Seed: 99-00, 98-99, 97-98, 96-97, 95-96, 94-95, 93-94
Sponsored: 00-01, 99-00, 97-98, 96-97, 95-96, 94-95, 93-94

Seed Projects for the 1999-2000 Academic Year

Developing Cost Models for Procurment in Construction Supply Chains
*H. Bjornsson, J. Kunz
The Impact of Internet Commerce on the Subcontractor Selection Process in AEC
*H. Bjornsson, A. Arnold, M. Ekstrom
[These two projects are combined.]
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/99 - 9/39/00
Description -- Supply Chain Management & E-Commerce:
This research will explore how the introduction of Internet commerce can affect the relationship between general contractors and subcontractors. There is generally a belief that business processes will become more cost-efficient through the replacement of media that carry engineering and business content, from heterogeneous paper documents to standardized electronic transaction models. This research will investigate the impact of the introduction of electronic models on AEC-industry transaction costs through business process simulation. Existing bid process between general contractors and subcontractors will be studied in order to estimate current transaction costs. As a reference, we will study the RosettaNet, a web-based supply chain partnership in the IT-industry. Our objective is to identify significant factors that affect supply chains when introducing Internet Commerce and relate them to the AEC industry.
Description -- The Impact of Internet Commerce:
This research investigates the development of cost models for Internet construction procurement. Information required for procurement will be formalized and abstracted. Methods for traditional and centralized procurement will be programmed to compare these models in terms of cost and time. A test case will be completed to validate the traditional procurement cost model. Once validated, a tool will be created that indicates cost and time advantages/disadvantages of centralized vs. traditional procurement, given a production model. Research will also be initiated to provide this tool over the Internet.
CIFE Technical Report #TR128

Agent-Based Project Scheduling and Control
*B. Paulson, K. Kim
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/99 - 9/39/00
Description:
We propose to develop an agent-based project scheduling and control framework which formalizes and automates distributed subcontractors' resource-driven scheduling and control process so that a construction project can be scheduled and controlled with involvement of project participants. The agent-based framework will be developed based upon a distributed coordination methodology including a monetary compensation strategy, which allows autonomous subcontractors to evaluate the impact of their changes and make decisions. An agent-based prototype system will be implemented to test and verify the agent-based project scheduling and control framework, and will provide a foundation for facilitating collaboration among project participants over the Internet.
CIFE Technical Report #TR130

DB KISS: Design and Build Knowledge and Information Slider System
*H. Krawinkler, R. Fruchter, A. Retik
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/99 - 9/39/00
Description:
Computer-based representation, capture, linking, visualization, navigation, and use of the information and knowledge created in a multi-disciplinary project environment during concept development, design, and construction remains a difficult problem. This project proposes to develop methods and an integrated prototype, DB KISS, for knowledge management and navigation of heterogeneous information that constitutes a design-build project memory. DB KISS proposes a product-based, context-based, Web-mediated approach for project, product, and process evolution capture, organization, and navigation. It will formally articulate and link the following four network levels: people network, design informal knowledge network, design and construction formal knowledge network, and construction site knowledge network. DB KISS will enable any of the key stakeholders involved in "building a building" to seamlessly slide among the different network levels to retrieve and re-use knowledge and information to support their decision process.

Virtual Construction Team (VCT): Extending VDT to Model Construction Work Processes & Organizations
*R. Levitt
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/99 - 9/39/00
Description:
The Virtual Design Team (VDT) was conceived to model work processes and organizations in complex but relatively routine AEC facility design. For such projects, activities and organizations can be prespecified, and errors or exceptions that occur can be modeled as simply adding work volume to predefined activities. Construction work is subject to both controllable and uncontrollable risks that make it less routine than design work, so that efforts to date to use VDT to model construction have been less successful. This proposal builds on the OCCAM system that Fridsma developed as a set of extensions to VDT for modeling non-routine health care delivery work processes and organizations. We propose to build a proof of concept system by modest extensions to Fridsma's OCCAM system, and to perform initial validation via case studies. This will equip us to write a well-grounded proposal to NSF for ongoing support of this work. The Virtual Construction Team (VCT) research which models information processing and communication work processes will mesh well with ongoing development of 4D CAD, which provides new ways to model and analyze physical work processes in construction.

4D-Based Time and Cost Control and Financial Management
*M. Fischer, J. Kunz
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/99 - 9/39/00
Description:
The 4D modeling research at Stanford has largely focused on the planning of construction projects at several levels of detail and on testing the constructibility of a proposed design and construction schedule in the computer. Many practitioners have suggest that we should add cost calculations to the 4D model, since the 4D model combines the material costs from the 3D product model and the time-based costs from the construction schedule. We have added this cost estimating functionality tothe CMM (Construction Method Modeler) system developed at CIFE. This proposal uses all the prior 4D research at CIFE as a starting point and proposes research to support time and cost control and financial management of projects with a cost-loaded 4D production model. The main emphasis of the research will be on implementing time and cost control mechanisms for a cost-loaded 4D model and to demonstrate how to use the cost-loaded 4D model for the financial management of a project.
CIFE Technical Reports # TR125, # TR126, # TR127

Internet-Based Computer-Aided Design: Leveraging Product Model, Distributed Object, and World Wide Web Standards
*K. Law, J. Kunz
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/99 - 9/39/00
Description:
Traditional CAD systems are monolithic in that all functions or "services" are bundled in a software package. With the maturation of information and communication technologies, the concept that distributed CAD services are delivered over the Internet, Internet-based Computer-Aided Design (ICAD), is becoming a reality. We have developed a prototype demonstrating building design services in a distributed object environment. In this continuing proposal, we seek to integrate commercial CAD packages and implement several real modular services.
CIFE Technical Report #TR123

CIFE Interaction Workbench
*M. Fischer, P. Hanrahan
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/99 - 9/39/00
Description:
In recent years, a number of CIFE projects have demonstrated high level of Performance on interesting industrial engineering design and anaylsis problems. As a group, these applications offer an opportunity for realistic integration using newly emerging integration technology. We propose to use new object-based web technology to integrate two existing CIFE applications and one new one. With Computer Science Department colleagues, we will display integrated suites of applications on the large new interactive mural. Finally, we propose to develop and document a standard test case for demonstrating and testing both the individual and the integrated systems. Once developed, this integration and display technology will be able to support future CIFE research projects and those commercial applications that provide appropriate systems interfaces to their output data.

