Data structures and DBMS for computer-aided design systems

The structures for the storage of data in CAD systems influence to a large extent the effectiveness of the system. This paper reviews the wide range of data structures and database management systems (DBMS) available for structuring CAD data. Examples of basic data types are drawn from the MODULA-2 language. The relationship between these basic data types, their composite structures and the classical data models (on which many DBMS are based) is discussed, and the limitations of existing DBMS in modelling CAD data highlighted. A set of requirements for CAD database management systems is drawn up and the emerging role of product models (which seek to encapsulate the totality of data elements required to define fully an engineering artefact) is explored.

Electronic commerce in construction-trends and prospects

There is growing interest in the conduct of business transactions by electronic means through the Internet and/or dedicated networks, this is often referred to as electronic commerce. This paper reviews developments in electronic commerce, with a particular focus on its applicability and uptake within the construction industry. Electronic commerce business models are reviewed and the enablers and barriers to their uptake in the construction sector presented. The paper concludes with future trends in electronic commerce and the need for construction organisations to make the necessary investments that will enable them to take advantage of these

Computer visualisation as a communication tool in the construction industry

Computer visualisation tools offer good visualisation capabilities that cannot be achieved rising traditional methods, such as 2-0 drawings. Design details are not always simple arid easy to understand. Builders may spend considerable time on interpreting difficult or complex details in a drawing; this could result in buildability problems. Computer visualisation tools have considerable potential to improve this aspect of construction. However, their use is still at present limited and not fully understood. This paper presents an ongoing research project demonstrating the possible rise of computer visualisation as a communication tool for design information and to support collaboration between construction participants (designers and contractors). An industry. survey has been conducted to investigate the current use of computer visualisation in the construction industry. A summary of the survey results is presented in this paper and the outline features of a new visualisation tool is presented

Collaborative design of structures using intelligent agents

The construction industry has a long tradition of collaborative working between the members of a construction project team. At the design stage, this has traditionally been based on physical meetings between representatives of the principal design disciplines. To aid these meetings, the information and communications technologies that are currently available have been utilised. These have yielded some success but are hampered by the problems posed by the use of heterogeneous software tools and the lack of effective collaboration tools that are necessary to collapse the time and distance constraints, within which increasingly global design teams work. In particular, there are very few tools available to support distributed asynchronous collaboration. Distributed artificial intelligence, which is commonly implemented in the form of intelligent agents, offers considerable potential for the development of such tools. This paper examines some of the issues associated with the use of distributed artificial intelligence systems within the construction industry. It describes the potential for the use of agent technology in collaborative design and then goes on to present the key features of an agent-based system for the collaborative design of portal frame structures. An example is presented to demonstrate the working and benefits of the prototype system, which makes a significant contribution by allowing for peer to peer negotiation between the design agents