Formalism for Applying Domain Constraints in Domain-Oriented Schema Matching

Exchanging data between different software systems is a critical requirement in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, where task specific data models and public data exchange standards have been applied for data representation and exchange. Matching two data models effectively and efficiently is a challenging task, especially when performed manually, due to the large size and the complexity of today’s data schemas. Some existing computer-aided approaches have attempted to automate matching of different schemas. These approaches work and reduce human effort under specific conditions; however, they do not always result in an accurate matching of two schemas. Achieving schema matching result comparable in accuracy to manual matching requires leveraging domain specific knowledge. Yet utilization of domain knowledge for schema matching rarely has been incorporated in prior studies. In this paper, we present a semiautomated approach that leverages domain knowledge to improve the schema matching process. Compared to a generic schema matching approach, the approach discussed in this paper is able to generate more accurate results due to the incorporation of domain specific constraints, which are represented and reasoned with to create a match between data models. A prototype was developed to validate this approach through a number of real world test cases, including the matching of two publicly-available data exchange standards.     

Development of IFC Modeling Extension for Supporting Drawing Information Exchange in the Model-Based Construction Environment

The Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) has been known as a common product model that has interoperability between similar and dissimilar IT systems for the architecture, engineering, construction, and facility management (AEC/FM) industries covering all life cycle phases. Continuous efforts have been undertaken regarding the development of standardized specifications based on the IFC, a product model used in the AEC/FM industries. In accordance, the XM-4 project has been initiated by the Korea Chapter of the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI) organizations to develop a two-dimensional (2D) extension model for IFC. The XM-4 project aims to add to the IFC2x platform the ability to exchange 2D computer-aided design data within representations of virtual building models, including annotations and styles mainly adapted from the ISO 10303. The focus of this research has been on developing a 2D extension model for the IFC as part of the IAI XM-4 project. This paper provides the scope and rationale of the model extension, major modeling concepts, defined high-level entities and row-level entities, and implementation issues to be considered.     

Measuring Relevance in Support of Design Reuse from Archives of Building Product Models

This paper investigates the use of text analysis techniques to measure relevance between objects in product models. This relevance measure is used to support design reuse from an archive of product models from previous projects. We consider several techniques from the field of information retrieval for comparing documents. Next, we explore whether we can improve the performance of the relevance measure by considering contextual building model elements. The paper concludes with an evaluation and discussion of the techniques considered. We conclude that relatively good retrieval results can be achieved with short texts and sparse building models such as those that occur in current industry practice.     

Quantitative Research: Preparation of Incongruous Economic Data Sets for Archival Data Analysis

In the field of construction engineering and management, archival data sets are not always as correct and consistent as it would be desirable. Between different sources that are studied, e.g., companies, they may differ in format or content and within them, they may still be incongruous and require substantial preparation. This makes examining theories and extracting trends from historic data more difficult than it is for carefully controlled experimental studies or for collecting new data. The purpose of this paper is not to review the regression models that the writers developed during their research, but to focus on the data preparation that had to be applied before those analyses. The objective is to outline various techniques that can be applied to archival data that are related to construction engineering and management to give researchers a set of best practices on data preparation that can assist them in gleaning truths from them.     

Java Inspection Framework: Developing Field Inspection Support Systems for Civil Systems Inspection

In order to provide useful and practical computing support for inspectors in the field performing inspection activities, computer systems have to be designed and customized to recognize the specific task and context of the inspection. Unfortunately, the development of field inspection support systems is difficult and still suffers from a lack of more general design knowledge. Effort is wasted when implementing different applications that share some common aspects. This paper presents a partial solution to the difficult problem of developing field inspection support systems—a modular and customizable software environment to facilitate the construction of such applications.     

Software for Planning and Cost Control in Directional Drilling Projects

As the complexity and size of the projects undertaken by horizontal directional drilling (HDD) contractors rapidly increase, there is a growing need for the development of dedicated software designed to meet the industry’s special needs and requirements. This paper presents the results of a survey of the HDD industry’s software needs as well as a summary of commercially available software specifically designed for this industry. In addition, the development of two computerized applications tailored for the HDD industry are described. The first of these applications is an integrated data management system that combines asset management, cost control, estimating, and project tracking capabilities, enabling decision makers to closely monitor field performance in terms of expenditure and productivity. The second application is a simulation model developed for optimizing the utilization of drilling rigs and hydro-vacuum trucks on large-scale urban projects. Both applications are designed to improve the planning, estimating, and productivity of directional drilling projects, ultimately reducing the cost of expanding underground infrastructure networks.     

