Collaborative work model under distributedconstruction environments

K.J. Kim, C.K. Lee, J.R. Kim, E.Y. Shin, and M.Y. Cho

Abstract: Efficient management of construction project information is essential for the successful performance of aconstruction project. This paper investigates a standard information classification system, which represents a data modelrelating 3D CAD drawing, costing, scheduling, resource information, specification, and other information for multipleuses in the project. In sharing information among independent applications in distributed construction environments, adistributed transaction service module that manages information-sharing processes through an integrated database isalso desirable. To examine a distributed database structure and data transaction services, this paper analyzes a standardinformation classification system and business process. A distributed database structure model and a data transactionservice module for information sharing are designed. A prototype system is implemented and then applied to a realproject for its validation. The target application area of the prototype is a high-rise steel-structure apartment building.The scope of the application includes information on the architectural and structural design, the cost, the schedule, theresources, the quality of the management, and the specifications.

Key words: CIC, PMIS, 4D CAD, construction management, construction information, information classification sys-tem, integrated management.

Résumé : Une gestion efficace de l’information sur un projet de construction est essentielle pour réussir son exécution.Le présent article analyse un système standard de classification de l’information, c’est-à-dire un modèle de données re-liant les dessins 3D par CAO, les coûts, l’échéancier, les informations sur les ressources, les spécifications et d’autresinformations aux fins d’usages multiples dans le projet. En partageant l’information parmi les applications indépendan-tes dans des environnements de construction distribués, il est également désirable d’avoir un module de service transac-tionnel distribué qui gère les processus de partage de l’information par une base de données intégrée. Afin d’examinerla structure de la base de données distribuée ainsi que les services transactionnels de données, cet article analyse unsystème standard de classification de l’information et un processus opérationnel. Un modèle de la structure de la basede données distribuée ainsi qu’un module de service transactionnel des données aux fins de partage d’information sontconçus. Un prototype de système est implanté puis appliqué à un véritable projet aux fins de validation. Le domaineciblé d’application du prototype est un immeuble résidentiel de grande hauteur à charpente métallique. La portée del’application comprend les informations sur la conception architecturale et les structures, le coût, l’échéancier, les res-sources, la gestion de la qualité et les spécifications.

Mots clés : CIC, PMIS, CAO 4D, gestion de construction, information de construction, système de classification del’information, gestion intégrée.

[Traduit par la Rédaction] Kim et al. 313

Introduction

A large amount of information is created and used repeat-edly during a construction project. Efficient management ofthis information is essential for the successful outcome of

such a project. In particular, integrated management of thedesign, the cost, the schedule, the material, the equipment,the labor, and the organization information, all of which areinterrelated, has been a major concern in construction man-agement. However, most of the construction projects stillsuffer from inefficient information flow throughout the lifecycle of the project. This problem mainly comes from thecomplex data relationships and different data formats amongmanagement functions that share the information under thedistributed construction environment.

So as to provide environments for creating the data onceand using them many times, this research investigates a stan-dard information classification system, which represents adata model relating 3D CAD drawing, costing, scheduling,resource information, and specifications. A distributed data-base structure model and a data transaction service modulefor information sharing are designed. A prototype system isimplemented and then applied to a real project for its valida-tion. The target application area of the prototype is a high-

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Received 26 November 2003. Revision accepted 11 June2004. Published on the NRC Research Press Web site athttp://cjce.nrc.ca on 7 April 2005.

K.J. Kim.1 Department of Civil and EnvironmentalEngineering, Chung-Ang University, 221 Heuksok-Dong,Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 156-756, Korea.C.K. Lee, J.R. Kim, E.Y. Shin, and M.Y. Cho. CM&ITCenter, Korea Institute of Construction Technology, Goyang,Kyong-gy-Do 411-712, Korea.

Written discussion of this article is welcomed and will bereceived by the Editor until 31 August 2005.

1Corresponding author (e-mail: kjkim@cau.ac.kr).

rise steel-structure apartment building. The applicationscope includes information on the architectural and struc-tural design, the cost, the schedule, the resources, qualitymanagement, and the specifications.

