Robert Amor's Publications in 1999

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Amor, R., Hosking, J. and Mugridge, W. (1999) ICAtect-II: A Framework for the Integration of Building Design Tools, Automation in Construction, 8(3), pp. 277-289.

Abstract: The development of a system capable of integrating a range of building design tools poses many challenges. Our framework for integrating design tools provides a structured approach, allowing individual parts to be tackled independently. In this paper we detail the framework and its individual components. A method for modelling and implementing each component is described, showing how such an integrated system can be realised. To illustrate, a system developed using the framework and which integrates several design tools is described.

Anumba, C.J. and Amor, R. (1999) A Survey and Analysis of Integrated Project Databases, Proceedings of Concurrent Engineering in Construction'99, Espoo, Finland, 25-27 August, pp. 217-228.

Abstract: This paper is concerned with the development of an integrated project database for the construction industry. It briefly reviews the background to the growing interest in an integrated project database (IPDB) for construction projects, and examines the fundamental concept of an integrated project database by discussing the various definitions that have evolved, as well as the various approaches to its development. A detailed survey and analysis of recent projects that have sought to develop integrated project databases is also presented. The analysis is based on several criteria such as the application area, development environment, modelling approaches used, reusability, hardware and software requirements, and the use of standards. The paper concludes with an identification of gaps in current research and strategic advice on the future development of integrated project databases.

Amor, R. and Newnham, L. (1999) CAD Interfaces to the ARROW Manufactured Product Server, Proceedings of CAADfutures'99, Atlanta, USA, 7-8 June, pp. 1-12.

Abstract: The UK national project ARROW (Advanced Reusable Reliable Objects Warehouse) provides an Internet based framework through which it is possible to identify any of a range of manufactured products meeting specific design criteria. This open framework (based upon the IAI's IFCs) provides a mechanism for users to search for products from any participating manufacturer or supplier based both on specific attributes of a product or on any of the textual descriptions of the product. The service returns the closest matching products and allows the user to navigate to related information including manufacturer, suppliers, CAD details, VR displays, installation instructions, certificates, health and safety information, promotional information, costings, etc. ARROW also provides a toolkit to enable manufacturers and suppliers to more easily map and publish their information in the format utilised by the ARROW system.

As part of the ARROW project we have examined the ability to interface from a design tool through to ARROW to automatically retrieve information required by the tool. This paper describes the API developed to allow CAD and simulation tools to communicate directly with ARROW and identify appropriate manufactured information. The demonstration system enables CAD systems to identify the closest matching manufactured product to a designed product and replacing the designed product with the details supplied by the manufacturer for the manufactured product as well as pulling through product attributes utilised by the design application.

This paper provides a description of the ARROW framework and issues faced in providing information based upon standards as well as containing information not currently modelled in public standards. The paper looks at issues of enabling manufacturers and suppliers to move from their current world-view of product information to a more data-rich and user accessible information repository (even though this enables a uniform comparison across a range of manufacturer's products). Finally the paper comments on the likely way forward for ARROW like systems in providing quality information to end users.

Amor, R., Hutchison, A., Newnham, L., Hyvarinen, J., Gudnasson, G. and Turk, Z. (1999) CONNET Data Model and API, BRE CR 323/99, BRE, Watford, UK, May, 74 pp.

Abstract: This report documents the developed data models and application protocol interfaces (APIs) for the CONNET thematic node as well as the initial five services which sit inside this network. These data models and APIs provide the central representation required to implement the CONNET services. These data models and API form the core of the intellectual property right (IPR) developed in CONNET. Through the replication of these data models and APIs new services of the same type as these five could be established anywhere in Europe, and work seamlessly with the CONNET central services.

The initial part of this report covers the methods used to document developed data models and surveys existing standards, or recommendations, for structuring of meta-data for similar types of services. This is followed by a detailed look at the requirements and structuring of the calculation and software centre. The majority of this report is in the appendices, which detail the data models used by CONNET and each of the services. The models are shown in graphical form (EXPRESS-G), in their full textual form (EXPRESS) and then with basic descriptions of the semantics of the classes and their properties. The second half of the appendices provides similar detail for the API offered by CONNET and each of the services. This provides the definition of how services can interact with each other as well as how the central CONNET services can be accessed.

Anumba, C.J. and Amor, R.W. (1999) Integration - A Manager's Guide, BRE CR 91/99, BRE, Watford, UK, March, 28 pp.

