The Built Environment Case Competition was first idealised by a group of National University of Singapore (NUS) Civil Engineering students. With the help of NUS and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), they managed to gain success in the inaugural BECC. The aim of BECC is to allow student participants to explore beyond the textbooks and delve into possible challenges faced in the Built Environment (BE) sector. Students will learn to appreciate the multi-disciplinary working environment by developing a realistic and complex solution that tackles a problem faced by Singapore’s Built Environment. This year, the case was revolved around technology, sustainability, productivity, and construction manpower. Students were expected to relate and evaluate the current COVID-19 situation, proposing solutions that can benefit the Singaporean BE sector.
Out of 46 teams that registered and submitted their papers, 10 teams emerged as finalists and were given the opportunity to present their solutions to industry experts on the competition day. In this webpage, you will find the video presentations of BECC’s Top 10 Finalists. If you are a party/organisation interested in any of the solutions, contact us at BECC@ceclub.sg.
AkuDoubleBuff
AkuDoubleBuff has a 2 stage-approach with the ultimate aim of reducing Singapore’s reliance on migrant workers.
The first stage addresses COVID-19. To ensure worksite safety among migrant workers as construction work gradually resumes, we would utilise computer vision and image recognition to aid surveillance of things such as mask wearing and social-distancing at worksites.
The second stage addresses safety and productivity aspects of worksites in the long-run. Machine learning is utilised to prevent accidents before they even occur by improving safety management. Beyond safety, it can also be applied to improve productivity in terms of better manpower and resource allocation.
Click here to view AkuDoubleBuff's video
BeKatCherLine
BeKatCherLine’s proposal aims to provide additional seating capacity for food businesses in shopping malls, while also ensuring the safety of patrons from the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
The recommendation contains two parts: (i) a centralised dining space in mall atriums and (ii) a mobile application to coordinate the activities of food businesses that use the space.
The architecture of the centralised dining space centres reduces the risk of Covid-19 transmission by adopting strategies like compartmentalization and dedicated walking routes. The mobile application, used by businesses, reflects real-time availability of dining spaces and has processes to allow them to book a table.
Click here to view BeKatCherLine’s video
BEpossible
Introduction
BEpossible comprises three NUS students passionate to make a buzzing change to the Built Environment Industry. Coming from the diverse backgrounds of Real Estate and Information Systems, we aim to raise productivity in the construction industry with our solution BEEs (Built Environment Efficiency System).
Our Solution
BEEs is a mobile and web application that addresses construction productivity through a proprietary algorithm that broadens the marketplace network and reach of main-contractors and subcontractors, while easing contract management processes through blockchain. It aims to A.I.D the industry: Allocate Manpower efficiently, Increase transparency between Main-Con Sub-Con, Decrease unproductive construction practices.
Click here to view BEpossible's video
chtÃzo
DOMI is a platform that aids construction project managers in managing, track and disseminating their human and budget resources.
Main Features:
- Automatic update of the critical path
- Due to the dynamic nature of construction projects, it can be difficult to stay or even update the critical path.
- DOMI helps Project Managers ensure efficiency by automatically updating the critical path
based on the parameters of an added task.
- Adding and automatically assigning tasks to the most suitable personnel
- By syncing a database of personnel information to DOMI g. employee availability, skillsets, location; Project Managers can automatically assign tasks to the most suitable personnel.
- Automatic reports and amendments via WhatsApp
- As communication and collaboration can be difficult on-site. DOMI can be integrated with WhatsApp to provide automatic reports to all relevant stakeholders when needed.
- The stakeholders can also respond via fixed response inputs on WhatsApp.
What will DOMI achieve for Singapore?
