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Open Access November 09, 2025

Application of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for Enhancing Safety and Environmental Performance on Construction Sites in Nigeria

Abstract Background: Building Information Modelling (BIM) improves safety planning in construction by enabling visualization and simulation to identify and reduce risks. However, its adoption in Nigeria is limited. This study examines the application of BIM in enhancing safety and environmental performance on construction sites in Nigeria. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional survey [...] Read more.
Background: Building Information Modelling (BIM) improves safety planning in construction by enabling visualization and simulation to identify and reduce risks. However, its adoption in Nigeria is limited. This study examines the application of BIM in enhancing safety and environmental performance on construction sites in Nigeria. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured online questionnaire distributed to professionals in Nigeria’s construction industry. A purposive sampling method was employed to target respondents with relevant BIM experience. Data were analysed using SPSS version 28, applying descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression at a 5% significance level. Result: Findings show that BIM was fully adopted by 7.0% of organizations, with only 19.8% of respondents using it to identify safety hazards during planning. While 76.8% reported no notable safety benefit, 19.5% identified improved risk management as the key benefit. Most respondents (80.2%) reported no noticeable environmental benefits. Among those who did, improved energy efficiency was the most cited benefit (16.4%). Respondents with 10 or more years of experience were significantly more likely to report enhanced safety and environmental outcomes (AOR = 4.555; p = 0.003) and adequate BIM utilization (AOR = 3.255; p = 0.023). Those with intermediate BIM experience were also more likely to report high enhancement (AOR = 2.857; p = 0.039) and effective tool use (AOR = 2.881; p = 0.050). Conclusion: This study revealed that BIM has the potential to improve construction outcomes in Nigeria if supported by training, experience, and structured implementation.
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Open Access August 27, 2022

Thermal Energy Consumption Assessment in a Fluid Milk Plant

Abstract The main energy conservation opportunities in a dairy plant are in refrigeration, and steam generation. This paper aims to identify potential energy and water savings and opportunities to improve the thermal efficiency of a fluid milk processing plant, using energy analysis and Heat Integration methods. Methodologies for energy analysis and Pinch Analysis with the use of HENSAD and Aspen Energy [...] Read more.
The main energy conservation opportunities in a dairy plant are in refrigeration, and steam generation. This paper aims to identify potential energy and water savings and opportunities to improve the thermal efficiency of a fluid milk processing plant, using energy analysis and Heat Integration methods. Methodologies for energy analysis and Pinch Analysis with the use of HENSAD and Aspen Energy Analyzer are applied. The main specific energy consumptions are defined as indicators of the progress of improved energy efficiency. The determination of energy performance indicators and energy targets of the heat exchanger network, as well as its design, allowed identifying opportunities for improvement to reduce fuel and water consumption through heat recovery in the milk pasteurization process. Current hot and cold utilities duties are satisfied, for a minimum allowable temperature difference of 20 °C. Total annual savings of 60 t of fuel oil and 15,800 m3 of water allow assessing the feasibility of an investment project for improved heat recovery.
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Open Access December 27, 2021

Sustainability in Construction: Exploring the Development of Eco-Friendly Equipment

Abstract The equipment used in the construction industry is usually associated with a high impact on the environment. Although sustainable design has shown to be a main player among the initiatives focused on reducing environmental impact, it has been driven by the workers and processes, leaving the equipment endeavors in more restrictive and later stages. The equipment industry has been a constant target [...] Read more.
The equipment used in the construction industry is usually associated with a high impact on the environment. Although sustainable design has shown to be a main player among the initiatives focused on reducing environmental impact, it has been driven by the workers and processes, leaving the equipment endeavors in more restrictive and later stages. The equipment industry has been a constant target of environmental standards and economic pressure, but the increasing technological development allows it to respond to sustainability and safety expectations while enhancing its performance. However, there are still several limitations that lead this sector to be one of the last to reach upgrading levels in terms of development. A study identified some gaps in the equipment design that require a greater effort to effectively support the workers and companies towards sustainable construction. This chapter is based on a study aiming to understand the consolidated knowledge of technologically sustainable equipment design and to identify the challenges left for its full development. The findings support the development of innovative eco-friendly equipment, taking into consideration sustainable materials and product guidelines, as well as green economy initiatives. It also supports complex system approaches and safety by design specificities to establish a corporate knowledge of sustainable equipment and align it with the new regulations of the construction industry. The chapter introduces the context of construction equipment in terms of new challenges when faced with the need to provide construction work with a greater capacity for safety, from an environmental and energy efficiency perspective, and within the paradigm of sustainability. Then, it presents the concept of sustainable equipment considering its principles, followed by a characterization of the agents involved in its life cycle.
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Open Access November 16, 2023

Zero Carbon Manufacturing in the Automotive Industry: Integrating Predictive Analytics to Achieve Sustainable Production

