Developing an integrated database structure for the lifecycle of precast concrete projects

This paper presents an integrated database structure for the storage and retrieval of information during the planning, design, manufacturing and construction of a structural precast concrete project. The development of the database was performed by first developing a process model which modeled the lifecycle process of providing a precast concrete structure. This model contained all the information which flows between different processes. This information was classified by using an information architecture developed by Sanvido (1992). This information architecture classifies information elements into the following categories: process information, product information, process control information, feedback information, and constraint information. The initial application of the database structure was used to support the development of a preliminary construction and manufacturing planning system. The structure was useful in the organization and storage of the information needed for this application which included cost and scheduling information, project constraint information and preliminary design information.