Observations on Future Computerized Construction Research
A National Science Foundation sponsored workshop recently convened at the University of Illinois to help construction industry professionals determine the research needs and opportunities...
Coordination of Interconnected Arterial Traffic Signals
Present analytical methods and computer programs offer capabilities of optimizing the traffic signal coordination for a series of signalized intersections. Recently, transportation research...
Expert System for Risk Assessment of Concrete Dams
An expert system is presented that will assist a field inspector, during the site investigation of an existing concrete dam, to perform a preliminary structural risk assessment of the...
Expert System Integrity Maintenance for the Retrieval of Data From Engineering Databases
This paper describes a mechanism that enables one to automatically monitor and evaluate engineering design data retrieval. It presents a framework, associated with a relational database...
Expert Systems in Construction Management: Microcomputer Application
Microcomputer based expert systems will assist construction industry by: changing the construction manager's role from day-to-day decision making to strategic planning and...
UNIX: Its Promise and Its Problems
AT&T's computer operating system, UNIX, has long been considered the answer to the transportability, training, and non-uniformity problems of modern computer operating...
Construction Resource Analysis Using Symphony
In 1983, the Air Force was directed to commence engineering design of a small, single warhead ICBM for potential deployent in the early 1990's. As construction agent for the...
Computerized Construction Progress Control
In 1983 and 1984, an exploratory tunnel was constructed as part of the geotechnical exploration program for two highway tunnels to be constructed for interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon,...
Advanced Microcomputer Simulation for Construction Managers
The concept of simulation allows the analysis of complex and dynamic systems such as those encountered in construction operations. In particular, the technology orientation of construction...
Microcomputer Expert Systems for Welded Construction
Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation has developed expert systems including various applications within the field of welded construction. Systems have been developed in the...
The Engineering Workstation at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
The computer group at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill has developed a unique workstation environment which aids both the generation of information in the design phase, as well as the...
Selection of Computer System
To buy a system is a major decision undertaken by the user. It has major impact on the financial and the manpower aspect of the company. To enable the user to arrive at a rational decision,...
Management of Microcomputer Systems
This paper is primarily concerned with the day-to-day management of microcomputer-based systems before, during, and after acquisition. Topics covered include areas overlooked by organizations...
An Interactive Model for Project Planning and Scheduling
This paper presents the development and use of an interactive, microcomputer-based model for project planning and scheduling. The model is general enough to handle both deterministic (CPM-based)...
Facing Failures: Alleged or Actual
Every practitioner, in a large or small office, faces the possibility of an accusation of causing, directly or indirectly, a failure. The resulting embarrassment, frustration, regret,...
Quality Assurance in a Large Firm
This paper will describe the formalization of the Quality Assurance Program in a large consulting engineering firm. Although Quality Assurance and Quality Control have been a part of normal...
Failures: Who Did It - How Did It Happen?
The forensic engineer investigates the cause of failures and determines, from an engineering viewpoint, who was responsible for that failure. These failures need not be catastrophic but...
How Do I Find the Information I Needed Yesterday?
One reason that the professional has not been more effective in learning from failures is that the information disseminated has not always reached the right people. The Architecture and...
Westway - The Little Word that Killed the Big Highway
The Westside Highway Project, better known as Westway, received a construction permit on February 25, 1985 from the Army Corps of Engineers. Signed by the author, the permit was invalidated...
Avoiding Failures Caused by Lack of Management
Engineering failure often results from administrative or managerial failure. In addition to providing sound engineering or technical services, we have a responsibility to administer and...
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