Intermediate function analysis for improving constructability

Abstract

The Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) industry still lacks an approach to represent and analyze construction requirements, especially intermediate function requirements, frequently leading to unsatisfied constructability. The present research develops In-Progress Product Core Model (IPPCM) to abstract the in-progress configuration of a facility product. Based on IPPCM, an intermediate function analysis framework is developed. In detail, a semantic model is presented for representing intermediate function. A schema for representing intermediate function knowledge has been developed for representing temporal logics, especially non-precedent relationships, residing in construction methods. An information integration framework is developed for linking five project modeling perspectives, namely product, process, intermediate function, space, and resource. Four analysis methodologies have been developed with respect to evaluating the temporal and spatial interactions between function users and function providers and to identifying bottleneck states that restrict the commencement of construction activities. Two industry cases are used for validating the developed intermediate function analysis framework.