Many areas of knowledge converge in the building industry and therefore research in this field necessarily involves an interdisciplinary approach. Effective research requires strong relation between a broad variety of scientific and technological domains and more conventional construction or craft processes, while also considering advanced management processes, where all the main actors permanently interact. This publication takes an interdisciplinary approach grouping various studies on the building industry chosen from among the works presented for the 2nd International Conference on Construction and Building Research. The papers examine aspects of materials and building systems; construction technology; energy and sustainability; construction management; heritage, refurbishment and conservation. The information contained within these pages may be of interest to researchers and practitioners in construction and building activities from the academic sphere, as well as public and private sectors.

This book comprises a first survey of the Collaborative Research Center SFB-TRR 141 ‘Biological Design and Integrative Structures – Analysis, Simulation and Implementation in Architecture’, funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft since October 2014. The SFB-TRR 141 provides a collaborative framework for architects and engineers from the University of Stuttgart, biologists and physicists from the University of Freiburg and geoscientists and evolutionary biologists from the University of Tübingen. The programm is conceptualized as a dialogue between the disciplines and is based on the belief that that biomimetic research has the potential to lead everyone involved to new findings far beyond his individual reach. During the last few decades, computational methods have been introduced into all fields of science and technology. In architecture, they enable the geometric differentiation of building components and allow the fabrication of porous or fibre-based materials with locally adjusted physical and chemical properties. Recent developments in simulation technologies focus on multi-scale models and the interplay of mechanical phenomena at various hierarchical levels. In the natural sciences, a multitude of quantitative methods covering diverse hierarchical levels have been introduced. These advances in computational methods have opened a new era in biomimetics: local differentiation at various scales, the main feature of natural constructions, can for the first time not only be analysed, but to a certain extent also be transferred to building construction. Computational methodologies enable the direct exchange of information between fields of science that, until now, have been widely separated. As a result they lead to a new approach to biomimetic research, which, hopefully, contributes to a more sustainable development in architecture and building construction.

This unique book uses case studies and real-life experiences to present the optimum project delivery systems in terms of contractual arrangements for a variety of building projects. This is designed to allow the reader to become aware of the evolving conditions in the practice of architecture and construction. A critical hands-on guide, this book provides practical, real-world perspective using the authorÕs professional experience as designer, constructor, and owner for a variety of buildings with a total value of over $100 million and presents case studies based on the authorÕs actual experiences in those three areas. And it includes several case studies that focus on leadership capabilities and the skills necessary for success in building design and construction. It also provides references to sources needed to help solve the case studies in the book, such as other reference books, contract forms, public agencies, private practitioners, and many more. Most important, it discusses the skills needed to successfully address regulatory issues and to deal with government agencies. An essential reference for every professional who designs, builds, or owns major buildings.

Building Education and Research explores this new active area of research in a series of papers by internationally acclaimed experts, presented at the CIB W89 International Conference on Building Education and Research held in July 1998 (BEAR `98) in Brisbane, Australia. Sponsored in collaboratio jointly by the Queensland University of Technology, the Conseil International du Batiment (CIB) and the Australian Institute of Building (AIB), the conference was organised around the theme `Building Research and Education Beyond 2000' and looks at the factors that are changing the requirements of building education and research: economic and technological concerns; environmental concerns; government policies; Industries' demands; re-evaluation of community expectations.

Eco-efficient Construction and Building Materials reviews ways of assessing the environmental impact of construction and building materials. Part one discusses the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to building materials as well as eco-labeling. Part two includes case studies showing the application of LCA methodology to different types of building material, from cement and concrete to wood and adhesives used in building. Part three includes case studies applying LCA methodology to particular structures and components. Reviews ways of assessing the environmental impact of construction and building materials Provides a thorough overview, including strengths and shortcomings, of the life cycle assessment (LCA) and eco-labeling of eco-efficient construction and building materials Includes case studies showing the application of LCA methodology to different types of building material, from cement and concrete to wood and adhesives used in building

This book presents a collection of recent research works that highlight best practice solutions, case studies and practical advice on the implementation of sustainable construction techniques. It includes a set of new developments in the field of building performance simulation, building sustainability assessment, sustainable management, asset and maintenance management and service-life prediction. Accordingly, the book will appeal to a broad readership of professionals, scientists, students, practitioners, lecturers and other interested parties.

This edited collection explores building construction as an inspiring, yet often overlooked, place to develop new knowledge about the development of human societies. Eschewing dominant engineering and management perspectives on construction, the book is purposefully broad in its scope, both empirically and theoretically, as reflecting the rich underexplored potential of studies of building construction to inform a wide span of intellectual debates across the social science and humanities. The seven chapters encompass contributions to theories of: spatiotemporal organization with wildlife on building sites; institutional change with building ruins; home with Mexican self-help housing; place with a suburban housing development; socio-materiality with the adaptation of a university library; migrant labour with the Parisian postwar construction boom; and gender with a female site manager in Sweden. This book seeks to develop a new critical sub-area for construction studies that focuses on the actual processes and practices of ‘constructing'. Bringing together diverse members of construction research communities working in a variety of contexts, it develops empirical engagements with building work to challenge its marginalization, relative to architectural studies, to provoke novel understandings of human history, geography and sociology.