ISTforCE Walkthrough

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ISTforCE Walkthrough
PresentationSections ? (click to select)

• Overview of the ISTforCE environment

• The ISTforCE services (incl. screenshots)

• Example of services integration

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I. Overview of the ISTforCE Environment

• The ISTforCE environment is a distributed,
  Internet-enabled system built upon an innovative
  human-centred approach that extends thecurrent
  project-centric collaboration platform approaches
  in AEC/FM
• ISTforCE provides
• an open platform where four types of users can
  meet (designers, project managers, information
  managers, application service providers)
• plug-in features for easy integration of
  infrastructure services and engineering
  applications offered by service providers via the
  Internet
• flexible and customisable object-level data
  exchange based on IFC
• infrastructure for on-line eBusiness by combining
  legal and financial transactions at all system
  levels
• multi-project, multi-user, multi-services support
  by means of a logically consistent overall
  framework
• ISTforCE supports
• Service Providers to actively participate in an
  overall collaboration environment
• Chief Information Officers to manage and maintain
  the ICT infrastructure
• Project managers to monitor project work, assign
  and supervise tasks, allow, recommend, or even
  enable/disable the use of application tools and
  services
• Engineers and architects to cooperate with each
  other in their actual daily work

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I. Overview of the ISTforCE Environment
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I. Overview of the ISTforCE Environment

• ISTforCE extends typical Web-based platform
  architectures by three new open layers
• A well-defined externally extensible set of
  AEC/FM-specific infrastructure services
• A set of externally extensible infrastructure
  business services
• Any external engineering services (ASP)
• ISTforCE also offers an extended user interface
  through a set of specialised, customisable
  collaboration tools
• Integration is considered along multiple axes
• Users
• Services
• Projects
• Tasks
• Product data
• Interoperability of the components is achieved by
• a common high-level ontology
• a common format for all system messages based on
  XML
• common communication methods based on HTTP,
  RMI-IIOP, CORBA, and WSDL/SOAP.

5
Some underlying model developments the process
matrix

• is a simple, easy to understand table of
  processes in AEC/FM that identifies
• activities occurring in a project that share
  information with other activities where
  activities
• describe the fulfilment of particular
  requirements not the actions undergone in
  achieving it
• are organised by major project phases (taken from
  the GPP developed at Salford University)
• have 1 or more roles sending information (? o),
  and 1 or more roles receiving information (? x)
• represent the information in a typical way
• the roles taken by the participants (actors) in
  the project where a role
• is defined by what is done, not by who does it
  (project management rather than project manager)
• the sender(s) and receiver(s) of information
  within an activity,
• the form in which the information is sent from an
  activity.

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Some underlying model developments the process
matrix

• ISTforCE extension of the IFC2x standard to share
  structural models
• mechanical system and actions as input
  information
• can be used by several calculation software
  systems
• can be used for getting online and rental
  services for complex calculations
• can be used to return results of the structural
  calculations
• can enable specializations and involving of
  external experts
• handed over to IAI for formal standardization in
  2001
• confirmed by the IAI to be part of the next
  release IFC2x2 issued in Spring 2003

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Some underlying model developments the
Engineering Ontlogy Specification

• The ISTforCE Engineering Ontlogy Specification
  aims at providing a simple and unique basis
  enabling end users and (non IFC) applications to
  access, retrieve and reason upon the product data
  
• Open and extensible specification completely
  based on the XML standard (uses XML Schema as
  baseline) to ensure a generalised implementation
  and a broad applicability
• Layered approach, that facilitates the
  development of adequate ontologies by domain
  experts
• Core Engineering Ontology Specification Schema,
  providing the meta structures for the definition
  of domain-specific ontologies for different
  building construction aspects and purposes (XML
  Schema definition .vsd)
• A potentially unlimited set of Ontology Extension
  Schemas importing and extending the core schema
  with domain-specific concepts (XML Schema
  definition .vsd)
• XML-based ontology definitions corresponding to
  the domain-specific schemas and providing the
  details of the instantiated domain concepts
  (DTD-based XML syntax .xml)

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Physical Architecture
Project Data Servers
Core Information Server
Remote Eng. Services
Internet-enabledConcurrent Engineering Services
Platform(CESP)
personalCESP
Extended Infrastructure Services
somewhere
9
Logical Architecture
ISTforCE platform
Engineering services
Multi-project integration services
Project infrastructure services
Generic infrastructure services
Core services
CIS people-projects-services-companies
10
Logical Architecture
There are four principal ways to access and use
the platform
4. Through the Model Access Service via a Web
Browser Client
ISTforCE platform
2. Through the Service Launcher
Engineering services
1. Through the Internet Portalvia a standard Web
Browser
Multi-project integration services
Project infrastructure services
Generic infrastructure services
3. Through the Personal Planning System Client
Core services
CIS people-projects-services-companies
11
Using the ISTforCE Platform through the Internet
Portal
personalplatform
workstationtools
Service Launcher
Portal
PPS/C

