TY - THES A1 - Berhe, Asgedom Haile T1 - Mitigating Risks of Corruption in Construction: A theoretical rationale for BIM adoption in Ethiopia N2 - This PhD thesis sets out to investigate the potentials of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to mitigate risks of corruption in the Ethiopian public construction sector. The wide-ranging capabilities and promises of BIM have led to the strong perception among researchers and practitioners that it is an indispensable technology. Consequently, it has become the frequent subject of science and research. Meanwhile, many countries, especially the developed ones, have committed themselves to applying the technology extensively. Increasing productivity is the most common and frequently cited reason for that. However, both technology developers and adopters are oblivious to the potentials of BIM in addressing critical challenges in the construction sector, such as corruption. This particularly would be significant in developing countries like Ethiopia, where its problems and effects are acute. Studies reveal that bribery and corruption have long pervaded the construction industry worldwide. The complex and fragmented nature of the sector provides an environment for corruption. The Ethiopian construction sector is not immune from this epidemic reality. In fact, it is regarded as one of the most vulnerable sectors owing to varying socio-economic and political factors. Since 2015, Ethiopia has started adopting BIM, yet without clear goals and strategies. As a result, the potential of BIM for combating concrete problems of the sector remains untapped. To this end, this dissertation does pioneering work by showing how collaboration and coordination features of the technology contribute to minimizing the opportunities for corruption. Tracing loopholes, otherwise, would remain complex and ineffective in the traditional documentation processes. Proceeding from this anticipation, this thesis brings up two primary questions: what are areas and risks of corruption in case of the Ethiopian public construction projects; and how could BIM be leveraged to mitigate these risks? To tackle these and other secondary questions, the research employs a mixed-method approach. The selected main research strategies are Survey, Grounded Theory (GT) and Archival Study. First, the author disseminates an online questionnaire among Ethiopian construction engineering professionals to pinpoint areas of vulnerability to corruption. 155 responses are compiled and scrutinized quantitatively. Then, a semi-structured in-depth interview is conducted with 20 senior professionals, primarily to comprehend opportunities for and risks of corruption in those identified highly vulnerable project stages and decision points. At the same time, open interviews (consultations) are held with 14 informants to be aware of state of the construction documentation, BIM and loopholes for corruption in the country. Consequently, these qualitative data are analyzed utilizing the principles of GT, heat/risk mapping and Social Network Analysis (SNA). The risk mapping assists the researcher in the course of prioritizing corruption risks; whilst through SNA, methodically, it is feasible to identify key actors/stakeholders in the corruption venture. Based on the generated research data, the author constructs a [substantive] grounded theory around the elements of corruption in the Ethiopian public construction sector. This theory, later, guides the subsequent strategic proposition of BIM. Finally, 85 public construction related cases are also analyzed systematically to substantiate and confirm previous findings. By ways of these multiple research endeavors that is based, first and foremost, on the triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data analysis, the author conveys a number of key findings. First, estimations, tender document preparation and evaluation, construction material as well as quality control and additional work orders are found to be the most vulnerable stages in the design, tendering and construction phases respectively. Second, middle management personnel of contractors and clients, aided by brokers, play most critical roles in corrupt transactions within the prevalent corruption network. Third, grand corruption persists in the sector, attributed to the fact that top management and higher officials entertain their overriding power, supported by the lack of project audits and accountability. Contrarily, individuals at operation level utilize intentional and unintentional 'errors’ as an opportunity for corruption. In light of these findings, two conceptual BIM-based risk mitigation strategies are prescribed: active and passive automation of project audits; and the monitoring of project information throughout projects’ value chain. These propositions are made in reliance on BIM’s present dimensional capabilities and the promises of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). Moreover, BIM’s synchronous