Refine
Document Type
- Conference Proceeding (336)
- Article (130)
- Doctoral Thesis (12)
- Master's Thesis (2)
- Working Paper (2)
- Preprint (1)
- Study Thesis (1)
Institute
- Professur Informatik im Bauwesen (484) (remove)
Keywords
- Modellierung (62)
- Bauwerk (48)
- Finite-Elemente-Methode (41)
- CAD (40)
- Verteiltes System (38)
- Bautechnik (30)
- Computerunterstütztes Verfahren (24)
- Produktmodell (24)
- Architektur (23)
- Simulation (22)
The methods currently used for scheduling building processes have some major advantages as well as disadvantages. The main advantages are the arrangement of the tasks of a project in a clear, easily readable form and the calculation of valuable information like critical paths. The main disadvantage on the other hand is the inflexibility of the model caused by the modeling paradigms. Small changes of the modeled information strongly influence the whole model and lead to the need to change many more details in the plan. In this article an approach is introduced allowing the creation of more flexible schedules. It aims towards a more robust model that lowers the need to change more than a few information while being able to calculate the important propositions of the known models and leading to further valuable conclusions.
This paper describes a couple of new truss structures based on fractal geometry. One is the famous Sierpinski Gasket and another is a fractal triangle derived by means of applying a process forming leaves of a cedar tree using M. F. Barnsley’s contraction mapping theory. Therefore a pair of x-y coordinates of an arbitrary nodal point on the structures are generated easily if IFS(Iterated Function System) codes and a scale of them are specified. Structural members are defined similarly. Thus data for frame analysis can be generated automatically, which is significant if the objective structure has complex configuration. Next analytical results under vertical and wind loadings in Japanese Building Code are shown. Here members are assumed to be timber and to have cross section of 15cm×15cm. Finally authors conclude that geometrically new truss structures were developed and automatic data generation for frame analysis was attained using IFS. Analytical results show they contribute to saving material when compared it with King-post truss.
The process of matching data represented in two different data models is a longstanding issue in the exchange of data between different software systems. While the traditional manual matching approach cannot meet today’s demands on data exchange, research shows that a fully automated generic approach for model matching is not likely, and generic semi-automated approaches are not easy to implement. In this paper, we present an approach that focuses on matching data models in a specific domain. The approach combines a basic model matching approach and a version matching approach to deduce new matching rules to enable data transfer between two evolving data models.
Let the information of a civil engineering application be decomposed into objects of a given set of classes. Then the set of objects forms the data base of the application. The objects contain attributes and methods. Properties of the objects are stored in the attributes. Algorithms which the objects perform are implemented in the methods of the objects. If objects are modified by a user, the consistency of data in the base is destroyed. The data base must be modified in an update to restore its consistency. The sequence of the update operations is not arbitrary, but is governed by dependence between the objects. The situation can be described mathematically with graph theory. The available algorithms for the determination of the update sequence are not suitable when the data base is large. A new update algorithm for large data bases has been developed and is presented in this paper.
The development of a life cycle structured cooperation platform is described, which is based on an integrated process and goal-oriented project model. Furthermore the structure of a life cycle oriented object structure model and its implementation in the platform are documented. The complete conceptual model is described, which represents the basis of a lifecycle -oriented structuring of the planning object and supports the thematic classification of the object and project management data.
Information and Communication Technologies (ITC) in education have been extensively discussed nowadays. In this e-learning scenario, the construction and use of environments that support teaching and learning is a reality. Therefore, for time and general resource savings it is crucial the access to hypermedia contents with great interactivity and with high reusability. Substantial efforts have been centered in the search for a metadata proposal (metadata is a generic term used to describe data that can be used to identify and to describe common characteristics among different documents) that can be standardized and is system independent for the so called learning objects.
The truss model for predicting shear resistance of reinforced concrete beams has usually been criticized because of its underestimation of the concrete shear strength especially for beams with low shear reinforcement. Two challengers are commonly encountered in any truss model and are responsible for its inaccurate shear strength prediction. First: the cracking angle is usually assumed empirically and second the shear contribution of the arching action is usually neglected. This research introduces a nouvelle approach, by using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for accurately evaluating the shear cracking angle of reinforced and prestressed concrete beams. The model inputs include the beam geometry, concrete strength, the shear reinforcement ratio and the prestressing stress if any. ...
Indentation experiments have been carried out over the past century to determine hardness of materials. Modern indentation machines have the capability to continuously monitor load and displacement to high precision and accuracy. In recent years, research interests have focussed on methods to extract material properties from indentation load-displacement curves. Analytical methods to interpret the indentation load-displacement curves are difficult to formulate due to material and geometric nonlinearities as well as complex contact interactions. In the present study, an artificial neural network model was constructed for interpretation of indentation load-displacement curves. Large strain-large deformation finite element analyses were first carried out to simulate indentation experiments. The data from finite element analyses were then used to train the artificial neural network model. The artificial neural network model was able to accurately determine the material properties when presented with load-displacement curves which were not used in the training process. The proposed artificial neural network model is robust and directly relates the characteristics of the indentation loaddisplacement curve to the elasto-plastic material properties.
Preparation and provision of building information for planning within existing built contexts
(2004)
A prerequisite for planning within existing built contexts is precise information regarding the building substance, its construction and materials, possible damages and any modifications and additions that may have occurred during its lifetime. Using the information collected in a building survey the user should be able to “explore” the building in virtual form, as well as to assess the information contained with regard to a specific planning aspect. The functionality provided by an information module should cover several levels of information provision ranging from ‘simple retrieval’ of relevant information to the analysis and assessment of stored information with regard to particular question sets. Through the provision of basic functionality at an elementary level and the ability to extend this using plug-ins, the system concept of an open extendable system is upheld. Using this modular approach, different levels of information provision can be provided as required during the planning process.
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.
Communication software and distributed applications for control and building performance simulation software must be reliable, efficient, flexible, and reusable. This paper reports on progress of a project, which aims to achieve better integrated building and systems control modeling in building performance simulation by run-time coupling of distributed computer programs. These requirements motivate the use of the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), which offers sufficient advantage than communication within simple abstraction. However, set up highly available applications with CORBA is hard. Neither control modeling software nor building performance environments have simple interface with CORBA objects. Therefore, this paper describes an architectural solution to distributed control and building performance software tools with CORBA objects. Then, it explains how much the developement of CORBA based distributed building control simulation applications is difficult. The paper finishes by giving some recommendations.
Organisational and human issues have been highlighted, among other issues (ICT infrastructures, legal and contractual, etc.), as key elements in enhancing the competitiveness of the construction sector. More specifically, the importance of human resources has been recognised, especially training and professional development, in order to cultivate a stable workforce. The paper provides a review of the key training needs for the construction sector with particular reference to the uptake and exploitation of new technologies and working practices, presents an action plan to address learning and training needs, and proposes an eight-stage iterative learning and training methodology. The results will be of particular interest to managers in stakeholder organisations of all sizes throughout the sector, plus academic and research bodies intending to continue construction ICT research.
This paper describes an approach to support co-operation of experts in heterogeneous geotechnical engineering project environments during both regular execution and handling of exceptional situations. A co-operation platform is introduced which is based on a generalized information model mapping key information about the construction project, the construction process as well as the organization structure. Several tools are provided to operate the information model in a network based environment.
To support research in the building sector and in order to help it move towards a new digital economy, the European Commission under the 5th Framework initiative, especially the IST programme, funded various RTD projects. The opportunity to bring these IST projects together was acknowledged so that stronger links can be created under a clustering umbrella and that, moreover, links of those projects with their RTD environment could be facilitated. This has been the objective of work carried out within the ICCI (IST-2001-33022) Cluster project. This paper introduces the main aims and objectives of the project, and then presents its principal outcomes. In a second part, it synthesises the underlying concepts, technology and tools that will make ICT-based Construction a reality in a near future, and gives recommended actions for the industry, the EC and the Construction ICT R&D in Europe, giving some benefit of this project experience to the three communities.
This ethnographic study reports on emerging work processes and practices observed in the AEC (Architecture/Engineering/Construction) Global Teamwork program, i.e., what people experience when interacting with and through collaboration technologies, why people practice in the way they do, how the practice fits into the environment and changes the work patterns. It presents the experience of two high-performance typical but extreme AEC teamwork cases adopting and adapting to collaboration technologies and how these technologies in practice impact their work processes. The findings illustrate the importance of collaboration technologies in cross-disciplinary, global teamwork. Observations indicate that high performance teams that use the collaboration technologies effectively exhibit collaboration readiness at an early stage and manage to define a “third way” to meet the demands of the cross-disciplinary, multi cultural and geographically distributed AEC workspace. The observations and implications represent the blueprint for yearly innovations and improvements to the design of the AEC Global Teamwork program.