Project Management Practices and Information Technology Research

Corporations of varying sizes and operations within the construction industry acclaim the contribution of project management applications that assist in business and operational practices. An integrated intelligent construction management application that enables process modeling and algorithmic analysis of construction process planning, interacts with a mainframe-based automated relational database system, and drives the project sequencing, scheduling, decision making and change management processes can introduce dramatic speed, simplicity, accuracy, and collaboration into existing project planning practices. Several research organizations and academic fraternities in concert with industry participation are focusing on the development of such futuristic tools as described above. However, evidence of such computing applications being used by the industry is minimal and a number of reasons have been cited by researchers for this. This study, through a review of the genesis, evolution, and future of computing applications in construction followed by an industry-wide survey, aims to study whether or not concurrent research agendas in construction information technology are truly sustainable from the industry’s perspective.     

Agent-Based Construction Supply Chain Simulator (CS2) for Measuring the Value of Real-Time Information Sharing in Construction

This paper presents an agent-based construction supply chain simulator (CS2) that leverages computer agents technology for modeling a virtual construction supply chain. Although construction managers and contractors do not consciously consider a supply chain and its management, they all interact with the members of a supply chain and make related decisions. Having real-time information available at any time can increase information transparency, which in turn makes it easier for project managers to identify potential risks. CS2 is a modified version of the beer game that has been widely used for illustrating the importance of real-time information in the manufacturing process. Two different types of simulations are presented in this paper, namely human-to-human and computer-to-human interactive simulation. In the simulations, a group of people play different roles, as does the current practice in construction. Results of this simulation test and verify the significance of real-time information sharing in construction. In addition, how the quantity of information affects the value of real-time information using the concept of illusion in cognitive science is investigated. The developed CS2 can be further used for educational purposes as well as for addressing the valuable lesson of real-time information sharing to practitioners.     

Engineering Information Service Infrastructure for Ubiquitous Computing

This paper describes a software framework for the development of a ubiquitous computing environment for distributed engineering information services. Two fundamental issues are addressed: universal accessibility of devices to information services, and collaboration among the parties accessing the information services. The first calls for the development of device-independent information services that have the flexibility to support a wide range of client devices. We introduce a mediation-based framework that enables information clients to calibrate the source information services to the clients’ characteristics. The second requires effective integration of information services, which we address in two ways: (1) we sketch an ontology standard and describe how such a standard can be effectively applied for exchanging project scheduling and resource information; and (2) we illustrate an infrastructure that is particularly suitable for the integration of engineering services. A prototype for the ubiquitous computing environment has been developed that incorporates a variety of project management software as well as different devices ranging from PDAs to Web browsers, desktop computers, and servers.     

Reduction of Short-Interval GPS Data for Construction Operations Analysis

The systems that historically have been used to collect data for time studies of construction operations are manual in nature and limited to the observer’s field of view. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology incorporated into an onboard instrumentation system can be used to autonomously collect position and velocity data without the field of view limitation. Data must be collected at a short time interval to provide the level of detail necessary for operations analysis. Thus the issue becomes managing the data and identifying the relatively key records that mark the start and stop of activities. A field observer identifies the key times in real time with instantaneous decisions of when one activity stops and the next starts based on enormous volumes of visual information. This work developed a methodology for making equivalent decisions based on GPS data and presents the procedures developed to identify the key records necessary to calculate activity durations. A case study is used to illustrate application of the system to an earthmoving operation. Also, it is postulated how the information can be used in discrete event simulation.     

Effective Practice Utilization Using Performance Prediction Software

A successful capital facility project requires effective usage of practices to satisfy the expected high level of project objectives. To provide an effective practice usage plan, the impacts of implementing practices need to be quantified and better methods or tools for practice usage plan and control are also required. Despite a number of efforts at quantifying the impact of practice usage, little interest has been shown in developing the tools and techniques for improved implementation of practice use. This paper develops performance prediction models for project cost and schedule performance using predictive discriminant function analysis (DFA). The models are integrated into an automated and practical software program named the DFA program that helps deliver effective and dynamic project planning. The DFA program has a user-friendly interface that project managers or field engineers can easily apply to their projects to predict cost and schedule performance and to allow for improvement where possible. An overall project performance improvement process using the DFA program application is provided.     

