Integrating Object-Oriented CAD and Rule-Based Technologies for Construction Planning.

Abstract : This report presents a methodology incorporating object-oriented and rule-based concepts to generate a preliminary construction plan for facility designs to: (1) compare alternative designs from a construction time and cost perspective; (2) animate the schedule to verify the schedule and identify constructibility problems before construction begins; (3) provide a good baseline schedule and cost estimate for the evaluation of contractor bids; and (4) determine the impact on schedule and costs due to modifications during the construction management phase. A prototype implemented in a LiSP-based environment includes: (1) object-oriented models of entities relevant to construction planning; (2) knowledge-bases to generate activities, identify construction methods, and sequence activities; (3) interactive capability to control the level of detail in schedule by grouping components based on spatial location by construction zones; (4) interface with MCACES (Micro-Computer Aided Cost Engineering Support system) databases to obtain crew definitions, unit costs and productivity information for common construction activities; (5) interface with Microsoft Project to do Critical Path Method analysis and display and manipulate schedule information; (6) capability to animate any portion of the schedule; and (7) capability to deal with incomplete design information by using construction solutions from previous projects. The prototype system was well received by schedulers and estimators.