Events Calendar

Advanced Uses of Information Technology (IT) in Construction Management and Engineering: ...

A Multi Disciplinary Research AgendaSpeaker: Dr. Burcin Becerik, Project Manager, Camp Dresser & McKee; Faculty Southern California Institute of ArchitectureA Joint Seminar of Civil and Environmental Engineering and School of ArchitectureAbstract:The lecture focuses on past, present and future research topics including online collaboration, project management and building information management and the conflation of design, procurement, construction simulation and delivery through advance use of IT.
The global construction potential is estimated to be 4.5 trillion dollars and the opportunity for growth of the construction management and engineering profession -both nationally & globally- is vast. The demand is growing for more complex, faster pace and efficient construction projects. Nevertheless, our industry is highly fragmented and still wasteful. IT and quality processes can advance productivity gains, transfer of higher quality engineering & construction information, collaboration, and coordination of numerous parties. The presentation explores how design and construction information can be captured early in the process and be carried and used throughout from concept to implementation and facility management. The presentation brings the notion of *Project Lifecycle Management* and addresses how scheduling, estimating and environmental analysis tools can be linked to the building information models and how these models become single sources for construction documentation and management. Possibilities of construction simulation and planning, evaluation of design alternatives, construction documentation, monitoring, controlling and management of large-scale and complex construction projects are explained and illustrated from 2D to nD. The challenge is about achieving an integrated practice through improved information visualization and management from concept to implementation.
Potential research questions that the presentation addresses include: What are the implications of an IT concentration on construction management and highly specialized engineering and management services? How can knowledge be captured, shared and re-used in the construction industry and what are the benefits in terms of design, analysis, documentation, procurement, delivery and facility management efficiencies? How can we achieve one integrated information repository (decision dashboard) for control and management? Is there any need for re-engineering our construction processes to meet the changing construction environment, team structures, delivery methods and increased complexity? How can we create benchmarks and key performance indicators for performance measurement and evaluation? How should current standard agreements for engineering and construction services be modified to further define the role of IT in construction? What is the impact of advanced information technology and methodology on risk mitigation and management and what are the legal implications.
Finally, the presentation is a back drop for a discussion of the importance and immediate relevance of advanced uses of IT in engineering and construction and their applicability to the existing problems of supply chain inefficiencies and green construction practices and market demand for ever more productivity gains and project efficiencies.

Location: May Ormerod Harris Hall, Quinn Wing & Fisher Gallery (HAR) - ris Hall 101

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Evangeline Reyes