Design constructability and space management

Abstract

Design and construction have traditionally been treated as fairly separate tasks where engineers focus on the stability of the structure while contractors worry about how to get it done according to plans. Presently the process of data transfer from design to construction is undertaken manually and is repeated for most construction functions. That repetition comes from the fact that the various construction functions require different types of data at different level of detail. This paper presents the conceptual design and implementation of a collective information and analysis system where product design, activity planning, resource scheduling and site layout are integrated with some automation. The system, unlike existing 4D models, allows the definition of different types of space requirements associated with performing activities and provides an analytical framework for assessing and solving time-space conflicts by adjusting the schedule. The system is built by integrating two stand alone applications IPSP and ISSP, and one library containing knowledge of construction methods in order to support the integration of a product model with the construction schedule and the site layout.