Kartam, N A (1999) Design/construction integration: Issues and illustrative prototype. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 6(3), pp. 299-314. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is epitomized by a wide range of project business lines, different project scopes, unique client requirements, and a rapidly changing automation technology. This current scenario requires a constant transfer of project data among the various professionals representing different specializations, project phases and interests. The implementation of improved computer techniques such as object-oriented programming and CAD reduces fragmentation and enhances the efficiency of integrating project data through all stages of generation, sharing, maintaining, and updating. This reduced fragmentation will assist in bridging the gaps between and within the project phases, thereby increasing the competitiveness of the AEC industry. This paper presents different issues related to the existing fragmentation in the AEC industry and the challenges and approaches to achieve a meaningful and smooth integration. The paper describes the development of ODCSI an object-oriented design/construction system for integrating CAD and construction software applications. The system architecture captures design data in an object-oriented project model and acts as an intelligent CAD interface. In the hierarchy of object-oriented classes and subclasses, the design data are inherited; hence all functional, geometrical, structural, construction management, and construction engineering functions are shared across class boundaries. These design data are used as the input to various computer-based construction software applications, hence providing seamless project integration.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | CAD; design aggregation; object oriented programming; project management |
| Index terms: | fragmentation, competitiveness, programming, efficiency, construction system, boundaries, project scope, system architecture, project data, automation, construction engineering, client requirements, implementation, specialization, integration, project management, prototype |
| Subjects: | market analysis, modelling and simulation, professional development, project management theory and practice, performance management, automation and robotics, engineering methods, scope management, programming, design theory, building construction, contractual arrangements, property law, business, organizational analysis, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Information Management, Project Management, Digital Applications, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Legal Issues, Procurement, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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