Abstract: This report has been produced for the UK Government’s Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR). It reviews ‘Integration’ (with a special focus on object technology) and discusses how businesses in the UK construction industry can take advantage of integrated systems. This is an interim report, part of an annual series, which has been produced by a single member of the network of experts in objects and integration as the starting point for gaining consensus from the fore-mentioned network. As such it is not currently a consensus document. The consensus document will be delivered as part of the 1999/00 work-plan.

The report introduces Object Technology and Integrated Systems (Integrated Systems involve the linkage of two or more IT systems such that data can be transmitted between them without the need for re-input) and describes the benefits of the technologies to individual businesses and the whole construction industry. It also provides guidance on what managers in the construction industry should do to take advantage of the technologies and realise the benefits highlighted. There is also a brief (technical) description of some of the concepts associated with objects and integration. The resources available to firms that wish to explore the technologies further are presented in the appendix to the report.

The key points contained in the report are summarised below:

• Information Technology (IT) offers significant potential for enabling the construction industry to meet its current and future challenges.
• Object Technology and Integrated Systems are important technologies that the construction industry should take advantage of.
• These technologies offer significant benefits to businesses in the construction industry. Some of the key aspects of business that will be enhanced include efficiency, interoperability, profitability, management of business and technological change, risk management, life-cycle analyses, quality, and ease of forming project partnerships.
• The benefits to individual businesses will have a positive impact on the performance of the whole construction sector. The industry-wide benefits of the technologies include increased efficiency, better quality facilities, client satisfaction, improved supply chain management, reduction of working barriers, learning from experience, improved visualisation and co-ordination, and reduced costs.
• Construction organisations need to decide now how best to take advantage of the new technologies. The costs of non-adoption, or late adoption, of the technologies are likely to be considerable and will certainly exceed those associated with early adoption.
• Taking advantage of the technologies will involve education, training, client involvement, an effective corporate IT strategy, process changes/re-engineering, and investment in CAD and IT tools.
• A brief technical overview of the technologies is provided in the Appendix with an explanation of the following: Objects, Object Libraries, Integrated Systems, Data Warehouses, Electronic Information Exchange and Electronic Commerce.
• There are several resources available to firms that wish to exploit the technologies. Some of the key ones are briefly described in the Appendix.

Anumba, C.J. and Amor, R.W. (1999) Strategic Advice on the IPDB, BRE CR 150/98, BRE, Watford, UK, March, 18 pp.

Abstract: This report provides strategic advice on the development of an integrated project database for the construction industry. It briefly reviews the background to the growing interest in an integrated project database (IPDB) for construction projects, and examines the fundamental concept of an integrated project database by discussing the various definitions that have evolved as well as the various approaches to its development. A detailed survey and analysis of recent projects that have sought to develop integrated project databases is also presented. The analysis is based on several criteria such as the application area, development environment, modelling approaches used, reusability, hardware and software requirements, and the use of standards. The report concludes with an identification of gaps in current research and strategic advice on the future development of integrated project databases. The main recommendations and conclusions made in this report include:

• models which cover the whole project life cycle from conception to demolition need to be developed. There is still much contention as to whether fully integrated models can be developed, currently small models seem most practical. Any support for model development needs to be in a more formal and quality ensured environment than currently supported (akin to software development);
• there is a gap in research into the development of appropriate models for the briefing, conceptual design and demolition stages of the project life cycle;
• there is a need to ensure the reusability of models to avoid duplication and waste of resources. In this regard, researchers should be required to make their models readily available on the Internet or from a central library. The repository developed as part of the Network of Experts in Objects and Integration would be a suitable starting point for this;
• the use of established and emerging interoperability standards (such as STEP and IFCs) should be encouraged. This will have a positive impact on model re-usability, longevity, and interoperability with legacy IT systems in the construction industry;
• the use of a centralised project database has serious maintenance and other limitations that makes it of only marginal benefit to virtual construction project teams. More emphasis needs to be given to approaches based on a distributed architecture that can support a variety of applications and non-collocated project team members;
• many enabling information and communications technologies (such as intelligent agents, telepresence, virtual and mixed reality, the Internet, intranets, information exchange standards, etc.) are now available; their applicability to the development and operation of integrated construction project databases/environments should be investigated;
• the involvement of software vendors in research projects will increase the commercial take up of research prototypes.

