Rahman, S; Perera, S; Odeyinka, H and Bi, Y (2009) A knowledge-based decision support system for roofing materials selection and cost estimating: A conceptual framework and data modelling. In: Dainty, A R J (ed.) Proceedings of 25th Annual ARCOM Conference, 7-9 September 2009, Nottingham, UK.
Abstract
A plethora of materials is available to the modern day house designer but selecting the appropriate material is a complex task. It requires synthesising a multitude of performance criteria such as initial cost, maintenance cost, thermal performance and sustainability among others. This research aims to develop a Knowledge-based Decision support System for Material Selection (KDSMS) that facilitates the selection of optimal material for different sub elements of a roof design. The proposed system also has a facility for estimating roof cost based on the identified criteria. This paper presents the data modelling conceptual framework for the proposed system. The roof sub elements are modelled on the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) Standard Form of Cost Analysis. This model consists of a knowledge base and a database to store different types of roofing materials with their corresponding performance characteristics and rankings. The system s knowledge is elicited from an extensive review of literature and the use of a domain expert forum. The proposed system employs the multi criteria decision method of TOPSIS (Technique of ranking Preferences by Similarity to the Ideal Solution), to resolve the materials selection and optimisation problem. The KDSMS is currently being developed for the housing sector of Northern Ireland.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | TOPSIS; cost modelling; knowledge-based system; decision support system; roofing material selection |
| Index terms: | roofing, thermal performance, preference, modelling, conceptual framework, roof, maintenance cost, housing, estimating, data modelling, cost analysis, performance criteria, cost information, knowledge base, cost estimating, decision support, knowledge-based system, topsis, database, Northern Ireland, designer |
| Subjects: | analytical methods, financial and cost management, energy systems, data science, artificial intelligence, profession, construction type, information systems, decision-making and optimization, decision analysis, data management, accounting and finance, decision-making and reasoning, performance measurement, design practice, physical geography and landforms, theoretical framing, financial management |
| Topics: | Cost Management, Business Strategy, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Roles and Professions, Risk Management, Construction Technology, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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