PRODUCT DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE BULK MATERIAL HANDLING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Product Data Management systems (PDMS) were originally developed to address the data management issues of manufacturing industry and it proved to be a huge success. There is a need to identify the key concepts, challenges and benefits of adopting PDM system for the construction industry with emphasis on design principles. A PDM system qualifies as a platform for integrating construction processes which are essentially multidisciplinary in nature. This involves identification of key requirements and characteristics of the PDM system for construction industry. The methodology involves the adaptation of a PDM system for a section of a Bulk Material Handling construction project. This helps in identifying the factors that contribute for successful project management. The present research also showcases the ability of PDM database to help in design processes involved in construction project. An application (using API- Application Programming Interface) is developed for conveyor design which works in tandem with the PDM system and modeling software’s which showcases reusability and automation in design. The use of such data management systems could be the key towards next generation design automation principles that could help improve design productivity along with quality. The challenges to such a PDM system are manifold especially due to the large number of organizations and groups of different characteristics involved in a construction project