The Application of Personal Digital Assistants as Mobile Computing Device on Construction Site

Construction managers need to access the real construction site to manage the construction project. They have recently handled various types of digital information such as drawings, specification, checklists and daily reports. They usually use sheets of paper and/or field notes. As a result, a gap in time and space between the outdoor construction site and the office, which leads to the low efficiency, occurs. This paper reports the application of PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) as mobile computing device for construction managers on construction sites. First, this paper describes the aim and the essential element of the mobile systems. This also shows the analysis of necessary functions as mobile computing device through the discussion with construction managers, and the concept of development of this computer-aided engineering system. Secondly, this paper describes the outline of below subsystems with PDA: Progress Monitoring System, Inspection System and Position Check System. Subsystems have two programs: the data input program in PDA and the output program in PC. Finally, this paper indicates the development of more refined process of construction management with the mobile computing device on construction site.

• Progress Monitoring System has been built for construction managers to monitor the progress of works. This is especially useful for apartment building projects because of the large number of rooms. Construction managers can share the current progress of all rooms soon.

• Inspection System has been built for construction managers to inspect the result of construction. PDA displays the code and/or checklists each building element and work. They plot the position of unacceptable on a drawing and select related items from the lists in PDA. The output program of the system in PC can print the instruction document for subcontractors to correct improper workmanship.

• Position Check System has been built for construction managers to check the position of steel members in the structural steel erection. The output program of the system in PC can show the actual form of steel frame considering the fabric distortion graphically and the scatter of accuracy of steel erection with graph.