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Stockings, W H (2002) The process of construction planning, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (The Netherlands).
- Type: Thesis
- Keywords: architectural design; construction planning; structural engineering; construction planner; simulation; experiment
- ISBN/ISSN:
- URL: https://www.proquest.com/docview/305445809
- Abstract:
Two sets of experiments were conducted, each with three construction experts who were asked to think aloud whilst dealing with the problems that an architectural design presented them with. The first set of experiments was conducted with a fairly straightforward dwelling-type of building whilst the second set of experiments was carried out with a very much more complex office project. In order to be able to put forward any hypotheses about how construction planning problems are tackled it is first necessary to have as clear a picture as possible of the structure of construction planning problems. The aspect ‘work front’ is explored, something which receives very little attention in the literature on construction problems, and the way in which understanding the size of the work front at any particular stage in the construction process is fundamental in selecting the type and number of units of capacity that can be employed at any particular sub-state of the completed building. For any given project there is a theoretically most efficient way of carrying out that project given a particular state of technology with corresponding costs. The two fundamental structures in which construction planning problems have to be developed are space and time and in a sense construction planning problems can be thought of as ‘packing problems’ where the units of capacity have to be fitted into these dimensions as harmoniously and efficiently as possible. Construction planning problems can be described as large web problems, the aspects of which can not all be ‘activated’ in memory at once by the construction planner. Simulation where spatial and temporal aspects are both taken into account is a translation that has to be carried out in human memory. The strategies that the planners would adopt in approaching the potentially complex task of construction planning were hypothesized, and using the think aloud protocols tested. One result that came forward very clearly was the importance construction experts place on structural engineering drawings. The protocols demonstrated that the experts sought similar information at particular points in the process and that they apparently preferred to take on board information in a particular order. Experts can and do make mistakes and that making adjustments to already-made decisions is the natural result of only being able to deal with a limited number of aspects at once, and thus a normal part of the process. In conclusion a number of steps are put forward that might assist less experienced planners develop construction programmes.
Wu, R (2002) Computer -aided dimensional control in building construction, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (The Netherlands).