Presentation at the Autodesk Industry Seminar
Barcelona, Spain, February 2001
Future Demands
of IT Infrastructure
in the Construction Industry
Prof. Dr.-Ing. R. J. Scherer
Informatics in Civil Engineering
TU Dresden
Dresden, Germany, EU
2
Overview
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Concurrent Engineering
Virtual round table
Virtual enterprise
Multi-project participation
Personalized service platform on the web
Rental services, ASP
Integration of the construction site
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
3
What is Concurrent Engineering?
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It is distributed coordinated simultaneous
teamwork
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workers distributed in space and different time zones
workers work in parallel
workers are coordinated
workers act as a team
easy access to information and knowledge
Requirements:
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communication, data sharing
project management, conflict management
virtual enterprise, legally binding
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
Aspects of Concurrent Engineering
COOPERATIVE
SIMULTANEOUS
Product - View
Virtual Expert
Product - Time
Virtual Time
Concurrent
Engineering
COLLABORATIVE
e - Commerce
Human - Space
Virtual Enterprise
Product - Space
Virtual Market
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
5
Concurrent Engineering
Means Project-centered
Virtual Enterprises
Engineer 1
Project A
Engineer n
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
Co-ordination by Project Management &
Workflow System
1
Definition of worktasks and
their dependencies
3
2
TU Dresden
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Definition of roles and actors
For each worktask
Definition of
priorities or time
constraints
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
Worklists are generated for each Actor
 Electronic management of worklists with Work Tasks for all
users
 The worklist extends traditional messaging services (e.g.
Email) by additionally maintaining the status and
dependencies between items
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
The Client / Multi Server System of the ToCEE Project
(EP 20587)
client
application
layer
adapter
layer
information
logistic
services
server
plug-in
layer
project
data
structures
Product mgmt.
server
Product
Models
Process mgmt.
Server-Buzzsaw
Process
Models
Document
mgmt. server
Document M.
third
party
data
struct
document browser
Project folders
PtM Browser
Internet adapter
(WWW, Email)
ADT
EXPRESS
adapter
(SPF, SDAI)
SoFiSTiK
SoFiPLUS
PAULA
GWM
CuFIMS
web browser
E-mail
TU Dresden
Application
adapter
(IL toolkit,
ORB, concad)
Common
Request
Broker
Regulation M.
Regulation
broker
Conflict mgmt.
server
ToCEE Framework:
common meta-model, common TCP/IP network
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
8
Sufficent ?
Engineer 1
We have
Project-centered
Project A
Engineer n
NO !
Project A
We need additionally
Human-centered
ENGINEER 1
Project N
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
10
Facts
Each engineer participate in different projects the same
time
A new virtual enterprise is set up for each project
In each virtual enterprise a different client server system
may be applied
For each project an engineer needs more knowldwedge
than he permanently do have available
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Engineers have to co-ordinate their work across projects
Engineers have to know different client server systems
Engineers have to procure knowledge for each project
Engineers are nevertheless individuals
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
11
Concurrent Engineering Services Platform
- The User’s Gateway to the CE World -
Exchangeable
Tools
CCS
DAS
MAS
IOS
PPS
Plug-in
Technology
USER
TOS
RES
ECS
Personalized
Work Place
Plug-in
Technology
TU Dresden
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Any Abritary
Server (System)
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
12
Objectives of the CESP
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Independence
Individuality
Capability
Sustainability
Lean
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
13
Independence
The user should be independent of any particular client
server system
The services of the CESP should allow the user
 to attach to any kind of server
 to map the data from the servers into his unified form
 to properly organize his multi-project dependent tasks
 to keep track of proper information flow
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
14
Individuality
The user should be able to carry out his work according
to his individual kind of working and his individual, but
co-ordinated preference.
The services and tools of the CESP should have
 individually configurable interfaces
 an individually adaptable engineering ontology
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
15
Capability
The engineering capabilty of the user should be valuable
increased by the services.
The services of the CESP should provide the user
 with engineering knowledge
 with code of standards information
 with market products information
 with tool application information,
which may be for free or to be rented.
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
16
Sustainability
The interfaces configured by user should be long term
stable.
