AU2010303893A1 - Integration of external data in electronic construction data management - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methods of construction management and quality control are presented in which activities and/or information external to construction data are automatically captured and associated in a hierarchical manner to allow coordinated retrieval of the activities and/or information across multiple components, sub-components, and/or work packages within a construction project. Among other advantages, contemplated systems and methods allow fast and coordinated retrieval of construction records as well as dynamic modification of work packages as a function of associated external information.

Description

WO 2011/043848 PCT/US2010/035624 INTEGRATION OF EXTERNAL DATA IN ELECTRONIC CONSTRUCTION DATA MANAGEMENT [0001] This application claims priority to International application with the serial number PCT/US09/59705, which is incorporated by reference herein. 5 Field of The Invention [0002] The field of the invention is automated integration of external data into construction data management for tracking, validation, and/or archiving of various parameters in highly complex construction environments. Background of The Invention 10 [0003] As complexity and size of engineering projects increase, construction management has become increasingly important to control cost and man-hours. Moreover, where quality control records and certifications are required, or where traceability of work steps or workers are needed, demands on management are often substantial, particularly in the construction of nuclear facilities. 15 [0004] To assist in scheduling, material flow, and work progress monitoring, numerous methods and systems are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. App. No. 2005/0171790 describes a construction simulator in which work and material flow is simulated prior to implementation. Similarly, U.S. Pat. App. No. 2003/0033187 describes a construction management system in which the construction and its progress is graphically represented in a 20 three-dimensional model to so help optimize work flow. In yet another known method, as taught in U.S. Pat. App. No. 2005/0065826, a work flow optimizer is presented in which bottlenecks are identified and recommendations for rectification are provided. Still further, RFID tagging of construction components to improve and track construction progress is described in WO 2004/008306. 25 [0005] While most of such known systems and methods provide at least some advantage in one or more areas of concern, various difficulties nevertheless remain. For example, certain parameters associated with activities and/or information that is external to construction data are often maintained separately and can not be easily retrieved in conjunction with selected construction data. Moreover, in all or almost all known cases, most external activities and/or 30 information are manually recorded and will therefore be subject to significant time delays and human error. Such disadvantage is particularly undesirable where quality control and/or 1 WO 2011/043848 PCT/US2010/035624 quality assurance activities uncover one or more areas or items of concern, and where the areas or items are distributed throughout a large construction project. [0006] Consequently, there is still a considerable need for improved systems and methods for recording, maintaining, and associating external activities and/or information, especially as it 5 relates to construction management and quality control. Summary of the Invention [0007] The present inventive subject matter is drawn to systems, configurations, and methods of automated recording and/or associating external activities and/or information with one or more construction records to so allow coordinated and rapid retrieval of multiple construction 10 records that are associated with the information and to allow rapid updating of construction work packages that include activities or items that are associated with the information. [0008] In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, a method of facilitating information retrieval from a plurality of construction records is contemplated in which in one step a plurality of construction records is maintained in a construction database on a construction 15 database server. In another step, information external to the plurality of construction records is automatically acquired, wherein each of the construction records is associated with a plant component, a plant sub-component, and/or a work package. In yet another step, the information is associated one or more construction records such as to allow automatic retrieval of multiple construction records using the information. A user interface is 20 configured to allow retrieval of the plurality of construction records based on the information. [0009] While not limiting to the inventive subject matter, it is typically preferred that the construction database includes one or more (logical or physical) sub-databases, including an engineering database, a component database, a work package database, an archive database, a project document and data management database, and a material manager database. It is 25 further generally preferred that the step of automatically comprises a step of receiving a vendor record, receiving a quality control record, receiving a field report record, receiving data from an environmental sensor, receiving an RFID signal, and/or receiving a signal from a bar code reader. In most embodiments, the information external to the plurality of construction records includes at least one of construction material-associated data, vendor 30 information, tool calibration data, quality control data, weather data, and personnel-associated data. 2 WO 2011/043848 PCT/US2010/035624 [0010] It is further contemplated that each of the construction records is associated with at least two of the plant component, the plant sub-component, and the work package, and/or that one of the multiple construction records belong to one of the plant component, the plant sub component, and the work package, that another of the multiple construction records belong to 5 another of the plant component, the plant sub-component, and the work package, and that the one and the another are not the same. Additionally, it is preferred that the step of associating the information with the construction record comprises an automated import in response to an import request and/or an import from a mobile device. [0011] In another aspect of the inventive subject matter, a method of automatically 10 modifying a work package, a plant component, or a plant sub-component in a construction project is contemplated. Preferred methods will include a step of maintaining a plurality of