Computer-assisted construction methods knowledge management and selection

The construction industry's information environment is undergoing rapid changes. Construction professionals now expect fast and reliable access to rich data sources. Significant advances have been made in streamlining the creation and dissemination of computer-aided design drawings and construction documents through incorporation of information technology in the workflow. However, there is a need to go beyond just the automation of existing paper flows and provide the construction knowledge worker with tools that can be easily used to document previous project experience, track new technological developments, and then incorporate these in the formulation of construction strategies for future projects. This paper describes work aimed at creating such tools in the context of a comprehensive decision-support system, by developing intelligent representation structures for storing and accessing construction domain knowledge and coupling them with advanced planning tools so as to enable the quick formulation and assessment of initial project plans. The information requirements and features needed for such a system are first examined, followed by a demonstration of how some of these requirements have been addressed in the system design and implementation. Aspects of a hypothetical high-rise building project are used throughout to illustrate application of the concepts developed.