ABSTRACT
Much of the research and development into information technologies for the construction industry has focused on model-based systems. These systems use structured data models of facilities and their associated construction projects to support a range of application tools and the integration of information across the project lifecycle. After introducing model-based and document-based technologies, this chapter shows how a consideration of human-computer communication channels leads to the requirement for synchronized model-based and document-based technologies. It describes the basic techniques for establishing linkages between the two technologies. The chapter provides a series of approaches to the integration of model-based and document-based information. Many of the leading edge information technologies emerging to support the construction industry rely on model-based techniques. Object-based Computer Aided Design, estimating, scheduling, and structural or heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning analysis software can be model-based, since they organize their information around elements that correspond to real-world elements.
