Mohamed, Y (2002) A framework for systematic improvement of construction systems. PhD thesis, University of Alberta, Canada.
Abstract
The construction industry has a number of peculiar characteristics that distinguish it from other industries. These peculiarities require a unique suite of modeling and analysis tools for managing construction production. The research presented in this thesis describes new methodologies in the areas of knowledge management, and construction simulation modeling. The research explored the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) as a unique theory for managing innovation. The theory was applied in its native form to a number of case studies in the area of utility tunnel construction, which showed a number of advantages in the theory in addition to a number of limitations. The research also extended the use of TRIZ by utilizing a similar approach to consolidate and preserve the knowledge used in solving construction field problems. A simulation framework was then conceptualized and prototyped based on some of TRIZ fundamentals. The framework builds on the principles of function analysis and combines them with state-based simulation and software agent concepts to formulate a hybrid simulation approach that provides new possibilities in construction simulation. Among these possibilities are dynamic topological modification of simulation models and development of intelligent simulation agents. The framework was prototyped as a template under Simphony's development environment and used for building a sample special purpose simulation template for tunneling operations.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Rizk, S A |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction systems; tunnel; innovation; knowledge management; problem solving; function analysis; case study; simulation |
| Index terms: | managing innovation, problem solving, methodology, construction system, knowledge management, agent, tunnel, construction simulation, TRIZ, hybrid simulation, construction production, modelling, construction industry, case study, tunnel construction, function analysis |
| Subjects: | building construction, industry analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, civil engineering, decision-making and reasoning, research methods, professional development, modelling and simulation, operations management, analytical methods, data science, data collection methods, practitioner, innovation studies, problem-solving |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Digital Applications, Site Management, Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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