Previous related works

Researches in 4D CAD can be classified into a projectmodel representation or a 4D model-based reasoning system.A 4D model-based reasoning system means utilizing 4DCAD in inferring time–space conflicts for workspaces (Akinciet al. 2002), producing a construction schedule (Darwiche etal. 1988; Fischer and Aalami 1995), etc. However, the majorconcerns of this research focus on performing a series of tasksaround an integrated project model.

To identify better ways of performing construction man-agement functions in an integrated approach, a lot of data-representation models that facilitate the integration havebeen suggested. Teicholz (1987) proposed a mapping mech-anism between the cost breakdown structure (CBS) and thework breakdown structure (WBS). In this mechanism, a sin-gle cost account is related to one or more activities (tasks).The mechanism is based on the concept of percentage allo-cation, where a cost account has specific percentages thatspecify the amount of a given resource in a cost account onthe CBS that should be allocated to a given task on theWBS. This approach requires extra control accounts linkingthe cost and the schedule accounts. As a result, its limitationin the effectiveness and efficiency of data processing and re-porting has been pointed out (Rasdorf and Osama 1991).

Hendrickson and Au (1989) introduced individual workelements relating cost and schedule information. Work ele-ments formulate a two-dimensional matrix of activity andcost accounts. As a result, a numbering system for work ele-ments is represented by both the relevant cost account andthe associated activity. The work elements can be related tothe responsible organization or individual. In this case, athree-dimensional representation of work elements is re-quired. This approach offers more straightforward means.However, as Hendrickson and Au mention, the developmentand maintenance of a work element database can represent alarge data collection and organization effort. Initially prepar-ing this database represents a considerable burden by way ofdata collection, storage, and bookkeeping. Kim (1989) triesto integrate design, cost, and schedule data by BOD (Basicconstruction Operations required by a Design object) thatprovides a mechanism relating a design object with a costaccount and an activity (Fig. 1).

To eliminate the linking mechanisms needed by othermodels, Rasdorf and Osama (1991) suggested a work pack-age model that provides a unified view of project costs andschedule-data using one WBS and eliminating the CBS. Thisapproach provides a more efficient data-acquisition environ-ment for cost and schedule control than the previous models.However, as Rasdorf and Osama (1991) mention, this ap-proach requires the use of the WBS early in the project lifecycle. This means that in the development of the WBS, theproject manager should consider both cost estimates andschedule controls. This is possible in design-built projects.However, in general design-bid-build contracts, the CBS pre-

pared in the bidding process has inherently different pointsof view than the WBS in the construction process.

Process, product, and project models (Björk 1994; Fischerand Froese 1996; Froese 1996; IAI 2002; ISO 1999) are alsoproposed. The project model refers to the collection of infor-mation that represents, describes, or abstracts architecture/engineering/construction (A/E/C) projects (Fischer andFroese 1996). These project model representations define therelevant objects, attributes, and relationships in a projectmodel to enable information sharing among disciplines.These approaches use a central shared model and investigatea semantically explicit approach providing specific objects(such as a beam), attributes (stating that the beam is aW12 × 42), and relationships (stating that the beam supportsthe slab).

To facilitate efficient management and utilization of pro-ject information and to support communication among pro-ject participants, project information should be consistentlyrelated through a standardized information classification sys-tem. Standard information breakdown structure is a set ofguidelines and standards for organizing many different formsof information including documents in libraries, project infor-mation, cost information, specifications, etc. (Uniclass 1997).The guidelines and standards support a standardized, compre-hensive approach to the organization of the documents re-quired during the construction process. The guidelines andstandards are required to enhance communication, improvereadability, and decrease the confusion and margin for errorcreated by documents used for construction projects, whichvary depending on the knowledge and style of the documentwriter (CSI/CSC 1992). However, previous approaches werenot capable of utilizing standardized information classifica-tion. As a result, it is not only inefficient in the storage andextraction of data from the database, but also there is diffi-culty in preparing the database. This research proposes anapproach integrating 3D CAD drawings, costs, and thescheduling of information by utilizing a standardized infor-mation classification system.

In addition to the project model, in sharing informationamong independent applications under distributed construc-tion environments, a distributed transaction service modulethat manages information-sharing processes through an inte-grated database is a practical issue. To examine distributeddatabase structure and data transaction services, a distributeddatabase structure model and a data transaction service mod-ule are investigated.

