Xu, S; Liu, K and Tang, L C M (2015) Incorporation of expert reasoning into the BIM-based cost estimating process. In: Raiden, A and Aboagye-Nimo, E (eds.) Proceedings of 31st Annual ARCOM Conference, 7-9 September 2015, Lincoln, UK.
Abstract
The analytical cost estimation is an efficient and robust data based approach. Yet, there are two key issues associated with analytical cost estimation; the need to make sure that practice standards are adhered to and the implementation of subjective recommendations. The degree of precise detail, and the intricacy of standards and expert insight is a hindrance to its computerisation, as a result of complicated software development schedules and increasing expenses. A rule based semantic method is utilised as a model and is demonstrated as a way to tackle these problems. The investigation of BIM-based cost estimation confirmed that industry foundation classes (IFC) can provide construction project semantics but incapable of relating domain semantics and pragmatics. Our model is founded upon the belief that three components are necessary to gain a full awareness of the domain which is being computerised; the information type which is to be assessed for compatibility (syntax), the definition for the pricing domain (semantics), and the precise implantation environment for the standards being taken into account (pragmatics). Moreover, organizational semiotics is employed to uncover the semantic components of cost estimation from a procedural standpoint and suggest an improved knowledge based system. This report outlines the way in which the proposed approach has been verified, by employing a selection of codes created by the prototype of the data based model. The standards of practice which have been establish are then verified, in accordance with actual building information gained from IFC. The utilisation of this approach has significantly advanced the procedure of automating professional costing practice within a BIM context. These pleasing outcomes demonstrate that, by implementing this model, the reasoning ability can be used by the BIM context and the restrictions around the application of BIM will be reduced.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | rule-based reasoning; semantic web ontology; organizational semiotics; industry foundation classes; quantity surveying |
| Index terms: | software development, investigation, knowledge-based system, construction project, prototype, semantic web, semantics, pricing, costing, ontology, surveying, reasoning, implementation, cost estimating, industry foundation classes |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, computational design, networking, production management, financial and cost management, software systems, artificial intelligence, education and knowledge transfer, modelling and simulation, cognitive psychology, economic analysis, analytical methods, health monitoring assessment and metrics, contractual arrangements, accounting and finance |
| Topics: | Cost Management, Procurement, Business Strategy, Health and Safety, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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