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Seed Projects for the 1998-99 Academic Year

Industrial Scale-up of CMM System - Validation and Technology Transfer
*M. Fischer, F. Aalami, J. Kunz
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/98 to 9/30/99
Description:
This proposal seeks funds to conduct two industrial project test cases using 4D production models generated by the Construction Method Modeler (CMM) system. The value of 4D models (a 4D production model can be visualized as a 4D model) ha s become well accepted over the last few years, however, their generation is still a time-comsuming and manual process, so 4D technology is still impractical for widespread implementation. The CMM planning system rapidly generates 4D production models fro m a product model and user-defined construction method model templates. We seek industry collaboration to determine the industrial value of 4D modeling using the CMM system. This proposed research will fulfill one of CIFE's main goals, namely, identify an d develop cutting-edge technology and transfer it to its industry members. The questions this project will address are: Can 4D models generated by CMM have a positive impact on project time and cost? If so, what level of detail is required and during whic h phase of a project are the benefits the greatest? We propose to transfer the lessons learned from the two test cases to CIFE members in a hands-on tutorial session in which members will engage in the rapid generation and evaluation of 4D production mode ls using one of the test cases. We will develop recommendations and extensions to the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) Release 1.5 that will make the IFC classes more suitable for the representation and analysis of 4D production models.

Developing Electronic Models to Support the Bidding Process for A/E/C Commerce on the Internet
*H. Bjornsson, A. Arnold
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/98 to 9/30/99
Description:
This research investigates the requirements for models that describe the content of a bid package so that this information can be formalized, linked with detailed project design and engineering information, and published on the Internet i n an E-commerce system. Computer-interpretable models for bid packages will support the automation of information exchange for the mission-critical activities associated with bid package generation and dissemination, and furnish knowledge-based support fo r activities associated with bid package interpretation and processing for cost estimation. We will perform an information requirement study to understand the modeling requirements for making the activities associated with project bidding part of a virtua l product delivery process. To test our understanding of the representation issues, and to develop familiarity with the emerging Internet technology for active web documents, we will define bid information document models that will be used with a proof-of -concept application to publish a mock-up bid proposal as an active Web document (XML format). This project will provide insight for further research to field prototype electronic bidding services in a AEC E-commerce system.

Internet-Based Computer-Aided Design: Leveraging Product Model, Distributed Object and Web
*K. Law, J. Kunz, C. Han
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/98 to 9/30/99
Description:
Advances in network computing are rapidly changing the way engineering is performed. With the maturation of several technologies, both non-Internet- and Internet-based, concepts that have been proposed for the development Internet-based C omputer-Aided Design (ICAD) may now be realized. An ICAD tool can be envisioned as a web of interconnected software, information and tools which integrate activities across enterprises and throughout the product life cycle. This CIFE seed research proposa l attempts to develop a demonstrable prototype, combining the current development in project product models, distributed object environment and web technologies to illustrate the features and feasibility of an ICAD tool.

CIFE Integration Workbench
*M. Fischer, *P. Hanrahan, *K. Law, J. Kunz
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/98 to 9/30/99
Description:
In recent years, a number of CIFE projects have demonstrated high level of performance on interesting industrial engineering design and analysis problems. Each of these projects has significant remaining research questions and a nu mber of associated questions concerning how to transfer the theory into AEC practice. As a group, these applications suggest an opportunity for serious integration using newly emerging integration technology. We propose to use web technology to integrate several existing CIFE applications. Further, we propose to develop and document a standard test case for demonstrating and testing both the individual and the integrated systems.

4D Annotator: A Visual Decision Support Tool for Construction Planners
*M. Fischer, K. McKinney Liston
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/98 to 9/30/99
Description:
There is a need for an environment in which planners can contextually visualize various types of planning information to better support decision making. Previous 4D-CAD work at CIFE has shown us the benefits and opportunitie s of visualizing construction information in a 4D (time + space) context. Today, 4D models visually describe how construction progresses. The opportunity, though, is to use the 4D-CAD medium to explain planning decisions and impacts of those planning deci sions, making 4D models explanative and predictive. To unlock this potential of 4D models, we need to add "4D annotations" that visually explain to planners potential constructability problems or how a proposed construction sequence affects decision crite ria such as cost, productivity, and safety. This proposal outlines our plans to implement mechanisms to generate 4D annotations and study the value of these annotations to support construction planning decisions.
Project Website: 4D-CAD

Drinking from the Great Fire Hose Called the "Project Memory"
*J. Etchemendy, *H. Krawinkler, R. Fruchter, D. Baker-Plummer
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/98 to 9/30/99
Description:
Computer-based representation, capture, visualization, and use of the information and knowledge created in a multi-disciplinary project environment remains a difficult problem. This project proposes to develop methods and a prototype, DMV, for knowledge management, data mining and visualization of heterogeneous information that constitutes a project memory. DMV will be distinguished from the state-of-the-art file transaction-based project document management systems (PDMs) and propose a product-based, content-based, CACD-Web mediated approach for project, product, and process evolution capture and visualization.

The Sociocultural Context of IT Implementation in A/E/C Firms: An Ethnographic Approach
*R. Levitt, G. Kunda
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/98 to 9/30/99
Description:
The emergence of powerful IT integrative tools has created the potential for revolutionary changes in the management of construction projects. However, user experience and early empirical evaluations suggest that there are formi dable social and cultural barriers to successful implementation. This research proposes a unique collaboration between an organizational anthropologist and a more traditional CIFE IT researcher to study the complex social and cultural framework within which information technology exists and evolves in AEC projects and companies, and its significance for the success or failure of IT implementation efforts. The research will use the tools of ethnography - a rigorous inductive method based on techniques for long-term observation, interviewing, and content analysis of documents - to study the implementation of a set of integration technologies suggested by the participating companies. This is exploratory research. The main deliverable will be a technical repo rt summarizing our findings and new proposals that raise questions and suggest directions to be taken in a more systematic and comparative research process. Longer term, we expect such research to inform the configuration and implementation of AEC integra tion tools, and to guide future case-based research and teaching materials.

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Seed Projects for the 1997-98 Academic Year

Performance-Based Automated Building Code Checking
*K. Law, J. Kunz, C. Han
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/97 to 9/30/98
Description:
The objective of this CIFE seed research project is to develop automated code-checking procedures and to use the WWW to retrieve and display code information. We will establish a framework in which code documents can be stored, classif ied, and accessed with links to design intent of the code. The design intent links are in turn linked to performance-based compliance engines (or methods) to analyze a building model. We will develop performance based methods for two modules of the buildi ng code: accessibility and egress. Finally, we will develop a representation of a building model based on Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) to support checking for code compliance through the performance based code engines.

