Exploratory Information Visualization forultiple Systems in Construction

Nowadays, modern buildings equip with various kinds of systems, such as MEP (Mechanical, Electric, and Plumbing), AC (Air-Conditioning), communication, security, fire-suppression, etc. Many investigators continue adding more sensor and controller systems in our buildings to make the living space safer, more convenient, comfortable, and energy-saving. However, multi-systems have significantly increased the complexity of design, plan and construction a building. The systems are high interdependent during the processes. Consequently, the traditional management methods are insufficient to support construction engineers to deal with the multi-dimensional information and coordinate construction of these systems effectively.n this research, I aim to solve two types of problems specifically in multi-system construction. The first type of problems are how to prompt the conflicts between systems and the second ones are how to comprehend the complex information in multi-system construction projects. To achieve the goal, I proposed an interactive presentation framework for multi-system constructions. This framework includes two presentation approaches (Flexible Information Layout and Information Display Matrix) and also four interactive methods (Visual Data Exploration, Cross-Highlighting, Time Controller and Information Extracting). Based on these approaches, I have implemented an information display tool for multi-system construction, which is named Construction Dashboard (CD). Construction engineers can examine the construction information through direct manipulation and get immediate feedbacks on CD. Therefore, engineers can understand the interdependence of construction information, and deal with the potential problems in advance. user test, including 30 participants, was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed framework. I designed 15 practical problems to see the participants'' performance in problem-solving. The results of the user tests indicate that CD can effectively help users in three dimensions: (1) save 53% at time and increase 4% at accuracy in examining on workitems which haven’t finished on specific date; (2) save 44% at time and increase 3% at accuracy in finding the date when all specific workitems have been finished; and (3) save 52% at time and increase 39% accuracy in calculating the percentage of completion when whole specific workitems have been finished.