Welcome to the November 2023 issue of Civil Engineering. What interested me most, and what ties the papers in this issue together, is in how looking beyond the traditional benefits of innovation, cost and time, civil engineers have achieved better outcomes for safety, people and the planet.
The outcomes are examined through the lenses of efficient low-emissions transportation, leveraging data to better use existing assets, application of the NEC4 contract and how behavioural management can lead to positive lasting project legacy. The authors showcase solutions to a range of complex industry challenges, showing what can be done when disrupting the norm.
Cheng et al. (2023) discuss the construction of China’s 277 km Fuzhou–Xiamen high-speed railway with a specific focus on the 84 bridges that made up 65% of the line. Completed in September 2023, it is the world’s fastest cross-sea railway, designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h. To solve numerous complexities, innovative solutions were employed, such as a 1000 t bridge girder transport enabling the placement of 40 m box girders, aerodynamically designed steel–concrete composite girders, the use of nickel-containing weathering steel to resist corrosion and anodic ladder corrosion-monitoring sensors to assess structural health. The project serves as a trailblazer for high-speed railway construction worldwide.
Most civil engineers will have come across a project where there is limited digital asset information, often requiring time-consuming creation of a three dimensional (3D) ‘digital twin’. Dursun and Varlık (2023) discuss and compare the computer-aided design (CAD) to building information model (BIM) method with the scan-to-BIM method for digitising assets when 3D records do not exist. They highlight the advantages and limitations of each approach for model generation. CAD-to-BIM involves converting two-dimensional (2D) CAD drawings into 3D models but faces challenges when dealing with 2D data lacking 3D information. On the other hand, scan-to-BIM relies on technologies like laser scanning and drone-based photogrammetry to capture the as-built state of buildings, providing accurate 3D data. However, it involves time-consuming scanning and manual modelling. The authors conclude that a combination of both methods, with automation, may be the most effective approach to minimise time, cost and user errors in building digitisation.
Where the previous paper recommended automation to aid model generation, the third describes how the Welsh government procured a state-of-the-art, highly automated recycling plant within an existing structure (Williams et al., 2023). To procure this non-traditional project effectively, they chose the NEC4 form of contract. This decision promoted collaboration and transparency throughout the design and construction. The two-stage procurement approach was crucial for success, involving early discussions and performance criteria agreement. The result was a facility completed on time and budget, significantly reducing manual labour needs and increasing rates of recycling.
In the final paper, Coleman and Thomas (2023) discuss the impact of built-environment design on workplace safety, workforce mental health and the environment, emphasising the designer’s crucial role in shaping the entire life cycle of assets. They highlight the challenges posed by inconsistent global legislation and guidelines related to safety during the design process. They introduce the ‘five in design’ sustainable design management process, emphasising five key behaviours: curiosity, selecting the best options, risk assessment, knowledge sharing, and communication. This process fosters sustainable design excellence, benefitting both people and the environment. It has been applied to great effect on part of the UK’s High Speed Two rail project, collaboratively delivering an optimised, efficient design.
I hope you enjoy the variety of papers in this issue.
