FYPs/Thesis/Journal from Higher Education Institutions in Hong Kong

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Institution Title Type Date Author(s) Abstract Link
HKUST Rebar Design Optimization and Prefabrication Automation Leveraging BIM Technology Report 06/2020 Tobias Cheuk Toa CHEUNG Steel reinforced concrete building structure is very common among Hong Kong. Cost estimation is an important part during the preparation process for a construction project. Nowadays in Hong Kong, the contractor use lots of time in this stage while some mistake may occur as the process is done manually. To reduce error and shorten cost estimation time, design optimization and prefabrication automation leveraging should be considered. This project aims to complete the two objectives by using Building Information Modeling and Dynamo. After the design, the moment envelope generated by ETABS should be extract and input for designing the structural components. When the design of structural component, coding in Dynamo should be able to calculate the construction cost estimation for the building. Construction joint, continuity of rebar and the matching of rebar should be considered and build a bar bending schedule.

This project will go through the reviewing of site solution for solving some common problems. After that, some algorithm will be review to check whether it suitable for solving the problem mathematically. At last, application of graph theory in python 3 is finished and full bin packing algorithm in python is finished for rebar matching to reduce material cost. Suggestion will be made for further study in this project.
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HKUST Transfer learning enhanced AR spatial registration for facility maintenance management Journal 02/2020 Chen, K., Yang, J., Cheng, J.C.P., Chen, W., and Li, C.T. Augmented reality (AR), which requires a spatial registration technique, has proved to greatly improve the efficiency of facility maintenance management (FMM) activities. Being one of the most promising techniques for indoor localization, Wi-Fi fingerprinting has been widely used for AR spatial registration. However, localization accuracy of Wi-Fi fingerprinting decreases over time due to dynamics of environmental factors. Readings from different mobile devices can also affect the accuracy negatively. In this paper, a transfer learning technique named transferable CNN-LSTM is proposed for improving the robustness of Wi-Fi fingerprinting while implementing AR in FMM activities. Convolutional neural network (CNN), embedded with long short term memory (LSTM) networks, is utilized to predict the location of unlabeled fingerprints. Multiple kernel variant of maximum mean discrepancy (MK-MMD) is adopted to reduce the distribution difference between the source domain and the target domain, so that the location of the newly collected unlabeled fingerprints can be predicted accurately. As shown in the experimental validation, the transferable CNN-LSTM can achieve an accuracy of 97.1% in short-term (without significant environmental changes) spatial registration, 87.8% in long-term (with significant environmental changes) spatial registration, and around 90% in multi-device spatial registration, indicating a higher accuracy and better robustness over other conventional approaches. Link
HKUST Data-driven predictive maintenance planning framework for MEP components based on BIM and IoT using machine learning algorithms Journal 01/2020 Cheng, J.C.P., Chen, W., Chen, K., and Wang, Q. Facility managers usually conduct reactive maintenance or preventive maintenance strategies in building maintenance management. However, there are some limitations that reactive maintenance cannot prevent failure, and preventive maintenance cannot predict the future condition of MEP components and repair in advance to extend the lifetime of facilities. Therefore, this study aims to apply a predictive maintenance strategy with advanced technologies to overcome these limitations. Building information modeling (BIM) and Internet of Things (IoT) have the potential to improve the efficiency of facility maintenance management (FMM). Despite the significant efforts that have been made to apply BIM and IoT to the architecture, engineering, construction, and facility management (AEC/FM) industry, BIM and IoT integration for FMM is still at an initial stage. In order to provide a better maintenance strategy for building facilities, a data-driven predictive maintenance planning framework based on BIM and IoT technologies for FMM was developed, consisting of an information layer and an application layer. Data collection and data integration among the BIM models, FM system, and IoT network are undertaken in the information layer, while the application layer contains four modules to achieve predictive maintenance, namely: (1) condition monitoring and fault alarming module, (2) condition assessment module, (3) condition prediction module, and (4) maintenance planning module. Machine learning algorithms, ANN and SVM, are used to predict the future condition of MEP components. Furthermore, the developed framework was applied in an illustrative example to validate the feasibility of the approach. The results show that the constantly updated data obtained from the information layer together with the machine learning algorithms in the application layer can efficiently predict the future condition of MEP components for maintenance planning. Link
