Comparing Object‐Oriented and Relational Data Models for Project Control

This paper examines the object‐oriented data base as an alternative to the traditional, “pure” relational data base for construction project control information. An entity‐relationship (E‐R) model is developed to describe the piping work density identification process that is necessary for piping work package generation. With the E‐R model, a relational data base is developed to describe the characteristics of the relational data modeling concept. Then, an object‐oreinted data base (OODB) is developed with the same data and E‐R model to discuss specific features. Later, these two data bases are compared, with a focus on semantic expressiveness. Lessons are drawn from this comparison to illustrate the advantages, disadvantages, and appropriate uses of the OODB approach. The concluding discussion highlights the important distinctions and issues between these two data bases for users. The benefits of this examination are a better understanding of the potential of OODB approach.