The services of the CESP should shield the user
 from permanently changing CE systems
 from permanently changing suppliers catalogs
 the different servers and services offered from external
 the different analysis tools
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
17
Lean
The user should manage as less as possible data by
himself on his personal workspace.
The services of the CESP should allow the user
 to outsource data storage and management (EDMS, PtDMS)
 to focus on logistics information
 to focus on management information
 to focus on knowledge management
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
Concurrent Engineering Services Platform
Services :
CCS
DAS
MAS
IOS
PPS
IOS
MAS
DAS
CCS
RES
ECS
TOS
PPS
USER
TOS
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RES
ECS
Interoperability Services
Knowledge Based Model Access Service
Knowledg Based Design Assistance Service
Knowledge Based Code Checking Service
Remote User Specialised Rental Eng. Services
Technology Support Tools for e-Commerce Services
Training and Online Human Support Services
Personal Planning and PDM Services
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
19
Knowledge Based
Model Access Service
state of the art in product model data:
the end-user has to understand in full detail
the whole product data structure
- particular technical semantics
- the complexity of the relationships within the product data structure
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→ an engineer, normally not familiar with product
modelling, is not able to work benificially in a direct way
with the product model data
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
20
Knowledge Based
Model Access Service
→ Need: easier understanding and easier
access of product data
The product data has to be complemented with additional
knowledge ABOUT the product data
this additional knowledge will be provided by a
Knowledge-based model access service (MAS)
→ Middleware between the engineer and the
product model
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
21
Product Data Server
Internet
Model Access Service
Product Data
Cache
Reasoning
Agent
Engineering
Ontology
Explanation
Component
Client Adapter
LAN / CESP
Engineering Application
WWW-Browser
Engineer
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
22
Server-Side Processing of
Client Request
•
Parsing of the client request and transformation to internal
representation
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Classification of the task as :
- synchronous
- high-priority asynchronous
- low-priority asynchronous (heavy-duty)
•
Selection and activation of appropriate server method(s)
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Storing the intermediate results of the method on the server
blackboard in the working memory, thus making the data
available to the MAS agents
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Triggering of respective rules in the MAS agent
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Transformation of the results in a respective client response
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
23
Example Knowledge-Based Queries
 Find if there exist rooms in a building with area > 30
sq.m:
IfcSpace.find(searchExpr:
(FOR ?S DO ((?S IS IN THIS) AND
(THE calcTotalArea OF ?S IS ?A) AND
(EXPR (> ?A 30.0)))))
 With the help of the engineering ontology, the above
requests could be
input in user-friendly form, e.g. using a GUI, HTMLforms etc., whereas,
for an application, the programmatic interface would be
of greater benefit.
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
24
Basic Technologies Involved
Server:
 Frame-based representation
 Object-oriented methods
Communication:
 Java RMI (and possibly CORBA)
Direct User Interface:
 WWW-Browser incl. VRML Plug-in, CAD …
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
Knowledge-Based
Design Assistance System
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IFC architectural view:
 Input: floors, grids, dimensions,
live loads
Conceptual and Preliminary Design
assisted by DAS
 Output: Load Bearing System
8.03. 0
TU Dresden
Lehrstuhl für Computeranwendung in Bauwesen
01062 Dresden
Input for further structural analysis
software tools by IFC structural view!
10.00
5.00
0.00
WINGRAF 1097
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
Stabbiegemoment my, Lastfall 1, 1 cm = 50.0 kNm
Z
20.00
M 1 : 60
X
Y
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
26
System Architecture of DAS
Interactive
User Interface
External
Visualisation Tool
3-dim. (VRML)
2-dim. layout
IFC Interface to
External Structural
Analysis Tools
External
Catalogues
Knowledge Base
Structural ontology
Methods for structural member design
Sequence of design tasks
Decision support knowledge
TU Dresden
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Assisted Design Process
Design Reasoning
Engine

Design Plan Generation
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
27
AI Planning Method for the
Design Process
Start: Architectural object model
End: Structural object model
Interactive assisted design process
Expandable Design Operators
Elementary Design Operators
• Sequence of hierarchical design tasks
• Decision support knowledge
• Methods for Structural member design
• Provision of appropriate dimensioning
tools and catalogue elements
• Interface to external analysis tools
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
28
Remote User Specialized
Rental Engineering Services
Software Rental Service (SRS)
Virtual Lab Test
Service (VLTS)
Automatic Engineering
Service Provider (AESP)
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
29
Remote User Specialized
Rental Engineering Services
Sub-structured into 3 Services:
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SRS Software Rental Service - where the user can rent
engineering software tools from an ASP
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AESP Automatic Engineering Service Provider - where
the user can rent engineering consultancy
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VTLS Virtual Test Lab Service - where the user can rent
simulation of real structural behaviour
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
What is simulation of concrete structures?
