ABSTRACT
The large number and the complexity of interfaces in the building construction environment prevent management personnel from visualizing and managing various interface issues efficiently. Computers, in contrast, will be more capable of recording, tracking, checking, and controlling complicated interfaces within the computer integrated construction environment. This paper presents a framework for an Interface Object Model (IOM) which is at the core of a conceptually developed IT oriented Interface Management (IM) strategy for building construction. The IOM aims at modeling the data structure and contextual relationship of interface information. When fully developed in future research, this approach can be used to model multiple types of building/project interfaces in a more accurate and efficient way. It is therefore envisioned that this model will greatly enhance the effectiveness and interoperability when recording, evaluating, and exchanging interface information during the IM process of building projects.