In this Paper, we explored the relation between the electricity consumption in residential sector and the automobile energy consumption in transportation sector in accordance with the location of city by employing Geographic Information System (GIS). We found in the study that the electricity consumption per capita has a tendency that is higher in city center and lower in suburbs in Utsunomiya city. It is also noted that there is little difference among total consumption between city center and suburbs, despite the fact that the density of electric appliances tends to increase in a small size house of city center and the amount of automobile energy consumption from residence is lower in city center than in suburbs.
Development of Urban Land Use Model to Compare Transit-Oriented and Automobile-Oriented Cities
(2004)
This study is an attempt to develop a simple simulation model that can compare the differences between automobile-oriented and transit-oriented cities, and clarify the difference between city forms by transportation modes. Following a theoretical model development, a series of simulation runs are tried. The model allocates people who commute to CBD from residential zones along a transportation corridor. As a result of many simulation analyses, it is shown that automobiles need much more traffic space in comparison with the transit as is shown by the proposed traffic space ratio both in CBD and along the corridor.
Research on Establishment of a Standard of Traffic Impact Assessment with Integrated Database System
(2004)
Planning support systems, such as geographical information system (GIS) and traffic flow simulation models, are widely in use in recent urban planning research. In this paper we propose a method to apply traffic impact assessment (TIA) to large-scale, commercial developments. In TIA research we often encounter the problem of increasing amount of data that is necessary for detailed investigation and analysis, as the scale of commercial developments become larger and more complex. As a result, TIA presents two problems. The first problem is the difficulty of data acquisition. The second problem is the reliability of data. As a solution, we developed an integrated database system.
In the focus of the Bologna-contract of the European secretaries of education the universities are invited to aim a unification and comparability of certificates and to offer compatible and cooperative models of education. Among existing lectures in the Internet there will arise a new competition between the universities in netbased teaching and learning environments. For the use of distributed sources of information and for the possibility to generate free configurable sequences of education modules you need management systems which are able to handle different formats of documents and to assemble it to consistent and valid lessons. Beside elementar viewing-functions, fusion of information also administrative tasks are needed, e.g. automated efficiency controls, adaptive learning surroundings. This paper attends to three aspects: - netbased teaching and learning in the area of the instruction of civil engineers - netbased information assembling and fusion of knowledge bases to higher level documents - netbased learning with international coordinated projects
For the management or reorganisation of existing buildings, data concerning dimensions and construction are necessary. Often these data are given exclusively by paper-based drawings and no digital data such as a computer based product model or even a CAD-model are available. In order to perform mass calculation, damage mapping or a recalculation of the structure these drawings of the building under consideration have to be analysed manually by the engineer. This is a very time-consuming job. In order to close this gap between drawings of an existing building and a digital product model an approach is presented in this paper to digitise a drawing, to build up geometric and topologic models and to recognise construction parts of the building. Finally all recognised parts are transformed into a three-dimensional geometric model which provides all necessary geometric information for the product model. During this import process the semantics of a ground floor plan has to be converted into a 3D-model.
Creation of hierarchical sequence of the plastic and viscoplastic models according to different levels of structure approximations is considered. Developed strategy of multimodel analysis, which consists of creation of the inelastic models library, determination of selection criteria system and caring out of multivariant sequential clarifying computations, is described. Application of the multimodel approach in numerical computations has demonstrated possibility of reliable prediction of stress-strain response under wide variety of combined nonproportional loading.
A large-scale computer modeling and simulation method is presented for environmental flows in urban area. Several GIS and CAD data were used for the preparation of shape model and an automatic mesh generation method based on Delaunay method was developed. Parallel finite element method based on domain decomposition method was employed for the numerical simulation of natural phenomena. The present method was applied to the simulation of flood flow and wind flow in urban area. The present method is shown to be a useful planning and design tool for the natural disasters and the change of environments.
This paper focuses on a new three-level discretisation strategy which enables the transition between continuum/structural (I) and structural/black box modelling (II). The transition (I) is realised by means of a model adaptive concept based on an innovative finite element technology. For transition (II) we apply the truncated balanced realisation method (TBR). The latter represents an established system theoretical model reduction technique which is here combined with a novel substructure technique. The approach provides a modular concept to facilitate the computational analysis of complex structures. The final goal is to apply the strategy to life time estimation.
This paper examines the impact of information technology (IT) utilization on construction firm performance. Based on empirical data collected from 74 US construction firms, the analyses provide evidence that IT has a positive impact on overall firm performance, schedule performance, and cost performance. Firm performance is a composite score of several metrics of performance: schedule performance, cost performance, customer satisfaction, safety performance, and profit. No relationship is found between IT utilization and customer satisfaction, safety, or profit, although this may be due to limitations of the study given strong correlations between IT utilization and cost and schedule performnance. The empirical evidence of positive association between performance and IT use provided by this research is significant to both construction practice and research literature. This evidence should encourage firms to adopt and invest in IT tools.
This paper describes a research project that addresses the difficulties in dealing with regulatory documents such as national and regional codes. These documents tend to be voluminous, heavily cross-referenced, possibly ambiguous and even conflicting at times. There are often multiple documents that need to be consulted and satisfied; however it is a difficult task to locate all of the relevant provisions. In addition, sections dealing with the same or similar conceptual ideas sometimes lay down conflicting requirements. We propose a framework for regulation representation, analysis and comparison with emphasis on the extraction of similarities between provisions. We focus on accessibility regulations, whose intent is to provide the same or equivalent access to a building and its facilities for disabled persons. An XML regulatory repository is developed to extract structural as well as non-structural features from government regulations to help user understanding and computational analysis. A similarity analysis is performed between different sources of regulations. In order to achieve a better comparison between provisions, we employ a combination of feature matching and structural analysis. Results are shown on comparisons between American and European codes, as well as on the domain of electronic-rulemaking.
A/E/C Team members, while collaborating on building projects, rely on past experiences and content through the use of project design archives (whether in paper or digital format). This leads to underutilization of potential knowledge, as decision-making of data, information, and knowledge reuse is limited by access to these archives, due to sheer size and inconvenient presentation. This paper presents an integrated solution that leverages two technologies CoMem (Corporate Memory) and iRoom (interactive Room) developed at Stanford. This addresses critical limitations, i.e., content, context, visualization and interactivity, constraining the process of collaborative exploration towards knowledge reuse and decision-making.
Construction is a conservative industry that over the last twenty ye ars has experienced drastic changes in the way that interdisciplinary teams interact to design and execute a project. In this article we offer a general overview of how the main participants cooperate in the different phases of a construction project, and which are some of the main areas for communication improvement. We also explore the communication tools used in the exchange of information, and identify the main causes of information breakdown. The general framework of this study is of application to both standard and green projects. At the end of the article we discuss the peculiarities of green buildings. Our goal is to offer a series of industry insights derived from the perspective of a general contractor aimed at identifying the areas where contributions in computing and information exchange could have a greater impact on the successful completion of a project.
An important feature of the 2003 SARS outbreak in Canada, Singapore, and Hong Kong was that many health care workers (HCWs) developed SARS after caring for patients with SARS. This has been ascribed to inadequate or ineffective patient isolation. However, it is difficult for dense cities to provide sufficient isolation facilities within a short period of time. This has raised concerns from the public for new strategies in the planning and design of isolation facilities. Considering that SARS or other infectious diseases could seriously damage our society’s development, isolation facilities that could be rapidly and economically constructed with appropriate environmental controls are essential. For this reason, the design team of the Department of Architecture collaborated with a special task force from the Faculty of Medicine, who are the frontline medical officers treating the SARS patients, to design Rapidly Assembled Isolation Patient Wards. Both architecture and medicine are well established disciplines, but they have little in common in terms of the mode of knowledge construction and practice. This induced much intellectual exploration and research interest in conducting this study. The process has provided an important reference for cross disciplinary studies between the architectural and medical domains.
Spatial data acquisition, integration, and modeling for real-time project life-cycle applications
(2004)
Current methods for site modeling employs expensive laser range scanners that produce dense point clouds which require hours or days of post-processing to arrive at a finished model. While these methods produce very detailed models of the scanned scene, useful for obtaining as-built drawings of existing structures, the associated computational time burden precludes the methods from being used onsite for real-time decision-making. Moreover, in many project life-cycle applications, detailed models of objects are not needed. Results of earlier research conducted by the authors demonstrated novel, highly economical methods that reduce data acquisition time and the need for computationally intensive processing. These methods enable complete local area modeling in the order of a minute, and with sufficient accuracy for applications such as advanced equipment control, simple as-built site modeling, and real-time safety monitoring for construction equipment. This paper describes a research project that is investigating novel ways of acquiring, integrating, modeling, and analyzing project site spatial data that do not rely on dense, expensive laser scanning technology and that enable scalability and robustness for real-time, field deployment. Algorithms and methods for modeling objects of simple geometric shape (geometric primitives from a limited number of range points, as well as methods provide a foundation for further development required to address more complex site situations, especially if dynamic site information (motion of personnel and equipment). Field experiments are being conducted to establish performance parameters and validation for the proposed methods and models. Initial experimental work has demonstrated the feasibility of this approach.