• provides access to all core services
• used to configure and manage services,
  projects and personal workspaces
• access point to service providers
• The very first access must be via the portal

ISTforCE platform
Engineering services
?
AESP
VTLS
SRS
CCS
DEX
3rd party service
DAS
?
Multi-project integration services
Project infrastructure services
Generic infrastructure services
PDS
ECS
MAS/S
?
?
TOS
PPS/S
EDMS
?
Core services
CIS people-projects-services-companies
12
Using the Platform through the Service Launcher
personalplatform
workstationtools
Service Launcher
PPS/C
Portal

• provides uniform access to local and remote
  applications
• enables local clients to use the platform
  services
• can be used to configure control the access
  to services
• manages basic e-commerce settings
• useful to project managers, engineers and the
  CIO

ISTforCE platform
Engineering services
?
AESP
VTLS
SRS
CCS
DEX
3rd party service
DAS
?
Multi-project integration services
Project infrastructure services
Generic infrastructure services
PDS
ECS
MAS/S
?
?
TOS
PPS/S
EDMS
?
Core services
CIS people-projects-services-companies
13
Using the Platform through the Personal Planning
Service
personalplatform
workstationtools
Service Launcher
PPS/C
Portal
ISTforCE platform
Engineering services

• provides access to and supports the management
  of project and personal (cross-project)
  workflows
• can be used to trigger any service or
  application from and for a specific work
  task
• enhances and extends the functionality of the
  launcher
• especially useful to project managers and
  engineers

?
AESP
VTLS
SRS
CCS
DEX
3rd party service
DAS
?
Multi-project integration services
Project infrastructure services
Generic infrastructure services
PDS
ECS
MAS/S
?
?
TOS
PPS/S
EDMS
?
Core services
CIS people-projects-services-companies
14
Using the Platform through the Model Access
Service
personalplatform
workstationtools
Service Launcher
MAS/C
PPS/C
Portal
ISTforCE platform
Engineering services
?
AESP
VTLS
SRS
CCS
DEX
3rd party service
DAS
?
Multi-project integration services
Project infrastructure services
Generic infrastructure services

• provides data exchange functionality to users
  and applications
• enables the users to access, view and manage
  product model data directly
• facilitates coordination procedures
• especially useful to designers (architects,
  engineers, )

PDS
ECS
MAS/S
?
?
TOS
PPS/S
EDMS
?
Core services
CIS people-projects-services-companies
15
II. The ISTforCE Services
Core services
CIS

• Core Information Services The main ISTforCE
  Server (Internet Portal)

Infrastructure services
PPS

• Personal Planning Services Server pCESP
  client

SL

• Service Launcher Specialised client to
  invoke applications

MAS

• Model Access Services Server pCESP client

EOS

• Engineering Ontology Service Server pCESP
  client (Web Browser)

PDS

• Project Data Server Server

ECS

• E-Commerce Services Server pCESP client
  (Web Browser)

TOS

• Training Online Support Service Helpdesk
  Server

Rental eng. services
CCS

• Code Checking Service Remote application for
  architects

AESP

• Automated Engineering Service Provider Remote
  appl. for seismic risk analysis

SRS

• Specialised Geotechnical Rental Service Remote
  appl. for struct./geotech. engineers

VTLS

• Virtual Test Laboratory Service Remote appl.
  for structural engineers

DAS

• Design Assistance Services AI-based local
  appl. for struct. engineers

Others
can be different third-party services
integrated into the platform ISTforCE
provides one example the SOFiSTiK tools for
finite element analysis
Services Menu
16
II. The ISTforCE Services
You can also always use the Home button to jump
back to the main menu on page 1
Core services
CIS

• Core Information Services The main ISTforCE
  Server (Internet Portal)

Infrastructure services
Use the side bar to quickly jump back and forth
between the separate services
PPS

• Personal Planning Services Server pCESP
  client

SL

• Service Launcher Specialised client to
  invoke applications

MAS

• Model Access Services Server pCESP client

EOS

• Engineering Ontology Service Server pCESP
  client (Web Browser)

PDS

• Project Data Server Server

ECS

• E-Commerce Services Server pCESP client
  (Web Browser)

TOS

• Training Online Support Service Helpdesk
  Server

Navigation Hints
Rental eng. services
or use this button to return to this page from
elsewhere (the full names of the servicesare
only available on this page)
CCS