construction records in a construction database on a construction database server, wherein each of the construction records is associated with at least one of a plant component, a plant sub-component, and a work package. In another step, information external to the plurality of 15 construction records is automatically acquired, and the information is then associated with at least one construction record of the plurality of construction records. In yet another step, a work package is modified based on the information, and in a further step, a user interface is provided that is configured to allow retrieval of the modified work package. [0012] As before, it is generally preferred that the construction database comprises one or 20 more databases, including an engineering database, a component database, a work package database, an archive database, a project document and data management database, and a material manager database. Most typically, it is preferred that the step of automatically acquiring is selected from the group consisting of receiving a vendor record, receiving a quality control record, receiving a field report record, receiving data from an environmental 25 sensor, receiving an RFID signal, and receiving a signal from a bar code reader, and that the information external to the plurality of construction records is selected from the group consisting of construction material-associated data, vendor information, tool calibration data, quality control data, weather data, and personnel-associated data. [0013] It is further preferred that the step of associating the information with the construction 30 record comprises an automated import in response to an import request, and/or an import from a mobile device. 3 WO 2011/043848 PCT/US2010/035624 [0014] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawing 5 [0015] Figure 1 is a schematic of an exemplary construction database with integration of external data according to the inventive subject matter. [0016] Figure 2 is a schematic of an exemplary work package system with integration of external data according to the inventive subject matter. [0017] Figure 3 is a schematic exemplary illustration of interrelations among various aspects 10 in contemplated construction database and work package systems. Detailed Description [0018] The present inventive subject matter is drawn to systems, configurations, and methods of automated acquisition and/or integration of external data into a construction database and/or work package system to so allow for rapid (typically post hoc) analysis of construction 15 data and/or rapid modification of work packages based on the acquired external information. In particularly preferred aspects, the information is associated with at least one construction record in real-time or near real-time. Consequently, it should be appreciated that elements and/or status of various plant components and plant sub-components can be readily retrieved and analyzed on the basis of information that may be critical to assembly or operation of the 20 plant but that is ordinarily not associated with a construction database. Similarly, work packages can be readily identified and modified on the basis of information that may be critical to assembly or operation of the plant but that is yet again ordinarily not associated with a construction database. [0019] It should be noted that while the following description is drawn to a computer/server 25 based construction data processing system, various alternative configurations are also deemed suitable and may employs various computing devices including servers, interfaces, systems, databases, or other types of computing devices operating individually or collectively. One should appreciate the computing devices comprise a processor configured to execute software instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium (e.g., hard drive, RAM, flash, 30 ROM, etc.). The software instructions preferably configure the computing device to provide 4 WO 2011/043848 PCT/US2010/035624 the roles, responsibilities, or other functionality as discussed below with respect to the specific apparatus. In especially preferred embodiments, the various servers, systems, databases, or interfaces exchange data using standardized protocols or algorithms, possibly based on HTTP, HTTPS, AES, public-private key exchanges, web service APIs, known 5 financial transaction protocols, or other electronic information exchanging methods. Data exchanges preferably are conducted over a packet-switched network, the Internet, LAN, WAN, VPN, or other type of packet switched network. [0020] It should be appreciated that contemplated systems and methods are particularly advantageous for relatively complex engineering contracts, and especially for engineering in 10 nuclear facilities where traceability for most of the work performed is required. As such requirements demand a significant amount of time to manage and track such work, heretofore known systems often failed to accurately and cost effectively plan, distribute, and manage construction work. Moreover, prior systems also often produced errors, which are especially undesirable where validation and tracking records are critical to safety. 15 [0021] Among other desirable characteristics, contemplated systems and methods will allow automated acquisition of data external to construction records and further allow (preferably automated) association of the external data with at least some of the construction records. Thus, significant time savings in the review and/or analysis of construction projects as well as modification of work packages are possible at minimal operator input. Moreover, analysis 20 and information retrieval is possible with contemplated systems and methods, even where the data or records belong to entirely different components or sub-components in a plant. For example, where the external information is information on a batch number of faulty material, contemplated systems and methods will readily allow identification of all plant components, sub-components, and work packages that included the material, and will also allow 25 modification of existing work packages to avoid or replace the faulty material. [0022] As used herein, the term "external" in conjunction with the term "information" or "data" refers to information or data that are not parameters that are essential to describe the structure or function of a plant component or plant sub-component, and/or contents of a work package. For example, exemplary external data or information includes material-associated 30 data, vendor information, tool calibration data, quality control data, weather data, and/or personnel-associated data (infra). 