Cumincad : CUMINCAD Papers : Search Results

CumInCAD is a Cumulative Index about publications in Computer Aided Architectural Design
supported by the sibling associations ACADIA, CAADRIA, eCAADe, SIGraDi, ASCAAD and CAAD futures

PDF papers
References

Hits 1 to 20 of 485

Reformat results as: short short into frame detailed detailed into frame

_id	ddssup9605
id	ddssup9605
authors	Demir, Yuksel
year	1996
title	A Design & Decision Support System Proposal for Housing
source	Timmermans, Harry (Ed.), Third Design and Decision Support Systems in Architecture and Urban Planning - Part two: Urban Planning Proceedings (Spa, Belgium), August 18-21, 1996
summary	The subject of this study is to develop an information management system integrating all the related specialists and sources of information virtually from all related fields in building sector (housing) of Turkey; including design, production, construction, marketing, research. The application field has been chosen as housing for having a contribution to the existing housing problem. Although the subject of architecture is one : "the building", the specialists taking place during the lifetime of a building (from design, to destruction) are numerous. Moreover the links between practitioners, academicians, industry are missing Conventional methods, technology are expensive, time consuming. and insufficient to establish and maintain a healthy coordination between these contributors (mainly the design team and all the other related persons, institutions etc.). This has a strong negative effect on the concepts of "wholeness " and "integrity". The result is a built environment which is lacking significant qualities, while the money has been spent is even much more than required for a proper result. This means the loss of a considerable amount of resources. Especially in a country, which has to build thousands of houses each year, for low income groups, the efficient use of the limited sources becomes more essential. Though the potential user range of the system may include constructors, contractors, building element / material producers and retailers, surveyors, institutions, universities, the main user is aimed to be the architect. The system is aimed to support designers to deal with "complexity" without neglecting the concept of "wholeness". Within the study, the problems which became a stimulus for the development of this system will be investigated. The philosophical base, structure and the possible advantages of the proposal will be discussed.
keywords	Design & Decision Support Systems, Information Technology, Information Management, Holistic View of Approach, Specialization
series	DDSS
last changed	2003/08/07 16:36

_id	maver_088
id	maver_088
authors	Henriques, P., Maver, T. and Retik, A.
year	1996
title	Integration of Cost Planning in the Architectural Design of Housing - "CP/CAD Model"
source	Application of the Performance Concept in Building (Ed: R Becker), vol 1, 2: 105-114
summary	Cost estimation in the initial phases of a project is of great interest to the construction industry. This paper proposes a new way of the integration of an architectural project and its cost estimate so as to optimise the design solutions, according to technical and economic criteria. This work explores the capacity of an elemental cost estimation method for residential buildings, when integrated with Computer Aided Design systems, to increase cost estimate precision during the early stages of design. A Cost Planning and CAD model (CP/CAD) is developed by the integration of a database and a CAD system which provides for the automatic exchange of information relative to the geometric layout of the building, the construction element build-up and the construction costs of the same. Finally the CP/CAD model is tested through the estimation of costs for some theoretical cases and also for a group of one-family houses with similar architectural characteristics. The results show the increased precision and the advantages of the model for cost estimation in the early design stages.
series	other
type	normal paper
email
last changed	2015/02/20 11:37

_id	ddssup9606
id	ddssup9606
authors	Van der Flier, C.L. and Thomsen, A.F.
year	1996
title	Weighing alternatives decision support systems for housing management in the Netherlands
source	Timmermans, Harry (Ed.), Third Design and Decision Support Systems in Architecture and Urban Planning - Part two: Urban Planning Proceedings (Spa, Belgium), August 18-21, 1996
summary	Under nowadays market conditions housing quality will be a major issue for the management of the housing stock. Even under the existing housing shortness in the Netherlands vacancy and demolition of post-war housing blocks is not any more a rare incident. In most cases the reason of depreciation and decay is found in a mismatch between supply and demand, caused by either an inadequate design or shifted market conditions.To cure the problems a range of possible interventions has been developed, varying from neglection and minor changes to radical redesign and demolition. Recently some decision support systems are developed to overview and compare the consequences of different concepts and strategies. Our paper provides an overview of recent Dutch tools and systems for this purpose, partly including computer software. Special attention is paid to the weighing of alternative interventions and practical experiences.
series	DDSS
last changed	2003/08/07 16:36

