Ubiquitous location tracking for context-specific information delivery on construction sites

Construction projects are information-intensive in nature and require site personnel to have continuous on-demand access to information such as project plans, drawings, schedules, and budgets. Awareness of a user's context (such as user profile, role, preferences, task, and existing project conditions) can enhance the construction project delivery process by providing a mechanism to determine information relevant to a particular context. Context awareness can also be used to improve security, logistics and health and safety practices on construction sites. Location is an important aspect of context awareness. A location aware application can utilize the knowledge of the user/object location to provide relevant information and services. This paper argues that a successful and reliable location tracking system must be able to track a user's spatial context and deliver contextual data continuously in both outdoor and indoor environments to effectively support construction projects. Research describing the use of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) for indoor tracking and Global Positioning System (GPS) for outdoor spatial context tracking is presented, and an integrated tracking technique using WLAN and GPS for ubiquitous location sensing is introduced. The key benefits and technical challenges of such an integrated approach are also highlighted. The presented tracking techniques have been validated in both indoor and outdoor environments to ensure their practical implementation on real construction jobsites.     

Distilling and managing engineers' experience in construction projects using a pattern approach

Construction management requires engineers to acquire effectively and efficiently management experience. Most experience management (EM) in the construction industry focuses on explicit experience (such as writing reports and documents). Furthermore, tacit experience is usually more difficult to acquire than explicit experience. This study proposes an After the Issue Review (AIR) approach to acquire experience from engineers involved in construction projects, and effectively enhance experience sharing through a web‐based platform. Moreover, an AIR Construction Pattern (AIRCP) scheme is proposed and utilized to codify and edit the acquired experience. The web‐based experience management system presents a user‐friendly interface of an experience‐sharing platform, through which engineers learn valuable tacit experience derived from previous projects. Finally, a case study involving tunnel construction for expressway projects in Taiwan is utilized to validate the proposed approach and demonstrate the effectiveness of experience acquisition and management in construction.     

Quest for continuous quality improvement for public housing construction in Hong Kong

With mandatory implementation of the ISO 9000 quality system by the Housing Authority in Hong Kong, most construction firms there now claim to have initiated quality systems in their processes as defined in their quality manuals. In addition, an objective quality measuring yardstick, the Performance Assessment Scoring Scheme (PASS), has been administered by the Housing Authority of Hong Kong to monitor the performance quality of contractors. These two measures, coupled with the two other contractual requirements stipulating the use of mechanized formwork and precast facade units, are directed towards achievement of a desired quality standard. However, the PASS analysis has revealed that the general level of quality has not improved significantly and the expected continuous improvement in construction quality has not been realized over a specific time period. Quality appears far better on paper than does the actual work on site. This suggests that quality management in the construction setting is far more difficult to achieve than it is in other industries. This paper explores possible reasons for failure in the quest for quality in public housing construction, and proposes changes needed before the vision of continuous quality improvement can be realized.     

Integrating automated data acquisition technologies for progress reporting of construction projects

Controlling construction projects necessitates controlling their time and cost in an effort to meet the planned targets. Management needs timely data that represent the status of the project to take corrective actions, if needed. This paper presents a control model that integrates different automated data acquisition technology to collect data from construction sites required for progress measurement purposes. Current automated data acquisition technologies are described, and their suitability for use in tracking and controlling construction activities is assessed. This includes bar coding, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) 3D laser scanning, photogrammetry, multimedia, and pen-based computers. The user can move with a tablet PC in the construction site and record, take snapshots and also hand written comments about activities on site. The proposed cost/schedule control model integrates with the automated data acquisition technologies, a planning and scheduling software system, a relational database, and AutoCAD to generate progress reports that can assist project management teams in decision making.     

The application of PDA as mobile computing system on construction management

This paper reports a development of mobile computing system with personal digital assistants (PDA) for construction managers on construction sites. First, this paper describes the aim, the concept based on end user computing (EUC), and the essential element of the mobile system. This also shows the necessary functions for the mobile computing, and the concept of this computer-aided engineering system. Secondly, this paper describes the structure of the system and the outline of subsystems: Inspection System, Checklist and Reference System, Position Check System, and Progress Monitoring System. The system has two programs: the data input program in PDA and the output program in PC.

• –Inspection System assists architects and construction managers to inspect the result of construction especially for finish works.
• –Checklist and Reference System assists construction managers to access the checklist and the reference such as drawings and specifications.
• –Position Check System assists construction managers to check and correct the position of structural members such as the steel column and the form.
• –Progress Monitoring System assists construction managers to monitor the progress of projects.

Finally, this paper indicates the development of more refined process of construction management with the mobile computing device on construction sites.     

