Traditional methods of supervision in the construction industry are time-consuming and costly, requiring significant investments in skilled labor. However, with advancements in artificial intelligence, computer vision, and deep learning, these methods can now be automated, resulting in time and cost savings, as well as improvements in product quality. This research focuses on the application of computer vision approaches to monitor the quality of welding in prefabricated steel elements. A high-performance network was designed, consisting of a video capturing station, a customized classifier based on a YOLOv4 detector and an IoU tracker, and a user interface software for any interaction with quality control workers. The network demonstrated over 98% accuracy in identifying steel connection types and detecting missed welds on the assembly line in real-time. Extensive validation was conducted using a large dataset from a real production environment. The proposed framework aims to reduce rework, minimize hazards, and enhance product quality. This research contributes to the automation of quality control processes in the construction industry.

On Thursday, ÉTS welcomed Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour, to the laboratories of GRIDD, the Groupe de recherche en intégration et développement durable en environnement bâti.

With research professors Ivanka Iordanova and Gabriel Jobidon, GRIDD Director Erik Poirier discussed the evolution of the construction industry and integrated project delivery methods, including the Dow Complex pilot project. Relevant discussions that point to promising collaborations for Quebec's construction industry.

Francois Gagnon, General Manager of ÉTS, Annie Bouthillette, Executive Director of Institutional Relations, Jean Belzile, Executive Director of Strategic Development and Resources, Souha Tahrani, Ph.D., Assistant Director of BIM Integration, and Clement BLANQUET DU CHAYLA, Research Associate at GRIDD, also took part in the meeting.

Read Gabriel Jobidon's interview with Radio Canada about the 3rd Link contract in Quebec City!

GRIDD is pleased to be one of the finalists for "The buildingSMART openBIM Awards 2024" in the "Student Research" category. The finalists' presentations will take place on Thursday, October 3 in Morocco, at the buildingSMART International Summit - Marrakech 2024. Winners will be announced at an awards dinner that evening.

Registration for the event is open at the following address:

BIM-enabled multidisciplinary coordination is one of the most widespread practices in the construction industry. Despite its popularity, integrating the required technologies, and reconfiguring the practices necessary to benefit from it, remains a challenge. As currently practiced, multidisciplinary BIM coordination tends to replicate traditional coordination processes in digital, rather than transform them. This article presents a case study of the implementation of BIM-enabled multidisciplinary coordination within an architectural firm with considerable BIM experience. The objective of the research project is to investigate the implementation of BIM tools and processes aimed at taking full advantage of the potential offered by the centralization of information and the federation of disciplines within a single digital environment. This research identified the components, advantages, and limitations, as well as the functionalities and support required to implement BIM-enabled multidisciplinary coordination within the agency. Due to considerable implementation challenges, the emergence of hybrid multidisciplinary coordination practices, a mix of traditional and BIM approaches, was noted, limiting the potential benefits of the approach.

Bill 62 on the diversification of strategies for the acquisition and execution of public infrastructure projects has several aspirations for reforming the way these projects are carried out. A number of opinions and testimonials on the subject have been submitted to the Public Finance Committee. While some legitimate concerns have been raised about this bill, notably on the issue of notices of intent, it is vital to avoid confusing the entire scope of the bill with one of its aims, namely collaborative project delivery methods.

The purpose of Bill 62 is to create a new category of contracts subject to the Act respecting contracting by public bodies, namely partnership contracts. The latter, although yet to be formally defined by the government, essentially comprise two types of contract: progressive, negotiated approaches, such as progressive design-build, which always operate on a fixed-price basis, and relational approaches, such as integrated project delivery or alliance. These collaborative or relational models operate according to the same guiding principles: common governance, shared risks and benefits, an open-book approach and a blame-free culture between the parties.

Find the article published on June 7, 2024 by Gabriel Jobidon and Erik Poirier in Le Devoir here!

That's three years in a row! GRIDD is very proud of Mehrzad Shahin-Moghadam to have won this year's CANBIM (Building Transformations) Academic Award! (supervised by Prof. Ali Motamedi).

Also proud of Walid Anane (a former GRIDD graduate - now working with Dassault Systèmes) who created the design of the awards !!!

Congrats GRIDD team! 🔥