Dynamic Embodied carbon BIM based Calculation tool: a User Experience Analysis Study

The integration of sustainability assessments, such as life cycle assessment (LCA), with digital construction workflow has become increasingly important in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector due to global and governmental pressures to construct sustainable and low carbon buildings. Building information modelling (BIM) has revolutionised the AEC sector and has shown potential for integrating LCA into its platforms. However, there is still a need for testing and accessing early design and dynamic tools. To address this gap, the paper proposes a dynamic BIM based embodied carbon assessment tool and conducts a validation usability study to determine its ease of use and acceptability. The study employed mix between quantitative and qualitative method using online workshops with architects and sustainability assessors in UK to illustrate the use of the tool and collect feedback from participants through survey and semi structured interview. The results of the usability testing reveal the need to enhance the calculation model, visualisation and optimisation options, and develop a more advanced user interface for the tool. These results serve as a basis for future development to be addressed by researchers and practitioners to increase adoption of the new integrated approach. Overall, the paper highlights the significance of integrating sustainability assessments into digital construction workflow and the potential of BIM-based tools to achieve this goal.