_id	c2ab
authors	Chiu, Mao Lin
year	1996
title	Prototypes, Variation and Composition: A Formal Design Approach in Urban Housing Design with Computer Assistance
doi	https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.caadria.1996.287
source	CAADRIA ‘96 [Proceedings of The First Conference on Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia / ISBN 9627-75-703-9] Hong Kong (Hong Kong) 25-27 April 1996, pp. 287-298
summary	This paper outlines a formal design approach for teaching 3D modeling in computer-aided architecture design studios, and various design principles are used in the process, particularly the generalization, variation and composition. The teaching agenda includes: (1) a formal design approach of housing design, (2) design collaboration, and (3) computer-aided architectural design. // The research agenda includes: (1) incorporation of the formal design approach with the urban infill theory, and (2) development of a computation design method. // The studio project is demonstrated to highlight the implementation of the approach.
keywords	Computer-aided Design, Prototypes, Housing Design, Formal Design Method
series	CAADRIA
email
last changed	2022/06/07 07:56

_id	06e1
authors	Keul, Alexander
year	1996
title	LOST IN SPACE? ARCHITECTURAL PSYCHOLOGY - PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
source	Full-Scale Modeling in the Age of Virtual Reality [6th EFA-Conference Proceedings]
summary	A methodological review by Kaminski (1995) summed up five perspectives in environmental psychology - patterns of spatial distribution, everyday “jigsaw puzzles”, functional everyday action systems, sociocultural change and evolution of competence. Architectural psychology (named so at the Strathclyde conference 1969; Canter, 1973) as psychology of built environments is one leg of environmental psychology, the second one being psychology of environmental protection. Architectural psychology has come of age and passed its 25th birthday. Thus, a triangulation of its position, especially in Central Europe, seems interesting and necessary. A recent survey mainly on university projects in German-speaking countries (Kruse & Trimpin, 1995) found a marked decrease of studies in psychology of built environments. 1994, 25% of all projects were reported in this category, which in 1975 had made up 40% (Kruse, 1975). Guenther, in an unpublished survey of BDP (association of professional German psychologists) members, encountered only a handful active in architectural psychology - mostly part-time, not full-time. 1996, Austria has two full-time university specialists. The discrepancy between the general interest displayed by planners and a still low institutionalization is noticeable. How is the research situation? Using several standard research data banks, the author collected articles and book(chapter)s on architectural psychology in German- and English-language countries from 1990 to 1996. Studies on main architecture-psychology interface problems such as user needs, housing quality evaluations, participatory planning and spatial simulation / virtual reality did not outline an “old, settled” discipline, but rather the sketchy, random surface of a field “always starting anew”. E.g., discussions at the 1995 EAEA-Conference showed that several architectural simulation studies since 1973 caused no major impact on planner's opinions (Keul&Martens, 1996). “Re-inventions of the wheel” are caused by a lack of meetings (except this one!) and of interdisciplinary infrastructure in German-language countries (contrary to Sweden or the United States). Social pressures building up on architecture nowadays by inter-European competition, budget cuts and citizen activities for informed consent in most urban projects are a new challenge for planners to cooperate efficiently with social scientists. At Salzburg, the author currently manages the Corporate Design-process for the Chamber of Architecture, Division for Upper Austria and Salzburg. A “working group for architectural psychology” (Keul-Martens-Maderthaner) has been active since 1994.
keywords	Model Simulation, Real Environments
series	EAEA
type	normal paper
email
more	http://info.tuwien.ac.at/efa/
last changed	2005/09/09 10:43

