The greenhouse gas emission during its materialization stage is characterized by time-concentrated and large emissions. This study first divided the materialization stage into three segments according to the life cycle theory: building materials production, building materials transportation, and construction. A carbon emission measurement model for the materialization stage of large public buildings was established by integrating the carbon emission coefficient method, and the emission reduction rate (ERR) was proposed as an indicator for quantitatively assessing carbon emissions during the materialization stage of large public buildings. After the initial indicator system was framed, the Analytic Network Process and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation methods were used to establish the evaluation model for large public buildings at the materialization stage. Last, the model was verified at a convention and exhibition center in Xiamen, China, and it shows that the production stage of building materials has a large potential for emission reduction.

Lean construction and Building Information Modeling (BIM) are increasingly utilized in quantity surveying (QS) production, yet the dilemma of BIM and LEAN interaction is largely ignored. The main problems occurred in traditional quantity surveying services among public and private organizations are experiencing collisions, uncertainties, ambiguities and complexities, which are expected to be mitigated through the implementation of BIM-LEAN practice. However, due to the absence of enough knowledge and confidence to encounter BIM-LEAN for QS practices, quantity surveyors are hesitant to prosecute this new technology but default back to conventional inefficient working methods. Through a questionnaire survey, this paper is to identify the challenges and strategies in implementing BIM-LEAN in QS practices as well as to develop a conceptual system dynamics model to assist this effort. The challenges related to financial issues such as hardware and software cost and training cost could have more impact on small-and-medium-sized QS firms. Lack of BIM-LEAN experts in organizations could be another barrier to implementing BIM-LEAN in QS practice, and this, in turn, could further affect the decision-making process to adopt BIM-LEAN thus initiating a death spiral.

With ecological problems and energy crises intensifying today, greening is essential to sustainable development. Compared with other types of buildings, hospital buildings account for a relatively larger proportion of building energy consumption. In order to realize the rapid cycle optimization of a green hospital project in the design stage and improve the green grade of the building, a pre-evaluation Building Information Model (BIM) of green hospital building performance was established in this study. Firstly, the literature review and expert consultation established the building performance pre-evaluation index system for green hospitals. Then, BIM technology is taken to extract data needed for building a performance pre-evaluation system, and the Cloud Model and the Matter–Element Extension Theory are used to build models. The final green grade calculation is realized in MATLAB. Finally, the Maluan Bay Hospital is taken as an example to test the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed model. The results show that the green hospital building performance pre-evaluation model has advantages of simulation, cyclic optimization and fuzzy quantification, which can effectively guide the design and construction of a green hospital.

This study is aimed to rationalise and demonstrate the efficacy of utilising laser cutting technique in the fabrication of glulam mortise & tenon joints in timber frame. Trial-and-error experiments aided by laser cutter were conducted to produce 3D timber mortise & tenon joints models. The two main instruments used were 3D modelling software and the laser cutter TH 1390/6090. Plywood was chosen because it could produce smooth and accurate cut edges whereby the surface could remain crack-free, and it could increase stability due to its laminated nature. Google SketchUp was used for modelling and Laser CAD v7.52 was used to transfer the 3D models to the laser cutter because it is compatible with AI, BMP, PLT, DXF and DST templates. Four models were designed and fabricated in which the trial-and-error experiments proved laser cutting could speed up the manufacturing process with superb quality and high uniformity. Precision laser cutting supports easy automation, produces small heat-affected zone, minimises deformity, relatively quiet and produces low amount of waste. The LaserCAD could not process 3D images directly but needed 2D images to be transferred, so layering and unfolding works were therefore needed. This study revealed a significant potential of rapid manufacturability of mortise & tenon joints with high-quality and high-uniformity through computer-aided laser cutting technique for wide applications in the built environment.

Poor performance measurement practices in the oil and gas industry can cause project cost overruns, schedule delays, and scope increases. Earned value management, as an integrated project planning and control method measuring cost and schedule performance, enables the early detection of performance issues, and allows corrective actions to be implemented in a timely manner. Through a structured interview survey, this study aimed to identify the current maturity level of earned value management practice in Malaysian oil and gas firms to determine the barriers hindering the use of this practice, and to identify critical success factors for enhancing earned value management implementation in the oil and gas industry. The findings revealed the major barriers to earned value management implementation, and potential strategies to improve the effectiveness of earned value management practice in this industry.