For planning in existing built contexts, the building survey is the starting point for initial planning proposals, for the diagnosis and documentation of building damages, for the creation of objectives catalogues, for the detailed design of renovation and conversion measures and for ensuring fulfilment of building legislation, particularly by change of use and refitting. An examination of currently available IT-tools shows insufficient support for planning within existing contexts, most notably a deficit with regard to information capture and administration. This paper discusses the concept for a modular surveying system (basic concept, separation of geometry from semantic data, and separation into sub-systems) and the prototypical realisation of a system for the complete support of the entire building surveying process for existing buildings. The project aims to contribute to the development of a planning system for existing buildings. ...
The contribution describes the didactical integration of wireless access networks for the campus of the University of Karlsruhe in the education of architects and engineers. It focuses on the development of an interdisciplinary communication network to encourage and promote the communication and collaboration between students. The project assumes that significant learning progresses in net-based learning scenarios are based upon the synchronous and asynchronous cooperation between the students themselves. The remote cooperation across borders of disciplines makes high demands on capacity in communicating and cooperating of the involved persons as well as on the supporting tools. Therefore, the collective acquisition of knowledge and cooperation has to be trained intensively during the studies. Based on the design and project oriented cooperation platform netzentwurf.de the authors developed the tools “Jobadmin“ to administrate multidisciplinary workgroups, the “Swarm Knowledge Catalogue“ to collect and store knowledge and “LivingCampus“, an instrument providing basic services for dynamic communication.
Three-dimensional models of urban objects play an important role in the urban applications such as urban planning, environmental concerning, or urban disaster mitigations. While the modeling of urban objects is time consuming and storage costing. This paper presents solutions for this. Buildings with regular shapes and plane roofs are constructed into computer models by identifying of graphic elements from the digital maps of urban area to get building base plane and building heights. Buildings with irregular shapes and non-plane roofs are constructed into computer models by employment of a specific system developed by the authors. Road objects and topologies are constructed into computer models by employment of specific algorithms. The solutions presented in this paper has been used in the development of urban disaster mitigation system for Shantou, China.
The construction management has been under pressure to reduce operating costs and to improve productivity using innovative information technologe (IT) solutions conformed to structural characteristics, site conditions and past experiences. Given the growing emphasis on effectiveness and efficiency in construction projects, there is an imminent need to develop a formal procedure to select the best IT application for each proposed construction project and research and development (R&D) project. As there are numerous factors that have to be considered in selecting appropriate IT in a given situation, decision-makers need to have multicriteria decision-making ability. To enable them to make the most appropriate decision in any situation, it is important that effective tools incorporating multicriteria decision-making techniques are available. In this paper, an Analytic Network Process (ANP) model is conducted for the selection of appropriate IT application for innovative construction management prior to construction or research. The paper concludes that the ANP is a viable and capable tool for conducting IT application selection in multicriteria decision-making environment.
Analysis System for Bridge Test (Chinese name abbr.: QLJC) is an application software specially designed for bridge test to analyze the static and dynamic character of bridge structures, calculate efficiency ratio of load test, pick up the results of observation points and so on. In this paper, research content, system design, calculation theory, characteristics and practical application of QLJC is introduced in detail.
This paper presents an innovative software platform OpenSTEP intended to build advanced distributed integrated systems and to conduct multidisciplinary collaborative projects in both academy and industry. The paper discusses an open system architecture, methodology, component library and CASE toolkit enabling the developers to build a wide range of interoperable applications and systems compliant with STEP and, particularly, with IFC becoming the increasingly important standard for information integration in architecture, engineering and construction.
Transport problems, as, for instance, the transport of sediment in hydraulic engineering and the transport of harmful substances through porous media, play an important role in many fields of civil engineering. Other examples include the dissipation of heat or sound as well as the simulation of traffic with macroscopic models. The contribution explains the analysis of the applicability of Voronoi-based finite volume methods for the approximation of solutions of transport problems. A special concern is the discretisation of the transport equation. Current limitations of the method as well as ideas for stabilisation are explained with examples.
We present a software prototype for fluid flow problems in civil engineering, which combines essential features of Computational Steering approaches with efficient methods for model transfer and high performance computing. The main components of the system are described: - The modeler with a focus on the data management of the product model - The pre-processing and the post-processing toolkit - The simulation kernel based on the Lattice Boltzmann method - The required hardware for real-time computing
Re-using knowledge in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms can lead to greater competitive advantage, improved designs, and more effective management of constructed facilities. This paper discusses the importance of exploration and discovery of reusable knowledge from a corporate archive as opposed to simple search and retrieval. We describe and illustrate through a scenario of use an exploration framework and prototype, CoMemTM that formalizes the added value of exploration in the process of knowledge reuse. We discuss two exploration activities: (i) Breadth- Only overview exploration that assist a user to rapidly localize pockets of re-usable knowledge from the large corporate archive and (ii) Iterative breadth-depth exploration that enables a user to identify those re-usable components of the Corporate Memory that may yield design issues that were not originally considered.
In this paper, systematic analyses for the shoring systems installed to support the applied loads during construction are performed on the basis of the numerical approach. On the basis of a rigorous time-dependent analysis, structural behaviors of reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures according to the changes in design variables such as the types of shoring systems, shore stiffness and shore spacing are analyzed and discussed. The time-dependent deformations of concrete such as creep and shrinkage and construction sequences of frame structures are also taken into account to minimize the structural instability and to reach to an improved design of shoring system because these effects may increase the axial forces delivered to the shores. In advance, the influence of the column shortening effect, generally mentioned in a tall building structure, is analyzed. From many parametric studies, it has been finally concluded that the most effective shoring system in RC frame structures is 2S1R (two shores and one reshore) regardless of the changes in design variables.
The research reported in this article was conducted to mainly explore the two common numeric prediction techniques, the model tree and the regression tree, when used in conjunction with bagging as a wrapper method. Bagging is used to improve the prediction accuracy of these two algorithms, and results are compared with the ones obtained earlier by the k-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm. From the conducted experiments, both the bagged regression tree and bagged model tree produce better results than not only their corresponding regression tree and model tree alone, but also the KNN with optimal value of k equal to 7. In addition, the bagged model tree yields the lowest prediction errors and a highest correlation coefficient of 0.81. It is demonstrated that it is feasible to use the bagged model tree for engineering applications in prediction problems such as estimating the remaining service life of bridge decks.
Framed-tube system with multiple internal tubes is analysed using an orthotropic box beam analogy approach in which each tube is individually modelled by a box beam that accounts for the flexural and shear deformations, as well as the shear-lag effects. A simple numerical modeling technique is proposed for estimating the shear-lag phenomenon in tube structures with multiple internal tubes. The proposed method idealizes the framed-tube structures with multiple internal tubes as equivalent multiple tubes, each composed of four equivalent orthotropic plate panels. The numerical analysis is based on the minimum potential energy principle in conjunction with the variational approach. The shear-lag phenomenon of such structures is studied taking into account the additional bending moments in the tubes. A detailed work is carried out through the numerical analysis of the additional bending moment. The moment factor is further introduced to identify the shear lag phenomenon along with the additional moment.
The displacements and stresses in arch dams and their abutments are frequently determined with 20-node brick elements. The elements are distorted near the contact plane between the wall and the abutment. A cantilever beam testbed has been developed to investigate the consequences of this distortion. It is shown that the deterioration of the accuracy in the computed stresses is significant. A compatible 18-node wedge element with linear stress variation is developed as an alternative to the brick element. The shape of this element type is readily adapted to the shape of the contact plane. It is shown that the accuracy of the computed stresses in the vicinity of the contact plane is improved significantly by the use of wedge elements.
The primary objective of initial shape analysis of a cable stayed bridge is to calculate initial installation cable tension forces and to evaluate fabrication camber of main span and pylon providing the final longitudinal profile of the bridge at the end of construction. In addition, the initial cable forces depending on the alternation of the bridge’s shape can be obtained from the analysis, and will be used to provide construction safety during construction. In this research, we conducted numerical experiments for initial shape of Ko-ha bridge, which will be constructed in the near future, using three different typical methods such as continuous beam method, linear truss method, and IIMF (Introducing Initial Member Force) method
This paper describes the concept, implementation and application of the Web-based Information System ‘Turtle’ for data monitoring, analysis, reporting and management in engineering projects. The system uses a generalised object-oriented approach for information modelling of physical state variables from measurements and simulations by sets of tensor objects and is implemented platform-independently as a Web application. This leads to a more flexible handling of measurement and simulation information in distributed and interdisciplinary engineering projects based on the concept of information sharing. The potential and advantages of Web-based information systems like ‘Turtle’ are described for one selected application example: a measurement programme dealing with the physical limnology of Lake Constance.