_id	cc90
authors	Kolarevic, Branko
year	1998
title	CAD@HKU
doi	https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.acadia.1998.016
source	ACADIA Quarterly, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 16-17
summary	Since 1993, we have experimented with Virtual Design Studios (VDS) as an on-going research project that investigates the combination of current computer-aided design (CAD), computer networks (Internet), and computer supported collaborative work (CSCW) techniques to bring together studentsat geographically distributed locations to work in a virtual atelier. In 1993 the theme of the first joint VDS project was in-fill housing for the traditional Chinese walled village of Kat Hing Wai in the New Territories north of Hong Kong, and our partners included MIT and Harvard in Boston (USA), UBC in Vancouver (Canada), and Washington University in St. Louis (USA). In 1994 we were joined by Cornell (USA) and Escola Tecnica Superior d’Arquitectura de Barcelona (Spain) to re-design Li Long housing in Shanghai, and 1995 added the Warsaw Institute of Technology (Poland) for the ACSA/Dupont competition to design a Center for Cultural and Religious Studies in Japan. The 1996 topic was an international competition to design a monument located in Hong Kong to commemorate the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Communication was via e-mail, the WorldWide Web with limited attempts at VRML, and network video. Several teaching and research experiments conducted through these projects have demonstrated the viability and potential of using electronic, telecommunications, and videoconferencing technologies in collaborative design processes. Results of these VDS have been presented at conferences worldwide, explained in journal papers and published in Virtual Design Studio, edited by J. Wojtowicz, published by HKU Press.
series	ACADIA
email
last changed	2022/06/07 07:51

_id	ddss2006-hb-187
id	DDSS2006-HB-187
authors	Lidia Diappi and Paola Bolchi
year	2006
title	Gentrification Waves in the Inner-City of Milan - A multi agent / cellular automata model based on Smith's Rent Gap theory
source	Van Leeuwen, J.P. and H.J.P. Timmermans (eds.) 2006, Innovations in Design & Decision Support Systems in Architecture and Urban Planning, Dordrecht: Springer, ISBN-10: 1-4020-5059-3, ISBN-13: 978-1-4020-5059-6, p. 187-201
summary	The aim of this paper is to investigate the gentrification process by applying an urban spatial model of gentrification, based on Smith's (1979; 1987; 1996) Rent Gap theory. The rich sociological literature on the topic mainly assumes gentrification to be a cultural phenomenon, namely the result of a demand pressure of the suburban middle and upper class, willing to return to the city (Ley, 1980; Lipton, 1977, May, 1996). Little attempt has been made to investigate and build a sound economic explanation on the causes of the process. The Rent Gap theory (RGT) of Neil Smith still represents an important contribution in this direction. At the heart of Smith's argument there is the assumption that gentrification takes place because capitals return to the inner city, creating opportunities for residential relocation and profit. This paper illustrates a dynamic model of Smith's theory through a multi-agent/ cellular automata system approach (Batty, 2005) developed on a Netlogo platform. A set of behavioural rules for each agent involved (homeowner, landlord, tenant and developer, and the passive 'dwelling' agent with their rent and level of decay) are formalised. The simulations show the surge of neighbouring degradation or renovation and population turn over, starting with different initial states of decay and estate rent values. Consistent with a Self Organized Criticality approach, the model shows that non linear interactions at local level may produce different configurations of the system at macro level. This paper represents a further development of a previous version of the model (Diappi, Bolchi, 2005). The model proposed here includes some more realistic factors inspired by the features of housing market dynamics in the city of Milan. It includes the shape of the potential rent according to city form and functions, the subdivision in areal submarkets according to the current rents, and their maintenance levels. The model has a more realistic visualisation of the city and its form, and is able to show the different dynamics of the emergent neighbourhoods in the last ten years in Milan.
keywords	Multi agent systems, Housing market, Gentrification, Emergent systems
series	DDSS
last changed	2006/08/29 12:55

