Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering

Automated Progress Monitoring Using Unordered Daily Construction Photographs and IFC-Based Building Information Models

Mani Golparvar-Fard, Feniosky Pena-Mora, and Silvio Savarese
Accurate and efficient tracking, analysis and visualization of as-built (actual) status of buildings under construction are critical components of a successful project monitoring. Such information directly supports control decision-making and if automated, can significantly impact management of a pr ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000205] posted Sat Feb 11, 2012.

A Computer Program for Multi-Model Reliability and Optimization Analysis

M. Mahsuli and T. Haukaas
A computer program is developed to carry out reliability and optimization analysis with many inter-connected probabilistic models. The program is freely available online and it contains a library of versatile models. The user can also implement new modelswithout any recompilation of the programby se ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000204] posted Sat Feb 11, 2012.

An IFC-Based Framework to Move beyond Individual Building Elements Towards Configuring Higher Level Prefabrication

Alireza Khalili and D. K. H. Chua
Prefabrication is a form of industrialization that transfers some stages of the construction project from fields to an off-site production facility. The most widely-used form of prefabrication in construction is the use of prefabricated individual building elements, where a particular part or form i ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000203] posted Sat Feb 11, 2012.

A Computational-Based Approach to Estimating Travel Demand in Large-Scale Microscopic Traffic Simulation Models

Shan Huang, Adel W. Sadek, and Liya Guo
The increased interest in the development and application of large-scale or regional micro-simulation transportation models has brought to the forefront the challenges associated with estimating the dynamic demand information needed to run such models. This paper develops a computational-based appro ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000202] posted Mon Jan 16, 2012.

Document Discourse for Managing Construction Project Documents

Mohammed Al Qady and Amr Kandil
Several important aspects characterize construction project documents. Large amounts of documents are produced in construction projects. The majority of the documents are unstructured textual documents. The production of documents is a gradual process that extends over the duration of the project. D ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000201] posted Mon Jan 16, 2012.

Integration of Artificial Neural Networks with Radial Basis Function Interpolation in Earthfill Dam Seepage Modeling

Vahid Nourani and Ali Babakhani
In this study, the RBF (Radial Basis Function) spatial interpolation method was used to estimate the water potential heads through an earthen dam. Multiquadric (MQ) function was used for discretizing the seepage governing partial differential equation and related boundary conditions. The function co ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000200] posted Mon Jan 16, 2012.

3D Visualisation of Traffic-Induced Air Pollution Impacts of Urban Transport Schemes

El-Said M. Zahran, Martin J. Smith, and Lloyd D. Bennett
The negative impacts of urban traffic growth are well known: congestion, increased air pollution, more traffic noise, etc. Humans can readily see traffic congestion, and can hear traffic noise, but inevitably they are much less aware of odourless, invisible, silent air pollution. Therefore, quite na ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000198] posted Sat Jan 14, 2012.

Predicting Disputes in Public-Private Partnership Projects: Classification and Ensemble Models

Jui-Sheng (Rayson) Chou and Chieh Lin
Proactively forecasting disputes in the initiation phase of public-private partnership (PPP) projects can considerably reduce the effort, time and cost of managing potential claims. This comprehensive study compared classification models for PPP project dispute problems. Performance comparisons incl ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000197] posted Sat Jan 14, 2012.

The Facility Management Handover Model View

E. William East, Nicholas Nisbet, and Thomas Liebich
Current specifications for facility handover information require contractors to produce and deliver a set of documents that provide little practical value to the facility manager. Facility managers begin their duties by rekeying the information found in these handover documents. This paper describes ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000196] posted Sat Jan 14, 2012.

IFC-Based Product Catalogue Formalization for Software Interoperability in the Construction Management Domain

K. Umut Gokce, H. Ufuk Gokce, and P. Katranuschkov
Interoperability of the heterogeneous applications used in the domain of construction management can be best achieved by using generalized and standardized representations of the needed product data together with the data from product catalogues, thereby enabling faster and better management and dec ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000194] posted Thu Jan 12, 2012.

An Efficient Numerical Method in SecondOrder Inelastic Analysis of Space Trusses

Hamed Saffari, Nadia M. Mirzai, Iman Mansouri, and Mohammad H. Bagheripour
In this paper, the NewtonRaphson method is combined with three different algorithms. These algorithms are the Generalized Minimum Residual (GMRES), the Least Squares (LSQR) and the BiConjugate Gradient (BCG). From these algorithms, the most effective one in reducing the number of iterations and the ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000193] posted Thu Jan 12, 2012.

Automatic Generation of 3D Building Models from Complicated Building Polygons

Kenichi Sugihara and Junne Kikata
A 3D urban model is an important information infrastructure that can be utilized in several fields, such as, urban planning and game industries. However, enormous time and effort have to be spent to create 3D urban models, using 3D modeling softwares such as 3ds Max or SketchUp. In this paper we wil ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000192] posted Wed Jan 11, 2012.