Definition of integrated informationclassification system

To link related information for project management and tosupport integrated management of the information, this re-search specifies a standard information breakdown structure(classification system) based on the information classifica-tion framework that is suggested by ISO Technical Report14177 (ISO 1994). However, ISO classification does notprovide details in the classification system. This research an-alyzes additional fields for information classification thatsupports actual data management of each business function.An information classification system proper to high-risesteel-structure apartment building is prepared as shown in

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Table 1 and Table 2. Table 1 includes not only the primaryclassification viewpoint suggested by ISO, but also addi-tional fields for general management. Based on Table 1, thisresearch defines the information classification system pro-viding link points for information sharing among businessfunctions.

The classification framework for project information sug-gested in this research is shown in Table 2. The rows show

business functions, and the columns show the facets of theinformation classification that are necessary to each businessfunction. The integration function in the bottom row needsevery facet so as to support all of the business functions.The number in each cell is the digit for the code in the clas-sification system.

This project information classification system requireslong digits so as to represent all the information for steel

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Fig. 1. Ibbs’ and Kim’s model.

Function Facets of classification Additional fields

Architectural design Facilities, spaces, elements Project, zone(area), buildings, area, element type, consecu-tive numbers

Structural design Facilities, spaces, elements Project, element type, buildings, area, consecutive numbers,drawing type, field of drawing, revision numbers

Drawing management Facilities, spaces Project, buildings, design phase, field of drawing, drawingtype, revision numbers

Specification management Facilities, work sections, resources Project, revision numbersEstimation Facilities, spaces, elements, work sections Project, zone(area), buildings, houses, area, element type,

consecutive numbersSchedule management Facilities, spaces, elements, work sections Project, buildingsSchedule-cost management Facilities, spaces, elements, work sections,

resourcesProject, buildings

Schedule-resourcemanagement

Facilities, spaces, elements, work sections,resources

Project, buildings, houses, area, element type, consecutivenumbers, revision numbers

Schedule-qualitymanagement

Facilities, spaces, elements, work sections,resources

Project, buildings, consecutive numbers

Table 1. Facets of information classification for each business function.

structure apartment construction. However, recent dramaticdevelopments in computer memory technology reducessome of the constraints in the length of the code number. Inusing the code, since it is a high-level project, the facilitycode, the area code, etc. can be separated from other lowerlevel codes; users do not need to input all of those codes re-peatedly.

As shown in Fig. 2, by proper combination, the projectclassification system can be utilized for each function in thedesign and construction phase since it reflects various facets.In addition, the code for each facet includes an acronym. Thefirst letters of each code used in the bottom row of Table 2 areas follows: J, project; F, Facility; Z, Zone; B, Building; C,section; S, Space; U, house; A, Area; E, Element; T, elementType; N, Number; K, Kind; D, Design; Y, drawing type; R,Revision; AR (CI/EL), Architecture (Civil/Electronic); L(M/Q/H), Labor (Material/equipment/overhead). The letterhelps to use the code without any restriction on the sequenceof the code. In designing databases for each function, eventhough independent data fields are utilized for each function,if the same field names among applications are used in theircommon field, this can help to relate and share data automati-cally among applications.

Design-construction integrated processmodel

To analyze the information flow in the design (drawing,structural design), cost estimating, specification writing,drawings and specification management, scheduling, cost-ing, resource management, and quality management, this re-search implemented the process model on the pilot project.The process model represents the activities involved in de-signing the physical entity that is to be constructed (Sause etal. 1992). For the implementation of the process model, asurvey by an expert in the related areas was performed. Con-tract documents (drawings, structural analyses, schedules,bills of quantity, etc.) and procedural manuals were re-viewed. The result of the analysis is represented by interac-tion diagrams so as to show the relationships among themain functions. Association among architectural, structuraldesign, and cost estimating in the design phase is repre-sented in Fig. 3. Association among time, cost, and resourcemanagement in the construction phase is represented in

Fig. 4. These diagrams were utilized as a scenario for theintegration of the design and construction information man-agement system.

Mechanism for the integration of designand construction information

In integrating design and construction information, this re-search utilizes relationships between facility elements andconstruction methods. Construction methods can be relatedto the element of a facility. As a result, design informationcan be linked to construction information. An informationclassification facet for a facility element is related to that forconstruction work sections (as shown in Fig. 5).

