Understanding Decision-Making in Construction Engineering

Suny At Buffalo, Amherst NY

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract CMS 0085484 PI: Eddy M. Rojas Institution: SUNY Buffalo "Understanding Decision-Making in Construction Engineering" This award is for the support of an exploratory research project focused on the decision-making process of current and future construction engineers through pilot development and implementation of a virtual environment called the "Construction Simulator." This environment is created using a Web-centric modular architecture and provides a platform on which different "Scenario Developers" interact and collaborate with the environment. As each participant advances through the scenario, responses are captured and used by a simulation engine to create outcomes. The stored responses constitute an automatic recording of detained performance data, which is available for replay and analysis. The research includes definition of the environment's framework, the development of a simplified version of the Construction Simulator mark-up Language (CSML), and the design and construction of simplified simulation and visualization engines. This award is made under the SGER (Small Grants for Exploratory Research) program. This preliminary study will determine if the "Construction Simulator" has the potential to provide knowledge about the decision making process of participants. It will also determine if the "Construction Simulator" has the potential to improve the process. Development of the "Simulator" will involve participation