Designing an object-oriented geographic information system application for integration of building construction project information

The complexity and diversity of the vast amount of information in construction management requires a coordinated and consistent system that enhances full integration of construction information. This research effort is objected towards the development of a GIS (Geographic Information System) based integrated information system for construction project information integration.; This research develops a framework for an integrated project information management system, based on GIS technology and a GIS based tools. The system can potentially enables project participants to access, navigate and manipulate information typically used in construction projects to support the decision making process during various project phases in an integrated environment. A research approach has been adopted for modeling and communicating information about a construction project using three components: a geo-relational modeling kernel, a multi-layered structure of underlying project modeling base, and the object-based procedural interface.; The GIS-based information integration system has been developed in three stages. System development starts with the construction of an object-centered, GIS-based geo-relational modeling framework based on a systematic approach. It is considered as the hub of the proposed methodology through which information integration is achieved. The next stage involves the system implementation that aims to support the information requirements of the information integration process using appropriate system architecture. The specification of the system approach along with the mechanism that supports integration is incorporated into the GIS-system. The third stage is to put the modeling framework and system approach into a prototype system. A prototype system, named as Construction GIS is developed and put into test. The feedback from the testing is used for refining the proposed methodology.; The research demonstrated the adequate functions of GIS-based integrated information systems for getting relevant product data technology in place to effectively support construction project information integration. Methods used in this research also suggested improving the efficiency of the linkage between GIS and models include implementing various database management strategies and interfaces within a GIS environment.