A framework of information visualization for multi-system construction

Modern buildings usually include multiple systems such as air-conditioning (AC), water supply and gas pipes, sanitary lines, telecommunication systems and security networks. Because these systems are highly interdependent, conventional methods for presenting information, typically a 3D model and a schedule, are insufficient to effectively manage and coordinate various experts working on a project. This research proposes a framework that enables engineers to explore and interact with the information visually. It includes four information views (temporal, hierarchical, relational and spatial), four interaction functions (information exploration, cross-highlighting, time controller, and information extraction) and two display layouts (matrix hardware layout and flexible software layout). A prototype system called Construction Dashboard was implemented following this framework. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed framework we conducted a user test (N = 30) using an example project involving four systems (power, AC, water and computer). Each user answered nine questions related to different management and coordination problems by employing both Construction Dashboard and the conventional method (3D model with a schedule). The results showed that the completion times, for each of the nine questions, to solve these questions are significantly faster when using Construction Dashboard. The success rates to obtain the correct answers are also significantly better in three of the nine questions.