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Simplified model
Results of simulation
Concrete
crushing
Concrete cracking
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
31
The conceptual development and the
implementation of the CESP has been the
primary objective of the ISTforCE project
(IST-1999-11508)
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
32
Intelligent Services and Tools
for
Concurrent Engineering
Project Overview
10 Partners
42 Person years
3,6 million Euro
02/2000 – 04/2002
27 months
IST for
CE
TUD
CST
API
CIN
OPB
FID
AEC
CER
ULJ
GEO
www.istforce.com
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
33
Project Workflow
Project B
Project A
Personal Workflow
Project C
Cross Project Workflow
Cross Project Coordination
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
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Cross Project Activity Management
Open Research topics:
 Integration of workflow systems
 integration of project management systems
 development of a multi layer priority system
 forecasting based on priorities judged by different invididuals
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
35
Construction site
Tasks
Needs
 shop drawings
 online client
 4D simulation
 screen size and
 change management
power of desktop PC
 monitoring
 controlling
 ordering (e-commerce)
 quality control
 quality managment
 re-scheduling
 re-design/design
adaptation
 agreements
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
36
Construction site
Situation
 harsh environment
 daylight
 Wireless
Requirements
 lightweight PC
 access to actual data
 exchangeable, signed multi-media notices
 strongly filtered information due to small screens
 hand free
 input/output in each position
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
Basic technologies
 UMTS
 small computers
with different power
37
 handheld computer
 Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
 Pen-based devices
 wearable computer
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
38
Personal Digital Assistent
(PDA)
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Electronic note-book
Input via screen, terminalEingabe über Bildschirm, keys,
keypad
Operaring system: PalmOS/WindowCE
Notice:
Sparse memory
 Small screen
 Battery-operated
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PalmVIIx: 8MB RAM,
8 x 8 cm screen,
information transfer
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
Sample Document for Presentation on PDA
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SECTION 08800 - GLAZING
PART 1 - GENERAL
1.1
RELATED DOCUMENTS
A. Drawings and general provisions of the Contract, including General
and Supplementary Conditions and Division 1 Specification
Sections, apply to this Section.
1.2
SUMMARY
A. This Section includes glazing for the following products and
applications, including those specified in other Sections where
glazing requirements are specified by reference to this Section:
1. Windows.
2. Doors.
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
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Graphical Interface
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Table of content
TU Dresden
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Text representation
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
41
Wearable Computers
- State of the hardware technology
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Small in size
Worn on a belt
Unobstrusive
Powerful
 180...400
MHz Pentium II
 Up to 25 Gbyte HDD
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Usable for speech engines
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
Construction progress monitoring
42
 schematic layout
of project
depicted on the
screen
 selection of
elements by touch
or speech
 input of
construction
progress by touch
or speech
 OnSite View
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
43
Interfaces to the user
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Displays:
 Flat
Panel Display
 Head Worn Display
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Data Input:
 Keyboard
(not favorable)
 Touch Screen
 Speech interface
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
44
Bottlenecks
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Displays:
 Small
Display
 Not day ligth stable Display
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Data Input:
 Without
keyboard restricted
input functionality
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
Challenges
the construction industry will have to face:
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Explicit organised team working
Training on understanding product models/data
structures in order to be able to computerise
knowledge
Working with product data and documents properly
cross-linked
Working with tagged (indexed) text documents
Working with complex client-server-agent-systems
More freedom and more responsibility for the
individual worker
Allocate an individual budget to each worker
New structures in the working staff
TU Dresden
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Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer
46
The End
TU Dresden
–
Inst. of Mechanics and Informatics in Civil Engineering
Prof. R. Scherer