5 WO 2011/043848 PCT/US2010/035624 [0023] In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, a method of facilitating information retrieval from a plurality of construction records is contemplated in which construction records are maintained in a construction database on a construction database server. Most preferably, information is automatically acquired that is external to the construction records, 5 wherein in further preferred aspects each of the construction records is associated with at least one of a plant component, a plant sub-component, and a work package. The external information is then associated with one or more construction records such as to allow automatic retrieval of multiple construction records using the same external information. Preferably, a user interface is provided that is configured to allow retrieval of the plurality of 10 construction records based on the external information. [0024] It should be noted that association of external information with various construction records in the construction database will also advantageously allow methods of automatically modifying a work package for a plant component or a plant sub-component in a construction project. In especially preferred methods, various construction records are maintained in a 15 construction database on a construction database server, wherein each of the construction records is associated with a plant component, a plant sub-component, and/or a work package. A work package is then generated using at least some of the construction records, and it is particularly preferred that information external to the plurality of construction records is automatically acquired. Once acquired, the information is then (preferably automatically) 20 associated with at least one construction record of the plurality of construction records, and the work package is modified based on the information. As before, it is generally preferred that a user interface is configured and provided to allow retrieval of the modified work package. [0025] For example, as exemplarily depicted in Figure 1, a construction database 100 for a 25 large scale construction project (e.g., nuclear power plant) comprises an engineering database 110 (most typically comprising engineering software and associated functional modules) that is logically coupled to a component database 120 (typically comprising a project document and data management database, a materials manager database, a component database, a database in which tool and craft certification and calibration information is stored, a rules 30 database, a quality control database, and an archive database). Component database 120 is logically coupled to a work package database 130 (typically comprising a work package system that functionally cooperates with various modules such as quality control modules, 6 WO 2011/043848 PCT/US2010/035624 weld modules, certification modules, etc). External data 140 are automatically acquired (e.g., via sensors, push notification, network data transfer, etc.) and relayed to at least one component of at least one of the engineering database 110, the component database 120, and the work package database 130. 5 [0026] Figure 2 exemplarily depicts a detail aspect of the system of Figure 1 where the work package system 210 comprises a work package query/planning section, a work package generator, a work package component statusing section, and a work package record section, each of which is logically coupled to various databases (e.g., object attribute database, component status database, archive database, and other functional modules [live tracking 10 modules]). Once more, external data 240 are preferably automatically acquired and also preferably automatically associated with one or more components of the work package system and/or associated databases. Of course, it should be recognized that various permutations and arrangements other than those depicted in Figure 1 are deemed suitable for use herein. For example, construction databases may be physically single units having 15 several logical sub-units. Likewise, the sub-units may be physically separate, but logically connected using communication protocols well known in the art. Further details and aspects of preferred construction databases and work package systems are provided in our co-pending International application with the serial number PCT/USO9/59705, which is incorporated by reference herein. 20 [0027] In especially preferred aspects, the construction database comprises a plurality of records, and all known types of construction records are deemed suitable for use herein. For example, suitable records include engineering records (e.g., location description, functional information, interrelation of multiple parts within a structure or substructure, etc.), various component records (e.g., material type, weld type, etc.), numerous work package records 25 (e.g., anticipated work to be completed, completed work, etc.), archive records, project document and data records, and procurement records. Of course, it should be appreciated that the construction records contemplated herein may be stored in a single database on a single server, or in multiple independent or logically connected databases on physically distinct servers. 30 [0028] External information is then preferably (but not necessarily) automatically acquired via numerous routes. The specific route will at least in part depend on the type of external information and the origin of the external information. For example, where the external 7 WO 2011/043848 PCT/US2010/035624 information is a vendor record, the information may be provided in an electronic format using data structures well known in the art (e.g., XML, HTML, etc.) and may be imported into the construction database via direct vendor access, via request from the database, or via manual entry. On the other hand, where the external information is a quality control record (e.g., weld 5 record, X-ray image, etc.), the record may be produced from a dedicated field input device that is logically connected to the construction database. Alternatively, portable devices (e.g., smart phones, laptops, etc.) may be configured with software to provide external information (e.g., incident pictures, security reports, etc.) via a wireless network to so provide a field report record. In still further contemplated aspects, external information may also be 10 provided from one or more environmental sensors that may be at the construction site or in a remote location (e.g., weather-related data at the site or provided by weather service). Additionally contemplated external information may be provide by one or more RFID readers or transponders, video capture devices, and/or bar code readers [0029] Thus, it should be appreciated that the external information may be provided to the 15 construction database in form of a single set of data, multiple sets of data, or as a continuous stream of data. Moreover, and depending on the type of data source, it should be appreciated that the data transfer may be performed using a wireless connection (e.g., cellular network, WiFi network, Bluetooth, etc.), via upload or other transfer using a local or wide area network (preferably with restricted access), via standard interface connections (e.g., USB2, 20 RS323, etc.). Consequently, it is generally preferred that the external data are automatically (i.e., without manual user intervention) acquired, and also automatically transferred to the construction database. However, it should be noted that in at least some instances, the external information may also be manually acquired and/or manually entered into the construction database. 