 18-20 September, pp. 306-316. |
Abstract: Current conformance tests for BIM (Building Information Modelling) data exchange standards are not reliable, as reported in the literature. It is understood that no conformance test can check for 100% error-free operation, as it is a test of the ability to exchange information rather than a measure of the quality of the information exchange. This research has investigated if the current conformance test methodology is in accordance with established measurement theories and therefore can be used to measure the interoperability of a BIM software tool against a data exchange standard. It was found that current conformance tests do not conform to measurement theory and are not able to accurately convey the results and any limitations of the measurement to the end-user. To investigate how other domains have measured interoperability and whether any of their metrics are useful for measuring interoperability in BIM, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted. The SLR has gathered 28 interoperability measurement models. They were analysed in terms of established principles in the measurement theory and from that current deficiencies in the interoperability measurement for BIM were identified. Suggestions are given on upgrading the current conformance tests to be compliant with the measurement theory so that they will convey more accurate information to the end-users.
|
Wimalasena, N., Chang-Richards, A., Wang, K.I-K., Zhou, N., Amor, R.W., ISAACS, N. and Lim, J. (2019) Climate-smart housing: A thermal comfort approach, Proceedings of CIB WBC 2019, Hong Kong, 17-21 June. |
Abstract: Climate change with more extreme temperatures and weather patterns is likely to compromise the housing quality and expose those at risk occupants to health issues, such as respiratory illness. While most studies had focused on finding mechanical solutions in improving housing performance, little research was conducted by using a system approach considering the interplay effects of human occupants and a house's indoor and outdoor environment. To fill this gap, the research reported in this paper attempts to understand the performance requirements for a climate-smart house through the lens of thermal comfort. The research methods involved a case study of a rental property in Auckland city, New Zealand. The thermal comfort analysis drawing on data from smart sensors, a questionnaire survey, and on-site inspections revealed that the thermal comfort of the occupants was not achieved most of the time and occupants felt cold even during the spring season. The occupants' energy consumption behaviours, heating methods, the building envelope, insulation, indoor and outdoor environmental condition were found to play a major role in influencing the perceived thermal comfort level of occupants. The pilot study laid a foundation for ongoing research on climate-smart housing and provided insights into possible solutions for improving housing quality in anticipation of a changing climate.
|
Zou, Y., Barari, M., Castillo, E.D.R., Amor, R., Guo, B.H.W. and Liu, J. (2019) Automated UAV Route Planning for Bridge Inspection Using BIM-GIS Data, Proceedings of ICCBEI, Sendai, Japan, 7-8 November. |
Abstract: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) have been increasingly used for bridge inspection in the past few years and the recent development of UAV photogrammetry reveals that the 3D bridge model generated by photogrammetry is highly promising for inspection purposes. However, the current practices of UAV-enabled bridge inspection require human control, during which process the UAV is flying close to the bridge location to take high-resolution images according to human commands. To overcome this gap, this paper proposes a novel method to automate the UAV route planning for bridge inspection, which uses Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Geographic Information System (GIS) data as input to drive the automated UAV flying and operations. The underlying ssumptions include, 1) the integrated BIM plus GIS system can represent the physical world, and 2) the 3D bridge model generated by UAV photogrammetry can provide highly reliable and accurate data for bridge inspection. Under such route planning, the BIM plus GIS system provides the bridge's geospatial and surrounding environment information (e.g. bridge's geometry, elevation, orientation) to guide the UAV flying the shortest path to gather all required information for the bridge inspection according to a novel algorithm. The next stage of this project will validate and test the proposed method for real bridges.
|
Dimyadi, J. and Amor, R. (2019) BIM-Supported Compliance Verification of Performance-based Car-park Ventilation Design, Proceedings of ICCBEI, Sendai, Japan, 7-8 November. |
Abstract: Modern regulatory frameworks, such as those enforceable in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, allow car-park ventilation systems to be designed to comply with performance-based objectives. This has provided designers with the opportunity to propose an alternative solution when prescriptive requirements are either too restrictive or costly to implement. The input data required for computations or numerical simulations to support the performance-based design is often complex and may include the geometry, building usage/activities and building system characteristics, as well as normative compliant-design parameters. Conventionally, this input data is gathered manually from paper-based drawings and other written documentations including normative standards, which is an inefficient and error-prone process. In this paper, we investigate to what extent can a simulation input data be generated from the available information shared through the Building Information Modelling (BIM) collaborative process. Additionally, we explore an open standard computable representation of normative requirements that can be used to automate some of the preparatory computations to further complement the simulation input data. An exemplary use case is also described to illustrate the approach.