In implementing the information according to the classifi-cation system, this research utilizes MicroStation Triforma™(Bentley 1998). This system provides an object engine fortwo libraries. One is the “Part” library for facility elements,and the other is the “Component” library for construction in-formation. The library supports predefining attributes of thefacility elements and construction methods systematically,and then reusing the information just by changing the attrib-utes of the elements. Construction information to be relatedfor each facility element can be defined by linking Part andComponent library. In implementing the information in thelibrary, a predefined classification system is utilized (Fig. 6).

Library structureAccording to the predefined classification system, the li-

brary for elements and work sections is divided into a Partlibrary and a Component library. The Part library containsinformation on the elements for building, and then is reusedin defining elements of a building in a 3D CAD drawing.The Component library stores information on general con-struction methods and materials. The Component library isreused to define construction information for each buildingelement. The code for each element and work section is as-signed in the library according to the standardized informa-tion classification system. Those codes are utilized to queryinformation on costs, scheduling, etc. The Part library isshown in Fig. 6. A “Family” consists of the same type of el-ements.

The Part library contains information such as definitions,attributes, section patterning, auto dimensions, components,

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Field

Space

Function Project Facility Zone Building Section Storey House Area

Architectral design 5 4 3 4 3 6 — 4Structural design 5 4 — 4 3 6 — 4Drawings 5 4 — 4 3 6 3 3Specification 5 4 — — — — — —Estimation 5 4 3 4 3 6 3 4Cost 5 4 4 3 6 — —Resource 5 4 4 3 6 3 4Quality 5 4 4 3 6Integration J0000 (5) F000 (4) Z00 (3) B00 (3) C00 (3) S00000 (6) U00 (3) A000 (4)

Table 2. Facets and their digit of information classification system.

etc. The attribute shapes the information such as length andwidth of an element. The component contains a pointer tothe component library so as to link the part to its relatedconstruction information (construction methods, materials,etc.) stored in the Component library. In addition, the Part li-brary stores the equation to calculate the volume of an ele-ment corresponding to construction information.

The family number 01, 02, etc., is same to layer (Level)number of CAD. This let the graphic information of an ele-ment be related to the part library information. In addition,in case that an element is composed of more than one part,combination of the elements can be defined in “Compound”shown in Fig. 6. Figure 6 shows examples of a concrete col-umn and an exterior wall finished by stone tiles.

The Component library contains general construction in-formation such as materials, unit price, quantity, and relatedspecification clauses. It has a hierarchy of Family and Com-ponent (Fig. 7).

In entering construction information into the Componentlibrary, the information is classified based on the construc-

tion method and material. The Component library containsinformation on construction methods and materials. Accord-ingly, this Component library is linked to the attributes ofthe Part library, and the Part library is related to the graphicinformation of a 3D CAD drawing. Through this correlationamong the Part library, the Component library, and the CADdrawings, the graphic information of a facility and its non-graphic attributes, and construction information can belinked (Fig. 8).

A part can be related with more than one component. Forexample, to construct a reinforced concrete column as an el-ement, activities such as rebar placing, form works, and con-crete placing should be connected. To make the connection,the concrete column part has pointers to re-bar placing, formworks, and concrete-placing components as its componentattributes. Based on this concept, the Part and Component li-braries are implemented and linked.

In this research, construction information stored in theComponent library is classified by CBS in Fig. 7. This con-stitutes a bill for materials. WBS is used for classifying ac-

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Field

Element Element type NumbersDesignphase

Field ofdesign

Drawingtype

Revisionnumber

Worksection Resource

4 3 5 — — — — — —4 3 5 3 2 3 3 — —— — — 3 2 3 3 — —— — — — — — — 8 —4 3 5 — — — — 8 5(6,9)4 3 5 — — — — 8 5(6,9)4 3 5 — — 3 8 5(6,9)4 3 — — — — — 8 5(6,9)E000 (4) T00 (3) N0000 (5) K00 (3) D0 (2) Y00 (3) R00 (3) AR000000 (8) L00000 (6)

Fig. 2. Utilization of project classification system.

tivities for scheduling. In this research, WBS is classified bybuilding elements related to several items in the bill for ma-terials.