25 [0030] Among other suitable external information, it is especially preferred that the external information is construction material-associated data (e.g., lot numbers, heat numbers, delivery date, delivery location, storage location, etc.), vendor information (e.g., vendor identification, vendor location, etc.), tool calibration data (e.g., pass/fail record, expiration date of calibration, calibration personnel), quality control data (e.g., weld inspection record, 30 ultrasound records, X-ray records, etc.), weather data (e.g., temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, etc.), and personnel-associated data (e.g., identity of worker, qualification record of worker, work packages assigned to specific worker, etc.). use of such external data is 8 WO 2011/043848 PCT/US2010/035624 particularly advantageous where one, more than one, or all of the each of the construction records are associated with at least two of the plant component, the plant sub-component, and the work package. [0031] Viewed from a different perspective, the external information may be acquired and/or 5 associated with one or more construction records in an automated fashion and/or in response to a user and/or operator request. The request may be provided from a user, a networked computer, and/or a mobile device. Most typically, the association of the external information is performed via logical association of the information with one or more fields in the construction database, and more preferably with one or more fields of at least one 10 construction record. Alternatively, external information may also be stored in a physically and/or logically separate database and then be logically connected to one or more construction records in the construction database. Figure 3 exemplarily depicts multiple associations in contemplated systems and methods. [0032] In the association contemplated herein, using specific external information as a query 15 will readily identify one or more plant components/sub-components, and/or work package that is associated or affected by the external information. Similarly, it is generally preferred that one of the multiple construction records belong to one of the plant component, the plant sub-component, and the work package, and that another of the multiple construction records belongs to another of the plant component, the plant sub-component, and the work package, 20 and wherein the one and the another are not the same. Thus, disparate records are easily retrievable using external data where the data are associated with different components, sub components, and/or work packages. [0033] Thus, specific compositions and methods of integration of external data in electronic construction data management have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those 25 skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" 30 should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly 9 WO 2011/043848 PCT/US2010/035624 referenced. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. 10

Claims (15)

1. A method of facilitating information retrieval from a plurality of construction records, comprising: maintaining a plurality of construction records in a construction database on a construction database server; automatically acquiring information external to the plurality of construction records, wherein each of the construction records is associated with at least one of a plant component, a plant sub-component, and a work package; associating the information with at least one construction record of the plurality of construction records in a manner to allow automatic retrieval of multiple construction records using the information; and providing a user interface that is configured to allow retrieval of the plurality of construction records based on the information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the construction database comprises a plurality of records selected from the group consisting of engineering records, component records, work package records, archive records, project document and data records, and procurement records.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of automatically acquiring is selected from the group consisting of receiving a vendor record, receiving a quality control record, receiving a field report record, receiving data from an environmental sensor, receiving an RFID signal, and receiving a signal from a bar code reader.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the information external to the plurality of construction records is selected form the group consisting of construction material associated data, vendor information, tool calibration data, quality control data, weather data, and personnel-associated data.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the construction records is associated with at least two of the plant component, the plant sub-component, and the work package.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein one of the multiple construction records belong to one of the plant component, the plant sub-component, and the work package, and wherein 11 WO 2011/043848 PCT/US2010/035624 another of the multiple construction records belong to another of the plant component, the plant sub-component, and the work package, and wherein the one and the another are not the same.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein one of the multiple construction records belong to one of the plant component, the plant sub-component, and the work package, and wherein another of the multiple construction records belong to another of the plant component, the plant sub-component, and the work package, and wherein the one and the another are not the same.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of associating the information with the at least one construction record comprises an automated import in response to an import request.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of associating the information with the at least one construction record comprises an import from a mobile device.