potentials with other technologies such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and Radio Frequency technologies are topics which received a treatment. All these arguments form the basis for the main thesis of this dissertation, that BIM is able to mitigate corruption risks in the Ethiopian public construction sector. The discourse on the skepticisms about BIM that would stem from the complex nature of corruption and strategic as well as technological limitations of BIM is also illuminated and complemented by this work. Thus, the thesis uncovers possible research gaps and lays the foundation for further studies. KW - Building Information Modeling KW - Korruption KW - Risikomanagement KW - Äthiopien KW - Corruption KW - BIM KW - Risk management KW - Construction KW - Ethiopia Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20211007-45175 ER - TY - THES A1 - Vogler, Verena T1 - A framework for artificial coral reef design: Integrating computational modelling and high precision monitoring strategies for artificial coral reefs – an Ecosystem-aware design approach in times of climate change N2 - Tropical coral reefs, one of the world’s oldest ecosystems which support some of the highest levels of biodiversity on the planet, are currently facing an unprecedented ecological crisis during this massive human-activity-induced period of extinction. Hence, tropical reefs symbolically stand for the destructive effects of human activities on nature [4], [5]. Artificial reefs are excellent examples of how architectural design can be combined with ecosystem regeneration [6], [7], [8]. However, to work at the interface between the artificial and the complex and temporal nature of natural systems presents a challenge, i.a. in respect to the B-rep modelling legacy of computational modelling. The presented doctorate investigates strategies on how to apply digital practice to realise what is an essential bulwark to retain reefs in impossibly challenging times. Beyond the main question of integrating computational modelling and high precision monitoring strategies in artificial coral reef design, this doctorate explores techniques, methods, and linking frameworks to support future research and practice in ecology led design contexts. Considering the many existing approaches for artificial coral reefs design, one finds they often fall short in precisely understanding the relationships between architectural and ecological aspects (e.g. how a surface design and material composition can foster coral larvae settlement, or structural three-dimensionality enhance biodiversity) and lack an integrated underwater (UW) monitoring process. Such a process is necessary in order to gather knowledge about the ecosystem and make it available for design, and to learn whether artificial structures contribute to reef regeneration or rather harm the coral reef ecosystem. For the research, empirical experimental methods were applied: Algorithmic coral reef design, high precision UW monitoring, computational modelling and simulation, and validated through parallel real-world physical experimentation – two Artificial Reef Prototypes (ARPs) in Gili Trawangan, Indonesia (2012–today). Multiple discrete methods and sub techniques were developed in seventeen computational experiments and applied in a way in which many are cross valid and integrated in an overall framework that is offered as a significant contribution to the field. Other main contributions include the Ecosystem-aware design approach, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for coral reef design, algorithmic design and fabrication of Biorock cathodes, new high precision UW monitoring strategies, long-term real-world constructed experiments, new digital analysis methods and two new front-end web-based tools for reef design and monitoring reefs. The methodological framework is a finding of the research that has many technical components that were tested and combined in this way for the very first time. In summary, the thesis responds to the urgency and relevance in preserving marine species in tropical reefs during this massive extinction period by offering a differentiated approach towards artificial coral reefs – demonstrating the feasibility of digitally designing such ‘living architecture’ according to multiple context and performance parameters. It also provides an in-depth critical discussion of computational design and architecture in the context of ecosystem regeneration and Planetary Thinking. In that respect, the thesis functions as both theoretical and practical background for computational design, ecology and marine conservation – not only to foster the design of artificial coral reefs technically but also to provide essential criteria and techniques for conceiving them. Keywords: Artificial coral reefs, computational modelling, high precision underwater monitoring, ecology in design. N2 - Charakteristisch für das Zeitalter des Klimawandels sind die durch den Menschen