TR041: Evaluation of the Structural Steel Framing Data Model

The Structural Steel Framing Data Model (SSFDM) is an object-oriented data model for structural steel framing. The model was originally developed by Mr. Ajay Lavakare, a graduate research assistant in the Civil Engineering Department at Stanford University, under the guidance of Professor H. C. Howard. The work was initiated in November 1988. The research effort was part of the "Multiple Views of Architecture / Engineering / Construction (AEC) Data" project supported by the Center for Integrated Facility Engineering (CIFE) at Stanford University. The purpose of the development of the model is to gain a better insight in the area of computer-based data modelling for structural steel framing, to acquire a better knowledge of the PDES standard for data exchange, and to initiate a first step in developing a global data model for the applications within CIFE.

In this section, we provide a quick overview of the SSFDM and relate it to today's leading data modeling efforts. We also describe the model evaluation task which is the focal point of this report. In Section 2, we will discuss our approach in modeling a real life steel structure as prototype using the SSFDM. More importantly, we will draw conclusions about the strengths and weaknesses of the SSFDM and discuss our future plan of enhancing and expanding the model. The interested reader can continue with the reading of Section 3, which presents the data dictionary of the prototype data model, and Appendix A, which contains the detailed data model of the prototype structure.