Title: Macro and micro models for large scale engineering processes

Authors: Tarek M. Hassan

Addresses: Civil and Building Engineering Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leics LE11 3TU, UK

Abstract: This paper reports on macro (on an organisational level) and micro (on a process level) models developed within two major research projects aiming at improving the competitiveness of the large scale engineering (LSE) construction sector. The macro model was based on investigations of the emerging trends in the LSE sector based on findings from the European funded ESPRIT project eLSEwise. These trends concluded that different parties working in LSE projects should be modelled on a macro level as a ||virtual enterprise||. An important pre-requisite to achieve the ||virtual enterprise|| solution was the need to develop product and process model templates. An innovative approach to model and simulate the construction design process, being a key process, is described in this paper as a micro level model. This approach combines three techniques data flow modelling, design structure matrix and simulation. The approach used for modelling design may be used as a model template for other processes within LSE construction.

Keywords: large scale engineering; information and communication technologies; ICT; construction; eLSEwise; virtual enterprise; process models; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2003.002137

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2003 Vol.18 No.1/2/3/4, pp.189-202

Published online: 21 Jul 2003 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article