Responsible Use of Computer Technology by Engineers

Computer technology has given rise to new forms and modes of project failures in the construction industry. Engineers are prime targets of claims to recover financial losses caused by these computer-provoked failures. Thus, engineers should have a basic understanding of their legal responsibilities associated with the use of computers. In order to foster such an understanding, this paper discusses examples of how computer accidents can occur in the construction industry and examines the legal ramifications to engineers, discusses potential recourse theories engineers may have against hardware and software vendors or insurers, and identifies measures engineers can take to reduce the likelihood of an accident and the corresponding likelihood of a claim.     

Cost Information Model for Managing Multiple Projects

Construction companies must deal with several projects at once, but a system to manage multiple projects is not fully developed yet. The first step towards developing such system is to design an information model that is suitable for managing multiple projects. This paper presents the cost-based project modeling (CBPM) method in contrast to the traditional activity-based project modeling methods. The CBPM uses cost as a core of the model along with other project information organized around it. The CBPM serves as a platform for integrating project information from multiple projects. Various types of construction costs are hierarchically modeled to generate corporate-wide information such as project performances, cash flows, and other predictive indicators. Based on the information model, an object-oriented database was developed to contain cost data across several projects. In the model, a module that connects to external systems is built into the model to enhance interactivity with the legacy systems and the industry standards. A prototype system was developed and tested with actual project data to validate the information processing capabilities of the model. The findings from the test indicate construction cost can be an excellent medium that can organize various types of information of multiple projects.     

Framework for Building Intelligent Simulation Models of Construction Operations

Modeling and analyzing construction operations using simulation techniques allows researchers to capture the uncertainty and randomness usually associated with these operations and can thus be an effective tool for analysis and improvement. However, the effort and knowledge required to build simulation models and experiment with them tend to limit the use of simulation in construction. A common recommendation for removing this obstacle found in the literature leans towards developing simulation tools that reduce model development and experimentation time on the construction engineer’s side by packaging most of the knowledge required into the tool itself. Such “intelligent” simulation modeling tools may significantly impact the way construction engineers use simulation techniques in day-to-day decision?making. This paper presents a framework that extends and formalizes this recommendation by providing the foundation for building intelligence into simulation objects. The proposed framework provides the structure necessary for building intelligence and autonomy into simulation objects and permits a further reduction in the knowledge required to experiment with simulation models. This approach also automates model modification, not only through changes in numeric parameters, but through topological model changes as well, which may assist the model user in making many decisions throughout the different phases of simulation experimentation.     

Difficulties and Hindrances Facing End Users of Electronic Information Exchange Systems in Design and Construction

Since information and communication technology (ICT) was introduced into the construction industry over a decade ago, the once fledging technologies have now been well developed. ICT has been commonly adopted, particularly in places where speedy construction is the norm, e.g., in Hong Kong. At the time when ICT is seemingly well developed, this paper aims at identifying the difficulties and hindrances facing the end users of such information exchange systems during design and construction and the consequential effects on project performance. Through literature review, a series of structured interviews, and a questionnaire survey, it is found that industry users welcomed the advancement of ICT, but that the necessary technical and psychological supports from their organizations were insufficiently provided. In addition, significant differences on the hindrances and their consequential effects have been identified between end users in the private sector and those in the public sector. The study findings have also highlighted factors impeding the smooth implementation of ICT systems at the end-user level, which would help organizations to formulate effective strategies to cope with ever-evolving communication technologies and changes in working style.     

Object Model Framework for Interface Modeling and IT-Oriented Interface Management

The intense complexity of interfaces in a construction project makes information technology (IT) applications a must for effective interface management (IM). This largely requires a unified, accurate, and efficient way of modeling interface information. Conventionally, interfaces are simply modeled as dependencies/relationships between project entities; various interface information is loosely presented in different ways, which reduces the accuracy and completeness of interface information as well as the efficiency in information exchange and application. This paper introduces an object view of interfaces and its inherent interface object modeling technique, and then presents an interface object model (IOM) framework. The IOM is the first in the literature that aims to systematically define the data structure and dependencies of interface information for modeling. It is at the core of a conceptually proposed systematic model-based IM strategy. When fully developed, the IOM can be used to accurately model multiple types of interfaces. This will greatly enhance the quality and interoperability of interface information, promote IT applications for IM, and ultimately improve interface-related project performance.     

