Building Integrated Architecture/Engineering/Construction Systems Using Smart Objects: Methodology and Implementation

Abstract

Integrated project systems hold the potential for improving the quality while reducing the time and cost of Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) projects. A fundamental requirement of such systems is to support the modeling and management of the design and construction information and to allow the exchange of such information among different project disciplines in an effective and efficient manner. This paper presents a methodology to implement integrated project systems through the use of a model-based approach that involves developing integrated "smart AEC objects." Smart AEC objects are an evolutionary step that builds upon past research and experience in AEC product modeling, geometric modeling, intelligent CAD systems, and knowledgebased design methods. Smart objects are 3D parametric entities that combine the capability to represent various aspects of project information required to support multidisciplinary views of the objects, and the capability to encapsulate "intelligence" by representing behavioral aspects, design constraints, and life cycle data management features into the objects. An example implementation of smart objects to support integrated design of falsework systems is presented. The paper also discusses the

An agent-based service-oriented approach for facility lifecycle information integration and decision supports

“…Similar approaches using distributed object technologies (particularly CORBA) can also be found in [7,8]. However, Lu and Issa [7] emphasize a loosely-coupled integration, compared to standards-based approaches like IFCbased integration [3,6,9]. We believe that such looselycoupled integration is more easily achieved using software agents and Web services technologies as presented in this paper.…”

“…A centralized (modularized) project model is used to connect all these applications. Halfawy and Froese [6] proposed building integrated AEC systems using smart objects. In the proposed approach, smart objects are 3D parametric entities that combine the capability to represent various aspects of project information required to support multidisciplinary views of the objects, and the capability of encapsulating "intelligence" by representing behavioral aspects, design constraints, and lifecycle data management features into the objects.…”

Analyzing Building Information Using Graph Theory

“…In spite of efforts that have been made to integrate different models of building projects through the development of standards for data interchange such as the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard (buildingSMART, 2013), the integration of project information is not well supported by current tools. Project teams still have to rely on cumbersome and labor-intensive ad-hoc solutions to fully integrate the data (Halfawy & Froese, 2005;Hartmann, Fischer, & Haymaker, 2009). For example, the integration of information in design and in building programs is still very limited.…”

Human-Building Interaction for Energy Conservation in Office Buildings

“…Moreover, occupants' behavior is an influential factor that affects building energy consumption and CO 2 footprint. Occupant's behavior is defined as a collection of factors such as activities, and preferences (Halfawy and Froese 2005). Dynamic occupant behavior and preferences are not taken into account in the operation of current building systems.…”

“…Dynamic occupant behavior and preferences are not taken into account in the operation of current building systems. In general, due to the complexity and diversity of the behavioral patterns, the influence of the occupants' behavior is considered only in simulation of typical occupant activities such as control of sun-shading devices (Halfawy and Froese 2005). …”