_id	c219
authors	Maver, T.W. and Petric, J.
year	1996
title	Predicting Visual Impact: Computer Aided Visual Impact Analysis
source	Approaches to Computer Aided Architectural Composition [ISBN 83-905377-1-0] 1996, pp. 163-184
summary	The natural and the man-made environment is under increasing stress. We are entering a phase when the exploitation of energy resources is likely to cause a dramatic acceleration in our rate of impact on the natural environment; in particular, there is cause for serious concern regarding the damaging visual impact of energy related developments - oil terminals, dams, power stations, electricity transmission lines, open cast mining - on remaining areas of relatively unspoilt rural landscape. In the developed countries, the urban environment is presenting architects, planners and development agencies with some of the most significant and intractable problems in the last decade of the 20 Century. The problems are the most chronic in those cities which rose to greatness at the height of the industrial revolution- as heavy industry has declined, industrial sites have become derelict, the working population has drifted away and housing has fallen below tolerable standards. Yet in most cases, much evidence of urban greatness remains - in the grandeur of the public buildings, in the scale of the cityscape and in the spirit of those who still have their homes, and their cultural roots, in the inner city.
series	other
email
last changed	2003/04/16 11:53

_id	2619
authors	Otero, E.
year	1996
title	EVALUATION OF THE OSLD HOUSING SYSTEM
source	Full-Scale Modeling in the Age of Virtual Reality [6th EFA-Conference Proceedings]
summary	In the production of low-income housing, one of the factors that most affects the low cost of each unit is its mass production. When it comes to building a proposed design it must have been sufficiently studied and evaluated. When designing low-income housing it is convenient to exhaust all the possibilities of simulation in order to produce a prototype that, once built, has reduced the risk of errors. Simulations allow to improve the prototype before proceeding to build it. The Real Scale Model (RSM) has proved to be a better simulation tool than computer generated models or 1:10 scale models. It allows to reproduce and evaluate perceptual experiences as well as being user friendly because most of the spatial variables can be represented. This research is another example of the use and effectiveness of the RSM in the field of design and architectural research. A Real Scale Model of the basic unit was built by the students of the course Spatial Design Ability dictated by the LEE. The model was first evaluated empty and then a furnishing solution was proposed, built and evaluated. These evaluations were done by another group of students of the Faculty of Architecture and Planning using the Psychological Impressions Measuring Test (IMIP) developed by Luis La Scalea (1991). This test was designed to measure people’s psychological impressions produced by a space, and consists of a semantic differential structured by eleven pairs of opposing adjectives set on a scale of seven levels. The results of this first evaluation were analysed used to modify the prototype which was evaluated again in order to produce a final layout.
keywords	Model Simulation, Real Environments
series	other
type	normal paper
more	http://info.tuwien.ac.at/efa/
last changed	2004/05/04 14:41

_id	82ff
authors	Bhavnani, S.K., Flemming, U., Forsythe, D.E., Garrett, J.H., Shaw, D.S. and Tsai, A.
year	1996
title	CAD usage in an architectural office: from observations to active assistance
source	Automation in Construction 5 (3) (1996) pp. 243-255
summary	The functionality and resources provided by CAD systems have been increasing rapidly, but productivity growth expected from their use has been difficult to achieve. Although many surveys describe this productivity puzzle, few studies have been conducted on actual CAD users to understand its causes. In an effort to arrive at such an understanding, the first author visited a federal architectural office and observed CAD users in their natural setting. This paper describes preliminary results obtained from the study, which used ethnographic techniques developed by cultural anthropologists. The study revealed that users had leveled-off in their learning and experimentation and were using the CAD system in suboptimal ways. By asking why users were not using many resources available to them to improve performance, the observer uncovered issues of communication and management that needed to be addressed. Based on this understanding, the authors provide explicit recommendations to CAD users and vendors. In addition, they hypothesize that users might benefit from a system that provides active assistance, that is, intervenes spontaneously with advice, assistance, and relevant information while the user interacts with the CAD system. They conclude with some issues revealed by the study that should be considered when developing such active assistance.
series	journal paper
email
more	http://www.elsevier.com/locate/autcon
last changed	2003/05/15 21:22

