International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering, 2024, Montreal, Canada

by Asha Palihakkara, PhD Student, University of Nottingham

I am incredibly grateful for the ISKO UK for providing me with a grant to support my attendance at the International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering (ICCCBE) 2024, held in Montreal, Canada. Thanks to ISKO UK's generosity in covering my registration fees, I was able to present my paper and gain valuable insights into the latest developments in my research area. The conference provided me a fantastic opportunity to learn, networking, and sharing ideas with fellow researchers working on the intersection of BIM, semantic web technologies, and construction management.

The ICCCBE 2024 conference offered a rich and diverse range of sessions, presentations, and there were many participants from all over the world, making it a very inspiring and productive event. I presented my paper, titled, "Semantic Web for BIM-Based Automated Project Management and Control: A Review", which explores how semantic web technologies, ontologies and linked data can enhance the automation and management of construction projects. I delved into the ways in which these technologies can address the current challenges of data interoperability, integration and automation in construction management. The feedback I received was very insightful, and I had the opportunity to engage in discussions with other experts in the field and to get their opinions on what I do.

Knowledge organisation, or knowledge engineering is a critical aspect of this work, as the use of ontologies and linked data provides a structured approach to managing the vast and diverse sets of information involved in construction projects. By organising knowledge more efficiently, semantic web technologies can make data more accessible, interoperable, and actionable.

In addition to presenting the paper, I briefly shared some preliminary findings and future work related to my ongoing PhD research, which focuses on the application of semantic web technologies for automated construction progress monitoring and data integration. This allowed me to connect with researchers working on similar topics and to get their constructive feedback that will help shape the direction of my future research.

The ICCCBE 2024 conference was organised around several major themes, many of which aligned with my own research interests. The themes included;

• Big Data, Sensing, and Machine Learning
• Asset and Facility Management, Operation, and Maintenance
• Building Information Modelling and Digital twin technology
• Project Design, Construction, Planning, and management
• Robotics, Automation, and Control
• Transport and Sustainable urban Development.

These research themes spanned the latest advancements in digital technologies, automation, and sustainability within the construction industry. As my research focuses on the application of semantic web technologies and ontologies within BIM environment, I found the sessions related to Building Information Modelling, Big Data, Digital Twin, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality etc. to be more relevant. Discussions and presentations related to digital twins and machine learning further highlighted the intersection of advanced technologies with construction management.

A major highlight of the conference was the series of keynote presentations by internationally renowned researchers. Each keynote offered a unique perspective on how digital technologies are reshaping the construction industry. Among the keynote speakers, Prof. Nashwan Dawood delivered a presentation on "Decarbonising the Build Environment: The Role of Digital Technologies", which explored on how digital twins, energy systems, and offsite construction innovation can contribute to decarbonising efforts in the construction industry. Prof. Makarand Hastak presented "Excellence through Innovation in the Construction Industry", where he discussed the importance of innovation in infrastructure management, project control, and risk management. Prof. Raymond Issa presented "From Digital twins to Physical twins: A Paradigm Shift" exploring the potential of digital twins to revolutionise construction processes. Lastly, Prof. Conrad Boton, Prof. Silvio Melhado and Prof. Adel Francis presented "Advancing 4D Simulation for Construction Projects: Evaluating Industry Needs and Future Outlook". These keynotes also emphasise on the role of knowledge management in construction and infrastructure projects, reinforcing the importance of effective knowledge organisation techniques to handle the complexity of information that needs to be processed. As knowledge organisation techniques continues to evolve, they will play a crucial role in ensuring that digital technologies like BIM and digital twins are fully leveraged for optimising construction processes.

In addition to keynote speeches, knowledge organising techniques featured prominently in many of the conference sessions, particularly in the use of structured data, ontologies and linked data for improving data integration across different construction processes.

Attending the ICCCBE 2024 has been an incredibly rewarding experience. the knowledge gained through the conference and the networking opportunities has enriched my understanding of the latest advancements in construction technologies. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to ISKO UK for their generous support in making my participation in this conference possible. The insights and connections gained from ICCCBE 2024 will have a lasting impact on my research and professional development.