4D Work Planner
*M. Fischer, J. Kunz, S. Staub
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/97 to 9/30/98
Description:
Managing the spatial relationships between activities is a major task for schedulers and construction managers. Yet current management tools used for project planning and cost control do not explicitly represent the spatial needs for w orkers to complete their tasks efficiently. For example, CPM schedules show the dependencies between activities, but they do not model the time-space relationships that exist between activities. Similarly, cost estimates are based on two-dimensional desig n drawings and unit cost or productivity rate data which do not reflect the impact of time-space conflicts on productivity and costs. As a result, the sequencing of activities often lead to spatial interferences that decrease crew productivity and increas e activity durations and costs. This research will provide a 4D Work Planner that utilizes time, space and crew information to adjust schedules and develop cost estimates which consider the spatial conflicts existing between activities. A 4D simulation wi ll notify the user when a time-space conflict occurs and provide the options to adjust the production rate accordingly or change the sequencing of activities.

MEP Coordination in Building and Industrial Projects
*C. Tatum, T. Korman
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/97 to 9/30/98
Description:
Coordination activities to determine the location of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other systems are a major challenge on complex buildings and light-industrial projects. Current methods range from using light tables to compare transparent drawings to partial CAD models. Delay, interferences, and rework often result. Phase one of this research project will develop a horizontal integration tool to coordinate systems designed by multiple consultants or contractors, with input ran ging from sketches on paper to 3D models in specialized CAD systems. Phase two will extend the tool to include partial automation of system coordination and capability for vertical integration to consider facility management in coordination decisions. Thi s research support CIFE's goals by increasing horizontal and vertical integration of a key design activity, improving models for use in 4D visualization, and providing technology for possible transfer to software suppliers.
CIFE Working Paper #WP054

A Model for Software Interoperation for Engineering Enterprise Integration
*K. Law, J. Kunz, C. Howie
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/97 to 9/30/98
Description:
Engineering companies are seeking ways to achieve software interoperability between their internal applications and those of external vendors and customers. The emergence of open data exchange standards such as STEP, as well as the wide variety of possible implementation technologies, has led to our development of a model capable of supporting such software interoperation. Our model is independent of any specific implementation approach, and protects proprietary knowledge within the pa rticipating organizations whose applications are interconnected. It provides great flexibility in the configuration of software services and data exchange standards used. We have completed the formal description of the model and are now preparing to test it both locally at CIFE and with industry participation.

LCA Life-Cycle Assistant: Capturing the Evolution of Design Intent and Team Interactions
*H. Krawinkler, R. Fruchter
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/97 to 9/30/98
Description:
Computer-based representation, capture, visualization, and use of the design evolution in a multi-disciplinary project environment remains a difficult problem. This project proposes to develop a lifecycle assistant, LCA prototype for design evolution capture, visualization, and tracking of team interactions in support of multidisciplinary collaborative teamwork. Based on our research experience, our hypothesis is that one of th key factors in reducing life-cycle cost is improved communication, coordination and cooperation among members in a multidisciplinary team. LCA will accommodate and integrate many perspectives throughout the design-build teamwork and facility management and allow the different actors to 1) augment shared CAD design models with the tam members' design intents, interests, and responsibilities; 2) capture versions at different levels of granularity, such as graphic object feature, discipline perspective, and project level; 3) track team interactions in a shared Web workspace environment; and 4) visualize the design evolution of features, discipline perspectives, and the overall project. LCA will be distinguished from the state-of-the-art file transaction-based project document management systems (PDMs) and proposes a product-based, content-based, CAD-Web mediated approach for project, product, and process evolution capture.

CIFE Seminar for Members
*M. Fischer, J. Kunz
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/97 to 9/30/98
Description:
Since 1991, the investigators have offered CE320, a seminar on integrated facility engineering, to Stanford students. The goal of this project is to share the seminar for interested participants from all CIFE member companies. We propo se to use standard Internet Web technology.

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Seed Projects for the 1996-97 Academic Year

Integrating Computer Model With Field Monitoring Program for Underground Structure Construction
*R. Borja, R. Regueiro, T. Lai
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/96 to 9/30/97
Description:
We propose to use a 3D object-oriented CAD model as a user-interface tool to bring a powerful 3D nonlinear soil-structure interaction finite element code to the forefront of engineering construction and design. Together with a good fie ld monitoring program, this computer model can be utilized to ensure success of underground construction. The FE code has many useful advanced features, including the element birth/death option to model the placement/removal of new/old materials, fluid fl ow option, consolidation with free-surface seepage, nonlinear soil behavior, and geometric nonlinearity options. We will use AutoCAD as a user-interface tool to create an environment whereby a field monitoring program and computer modeling go hand-in-hand to ensure the safety and cost-efficiency of underground construction. This project is envisioned as a start-up for a longer-term project addressing the problem of strain localization in excavations described in a proposal submitted to NSF.

A Model-Based Approach to Software and Data Interoperability for Process Plant Applications
*K. Law, J. Kunz, C. Howie
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/96 to 9/30/97
Description:
p3 is middleware system which facilitates both the real-time sharing of engineering software procedures and provides transparent network access to database models for plant applications based on an open plant model. It is design ed to take full advantage of the emerging STEP model. Plant software procedures are written in a high-level, portable C-like domain language, called the Process Plant Programming language, and are translated by the system compiler into C language code wit h optimized kernel support for common plant computations. The plant model language provides a consistent interface among the plant applications distributed on heterogeneous networks. p3 thus decouples plant knowledge from both proprietary and esote ric application code and the underlying plant model database to provide real-time software interconnection, easy access to distributed resources, and high speed computation capabilities.

