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Procedia Engineering 161 (2016) 97 – 103

World Multidisciplinary Civil Engineering-Architecture-Urban Planning Symposium 2016,

WMCAUS 2016

The Impact of Field Data Capturing Technologies on Automated

Construction Project Progress Monitoring
Sepehr Alizadehsalehia,*, Ibrahim Yitmena
a
Civil Engineering Department, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, North Cyprus, via Mersin 10, Turkey

Abstract

Accurate and timely information of construction project progress in a regular repeated basis is one of the critical stages of
construction management. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of field data capturing technologies (FDCT), in
combination with building information modelling (BIM) on automated construction project progress monitoring (ACPPM). The
research is based on a survey of contracting and engineering consulting firms operating in the Middle East, Mid-Asia, Europe,
North America, and Far East. Based on an evaluation of the findings, 3D Laser Scanning (LS), Image-based, and Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) technologies in combination with BIM were found as the most used technologies for ACPPM. At the end, a
conceptual framework is illustrated and managerial implications are highlighted with a sample statement focusing on requirements,
processes and benefits. The study confirms the importance of using BIM-based FDCT in enhancing ACPPM factors performance.
It also highlights the need for further exploration of the role of the BIM-based FDCT in improving ACPPM.
©©2016
2016TheTheAuthors. Published
Authors. by by
Published Elsevier Ltd.Ltd.
Elsevier This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of WMCAUS 2016.
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of WMCAUS 2016
Keywords: field data capturing technologies; automated construction project progress monitoring; BIM;

1. Introduction

Construction industry realized the urgent need for providing the opportunity to understand the current project status
easy, rapid, and accurate [1]. Rapid project assessment further identifies discrepancies between the as-built and as-
planned progress, and facilitates decision making on the necessary remedial actions [2]. Currently, manual visual
observations and traditional progress monitoring based on field personnel’s interpretation are time-consuming, error-
prone, and infrequent [3] [4]. Consequently, investigation on new methodologies that allow automatic recognition of
as-built performance and visualization of construction progress is vital. In response to this need, significant progress
towards automating detection and visualization of as-built status of a project has been achieved in recent years. The
advancement in automatic field data acquisition systems will enable more accurate collection of data and knowledge

1877-7058 © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of WMCAUS 2016
doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2016.08.504
98 Sepehr Alizadehsalehi and Ibrahim Yitmen / Procedia Engineering 161 (2016) 97 – 103

about processes and operations on site. These technologies include Image-based technologies, Laser Scanning (LS),
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Global Positioning System (GPS) and wireless
sensor networks (WSN). The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of FDCT, in combination with BIM on
ACPPM.

2. Literature Review

2.1. BIM in Project Progress Monitoring

BIM is a rich source of information for performing ACPPM. It describes the as-planned project shape in terms of
3D geometry and combines it with the as-planned construction schedule. The resulting 4D model combines all relevant
information for the complete construction process [2] [5]. Application of these models during the construction phase
can be increased if further potential added values from integrating BIMs with as-built models [6]. Therefore, the
planned state at any time can be derived and compared with the actual construction state. Consequently, BIM can
serve as a powerful baseline for progress tracking and in the visualization of discrepancies.

2.2. Field Data Capturing Technologies for ACPPM

In the last decade, the capabilities of FDCT for ACPPM have significantly increased. Early detection of
performance deviations in field construction activities with minimum human input is critical as it provides an
opportunity for project management to avoid them or minimize their impacts [7]. Integration of BIM-based models
and real-time field data acquisition systems can increase the degree of automation in all parts of project progress
monitoring and control such as architectural, structural and MEP. Furthermore, updates, analysis and reporting can be
made more frequently, regularly, and accurately along the work progress. Table 1 shows the summary of the previous
researches which used the integration of different FDCT and BIM for ACPPM.

Table 1: Advanced Automated BIM-based Data Capturing Technologies.