Tracking and Predicting Barge Locations on Inland Waterways

Duminda I. B. Randeniya and Michael R. Hilliard
In efforts to improve efficiency, safety and security, several groups involved in inland waterway navigation have an interest in improving tracking of barges moving on waterways. Automated tracking devices have inherent limitations, and there is a need to predict locations over the next several hour ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000191] posted Mon Jan 9, 2012.

Applying Basic Control Theory Principles to Project Control: A Case Study of Off-Site Construction Shops

Reza Azimi, SangHyun Lee, and Simaan M. AbouRizk
Off-site construction has become increasingly popular in industrial construction projects over the past decade due to its advantages: higher productivity, better quality, better safety and improved time and cost effectiveness. The fast paced nature of off-site construction environments and the const ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000190] posted Sat Dec 17, 2011.

Damage Identification of Multi Storey Shear Structure from Sparse Modal Information

S. K. Panigrahi, S. Chakraverty, and B. K. Mishra
This paper presents a procedure to identify the damage of multi storey shear structure from sparse modal information. Practically, it is difficult and expensive to measure modal response at many locations. A method has been proposed here to compute the full modal information of a particular mode sim ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000189] posted Sat Dec 17, 2011.

Flying Voxel Method with Delaunay Triangulation Criterion for Facade/Feature Detection for Computation

Linh Truong-Hong, Debra F. Laefer, Tommy Hinks, and Hamish Carr
In an effort to reconstruct geometric models of building facades from terrestrial laser scanning data directly without either manual intervention or any third party computer-aid design package, a new algorithm is introduced. The algorithm detects building boundaries and features and converts the poi ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000188] posted Sat Dec 17, 2011.

Assessment and Control of the Quality of Data Used during Dam Reviews by Using Expert Knowledge and the ELECTRE TRI Method

Corinne Curt and Aurelie Talon
Generally, experts use very large quantities of data during the analysis of civil works. These data are of four main types: visual observations, monitoring data, data calculated from models and design and construction data. They are frequently imperfect: they contain uncertainty, imprecision, incomp ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000187] posted Sat Dec 17, 2011.

Pavement Layer Data Repository Using a Spatio-Temporal Block Model

Zhaohua Wang and Yichang (James) Tsai
Historical and in-service pavement layer data along with pavement Maintenance, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (MR&R) history is critical information for developing a reliable and accurate pavement performance model that is indispensably necessary for the support of a pavement management system. T ... [Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000186] posted Sat Dec 17, 2011.

Employing Product Data Management Systems in Civil Engineering Projects: Functionality Analysis and Assessment

Markus Schorr, Andre Borrmann, Mathias Obergriesser, Yang Ji, Willibald Gunthner et al.
Product data management (PDM) systems are well-established in the manufacturing industry. They form the standard solution for the central storage of all data relating to a product and the processes involved in its manufacture. Particularly, the consistent management of computer-aided design (CAD) mo ... [J. Comput. Civ. Eng. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000135] published Fri Dec 16, 2011.

Educational Simulation in Construction: Virtual Construction Simulator

Dragana Nikolic, Shrimant Jaruhar, and John I. Messner
Students in the architecture, engineering, and construction disciplines are often challenged with visualizing and understanding the complex spatial and temporal relationships involved in designing and constructing three-dimensional (3D) structures. An evolving body of research traces the use of educ ... [J. Comput. Civ. Eng. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000098] published Fri Dec 16, 2011.

Reviewers

Abstract not available. [J. Comput. Civ. Eng. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000159] published Fri Dec 16, 2011.

Special Issue on Lessons Learned from the 2009 ASCE International Workshop on Computing in Civil Engineering

Fernanda Leite and Ioannis Brilakis
Abstract not available. [J. Comput. Civ. Eng. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000152] published Fri Dec 16, 2011.

Decentralized Approach Considering Spatial Attributes for Equipment Utilization in Civil Engineering Disaster Response

Albert Y. Chen and Feniosky Pena-Mora
After a disaster hits an urban area, well-organized response operations are required to efficiently mitigate the chaotic situation. Efficient distribution of resources, such as heavy construction equipment, is critical to urban search and rescue operations. The efficiency of these lifesaving operati ... [J. Comput. Civ. Eng. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000100] published Fri Dec 16, 2011.

User-Centered Nonintrusive Electricity Load Monitoring for Residential Buildings

Mario Berges, Ethan Goldman, H. Scott Matthews, Lucio Soibelman, and Kyle Anderson
This paper presents a nonintrusive electricity load-monitoring approach that provides feedback on the energy consumption and operational schedule of electrical appliances in a residential building. This approach utilizes simple algorithms for detecting and classifying electrical events on the basis ... [J. Comput. Civ. Eng. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000108] published Fri Dec 16, 2011.

Ontology-Based Representation and Reasoning Framework for Supporting Job Hazard Analysis

Han-Hsiang Wang and Frank Boukamp
Job hazard analysis (JHA) is a process of identifying potential hazards for each step of an activity and proposing safety rules to prevent potential incidents related to these hazards. In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends performing JHA for constr ... [J. Comput. Civ. Eng. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000125] published Fri Dec 16, 2011.