Course content

The course focuses on how students with a construction background can contribute to the development of digitalization of engineering processes for the civil engineering industry and combine technological tools, such as BIM, automation, and data analysis, with methods for optimizing/automating processes and improving interdisciplinary collaboration. The goal is to prepare engineers to develop and implement digital processes/solutions that can be linked to practical applications in work processes that meet future demands for sustainability, efficiency, safety, and innovation. The following elements are included:

• The importance of the various engineering roles and their interaction in achieving successful digitalization.
• What digitalization entails with a focus on concepts such as Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things (IoT), automation, smart systems, and digital twin technology as a digital representation of physical systems.
• Status and challenges for the development of automated processes in the construction industry, including the use of robots, machine learning, and computer-controlled systems.
• BIM as a tool for digitalization related to the engineering role in construction processes, including modeling, planning, and interaction throughout the life cycle. Streamlining project management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and building operations using BIM.
• Knowledge of national and international standards for digitalization in engineering, such as ISO 19650 for information management in BIM processes and other relevant standards for automation and digital data and information management.
• Development of concept systems (ontologies), linked data, types of logic and decision support.
• Description of business models for developing digital processes and solutions with the support of modeling tools.
• Simulation or modeling of data and information processes or methodologies for developing and enforcing performance requirements.
• How sensors and IoT technologies can be integrated into processes to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Analysis of how different types of digital technologies can be used to optimize engineering processes, reduce costs, improve quality, and shorten development and implementation times.
• Lean digitalization and Agile methods for implementing technology and process improvements in businesses.
• Data analytics and machine learning to extract insights from large amounts of engineering data. This can include predictive maintenance, performance improvements, and failure analysis.
• Security in digital systems, especially within critical engineering processes. How to ensure that engineering data is not compromised or misinterpreted through hacking or misuse. Introduction to cryptography, authentication, and security measures to protect data and digital twins.
• Use of digital platforms and tools that facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration between engineers, architects, and other professional groups. How digitalization is changing the way engineering teams work together, with a focus on communication tools, sharing of digital models, and common data environments (CDE).
• How digital tools can be integrated into project management and how to develop strategies for implementing BIM-based digitalization in engineering companies.

Learning outcome

The learning outcome will prepare students to implement and manage digitization processes in various types of engineering projects and management, from construction and infrastructure to industrial production, with a focus on utilizing technology to improve efficiency, safety, and collaboration.

After the course, the student should have:

• Knowledge of what digitization entails in engineering contexts, including Industry 4.0, Internet of Things (IoT), smart systems, and digital twin technology. They will be able to explain how these technologies influence and transform traditional engineering processes.
• Understanding the principles behind BIM and how modeling tools can be used to model or simulate engineering processes digitally.
• A deeper understanding of BIM as a digital tool for planning, design, project management, and interdisciplinary collaboration within construction projects, as well as how BIM can make projects more efficient throughout the entire life cycle.
• Understanding automated processes and robots in manufacturing and construction and how sensors, machine learning, and IoT technologies are used to improve productivity.
• Knowledge of how digital technology can be used to optimize engineering processes using Lean and Agile methods and how technological innovations can reduce costs and improve the quality of projects.
• Understanding how data analysis and machine learning can be used to analyze engineering data to improve performance, carry out predictive maintenance, and uncover fault analysis in processes.
• Knowledge of the importance of security in digital systems, including data integrity, cryptography, and how engineering data is secured against compromise.
• Insight into how digital tools can be integrated into project management and the development of strategies for digitization in engineering companies, with a focus on ERP systems.
• Knowledge of standards such as ISO 19650, which are used for information management in BIM processes, and other standards for automation and digital data handling.
• Understanding of the CDE concept and executing CDE-based workflows to model and optimize engineering processes.
• Skills to carry out interdisciplinary collaboration using digital platforms, including sharing information through a common computing environment (CDE) and collaboration in complex projects.
• Be able to have expertise in methodology to digitally simulate structural analysis and performance-based production and information processes, as well as detect potential errors, and optimize designs before physical testing.
• Understand the prerequisites for implementing automated manufacturing processes and using machine learning to analyze large amounts of data to improve productivity and performance.
• Understand how data and protect engineering projects can be secured against threats through the implementation of cybersecurity measures, including authentication and data encryption.
• Competence to lead the digital transformation:
• • Ability to identify and model digitalization processes or initiatives in engineering-related projects to meet requirements for innovation and efficiency.
  • The ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams using digital tools that support collaboration between engineers, architects, and other specialists.
  • Ability to develop digitization strategies to optimize processes, ensure data integrity, and meet standards such as ISO 19650.
  • Ability to understand take care of the ethical implications of digitization and how engineering processes can contribute to more sustainable solutions through digital tools.
  • Ability to take care of data and information security aspects

Learning methods and activities

The course is conducted as a project and problem-based learning. This includes lectures, exercises, self-study (literature and professional videos), real/industry-related project assignments (cases) both individually and in groups, discussions, report writing, supervision, and presentation in plenary. Great emphasis is placed on discussions and collaboration between the participants and initiatives towards the industry.

Software and computer equipment: The hardware and software for project management are available at all times in the digital BIM lab at the study site. Software for carrying out the project assignment is chosen in relation to the current problem by the students in consultation with the course coordinator.

Compulsory assignments

• Presentation of group work

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic knowledge of digitization and familiarity with the construction industry.

Course materials

Course materials (books, articles and other information) are finally provided in connection with commencement. The following are included:

• ISO 19650 Standard Documentation. For deeper insight into BIM and information management, it may be useful to look at the actual standards that describe how digitization can be implemented in construction processes: ISO 19650 sub-standards 1-5.
• buildingSMART International: An organization that offers standards, tools and resources to understand and implement BIM in construction processes.