Operation

Approach

Technology Definition Resources

Registering site digital pictures and the project 3D Computer-Aided

[3]; [8]; [9]; [10]; [11];
Automated Construction Project Progress Monitoring

Image-based modelling Design model in a common coordinate system- Comparing the site
[6]
digital pictures to the project model
Capturing data within three coordinates of longitude, latitude, and [2]; [12]; [13]; [14]; [15];
Building Information Modelling (BIM)

3D Laser Scanning(LS)
elevation of different objects [16]; [17]; [18]; [1]
Facilitating the control of various processes at different stages of a
Radio Frequency
building lifecycle, especially for construction projects progress control [19]; [20]; [21]; [17]; [1]
Identification (RFID)
monitoring
Capturing and transmitting data from a tag embedded or attached to
construction products, and such data can be used to capture [22]; [23]; [21]
Barcodes
construction progress
Ultra-Wideband The 3-D location of each tag can be recorded on a computer and the
[24]; [17]; [1]
(UWB) location and movement of each tag can be visually shown on a screen
Space-based satellite navigation system providing location and time
Global Positioning information in all conditions, anywhere that there is an unobstructed
[25]; [26]; [3]; [27]
System (GPS) line of sight to GPS satellites and can use as a location tracking tool in
construction industry.
Spatially distributed autonomous sensors with a communications
Wireless Sensor infrastructure to remote environmental and physical monitoring [28]; [29]; [30]; [31]
Network (WSN) (temperature, humidity, sound, pressure, speed, direction, size, and etc.
- Capable to collecting, storing, processing environmental information
 Sepehr Alizadehsalehi and Ibrahim Yitmen / Procedia Engineering 161 (2016) 97 – 103 99

3. Research Method

3.1. Sampling

The study focused on contracting and engineering consulting firms dealing with Civil Works, Infrastructure,
Construction projects operating in the Middle East, Mid-Asia, Europe, North America, and Far East. The list consisted
of a total of 326 contracting and engineering consulting firms. The sample includes only large firms.

3.2. Data Collection

During the survey administration, a total of 500 firms were contacted to participate in the study and 326 completed
questionnaires (one respondent from each firm) were received, giving a high response rate of 65 percent. The
respondents were asked to rate the extent of agreement with each statement based on a five point Likert scale of 1
(strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Contact personnel in the firms for the questionnaire survey were either the
top management or senior management. Table 2 shows the percentages of the respondents of the survey from different
regions of the world having different professions.

Table 2. Distribution of the stakeholders according to the type of regions and different professions.
Stakeholders’ Profession
Regions/Countries
Contracting Firm Engineering Consulting Firm
Project Manager (34.95%) Construction Manager (33%) Civil Engineer (32%)
Middle East 4.60% 3.9% 3.6%
UAE 8 7 6
IRAN 7 6 6
Mid-Asia 4.29% 4.% 3.9%
AZERBAIJAN 7 8 7
KAZAKHSTAN 7 7 6
Europe 12.26% 11.6% 11.9%
UK 10 9 10
GERMANY 10 10 10
FRANCE 10 9 19
TURKEY 10 10 10
North America 6.75% 6.4% 6.1%
CANADA 11 10 10
USA 11 11 10
Far East 7.05% 6.7% 5.8%
JAPAN 12 11 10
S. KOREA 11 11 9

4. Research Findings and Analysis

4.1. Determination of Relative Importance Indices

The participating organizations provided numerical scoring expressing their opinions on the significance of each
factor in determining the impact of the FDCT on ACPPM. The relative importance index method (RII) is used here
to determine from perspective clients and contractors, factors affecting performance of consultants on development
projects. RII is computed as [32]:
100 Sepehr Alizadehsalehi and Ibrahim Yitmen / Procedia Engineering 161 (2016) 97 – 103

RII
¦ W
(1)
Au N

where:
W is the weight given to each factor by the respondents and ranges from 1 to 5
A = the highest weight = 5 N = the total number of respondents

Table 3. Matrix showing the variations in the level of Relative Importance Indices of the factors.
Automated Construction Project Progress Monitoring (ACPPM)

