Research Projects
Start Date: Not Started Duration: 4 years Status: Pending
This research aims to develop a fully automated, BIM-integrated, multi-robotic platform for sustainable steel construction manufacturing. The proposed system will integrate industrial robot arms, smart welding, real-time quality inspection, automated cutting and bending processes, and material optimization. Expected outcomes include comprehensive simulation tools and a cyber-physical platform to enhance multi-robot coordination, scalability, and knowledge transfer across the industry.
Carry Steel, Collins Steel, RoBIM, SEMA
Start Date: Not Started Duration: 4 years Status: Pending
This research aims to improve the performance of manual production in modular construction through data-driven productivity improvement, predictive assessment of ergonomic risk, and incremental adoption of automation (i.e., semi-automation).
Ahmed Hammad | Mohamed Al-Hussein
ACQBuilt
Start Date: Not Started Duration: 3 years Status: Pending
This project aims to develop an automated, unmanned system that identifies immediate and anticipated hazards and suggests appropriate controls based on real-time video footage collected from construction sites. The proposed system will significantly enhance overall site safety by complementing manual safety personnel in detecting and proactively controlling hazards.
Fulvio Re Ceccioni | Gaang Lee | Qipei Mei
Clark Builders | EWI Works | Landmark Homes | Ledcor
Start Date: Not Started Duration: 3 years Status: Pending
The proposed study will generate manufacturing protocols for masonry units using combustion ash and similar agro-forestry and industrial waste. Using 3D printing to manufacture specific geometries that impart auxetic properties (rendering common geopolymer into metamaterials), this research promises low-carbon footprint in production and energy efficiency and durability during functional life of masonry units. This project is supported by recent findings by the PI-CoP that have produced formulations using nanomaterials that are highly favourable for 3-D printability.
Vivek Bindiganavile | Yaman Boluk
Scorpio Masonry
Start Date: Not Started Duration: 3 years Status: Pending
This project is the first phase of a long-term research project that aims to develop tools for estimating and reducing of embodied carbon in civil infrastructure systems. The overarching objectives are to develop a tool that systematically quantifies the environmental impact of constructing steel buildings, and to propose guidelines for selecting structural and non-structural components to minimize embodied carbon in typical commercial and residential buildings.
Ali Imanpour | Houssein Daneshvar | Yuxiang Chen
Canadian Institute of Steel Construction | Carry Steel
Start Date: Not Started Duration: 5 years Status: Pending
This research aims to develop AI agents that operate on engineering and construction domains and partially or fully automate the planning process of industrial construction with the aim of achieving “self-healing” schedules that adapt to changing site conditions and constraints.
Start Date: Not Started Duration: 5 years Status: Pending
This research aims to automate the safety and standard documentation generation and interpretation process, pre-construction hazard assessments, and information management for material planning. Technologies employed include artificial intelligence, such as machine learning, data analytics, deep learning, generative AI, and 3D scanning. Outcomes are expected to improve work front safety, production efficiency, and material management, thereby mitigating risk and decreasing project delays, cost escalations, and management burdens.
Eleni Stroulia | Mohamed Al-Hussein | Xinming Li
ACQBuilt, Essence | Landmark Homes | PCL
Start Date: Not Started Duration: 4 years Status: Pending
This research aims to develop an integrated decision support tool with dynamic and real-time capacities tailored specifically for the construction industry. The focus will be on residential construction (wood) and steel construction processes, developing implementation-ready, automated, real-time monitoring and control tools for both on-site construction processes and off-site fabrication. This research is expected to improve productivity and safety, reduce construction time, and enable real-time communication between stakeholders.
Farook Hamzeh | Gaang Lee | Qipei Mei | Vicente Gonzalez-Moret
Carry Steel | Landmark Homes
Start Date: Not Started Duration: 3 years Status: Pending
This project aims to develop an all-encompassing open-source digital platform tailored for complex industrial construction projects. The platform will integrate core functionalities such as visualization, constructability analysis, field-run scope design, and extended reality, through open-source technologies, client-supplied BIM, graph algorithms, WebXR/AR visualization, and multi-objective optimization techniques. This research will help to streamline constructability analysis and field-run scope design, allowing for more efficient allocation of construction resources.
Brian Gue | Lingzi Wu | Vicente Gonzalez-Moret
PCL | Alberta Innovates
Start Date: February 2025 Duration: 1 years Status: Completed
This project aims to refine the research roadmap developed by the CIC in 2019 by identifying research themes on which to focus in the long-term. This may mean confirming areas of study already prioritized by the existing roadmap, or introducing new themes based on current and emerging research trends. The roadmap will form the basis for later identifying specific projects in each research theme, which may be short-, medium-, or long-term projects.
This project is 100% funded by the CIC.
