Kimmance, A G (2002) An integrated product and process information modelling system for on-site construction. PhD thesis, Loughborough University, UK.
Abstract
The inadequate infrastructure that exists for seamless project team communications has its roots in the problems arising from fragmentation, and the lack of effective co-ordination between stages of the construction process. The use of disparate computer-aided engineering (CAE) systems by most disciplines is one of the enduring legacies of this problem and makes information exchange between construction team members difficult and, in some cases, impossible. The importance of integrating modelling techniques with a view to creating an integrated product and process model that is applicable to all stages of a construction project’s life cycle, is being recognised by the Construction Industry. However, improved methods are still needed to assist the developer in the definition of information model structures, and current modelling methods and standards are only able to provide limited assistance at various stages of the information modelling process. This research investigates the role of system integration by reviewing product and process information models, current modelling practices and modelling standards in the construction industry, and draws conclusions with similar practices from other industries, both in terms of product and process representation, and model content. It further reviews various application development tools and information system requirements to support a suitable integrated information structure, for developing an integrated product and process model for design and construction, based on concurrent engineering principles. The functional and information perspectives of the integrated model, which were represented using IDEFO and the unified modelling language (UML), provided the basis for developing a prototype hyper-integrated product and process information modelling system (HIPPY). Details of the integrated conceptual model’s implementation, practical application of the prototype system, using house-building as an example, and evaluation by industry practitioners are also presented. It is concluded that the effective integration of product and process information models is a key component of the implementation of concurrent engineering in construction, and is a vital step towards providing richer information representation, better efficiency, and the flexibility to support life cycle information management during the construction stage of small to medium sized-building projects.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | communication; computer-aided engineering; co-ordination; information modelling; integration; life cycle; prototype testing; site management; nD modelling; standards; fragmentation |
| Index terms: | nD modelling, integrated conceptual model, efficiency, integrated model, information modelling, construction team, life cycle, design and construction, site management, project team communication, concurrent engineering, implementation, modelling, construction industry, testing, computer-aided engineering, information exchange, fragmentation, prototype, practitioner, construction project, system integration, construction process, integration, information system |
| Subjects: | information systems, industry analysis, building construction, organizational analysis, professional development, digital design, production management, organizational theory, engineering methods, performance management, project delivery, analytical methods, data science, professional practice, construction operations, contractual arrangements, modelling and simulation, value management, practitioner, design technology, business |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Site Management, Digital Applications, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Information Management, Quality Management, Procurement, Project Management, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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