Remote visual inspection

Environmental condition

Remote decision making

Static/dynamic progress
Physical data collection

Rapid/comprehensive

Static/dynamic safety
emergency project
Quality control
data collection

Site logistics
visualization

visualization
assessment

analysis
Item Field Data Capturing Technologies RII Rank
1 Image-based modelling 0.76 0.88 0.77 0.81 0.84 0.86 0.79 0.83 0.78 2
2 3D Laser Scanning (LS) 0.77 0.89 0.78 0.80 0.84 0.86 0.82 0.83 0.79 1
3 Radio Frequency Identification
0.78 0.79 0.77 0.80 0.84 0.82 0.83 0.87 0.81 3
(RFID)
4 Barcodes 0.73 0.83 0.80 0.70 0.71 0.74 0.78 0.76 0.77 5
5 Ultra-Wideband (UWB) 0.75 0.85 0.82 0.73 0.74 0.76 0.80 0.78 0.79 4
6 Global Positioning System (GPS) 0.70 0.71 0.69 0.75 0.74 0.72 0.76 0.79 0.78 7
7 Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) 0.82 0.77 0.79 0.72 0.75 0.72 0.73 0.71 0.76 6

4.2. Discussion of Survey

The factor “3D Laser Scanning (LS)” is ranked #1 and is perceived by respondents to have an influence on the
ACPPM components “Physical data collection” and “Static/dynamic progress visualization” with values of RII 0.89,
and 0.86 respectively. The interviews and observations highlighted that LS is a powerful tool for 3D field data
collection during periodic inspections which generate 3D point cloud models to be transformed into the BIM. These
models allow the project’s stakeholders to understand the real-time status of projects with accurate 3D visualization.
The factor “Image-based modelling” is ranked #2 and is perceived by respondents to have an influence on the ACPPM
components “Physical data collection” and “Static/dynamic progress visualization” with values of RII 0.88, and 0.86
respectively. The interviews and observations emphasized that image-based is the most widespread and easy-to-use
method of FDCT which can collect much information accurately and economically. In the construction site, the
advanced image-based technology offers a unique capacity to construction by documenting and monitoring project
progress and maintaining site condition controls. The factor “Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)” is ranked #3
and is perceived by the respondents to have an influence on the ACPPM components “Site logistics visualizations”
and “Remote decision making” with values of RII 0.87, and 0.84 respectively. The interviews and observations pointed
out that RFID is a strong and effective automatic identification technology, relying on storing and remotely retrieving
data and providing a contact-less data accessing solution in progress monitoring. Participants concurred that RFID
can generate positive impacts on real-time site logistics visualization and efficient-collaborative remote decision
making.
 Sepehr Alizadehsalehi and Ibrahim Yitmen / Procedia Engineering 161 (2016) 97 – 103 101

4.3. Conceptual Model of Framework

As mentioned in the literature review, there are various FDCT that are used for ACPPM. Each of these technologies
according to their ability is able to collect the specific information (visual, logistics, quality etc.) about current status
of projects under construction. Figure 1 presents the overall approach of Multi-Dimensional (n-D) Model for
Integrated BIM- Based Data Acquisition Technologies and different combinations that make it up. The approach
consists of integration of BIM with various data acquisition technologies (such as LS, Image-based, RFID, etc.) in
order to increase the effectiveness of progress monitoring. Such a combination enables acquisition and update of the
design and schedule information, involves modules that enable inspection planning and collection of as-built
information based on that plan, and can be used to analyze the as-built information in different perspectives.

Laser Scan (LS)

Sensors

Image- Based
Building Information
Model (BIM)

As- Planned Model As- Built Model

3D 4D Ultra Wide Band

6D
5D (UWB)
Global Position
System (GPS)

Barcodes Radio Frequency

Identification (RFID)

Fig. 1. Overall Approach: Multi-Dimensional (n-D) Model for Integrated BIM- Based Data Acquisition Technologies.

