Practice‐Based Structural Design Information Model (SDIM)
U. H. Ikwut‐Ukwa, Victor E. Sanvido, Louis F. Geschwindner · Journal of Management in Engineering · 1991
Appropriate design information is critical to the decisions the designer makes in the steps that lead to and in the preparation of design documents. For the inexperienced designer, countless hours may be wasted during the design process searching for information when it is presented in the wrong format. This study defines a practice‐based structural design information model (SDIM) that identifies the key design information elements and documentation required in providing basic structural engineering services. The SDIM was developed through interviews with senior structural engineers in six ENR top 500 design organizations. The objective of the interviews was to identify and document various design information requirements, the form and format in which the information is presented to the user, and the problems faced by the information users during the design process. The results of the interviews were distilled into a descriptive information model that serves as a navigational aid for the young project designer. Finally, the information model was tested using a case study.