Domain Ontology for Processes in Infrastructure and Construction

With the increasing demands for domain-wide integrated construction and infrastructure development, there is a need for developing a domain ontology to build a knowledge model that describes the multistakeholder project development process. This paper presents a domain ontology for supporting knowledge-enabled process management and coordination across various stakeholders, disciplines, and projects. The ontological model is composed of concepts, relations, and axioms. Concepts represent the “things” in the domain of interest; relations establish the interconcept links; and axioms specify the definitions of concepts and relations and constraints on their behavior and interpretation. The ontology models the most fundamental concepts in the domain in a structured, extendable, and flexible format to facilitate future evolution and extension of the ontology for representing application-specific and/or enterprise-specific knowledge. The ontology was evaluated through technical evaluation and user evaluation. User evaluation was conducted through one-to-one expert evaluation interviews.     

Applying Concept Similarity to the Evaluation of Common Understanding in Multidisciplinary Learning

The success of an architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) project largely depends on the effective collaboration of project participants. This characteristic of the industry requires that AEC education shall foster multidisciplinary collaboration skills of students. On the other hand, many AEC education programs have started using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to facilitate teaching and learning such as distance learning. One of the challenges in a computer-mediated learning environment arises from the need for computer systems to determine whether a common understanding regarding a certain subject is established among a group of students. To achieve this goal, ICT needs to be able to detect changes in the knowledge structure of students in order to provide better mediation. This paper presents a study on the development of a concept similarity measure that has less computational complexity than graph-based similarity analyses. The similarity measure is intended to determine the similarity of multiple knowledge structures [e.g., concept maps (CMAPs)] of students. The concept similarity measure is developed based on the feature-based method in which propositions associated with a concept are considered as features of the concept. Therefore, the similarity of concepts can be measured by comparing the propositions of the concepts. In addition, since concepts are the key component of a knowledge structure, the common understanding of students can be determined by measuring the similarity of concepts in the knowledge structure of the students. The proposed measure is evaluated by (1) comparing it with the Dice coefficient for analyzing two sets of concepts; (2) analyzing its performance in a generic case of four CMAPs; and (3) applying it to a case using “photovoltaic system” as an example. In this case, results are intuitively obvious so that calculation results can be corroborated by human judgment. Finally, the concept similarity measure is applied to derive the similarity of CMAPs in the case study. Based on the initial evaluations, this study shows that the proposed measure has demonstrated promising features for determining the similarity of multiple knowledge structures or the common understanding of students. However, when the number of knowledge structures increases, concept similarity analyses become more complicated because uncertain situations arise due to ambiguous human perception to propositions that are shared by multiple concepts. Future research is thus needed to understand and clearly define concept similarity in those situations. In addition, other studies are also identified for future research.     

Domain Taxonomy for Construction Concepts: Toward a Formal Ontology for Construction Knowledge

With the advancement of the semantic web, the construction industry is at a stage where intelligent knowledge management systems can be used. Such systems support more effective collaboration, where virtual teams of skilled users, not software, exchange ideas, decisions, and best practice. To achieve that, there is a need to create consistent semantic representation of construction knowledge. Existing representations, in the form of classification systems and product data models, lack effective modeling of concept semantics—a fundamental requirement for human-based exchange of knowledge. Toward this objective, this paper presents a domain taxonomy that was developed as part of the e-COGNOS project. The taxonomy was developed as a first step in the establishment of domain ontology for construction. The taxonomy was developed to be process-centered and to allow for utilization of already existing classification systems (BS6100, Master Format, and UniClass, for example). The taxonomy uses seven major domains to classify construction concepts: Process, Product, Project, Actor, Resource, Technical Topics, and Systems. The taxonomy was developed and validated through extensive interaction with domain experts. The taxonomy was used to develop a prototype ontology for the construction domain including semantic relationships and axioms. The ontology was used to support several applications in semantic knowledge management as part of the e-COGNOS portal, including semantic indexing and retrieval of information and ontology-based collaborative project development.