Since the information in the library is implemented basedon the standard information breakdown structure, the infor-mation can be queried by code according to the necessaryinformation level. This enables one to search and create pro-ject information by CBS or WBS. In addition, for the linkbetween activity and specification, the Component library

contains codes of the specification as one of its attribute(Fig. 8). The specification information for each activity canbe referred to by utilizing the code.

Process creating part and component libraryFigure 9 shows the process-creating Part library through

Part Manager. Several types of building elements forming afacility are defined in Part Manager window shown in Fig. 9.A Family consists of the same type of building elements. For

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Fig. 3. Interaction diagram among design-structural analysis-cost estimating.

Fig. 4. Schedule-cost-resource management interaction diagram.

example, a concrete beam is part of a Family so there aresimilar types of beams having different sizes. These beamsare defined in the Parts window.

Figure 9 also shows the process-creating Component li-brary through Component Manager. The Component librarycontains construction information. According to a predefinedinformation classification system, the construction informa-tion in the Component library is classified in the Families

window. This research adopted MasterFormat (CSI/CSC1992) as a CBS. A Family contains work items as a subcate-gory. For example, in performing concrete works, severalwork items such as rebar placing, form works, and concreteplacing are related. For these work items, in the Edit Com-ponent window, the user can define construction informationsuch as material, unit, unit price, and related specificationclauses, etc.

After the definition of the Part and Component libraries,each building element stored in the Part library is related to

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Fig. 5. WBS for apartment building.

Fig. 6. Simplified structure of part library. Fig. 7. Structure of component library.

the construction information stored in the Component libraryas shown in the Edit Part window of Fig. 9. At this time,each building element can be related to more than one com-ponent. For an example, a reinforced concrete beam as abuilding element is related to the work items such as rebarplacing, form works, concrete placing, etc. In addition, inthe Formula window (Fig. 9), the user can define how to cal-culate the quantity of material for each work item, which isrelated to the building element.

Here, the Family number of the Part library is the same asthe layer number of the 3D CAD drawing. As a result, the

graphic information of a building element is related to thePart library information. Through the relationship among thePart library, the Component library, and the CAD drawings,the graphic information and nongraphic attributes of a facil-ity, and construction information can be linked.

Collaborative work model

Integrated data modelAn individual system for each business function has inde-

pendent data. Each system contains a complex structure of

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Fig. 8. Links of graphic/non-graphic information.

Fig. 9. Creation of part and component library.

itself so as to support domain functions such as architecturaldesign, structural design, cost estimating, specification writ-ing and management, scheduling, costs, resource manage-ment, etc. Data for each system can be classified into dataused only for its own functions, and data to be linked andshared with other systems. If all of the project information ismanaged in an integrated database, each system has accessto the integrated database all the time. This reduces the effi-ciency of the system. As a result, the data for an individualsystem only were not included in the integrated database.Data to be shared among applications were identified by an-alyzing the data structure of the individual systems and byreflecting the association among the applications definedthrough the process model. An integrated data model forconstruction of a steel-structure apartment is shown inFig. 10. The integrated database contains data to be sharedamong applications, and data such as project information,classification codes to be shared in an enterprise level, andalso management tables to control the integrated database.

Integrated database architectureParticipants in a construction project are physically dis-

tributed, and different system-operating environments andstandards are utilized. As a result, it is very important howthe information for the management of the project can beshared. However, the construction field does not haveenough infrastructure such as a network. Each application inthe field does a lot of work for its specific purpose by utiliz-ing its own data. As a result, if the client system has to ac-cess the server and download the applications and datawhenever a function is to be performed, the efficiency of thesystem must be reduced. To support efficient sharing of theinformation, this research adopts a database structure bycombining a client-oriented client/server architecture and adistributed engine architecture as shown in Fig. 11. In thisstructure, most of the work is performed in the client system.In addition, this structure allows for its own data to be usedfor its own work and for common data to be shared throughthe distributed database architecture.

Criteria for the data distribution are based on the fre-quency of data updating and the necessity of data sharing. Ifthe frequency of the data updating is high, the data are lo-cated in the data tables of the server and then clients accessand update. Newly created data (such as elements of a facil-ity, cost, etc.) in management process are controlled in eachapplication at first, and then if necessary, uploaded or syn-chronized into the server.

