B5 - Kuzniarowicz Group E

                For the blog assignment for Week 5, students in Group E were tasked with researching the uses of databases in construction firms. According to Merriam-Webster, a database is “a collection of pieces of information that is organized and used on a computer.” In today’s society, databases can be utilized by professionals in any trade to organize and present data on a specific topic. In construction, databases are utilized for a number of uses in every project. One of the most useful databases used by construction firms today is the RSMeans software to evaluate construction costs for a wide variety of new construction projects. By utilizing RSMeans, construction firms can accurately determine the budget and schedule for a given project, based on the parameters given in the design submission. RSMeans is the world’s leader in procuring construction cost data for any type of construction project from small residential buildings to large office skyscrapers. The ability for contractors to quickly access this data allows the firm to have a rapid turn-around when creating an accurate budget, which helps in the construction bid process. Because of the extensive information data presented in the RSMeans software, contractors are able to very precisely break down costs for specific bid items to ensure an accurate bid estimate for the client.

                There has been an immense amount of research conducted on how the use of electronic databases can simplify a number of tasks that would normally have to be done by hand by construction managers. A previously tested relational database, called LYNX, was put to the test in utilizing photo documentation while being interfaced with Microsoft Access. It was found that by utilizing photos of specific materials and other activities to organize a database, the process of tracking materials, shipments, and other information became much easier for construction managers in the field. Today, current technologies allow contractors to scan material bar codes to update databases containing a variety of information. I believe that BIM technologies will continue to grow and become more powerful within the construction field. These technologies will not only allow designers to draw the design they are looking to achieve but they will also allow contractors to import real-time information of installation, logistics, and cost of materials being used in the project.

Comments:

Rebecca Lynch:

Rebecca,

You brought up a number of very good points in your post. I did not know anything about the relational database theory, or much about databases as a whole, and your post clarified how the relational database theory is utilized. I believe that we have all done this before without even realizing that we are editing a dataset. The bank example you brought up is also very good since security is so important when it comes to people’s identities and finances.

Alex Palma:

Alex,

You did a very good job explaining what SQL is and how it works. I have very little experience with database creation and manipulation but it seems that this type of coding language relates to most types of other coding methods with the use of the standard commands which allow for database manipulation. 

References:

http://www.rsmeans.com/

Brilakis, I. and Soibelman, L. (2006). "Multimodal Image Retrieval from Construction Databases and Model-Based Systems." J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2006)132:7(777), 777-785.