Some key facts about the economic environment of construction industry are explained. It is shown that construction industry is very heterogeneous and has changed drastically during the recent years due to a rapidly moving commercial environment. Two examples of todays’s use of virtual construction tools in construction projects are presented. The first example is the document control for a large international project. The second is the application of 4D modelling in the preconstruction phase of a dam project. It is shown that virtual construction, is a major international trend that currently takes up speed. Some generic industry needs for Research and Development which aims at short and medium term results are presented.
This paper introduces the current development of electronic catalogues of construction products. The common system architecture of Web-based electronic products catalogues are discussed, followed by a discussion on construction products information standardization and latest distributed-systems technologies for communicating construction products information. Finally, this paper presents an implementation of Web service in e-commerce systems to enable sharing of construction products information.
Beside the standard calculation programs for civil engineering buildings mathematical programs have been lately established for the solution of differential equations for the analysis of mechanical and static systems. Programs like Maple, Matlab, MathCAD and Mathematica are popular in this field. To the knowledge of the authors, the widest application functionality offers the program Maple. Its advantages are, e.g. the alternatively symbolic or numerical solution of differential equation systems, the easy handling of parameter studies, the immediate visualization of results, the definition of macros for selected calculation steps and their export in other computer languages and, not least, the automatically generated, very clear documentation of the matehematical calculus.
Building project, with many different players involved, requires open and commonly accepted standard for product model description. Product model based design tools support easy comparisons of design alternatives and optimisation of design solution technical quality. This supports client s decision-making and design target comparisons through the whole building project. Use of product models enable these tasks to meet both schedule and cost requirements Olof Granlund is using product models and interoperable software as the main tool in projects. The use and the realised benefits are illustrated by examples from 3 different real projects: University building, where product models were used already in the very early phases by the whole design team. Office building for research organisation, where product models were used in so called self-reporting building system. Headquarters for international company, where product models were widely used for building performance analysis and visualisations in design phase as well as for facilities management system configuration for operational phase.
With the speedy development of transportation of China, especially construction of many high-grade highways, some information technology successes have been achieved in the highway and bridge engineering, such as survey, design, construction and maintenance etc. In this paper, some applications about information technology in the highway engineering were introduced and some bridge professional software developed by RIOH (Research Institute Of Highways) in recent years was also introduced.
On Computer-Aided Instruction Tools for Teaching College Engineering Mechanics Related Courses
(2004)
In this research, questionnaires are designed to survey among teachers and students the current situation of applying Computer-Aided Instruction (CAI) tools to teaching and learning of college engineering mechanics related courses in Taiwan. The needs for CAI tools for teaching these mechanics related courses are investigated in the survey. Several prototypes of interactive multimedia tools are designed and implemented using information technologies. The applicability and effectiveness of these tools on assisting teaching of engineering mechanics related courses are discussed and evaluated. Moreover, a website for managing and sharing collected and developed CAI resources is constructed.
The contribution introduces an adaptable process model to meet the special requirements of the coordination of planning activities in AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction). The process model is based on the concept of Coloured Petri-Nets and uses metainformation to characterize process-relevant information and to enable process-control based on the actual results of the planning.
Civil engineering decision support systems (construction, building life cycle, refurbishment, total quality management, innovation, etc.) created in Lithuania are described in this paper. The above decision support systems comprise of the following constituent parts: data (database and its management system), models (model base and its management system) and a user interface. Presentation of information in databases may be in conceptual (digital, textual, graphical, photographic, video) and quantitative forms. Quantitative information presented involves criteria systems and subsystems, units of measurement, values and initial weight fully defining the variants provided. The databases were developed providing a multiple criteria analysis of alternatives from economical, infrastructure, technical, technological, qualitative, legislative, social and other perspectives. This information is provided in a user-oriented way. Since the analysis of alternatives is usually performed by taking into account economical, infrastructure, technical, technological, qualitative and other factors, a model-base include models which enable a decision maker to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the variants available and make a proper choice. These systems, related questions and practical case study were analysed the paper.
In this contribution, the design of an analysis environment is presented, that supports an analyst to come to a decision within a gradual collaborative planning process. An analyst represents a project manager, planner or any other person, involved in the planning process. Today, planning processes are managed by several geographically distributed planners and project managers. Thus, complexity of such a process rises even more. Prediction of consequences of many planning decisions is not possible, in particular since assessment of a planning advance is not trivial. There have to be considered several viewpoints, that depend on individual perceptions. In the following, methods are presented to realize planning decision support.
Als Folge des hohen Termindrucks während des Bauablaufes, ist es besonders wichtig den Fortschritt eines Bauvorhabens zeitnah zu überwachen. Auf Großbaustellen kann die effektive Kontrolle nicht mehr ohne technische Hilfsmittel durchgeführt werden. Die Arbeit stellt verschiedene Szenarien für die verteilte Fortschrittserfassung vor und untersucht welche Anforderungen an ein System für die verteilte Erfassung gestellt werden. Dazu wird zuerst das bestehende CVS-System analysiert, um anschließend daraus ein Konzept für die Versionierung von Objekten und den automatischen Abgleich von Objektversionen zu entwickeln. Später wird gezeigt, wie dieses Konzept mit Hilfe von C# und dem Microsoft®-.NET-Framework umgesetzt werden kann.
Building activities in the construction industry in Germany increasingly concentrate on building measures in or involving the existing built environment. Before planning can begin, buildings must be surveyed in whole or in part with the surveying of geometric data playing a dominant role. The geometric survey is typically undertaken using geodetic or photogrammetric measuring techniques and equipment that have been adapted for use in building surveying. Accordingly appropriate technical knowledge is required in order to be able to operate them as well as a considerable financial investment. Such equipment and surveying methods are usually adaptations from other disciplines. The paper discusses and presents approaches to developing “new” equipment for building surveying, devised with the needs of building surveying in mind – redesigns or new designs for surveying tools. The designs are the result of an inter-disciplinary project between the Faculty of Architecture and the Faculty of Product Design at the Bauhaus Universität Weimar.
This paper deals with two different agent-based approaches aimed at the incorporation of complex design information into multi-agent planning systems. The first system facilitates collaborative structural design processes, the second one supports fire engineering in buildings. Both approaches are part of two different research projects that belong to the DFG1 priority program 1103 entitled “Network-based Co-operative Planning Processes in Structural Engineering“ (DFG 2000). The two approaches provide similar database wrapper agents to integrate relevant design information into two multi-agent systems: Database wrapper agents make the relevant product model data usable for further agents in the multi-agent system, independent on their physical location. Thus, database wrapper agents act as an interface between multi-agent system and heterogeneous database systems. The communication between the database wrapper agents and other requesting agents presumes a common vocabulary: a specific database ontology that maps database related message contents into database objects. Hereby, the software-wrapping technology enables the various design experts to plug in existing database systems and data resources into a specific multi-agent system easily. As a consequence, dynamic changes in the design information of large collaborative engineering projects are adequately supported. The flexible architecture of the database wrapper agent concept is demonstrated by the integration of an XML and a relational database system.
The paper presents the abstraction of process relevant information in order to enable the workflow management based on semantic data. It is shown for three examples, how the standards define the information needed to perform a certain planning activity. Abstraction of process relevant information is discussed for different granularities of the underlying processmodel. As one possible application ProMiSE is introduced, which uses process relevant data in individual tokens in a petri-net based process-model.
Building design in Civil Engineering is characterized by the cooperation of experts in multiple disciplines. Close cooperation of engineers in different fields is the basis of high product quality, short development periods and a minimum of investment costs. For each building the engineers have to create a new fire engineering model. The consistent realization of the fire engineering model in all details has high demands on communication, collaboration and building models. Thereby, to preserve the related design models consistent to each other and compatible with the rules of fire engineering is a complex task. In addition, regulations and guidelines vary according to the building location, so the knowledge base must be integrated dynamically into the planning process. This contribution covers the integration of engineers and design models into a cooperation network on the basis of mobile agents. The distributed models of architectural design, structural planning and fire engineering are supported. These models are implemented as XML-based models which can be accessed by mobile agents for information retrieval and for processing tasks. Agents are provided to all planners, they are enabled to check up the distributed design models with the knowledge base of the fire protection regulations,. With the use of such an agent each planner is supported to check up his planning for accordance with the fire protection requirements. The fire-engineering-agent analyzes the design and detects inconsistencies by processing fire protection requirements and design model facts in a rule-based expert system. The possibility to check the planning information at an early state in the sense of compatibility to the fire protection regulations enables a comprehensive diagnosis of the design and the reduction of planning errors.
The contribution introduces a method for the distributed process modelling in order to support the process orientation in Structural Engineering, i.e., the modelling, analysis and management of planning processes. The approach is based on the Petri Net theory for the modelling of planning processes and workflows in Structural Engineering. Firstly, a central and coarse process model serves as a pre-structuring system for the detailed modelling of the technical planning activities. Secondly, the involved planning participants generate distributed process models with detailed technical workflow information. Finally, these distributed process models will be combined in the central workflow net. The final net is of great importance for the process orientation in Structural Engineering, i.e., the identification, publication, analysis, optimization and finally the management of planning processes.