4.4. Managerial Implications

This study has produced significant outcomes that can not only improve the knowledge of FDCT leveraging BIM
Models (Architectural and Structural) for ACPPM but can also offer valuable guidelines for engineering management
practice. Various real-time field data acquisition systems have been developed aimed at automating the progress of
monitoring of construction projects. Some of those have demonstrated potential for ACPPM to a certain extent and
most of the systems support a specific function of project control. It is envisioned that successful integration of real-
time systems can provide the AEC industry with new opportunities in many aspects of project management. Progress
monitoring on site in particular can be further advanced. Some real-time systems have been integrated individually
with BIM. Visualization of construction progress helps construction project managers to study spatial aspects of as-
built and as-planned performances, identify progress discrepancies, better utilize resources and equipment in different
locations and make timely corrective decisions. Practicing engineering managers can develop a FDCT leveraging BIM
models statement for ACPPM for their firm. Table 4 illustrates a sample of a FDCT BIM models for ACPPM. The
FDCT BIM models clearly shows the relationships between the ACPPM, FDCT, BIM model, requirements, process
and benefits. The creation of these FDCT BIM models can provide more opportunities for engineers and managers of
construction projects to improve performance of projects through ACPPM leveraging BIM Models.
102 Sepehr Alizadehsalehi and Ibrahim Yitmen / Procedia Engineering 161 (2016) 97 – 103

Table 4. A Sample of a FDCT leveraging BIM Models Statement for ACPPM.

Automated
Field Data
Project
Capturing Requirement
Progress
Technologies
Monitoring
Physical data 3D Laser -Identification of best
collection Scanning possible position for Laser
(LS) Scan in the construction
site.
-Integration different
position scan data captured
together in large scale
constructıon sites
Physical data Image-based -Camera selection
collection -Camera location to be
high enough to minimize
line-of-sight interruptions
to the view of the
construction site
-The camera to be
programmable and
equipped with a pan, tilt,
and zoom movement
function
-Wired or wireless
local area networks with
internet connections for the
transfer and saving of
acquired site-image data to
a main server
Process
- Scanning automatically of
the desired points
-Creation of 3D as- built
point cloud model
-Object detection along the
X, Y and Z directions
-Easily converting to 3D, 4D
or n-D BIM- model (Scan-
to-BIM)
-Improve the multidiscipline
coordination of structural
design documentation
-Acquisition continuously
records of high- resolution
site images for representation
of geometric attributes e.g.,
size, shape, faces, edges
colour, location of objects
etc.
-Analysing the recorded
images by applying computer
vision technologies to obtain
as-built 3D models
automatically
Benefits
-Time saving/Automatically making real-
time state of project.
-Automatically comparing for detecting
progress deviations and using to update
the schedule of the remaining process
-Remote visual inspection
-Cost effective operation
-Quality assessment of existing
infrastructure
and construction sites
-Remote decision making
-Minimizing errors, and enhancing
collaboration between engineering and
architecture teams
-Inexpensive operation
-Can be used more flexible
-Sharing of construction photographs on
a truly massive scale to easily
understandable
-Integrating with other technologies and
computer vision to make 2D, 3D and n-D
for progress monitoring analysis
-Detection of newly constructed elements
and update of the construction schedule
-Easy comparing different project status
and describing progress deviations

4.5. Conclusions and Recommendations

In recent years, significant progress towards automating field data capturing real-time information from real-life
physical project processes and visualization of as-built status of a project using BIM has been achieved. This paper
investigates the impact of FDCT, in combination with BIM on ACPPM within contracting firms and consulting firms
operating in the construction sectors of different countries from the Middle East, Mid-Asia, Europe, North America,
and Far East. Based on an evaluation of the findings, 3D Laser Scanning, Image-based, and Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) in combination with BIM were found as the most effective technologies for ACPPM. Finally, a
conceptual framework and managerial implications are demonstrated with a sample statement focusing on
requirements, processes and benefits. The study approves the significance of using BIM-based FDCT in enhancing
ACPPM factors performance. It also highlights the need for further exploration of the role of the BIM-based FDCT
in improving ACPPM.

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