Developing an engineering database for rural underground distribution projects

An engineering database system has been developed to assist engineers and technologists of consulting firms in handling underground distribution network project information and satisfying project design, cost estimates, material ordering, progress reporting, and other communication requirements. To avoid incurring additional cost, a standard personal computer database package has been used as a base software package. The authors describe the database design mechanism and its application to project engineering requirements. Such a mechanism entails identification of database system input/output, process format, operator interface, and consideration for future upgrading. The authors also discuss the main components of the database structure, such as data files, file linkages, data handling, programs, as well as linkage of such systems to other engineering application software such as CADD programs