4D CAD Building Blocks
*M. Fischer, *T. Winograd, J. Kunz, K. McKinney
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/96 to 9/30/97
Description:
Extant construction scheduling tools (CPM, graphical 4D tools) do not model the work flow through a project and the time-space relationship between activities well. We propose research to extend current 4D CAD tools to allow faster and improved modeling of schedule alternatives. 4D building blocks capture the time-space relationships of activities and assist a scheduler in creating a 4D model that captures and visualizes the work flow and space utilization of activities throughout a pr oject. We plan to test the system on on-going and recently completed projects. An industrial review team will guide this research effort and evaluate the schedules developed based on the 4D building blocks.
Project Website: 4D-CAD

Beyond CPM: Extending VDT to Provide Real-Time Modeling and Analysis of Construction Operations
*R. Levitt, *P. Teicholz, J. Kunz., W. Nasrallah, K. Sears
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/96 to 9/30/97
Description:
The long range goal of the VDT research is to develop new kinds of modeling tools that can analyze the interrelationships between product requirements, work processes and organizational configurations to make predictions about project time, cost and quality performance. The VDT Version 2, resulting from Tore Christiansen's work allows us to do this for deisgn projects. The goal of the "Beyond CPM" project is to identify and quantify sources of administratiove workload and exceptions ar ising from interdependencies in construction work so that VDT can be extended to model construction and design in the same framework, and hence allow organizational analysis of design-build projects. We will also extend VDT's architecture and conceptual b ase to support two new kinds of analysis: (1) interfaces for continuous updating of project and organizational status to support real time project control; and (2) an expert system "post processor" for VDT (akin to those now used in finite element systems ) to begin providing assistance to users in diagnosing the causes of observed or simulated bottlenecks in projects, and suggesting appropriate remedies.

ASPECTS for Multidisciplinary Collaborative Teamwork
*P. Teicholz, R. Fruchter, A. Teng
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/96 to 9/30/97
Description:
Doing business in a global environment is becoming today's reality. Integrated product and process is accomplished by multidisciplinary teams which are geographically distributed. There is a need to define, capture, share, retrieve, and visualize information to understand how things fit together in the context of the greater design systems engineering: different practitioners, tools, and perspectives, however, same project, goal, and deadline. Our hypotheses are that (1) concurrent engineering requires diverse computer support for the different modes of collaboration and communication among team members; (2) metrics and instrumentations are required to assess the usability and effectiveness of collaboration technologies. Collab oration technologies are aimed to address these requirements. We propose to test and evaluate in an education environment a collaboration software ASPECTS, by Technology Frameworks. We will observe, understand, and assess how team members use the software in a real project setting as a medium in which the designer communicates to other team members. Our focus will be to: (1) understand and exercise the software design language of ASPECTS, (2) evaluate, test and assess how ASPECT's software design language can improve the team member's activity, interactions, communication, and cooperation, (3) evaluate ASPECTS as a visual and functional language of communication with the people who use an artifact, (4) explore the use of ASPECTS as a computer environment for design intent capture.

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Seed Projects for the 1995-96 Academic Year

Collaborative 4-D CAD
*M. Fischer, J. Kunz
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/95 to 9/30/96
Description:
Collaborative 4D CAD is a tool that fully supports the four-dimensional nature of engineering and construction, a tool that captures and dynamically manages the interaction between project components and resources over time, visualizes these interactions and supports real-time interaction of users with the 4D model. Such a tool would support the communication, buy-in, and improvement of construction schedules between clients, construction managers, facility users, neighbors, sub- and g eneral contractors.
CIFE Technical Report #TR101 ; Project Website: 4D-CAD

Interpreting P&ID's
*T. Binford, *K. Law, J. Kunz, C. Howie, T. Chen
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/95 to 9/30/96
Description:
The objective of this proposed continuation of CIFE seed research project is to develop automated tools to interpret P&ID's and to demonstrate and test them with both simple and realistic industrial test cases.
CIFE Technical Report #TR112 and Working Paper #WP037 ; Project Website: www.stanford.edu/~kunz/pid.html

Object Oriented Information Model for a Prototype Product Selection & Specification System
*P. Teicholz, A. Arnold
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/95 to 9/30/96
Description:
This research contributes to process plant integration through the implementation of an object oriented component information model and prototype component library for product selection and specification. The prototype implementation w ill demonstrate the exchange of product knowledge information for use in design and engineering applications. Our research will use an intelligent CAD design environment implemented by others at CIFE to investigate how product models that contain decision knowledge can be integrated in to a CAD model and used to support automated product selection.
CIFE Technical Report #TR107

Concurrent Design of Facilities and Delivery Processes and Organizations
*R. Levitt, *M. Fischer, J. Kun, E. Divita
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/95 to 9/30/95
Description:
This research will develop virtual rapid prototyping concepts and tools to support accelerated design, construction, and start-up of facilities. Our long-term objective is to develop concepts, virtual prototyping tools and development methodologies to support concurrent design, construction, and start up of facilities, and design of organizations involved in these processes. Our focus is on the problem of aligning facility design with processes and organizations required to deliver the facility.
CIFE Technical Reports #TR104 and #TR115

Information Management for Regulations and Codes
*M. Genesereth, *K. Law, J. Kunz, G. Wiederhold
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: 10/1/95 to 9/30/96
Description:
The objective of this proposed CIFE seed research project is to engineer an information resource that integrates data on codes and regulations and provides search and analysis tools that help developers to identify the multiple regulat ions that apply to their projects.

Seed Projects for the 1994-95 Academic Year

Interpreting Process and Instrumentation Diagrams
*T. Binford, *K. Law, J. Kunz
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1994 to Sept. 30, 1995
Description:
This project will develop an automated approach to interpret P&IDs based on computer vision technology. This will result in a symbolic model that reflects the connectivity and equipment in the diagram.
CIFE Technical Report #TR112 and Working Paper #WP037; Project Website: www.stanford.edu/~kunz/pid.html

Going Around the Circle (continuation)
*M. Fischer, J. Kunz, M. Clayton
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1994 to Sept. 30, 1995
Description:
This project will build on the efforts of the prior year to extend the application of circle integration to a series of design applications to test its benefits and limitations.
CIFE Technical Report #TR105 ; Project Website: www.stanford.edu/~kunz/circle.html

Model-based Construction Planning - Phase 2 (continuation)
*M. Fischer, F. Aalami
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1994 to Sept. 30, 1995
Description:
This project will build on the efforts of the prior year to develop a cost estimate and construction schedule from an object oriented 3D CAD model of a building during the conceptual design stage.
CIFE Working Papers #WP034 and #WP041

Version and Configuration Model of a 3D CAD Object Model
*K. Law, *J. Widom, K. Krishnamurthy
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1994 to Sept. 30, 1995
Description:
This project will build on NSF sponsored research (CEDB project) to develop a design versioning system that incorporates multiple disciplines and 3D CAD models.
CIFE Technical Report #TR092 and Working Paper #WP031

Modeling the Impact of Collaboration Technology
*R. Levitt, Y. Jin, R. Fruchter, G. Oralkan
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1994 to Sept. 30, 1995
Description:
This project builds on prior Virtual Design Team (VDT) research to develop a method to model the organizational change in response to a new technology and predict its effect on both social and task performance.
CIFE Working Paper #WP036; Project Website: VDT

A Knowledge-based Approach to Construction Experience Transfer Through Case-based Reasoning (continuation)
*B. Paulson, M. Manavazhi
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1994 to Sept. 30, 1995
Description:
This research will develop a Construction Experience Transfer Model (CETM) which will serve as a template to the decomposition of construction experience primarily in the area of how to avoid and solve field related problems. A prototy pe system will be developed to test this approach.
CIFE Technical Report #TR102

CIFE on the World Wide Web (WWW)
*P. Teicholz, R. Fruchter, J. Kunz, M. Tanenbaum
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1994 to Sept. 30, 1995
Description:
This project will create a CIFE home page on the WWW and make its technical reports and other data available to users of Mosaic on the Internet.