This paper presents the combination of two different parallelization environments, OpenMP and MPI, in one numerical simulation tool. The computation of the system matrices and vectors is parallelized with OpenMP and the solution of the system of equations is done with the MPIbased solver MUMPS. The efficiency of both algorithms is shown on several linear and nonlinear examples using the Finite Element Method and a meshless discretization technique.
Cost and Schedule Controlling in Relation to Liquidity Management during Construction Projects
(2004)
The present paper describes a software application which can be used for relating the scheduled events of a construction project with the respective financial parameters, leading to an overall improvement in general controlling and liquidity management. For this purpose, existing construction schedules are taken and details of the assignment are recorded. Thus it becomes possible to assess a future payment status should changes in the designated schedule occur.
The increasing demands in building and civil engineering – with regard to the growing amount of legal requirements and the needs of a flexible usage of the building - requires an optimisation of all processes during the planning and construction phases. This aim can be only reached by transferring of innovative information and communication technologies in the field of cooperation of all partners in a building project. In this article the enhancement of the existing planning processes based on an improved information management is introduced. Since the late 90ies the availability of hardware and software infrastructures for a networkbased cooperation, e.g. email, in small and middle-sized companies increased the problems of an unstructured communication in the planning and construction processes. These problems have not been solved by the usage of the upcoming project communication systems either, which are often used as a simple medium for data transfer. Because of the easy way of distributing documents to all planning partners a huge amount of files and subsequent versions can be stored so that the planners often have to scope with an information overflow. The underlying hierarchical structures based on simple files stored in tree views are not sufficient for an adequate representation of the different specific views of the planners and the management of relationships between the three information domains building structure, costs and time schedules. ..
Der Planungsprozess im Konstruktiven Ingenieurbau ist gekennzeichnet durch drei sich zyklisch wiederholende Phasen: die Phase der Aufgabenverteilung, die Phase der parallelen Bearbeitung mit entsprechenden Abstimmungen und die Phase der Zusammenführung der Ergebnisse. Die verfügbare Planungssoftware unterstützt überwiegend nur die Bearbeitung in der zweiten Phase und den Austausch der Datenbestände durch Dokumente. Gegenstand der Arbeit ist die Entwicklung einer Systemarchitektur, die in ihrem Grundsatz alle Phasen der verteilten Bearbeitung und unterschiedliche Arten der Kooperation (asynchron, parallel, wechselseitig) berücksichtigt und bestehende Anwendungen integriert. Das gemeinsame Arbeitsmaterial der Beteiligten wird nicht als Dokumentmenge, sondern als Menge von Objekt- und Elementversionen und deren Beziehungen abstrahiert. Elemente erweitern Objekte um applikationsunabhängige Eigenschaften (Features). Für die Bearbeitung einer Aufgabe werden Teilmengen auf Basis der Features gebildet, für deren Elemente neue Versionen abgeleitet und in einen privaten Arbeitsbereich geladen werden. Die Bearbeitung wird auf Operationen zurückgeführt, mit denen das gemeinsame Arbeitsmaterial konsistent zu halten ist. Die Systemarchitektur wird formal mit Mitteln der Mathematik beschrieben, verfügbare Technologie beschrieben und deren Einsatz in einem Umsetzungskonzept dargestellt. Das Umsetzungskonzept wird pilothaft implementiert. Dies erfolgt in der Umgebung des Internet in der Sprache Java unter Verwendung eines Versionsverwaltungswerkzeuges und relationalen Datenbanken.
A Flexible Model for Incorporating Construction Product Data into Building Information Models
(2006)
When considering the integration and interoperability between AEC-FM software applications and construction products' data, it is essential to investigate the state-of-the-art and conduct an extensive review in the literature of both Building Information Models and electronic product catalogues. It was found that there are many reasons and key-barriers that hinder the developed solutions from being implemented. Among the reasons that are attributed to the failure of many previous research projects to achieve this integration aim are the proprietary developments of CAD vendors, the fragmented nature of construction product data i.e. commercial and technical data, the prefabrication versus on-site production, marketing strategies and brand-naming, the referencing of a product to the data of its constituents, availability of life-cycle data in a single point in time where it is needed all over the whole life-cycle of the product itself, taxonomy problems, the inability to extract search parameters from the building information model to participate in the conduction of parametric searches. Finally and most important is keeping the product data in the building information model consistent and up-to-date. Hence, it was found that there is a great potential for construction product data to be integrated to building information models by electronic means in a dynamic and extensible manner that prevents the model from getting obsolete. The study has managed to establish a solution concept that links continually updated and extensible life-cycle product data to a software independent building information model (IFC) all over the life span of the product itself. As a result, the solution concept has managed to reach a reliable building information model that is capable of overcoming the majority of the above mentioned barriers. In the meantime, the solution is capable of referencing, retrieving, updating, and merging product data at any point in time. A distributed network application that represents all the involved parties in the construction product value chain is simulated by real software tools to demonstrate the proof of concept of this research work.
Die Planung komplexer Bauwerke erfolgt zunehmend mit rechnergestützten Planungswerkzeugen, die den Export von Bauwerksinformationen im STEP-Format auf Grundlage der Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) ermöglichen. Durch die Verfügbarkeit dieser Schnittstelle ist es möglich, Bauwerksinformationen für eine weiterführende applikationsübergreifende Verarbeitung bereitzustellen. Ein großer Teil der bereitgestellten Informationen bezieht sich auf die geometrische Beschreibung der einzelnen Bauteile. Um den am Bauprozess Beteiligten eine optimale Auswertung und Analyse der Bauwerksinformationen zu ermöglichen, ist deren Visualisierung unumgänglich. Das IFC-Modell stellt diese Daten mit Hilfe verschiedener Geometriemodelle bereit. Der vorliegende Beitrag beschreibt die Visualisierung von IFC-Objekten mittels Java3D. Er beschränkt sich dabei auf die Darstellung von Objekten, deren Geometrie mittels Boundary Representation (Brep) oder Surface-Model-Repräsentation beschrieben wird.
Bauwerke sind in der Regel Unikate, für die meist eine komplette und aufwändige Neuplanung durchzuführen ist. Der Umfang und die Verschiedenartigkeit der einzelnen Planungsaufgaben bedingen ein paralleles Arbeiten der beteiligten Fachplaner. Darüber hinaus ist die Bauplanung ein kreativer und iterativer Prozess, der durch häufige Änderungen des Planungsmaterials und Abstimmungen zwischen den Fachplanern gekennzeichnet ist. Mithilfe von speziellen Fachanwendungen erstellen die Planungsbeteiligten verschiedene Datenmodelle, zwischen denen fachliche Abhängigkeiten bestehen. Ziel der Arbeit ist es, die Konsistenz der einzelnen Fachmodelle eines Bauwerks sicherzustellen, indem Abhängigkeiten auf Basis von Objektversionen definiert werden. Voraussetzung dafür ist, dass die Fachanwendungen nach dem etablierten Paradigma der objektorientierten Programmierung entwickelt wurden. Das sequentielle und parallele Arbeiten mehrerer Fachplaner wird auf Basis eines optimistischen Zugriffsmodells unterstützt, das ohne Schreibsperren auskommt. Weiterhin wird die Historie des Planungsmaterials gespeichert und die Definition von rechtsverbindlichen Freigabeständen ermöglicht. Als Vorbild für die Systemarchitektur diente das Softwarekonfigurationsmanagement, dessen Versionierungsansatz meist auf einem Client-Server-Modell beruht. Die formale Beschreibung des verwendeten Ansatzes wird über die Mengenlehre und Relationenalgebra vorgenommen, so dass er allgemeingültig und technologieunabhängig ist. Auf Grundlage dieses Ansatzes werden Konzepte für den Einsatz versionierter Objektmodelle im Bauwesen erarbeitet und mit einer Pilotimplementierung basierend auf einer Open-Source-Ingenieurplattform an einem praxisnahen Szenario verifiziert. Beim Entwurf der Konzepte wird besonderer Wert auf die Handhabbarkeit der Umsetzung gelegt. Das betrifft im Besonderen die hierarchische Strukturierung des Projektmaterials, die ergonomische Gestaltung der Benutzerschnittstellen und der Erzielung von geringen Anwortzeiten. Diese Aspekte sind eine wichtige Voraussetzung für die Effizienz und Akzeptanz von Software im praktischen Einsatz. Bestehende Fachanwendungen können durch geringen Entwicklungsaufwand einfach in die verteilte Umgebung integriert werden, ohne sie von Grund auf programmieren zu müssen.
