Development of a knowledge-based system approach for decision making in construction projects

321 Pages·1992·32.5 MB·English

by  Gregory, Rita A

DEVELOPMENT OF
A KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEM APPROACH
FOR
DECISION MAKING IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
By
RITA A. GREGORY
A DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
1992
TINIVERSITTOFTLORIDA lIBRflP’'^
Copyright 1992
by
Rita A. Gregory
Dedicated to
GREG
.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This study, as in any major research, could not have
been accomplished without the help of others. My first
thanks go to Mr Gary S. Flora, Associate Civil Engineer of
the Air Force, and Colonel Marshall W. Nay, Commander,
Headquarters Air Force Civil Engineering Support Agency
for allowing me the scholastic opportunity. Next, thanks
to Mr Thomas J. Burns for "holding down the fort" in my
long absences and, after my return to duty, helping me eke
out valuable pockets of time, in an unusually busy time in
the Air Force.
In addition to their strict technical guidance and
recommendations, each member of my supervisory committee
provided unique but complementary personal contributions.
Dr James H. Schaub, my first point of contact at the
University, became my constant counsel and mentor. His
keen sense of humor boosted me at my low points and helped
me keep a healthy perspective during my Ph.D. quest. As
Chairman of my supervisory committee, he kept me in line
and on track. And, he made things happen when I needed
help
iv
Dr Zohar Herbsman played a special role in my scholas-
tic venture as my first chairman and most frequent profes-
sor. Dr Barney Capehart had worked in the Federal Govern-
ment. He was sensitive to and provided a good perspective
on unique adjustments required of a student who returns to
school after more than twenty years of professional prac-
tice. He helped me integrate the industrial engineering
techniques developed in this study to civil engineering
applications. Dr Rodney Cox, an experienced military
engineer, contributed a significant understanding of the
need for cross-applicability and technology transfer
between military and private sector construction
engineering. Dr Bloomquist provided the excitement that
comes from recognizing the potential benefits this work
could provide to the construction industry.
The person who provided the most direct contribution
to the final report was Mrs Linda J. Allen. Linda has an
unusual eye for editorial quality and a talent for written
communication. Her most valuable contribution was her
layman's review on clarity of thought and presentation.
My most personal thanks goes to G.B. "Greg" Gregory,
my husband, friend, and biggest supporter.
U.S. Air Force Disclaimer The opinions, interpreta-
.
tions, conclusions, and recommendations in this study are
those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by
the U.S. Air Force.
V
.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv
LIST OF TABLES ix
LIST OF FIGURES X
KEY TO SYMBOLS xi
ABSTRACT XI•X•
CHAPTERS
1 INTRODUCTION 1
General
1
Statement of the Problem 3
Objectives
8
Research Scope
9
2 REVIEW OF RESEARCH LITERATURE 13
General 13
Literature Sources 14
Published Information 16
Industry Responses 20
U.S. Patent Search 21
Special Interest Items 23
Conclusions from Literature Review 27
3 METHODS AND PROCEDURES 28
Introduction 28
Background/Theory 30
Expert Systems Types 36
Study Procedures 40
4 A KNOWLEDGE-BASED CONSTRUCTION COST SYSTEM. 45
.
Introduction 45
Expert Systems Design 47
VI
Knowledge Bases 50
Work Breakdown Structure 57
Model Parameters 61
Subsystem Algorithms 67
Direct Construction Cost Calculation
Process 68
Total Construction Cost Calculation
Process 68
5 CASE STUDY 77
Description of Case Study 77
Generic Model 87
Generic Nursing Home Model 88
Nursing Home Design Model ’ 95
Analyses of Resulting Direct Costs 96
Analyses of Model Versus Contractor Costs.... 103
Summary 108
6 CONCLUSIONS 112
Analyses of 'Model Results 112
Summary 127
7 TOPICS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH 129
Artificial Intelligence Fields 129
Integration With Graphics 130
Systems Integration 131
Industry Standard For Cost Work Breakdown
System 131
Survey on Private Sector Cost Parameters 133
Importance of Proper Contracts in
Construction Management 136
Summary 141
GLOSSARY 142
APPENDIX A GENERIC DORMITORY MODEL,
COMPUTER OUTPUT, DEFAULT RUN 146
APPENDIX B GENERIC NURSING HOME MODEL, COMPUTER
OUTPUT, PROJECT DEFINITION RUN 177
APPENDIX C NURSING HOME DESIGN MODEL, COMPUTER
OUTPUT, QTO RUN, DIRECT COSTS 226
APPENDIX D NURSING HOME DESIGN MODEL, COMPUTER
OUTPUT, CONSTRUCTION COSTS 275
Vl•l•
APPENDIX E APPLICATION AND CERTIFICATE FOR
PAYMENT, AIA DOCUMENTS G702/G703,
Brookwood Investments, Ltd, Project:
Walton County Convalescent, undated. 288
.
LIST OF REFERENCES 293
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 304
%
P
Vl•l•l•
LIST OF TABLES
4-
Table Page
5-
2-1 Uncertainty & Forecasting 26
4-1 Inference Engine Example 51
2 Model Parameters 62
1 Generic Model 81
5-
5-2 Functional Space Areas 83
6-
5-3 Generic Nursing Home Space Allocations 91
5-4 Direct Cost Comparison ($000) 98
5-5 Direct Cost Comparison ($/SF) 99
5-6 Contractor Payment Schedule Conversion 105
5-7 Nursing Home Cost Analysis ($000) 109
8 Nursing Home Cost Analysis ($/SF) 110
1 Accuracy Comparisons 115
6-2 Engine Component Repair Facility 122
6-3 Should Cost Allocations 125
IX
LIST OF FIGURES
Fig3u-re Page
4-
3-1 The Evolution of Expert Systems 29
3-2 Expert Systems 32
3-3 Expert Systems Types 37
4 Problem Categories 38
1 Sample Inference Engine 54
4-2 Comparison of WBS Categories 58
4-3 Parametric Building Cost Estimate Generator. 59
4-4 UNIFORMAT Hierarchy Structure 60
4-5 Process Flow 69
X