代建制背景下建筑施工企业发展战略研究

对传统投资管理模式与代建制管理模式进行了对比分析,从专业化、建设者、使用者及管理模式等方面探讨了施工企业在两种模式下的生存处境,提出了代建制背景下施工企业的发展战略对策及实施建议,以供参考。     

A WICE approach to real-time construction cost estimation

Real-time response to construction cost estimation request is crucial for construction firms to survive and grow in the industry. However, no existing construction cost estimating system fulfills this need thus far. This paper describes a joint effort, named Web-based Intelligent Cost Estimator (WICE), by the academia and the industrial partner on developing such a system. Advanced web-based intelligence techniques employed in the proposed system include WWW, neuro-fuzzy system, and data mining. The industrial partner is in charge of providing knowledge sources, including expert judgments and historical data, for conceptual cost estimation. The proposed WICE is the first-of-a-kind real-time conceptual cost estimating system in practice use. The testing results show that the proposed system provides not only a globally accessible and promptly responding means for cost estimation, but also an effective and reliable tool for real-time decision-making.     

The commercial currency of construction framework agreements

A critique is presented of construction client–main contractor framework agreements. In the midst of an unpredictable and volatile construction environment, the commercial currency of collaborative working practice, and by extension framework agreements, is being put under increasing management scrutiny. Drawing on a literature review, the guiding principles of framework agreements are examined. A dramatic downturn in construction demand has created considerable surplus in supply. Under such conditions the buyer–supplier interdependencies become imbalanced and commercial relationships fraught. Reports by construction industry analysts demonstrate a number of private sector clients rejecting framework agreements in favour of traditional competitive procurement practices. Drawing upon a neoclassical lens, three guiding principles embedded within economic orthodoxy are employed to examine business-to-business tensions within construction framework agreements, namely, individualism, instrumentalism and equilibrium. This neoclassical interpretation of construction framework agreements reveals a potential relational management bias within mainstream rhetoric. Notably, providing a complementary account of framework agreements practice should not be construed as a rejection of collaborative working practices. An alternative account of framework agreements is presented that does not rely upon the mainstream behavioural model of contemporary contracting.     

Application of integrated GPS and GIS technology for reducing construction waste and improving construction efficiency

This paper presents a study on applying an integrated Global Position System (GPS) and Geographacial Information System (GIS) technology to the reduction of construction waste. During the study, a prototype study is developed from automatic data capture system such as the barcoding system for construction material and equipment (M&E) management onsite, whilst the integrated GPS and GIS technology is combined to the M&E system based on the Wide Area Network (WAN). Then, a case study is conducted to demonstrate the deployment of the system. Experimental results indicate that the proposed system can minimize the amount of onsite material wastage.     

Scheduling system for high rise building construction

A computerized system to schedule high-rise building construction has been developed using line-of-balance technology assisted by an expert system. A review of the recent literature on the techniques available for scheduling and controlling construction projects of a repetitive nature shows that Gantt charts are inadequate, and that there are serious problems with using network methods in such circumstances. There is evidence that the construction of high rise buildings has a decidedly repetitive nature but differs in some respects from other repetitive projects such as pipelines or pavement construction. Two new concepts have been introduced into line-of-balance methodology to accommodate the special conditions encountered in high rise building construction. These two concepts, namely ‘flexible’ unit networks and ‘multi-level’ LOB diagrams have been coded into a scheduling module (‘Lobplans’). A series of databases have been compiled regarding the productivity of resources. An expert system module (Lobex) has been developed to facilitate decision-making at network generation level. The scheduling module, the databases, and the expert system have been organized into an integrated system (Chriss) by means of communication and command routines that interface between the modules and the user input. A 16-storey building project has been used in testing Chriss' performance. The integrated system proved to be user friendly and reliable.     

Design of a construction management data visualization environment: A top-down approach

Explored in this paper is the topic of designing a construction management (CM) data visualization environment with emphasis on its use for supporting the time management function during the planning and execution phases of construction projects which are characterized by sizeable volumes of data of different types. A brief overview of recent construction data visualization work is first provided. Then, as part of a top-down design approach, we introduce concepts and useful terminology related to a structured way of thinking about analytical reasoning and visual analytics, and their relationship with construction management functions. The focus of the latter then shifts to how a construction data visualization environment can support project participant analytical reasoning needs for the management of time, specifically planning/predicting and monitoring/diagnosing/controlling construction conditions and time performance. A case study of aspects of an actual project examined using the construction data visualization environment developed to date is then presented. Purposes served include demonstrating the breadth of support that can be offered for reasoning by such an environment, and providing a test case for demonstrating the kind of evaluation process one should engage in to assess how well an environment conforms to the requirements set out for it. Time management functions treated for this case study include assessing quality of a baseline schedule, assessing actual vs. planned construction conditions and time performance, and assessing reasons for deviations. An evaluation of the current environment is then made to assess conformance/non-conformance with the requirements established for it and to identify worthwhile extensions to it. The paper concludes with a discussion of lessons learned from work performed to date, and their application to create a more comprehensive visualization environment that supports multiple CM functions.     

