Understanding IT in construction / Ming Sun and Rob Howard.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

In recent years, Information Technology (IT) has been transforming business practice in many sectors resulting in efficiency gains and improved services for the client. The construction industry lags behind other manufacturing and service industries in adopting the new technology. To promote the wider use of IT in construction, it is essential to equip practitioners and graduates of construction related disciplines with knowledge of existing construction IT applications. This book provides an overview of a broad range of IT applications currently available for all stages throughout the life cycle of a building project, from essential office and information management through to computer-aided design (CAD), cost estimating, project planning and scheduling, and facilities management and building maintenance. It is an invaluable and handy reference for construction professionals and clients, as well as being a clear and comprehensive text for students studying construction, building or architectural courses.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• 1 Overview of IT Applications in Construction
• Learning objectives
• Introduction
• 1.1 The Information Age
• 1.2 Computer Technology
• 1.3 Computer Network
• 1.3.1 Local Area Network/Wide Area Network
• 1.3.2 Internet
• 1.3.3 Intranet/Extranet
• 1.3.4 Virtual Private Network
• 1.4 Construction and Computers
• 1.4.1 Features of the Construction Industry
• 1.4.2 The Construction Process
• 1.4.3 Computerisation in Construction
• 1.4.4 IT Usage In Construction Team
• 1.4.5 IT Construction Best Practice Programme
• 1.5 Overview of Construction Applications
• 1.5.1 Business and Information Management
• 1.5.2 Computer Aided Design and Visualisation
• 1.5.3 Building Engineering Applications
• 1.5.4 Computer Aided Cost Estimating
• 1.5.5 Planning, Scheduling and Site Management
• 1.5.6 Computer Aided Facilities Management
• 1.5.7 Integration
• 1.5.8 Other Types of Applications
• 1.5 On-line Resources
• Summary
• Discussion Questions
• 2 Business and Information Management
• Learning objectives
• Introduction
• 2.1 Fundamentals of Management and Information
• 2.1.1 Management Theory
• 2.1.2 Data, Information and Knowledge
• 2.1.3 Management Information Systems
• 2.1.4 The Latham and Egan reports
• 2.1.5 Professional Office Management
• 2.2 Business Process Reengineering
• 2.2.1 The Five Forces Model
• 2.2.2 Changing Requirements and Business Strategies
• 2.2.3 Business Transformation
• 2.2.4 An Example of Partnering
• 2.3 Knowledge Management
• 2.3.1 The Conversion of Knowledge
• 2.3.2 Process of Knowledge Management
• 2.3.3 Knowledge Based Systems
• 2.4 Information management
• 2.4.1 New Techniques for Managing Information
• 2.4.2 Electronic Document Management
• 2.5 Collaborative working systems
• 2.6 E-business
• 2.6.1 Growth Patterns
• 2.6.2 Types of E-business
• 2.6.3 Portals
• 2.7 Procurement and Management of IT Systems
• 2.7.1 IT System Procurement
• 2.7.2 IT System Management
• 2.8 On-line resources
• Summary
• Discussion Questions
• 3 CAD and Visualisation
• Learning Objectives
• Introduction
• 3.1 Computer Aided Design and Drafting
• 3.2 CAD Fundamentals
• 3.2.1 The Coordinate Systems
• 3.2.2 Drawing Environment Settings
• 3.2.3 Drawing Template
• 3.3 Drawing with CAD
• 3.3.1 Creating Objects
• 3.3.1 Editing
• 3.3.3 Annotations
• 3.3.4 Blocks and External References
• 3.3.5 Grid and Snap
• 3.3.6 Layering
• 5.3.7 File Format
• 3.4 Benefits and limitations of 2D CAD
• 3.5 Three dimensional (3D) Modelling
• 3.5.1 Wireframe Model
• 3.5.2 Surface Model
• 3.5.3 Solid Model
• 3.6 Visualisation and Animation
• 3.6.1 The Visualisation Process
• 3.6.2 Rendering
• 3.6.3 Animation
• 3.7 Virtual reality
• 3.7.1 VR Concept
• 3.7.2 Different Types of VR
• 3.7.3 VR Display Systems
• 3.7.4 VR Input Devices
• 3.7.5 Virtual Reality Modelling Language
• 3.7.6 Comparison between VR and Other Visualisation
• 3.7.7 VR Applications in Construction
• 3.8 On-line Resources
• Summary
• Discussion Questions
• 4 Building Engineering Applications
• Learning objectives
• Introduction
• 4.1 Engineering Design
• 4.2 Building Simulation
• 4.3 Energy Analysis Systems
• 4.4 Lighting Analysis Systems
• 4.5 HVAC Design Systems
• 4.6 Structural Analysis
• 4.7 On-line resources
• Summary
• Discussion Questions
• 5 Computer Aided Cost Estimating
• Learning objectives
• Introduction
• 5.1 Cost estimating principles
• 5.2 Unit Cost Estimating
• 5.2.1 Quantity Take-off
• 5.2.2 Labour Costs
• 5.2.3 Materials, Equipment and Subcontractors
• 5.2.4 Indirect Costs
• 5.2.5 Compilation, Analysis and Reporting
• 5.3 Computer aided estimating
• 5.4 Spreadsheet Applications
• 5.4.1 Basic Concepts
• 5.4.2 Constructing Formulas
• 5.4.3 What-if Analysis
• 5.4.4 Graphic Outputs
• 5.4.5 Customised Applications
• 5.4.6 Evaluation of Spreadsheet
• 5.5 Cost estimating software
• 5.5.1 Electronic Bill of Quantities
• 5.5.2 Link BoQ to Cost Libraries
• 5.5.3 Cost Analysis
• 5.5.4 Producing Reports.

Author notes provided by Syndetics