In the case of a table whose update is not frequent, such asin the project general information and classification codes,etc., its copy is located in a client system and then directlyaccessed by the client system. Tables that are to be sharedamong applications, should be located in a server. In this re-search, Microsoft Jet Engine (MS Access) is utilized as a da-tabase engine for the client system, and MS SQL Server forthe server. In addition, the database and applications sharedata through OLE DB (Object Linking and Embedding Da-tabase), ODBC (Open Database Connectivity), and HTTP(HyperText Transfer Protocol). Information among applica-tions is linked and integrated through utilizing standardizedinformation classification system. Functions in an integrated

database architecture mean the applications in the integratedsystem architecture; Fig. 11 shows that each function suchas structural, design, estimation has accesses to three typesof database.

Implementation of the distributed transaction servicemodule

A basic data flow of the integrated system is shown inFig. 12. An architectural design system sends the grid sys-tem, frame, and space information to the structural analysissystem as an Excel file format. The structural analysis sys-tem performs structural design by utilizing the informationand sends the results to an assigned integrated databaseserver. Utilizing this information, the architectural designsystem creates 3D building elements. In the specificationmanagement system, the user can write project specificationby referring to the design information. The data that are cre-ated for the building elements are delivered to the cost esti-mation system. The estimation system creates bills of thematerials and quantities. This information is sent to cost/schedule system. The user creates an activity list that is inte-grated with the work section as shown in Fig. 5. The inte-grated cost and schedule information can also be utilized inthe resource management system and quality managementsystem.

Any change in an application exerts an influence on otherapplications. To support information sharing among the pro-ject participants in a distributed construction environment,the influences among the distributed applications are identi-fied. These effects are established in a “Distributed transac-tion service” module so as to manage information-sharingprocesses (Information sharing on the work flow) throughthe integrated database.

When the data are updated in each application, accordingto the effects among the applications as is shown in Fig. 13,the Distributed Transaction Service Module controls the pro-cess for data sharing. In other words, the Distributed Trans-action Service Module lets the related applications receivenotification of the data change.

For example, as shown in Fig. 13, architectural designchanges exert an influence on the structural design, relatedspecification clauses, estimation, scheduling, resources, etc.The architectural design system changes its related parts andsends the information to the structural design system. Thestructural design system analyzes the design changes andthen sends its results back to the architectural design system.The information related to the design changes in building el-ements is updated in the architectural design system. Theupdated information on the building elements is sent to theestimation system. The information related to the change inestimation is updated. The cost/schedule system reviews thechanged items in the bill of materials and then reflects thechanges necessary in the cost/schedule system.

To notify other related applications of a change in data ineach application, a method of pop-up messages when a cli-ent is connected to the server and another of sending an e-mail were considered. The first has the disadvantage of theuser being only able to see the message when accessing tothe server. This research, therefore, adopted the method ofsending an e-mail to the related application when there was

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any change in data (Fig. 14). This approach was generallyaccepted in the pilot-project test.

In addition, for the security of the integrated system underdistributed environment, data access levels of each applica-tion in the integrated environments are designated. Adminis-trator can control project DB, and create and manage all ofthe tables. Sub-Administrator (application level) can query

and store data related to each application according to al-lowed procedure. A user level can only read data.

Benefits from the prototype system

For the implementation of a prototype, this research triedto utilize commercial software, if possible, rather than de-

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Fig. 11. i PMS architecture.

Fig. 10. Integration data model.

velop new application systems. This concept can save on thetime and money required in establishing an integrated sys-tem since an integrated system requires a lot of software.This is more obvious when the application areas are to be ex-tended. This research used a PC as hardware, MicroStationTriforma™ for the 3D CAD, Microsoft Project® for theschedule, PlantSpace® as an integration platform, andMicrosoft Visual Basic® as a development language.

Automated quantity surveying and generation of billsfor materials

To support cost estimating, basic information for the costestimate and equations for quantity calculations are stored in

a library for each element of the facility. After completion ofthe drawing in a CAD system, the quantity of material corre-sponding to each element in the CAD drawing is calculatedautomatically. The information on the calculated quantity isclassified according to necessary information breakdownstructure by utilizing the information classification code as-signed to each element.

Since the information in the Component library has thesame structure as the Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS),which is classified on the basis of construction methods and

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Fig. 12. Data flow chart.