The conceptual modelling of construction management information

The conceptual modelling of construction management information models the information for the activities performed at the post design stage. In this paper, such activities have been identified by a steering group of industrialists and representatives of the major professional institutions in the UK who are assisting the research team in the development of conceptual models for construction management information. The resulting conceptual models form the basis for developing construction management databases which can monitor the time, cost and quality aspects of a construction project. Proper information modelling is a key factor in realising these aspects. However, unless a sound methodology is used to structure the information required by the various disciplines involved at the construction stage, the critical factors of time, cost and quality may not be achievable.

This paper reports on a methodology used by the ICON project being developed at the University of Salford which is attempting to provide a framework of information into which the modelling of construction management information fits. This methodology is based on the coupling of two powerful information modelling and analysis techniques namely Information Engineering and Object Oriented Analysis and Design with the assistance of an object oriented CASE (Computer Aided Software/Systems Engineering) tool which automates the production of information models. The Information Engineering method was used for the strategic planning of information using activity decomposition/activity hierarchy whilst the Object Oriented Analysis and Design approach was performed at the analysis, design and implementation stages due to the incorporation of the notion of information perspectives. An Object Oriented CASE tool (Ptech) is being used to assist in producing the various information models required by the construction management disciplines and to generate executable computer code from these models.     

Mobile Model-Based Bridge Lifecycle Management System

Abstract:   This article discusses the requirements for developing a mobile model-based bridge lifecycle management system (MMBLMS). This new system should link all the information about the lifecycle stages of a bridge (e.g., design, construction, inspection, and maintenance) to a 4D model of the bridge incorporating different scales of space and time to record events throughout the lifecycle with suitable levels of details (LoDs). In addition, MMBLMS should support distributed databases and mobile location-based computing by providing user interfaces that can be used on mobile computers, such as tablet PCs. A framework for MMBLMS is described and the basic computational issues for realizing it are discussed including the navigation modes, the picking behavior and the LoDs for representing bridge elements and defects. A prototype system developed in Java language is used to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed methodology for realizing this system.     

Information modelling in the construction industry: The information engineering approach

Modelling of knowledge in the construction industry is a cumbersome task because of the large amount of data involved and the lack of automated information-modelling tools. Adoption of a method and an automated CASE (Computer-Aided Software Engineering) tool could eliminate many problems encountered in the development of information systems in the construction industry. In particular, this approach may help to assess the information requirements and define strategies for such information systems. The Information Engineering Method (IEM) is introduced to illustrate hoar the conceptual models may be improved by using this method. Additionally Texas Instruments' Information Engineering Facility (IEF?) CASE tool is described to illustrate the advantages of automating such a method. The introduction of conceptual modelling in the construction industry using data and process models should lead to a better structuring of information. This should result in the development of well defined and structured, not ad hoc, applications. This conceptual modelling approach using information engineering is currently being used at the University of Salford to study the potential development of an integrated database (design, procurement and management of construction) for the construction industry. The case study describes the information analysis phase of the procurement process included towards the end of this paper.     

Information Population of an Integrated Construction Management System

This paper discusses the future requirements of integrated construction management systems and the need to support the management of large volumes of information on several levels. The solution proposes a combination of an efficient user interface and methods to partially automate the creation of the required information through access to stored information from past projects. The research follows the path being established for integrated construction management systems that rely on a standard representation of the industry's information requirements. By exploring the comprehensive aspects of construction planning for an integrated construction management system, the research demonstrates the usefulness of applying sound information representation structures. Through the application of case-based reasoning, the research advances the concepts of planning tools as they apply to integrated systems. The resulting prototype construction management system has the primary characteristic of assisting the user in the manipulation of information in order to generate the initial information requirements of an integrated construction management system.     

沈阳地铁一号线工程总体技术管理

地铁工程建设涉及方面众多,技术复杂,设计须由多家单位联合完成。总体技术管理是确保项目建设系统性、完整性的关键。介绍了国内地铁工程总体技术管理的一般模式,结合沈阳地铁一号线一期工程总体技术管理实践,提出了对总体设计单位的选择、建立接口管理、采用先进设计理念等管理思路。     

Automated multi-objective construction logistics optimization system

Construction logistics planning entails the coordination of supply and site activities by integrating their decisions and recognizing existing interdependencies to minimize the total material management cost. Despite the preliminary estimates of its benefits to the construction industry, few contractors adopted logistics management because of its demand for detailed data and decision of material supply and site operations. This paper presents the development of a new automated multi-objective construction logistics optimization system (AMCLOS) that would support the contractors in optimally planning material supply and storage. AMCLOS provides a holistic framework of automatically retrieving project spatial and temporal data from existing scheduling and BIM electronic files, seamlessly integrating relevant contractor and suppliers' data, and optimizing material supply and site decisions to minimize total logistics costs. The performance of AMCLOS was validated against a previous construction logistics planning model, which provided useful insights on material supply and storage logistics in congested and spacious sites. The developed system is envisioned to increase the implementation of logistics management practices and early integration and coordination of construction supply and site processes.