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Knowledge and Reasoning for MEP Coordination |
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| Authors: | Thomas M Korman Martin A Fischer C B Tatum |
| Affiliation: | 1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 4505 Maryland Pkwy., Box 45-4015, Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas 89154-4015. 2Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering and (by courtesy) Computer Science, and Director, Center for Facility Engineering, Stanford Univ., Stanford, CA 94305-4020. 3Professor and Chair, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Terman Engineering Center, Stanford Univ., Stanford, CA 94305-4020. |
| Abstract: | The coordination of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems is a major challenge for complex buildings and industrial plants. The process involves locating equipment and routing connecting elements for each building system. This multidiscipline effort is time-consuming and expensive and requires knowledge regarding each system over the project life cycle. Current practice requires representatives from each MEP trade to work together to identify and resolve interferences. Effective MEP coordination requires recalling and integrating knowledge regarding design, construction, operations, and maintenance of each MEP system. Currently, designers and constructors use tailored CAD systems to design and fabricate MEP systems, but no knowledge-based computer technology exists to assist in the multidiscipline MEP coordination effort. The paper describes results from a research project to capture knowledge related to design criteria, construction, operations, and maintenance of MEP systems and apply this knowledge in a computer tool that can assist designers and builders in resolving coordination problems for multiple MEP systems. |
| Keywords: | Plumbing Electrical systems structural Mechanical systems structural Construction Design criteria |