Alnajjar, A (1995) Hyper automated estimating support system. PhD thesis, Illinois Institute of Technology, USA.
Abstract
Construction engineering and management is a field that requires knowledge of the engineering analysis, or design as well as a technical understanding of the work that is done on the project sites. Since 1950, this field has been witnessing computer applications in a variety of its aspects, such as planning, scheduling and estimating. Construction estimating blends engineering analysis and management concepts. Estimating construction costs represent the cost and the guidelines that will be followed by the contractor throughout the entire construction period of a project from day one to key submittal. A "good take off" is a combination of quantities take off and specification take off. A "good take off" means a good estimate. Also, the development of such an estimate is the basis for bid submittal which will aid the contractor in achieving a substantial profit. Estimators have plenty of cost estimating programs to assist them in the take off and estimating process, but they lack a tool that can help them expand this process to a more detailed linking mechanism, enabling them to make more informed decisions. They are in need of an environment that will help them to combine the two phases of the take off process (quantities and specifications) to generate a good estimate. Therefore, a cost estimating support tool is needed that will enable the user to (1) eliminate the inconsistency between drawings and specifications, (2) minimize errors (missing items), and (3) achieve profitable and reliable results. Hyper Systems are a powerful new way of organizing and accessing information that could affect all forms of computer and database use. Hyper System offers highly effective fundamental changes in the way that data is stored and retrieved. To the extent that Hyper System emphasizes the relationship between concepts in a subject domain, it may make a subject easier to learn, grasp and manipulate. It provides the capability to represent different planes of information, as well as three dimensional graphics. Since this dissertation will discuss the future prospects for Hyper System business applications such as cost estimating, cost control and the preparation of specification and bill of quantities for small projects (which may be of interest to an individual as well as the construction industry) the task is to provide a structure of linked elements through which a user can navigate and interact. The intent is to build a structure of linked elements which will make the process of cost estimating more enjoyable, clearer, easier and most importantly, informative, effective and educational as well. It is important and fundamental to mention here that the objective of this Hyper System is to support building oriented cost estimating. However, the goal is not to depict thousands of numbers, tables and data. Estimating in this manner can be easily accomplished by using handbooks and software available on the market. Keeping that in mind, the reader or user of this Hyper software should expect to embark on a journey consisting of graphics, text, buttons and perhaps an audio feature to be added in the future. (Abstract shortened by UMI. )
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Arditi, D |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction engineering; cost control; cost estimating; estimating; market; scheduling; specification |
| Index terms: | computer application, construction cost, database, construction engineering, construction industry, bills of quantities, estimate, dissertation, small project, scheduling, specification, take-off, cost estimating, drawing, profit, construction estimating, program, cost control, estimator, submittal, estimating |
| Subjects: | financial and cost management, technical documentation, profession, industry analysis, data management, professional development, contractual condition, software systems, engineering methods, quantity surveying, economic analysis, operations research, research dissemination and communication, production management |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Project Management, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Contract Administration, Time Control |
| 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