Abstract This charge-ahead paper suggests that transitioning the automotive industry towards a zero-carbon ecosystem from material to end-of-life can be accomplished through disruptive zero-carbon manufacturing in the broad area of all-electric vehicle production technology. To accomplish zero carbon emission automotive manufacturing in the vehicle assembly domain, future paradigms must converge on the [...] Read more.
This charge-ahead paper suggests that transitioning the automotive industry towards a zero-carbon ecosystem from material to end-of-life can be accomplished through disruptive zero-carbon manufacturing in the broad area of all-electric vehicle production technology. To accomplish zero carbon emission automotive manufacturing in the vehicle assembly domain, future paradigms must converge on the decoupling of carbon dioxide emissions from automobile manufacturing and use the design, processing, and manufacturing conditions. The envisioned zero carbon emission vehicle manufacturing domain consists of two complementary components: (a) making more efficient use of energy and (b) reducing carbon in energy use. This paper presents the status of key scientific and technological advancements to bring the manufacturing model of today to a zero-carbon ecosystem for the entire automotive industry of tomorrow. This paper suggests the groundbreaking application of dynamic and distributed predictive scheduling algorithms and open sensing and visualization technology to meet the zero carbon emission vehicle manufacturing goals. Power-aware high-performance computing clusters have recently become a viable solution for sustainable production. Advances in scalable and self-adaptive monitoring, predictive analytics, timeline-based machine learning, and digital replica of cyber-physical systems are also seen co-evolving in the zero carbon manufacturing future. These methods are inspired by initiatives to decouple gross domestic product growth and energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Stakeholders could co-design and implement shared roadmaps to transition the automotive manufacturing sector with relevant societal and environmental benefits. The automated mobility sector offers a program, an industry-leading example of transforming an automotive production facility to carbon neutrality status. The conclusions from this paper challenge automotive manufacturers to engage in industry offsetting and carbon tax programs to drive continuous improvement and circular vehicle flows via a multi-directional zero-carbon smart grid.
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Open Access December 26, 2020

Green Cloud Computing: Strategies for Building Sustainable Data Center Ecosystems

Abstract Green cloud computing is part of endeavors to develop sustainable data center ecosystems and, more importantly, nurtures a mindful alignment between environmental considerations and our cloud computing practices. This view is reinforced with the requirements of resource and energy minimization, as well as clean computing. This paper surveys the current practices, strategies, and significant [...] Read more.
Green cloud computing is part of endeavors to develop sustainable data center ecosystems and, more importantly, nurtures a mindful alignment between environmental considerations and our cloud computing practices. This view is reinforced with the requirements of resource and energy minimization, as well as clean computing. This paper surveys the current practices, strategies, and significant aspects involved in moving towards green cloud computing, providing energy-efficient data centers. The energy efficiency criteria call for unified strategies in power-proportional components, big data storage, server systems, and power supply units to save holistic energy. In addition, there are significant challenges in moving towards green cloud computing for service providers and data center operators. We address various energy-conscious resource management technologies and discuss the importance of developing innovative, effective green management solutions. Data centers are ubiquitous but inherently more conspicuous to begin to see the urgency of making them sustainable in our ecological environment. With this in mind, this paper encapsulates the multidimensional issues and increased complexities of bringing up green solutions in cloud computing practices and provides guidance and potential strategies. We outline, realign, and insist on adopting strategies in practice not only from the technical aspect but also in strengthening partnerships and investigating strategies to further dissect challenges, converge solutions, and consider our impact in even more areas of study.
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Open Access December 27, 2021

Advanced Computational Technologies in Vehicle Production, Digital Connectivity, and Sustainable Transportation: Innovations in Intelligent Systems, Eco-Friendly Manufacturing, and Financial Optimization

Abstract This paper includes the impacts of the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and other emerging technologies in the vehicle production sector, digital connectivity, and sustainable transport system. Automated and intelligent transportation for safe, efficient, and sustainable transport systems will be stressed. Key factors to promote automated or connected vehicles including connected environment, [...] Read more.
This paper includes the impacts of the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and other emerging technologies in the vehicle production sector, digital connectivity, and sustainable transport system. Automated and intelligent transportation for safe, efficient, and sustainable transport systems will be stressed. Key factors to promote automated or connected vehicles including connected environment, integration of all transport modes, advanced cooperative systems, and policy enforcement will be discussed. This paper contains the Axiomatic Categorisation Framework (AFS) for the dynamic alignment in a collection of disparate functions in cyber-physical systems (CPS). Developed system is enhanced for breaking the rules within autonomous vehicles (AV). It means the human personal injury is inevitable while the vehicle does not do any rules. Especially in complicated traffic situations, many of the constraints are mutually exclusive, and there is no way to obey all of them at a time. Also, there is no way to ensure that the self-driving vehicle has priority in all situations [1]. Public distrust in AV systems has to be increased and the investment in this technology has to slow down. Instead, a human driver should be partially responsible for operation. The development of a driver-behavior assistant (DBA) system is proposed, which should be able to break the rules for the distances of such slow development. It is intended to be effective in non-deterministic situations while maintaining the safety of the AV and those involved in the event. A driver's actions would not only be acceptable as a driving strategy but also would be predictable, and therefore other road users could unambiguously react.
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Keyword:  Energy Efficiency

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