Computer Applications of Artificial Intelligence and e-Construction

This course is the third in a sequence of interrelated courses of the current computer applications in the construction industry. The emphasis of this course is the advanced computational tools including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing, and their applications in e-Construction.

The primary goal of this course is to:

• cultivate students’ knowledge on the current trend of computational advancements; and
• train students to develop intelligent e-Construction applications.

A number of carefully crafted hands-on activities targeting construction problems will help students to not only learn the fundamentals, but also master their applications in construction.

Week 1: Introduction to e-Construction, Spreadsheet, and VBA

• Introduction to e-Construction
• Spreadsheet- Formulas
• Spreadsheet- Functions
• Spreadsheet- Pivot Table
• Spreadsheet- Programming and Applications Development
• Spreadsheet Applications for Cost Estimating and Control

Week 2: Engineering Database

• Introduction to Database
• Database Design
  • Entity-Relationship Diagram vs. Object-Oriented Modeling
  • Normalization
• Database Implementation in MS Access and Spreadsheet

Week 3: Programming in Python

• Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming
• Python Basics I - IV

Week 4: Natural Language Processing

• Introduction to Natural Language Processing (NLP) I - IV
• NLP for Processing Construction Specifications

Week 5: Machine Learning

• Machine Learning I- III
• Digital Inspection System