Start Date: Not Started Duration: 1.5 years Status: Pending
This project aims to determine the impact of recent changes to the construction engineering and management (CEM) job market, such as technological advances (e.g. robotics, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things) and the pandemic. The outcome of this study will be implemented at the CEM group at the University of Alberta to update the curriculum and prepare the graduates for the future job market.
This project is 100% funded by the CIC.
Start Date: Not Started Duration: 4 years Status: Pending
This project aims to develop an advanced cognitive monitoring to directly address risks related to crane operators’ cognitive function during crane operations. Research activities include developing a wearable electroencephalogram (EEG)-based cognitive monitoring framework that continuously tracks the operators’ cognitive failure risk during ongoing equipment operations, and an equipment operation training system that personalizes training sessions according to trainees’ cognitive responses.
Start Date: Not Started Duration: 3 years Status: Pending
This research develops a framework for legal professionals in the construction industry to create contracts optimized for collaborative project delivery. Focusing on contract language, decision-making and interaction, team selection, and addressing deficiencies in contracts identified by collaborative contract practitioners in Canada, this project is expected to provide the framework for professionals to develop an actual contract document.
Farook Hamzeh | Lianne Lefsrud
Integrated Project Delivery Alliance, SMA Consulting
Start Date: Not Started Duration: 5 years Status: Pending
This project is a preliminary step in developing cost-effective and performance-targeted hybrid structural solutions for lateral load resisting systems (LLRSs) of multistory buildings to resist extreme loads. Focusing on masonry-based hybrid frame-wall dual (HFWD) system and hybrid frame-wall bracing (HFWB) system, the proposed project aims to improve our knowledge and understanding of these systems’ structural behavior, and developing pertinent analysis models, performance evaluation tools, and rational design methods or guidelines, in both contexts of conventional prescriptive design and modern performance-based design.
Ali Imanpour | Carlos Cruz-Noguez | Ying Hei Chui | Yong Li
Canada Masonry Design Centre, Masonry Contractors Association of Alberta
Start Date: Not Started Duration: 4 years Status: Pending
The proposed 5-year research program aims to establish a basis of personnel, knowledge, supply chain, and capital such that by the conclusion of the program, Canada is in a position to develop self-sustaining commercial operations of additive manufacturing in large-scale metallic components. The technology explored is wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), a latest generation approach to manufacturing combining robotics, welding, and advanced software. The ultimate goal of this project is to master the WAAM technology and develop a basis of HQP and capital that will enable self-sustaining commercial operations of this technology in Canada.
Eleni Stroulia | Lexuan Zhong | Mustafa Gül | Omid Ardakanian | Russell Richman | Yuxiang Chen
Doug Terry Homes, Landmark Homes
Start Date: Not Started Duration: 5 years Status: Pending
The proposed 5-year research program aims to establish a basis of personnel, knowledge, supply chain, and capital such that by the conclusion of the program, Canada is in a position to develop self-sustaining commercial operations of additive manufacturing in large-scale metallic components. The technology explored is wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), a latest generation approach to manufacturing combining robotics, welding, and advanced software. The ultimate goal of this project is to master the WAAM technology and develop a basis of HQP and capital that will enable self-sustaining commercial operations of this technology in Canada.
Carry Steel, Lincoln Electric Canada, PCL
Start Date: January, 2024 Duration: 3 years Status: In Progress
This research applies the latest AI and robotics technology to the design and manufacturing of prefabricated buildings, focusing on light wood-frame and mass timber construction. Objectives include developing AI algorithms for automated design and optimization, integrating these design tools with BIM to facilitated intelligent manufacturing, and designing and optimizing generative robotic manufacturing systems for sustainable production.
Farook Hamzeh | Mohamed Al-Hussein | Rafiq Ahmad
Landmark Homes | Postmark Group | Promise Robotics | Western Archrib
Start Date: May, 2023 Duration: 5 years Status: In Progress
This research applies the latest AI and robotics technology to the design and manufacturing of prefabricated buildings, focusing on light wood-frame and mass timber construction. Objectives include developing AI algorithms for automated design and optimization, integrating these design tools with BIM to facilitated intelligent manufacturing, and designing and optimizing generative robotic manufacturing systems for sustainable production.
Farook Hamzeh | Mohamed Al-Hussein | Mustafa Gül | Qipei Mei | Rafiq Ahmad | Ying Hei Chui | Yuxiang Chen
DIALOG | Landmark Homes | RJC | Western Archrib
Start Date: November, 2023 Duration: 5 years Status: In Progress
This research aims to enable the seamless integration of original project plans with as-built project information, focusing on productivity monitoring and control, risk assessment and forecasting, and sustainability and waste reduction. Deliverables include six combinable decision-support frameworks and tools for an integrated multi-dimensional approach for enhanced construction planning and control.