Im Rahmen des sich derzeit vollziehenden Wandels von der segmentierten, zeichnungsorientierten zur integrierten, modellbasierten Arbeitsweise bei der Planung von Bauwerken und ihrer Erstellung werden Computermodelle nicht mehr nur für die physikalische Simulation des Bauwerksverhaltens, sondern auch zur Koordination zwischen den einzelnen Planungsdisziplinen und Projektbeteiligten genutzt. Die gemeinsame Erstellung und Nutzung dieses Modells zur virtuellen Abbildung des Bauwerks und seiner Erstellungsprozesse, das sog. Building Information Modeling (BIM), ist dabei zentraler Bestandteil der Planung. Die Integration der Terminplanung in diese Arbeitsweise erfolgt bisher jedoch nur unzureichend, meist lediglich in der Form einer nachgelagerten 4D-Simulation zur Kommunikation der Planungsergebnisse. Sie weist damit im Verhältnis zum entstehenden Zusatzaufwand einen zu geringen Nutzen für den Terminplaner auf. Gegenstand der vorliegenden Arbeit ist die tiefere Einbettung der Terminplanung in die modellbasierte Arbeitsweise. Auf Basis einer umfassende Analyse der Rahmenbedingungen und des Informationsbedarfs der Terminplanung werden Konzepte zur effizienten Wiederverwendung von im Modell gespeicherten Daten mit Hilfe einer Verknüpfungssprache, zum umfassenden Datenaustausch auf Basis der Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) und für das Änderungsmanagement mittels einer Versionierung auf Objektebene entwickelt.Die für die modellbasierte Terminplanung relevanten Daten und ihre Beziehungen zueinander werden dabei formal beschrieben sowie die Kompatibilität ihrer Granularität durch eine Funktionalität zur Objektteilung sichergestellt. Zur zielgenauen Extraktion von Daten werden zudem Algorithmen für räumliche Anfragen entwickelt. Die vorgestellten Konzepte und ihre Anwendbarkeit werden mittels einer umfangreichen Pilotimplementierung anhand von mehreren Praxisbeispielen demonstriert und somit deren praktische Relevanz und Nutzen nachgewiesen.
Die Planung von komplexen Bauwerken erfolgt zunehmend mit Planungswerkzeugen, die den Export von Bauwerksinformationen im STEP-Format auf Grundlage der IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) erlauben. Durch die Verfügbarkeit dieser Schnittstelle ist es möglich, Bauwerksinformationen für die weiterführende Verarbeitung zu verwenden. Zur Visualisierung der geometrischen Daten stehen innerhalb der IFC verschiedene geometrische Modelle für die Darstellung von Bauteilen zur Verfügung. Unter anderem werden für das „Ausschneiden“ von Öffnungen aus Bauteilen (z.B. für Fenster und Türen) geometrische boolesche Operationen benötigt.
Gegenstand des Beitrags ist die Vorstellung eines Algorithmus zur Berechnung von booleschen Operationen auf Basis eines triangulierten B-Rep (Boundary Representation) Modells nach HUBBARD (1990). Da innerhalb von IFC-Gebäudemodellen Bauteile oft das Resultat mehrerer boolescher Operationen sind (z.B. um mehrere Fensteröffnungen von einer gegebenen Wand abzuziehen), wurde der Algorithmus von Hubbard angepasst, sodass mehrere boolesche Operationen gleichzeitig berechnet werden können. Durch diese Optimierung wird eine deutliche Reduzierung der benötigten Berechnungen und somit der Rechenzeit erreicht.
Complex buildings and other structures are cumulatively planned with software that supports the export of building information in the STEP-format on the basis of the IFC (Industry Foundation Classes). Because of the availability of this interface, it is possible to use the data of a building for further processing.
Within the IFC, several geometrical models for the visualization of building elements are provided. Among others, geometric Boolean set operations are needed to "subtract" openings from building elements (e.g. for windows or doors) - CSG (Constructive Solid Geometry).
Therefore, software components based on the algorithms [Laidlaw86] and [Hubbard90] were developed at the professorship Informatik im Bauwesen that support these functionalities on the basis of Java3D. However, it turned out in praxis, that these components are numerically instable and that there is no acceptable robustness or tolerance of errors. This is caused by mistakes in the implementation (bugs) as well as the insufficient handling of numerical inaccuracies. Further, a verification and, where applicable, a correction of qualitative substandard initial data is missing.
Prior to this student research project, the implementation of a self-contained application for a visual error control was initiated. This tool visualizes several program steps and their corresponding data. With use of this tool, the implemented algorithms can be analyzed in detail.
The papers [Laidlaw86] and [Hubbard90] are unsatisfactory describing some essential steps of the algorithm as well as implementation details to execute Boolean set operations on the basis of a B-rep (Boundary Representation) model. Hence, the algorithm should be documented comprehensible with the help of figures and pseudo code. Moreover, problems within the existing implementation shall be identified and possible solution strategies shall be provided.
Der inhaltlichen Qualitätssicherung von Bauwerksinformationsmodellen (BIM) kommt im Zuge einer stetig wachsenden Nutzung der verwendeten BIM für unterschiedliche Anwen-dungsfälle eine große Bedeutung zu. Diese ist für jede am Datenaustausch beteiligte Software dem Projektziel entsprechend durchzuführen. Mit den Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) steht ein etabliertes Format für die Beschreibung und den Austausch eines solchen Modells zur Verfügung. Für den Prozess der Qualitätssicherung wird eine serverbasierte Testumgebung Bestandteil des neuen Zertifizierungsverfahrens der IFC sein. Zu diesem Zweck wurde durch das „iabi - Institut für angewandte Bauinformatik” in Zusammenarbeit mit „buildingSMART e.V.“ (http://www.buildingsmart.de) ein Global Testing Documentation Server (GTDS) implementiert. Der GTDS ist eine, auf einer Datenbank basierte, Web-Applikation, die folgende Intentionen verfolgt:
• Bereitstellung eines Werkzeugs für das qualitative Testen IFC-basierter Modelle
• Unterstützung der Kommunikation zwischen IFC Entwicklern und Anwendern
• Dokumentation der Qualität von IFC-basierten Softwareanwendungen
• Bereitstellung einer Plattform für die Zertifizierung von IFC Anwendungen
Gegenstand der Arbeit ist die Planung und exemplarische Umsetzung eines Werkzeugs zur interaktiven Visualisierung von Qualitätsdefiziten, die vom GTDS im Modell erkannt wurden. Die exemplarische Umsetzung soll dabei aufbauend auf den OPEN IFC TOOLS (http://www.openifctools.org) erfolgen.
Vom Bauwerksinformationsmodell zur Terminplanung - Ein Modell zur Generierung von Bauablaufplänen
(2011)
Die effiziente und zielgerichtete Ausführung von Bauvorhaben wird in hohem Maße von der zugrunde liegenden Bauablaufplanung beeinflusst. Dabei ist unter Verwendung herkömmlicher Methoden und Modelle die Planung des Bauablaufs ein zumeist aufwändiger und fehlerträchtiger Prozess. Am Ende der gegenwärtig üblichen Vorgehensweise für die Planung eines Bauablaufs erfolgt lediglich die Dokumentation des Endergebnisses. Mögliche Ablaufalternativen, die im Verlauf der Planung betrachtet wurden, sind im resultierenden Bauablaufplan nicht enthalten und gehen verloren. Eine formale Kontrolle des geplanten Bauablaufs hinsichtlich seiner Vollständigkeit ist nur begrenzt möglich, da beispielsweise existierende Methoden der 4D-Visualisierung derzeit nicht ausreichend in den Prozess der Planung von Bauabläufen integriert sind. Gegenstand der vorliegenden Arbeit ist die Entwicklung eines neuen Modells für die Unterstützung der Bauablaufplanung. Dafür wird der größtenteils manuelle Vorgang der Bauablaufplanung auf Basis verfügbarer Bauwerksinformationsmodelle (BIM) weitestgehend automatisiert und die Methodik der 4D-Animation in den Prozess der Bauablaufplanung integriert. Ausgehend von in einer Erfahrungsdatenbank gespeicherten Informationen werden auf Basis einer Ähnlichkeitsermittlung Bauteilen des betrachteten BIM geeignete Vorgänge zugeordnet und mittels Algorithmen der Graphentheorie ein Workflowgraph aller mög\-lichen Bauablaufvarianten generiert. Aufgrund der vorgenommenen Kopplung des Bauablaufplans mit Bauteilen eines BIM und der visuellen Darstellung des Bauablaufs kann vom Planer im Rahmen der Modellierungsgenauigkeit des BIM auf die Vollständigkeit des Bauablaufplans geschlossen werden. Dies ermöglicht dem Anwender ein hohes Maß an Kontrolle des geplanten Bauablaufs bereits innerhalb der Planungsphase. Weiterhin unterstützt das entwickelte Modell die Integration von Ablaufvarianten, was deren Gegenüberstellung ermöglicht und die Wiederverwendbarkeit bereits geplanter Bauabläufe durch eine entsprechend ausgerichtete Abbildung des Modells. Die Anwendbarkeit des erarbeiteten Modells wird anhand einer prototypischen Implementierung nachgewiesen und anhand eines Praxisbeispiels verifiziert.