_id	1d05
authors	Finch, E.F., Flanagan, R. and Marsh, L.E.
year	1996
title	Electronic document management in construction using auto-ID
source	Automation in Construction 5 (4) (1996) pp. 313-321
summary	The construction process relies upon the effective management of a variety of project information including drawings; specifications; bills of quantities; and other technical data. The method of information transfer determines the ease with which information can be assimilated and used in the construction process. Despite the widespread use of computers for the generation of project information, hard copy documentation remains the primary method of information transfer within the construction industry.Electronic Document Management (EDM) systems offer a level of control over information flow within the construction process, whether documents are in hard copy or in electronic format. However, many of the existing methods of information transfer undermine the performance of EDM systems in two respects; (1) they require the user to re-enter information to register incoming documents into a data base; (2) they cannot interpret and manipulate information contained in or supporting the document. This paper describes a method of bar coding hard copy drawings in order to electronically transfer document information from designer to contractor. This approach is designed to improve the functionality of EDM systems where hard copy documents predominate. The paper also considers the requirements for bar code application standards which would further improve the data exchange process concerning documents.
series	journal paper
more	http://www.elsevier.com/locate/autcon
last changed	2003/05/15 21:22

_id	f748
authors	Hitchcock, Robert John
year	1996
title	Improving life-cycle information management through documentation of project objectives and design rationale
source	University of California, Berkeley, Department of Civil Engineering
summary	Fragmentation is a defining characteristic of the US building industry that has evolved with increased specialization in building disciplines, and is exacerbated by the present industry business model. While the industry has agreed that productivity and product quality can be dramatically improved by information integration and communication, it has not agreed what information is most important to share to achieve these improvements. Traditional documentation in drawings and specifications captures only the final product of building design decisions. Yet, reported building failures indicate that a lack of understanding between project participants regarding their diverse objectives may be a key factor in failure. This deficiency leads to an inadequate understanding of the rationale behind the myriad design decisions that must work in concert to achieve a global set of project objectives. This information is routinely lost under current information management practices as the building moves through its life cycle. The dissertation develops an innovative information framework intended to effectively structure and manage building life-cycle information. The framework contains a product model that represents the details of a building design that are traditionally documented for sharing between project phases. Two additional elements are integrated with this product model to document key information that is currently lost. Explicit Global Objectives define the overall purpose of a building project by explicitly identifying its intended performance and the criteria for evaluating their achievement. Design Rationale Records capture the associations between individual details of the product model and the objectives that these details are meant to achieve. This information is linked within the framework so that it can be archived, reviewed, and updated in an integrated fashion as a building project moves through time. Example applications of the framework are given. Documenting this key information has benefit across the building life cycle. Participants can more clearly specify project objectives. Multi-criteria evaluation of alternative design solutions and construction methods can be better supported, and the resulting decisions better documented for sharing amongst participants. Comprehensive commissioning can be more cost-effectively performed. During operations, evaluation of the actual performance of a building and detection of maintenance problems can be enhanced.
series	thesis:PhD
email
last changed	2003/02/12 22:37

_id	sigradi2023_108
id	sigradi2023_108
authors	Passos, Aderson, Jorge, Luna, Cavalcante, Ana, Sampaio, Hugo, Moreira, Eugenio and Cardoso, Daniel
year	2023
title	Urban Morphology and Solar Incidence in Public Spaces - an Exploratory Correlation Analysis Through a CIM System
source	García Amen, F, Goni Fitipaldo, A L and Armagno Gentile, Á (eds.), Accelerated Landscapes - Proceedings of the XXVII International Conference of the Ibero-American Society of Digital Graphics (SIGraDi 2023), Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay, 29 November - 1 December 2023, pp. 1655–1666
summary	The walkability of open spaces has been highlighted in current discussions about the production of designed environments in urban contexts (Matan, 2011). To contribute to this theme, this work selects the environmental comfort of open spaces as its element of study. The production of urban space was investigated, specifically in regard to urban morphology, understanding that city design directly influences environmental comfort (Jacobs, 1996). This work addresses the geographic context of low latitudes, specifically in hot and humid climate zones of Brazil, and, in this context, according to NBR 15220 (national performance standards), shading is one of the main comfort strategies, so solar incidence was the approached environmental phenomenon. Thus, this work presents a digital system that performs exploratory analysis on the correlations between urban form indicators and environmental performance indicators, specifically solar incidence. The method consists of three steps: urban form modeling (1), indicator measurement (2) and correlation analysis (3). In the first stage, different spatial sections of a city in Brazil were represented in the digital environment (1). This work’s implementation instrument is based on a City Information Modeling framework (Beirao et al., 2012). Visual Programming Interface (VPI) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools were used, in addition to a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). Then, for each urban clipping, the values of morphological indicators and the incidence of solar radiation were measured (2). Based on the values of the indicators, an exploration of their correlation was carried out by statistical methods (3). The results of the correlation analysis and their correspondent scatter plots are presented. Finally, possible applications of the results for the creation of prescriptive urban planning systems are discussed, seeking to promote a sustainable urban environment.
keywords	Urban planning, Environmental comfort, Walkability, Urban morphology, Statistical methods.
series	SIGraDi
email
last changed	2024/03/08 14:09

