PARAMETRIC MODELLING IN CONSTRUCTION: INVESTIGATING THE QUALITY OF RULE-BASED CHECKING

Abstract

As thinking moves away from 3D visualisation towards information quality and speed of data exchange, [1], the architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is seeking efficiency via the automation of checking. This study aims to examine the current quality of the checking in design, how it is controlled, and the adoption of automatic checking using rule-based checking software. It is based on the hypotheses that there is a need for automation that will improve quality; a need of a means to achieve automation and a need for understanding in industry. After the investigation of quality in design, this paper poses three questions: first, can a quality system be applied to automatic checking in design?; second, if the potential for rule-based checking is understood and utilised, could quality be assured?; and third, can we identify the optimal balance between manual and automatic checking? The conclusion shows that AEC professionals have low confidence in the quality of design data; the current balance is heavily in favour of manual checking, and while the potential for automatic checking is known, its current utilisation is lacking due to complexity, poor software support and a lack of training. Alarmingly, there is an indication that the majority who deal with automatic checking have no system of validation for new checking rules and only a minority had training in rule authorship.