4 ECTS credits
110 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4023629ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under interuniversity agreement for degree program
Faculty
Faculteit Ingenieurswetenschappen
Department
Mechanics of Materials and Constructions
External partners
Université libre de Bruxelles
Educational team
Rajan Filomeno Coelho (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
24 contact hours Lecture
24 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
Course Content

While other industrial sectors have highly benefited from digitalization to improve their productivity while reducing their environmental footprint and increase their positive impact on society in general, the construction sector still lags behind. However, in recent years, plenty of scientific and technological breakthroughs have been accomplished, and gained a maturity level sufficient to be used in real-life applications. During the next decade, the construction industry will have to significantly accelerate its digital transformation in order to keep up with the ever-growing demands in terms of sustainability, safety, costs, and delays.

This course aims to give the students an introduction to these challenges.

To fully understand the roadmap that the Architectural Engineering & Construction (AEC) industry must follow, it is fundamental to start by learning the basics of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and why the constant hardware and software evolutions of the last decades have changed the way engineers should address technical and organizational issues.

After this ICT review, a strong emphasis will be put on how computers can help civil and architectural engineers in their specific tasks. First, numerical simulations, designed to mimic the actual behaviour of physical phenomena (structural analysis of bridges by finite element analysis, wind flow calculations around buildings, etc.), will be reviewed. Then, the central topic of Building Information Modeling (BIM) will be covered, and illustrated for design, execution, and maintenance of (new or renovated) constructions.

Apart from BIM, additional technologies can also help to automate processes, like 3D printing, Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality (AR/VR), etc.

Last but not least: the digital revolution that the construction sector is facing will not succeed if the human factor is not taken into account. Ensuring that all stakeholders adopt novel (but sometimes risky) new processes, or even new ways of thinking, must be thoroughly thought of, in the light of change management theories.

Course material
Digital course material (Recommended) : Powerpoints form lessons
Additional info

This course will include guest lectures.

Learning Outcomes

General Learning Outcomes

The course contributes to the following program outcomes: 

  • The Student has in-depth knowledge and understanding of: 
    • Integrated structural design methods in the framework of a global design strategy
    • The advanced methods and theories to schematize and model complex problems or processes
  • The Student can:
    • Reformulate complex engineering problems in order to solve them (simplifying assumptions, reducing complexity)
    • Conceive, plan and execute a research project, based on an analysis of its objectives, existing knowledge and the relevant literature, with attention to innovation and valorization in industry and society
    • Correctly report on research or design results in the form of a technical report or in the form of a scientific paper
    • Present and defend results in a scientifically sound way, using contemporary communication tools, for a national as well as for an international professional or lay audience
    • Collaborate in a (multidisciplinary) team
    • Work in an industrial environment with attention to safety, quality assurance, communication and reporting
    • Develop, plan, execute and manage engineering projects at the level of a starting professional
    • Think critically about and evaluate projects, systems and processes, particularly when based on incomplete, contradictory and/or redundant information
  • The student has:
    • A creative, problem-solving, result-driven and evidence-based attitude, aiming at innovation and applicability in industry and society
    • Consciousness of the ethical, social, environmental and economic context of his/her work and strives for sustainable solutions to engineering problems including safety and quality assurance aspects
    • The flexibility and adaptability to work in an international and/or intercultural context
    • An attitude of life-long learning as needed for the future development of his/her career

Specific Learning Outcomes

The student understands the position of digitalization in the design and construction process, in particular through BIM (Building Information Modelling) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools and methods.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • project with a relative weight of 100 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The final grade is made of an invidivual project (50% of the grade) and a group project (50% of the grade).

Limited use of generative AI is allowed for this evaluation.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Civil Engineering: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Civil Engineering: Standaard traject (BRUFACE)