@article{Abdalla2004, author = {Abdalla, Jamal}, title = {Elements of an Agent-based Mediative Communication Protocol for Design Objects}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.220}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-2207}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Integrated structural engineering system usually consists of large number of design objects that may be distributed across different platforms. These design objects need to communicate data and information among each other. For efficient communication among design objects a common communication protocol need to be defined. This paper presents the elements of a communication protocol that uses a mediator agent to facilitate communication among design objects. This protocol is termed the Mediative Communication Protocol (MCP). The protocol uses certain design communication performatives and the semantics of an Agent Communication language (ACL) mainly the Knowledge and Query Manipulation Language (KQML) to implement its steps. Details of a Mediator Agent, that will facilitate the communication among design objects, is presented. The Unified Modeling Language (UML) is used to present the Meditative protocol and show how the mediator agent can be use to execute the steps of the meditative communication protocol. An example from structural engineering application is presented to demonstrate and validate the protocol. It is concluded that the meditative protocol is a viable protocol to facilitate object-to-object communication and also has potential to facilitate communication among the different project participants at the higher level of integrated structural engineering systems.}, subject = {Mehragentensystem}, language = {en} } @article{AlbertFreischladPullmann2004, author = {Albert, Andrej and Freischlad, Mark and Pullmann, Torben}, title = {Acquisition of Conceptual Design Knowledge in Structural Engineering}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.215}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-2154}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Expert systems integrating fuzzy reasoning techniques represent a powerful tool to support practicing engineers during the early stages of structural design. In this context fuzzy models have proved themselves to be very suitable for the representation of complex design knowledge. However their definition is a laborious task. This paper introduces an approach for the design and the optimization of fuzzy systems based upon Genetic Programming. To keep the emerging fuzzy systems transparent a new framework for the definition of linguistic variables is also introduced.}, subject = {Mehragentensystem}, language = {en} } @article{AzizAnumbaMiles2004, author = {Aziz, Zeeshan and Anumba, Chimay and Miles, John}, title = {Towards a Semantic Grid Computing Platform for Disaster Management in Built Environment}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.208}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-2084}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Current disaster management procedures rely primarily on heuristics which result in their strategies being very cautious and sub-optimum in terms of saving life, minimising damage and returning the building to its normal function. Also effective disaster management demands decentralized, dynamic, flexible, short term and across domain resource sharing, which is not well supported by existing distributing computing infrastructres. The paper proposes a conceptual framework for emergency management in the built environment, using Semantic Grid as an integrating platform for different technologies. The framework supports a distributed network of specialists in built environment, including structural engineers, building technologists, decision analysts etc. It brings together the necessary technology threads, including the Semantic Web (to provide a framework for shared definitions of terms, resources and relationships), Web Services (to provide dynamic discovery and integration) and Grid Computing (for enhanced computational power, high speed access, collaboration and security control) to support rapid formation of virtual teams for disaster management. The proposed framework also make an extensive use of modelling and simulation (both numerical and using visualisations), data mining (to find resources in legacy data sets) and visualisation. It also include a variety of hardware instruments with access to real time data. Furthermore the whole framework is centred on collaborative working by the virtual team. Although focus of this paper is on disaster management, many aspects of the discussed Grid and Visualisation technologies will be useful for any other forms of collaboration. Conclusions are drawn about the possible future impact on the built environment.