verursachte Meeresverschmutzung sowie ein massiver Rückgang der Artenvielfalt in den Weltmeeren. Tropische Korallenriffe sind als eines der ältesten und artenreichsten Ökosysteme der Erde besonders stark gefährdet und stehen somit symbolisch für die zerstörerischen Auswirkungen menschlicher Aktivitäten auf die Natur [4], [5]. Um dem massiven Rückgang der Korallenriffe entgegenzuwirken, wurden von Menschen künstliche Riffsysteme entwickelt [6], [7]. Sie sind Beispiele dafür, wie Architektur und die Regenerierung von Ökosystemen miteinander verbunden werden können [8]. Eine Verknüpfung von einerseits künstlichen und andererseits komplexen, sich verändernden natürlichen Systemen, stellt jedoch eine Herausforderung dar, u.a. in Bezug auf die Computermodellierung (B-Rep Modellierung). Zum Erhalt der Korallenriffe werden in der vorliegende Doktorarbeit Strategien aus der digitalen Praxis neuartig auf das Entwerfen von künstlichen Korallenriffen angewendet. Die Hauptfrage befasst sich damit, wie der Entwurfsprozess von künstlichen Korallenriffen unter Einbeziehung von Computermodellierung und hochpräzisen Überwachungsstrategien optimiert werden kann. In diesem Zusammenhang werden Techniken, Methoden sowie ein übergeordnetes Framework erforscht, welche zukünftige Forschung und Praxis in Bezug auf Ökologie-geleitete Entwurfsprozesse fördern soll. In Anbetracht der vielen vorhandenen künstlichen Riffsysteme, kann man feststellen, dass die Zusammenhänge zwischen Architektur- und Ökosystem-Anforderungen nicht genau untersucht und dadurch bei der Umsetzung nicht entsprechend berücksichtigt werden. Zum Beispiel wie Oberflächenbeschaffenheit und Materialität eine Ansiedlung von Korallenlarven begünstigt oder wie eine räumlich vielseitige Struktur die Artenvielfalt verbessern kann. Zudem fehlt ein integrierter Unterwasser-Überwachungsprozess, welcher Informationen über das Ökosystem liefert und diese dem Entwurf bereitstellt. Zusätzlich ist eine Unterwasser-Überwachung notwendig, um herauszufinden, ob die künstlichen Riffstrukturen zur Regenerierung beitragen oder dem Ökosystem gänzlich schaden. In dieser Forschungsarbeit werden empirische und experimentelle Methoden angewendet: Algorithmisches Entwerfen für Korallenriffe, hochpräzise Unterwasser-Überwachung, Computermodellierung und -simulation. Die Forschung wird seit 2012 bis heute durch zwei Riffprototypen (Artificial Reef Prototypes – ARPs) in Gili Trawangan, Indonesien validiert. Zusätzlich wurden weitere separate Methoden und Techniken in insgesamt siebzehn computergestützten Experimenten entwickelt und so angewendet, dass viele kreuzvalidiert und in ein Framework integriert sind, welches dann als bedeutender Beitrag dem Forschungsgebiet zur Verfügung steht. Weitere Hauptbeiträge sind der Ökosystem-bewusste Entwurfsansatz (Ecosystem-aware design approach), Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) für das Gestalten von Korallenriffen, algorithmisches Entwerfen und die Herstellung von Biorock-Kathoden, neue hochpräzise Unterwasser-Überwachungsstrategien, reale Langzeitexperimente, neue digitale Analysemethoden, sowie zwei webbasierte Softwareanwendungen für die Gestaltung und die Überwachung von künstlichen Korallenriffen. Das methodische Framework ist das Hauptergebnis der Forschung, da die vielen technischen Komponenten in dieser Weise zum ersten Mal getestet und kombiniert wurden. Zusammenfassend reagiert die vorliegende Doktorarbeit sowohl auf die Dringlichkeit als auch auf die Relevanz der Erhaltung von Artenvielfalt in tropischen Korallenriffen in Zeiten eines massiven Aussterbens, indem sie einen differenzierten Entwurfsansatz für künstliche Korallenriffe offeriert. Die Arbeit zeigt auf, dass ein digitales Entwerfen einer solchen „lebendigen Architektur“ unter Berücksichtigung vielfältiger Anforderungen und Leistungsparametern machbar ist. Zusätzlich bietet sie eine ausführliche kritische Diskussion über die Rolle von computergestützten Entwerfen und Architektur im Zusammenhang mit Regenerierung von Ökosystemen und “Planetary Thinking”. In dieser Hinsicht fungiert die Doktorarbeit als theoretischer und praktischer Hintergrund für computergestütztes Entwerfen, Ökologie und Meeresschutz. Eine Verbesserung des Entwerfens von künstlichen Korallenriffen wird nicht nur auf technischer Ebene aufgezeigt, sondern es werden auch die wesentlichen Kriterien und Techniken für deren Umsetzung benannt. Schlüsselwörter: Künstliche Korallenriffe, Computermodellierung, hochpräzise Unterwasser-Überwachung, Ökologie im Architekturentwurf. KW - Korallenriff KW - Algorithmus KW - Architektur KW - Meeresökologie KW - Software KW - Artificial coral reefs KW - Computational modelling KW - High precision underwater monitoring KW - Ecology in design KW - Künstliche Korallenriffe KW - Unterwasserarchitektur Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20220322-46115 UR - https://artificialreefdesign.com/ SN - 978-3-00-074495-2 N1 - Die URL führt zu 3D Modelle von echten Korallenriffen. ER -