Seed Projects for the 1993-94 Academic Year

Going Around the Circle
*M. Fischer, J. Kunz, M. Clayton
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1993 to Sept. 30, 1994
Description:
This research has developed a prototype system that implements and tests the concept of integrating several interpretations (analyses) of a building by passing the results from one analysis to the next.
CIFE Working Paper #WP020; Project Website: www.stanford.edu/~kunz/circle.html

3D Modeling and Schedule Animation Services for the San Mateo Health Facility Project
*M. Fischer, E. Collier
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1993 to Aug. 31, 1994
Description:
Commercial software is used in this project to link a 3D CAD model of a hospital facility to a CPM schedule and animating the results. This provides a powerful method of simulating each step in the construction (and demolition) process.
CIFE Video #VT024

Model-based Construction Process Planning
*M. Fischer, M. Evans
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1993 to Mar. 31, 1994
Description:
This project developed a knowledge-based system that is able to evaluate the constructibility of a project. The project input data includes available resources, client requirements, site conditions. The knowledge base contains applicab le construction methods, productivity rates, labor and material prices. Output consists of the estimated construction cost and time.
CIFE Working Paper #WP034

Agent-Based Framework for Collaborative Engineering
*M. Genesereth, *P. Teicholz, T. Khedro
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1993 to Aug. 31, 1994
Description:
This research has developed a prototype system that links five design applications into a collaborative environment. Each application is converted to an agent and communicates with a central program called a Facilitator.
CIFE Technical Report #TR113; CIFE Video #VT015

A Course on Computer Integrated A/E/C
*H. Krawinkler, *P. Teicholz, R. Levitt, R. Fruchter
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1993 to Aug. 31, 1994
Description:
This research developed a new course that allowed 3 person teams to collaborate on a number of multidisciplinary design problems. The course used prototype collaboration software to test the effectiveness of new approaches.

The Make vs. Buy Decision for Specialty Contracting: Economic Analysis of the Choice of a Long Contracting
*R. Levitt, H. Harasawa
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1993 to Aug. 31, 1994
Description:
Develop a theoretical foundation to model the practice of long-term contracting ("partnering") in order to analyze this approach with an extended economic framework.

Emergent Organization Structures: Using Intelligent Agents to Model how Information Processing Tools Effect Organization Structure
*R. Levitt, Y. Jin, G. Oralkan
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct 1, 1993 to Sept. 30, 1994
Description:
Develop a simulation model that will help predict the impact of information technology on the productivity and quality of design tasks.
CIFE Woring Paper # WP026

A Computer Based Construction Information Storage and Retrieval System (COINSTORE)
*B. Paulson, M. Manavazhi
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1993 to Aug. 31, 1994
Description:
This research will develop a prototype system that can be used to capture, classify and retrieve construction experience.
CIFE Technical Report # TR102

Bridging the Technology Gap: Innovation in the Big Six and Local Japanese Construction Companies
*B. Tatum, J. Wald
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Dec. 1, 1990 to June 30, 1994
Description:
This research will develop a better understanding of the factors that influence the rate of diffusion of new technology from R&D into field use. Social structure within the organization is an important influence.

Design with Knowledge-Based Macros
*P. Teicholz, S. Workinger
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1993 to Sept. 27, 1994
Description:
Develop a theory and prototype system that allows engineers to capture and modify repetitive CAD operations using macros.

Opportunistic Maintenance Scheduling in Facility Engineering
*P. Teicholz, J. Kunz, S. Lin
Project Sponsor: CIFE
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1993 to Sept. 30, 1994
Description:
The Value Analysis (VA) developed for the IRTMM project has been extended to cover situations where there are multiple repairs and alternative repair options.
CIFE Technical Reports # TR099 and # TR100

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Sponsored Projects which started during the 2000-01 Academic Year

Internet-Enabled Simulation of Earthquake Liquefaction Response on Parallel Computers
*K. Law
Project Sponsor: NSF, CMS Program
Project Date: Sept. 2000 to Feb. 2002
Description:
This project, in collaboration with researchers at University of California San Diego, aims to develop a finite element program for simulating earthquake iquefaction response. The simulation program will be run on state-of-the-art high performance computers and accessible via the internet.

A Wireless Modular Health Monitoring System for Civil Infrastructure
*K. Law
Project Sponsor: NSF, CMS Program
Project Date: Sept. 2000 to Aug. 2003
Description:
This project, in collaboration with researchers in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, is to develop a wireless micro-machined electrical mechanical device for vibration testing and structural health monitoring applications.

REGNET: A Distributed Information Management Framework for Environmental Laws and Regulations
*K. Law
Project Sponsor: NSF, CMS Program
Project Date: Sept. 2000 to Sept. 2003
Description:
This project, in collaboration with researchers in the Computer Science Dept.and Law School, investigates the development of an information management framework for environment regulations.

Sponsored Projects which started during the 1999-2000 Academic Year

Co-Evolution of Knowledge Networks and Twenty-First Century Organizational Forms: Computational Modeling and Empirical Testing
*R. Levitt
Project Sponsor: University of Illinois/NSF
Project Date: Sept. 1999 to Aug. 2000
Description:
In traditional organizations, non-routine situations are resolved by asking more experienced organizational participants for advice. In modern, networked organizations and societies, networks of advice giving and receiving are evolving in cyberspace in the form of voluntary "communities of practice." This grant is a collaboration with USC, The University of Illinois and Carnegie Mellon University to study the individual, organizational and infrastructure variables that effect how such informal networks of knowledge evolve over time, and how the shape and strength of such knowledge networks affects organizational performance.