Increasingly powerful hard- and software allows for the numerical simulation of complex physical phenomena with high levels of detail. In light of this development the definition of numerical models for the Finite Element Method (FEM) has become the bottleneck in the simulation process. Characteristic features of the model generation are large manual efforts and a de-coupling of geometric and numerical model. In the highly probable case of design revisions all steps of model preprocessing and mesh generation have to be repeated. This includes the idealization and approximation of a geometric model as well as the definition of boundary conditions and model parameters. Design variants leading to more resource-efficient structures might hence be disregarded due to limited budgets and constrained time frames.
A potential solution to above problem is given with the concept of Isogeometric Analysis (IGA). Core idea of this method is to directly employ a geometric model for numerical simulations, which allows to circumvent model transformations and the accompanying data losses. Basis for this method are geometric models described in terms of Non-uniform rational B-Splines (NURBS). This class of piecewise continuous rational polynomial functions is ubiquitous in computer graphics and Computer-Aided Design (CAD). It allows the description of a wide range of geometries using a compact mathematical representation. The shape of an object thereby results from the interpolation of a set of control points by means of the NURBS functions, allowing efficient representations for curves, surfaces and solid bodies alike. Existing software applications, however, only support the modeling and manipulation of the former two. The description of three-dimensional solid bodies consequently requires significant manual effort, thus essentially forbidding the setup of complex models.
This thesis proposes a procedural approach for the generation of volumetric NURBS models. That is, a model is not described in terms of its data structures but as a sequence of modeling operations applied to a simple initial shape. In a sense this describes the "evolution" of the geometric model under the sequence of operations. In order to adapt this concept to NURBS geometries, only a compact set of commands is necessary which, in turn, can be adapted from existing algorithms. A model then can be treated in terms of interpretable model parameters. This leads to an abstraction from its data structures and model variants can be set up by variation of the governing parameters.
The proposed concept complements existing template modeling approaches: templates can not only be defined in terms of modeling commands but can also serve as input geometry for said operations. Such templates, arranged in a nested hierarchy, provide an elegant model representation. They offer adaptivity on each tier of the model hierarchy and allow to create complex models from only few model parameters. This is demonstrated for volumetric fluid domains used in the simulation of vertical-axis wind turbines. Starting from a template representation of airfoil cross-sections, the complete "negative space" around the rotor blades can be described by a small set of model parameters, and model variants can be set up in a fraction of a second.
NURBS models offer a high geometric flexibility, allowing to represent a given shape in different ways. Different model instances can exhibit varying suitability for numerical analyses. For their assessment, Finite Element mesh quality metrics are regarded. The considered metrics are based on purely geometric criteria and allow to identify model degenerations commonly used to achieve certain geometric features. They can be used to decide upon model adaptions and provide a measure for their efficacy. Unfortunately, they do not reveal a relation between mesh distortion and ill-conditioning of the equation systems resulting from the numerical model.
Der Entwurfsraum für den Entwurf eines Tragwerks ist ein n-dimensionaler Raum, der aus allen freien Parametern des Modells aufgespannt wird.
Traditionell werden nur wenige Punkte dieses Raumes durch eine numerische (computergestützte) Simulation evaluiert, meist auf Basis der Finite-Elemente-Methode.
Mehrere Faktoren führen dazu, dass heute oft viele Revisionen eines Simulationsmodells durchlaufen werden: Zum einen ergeben sich oft Planungsänderungen, zum anderen ist oft die Untersuchung von Planungsalternativen und die Suche nach einem Optimum wünschenswert.
In dieser Arbeit soll für ein vorhandenes Finite-Elemente-Framework die sequentielle Datei-Eingabeschnittstelle durch eine Netzwerkschnittstelle ersetzt werden, die den Erfordernissen einer interaktiven Arbeitsweise entspricht. So erlaubt die hier konzipierte Schnittstelle interaktive, inkrementelle Modelländerungen sowie Status- und Berechnungsergebnis-Abfragen durch eine bidirektionale Schnittstelle.
Die Kombination aus interaktiver numerischer Simulation und Interoperabilität durch die Anwendung von Konzepten zur Bauwerks-Informations-Modellierung im Tragwerksentwurf ist Ziel dieser Dissertation. Die Beschreibung der Konzeption und prototypischen Umsetzung ist Gegenstand der schriftlichen Arbeit.
One of the most promising and recent advances in computer-based planning is the transition from classical geometric modeling to building information modeling (BIM). Building information models support the representation, storage, and exchange of various information relevant to construction planning. This information can be used for describing, e.g., geometric/physical properties or costs of a building, for creating construction schedules, or for representing other characteristics of construction projects. Based on this information, plans and specifications as well as reports and presentations of a planned building can be created automatically. A fundamental principle of BIM is object parameterization, which allows specifying geometrical, numerical, algebraic and associative dependencies between objects contained in a building information model. In this paper, existing challenges of parametric modeling using the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) as a federated model for integrated planning are shown, and open research questions are discussed.
IFC-BASED MONITORING INFORMATION MODELING FOR DATA MANAGEMENT IN STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING
(2015)
This conceptual paper discusses opportunities and challenges towards the digital representation of structural health monitoring systems using the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard. State-of-the-art sensor nodes, collecting structural and environmental data from civil infrastructure systems, are capable of processing and analyzing the data sets directly on-board the nodes. Structural health monitoring (SHM) based on sensor nodes that possess so called “on-chip intelligence” is, in this study, referred to as “intelligent SHM”, and the infrastructure system being equipped with an intelligent SHM system is referred to as “intelligent infrastructure”. Although intelligent SHM will continue to grow, it is not possible, on a well-defined formalism, to digitally represent information about sensors, about the overall SHM system, and about the monitoring strategies being implemented (“monitoring-related information”). Based on a review of available SHM regulations and guidelines as well as existing sensor models and sensor modeling languages, this conceptual paper investigates how to digitally represent monitoring-related information in a semantic model. With the Industry Foundation Classes, there exists an open standard for the digital representation of building information; however, it is not possible to represent monitoring-related information using the IFC object model. This paper proposes a conceptual approach for extending the current IFC object model in order to include monitoring-related information. Taking civil infrastructure systems as an illustrative example, it becomes possible to adequately represent, process, and exchange monitoring-related information throughout the whole life cycle of civil infrastructure systems, which is referred to as monitoring information modeling (MIM). However, since this paper is conceptual, additional research efforts are required to further investigate, implement, and validate the proposed concepts and methods.
The 20th International Conference on the Applications of Computer Science and Mathematics in Architecture and Civil Engineering will be held at the Bauhaus University Weimar from 20th till 22nd July 2015. Architects, computer scientists, mathematicians, and engineers from all over the world will meet in Weimar for an interdisciplinary exchange of experiences, to report on their results in research, development and practice and to discuss. The conference covers a broad range of research areas: numerical analysis, function theoretic methods, partial differential equations, continuum mechanics, engineering applications, coupled problems, computer sciences, and related topics. Several plenary lectures in aforementioned areas will take place during the conference.
We invite architects, engineers, designers, computer scientists, mathematicians, planners, project managers, and software developers from business, science and research to participate in the conference!
In construction engineering, a schedule’s input data, which is usually not exactly known in the planning phase, is considered deterministic when generating the schedule. As a result, construction schedules become unreliable and deadlines are often not met. While the optimization of construction schedules with respect to costs and makespan has been a matter of research in the past decades, the optimization of the robustness of construction schedules has received little attention. In this paper, the effects of uncertainties inherent to the input data of construction schedules are discussed. Possibilities are investigated to improve the reliability of construction schedules by considering alternative processes for certain tasks and by identifying the combination of processes generating the most robust schedule with respect to the makespan of a construction project.
Der Bedarf an leistungsfähigen Hochgeschwindigkeits-Glasfasernetzen ist in den letzten Jahren, insbesondere aufgrund der zunehmenden Nutzung von Internet-basierten Diensten, rapide gestiegen. Eine umfassende Planung von neu zu errichtenden Glasfasernetzen im Sinne eines kostengünstigen Breitbandausbaus ist jedoch häufig mit hohem Aufwand verbunden. Die Auswahl möglicher Kabelwege und die anschließende Kalkulation der Installationskosten werden heute in der Regel durch computerbasierte Verfahren unterstützt, wobei allerdings die Installationspläne und die Installationskosten getrennt voneinander dargestellt werden, was wiederum die computergestützte Planung sowie weitere Optimierungsansätze erschwert. Dieses Arbeitspapier beschreibt ein Konzept für ein modulares Softwaresystem zur computergestützten Planung, Kostenkalkulation und Visualisierung von Glasfasernetzen, das eine integrierte Darstellung von Installationsplänen und Installationskosten ermöglicht. Anstelle der herkömmlichen Darstellung von Installationsplänen, die in der Regel alle geplanten Kabelwege einfarbig auf einer Landkarte visualisiert, wird ein Farbschema zur Anzeige der Installationskosten in Installationsplänen eingesetzt. Das Konzept wird prototypisch implementiert und durch ein Anwendungsbeispiel, das die Planung eines Glasfasernetzes innerhalb eines Siedlungsgebietes behandelt, validiert. Die integrierte, farbige Darstellung der Installationskosten in Installationsplänen ermöglicht eine effiziente Identifikation der kostenintensiven Bauabschnitte und befördert kostenoptimierte Planungsansätze. Die intuitive Visualisierung vereinfacht somit die akkurate und kostenoptimierte Planung von Glasfasernetzen.