_id	ddssup9615
id	ddssup9615
authors	Lucardie, L., de Gelder, J. and Duursma, C.
year	1996
title	Matching the Knowledge Needs of Trade and Industry: Advanced and Operational Knowledge Based Systems
source	Timmermans, Harry (Ed.), Third Design and Decision Support Systems in Architecture and Urban Planning - Part two: Urban Planning Proceedings (Spa, Belgium), August 18-21, 1996
summary	Complex tasks that are being performed in trade and industry such as diagnosis, engineering and planning, increasingly require rapid and easy access to large amounts of complicated knowledge. To cope with these demands on trade and industry, advanced automated support for managing knowledge seems to be needed. Knowledge based systems are claimed to match these needs. However, to deal with the vast volume and complexity of knowledge through knowledge based systems, preconditions at three computer systems levels should be fulfilled. At the first level, called the knowledge level, the development of knowledge based systems requires a well-elaborated theory of the nature of knowledge that helps to get a clear and consistent definition of knowledge. By providing guidelines for selecting and developing methodologies and for organising the mathematical functions underlying knowledge representation formalisms, such a definition significantly advances the process of knowledge engineering. Here, we present the theory of functional object-types as a theory of the nature of knowledge. At the second level, called the symbol level, the representation formalisms used must be compatible with the chosen theory of the nature of knowledge. The representation formalisms also have to be interpretable as propositions representing knowledge, so that their knowledge level import can be assessed. Furthermore, knowledge representation formalisms have to play a causal role in the intelligent behaviour of the knowledge based system. At the third level, called the systems level, a knowledge based system should be equipped with facilities that enable an effective management of the representation formalisms used. Yet other system facilities are needed to allow the knowledge base to communicate with existing computer systems used in the daily practice of trade and industry, for instance Database Management Systems, Geographical Information Systems and Computer Aided Design Systems. It should be taken into account that these systems may run in different networks and on different operating systems. A real-world knowledge based system that operates in the field of soil contamination exemplifies the development of an advanced and operational knowledge-based system that complies with the preconditions at each computer systems level.
series	DDSS
last changed	2003/08/07 16:36

_id	c872
authors	Beliveau, Y.J., Fithian, J.E. and Deisenroth, M.P.
year	1996
title	Autonomous vehicle navigation with real-time 3D laser based positioning for construction
source	Automation in Construction 5 (4) (1996) pp. 261-272
summary	Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are a way of life in manufacturing where navigation can be done in a structured environment. Construction is an unstructured environment and requires a different type of navigation system to deal with three dimensional control and rough terrain. This paper provides a review of navigation systems that utilize dead-reckoning in conjunction with absolute referencing systems such as beacon-based systems, and vision and mapping based system. The use of a real-time laser based technology is demonstrated as a new form of navigation. This, technology does not rely on dead reckoning. The paper outlines the issues and strategies in guiding an autonomous vehicle utilizing only the laser-based positioning system. Algorithms were developed to provide real-time control of the AGV. The laser based positioning system is unique in that it provides three dimensional position data with five updates per second. No other system can provide this level of performance. This allows for control of end effectors and autonomous vehicles in complex and unstructured three dimensional environments. The use of this new type of navigation makes possible the automation of large complex assemblies in rough terrain such as construction.
series	journal paper
more	http://www.elsevier.com/locate/autcon
last changed	2003/05/15 21:22