- Make the lives of our Project Managers easier
- Increase productivity so that the employment of migrant workers is kept to an optimal rate
- Improve overall productivity and profitability in the Build Environment
Click here to view chtÃzo's video
Chong Chow Siew Pte Ltd
Chong Chow Siew Pte Ltd strives to develop a time and resource management tool to help main contractors solve dynamic scheduling issues. This will be done via a cloud-based interface coupled with a communication platform to provide a consolidated and automated calendar for better management of changes in schedule. Following their MVP, they envision the use of data analytics to generate suggested schedules based on similar past projects.
Click here to view Chong Chow Siew Pte Ltd's video
Concrete.ai
ConcreteAI proposes to replace the cube testing procedure with an AI powered sensor embedded within the concrete structure which measures and analyzes the early age development of in-situ concrete strength. The sensors are programmed to collect data points, such as the temperature and moisture of the concrete, over a service life of 30-40 days to provide concrete strength using the maturity method. The AI capabilities will be used to reduce calibration time to fit to vast types of concrete. With the sensors and its technology, we hope to shorten the construction cycle, reduce the amount of concrete used purely for testing, and increase overall productivity in the construction sector.
Click here to view Concrete.ai's video
JSH2
JSH2 champions the use of exoskeletons to tackle the issue of low productivity and high reliance of manpower in the construction sector. Exoskeletons enhances productivity (~10%) of each labourer by significantly reducing muscle fatigue and increasing labourer’s morale. Exoskeletons provide an additional benefit of reducing long-term injuries such as Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders. These can be translated to cost and time savings for A&A/MEP contractors in Singapore who are the main beneficiaries of exoskeletons due to their reliance on manpower. As a novel and affordable piece of technology, exoskeletons will bring a competitive edge to companies that choose to adopt it.
Click here to view JSH2's video
Sheng Ling Engineering Consultancy
Tackling the most sensitive yet untalked-about issue of town, Sheng Ling Engineering Consultancy decided to achieve high levels of hygiene standards in foreign worker dormitories. Stated in the UN SDG Goal 6, which aims for Clean Water and Sanitation for ALL, Sheng Ling Engineering Consultancy has designed a robot to disinfect foreign workers dormitories and commercial real estates, for consistent hygiene upkeeping. It is embedded with AI-powered computer vision to recognise all surfaces of the objects in its path. All high contact points can be identified to be sanitised, leaving no surfaces to be missed by human error, ensuring sanitation for everyone.
Click here to view Sheng Ling Engineering Consultancy's video
Team Green Recovery
Better Together aims to increase productivity levels of workers in the construction industry by scheduling daily tasks, providing them with daily and weekly forecasts. Powered by AI and machine learning, this scheduling application breaks down the master work schedule and optimises simpler work tasks. By matching tasks to more skilful workers, value-added work can be achieved.
Furthermore, real-time updates of the construction site can be tracked, and workers’ schedules will be optimised accordingly. Our app also supports workers’ native languages and eliminates confusing workflows through a text light user interface which harnesses icons for quick visual communication.
Click here to view Team Green Recovery's video
Why so CEErious
The Built Environment sector have long remained stagnant and requires an innovative solution to increase its productivity. Our proposed solution is to industrialize 3D construction printing. 3D Construction Printing is a process where elements are made by extruding specialised concrete via a robotic arm. To work towards our vision, we took a small step by first introducing 3D printed formwork. These formworks are more efficient, sustainable, economical and flexible in design. Due to high initial investment cost, firms can be set up through public funding. Eventually, 3D construction printing will advance the industry towards a manufacturing-like system of mass production.
Click here to view CEErious's video
Top 3 Teams
1st Place – Team BEpossible
2nd Place – Team Why So CEErious
3rd Place – Team Concrete.AI
The inaugural BECC was organised by the National University of Singapore (NUS) Civil Engineering Department and Student Club and proudly sponsored by the Building and Construction Authority. For subsequent BECCs, the committee is interested in working with more organisations to come up with exciting new problem statements. For more exciting collaborations, you may contact committee at BECC@ceclub.sg. Till then, stay tuned for the next episode of the Built Environment Case Competition, scheduled to be hosted in 2021!