RECALL Learning Technology in Action
*H. Krawinkler, R. Fruchter
Project Sponsor: Cisco
Project Date: Oct. 1999 to Dec. 2000

Playful on 12
*R. Fruchter
Project Sponsor: ITSS, Stanford Univ.
Project Date: Jan. 2000 to Sept. 2000

Knowledge Trading
*H. Bjornsson
Project Sponsor: Nihon Unisys, Ltd.
Project Date: Jan. 2000 to June 2001
Description:
This project will survey new knowledge management technologies and their use for developing Internet based "knowledge trading" services. A prototype system for "situational learning" will be developed. The project will focus on tools for producing services and on learner interfaces.

Internet-Enabled Framework forCollaborative Development of NonlinearDynamic Analysis Program
*K. Law
Project Sponsor: Pacific EarthquakeEngineering Center
Project Date: May 2000 to April 2001
Description:
This project, in collaboration with researchers at University of California, Berkeley, is to develop an internet-based collaborative framework for the development of structural analysis program. The framework is designed to support collaborative software development by researchers at PEER, a consortium of over 10 universities in the west coast.

Process Specification and Simulation
*K. Law
Project Sponsor: National Institute of Standards and Technology
Project Date: June 2000 to June 2001
Description:
This project investigates the use of PSL (Process Specification Language) as an exchange standard for process specification and SIMQL (Simulation Query Language) for the simulation of workflow processes.

REGBASE: A Distributed Information Infrastructure for Regulation Management and Compliance Checking
*K. Law
Project Sponsor: NSF Digital Government
Project Date: July 2000 to June 2003
Description:
This project, in collaboration with Computer Science Dept., investigates the development of an information management framework for ADA regulations and guidelines.

Sponsored Projects which started during the 1998-99 Academic Year

A Library for Component Information and Engineering Services to Support E-commerce
*Bjornsson, Hans
Project Sponsor: NIST
Project Date: Sept. 1998 to Sept. 2000
Description:
This research proposes the development of a software prototype for a library of component information and engineering services in an E-commerce framework. The repository will reference information models and associated engineering applications that automate the selection and specifications of components for installation in a process plant. It will interoperate with a CAD/CAE system that supports STEP through an intermediate model that facilitates dynamic, bi-directional information exchange between the library and a design model represented in a CAD/CAE system. This research investigates critical representation and interoperation issues associated with the development of distributed systems for sharing knowledge that will enable E-commerce and eventually a virtual product delivery process.

Bridging the Urban, Engineering, and Construction disciplines in the Information Age
*Krawinkler, Helmut; Fruchter, Renate; Fischer, Martin; Sporman, Alfred
Project Sponsor: UPS Foundation
Project Date: Oct. 1998 to Sept. 2003
Description:

Modeling Virtual University Project-Based Learning Space: a Joint Aoyoma-Stanford-Nihon Unisys
*Krawinkler, Helmut; Fruchter, Renate; Tamaki, T.; Martin, Mike; Chinowsky, Paul
Project Sponsor: MITI Sponsored Project with UX Berkeley and Georgia Tech; MITI, Japan
Project Date: Oct. 1998 to Mar. 2000
Description:

Entrepreneuship on the Internet
*Bjornsson, Hans
Project Sponsor: CHAMPS Research Foundation
Project Date: Jan. 1999 to Aug. 2001
Description:
The overall goal is to document management practices in Internet start-ups. We will investigate business models, their associated success factors, along with how management style changes throughout the life of new ventures. A number of case studies will be made for which we will document how some key aspects of the companies have developed from formation to present state.

E-Business in Corporate Real Estate and Facility Management
*Bjornsson, Hans
Project Sponsor: Nihon Unisys
Project Date: Jan. 1999 to Sept. 2001
Description:
This project is investigating the state-of-the art of e-commerce applications in Corporate Real Estate and Facilities Management. It will focus on eBusiness models and how they are faring in the marketplace, identifying key strengths and weaknesses, long-term prospects, market opportunities, and evolutionary scenarios. Framework for identifying e-business opportunities and appropriate model will be developed.

Internet Business Models - A Clearing House for the Japanese Construction Industry
*Bjornsson, Hans
Project Sponsor: Nihon Unisys
Project Date: June 1999 to Mar. 2000
Description:
This contract is to develop a knowledge base for developing Internet based services for the construction and facility management industries. The objectives are to outline possible new business for the construction industry. The study will result in a "white paper" that outlines necessary research and development that are needed to implement Internet based AEC services. The white paper will be presented at a seminar in Tokyo at the end of March next year.

Electronic Education Commerce
*Krawinkler, Helmut; Fruchter, Renate
Project Sponsor: Nihon Unisys
Project Date: June 1999 to Mar. 2000
Description:
This project proposes to introduce and define the concept and business model of Electronic Education Commerce (EEC)TM*. EEC's working definition is a Just-in-Time Learning (JITL) environment for high volume electronic exchange or buying and selling of knowledge between knowledge producers and learners via knowledge and service providers. This project proposes to introduce and define the concept of knowledge bytes that can be packaged and re-used to address the learners' goals in a JIT fashion, based on a point-of-access payment model.

Generating Construction Specific Models from IFC-Based Design Models
*Fischer, Martin
Project Sponsor: US Dept. of Army
Project Date: June 1999 to Dec. 1999
Description:
The proposed research will formalize mechanisms or algorithms that transform a design-focused product model to a construction-focused product model. We will give examples of the representation required for the design product model and for the user-specified transformation constraints and develop a prototype software tool that uses some geometric reasoning techniques and implements sample transformation mechanisms. The research will illustrate the use of IFC to share design information with construction software and demonstrate how to add standardized transformation algorithms to object standards like the IFC.

Demonstration of IFC-Based Time and Cost Control for Construction Projects
*Fischer, Martin
Project Sponsor: US Dept. of Army
Project Date: June 1999 to Dec. 1999
Description:

Simulation Models of Dynamic Work Processes and Organizations
*Levitt, Raymond
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: Aug. 1999 to July 2000
Description:
The current version of VDT (commercialized through Stanford's Office of Technology Licensing as Vité Project) models and simulates work processes and organizations in fast-track design and construction projects (and in a variety of fast-paced product development and IT projects). For such projects, the set of high-level activities and their responsible team members can be defined in advance, so that changes to the project can be modeled as adding work volume to already-defined activities. In contrast, a wide variety of service activities such as plant or building maintenance are less well defined. Problems must be diagnosed before the work process and required team members to execute the repair or other service can be fully defined. This grant supports extensions to VDT to enable modeling of relatively unstructured service and maintenance projects.