HKUST Semi-automated generation of parametric BIM for steel structures based on terrestrial laser scanning data Journal 01/2020 Yang, L., Cheng, J.C.P., and Wang, Q. As-built building information models (BIMs) are increasingly needed for construction project handover and facility management. To create as-built BIMs, laser scanning technology has gained popularity in the recent decades due to its high measurement accuracy and high measurement speed. However, most existing methods for creating as-built BIMs from laser scanning data involve plenty of manual work, thus becoming labor intensive and time consuming. To address the problems, this study presents a semi-automated approach that can obtain required parameters to create as-built BIMs for steel structures with complex connections from terrestrial laser scanning data. An algorithm based on principal component analysis (PCA) and cross-section fitting techniques is developed to retrieve the position and direction of each circular structural component from scanning data. An image-assisted edge point extraction algorithm is developed to effectively extract the boundaries of planar structural components. Normal-based region growing algorithm and random sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm are adopted to model the connections between structural components. The proposed approach was validated on a bridge-like steel structure with four different types of structural components. The extracted as-built geometry was compared with the as-designed geometry to validate the accuracy of the proposed approach. The results showed that the proposed approach could efficiently and accurately extract the geometry information and generate parametric BIMs of steel structures. Link
HKUST A state-of-the-art review on mixed reality (MR) applications in the AECO industry Journal 11/2019 Cheng, J.C.P., Chen, K., and Chen, W. The ability to combine digital information with the real world enables mixed reality (MR) technology to provide a better display of information, resulting in its increasing popularity in various fields. The architecture, engineering, construction, and operation (AECO) industry is no exception. However, existing reviews on the use of MR technology can hardly keep up with the rapid development of MR applications. Therefore, a state-of-the-art review focusing on MR technology applications in the AECO industry is needed to reflect the current status of MR implementation in the AECO industry. This review is based on articles retrieved from well-acknowledged academic journals within the domain of the AECO industry. In this paper, 87 journal papers on MR applications are identified and classified into four categories: (1) applications in architecture and engineering, (2) applications in construction, (3) applications in operation, and (4) applications in multiple stages. Five basic components of MR, including spatial registration, display, user interaction, data storage, and multiuser collaboration, in each of the aforementioned 87 journal papers are identified and discussed. After reviewing the selected applications and corresponding MR components, this paper summarizes the challenges of MR development and provides insights into future trends of the MR technology in four aspects, namely: (1) accuracy of spatial registration, (2) user interface (UI), (3) data storage and transfer, and (4) multiuser collaboration. Link
HKUST An integrated underground utility management and decision support based on BIM and GIS Journal 08/2019 Wang, M., Deng, Y., Won, J., and Cheng, J.C.P. This study aims to improve the underground utility management efficiency from the perspective of utility component and urban utility network, as well as to facilitate the decision-making for utility maintenance work. The main reasons for the inefficient information sharing, poor utility management and reactive decision-making are investigated, after which potential solutions are explored. An integrated utility management framework is proposed based on the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Geographic Information System (GIS), for which a common utility data model representing utility information in five aspects is developed to facilitate the mapping of Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and City Geography Markup Language (CityGML). The verification of the proposed framework indicates that the developed data model can represent utility information comprehensively, based on which functions of the integrated BIM-GIS platform are developed to support underground utility management in terms of individual utility components and the utility spatial networks. With the proposed utility management framework, the information sharing process, utility management efficiency and decision-making can be improved and facilitated. In the future, more functions of the framework will be developed according to practical requirements and more maintenance data will be utilized to validate and enhance the framework. Link