Grobler, F (1988) Object-oriented data representation for unified construction project information. PhD thesis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.
Abstract
This study investigated the requirements for a formalism to represent construction project data in a unified and computer-readable manner. The broad engineering, organizational and industry requirements were researched first. As a result of the findings, the study's focus was then narrowed to project progress control. With the proliferation of computers, more areas of building design and construction are computerized. Unfortunately, the specialized programs often function as islands of automation, unable to exchange useful information directly. The rising popularity of knowledge-based systems is further compounding the problem. The fundamental processes in construction were studied from a knowledge engineering perspective, and a project data unit (Primitive Element of Construction--PEC) was defined. The PEC serves as a common denominator between a variety of traditional views of project data. Generic elements of project data were also developed to function as reusable object-oriented data modules. These elements, called "Reusable Objects for Construction" (ROCS), can be assembled into data models to represent specific projects, while preserving, through reuse, the generic components of project related knowledge. The dissertation demonstrates the proposed solution to data unification at both conceptual level and in a Smalltalk-80 implementation. The Smalltalk implementation consists of a collection of ROC classes, and an interface module to assemble specific project models by instantiating project data objects. The integration of the model is accomplished by the association of PECS with ROCS representing cost items, schedule activities, crews and physical objects. The data representation scheme serves as a homogenizing framework for further research, and promotes the reuse and exchange of construction knowledge in terms of ROCS. The scheme allows researchers to work independently, while making it possible to produce parts of a modular whole. It also addresses many of the most difficult issues in the integration of project information, and forms the basis of a practical, unified, real-world system.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Boyer, L T |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction project; automation; building design; integration; reuse; knowledge-based system |
| Index terms: | implementation, project data, building design, module, automation, data model, program, integration, construction project, dissertation, knowledge-based system |
| Subjects: | research dissemination and communication, architectural design, data collection methods, automation and robotics, data science, artificial intelligence, organizational analysis, software systems, architectural elements, production management, contractual arrangements |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Research Practice, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Procurement, Project Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here