Chen, Q (2007) An object model framework for interface management in building information models. PhD thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA.
Abstract
The construction industry's overall project performance is significantly reduced by numerous interface issues that also hinder its industrialization. Interface Management (IM) is becoming critical to the success of multidisciplinary construction projects. This research deals with three challenging problems associated with IM: 1) how to build a holistic understanding of interface issues for developing all-around IM solutions; 2) how to define and present interface information in a unified, accurate, and efficient way to improve information sharing, coordination, and implementation; and 3) how to resolve interface issues as a whole to optimize IM performance. Comprehensive cause factors of interface issues are investigated from different yet interrelated perspectives. These cause factors allow for the development of an object data model and a systematic IM strategy. The findings of this multi-perspective approach not only add a holistic view of interface issues to the existing body of knowledge but also provide a theoretical base for researchers and practitioners to seek all-around IM solutions. As a key innovation, an object view of interfaces is defined, resulting in a unified way of presenting interface information. This new technique of modeling interfaces as knowledgeable, intelligent, and active objects is far superior to the traditional use of simple relationships. The proposed Interface Object Model (IOM) framework is the first in the literature to present a comprehensive data structure and its dependencies of interface information for object modeling. This can greatly improve the quality and interoperability of modeled interface information. When integrated into a Building Information Modeling (BIM) approach, this technique can significantly enhance BIM capabilities for interface-related coordination, decision-making, operation, and management. As a first application, a systematic model-based IM strategy is conceptually developed, which provides a good foundation for creating an implementation environment for the developed interface model. This strategy aims to resolve interface issues as a whole throughout a complete project process. The multi-perspective approach, the generically structured IOM, and the conceptual, systematic IM strategy all target broad applications. Individually or jointly, they can also be applied to other domains beyond construction.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Beliveau, Y and Reichard, G |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building information modelling; coordination; industrialization; innovation; interoperability; performance; project performance |
| Index terms: | industrialization, strategy, body of knowledge, data structure, practitioner, interface management, decision-making, data model, construction project, interface issue, becoming, building information modelling, coordination, interoperability, construction industry, implementation, modelling, information sharing, project performance |
| Subjects: | systems engineering, systems and processes, information systems, industry analysis, philosophical process, decision analysis, project management theory and practice, production management, data exchange, management, economic development, analytical methods, knowledge management, contractual arrangements, data science, practitioner, business |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Project Management, Risk Management, Sustainability, Procurement, Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions |
| 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