_id	c19c
authors	Beliveau, Y.J.
year	1996
title	What can real-time positioning do for construction?
source	Automation in Construction 5 (2) (1996) pp. 79-89
summary	New technologies are now available that can rapidly measure three-dimensional coordinates of objects. The integration of these fast 3-D Real-time Position Measurement (D-RtPM) devices and CAD (3D-RtPM/CAD) technologies can be viewed as a better tool for surveyors or as a means to change the most fundamental concepts of the construction industry. 3D-RtPM/CAD is a better surveying tool; however, 3D-RtPM/CAD as the basis for fundamental change within the construction industry is the issue.There are several potential technologies that can provide real-time position measurement. This paper will limit presentation to two of these. The first is based on recent developments in Global Positioning Systems. The second is a new laser-based product, OdysseyTM (Odyssey is a trademark of Spatial Positioning Systems, Inc.). Odyssey received the NOVA award in March, 1995 because of its recognized performance enhancement to the construction industry. These positioning systems provide the capability for equipment and crafts people to view the project from a graphical representation in which they see their position interactively updated. Potential benefits to the construction industry are presented. The research needed achieving maximum benefits of these systems is also presented.
series	journal paper
more	http://www.elsevier.com/locate/autcon
last changed	2003/05/15 21:22

_id	eb87
authors	Bhavnani, S.K.
year	1996
title	How Architects Draw with Computers: A Cognitive Analysis of Real-World CAD Interactions
source	Carnegie Mellon University, School of Architecture and School of Computer Science
summary	New media throughout history have passed through a period of transition during which users and technologists took many years to understand and exploit the medium's potential. CAD appears to be passing through a similar period of transition; despite huge investments by vendors and users, CAD productivity remains difficult to achieve. To investigate if history can provide any insights into this problem, this thesis begins with an examination of well-known examples from history. The analysis revealed that, over time, users had developed efficient strategies which were based on powers and limitations of tools; delegation strategies exploited powers provided by tools, and circumvention strategies attempted to overcome their limitations. These insights on efficient strategies were used to investigate the CAD productivity problem based on four research questions: 1. How do architects currently use CAD systems to produce drawings? 2. What are the effects of current CAD usage on product and performance? 3. What are the possible causes of current CAD usage? 4. What are the capabilities of the CAD medium and how can they be used efficiently? The above four questions were addressed through the qualitative, quantitative, and cognitive analysis of data collected during an ethnographic study of architects working in their natural environment. The qualitative and quantitative analysis revealed that users missed many opportunities to use strategies that delegated iteration to the computer. The cognitive analysis revealed that missed opportunities to use such delegation strategies caused an increase in execution time, and an increase in errors many of which went undetected leading to the production of inaccurate drawings. These analyses pointed to plausible cognitive and contextual explanations for the inefficient use of CAD systems, and to a framework to identify and teach efficient CAD strategies. The above results were found to be neither unique to the CAD domain, nor to the office where the data were collected. The generality of these results motivated the identification of seven claims towards a general theory to explain and identify efficient strategies for a wide range of devices. This thesis contributes to the field of architecture by providing a detailed analysis of real-world CAD usage, and an approach to improve the performance of CAD users. The thesis also contributes to the field of human-computer interaction by demonstrating the generality of these results and by laying the framework for a general theory of efficient strategies which could be used to improve the performance of users of current and future computer applications.
series	thesis:PhD
email
last changed	2003/04/15 13:36

