Integration and Interoperability of It Applications in Construction

Integration and interoperability of IT applications have obsessed the construction industry for a long time until recent breakthrough of Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology and the development of computer hardware. This book reveals the development history of IT applications and the attempt of integration & interoperation of design and construction information by some research pioneers. The book also demonstrates a fundamental research project - nD Modelling, which intended to build up a design supporting prototype based on the early version of BIM models. This book can be used as a reference for university students, researchers and industrial practitioners in architecture, construction and built environment. The research methodology and the prototype development approach adopted in this research can be also broadly implemented in other research and development projects related to IT applications in architectural design and construction management.