}, subject = {Mehragentensystem}, language = {en} } @article{ChangChangHuang2004, author = {Chang, Chihyuan and Chang, Yuanchu and Huang, Shyhmeng}, title = {Application of a Agent Mechanism to the Small-scale Maintenance of School Buildings}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.216}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-2165}, year = {2004}, abstract = {This paper presents an agent-based software, Virtual Administrator System (VAS) for the smallscale maintenance of school buildings. VAS is capable of handling a heavy load of routine, lowtech maintenance jobs. It assigns a different priority to each job application according to its significance and urgency, and automatically adjusts schedules for maintenance engineers when on-site supervision is needed. The system can help ease off the burden of routine small-scale maintenance work, making it more cost-effective and efficient in the overall management of school building maintenance. VAS posts jobs on the Web in a multi-media format and classified all applications into four categories: the on-call maintenance contract, the term maintenance contract, the guaranty maintenance contract, and the regular maintenance contract. It then estimates their urgency level and passes the information to maintenance engineers who will decide whether on-site inspection is needed. Based on the engineers' feedback, VAS automatically implements the scheduling for inspection as well as sends out real-time or batch notifications to contractors. All these activities are recorded in a database to allow continuous research and data mining and the analysis and diagnosis of specific jobs for followup maintenance plans.}, subject = {Mehragentensystem}, language = {en} } @article{ElRayesHyari2004, author = {El-Rayes, Khaled and Hyari, Khalied}, title = {A Multi-objective Model for Optimizing Construction Planning of Repetitive Infrastructure Projects}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.213}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-2135}, year = {2004}, abstract = {This paper presents the development of a model for optimizing resource utilization in repetitive infrastructure projects. The model provides the capability of simultaneous minimization of both project duration and work interruptions for construction crews. The model provides in a single run, a set of nondominated solutions that represent the tradeoff between these two objectives. The model incorporates a multiobjective genetic algorithm and scheduling algorithm. The model initially generates a randomly selected set of solutions that evolves to a near optimal set of tradeoff solutions in subsequent generations. Each solution represents a unique scheduling solution that is associated with certain project duration and a number of interruption days for utilized construction crews. As such, the model provides project planners with alternative schedules along with their expected duration and resource utilization efficiency.}, subject = {Mehragentensystem}, language = {en} } @article{GeibigSchnellenbachHeld2004, author = {Geibig, Oliver and Schnellenbach-Held, Martina}, title = {Implementation of an Agent-based Bidding Consortium in the Architecture of an Agent-based Virtual Marketplace}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.221}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-2214}, year = {2004}, abstract = {In this research project we intend to transfer the whole AEC-Bidding process to an agent-based virtual marketplace. Hereby, the existing legal regulations have to be considered. Important aspects in developing the virtual marketplace are to provide the possibility to realize an agentbased bidding consortium as well as to integrate subcontractors.}, subject = {Mehragentensystem}, language = {en} } @article{HallerMenzel1997, author = {Haller, P. and Menzel, R.}, title = {Wissensbasierte Tragwerksplanung im Ingenieurholzbau mit ICAD}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.497}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-4976}, year = {1997}, abstract = {Der Entwurf einfacher Konstruktionen stellt f{\"u}r den Tragwerksplaner zumeist eine Routineaufgabe dar. {\"U}blicherweise werden Statik, Zeichnungen sowie Elementelisten separat voneinander erstellt. Das Programmsystem ICAD bietet die M{\"o}glichkeit, diese Arbeiten in einer Bearbeitungsstufe durchzuf{\"u}hren. Die Programmierung der Bemessung, Darstellung und Auswertung von Bauteilen wird mit dem Editor Emacs vorgenommen, die grafische Umsetzung des compilierten Quelltextes erfolgt im ICAD-Browser. Innerhalb dieser Benutzeroberfl{\"a}che steht eine Reihe von Werkzeugen f{\"u}r die Eingabe und Visualisierung von Daten zur Verf{\"u}gung. Betrachtet man die zu bearbeitenden Bauteile und Anschl{\"u}sse als bekannte Konstruktionen des Ingenieurholzbaus, f{\"u}r die es eine festgelegte Anzahl von Abmessungen und Kennwerten gibt, so l{\"a}ßt sich jede dieser Konstruktionen als eigenst{\"a}ndiger Modul programmieren. Der Tragwerksplaner ist somit in der Lage, aus einem Katalog an Bauteilen und Anschl{\"u}ssen die Gesamtkonstruktion zusammenzustellen. Allgemeing{\"u}ltige Kennwerte, Berechnungsverfahren und h{\"a}ufig verwendete Unterprogramme stehen modular als Wissensbasis zur Verf{\"u}gung und werden von den einzelnen Tragelementen bedarfsgerecht eingebunden. Eine weitere M{\"o}glichkeit der wissensbasierten Tragwerksplanung stellt die sogenannte Multi-Criteria-Analyse dar. Bei diesem Verfahren nimmt das Programm selbst{\"a}ndig eine Entscheidungsfindung f{\"u}r eine oder mehrere g{\"u}nstige Konstruktionsl{\"o}sungen vor. Dazu sind lediglich Wichtungen verschiedener Randbedingungen durch den Anwender erforderlich.