Knowledge

How can we put bacterial ‘builders’ to work on a new generation of construction materials? Martyn Dade-Robertson explores the potential of synthetic biology and its role in building the cities of the future…

Shih-Ho Chao, Associate Professor of Structural Engineering and Applied Mechanics at University of Texas Arlington, explores how building design has responded to the threat of progressive collapse...

BIM myths busted. We dispel some common misconceptions, misunderstandings and downright myths, when it comes to Building Information Modelling (BIM), and cut through the noise to seek out the truth about the digital construction revolution.

BIM Level 2 – Was it worth it? Is it working? And what support can we expect for BIM Level 3?

Introducing BS 8536-2: 2016. A new addition to the BIM Level 2 suite of documents gives recommendations for briefing for design and construction in relation to energy, telecommunication, transport, water and other utilities’ infrastructure to ensure that design takes into account the expected performance of the asset in use over its planned operational life.

We take a sneaky peek at 10 construction material innovations with amazing potential to change the world we live in. Enter the materials that save lives, repel germs, heal themselves and even 'sweat'...

What is the common data environment or CDE on a construction project used for? Who contributes? Who is responsible? Who owns the information within? Why use a CDE at all? We explore the idea of a central information repository that is at the heart of BIM implementation.

Retentions have traditionally been imposed to ensure that the contractor properly completes the activities required of them under the contract. We explore how retentions are administered and how they manifest across various forms of contract.

What is the 'information model'? Ralph Montague explores the graphical data, non-graphical data and documents that you can be expected to provide as part of the building process.

The idea behind biomimicry is simple: Nature has already solved a myriad of the problems that we are facing now, so why not use that to our advantage?

Your guide to clash avoidance and clash detection on a BIM project. What is a clash? What kinds of clashes might occur? How can clashes be detected? How can they be avoided in the first place? How do Level 2 and Level 3 BIM help in the design and construction phases? We aim to find out.

As an employer, you are responsible for providing personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplace and ensuring it is used appropriately. This article outlines some of the critical considerations for what PPE you should use on your projects.