Lee, J (2005) Value analysis of Wi-Fi agent functions in construction. PhD thesis, North Carolina State University, USA.
Abstract
By nature, construction is an information intensive industry. However, effective communication between process units, such as laborers, equipment, tools, and management is presently hampered as each is an "island of information. " The goal of this research project was to investigate the effectiveness of Wi-Fi agent-mediated communication in construction. In order to test and validate key components of this concept, a prototype Wi-Fi agent network was installed and tested during a Chilled Water Plant construction. In a preliminary study, key elements of a multi-media Wi-Fi communication network were tested to learn about functionality and interoperability. With the knowledge gained, five interdependent Wi-Fi enabled agent functions were selected for experimental testing and value assessment. A questionnaire survey was organized to gain insights into the industry's state-of-practice. The successful field experiment demonstrated that Wi-Fi ubiquitous networks are technically feasible and able to link the "islands of information" selected for this study. With the data collected during the field study phase, the value of the five Wi-Fi functions was evaluated. Valuable benefits were found to include: (1) lowered crane accident risks by employing the autonomous alert agent function, (2) reduction in cost/time for travel and on-site inspection enabled by the ubiquitous site inspection function, (3) increased worker safety due to 24/7 remote monitoring, (4) decreased work interruptions and RFI processing costs through the ubiquitous problem solving function, (5) automated equipment monitoring, data logging, and documentation with the ubiquitous sensing and data access function, and (6) elimination of cost and time associated with printing and distribution of blue print drawings and specification facilitated by the e-Document management function. The presented research project validates the functionality of Wi-Fi agent communication in construction. Field study results support the overarching premise that this information technology creates a multitude of opportunities to gain significant value through improved means of communication.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Bernold, L E |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | effectiveness; equipment; communication; documentation; information technology; interoperability; monitoring; problem solving; safety; experiment; questionnaire survey |
| Index terms: | inspection, effectiveness, media, monitoring, interoperability, testing, specification, communication network, field study, survey, experiment, remote monitoring, documentation, value analysis, drawing, prototype, functionality, questionnaire, problem solving, information technology, agent |
| Subjects: | professional practice, modelling and simulation, technical documentation, design features, control systems, computing systems, practitioner, data collection methods, financial analysis, quality assurance, systems and processes, sociology, networking, professional development, contractual condition, performance management, monitoring and control systems, decision-making and reasoning, research methods |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Engineering Principles, Site Management, Contract Administration, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Roles and Professions, Governance, Cost Management, Information Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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