Sponsored Projects which started during the 1997-98 Academic Year

Finite Element Analysis of Strain Localization in Excavations
*Borja, Ronaldo
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: Oct. 1997 to Sept. 2000
Description:
The objective of this project is to study the effect of strain localization on the stability and deformation behavior of open and supported excavations. The research will cover drained and undrained behavior using a finite deformation theory based on multiplicative plasticity, and will involve the use of J2 plasticity and modified Cam-Clay plasticity models. There are numerous field cases where strain localizations are known to have formed during the process of sequential excavation, and these will be used to test the accuracy of the proposed analysis methodology.

U.S. German Cooperative Research: Linking Design and Construction with Construction Method Models
*Fischer, Martin
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: Feb. 1998 to Jan. 1999
Description:
This funding supports international travel to enhance Stanford's on-going NSF project on Method Modeling through collaboration with a research team at the Technical University in Munich, Germany. Both groups are conducting research in the application of information technology to construction project management, with the Stanford team focusing on project planning, and the Munich team focusing on project control.

A Distributed Software Paradigm for Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis
*Law, Kincho
Project Sponsor: UC, Berkeley
Project Date: Apr. 1998 to Mar. 1999
Description:
The objective of the project is to develop a new software paradigm for structural analysis program that can be accessed on the internet environment. The nonlinear dynamic analysis program will be implemented in a modular structure using object-oriented design. New element types and specialized solution schemes will be easily and seamlessly integrated without code modification of the analysis kernel. This facility will facilities researchers to focus on their specialized interest, such as developing nonlinear elements for concrete, distributed solution algorithms, etc.. The nonlinear dynamic analysis program will be an internet-based engineering service that engineers and designers can have on-line access.

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Sponsored Projects which started during the 1996-97 Academic Year

CIFE Conference '97: "The Impact of New Information Technology on the Procurement of Design and Construction Services - an Owner's View"
*Teicholz, Paul
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: Apr. 1997 to Sept. 1997
Description:
This grant gave partial support for this conference held at Stanford University on March 23-24, 1997.

Linking Design and Constructions with Construction Method Models
*Fischer, Martin
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: Sept. 1996 to Aug. 1997
Description:
To support the rapid generation of schedules, this research will develop and test strategies that support the generation of schedules based on formalized construction method models, and develop and test a template that captures construction method information necessary to support the schedule generation strategy. The objectives are to enable practitioners to model underlying scheduling assumptions and not just the schedule itself. To help make the schedules generated by automated scheduling systems more realistic, this research focuses on formalizing the representation of construction methods as symbolic, activity-based construction method models. The input to the scheduling process is in the form of a 3D-CAD model. The CAD model is interpreted and linked to a building product model. Via activities, components in the product model can then be linked to construction method models. The construction method models provide the planning software with instructions on the detailed activities and sequence relationships that need to be generated. Once activities and their sequence relationships have been combined into a schedule, it can be visualized as an activity network and displayed as a 4D model. Some anticipated characteristics of the proposed construction method model are the ability to represent construction methods at different levels of abstraction, to relate schedules and design descriptions to each other at different levels of detail, to be generally applicable, yet also easily customizable, and to capture enough information to - at least partially - automate scheduling.

Data Capturing Templates for Life Cycle Management
*Fischer, Martin
Project Sponsor: Santa Clara County
Project Date: Oct. 1996 to June 1997
Description:
The goal of this research is to show how web-based templates provide faster and more consistent access to facility management information so that facility manager can make better informed maintenance decisions more quickly.

Total Process Improvements in Building Energy Efficiency
*Tatum, Clyde B.
Project Sponsor: Lawrence Berkeley Lab.
Project Date: Jan. 1997 to May 1998
Description:
The purpose of this research is to identify the stages of evaluation and adoption of an internet-based technology for remote monitoring and analysis of energy use in buildings. The investigation focuses on third-party property managers for large commercial buildings. The technology includes advanced sensors and software for analysis and visualization of energy use patterns.

Computational Enterprise Modeling: Analysis Tools to enhance Quality in Organizations
*Levitt, Raymond
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: Jan. 1997 to Dec. 1998
Description:
This project applies VDT to modeling enterprises engaged in aerospace and other project-oriented work that have developed excellent process models but do not have simulation capabilities to analyze their current or reengineered work processes in the context of alternative organization structures or communication tool environments.

Sponsored Projects which started during the 1995-96 Academic Year

Virtual Rapid Prototyping of Products, Facilities, Processes and Organizations
*Fischer, Martin; Levitt, Ray; Kunz, John
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: Jan. 1995 to Dec. 1997
Description:
This grant is to fund work with Intel of Santa Clara in modeling the products, facilities, processes and organizations involved in bringing new semiconductor facilities on line much more rapidly and with higher initial yields.

NSF Synthesis Coalition
*Krawinkler, Helmut; *Teicholz, Paul; Levitt, Raymond; Fruchter, Renate - RA
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: Sept. 25, 1995 to Sept. 25, 1996
Description:
This project is aimed to develop, test, implement and disseminate a new interdisciplinary course which engages A/E/C student teams in project-based learning. The course exposes the students to a holistic view of the A/E/C industry, eme rging collaboration technologies and organization modeling computer tool. It is in collaboration with the faculty of UC-Berkeley and Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo.

Integration and Interoperability of Multiple Software Applications
*Teicholz, Paul; Kunz, John
Project Sponsor: Kaman Sciences Corp.
Project Date: Jan. 1, 1996 to June 30, 1996
Description:
This work shall provide a theoretical discussion of interoperability issues, reviewing past R&D approaches (including Rome Laboratory's AAITT and EPRI's EPRIWorks), current commercial approaches and the new and emerging research tchnologies. The separate issues of data exchange and semanitc translation shall both be discussed and related.

Sponsored Projects which started during the 1994-95 Academic Year

Development of On-Line Robot Motion Planning System
*Khatib, Oussama
Project Sponsor: Boeing Co.
Project Date: Apr. 1, 1994 to March 30, 1995
Description:
The goal of this proposal is to extend the elastic band framework of path planning to avoid collisions to multiple manipulators operating in a dynamic 3D environment with obstacles determined by sensor measurements. The new algorithms will be implemented using a system of three PUMA 560 robots operating in a shared environment. A model of the environment will be constructed from a laser light-strip sensor, which will be mounted on one of the PUMA robots.

