Ontology-based, semi-automatic framework for storing and retrieving on-site construction problem information - An RFID-based case study

Construction projects are information-intensive. Quick information retrieval and correct information capturing on construction sites is important to support project management. This paper presents the prototype of a semi-automatic framework for storing and retrieving on-site construction problem information using context information. Created problem records are indexed with context concepts taken from developed Web Ontology Language (OWL)-based ontologies, which enable semantic searches through problem records. However, since selecting appropriate concepts from large sets of concepts defined in the ontologies can be cumbersome, the prototype offers capturing context concept information automatically through the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). A Java-based reasoning mechanism has been developed to support the user by inferring other applicable and related concepts based on the automatically identified and selected ones. The framework is describedin this paper, including findings obtained from a case study and challenges identified