Fig. 13. Process model for information sharing management. Fig. 14. Message windows.

materials, the prototype system developed in this researchcreates quantity data according to the CBS (Fig. 15). Thisinformation can be exported into the Microsoft Access®data format. This generated information facilitates sharingand reusing the information among the different applica-tions.

Generation of schedule informationFor scheduling, an engineer has to identify the activity

list, to survey the quantity in each activity, and to input theidentified information into the schedule software. This infor-mation creation and input requires a lot of time and labor. Tosupport this process, this prototype system provides quantityinformation for each activity according to the WBS (WorkBreakdown Structure) that is predefined time managementlevel by utilizing the information classification code.

For information sharing with different application systemsthrough importing and exporting, the prototype system gen-erates schedule information into a text file. The schedule in-formation includes the activity and resource lists (cost),WBS code, etc.

Integrated management of design and constructioninformation

In this research, to support the integrated design manage-ment, scheduling, resources, costs, specification with 3D

CAD graphic information, information classification struc-ture, CAD library, and project models are established. Forthe integrated management of the project information,PlantSpace Integration Series are utilized as an integrationplatform. Figures 16 and 17 show the links between the 3DCAD drawing, quantity, schedule, and specification informa-tion. By clicking an element of a facility in the 3D CADdrawing, related costs, scheduling, and specification infor-mation are displayed. This integration of 3D graphic infor-mation and scheduling information enables graphicalsimulation of the schedule by an early start date and latestart date (Fig. 18) and provides various construction infor-mation according to the progressof the construction.

Performance and limitationsIn the development of the system’s framework, implemen-

tation, and testing of this prototype, two Ph.D. degree re-searchers and three Master degree holders were involved forthree years. The prototype system that was developed wasapplied to a steel-structure, high-rise apartment building pro-ject with 1 storey of substructure and 14 stories of super-structure. For the building, in preparing the buildingcomponent and construction method library for a 4D CADdrawing, it took only 18 days with 2 men per day. This pro-totype system was proved to save data-creation time fordesign, costs, and schedule information by utilizing a prede-

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Fig. 15. Generation of bill of materials.

fined library. In addition, the major parts of the predefinedlibrary can be reused in a reinforced concrete office buildingwith minor changes (Kim et al. 1999).

This prototype system was implemented in a Client/Serverenvironment utilizing distributed database technology and adata transaction service module. The transaction service

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Fig. 16. Integration of drawing and quantity.

Fig. 17. Integration of 3D CAD, activity, and specification.

module enabled each application to access to the server, andthen not only to search information but also to share the dataupdated in each application system. The distributed databasetechnology helped to process large quantities of data moreefficiently than a single integration platform. However, thequantity of data for graphic elements, activities to be con-trolled were still too large to be managed in a Pentium III500 MHz lower speed PC. These limitations are issues to beimproved in the future research.

The general user of this system is still not familiar withthe integrated approach for data sharing. It is assessed thatthe user needs more education on the system and process forinformation sharing. However, the project participant re-sponds that the 3D CAD information integrated with the costand schedule will improve the comprehension of the project.

Conclusions

Computer integrated construction is a strategic concept,not only to provide necessary information on time, but alsoto support systematic management based on information byenabling streamlined integration in information flow and bysupporting efficient creation, storing, sharing, and reusing ofthe information.

For the implementation of the integrated system, this re-search first establishes basic principles in establishing an in-formation classification structure so that the classificationcan support integrated management of project information.Based on the classification structure, design and constructioninformation is implemented. A project model supporting in-tegrated management of design, costs, schedules, and speci-fication is established. By utilizing commercial applicationprograms, this research implemented a prototype-integratedmanagement system for its validation. This integration sys-tem will help to systematically accumulate historical data asconstruction projects are built.

In this research, the targeted application area was a steel-structured high-rise apartment building. To extend the appli-cation areas of the prototype system, characteristics of vari-ous types of facilities should be continuously added. Theinformation library for various types of facilities should alsobe continuously updated. In addition, for utilization in theconstruction field, the user interface and various functionssuch as batch processing of detailed computer processesshould still be improved. However, system and integrationmechanisms established in this research can be utilized inestablishing an integrated system for other similar types offacilities with minimum modification.

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