Objective:
To develop methods, metrics, specifications and test cases for evaluating and extending protocols and standards for enabling the exchange, access and integration of construction project data. Investigate the challenges and measurement science for improving construction productivity with the integration of information, communication and automation technologies.

Background:
Although many architecture, engineering and construction organizations have adopted aspects of 3D modeling and information management technologies in the design and project documentation phase of construction projects, the capabilities and benefits of these technologies are not being exploited to leverage potential advancements in cross-functional integration, modularization, fabrication, pre-assembly and construction work packaging. The digital exchange and integration of design models, equipment specifications, construction plans and related information is impeded, in most cases, by the absence of consistent vocabularies, identifiers and encoding formats for data used by the firms involved.

Industry studies have identified inefficiencies ranging from 25 percent to 50 percent in current methods for coordinating labor and managing, moving and installing construction materials. , Additionally, the integration of equipment and system engineering information for facility commissioning, maintenance, repair and operations is restricted by the lack of automated information sharing and re-use capabilities. Leading industry groups, such as the Construction Industry Institute (CII), Construction Users Roundtable (CURT) and FIATECH, have identified the critical need for fully integrating and automating construction processes.

The measurement science for realizing these breakthrough improvements in construction productivity does not exist. Specifically, the enabling measurement science is lacking for:
       • determining construction productivity at both discrete and aggregate levels;
       • enabling automated access to and integration of diverse information systems;
       • enabling real-time monitoring and control of construction processes; and
       • evaluating the performance of promising automation and integration technologies.

The results of this project feed into a number of industry activities and organizations for demonstrating and deploying new capabilities for integrated, automated and more productive project delivery. These include API, ASHRAE, ASME, API, buildingSMART, CII, FIATECH, and HI

NIST Role:
NIST will fulfill key roles in moving the construction industry from project specific fixes to a measurement science foundation for interoperability, integration and automation. The construction industry needs proven methods, measurement systems and guidelines for:

• analyzing and codifying information requirements and transactions;
• developing and validating information representation and exchange specifications;
• developing compliance and interoperability test methods;
• developing the next generation of engineering standards based on semantic rigor, and
• integrating diverse streams of data for the planning and execution of construction projects.

NIST has the experience and the unique combination of expertise to address these challenges.
 

Page created October 2008

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