From CAD toiAD: An Internet application of steel construction consulting for architects.

摘要

Information technology has become so powerful and interactive that what is conventionally called CAD might evolve into iAD (Internet Aided Design). For Internet applications in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) industry, most of the efforts and applications have been concentrated on project management and collaboration, while in the area of design and engineering consulting, limited progress has been made. Even with some of this success, contemporary development has not changed the nature of the fragmentation of the AEC industry. Based on previous research surveys of the development of Internet applications in the AEC industry and the proposal of a conceptual model of Internet-based engineering consulting in architecture, this thesis will apply these theories and concepts into a specified area of steel construction consulting for architects. The first phase of this research will define the content and scope of steel construction consulting and the potential Internet application. Second, a proposed solid working model is developed covering organizational structure, user network, services provided and technology. In the third phase, a prototype simulation is used to apply the concepts and methodology in a preliminary design application to demonstrate how this Internet-based consulting model would work.