Aminah Robinson Fayek | Farook Hamzeh | Ming Lu | Yasser Mohamed
Capital Power | Carry Steel | Graham Industrial Services LP | Landmark Homes | Ledcor Constructors Inc. | PCL Constructors Inc.
Start Date: September, 2022 Duration: 5 years Status: In Progress
This project aims to develop data-driven methods for decision-making support in the steel construction industry. Researchers create simulation models and develop decision-making methods for the design, fabrication, erection, repair, demolition, and deconstruction of structural steel. This research is expected to enhance safety, quality, cost-efficiency, sustainability, and productivity in steel construction.
Ali Imanpour | Ming Lu | Robert Driver | Yong Li
Building Point | CISC | Collins Steel | CW Carry | CWBWF | DIALOG | IDEA StatiCa | Niik Group | Supreme Steel | STEADFAST Engineering | S-Frame, TSE Steel | WF Steel & Crane
Start Date: January, 2023 Duration: 5 years Status: In Progress
This project has several objectives aimed at improving construction manufacturing and sustainable building. This research is expected to improve productivity in both off-site construction and on-site installation, develop new tools for digitalization, modeling, and planning and management of construction manufacturing, and automate assessments of GHG and building system energy demand.
Ali IAhmed Bouferguene | Farook Hamzeh | Mohamed Al-Hussein | Mustafa Gül | Rafiq Ahmad | Xinming Li
Alberta Innovates | All Weather Windows, | Kent Homes | Landmark Homes | NCSG Engineering Ltd. | NRB | Qualico | Uniao Commercial Barao Ltda.
Start Date: August, 2022 Duration: 5 years Status: In Progress
This research aims to develop a smart object model that will act as a “data switchboard,” retrieving data from an organization’s multiple storage sites and distributing this information to various decision-support tools, as required. Expected outcomes include a decision-support tool-kit that will provide meaningful project information while maintaining the integrity and utility of underlying systems (existing ERP systems, BIM-driven tools, in-house database solutions, etc.).
Eleni Stroulia | Simaan AbouRizk | Vicente Gonzalez-Moret | Yasser Mohamed
Capital Power | Carry Steel | Construction Owners Association of Alberta | Graham Industrial Services LP | Ledcor | PCL Constructors Inc.
Start Date: March, 2022 Duration: 3 years Status: Complete
This project evaluates the impact of exoskeletons on performance and safety during construction tasks. The work is expected determine the suitability of specific exoskeleton models from a kinematic, biomechanical, and usability perspective, and to guide future research on design and development of exoskeletons specifically designed for construction tasks.
Ali Golabchi | Hossein Rouhani | Mahdi Tavakoli
Carry Steel | EPCOR | EWI Works | LEDCOR
Start Date: March, 2022 Duration: 3 years Status: Complete
This project aims to develop a technology to minimize the spread of biological hazards and eliminate the risk of infection to pathogenic micro-organisms in ventilated buildings. The goal of this project is to develop an effective and inexpensive air purification technology for broad applications in different settings.
Alireza Nouri | Mahdi Shahbakhti
Engineered Air
Start Date: February, 2022 Duration: 5 years Status: In Progress
This project aims to create innovative building blocks that are combined with multiple building functions (structural and thermal) and are suitable for modular and autonomous construction. These innovative blocks can form walls in any shape (curved, inclined, and tall) with desired openings to accommodate other building components (wood and steel structures, ventilation and electrical systems) and can be assembled quickly by autonomous machines on or off sites.
Carlos Cruz-Noguez | Douglas Tomlinson | Farook Hamzeh | Rafiq Ahmad | Yong Li | Yuxiang Chen
Canada Masonry Design Centre | Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers Association | Masonry Contractors Association of Alberta | Omron Industrial Innovation
Start Date: December, 2021 Duration: 4 years Status: In Progress
This project aims to develop physics-based and artificial-intelligence-based models to estimate the overall thermal resistance of different masonry wall systems. Expected deliverables include innovative tools and intuitive guidelines that are universal, easy to use, and cost-free for the building industry.
Carlos Cruz-Noguez | Yuxiang Chen
Alberta Masonry Council | Masonry Contractors Association of Alberta
Start Date: January, 2021 Duration: 3 years Status: Complete
This project aims to develop an integrated, data-driven framework for safety planning and management. The project is expected to improve the decision-making associated with safety management systems and to proactively mitigate safety incidents in different phases of a project’s life cycle.
Aminah Robinson Fayek | Lianne Lefsrud | Lisa White | Yasser Mohamed
Carry Steel | CIMS Limited Partnership | Construction Owners Association of Alberta (COAA) | Enablon Ledcor Constructors Inc. | Middlemiss Safety Management | PCL Industrial Management Inc. | Scorpio Masonry Inc. | Workers Compensation Board – Alberta
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