Robotic Material Handling Assistants
*Khatib, Oussama
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: June 15, 1994 to May 31, 1995
Description:
A major component of material handling in a variety of assembly tasks is what may be called dynamic fixturing; transporting material from source to destination and positioning it for attachment. The objective of the proposed research i s development of an automated mobile ``assistant'' to aid workers in this task. The robotic assistant will be designed to supplement the physical capabilities of a human operator, providing an ``extra pair of hands'' that can move a load in response to fo rces he exerts.

Integration of CAD and Energy Analysis Software for Building Design
*Teicholz, Paul; Papamichael, Kostos (LBL); Clayton, Mark-Ph.D.
Project Sponsor: Calif. Institute for Energy Efficiency (CIEE)
Project Date: Sept. 1, 1994 to Aug. 31, 1995
Description:
Develop an architectural design system that will allow analysis of energy usage, construction cost and life cycle cost during the conceptual design stage.

Modeling of Products in the Process and Power Industry
*Teicholz, Paul; Arnold, Andrew-Ph.D.
Project Sponsor: NIST
Project Date: August 1, 1994 to July 31, 1995
Description:
Study the requirements for data exchage standards over the life cycle of products used in the process industry (pipes, fittings, pumps, etc.) and develop object oriented standards that will support these requirements. Test these standa rds using a prototype design system.
CIFE Technical Report # TR107

An International Perspective in the Creation and Use of Design Criteria
*Paulson, Boyd C.; Karen Lee Hansen - PhD.
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: July 1, 1994 to March 31, 1995
Description:
This project is motivated by the desire to provide clients and builders with improved design methodology. Using a multiple-case study as its foundation, this project links the latest thinking on knowledge-based computer systems (includ ing computer-aided design) and an urgent industry problem. Mistakes in design criteria can lead to higher costs, increased litigation, schedule delays, and lower quality of final constructed products. This project's purpose is to create a dialogue between designers, builders, clients, and educators in pursuit of a better construction delivery process and, ultimately, of higher quality facilities.

Integration Methodology for Problem Solving Using Multiple Expert Systems
*Teicholz, Paul; John Kunz
Project Sponsor: Kaman Sciences Corp.
Project Date: Nov. 1, 1994 to Oct. 31, 1996
Description:
This grant is to fund work to develop a version of IRTMM in which modules are linked by a loosely coupled integration strategy.

Total Process Improvements in Building Energy Efficiency
*Tatum, Clyde B.
Project Sponsor: Univ. of California
Project Date: Nov. 29, 1993 to Feb. 28, 1995
Description:
The purpose of this research is to identify the stages of evaluation and adoption of an internet-based technology for remote monitoring and anaylsis of energy use in buildings. The investigation focuses on third-party property managers for large commercial buildings. The technology includes advanced sensors and software for analysis and visualization of energy use patterns.

Technology Strategies for Project Integration
*Tatum, Clyde B.
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: Aug. 15, 1994 to July 31, 1995
Description:
This research project involves investigarion of project integration in Euorpean design and construction firms and collaboration between the Center for Integrated Planning at the Swiss Technical Institute in Zurich and Stanford's Center for integrated Facility Engineering.
CIFE Technical Report # TR096

NSF Synthesis Coalition
*Krawinkler, Helmut; *Teicholz, Paul; Levitt, Raymond; Fruchter, Renate - RA
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: Oct. 1, 1994 to Sept. 30, 1995
Description:
This project is aimed to develop, test, implement and disseminate a new interdisciplinary course which engages A/E/C student teams in project-based learning. The course exposes the students to a holistic view of the A/E/C industry, eme rging collaboration technologies and organization modeling computer tool.
Related Course Website

Computational Enterprise Modeling: Analysis Tools to Enhance Quality in Organizations
*Levitt, Raymond
Project Sponsor: Boeing Co., Lockheed-Martin
Project Date: Jan. 1, 1995 to Dec. 31, 1997
Description:
This project applies VDT to modeling enterprises engaged in aerospace and other project-oriented work that have developed excellent process models but do not have simulation capabilities to analyze their current or reengineered work pr ocesses in the context of alternative organization structures or communication tool environments.

Product, Process, and Organization Prototyping for Concurrent Engineering
*Fischer, Martin; Levitt, Ray; Saraswat, Krishna
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: March 15, 1995 to Feb. 28, 1998
Description:
This research proposes to develop virtual rapid prototyping concepts and tools to support accelerated design, construction and start-up of semiconductor manufacturing facilities. The long-term objective is to develop concepts, virtual prototyping tools and development methodologies to support total product development engineering, including manufacturing processes, design, construction and start-up of factories; and design of integrated engineering and manufacturing organizations.
CIFE Technical Report #TR104

Sponsored Projects which started during the 1993-94 Academic Year

General Performance Model of Project Performance
*Ashley, David (UCB); *Teicholz, Paul; Fergusson, Kelly-Post Doc; Cipres-Palacin, Helena-Ph.D.
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: April 1, 1994 to March 31, 1996
Description:
Develop a model that will help predict the impact of early project decisions on final project performance (cost, schedule, quality, life cycle profitability).

Research Inititation Award: Model-Based Constructibility Analysis
*Fischer, Martin
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: May 15, 1994 to April 30, 1995
Description:
Develop a prototype system to evaluate a 3D CAD model of a building to analyze its constructibility.
CIFE Working Paper # WP034

Agent-based Integration for Building Design
*Genesereth, Mike; *Teicholz, Paul; Khedro, Taha-RA; Tai, Philip-M.S.
Project Sponsor: CERL
Project Date: April 1, 1994 to March 31, 1995
Description:
Develop an agent-based architecture that will support collaborative design of a building over the Internet. Also participating: MIT, CMU, Univ. of Illinois.
CIFE Working Papers # WP032 and # WP033; CIFE Video # VT015

The Virtual Design Team: A Model of Organizational Performance
*Levitt, Raymond; Jin, Yan - RA; Kunz, John - RA; Oralkan, Gaye - Ph.D.; Kish, Jolin Salazar - Ph.D.
Project Sponsor: NSF
Project Date: May 1, 1992 to April 30, 1995
Description:
Develop a simulation model that models the performance of a design and construction organization using specified tools, communication links, and doing specified tasks.
CIFE Working Papers # WP029 and # WP036 ; Related Website: www.stanford.edu/group/VDT/index.html

An Agent-Oriented Approach to Collaborative Design
*Levitt, Raymond; Jin, Yan - RA