Wix, J., Bloomfield, D. and Amor, R. (1999) Business Benefits of Standards for Information Exchange and Sharing, BRE CR 48/99, BRE, Watford, UK, March, 68 pp.

Abstract: This report provides a collation of information regarding the business benefits of standards for information exchange and sharing. This is produced for the project ‘Development and Adoption of Standards for Interoperability’ (CI 36/8/133 cc1716). The report collates information from construction, and related industries, against several major information categories. It is envisaged that this detailed report forms the basis of targeted documents to be published for different audiences.

The information gathered into this report shows that there are benefits from the use of information standards, though not always fully quantified, and not always measured in the construction industry. The main conclusions that are drawn are as follows:

There are major benefits that can be gained from the use of structured information in current generation CAD systems. These benefits can be identified as being from 15-20% of drawing production costs at the production level. Additionally, experience in the use of standards based CAD production is identifying a 15% - 20% saving in construction costs through the availability of properly co-ordinated production information. Interestingly, this is close to the 15% that was predicted for well co-ordinated production information by the CPI Drawing Co-ordination studies in 1980/81.

The benefits of using product model based standards such as STEP or IFC in a commercial environment are, currently, small. This is primarily because the applications that could provide the real benefits from standards use have not yet been developed to be compliant with the standard. If they were developed to have compliance, the benefits would be greater.

XML will become very important for the exchange of data. A fundamental advantage of XML is that it is a package of information that can be decoded. It could operate as an alternative to the ISO-Part 21 data transfer mechanism.

STEP is good for hand-over of information at a formal checkpoint. There are problems with its use in an informal context because it has not been designed for this purpose and therefore does not formally support the concept of partial model exchange which is needed.

The big money turns out to be in avoiding the re-entering of data.

Amor, R. and Bloomfield, D. (1999) Overall Progress Review of the DETR Networks, BRE CR 53/99, BRE, Watford, UK, March, 27 pp.

Abstract: This report surveys the two networks of experts being run at BRE. The networks cover the fields of Knowledge Based Systems (KBS) and Objects and Integration. These networks have been running for almost two years and this review presents a summary of progress to date alongside the facilitators’ and members’ wishes for the future.

Two points are very clear from this review of the networks. Firstly, the members see the network as a beneficial structure for this area and worth maintaining. Secondly, that the services it offers to the members, and the manner in which it offers them, needs to change. The range of suggestions leads us to believe that taking on the model of a technology transfer network would address many of the issues raised by the members. With this in mind the following recommendations are offered by the current facilitators for the forthcoming year:

• The networks need more focus. A plan should be drawn up which provides a roadmap of where it will be in the forthcoming years.
• The networks can not be all things to all members. The set of services offered should grow in small increments and be tested with members before taking on newer ideas.
• The web site(s) should be extended to form a repository for relevant information. This should be seen as the major output of the network(s) and it will require the facilitator(s) to ensure that relevant information is available from the site. This extension should cover signposting consultancy services, member and organisation expertise, documenting of case studies and best-practice projects.
• The quarterly meetings previously organised should be scrapped and replaced with a single annual conference with reviewed papers and the possibility of training (CPD accredited) alongside.
• The DETR should require all projects they fund in these areas to make available their public outputs to the network repository.
• The DETR should take greater advantage of the skills embodied in the network in their strategy development and project evaluation processes.
• There is a strong synergy between the topics covered by the two networks; they should be merged and some Knowledge Based Systems/Knowledge Management of relevance covered by the ongoing Objects and Integration network. The title may need to be reconsidered - Intelligent Systems is one possible name.

Amor, R., Balder, R., Clift, M. and Juli, R. (1999) ToCEE:WP-A:Design Process:Verification II, ESPRIT Project No. 20587, ToCEE A4/A5, EC, Brussels, Belgium, April, 20 pp.

Abstract:

Sparacello, H.M., Mangini, M., Amor, R. and Clift, M. (1999) ToCEE:WP-B:Construction Process:Verification II, ESPRIT Project No. 20587, ToCEE B5, EC, Brussels, Belgium, March, 29 pp.

Abstract:

Clift, M, Amor, R. and Teichmann, H. (1999) ToCEE:WP-G:Document Modelling:Documentation of the Server and Tools, ESPRIT Project No. 20587, ToCEE G4, EC, Brussels, Belgium, April, 38 pp.

Abstract:

Bloomfield, D., Newnham, L. and Amor, R. (1999) Language for Describing Construction Knowledge, BRE report, September, 41 pp.

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