The doctoral dissertations of the former Helsinki University of Technology (TKK) and Aalto University Schools of Technology (CHEM, ELEC, ENG, SCI) published in electronic format are available in the electronic publications archive of Aalto University - Aaltodoc.
Aalto

Requirements and Information Structures for Building Product Data Models

Bo-Christer Björk

Dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Technology to be presented with due permission for public examination and debate in the Auditorium R4 at the Helsinki University of Technology (Espoo, Finland) on the 8th of December 1995, at 12 o'clock noon.

Overview in PDF format (ISBN 951-38-6030-2)   [655 KB]
VTT Publications 245, ISSN 1455-0849

Dissertation is also available in print (ISBN 951-38-4783-7)
Copyright © 1995 VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
VTT Publications 245, ISSN 1235-0621
VTT-PUBS-245
TKK-DISS-1028

Abstract

The term computer-integrated construction (CIC) is often used to describe a future type of construction process characterised by the extensive use of information technology. The key to successful CIC is the comprehensive integration of currently isolated computing applications in different phases of the construction process. Among the several types of data exchange standards needed to support such integration, the standards for structuring the information describing buildings (building product data models) are particularly important. No fully operational building product data models have as yet been formally standardised either on the national or international level, but the topic has been a subject of intensive research during the last few years. Building product data model proposals are usually defined using object-oriented information modelling techniques.

The research which is presented in this summarising thesis was carried out primarily during the years 1988-92 at the Technical Research Centre of Finland. The report begins with a brief introduction to the general background of research concerning CIC and building product data models. Fundamental concepts of object orientation and product modelling are explained in a separate chapter. In order to position the author's research results, the "state of the art" in this research field is briefly reviewed.

The research results are presented against the background of a kernel-aspect model framework, in line with current thinking among several leading researchers in this field. The results can loosely be classified into three distinctive groups: a number of requirements which building product data models should fulfil; specific information structures in building product data models; and the integration of product models with other types of information used in the construction process. The specific information structures which were studied include the abstraction hierarchies used in building product data models, the type object mechanism and information structures needed for modelling spaces and enclosing objects.

The report ends with a discussion of the results, comparing them with the proposals and results of other researchers. Some directions for further research are also outlined.

This thesis consists of an overview and of the following 5 publications:

  1. Björk, B.-C. 1989. Basic structure of a proposed building product model. Computer-Aided Design, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 71-78. © 1989 Elsevier. By permission.
  2. Björk, B.-C. and Penttilä, H. 1989. A scenario for the development and implementation of a building product model standard. Advances in Engineering Software, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 176-187. © 1989 Elsevier. By permission.
  3. Björk, B.-C. and Penttilä, H. 1991. Building product modelling using relational databases, hypermedia software and CAD systems. Microcomputers in Civil Engineering, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 267-279. © 1991 Blackwell Publishing. By permission.
  4. Björk, B.-C. 1992. A conceptual model of spaces, space boundaries and enclosing structures. Automation in Construction, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 193-214. © 1992 Elsevier. By permission.
  5. Björk, B.-C. 1992. A unified approach for modelling construction information. Building and Environment, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 173-194. © 1992 Elsevier. By permission.

Keywords: construction, product models, computers, integration, utilization, standardization, construction management, requirements, comparison, object programs, theses

This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.

© 2004 Helsinki University of Technology

Last update 2011-05-26