10. A method of automatically modifying a work package a plant component or a plant sub-component in a construction project, comprising: maintaining a plurality of construction records in a construction database on a construction database server, wherein each of the construction records is associated with at least one of a plant component, a plant sub-component, and a work package; automatically acquiring information external to the plurality of construction records; associating the information with at least one construction record of the plurality of construction records; modifying a work package based on the information; and providing a user interface that is configured to allow retrieval of the modified work package.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the construction database comprises a plurality of records selected from the group consisting of engineering records, component records, work package records, archive records, project document and data records, and procurement records. 12 WO 2011/043848 PCT/US2010/035624

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of automatically acquiring is selected from the group consisting of receiving a vendor record, receiving a quality control record, receiving a field report record, receiving data from an environmental sensor, receiving an RFID signal, and receiving a signal from a bar code reader.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the information external to the plurality of construction records is selected form the group consisting of construction material associated data, vendor information, tool calibration data, quality control data, weather data, and personnel-associated data

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of associating the information with the at least one construction record comprises an automated import in response to an import request.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of associating the information with the at least one construction record comprises an import from a mobile device. 13 WO 2011/043848 PCT/US2010/035624 AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 08 September 2010 (08.09.2010) What is claimed is: 1. A method of facilitating information retrieval from a plurality of construction records, the method comprising: maintaining a plurality of construction records in a construction database on a construction database server; automatically acquiring information cxtemal to the plurality of construction records, wherein each of the construction records is associated with at least one of a plant component, a plant sub-component, and a work package; associating the information with at least one construction record of the plurality of construction records in a manner to allow automatic retrieval of multiple construction records using the information; and providing a user interFace that is configured to allow retrieval of the plurality of construction records based on the information. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the construction database comprises a plurality of records selected from the group consisting of engineering records, component records, work package records, archive records, project document und data records, and procurement records. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of automatically acquiring is selected from the group consisting of receiving a vendor record, receiving a quality control record, receiving a field report record, receiving data from an environmental sensor, receiving an RFID signal, and receiving a signal from a bar code reader. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the information external to the plurality of construction records is selected fonn the group consi sting of construction material associated data, vendor information, tool calibration data, quality control data, weather data, and personnel-associated data. 5. The method or claim I wherein each of the construction records is associated with at least two of the plant component, the plant sub-coniponent, and the work package. 6. The method of claim 5 wherein one of the multiple construction records belong to one of the plant component, the plant sub-component, and the work package, and wherein 14 WO 2011/043848 PCT/US2010/035624 another of the multiple construction records belong to another of the plant component, the plant sub-component, and the work package, and wherein the one and the another are not the same. 7. The method of claim I wherein one of the multiple construction records belong to one of the plant component, the plant sub-component, and the work package, and wherein another of the multiple construction records belong to another of the plant component, the plant sub-component, and the work package, and wherein the one and the another are not the same. 8. The method of claim I wherein the step of associating the information with the at least one construction record comprises an automated import in response to an import request. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of associating the information with the at least one construction record comprises an import from a mobile device. 10. A method of automatically modifying a work package a plant component or a plant sub-component in a construction project, the method comprising: maintaining a plurality of construction records in a construction database on a construction database server, wherein each of the construction records is associated with at least one of a plant component, a plant sub-component, and a work package; automatically acquiring information external to the plurality of construction records; associating the information with at least one construction record of the plurality of construction records; modifying a work package based on the information; and providing a user interface that is configured to allow retrieval of the modi fied work package. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the construction database comprises a plurality of records selected from the group consisting of engineering records, component records, work package records, archive records, project document and data records, and procurement records. 15 A rt I I r"r n n 1 Irr r I/A I"r I r I " A 4mX WO 2011/043848 PCT/US2010/035624 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of automatically acquiring is selected from the group consisting of receiving a vendor record, receiving a quality control record, receiving a field report record, receiving data from an environmental sensor, receiving an REID signal, and receiving a signal from a bar code reader. 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the information external to the plurality of construction records is selected form the. group consisting of construction material associated data, vendor information, tool calibration data, quality control data, weather data, and personnel-associated data 14. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of associating the information with the at least one construction record comprises an automated import in response to an import request, 15. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of associating the in fornation with the at least one construction record comprises ai import from a mobile device. 16