}, subject = {Ingenieurholzbau}, language = {de} } @article{KicingerArciszewskiDeJong2004, author = {Kicinger, Rafal and Arciszewski, Tomasz and De Jong, Kenneth}, title = {Distributed Evolutionary Design: Island-Model-based Optimization of Steel Skeleton Structures in Tall Buildings}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.219}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-2195}, year = {2004}, abstract = {This paper presents results of a study on distributed, or parallel, evolutionary computation in the topological design of steel structural systems in tall buildings. It describes results of extensive experimental research on various parallel evolutionary architectures applied to a complex structural design problem. The experiments were conducted using Inventor 2003, a networkbased evolutionary design support tool developed at George Mason University. First, a general introduction to evolutionary computation is provided with an emphasis on recent developments in parallel evolutionary architectures. Next, a discussion of conceptual design of steel structural systems in tall buildings is presented. Further, Inventor 2003 is briefly introduced as well as its design representation and evolutionary computation characteristics. Next, the results obtained from systematic design experiments conducted with Inventor 2003 are discussed. The objective of these experiments was to qualitatively and quantitatively investigate evolution of steel structural systems in tall buildings during a distributed evolutionary design process as well as to compare efficiency and effectiveness of various parallel evolutionary architectures with the traditional evolutionary design approaches. Two connectivity topologies (ring topology and fully-connected topology) have been investigated for four populations of structural designs evolving in parallel and using various migration strategies. Also, results of the initial sensitivity studies are reported in which two ways of initializing distributed evolutionary design processes were investigated, using either arbitrarily selected designs as initial parents or randomly generated ones. Finally, initial research conclusions are presented.}, subject = {Mehragentensystem}, language = {en} } @article{LikhitruangsilpIoannou2004, author = {Likhitruangsilp, Veerasak and Ioannou, Photios}, title = {Risk-sensitive Markov Decision Process for Underground Construction Planning and Estimating}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.224}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-2247}, year = {2004}, abstract = {This paper presents an application of dynamic decision making under uncertainty in planning and estimating underground construction. The application of the proposed methodology is illustrated by its application to an actual tunneling project—The Hanging Lake Tunnel Project in Colorado, USA. To encompass the typical risks in underground construction, tunneling decisions are structured as a risk-sensitive Markov decision process that reflects the decision process faced by a contractor in each tunneling round. This decision process consists of five basic components: (1) decision stages (locations), (2) system states (ground classes and tunneling methods), (3) alternatives (tunneling methods), (4) ground class transition probabilities, and (5) tunneling cost structure. The paper also presents concepts related to risk preference that are necessary to model the contractor's risk attitude, including the lottery concept, utility theory, and the delta property. The optimality equation is formulated, the model components are defined, and the model is solved by stochastic dynamic programming. The main results are the optimal construction plans and risk-adjusted project costs, both of which reflect the dynamics of subsurface construction, the uncertainty about geologic variability as a function of available information, and the contractor's risk preference.}, subject = {Mehragentensystem}, language = {en} } @article{MaQin2004, author = {Ma, Zhiliang and Qin, Liang}, title = {A Framework of Management Information System for Construction Projects}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.212}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-2126}, year = {2004}, abstract = {A comprehensive framework of information management system for construction projects in China has been established through extensive literature survey and field investigation. It utilizes the potential information technologies and covers the practical management patterns as well as the major aspects of construction project management. It can be used to guide and evaluate the design of the information management systems for construction projects in order to make the system to be applicable to a wide variety of construction projects and survive the changes in project management.}, subject = {Mehragentensystem}, language = {en} }