Die Bauinformatik ist eine Säule der modernen Bau- und Umweltingenieurwissenschaften und befasst sich mit der Erforschung grundlegender informatorischer Methoden sowie mit der Anwendung und Weiterentwicklung der Informationswissenschaften im Bau- und Umweltbereich. Der Arbeitskreis Bauinformatik konstituiert sich aus Wissenschaftlern, die an Universitäten im deutschsprachigen Raum auf dem Fachgebiet Bauinformatik lehren und forschen. Ausgehend vom erreichten Entwicklungsstand der Bauinformatik skizziert dieses Positionspapier die Aufgaben des Arbeitskreises und formuliert eine Grundlage für eine abgestimmte Weiterentwicklung an den deutschsprachigen Universitäten.
Der Ausbau von digitalen Hochgeschwindigkeitsnetzen ist gekennzeichnet durch neuartige Anforderungen an den Planungsprozess. Diese Anforderungen erfordern wiederum den Einsatz von neuartigen Paradigmen, die eine effiziente und zugleich genaue Planung von flächendeckenden Glasfasernetzen ermöglichen. Hierbei können wiederkehrende Planungsaufgaben durch eine gezielte computergestützte Automatisierung effizienter und genauer ausgeführt, als es mit bisherigen Planungskonzepten möglich ist. Dieses Arbeitspapier beschreibt die computergestützte Ausführung eines Planungsprozesses auf Basis von fünf grundlegenden, iterativen Planungsschritten und gibt Empfehlungen für eine effiziente und genaue Planung von Glasfasernetzen. Der hier vorgestellte Ansatz ermöglicht es Netzbetreibern und Investoren, den Ausbau beliebiger Siedlungs- und Gewerbegebiete auf der zuverlässigen Basis von belastbarem Faktenwissen wirtschaftlich zu priorisieren.
30. Forum Bauinformatik
(2018)
Die Bauhaus-Universität Weimar ist seit langer Zeit mit dem Forum Bauinformatik eng verbunden. So wurde die Veranstaltung 1989 hier durch den Arbeitskreis Bauinformatik ins Leben gerufen und auch das 10. und 18. Forum Bauinformatik (1998 bzw. 2006) fand in Weimar statt. In diesem Jahr freuen wir uns daher besonders, das 30. Jubiläum an der Bauhaus-Universität Weimar ausrichten zu dürfen und viele interessierte Wissenschaftler und Wissenschaftlerinnen aus dem Bereich der Bauinformatik in Weimar willkommen zu heißen.
Das Forum Bauinformatik hat sich längst zu einem festen Bestandteil der Bauinformatik im deutschsprachigen Raum entwickelt. Dabei steht es traditionsgemäß unter dem Motto „von jungen Forschenden für junge Forschende“, wodurch insbesondere Nachwuchswissenschaftlerinnen und ‑wissenschaftlern die Möglichkeit geboten wird, ihre Forschungsarbeiten zu präsentieren, Problemstellungen fachspezifisch zu diskutieren und sich über den neuesten Stand der Forschung zu informieren. Zudem wird eine ausgezeichnete Gelegenheit geboten, in die wissenschaftliche Gemeinschaft im Bereich der Bauinformatik einzusteigen und Kontakte mit anderen Forschenden zu knüpfen.
In diesem Jahr erhielten wir 49 interessante und qualitativ hochwertige Beiträge vor allem in den Themenbereichen Simulation, Modellierung, Informationsverwaltung, Geoinformatik, Structural Health Monitoring, Visualisierung, Verkehrssimulation und Optimierung. Dafür möchten wir uns ganz besonders bei allen Autoren, Co-Autoren und Reviewern bedanken, die durch ihr Engagement das diesjährige Forum Bauinformatik erst möglich gemacht haben. Wir danken zudem Professor Große und Professor Díaz für die Unterstützung bei der Auswahl der Beiträge für die Best Paper Awards.
Ein herzliches Dankeschön geht an die Kollegen an der Professur Informatik im Bauwesen der Bauhaus-Universität Weimar für die organisatorische, technische und beratende Unterstützung während der Planung der Veranstaltung.
Der vorliegende Beitrag beschreibt die Problematik bei der Prognose verkehrsbedingter Schadstoff-Immissionen. Im Mittelpunkt steht die Entwicklung und der Aufbau einer Simulationsumgebung zur Evaluation von umweltorientierten Verkehrsmanagement-Strategien. Die Simulationsumgebung wird über die drei Felder Verkehr, Emission, Immission entwickelt und findet zunächst Anwendung in der Evaluation verkehrlicher Maßnahmen für die Friedberger Landstraße in Frankfurt am Main.
In the field of engineering, surrogate models are commonly used for approximating the behavior of a physical phenomenon in order to reduce the computational costs. Generally, a surrogate model is created based on a set of training data, where a typical method for the statistical design is the Latin hypercube sampling (LHS). Even though a space filling distribution of the training data is reached, the sampling process takes no information on the underlying behavior of the physical phenomenon into account and new data cannot be sampled in the same distribution if the approximation quality is not sufficient. Therefore, in this study we present a novel adaptive sampling method based on a specific surrogate model, the least-squares support vector regresson. The adaptive sampling method generates training data based on the uncertainty in local prognosis capabilities of the surrogate model - areas of higher uncertainty require more sample data. The approach offers a cost efficient calculation due to the properties of the least-squares support vector regression. The opportunities of the adaptive sampling method are proven in comparison with the LHS on different analytical examples. Furthermore, the adaptive sampling method is applied to the calculation of global sensitivity values according to Sobol, where it shows faster convergence than the LHS method. With the applications in this paper it is shown that the presented adaptive sampling method improves the estimation of global sensitivity values, hence reducing the overall computational costs visibly.
Bauablaufplänen kommt bei der Realisierung von Bauprojekten eine zentrale Rolle zu. Sie dienen der Koordination von Schnittstellen und bilden für die am Projekt Beteiligten die Grundlage für ihre individuelle Planung. Eine verlässliche Terminplanung ist daher von großer Bedeutung, tatsächlich sind aber gerade Bauablaufpläne für ihre Unzuverlässigkeit bekannt.
Aufgrund der langen Vorlaufzeiten bei der Planung von Bauprojekten sind zum Zeitpunkt der Planung viele Informationen nur als Schätzwerte bekannt. Auf der Grundlage dieser geschätzten und damit mit Unsicherheiten behafteten Daten werden im Bauwesen deterministische Terminpläne erstellt. Kommt es während der Realisierung zu Diskrepanzen zwischen Schätzungen und Realität, erfordert dies die Anpassung der Pläne. Aufgrund zahlreicher Abhängigkeiten zwischen den geplanten Aktivitäten können einzelne Planänderungen vielfältige weitere Änderungen und Anpassungen nach sich ziehen und damit einen reibungslosen Projektablauf gefährden.
In dieser Arbeit wird ein Vorgehen entwickelt, welches Bauablaufpläne erzeugt, die im Rahmen der durch das Projekt definierten Abhängigkeiten und Randbedingungen in der Lage sind, Änderungen möglichst gut zu absorbieren. Solche Pläne, die bei auftretenden Änderungen vergleichsweise geringe Anpassungen des Terminplans erfordern, werden hier als robust bezeichnet.
Ausgehend von Verfahren der Projektplanung und Methoden zur Berücksichtigung von Unsicherheiten werden deterministische Terminpläne bezüglich ihres Verhaltens bei eintretenden Änderungen betrachtet. Hierfür werden zunächst mögliche Unsicherheiten als Ursachen für Änderungen benannt und mathematisch abgebildet. Damit kann das Verhalten von Abläufen für mögliche Änderungen betrachtet werden, indem die durch Änderungen erzwungenen angepassten Terminpläne simuliert werden. Für diese Monte-Carlo-Simulationen der angepassten Terminpläne wird sichergestellt, dass die angepassten Terminpläne logische Weiterentwicklungen des deterministischen Terminplans darstellen. Auf der Grundlage dieser Untersuchungen wird ein stochastisches Maß zur Quantifizierung der Robustheit erarbeitet, welches die Fähigkeit eines Planes, Änderungen zu absorbieren, beschreibt. Damit ist es möglich, Terminpläne bezüglich ihrer Robustheit zu vergleichen.
Das entwickelte Verfahren zur Quantifizierung der Robustheit wird in einem Optimierungsverfahren auf Basis Genetischer Algorithmen angewendet, um gezielt robuste Terminpläne zu erzeugen. An Beispielen werden die Methoden demonstriert und ihre Wirksamkeit nachgewiesen.