@article{MotawaAnumbaElHamalawi2004, author = {Motawa, Ibrahim and Anumba, Chimay and El-Hamalawi, A.}, title = {Development of a Fuzzy System for Change Prediction in Construction Projects}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.218}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-2180}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Change management has been the focus of different IT systems. These IT systems were developed to represent design information, record design rationale, facilitate design coordination and changes. They are largely based on managing reactive changes, particularly design changes, in which changes are recorded and then propagated to the relevant project members. However, proactive changes are hardly dealt with in IT systems. Proactive changes require estimating the likelihood of occurrence of a change event as well as estimating the degree of change impacts on project parameters. Changes in construction projects often result from the uncertainty associated with the imprecise and vague knowledge of much project information at the early stages of projects. This is a major outcome of the case studies carried out as part of this research. Therefore, the proposed model considers that incomplete knowledge and certain project characteristics are always behind change causes. For proactive changes, predicting a change event is the main task for modelling. The prediction model should strive to integrate these main elements: 1) project characteristics that lead to change 2) causes of change, 3) the likelihood of change occurrence, and 4) the change consequences. It should also define the dependency relationships between these elements. However, limited data (documented) are only available from previous projects for change cases and many of the above elements can only be expressed in linguistic terms. This means that the model will simulate the uncertainty and subjectivity associated with these sets of elements. Therefore, a fuzzy model is proposed in this research to capture these elements. The model analyses the impact of each set of elements on the other by assigning fuzzy values for these elements that express the uncertainty and subjectivity of their impact. The main aim is to predict change events and evaluate change effects on project parameters. The fuzzy model described above was developed in an IT system for operational purposes and was designed as a Java package of components with their supporting classes, beans, and files. This paper describes the development and the architecture of the proposed IT system to achieve these requirements. The system is intended to help project teams in dealing with change causes and then the change consequences in construction projects.}, subject = {Mehragentensystem}, language = {en} } @article{ZavadskasKaklauskasViteikiene2004, author = {Zavadskas, Edmundas Kazimieras and Kaklauskas, Arturas and Viteikiene, Milda}, title = {Database of Best Practices and Decision Support Web-based System for Construction Innovation}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.217}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-2173}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Many construction and facilities management Web sites can be found on the Internet. The interested parties on construction and facilities management Web sites can find databases of best practices, calculators, analyzers, software, expert and decision support systems, neural networks, etc. Technological innovation mainly through changes in the availability of information and communication technology inclusive databases of best practices, calculators, analyzers, software, neural networks, decision support and expert systems that have been provided by a variety of new services developed by the construction and facilities management sectors. Most of all calculators, analyzers, software, decision support and expert systems, neural networks and on-line systems seek to find out how to make the most economic decisions and most of all these decisions are intended only for economic objectives. Alternatives under evaluation have to be evaluated not only from the economic position, but take into consideration qualitative, technical, technological and other characteristics as well. Based on the analysis of the existing calculators, analyzers, information, expert and decision support systems, neural networks and in order to determine most efficient versions of best practices a Decision Support Web-Based System for Construction Innovation (IDSS) was developed by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.}, 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{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{YabukiKotaniShitani2004, author = {Yabuki, Nobuyoshi and Kotani, Jun and Shitani, Tomoaki}, title = {A Steel Bridge Design System Architecture using VR-CAD and Web Service-based Multi-Agents}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.214}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-2146}, year = {2004}, abstract = {This paper presents a new design environment based on Multi-Agents and Virtual Reality (VR). In this research, a design system with a virtual reality function was developed. The virtual world was realized by using GL4Java, liquid crystal shutter glasses, sensor systems, etc. And the Multi-Agent CAD system with product models, which had been developed before, was integrated with the VR design system. A prototype system was developed for highway steel plate girder bridges, and was applied to a design problem. The application verified the effectiveness of the developed system.}, 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{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} } @article{Firmenich2004, author = {Firmenich, Berthold}, title = {Product Models in Network Based Co-operation in Structural Engineering}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.211}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-2119}, year = {2004}, abstract = {The Priority Programme 'Network Based Co-operation in Structural Engineering' of the 'German Research Foundation' (DFG) has been established in the year 2000. This paper describes and discusses the main research directions and first results of the workgroup 'Distributed Product Models'. The five projects of the workgroup have developed completely different solutions for specific application domains. Each solution concept deals with a consistent product modeling and knowledge processing in a distributed environment in the planning process. The individual solution approaches of the projects are described and the underlying basic assumptions are discussed. A unified system architecture is described for all projects of the workgroup. Two different approaches (object-oriented and graph-based models) have been introduced for product and knowledge modeling. The common structure of these models will be explained to fully understand the differences of these modeling approaches. Finally the concepts for co-operative work and conflict management in a distributed environment are described: The solution approaches will be distinguished by classifying the supported co-operation according to time. A final scientific summary describes the state-of-the-art in network based co-operation in structural engineering: The role of research directions like knowledge modeling, standard product modeling and versioning in the distributed planning process will be explained.}, subject = {Produktmodell}, language = {en} } @article{SchnellenbachHeldHartmann2004, author = {Schnellenbach-Held, Martina and Hartmann, Markus}, title = {Knowledge Based Systems in Distributed Desgin Environments}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.210}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-2106}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Today's building industry not only demands more and more reduced construction time on building site, but also an advanced and mostly construction attendant design phase. Even though there is software available to support design processes in distributed environments, most applications only support simple document based exchange of information. In this paper a knowledge based system is presented to support cooperative, comprehensive design processes in distributed environments. The presented research project is financially supported by the German Research Community (DFG - Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft).}, subject = {Produktmodell}, language = {en} } @article{KraftWilhelms2004, author = {Kraft, Bodo and Wilhelms, Nils}, title = {Interactive Distributed Knowledge Support for Conceptual Building Design}, doi = {10.25643/bauhaus-universitaet.209}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:wim2-20111215-2094}, year = {2004}, abstract = {In our project, we develop new tools for the conceptual design phase. During conceptual design, the coarse functionality and organization of a building is more important than a detailed worked out construction. We identify two roles, first the knowledge engineer who is responsible for knowledge definition and maintenance; second the architect who elaborates the conceptual design. The tool for the knowledge engineer is based on graph technology, it is specified using PROGRES and the UPGRADE framework. The tools for the architect are integrated to the industrial CAD tool ArchiCAD. Consistency between knowledge and conceptual design is ensured by the constraint checker, another extension to ArchiCAD.}, subject = {Produktmodell}, language = {en} }