Collaborative work model under distributed construction environments

Efficient management of construction project information is essential for the successful performance of a construction project. This paper investigates a standard information classification system, which represents a data model relating 3D CAD drawing, costing, scheduling, resource information, specification, and other information for multiple uses in the project. In sharing information among independent applications in distributed construction environments, a distributed transaction service module that manages information-sharing processes through an integrated database is also desirable. To examine a distributed database structure and data transaction services, this paper analyzes a standard information classification system and business process. A distributed database structure model and a data transaction service module for information sharing are designed. A prototype system is implemented and then applied to a real project 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, the resources, the quality of the management, and the specifications.