Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering

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May/June 2008

Volume 22, Issue 3, pp. 147-229

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Version and Configuration Model for Structural Design Objects: Design and Implementation

Jamal A. Abdalla, M.ASCE and Tilal M. Eltayeb

J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 22, 147 (2008); http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(2008)22:3(147) (12 pages)

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This paper presents the design and implementation of a version and configuration model (VCM) for structural design objects. The VCM is developed to capture the incremental, evolutionary, multipath and iterative nature of the structural design process. Specifically, this model: (1) defines representational frameworks for representing the versions and configurations of design objects; (2) suggests sets of manipulation operations for creating and tracking the versions and configurations of design objects across the different representational frameworks; and (3) presents a prototype implementation scheme of a version manager, that is based on the representational frameworks and the manipulation operations of the proposed VCM. A case study of reinforced concrete T-beam is presented together with its prototype implementation using Object Pascal as a proof of concept. This is to describe the elements of the model, validate its effectiveness and demonstrate its viability. It is concluded that the VCM and its implementation is a valuable and necessary ingredient for developing a truly integrated structural engineering design system.

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

Inhan Kim and Jongcheol Seo

J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 22, 159 (2008); http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(2008)22:3(159) (11 pages)

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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.

Formalism for Applying Domain Constraints in Domain-Oriented Schema Matching

Hongjun Wang, Burcu Akinci, James H. Garrett, Jr., and Kent A. Reed

J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 22, 170 (2008); http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(2008)22:3(170) (11 pages)

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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.

Assessing Residual Value of Heavy Construction Equipment Using Predictive Data Mining Model

Hongqin Fan, Simaan AbouRizk, Hyoungkwan Kim, and Osmar Zaïane

J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 22, 181 (2008); http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(2008)22:3(181) (11 pages) | Cited 3 times

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Construction equipment constitutes a significant portion of investment in fixed assets by large contractors. To make the right decisions on equipment repair, rebuilding, disposal, or equipment fleet optimization to maximize the return of investment, the contractors need to predict the residual value of heavy construction equipment to an acceptable level of accuracy. Current practice of using rule-of-thumb or statistical regression methods cannot satisfactorily capture the dynamic relationship between the residual value of a piece of heavy equipment and its influencing factors, and such rules or models are difficult to integrate into a decision support system. This paper introduces a data mining based approach for estimating the residual value of heavy construction equipment using a predictive data mining model, and its potential benefits on the decision making of construction equipment management. Compared to the current practice of assessing equipment residual values, the proposed approach demonstrates advantages of ease of use, better interpretability, and adequate accuracy.

Linear Scheduling and 4D Visualization

Sheryl Staub-French, Alan Russell, and Ngoc Tran

J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 22, 192 (2008); http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(2008)22:3(192) (14 pages) | Cited 4 times

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Described in this paper is a novel approach to four-dimensional (4D) computer-aided design (CAD). It involves a two-way symbiotic relationship between three-dimensional (3D) CAD software and a software implementation of linear planning that includes the ability to define a project product model and associate it with the process model. Strengths of the approach include the ability to readily modify construction sequences and examine their consequences using 4D CAD, and the ability to treat very large scale projects marked by significant repetition of their components. By building on a shared image of the project product model from both a design and construction perspective, the CAD model can be structured in a way that facilitates communication with the scheduling software and vice versa. Various challenges involved in making the 2-way process work are described, including consistency of product representation in the CAD and scheduling models, and the need to group CAD components at different levels of detail and locations to reflect the kinds of aggregation found in schedule representations of a project. The benefits of the approach include the ease with which different scheduling strategies can be explored and visualized, the links between 3D objects and activities can be maintained, and the completeness of the product model representations can be validated. A case study is used to illustrate the approach adopted and the challenges involved.

Innovative Data Acquisition for Heavily Instrumented Flexible Pavements

Isaac L. Howard, M.ASCE and Kimberly A. Warren, M.ASCE

J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 22, 206 (2008); http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(2008)22:3(206) (10 pages)

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A data acquisition program was written to allow independent triggering of multiple test sections of a thin flexible pavement. A total of 129 electronic sensors were installed in 17 test sections and subjected to 2,100 truck passes over several months immediately after construction. The measured strains were highly variable in the thin flexible pavement, but the program was still able to successfully trigger each section independently. The majority of signal processing was also performed within the program, which was written in Lab VIEW 7 Express. This approach significantly reduced the amount of postprocessing effort that would have otherwise been required. The quality of the triggering approach was compared to independently collected weigh in motion data. The majority of the test sections recorded within 0.5% of the number of vehicles recorded by the weigh in motion system. Key components of all major facets of the data acquisition and programming performed are discussed in detail.

Integration of Municipal Infrastructure Asset Management Processes: Challenges and Solutions

Mahmoud R. Halfawy, Ph.D., P.Eng.

J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 22, 216 (2008); http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(2008)22:3(216) (14 pages) | Cited 2 times

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Municipal infrastructure management decision making is inherently an integrated process that requires the assimilation of a multitude of data, processes, and software systems. Current work practices have resulted in significant process and data fragmentation, which have subsequently created much inefficiency that impedes the implementation of effective management strategies. There is a broad consensus in the industry that adopting integrated multidisciplinary approaches is a key requirement for implementing efficient, sustainable, and proactive asset management programs. This paper discusses the main challenges for implementing integrated municipal infrastructure management environments, and proposes specific solutions to address these challenges. The proposed solutions address the systematization and coordination of work processes, the development of centralized shared data repositories based on nonproprietary integrated data models, and the organization and integration of distributed software tools into a modular and extensible enterprise-wide software environment. The implementation of a prototype sewer management environment based on the proposed solutions is also presented.
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