_id	4aaa
authors	Cheng-Che, L., Oloufa, A.A. and Thomas, H.R.
year	1996
title	A GIS-based system for tracking pavement compaction
source	Automation in Construction 5 (1) (1996) pp. 51-59
summary	Compaction is an important operation for improving construction material stability in construction operations such as soils and asphalt pavement. Through the process of compaction, soil strength and stability can be increased to the magnitude required by the design. Quality control is an extremely important concern of State Highway Agencies and contractors. For asphalt pavements, performance and quality are affected by three primary factors: a properly designed mix, drainage, and adequate compaction. These three factors must be performed together to assure quality. For this reason, compaction is considered to be very important in the performance of asphalt pavements. This paper reports on research to develop a system to map the moving compaction equipment, transform this result into a geometrical representation, and to investigate the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to develop a graphical representation depicting the number of coverages. Results are stored in a permanent record that can serve as a historical document.
series	journal paper
more	http://www.elsevier.com/locate/autcon
last changed	2003/05/15 21:22

_id	911c
authors	Darken, Rudolph P.
year	1996
title	Wayfinding in Large-Scale Virtual Worlds
source	George Washington University
summary	As important as navigation is to human performance in virtual worlds, it is an often overlooked problem in the design process. This dissertation reports an experiment intended to show that real-world wayfinding and environmental design principles are effective in designing virtual worlds which support skilled wayfinding behavior. The design principles are adapted from both the cognitive psychology literature and urban and architectural design methodologies. There are two categories of design principles; those that guide the organizational structure of the environment, and those that guide the use and presentation of maps. The study measures subject performance on a complex searching task in a number of virtual worlds with differing environmental cues. The environments are extremely large and consist of open sea, land, and ships which are used as targets for search tasks. The worlds are augmented with either a radial grid, a map, both, or neither. For each trial, the subject's viewpoint position and orientation was sampled approximately once per second. A verbal protocol with accompanying video was used to elicit information about the search strategies employed. A map drawing exercise followed each trial in order to gain insight to the subject's spatial knowledge (i.e. cognitive map) of the environment. The results show that subjects in the treatment without any additional cues were often disoriented and had extreme difficulty completing the task. The grid was shown to provide superior directional information but both treatments using the map were superior overall due to the geocentric perspective provided. Behaviors associated with each treatment indicate that the cues had a strong effect on both search performance and search strategy. The results suggest that users of large-scale virtual worlds require structure in order to effectively navigate. Augmentations such as direction indicators, maps, and path restriction can all greatly improve both wayfinding performance and overall user satisfaction.
series	thesis:PhD
email
more	http://www.seas.gwu.edu/~sibert/darken/publications/Dissertation_95/thesis.html
last changed	2003/02/12 22:37

_id	ddssar9611
id	ddssar9611
authors	de Gelder, Johan and Lucardie, Larry
year	1996
title	Criteria for the Selection of Conceptual Modelling Languages for Knowledge Based Systems
source	Timmermans, Harry (Ed.), Third Design and Decision Support Systems in Architecture and Urban Planning - Part one: Architecture Proceedings (Spa, Belgium), August 18-21, 1996
summary	In recent years knowledge is increasingly recognised as a critical production factor for organisations. Performance of activities such as designing, diagnosing, advising and decision making, depend on the availability and accessibility of knowledge. However, the increasing volume and complexity of knowledge endangers its availability and accessibility. By their knowledge processing competence, knowledge based systems containing a structured and explicit representation of knowledge, are expected to solve this problem. In the realisation of a knowledge based system, the phase in which a knowledge model is reconstructed through a conceptual language, is essential. Because the knowledge model has to be an adequate reflection of real-world knowledge, the conceptual language should not only offer sufficient expressiveness for unambiguous knowledge representation, but also provide facilities to validate knowledge on correctness, completeness and consistency. Furthermore, the language should supply facilities to be processed by a computer. This paper discusses fundamental criteria to select a conceptual language for modelling the knowledge of a knowledge based system. It substantiates the claim that the selection depends on the nature of the knowledge in the application domain. By analysing the nature of knowledge using the theory of functional object-types, a framework to compare, evaluate and select a conceptual language is presented. To illustrate the selection process, the paper describes the choice of a conceptual language of a knowledge based system for checking office buildings on fire-safety demands. In this application domain, the language formed by decision tables has been selected to develop the conceptual model. The paper provides an in-depth motivation why decision tables form the best language to model the knowledge in this case.
series	DDSS
last changed	2003/08/07 16:36

For more results click below: