Distributed Collaboration: Engineering Practice Requirements
Date
2007-03
Authors
Deacon, M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
An extended project was undertaken to develop structural design software (called the integrated
software) that supports network collaboration. Three projects preceded this thesis study in which the
development of the integrated software was initiated. In these projects three software architectures
were developed for a finite element model, a structural steel member design model and a structural
steel connection design model. These projects cover the analysis and design aspects of the integrated
software.
This thesis study addresses the communication aspects of the integrated software. The communication
aspects include communication between the various modules of the integrated software as well
communication between people and between people and the software. No graphical user interface for
the creation of finite element models was developed in the preceding projects, which was done in this
thesis. The models developed in the preceding projects must be able to communicate with one another
in order for the software to operate as a whole. Some of the communication links required in the
integrated software are established in this thesis study. The communication of the integrated software
is not to be confined to a local workstation. Therefore a software architecture is built into the integrated
software in order to support network communication, thereby making network-based collaborative
design a real possibility.
The integrated software that is being developed is specifically for use by structural engineers. Therefore
the engineers’ opinion of such design software that supports network collaboration is invaluable. In the
last part of the thesis practicing engineers the views of are reported on topics of how collaborative
designs could be done in practice and how it could be supported by design software. The results of the
interviews are then summarized and an assessment is made of the engineers’ requirements for
software that supports network collaboration. Finally recommendations are made for the future
development of the integrated software.
Description
Thesis (MEng (Civil Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007.
Keywords
Theses -- Civil engineering, Dissertations -- Civil engineering