Virtual web-based instruments in the evaluation of functional degradation of heritage timber buildings

The construction engineering and management sector is facing rapid technological disruption due to the extensive adoption of digital tools. The main aim of this research was to assess the accuracy and usefulness of web-based instruments used for the evaluation and mensuration of built environment ch...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Building research and information : the international journal of research, development and demonstration development and demonstration, 2024-02, Vol.52 (1-2), p.181-193
Main Authors: Prieto, Andrés J., Torres-González, Marta, Carpio, Manuel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
building
Buildings
Built environment
Construction
Construction engineering
Construction industry
Degradation
digital tool
Expert panel
Fuzzy logic
on-site inspection
Onsite
Service life assessment
Timber construction
Urban environments
web-based instrument
Wooden structures
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Summary:The construction engineering and management sector is facing rapid technological disruption due to the extensive adoption of digital tools. The main aim of this research was to assess the accuracy and usefulness of web-based instruments used for the evaluation and mensuration of built environment characteristics. Through on-site visits and two web-based tools, a digital management system based on fuzzy logic was used to evaluate the functional service life of two heritage timber buildings in Valdivia (Chile). The assessments of 40 professional experts (4 on-site visual inspections and 36 virtual inspections) were compared to evaluate the relative accuracy and usefulness of the on-site and web-based instruments. Web-based audits, which used Google Street View and Google Maps, tended to agree strongly with on-site audits on the functional degradation of the timber structures (vulnerabilities and external hazard affections). While web-based tools do not offer a perfect substitute for on-site audits, they do allow for preliminary audits to be performed accurately from remote locations, potentially saving time and cost and increasing the effectiveness of subsequent on-site visits. The study findings may be useful to industry stakeholders in understanding the early impacts of the use of new remote digital inspection tools on the construction industry.
ISSN:0961-3218
1466-4321
DOI:10.1080/09613218.2023.2214826