• Code Checking Service Remote application for
  architects

AESP

• Automated Engineering Service Provider Remote
  appl. for seismic risk analysis

SRS

• Specialised Geotechnical Rental Service Remote
  appl. for struct./geotech. engineers

VTLS

• Virtual Test Laboratory Service Remote appl.
  for structural engineers

DAS

• Design Assistance Services AI-based local
  appl. for struct. engineers

Others
can be different third-party services
integrated into the platform ISTforCE
provides one example the SOFiSTiK tools for
finite element analysis
Services Menu
17
Core Information Services (CIS) Overview

• Goal The Core Information Services (CIS)
  support the ISTforCE platform by (1) ensuring
  openness to multiple projects and services, (2)
  providing the infrastructure for identification /
  communication between people, companies,
  projects, roles and services, and (3) making the
  information stored in CIS available to users and
  applications both via a graphical interface
  (GUI), and via an API.

CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS

• Method Alignment of CIS with advanced Web
  service technology was found as the most
  appropriate and adaptive approach for integration
  issues.

TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS

• Implementation Based on XML API specifications
  and WSDL descriptions, an advanced multi-project
  / multi-service directory service for the
  construction industry has been developed,
  providing service level integration to CIC.

VTLS
DAS
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The core management console
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
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The service provider section
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
20
Adding a new service
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
21
Viewing / searching for available services
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
22
Adding a new user
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
23
Inspecting / editing personal data
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
24
Viewing / looking up registered users
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
25
The XML/API
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
26
Personal Planning System (PPS) - Overview

• The goal of the Personal Planning System is to
  enable the management of multi project
  participation by interacting with distributed
  project management servers.

CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL

• Methods have been developed for merging different
  project workflows into a personalized workflow
  that supports the user in organizing his work
  more efficiently.

MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS

• The Personal Planning Server is based on a
  relational database according to the IFC 2x
  process model. The Personal Planning Client is
  developed as a Java application

VTLS
DAS
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Creating and Assignment of Persons and Roles
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
28
Creating and Managing the Project Workflow
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
29
Presentation of Project Workflow
CIS
Infrastructure services
The bar chart shows the tasks of all actors in a
given project
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
30
Presentation and Management of Personal Workflow
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
The bar chart shows the tasks of the user across
multiple projects
VTLS
DAS
31
Detailed Task Information and Start of Services
CIS
Infrastructure services
Tasks can be associated with specific
services.After selecting a task, the assigned
service tool can be automatically started via
theISTforCE Service Launcher
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
32
Personal Document Management System
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
Personal data files on the Document Management
Server with attached meta data
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
Integrated Audit Trailer for tracking data access
SRS
VTLS
DAS
33
Service Launcher (SL) Overview
CIS
Infrastructure services

• Objectives
• Provide a local client for platform and services
  access
• Control and filter access to project and
  services, based on user identification
• Manage e-Commerce preliminary steps required to
  use a rented service
• Features
• Support of various application flavors
• Web based
• Remote executables, using MS Terminal Server
• Local dedicated clients
• Allows end-user customization (adding/editing of
  local applications)
• Real time connection to platform Information
  Services to always apply up-to-date choices and
  settings

PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
34
Service Launcher (SL) Step 1 Login

• CIS contacted to authenticate the user and
  retrieve his/her profile, including accessible
  projects.

CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
Current step is highlighted to indicate
progression
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
Current status and information messages are
displayed in real-time
DAS
35
Service Launcher (SL) Step2 Project selection

• Depending on the user login, accessible projects
  are displayed
• The user can pick one of them, or access generic
  services, not tied to a specific project

CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
Allowed projects displayed here for selection
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
Services not requiring a project can be accessed
from here
36
Service Launcher (SL) Step 3 Service selection

• Display of accessible services, depending on
  previous selections
• Additional information (provider, pricing,)
• Direct access to service training material, when
  available
• Several kinds of visualization available (icons,
  detailed)

CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
Icon based view of accessible services
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
Detailed view of services, listing complementary
information about each service
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
When the user has clicked on a service for which
training material is available, it can be
accessed directly from here
37
Service Launcher (SL) Customisation

• Ability to add personal applications (be they
  local executables or Web based services)
• Activation parameters can include information
  related to the current project and login

CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
Application integration dialog is used to specify
activation details.
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
User applications can be integrated in the SL,
thus building My Launcher
38
Model Access Service (MAS) Overview
CIS

• MAS acts as the central product data access point
• Manages product models from several projects in a
  personalized manner
• Provides an Engineering Ontology Service (EOS),
  which enables intelligent product model browsing
  by use of an Ontology Browser subsequently
  explained in a separate chapter EOS
• Provides access to a wide range of clients using
  different communication paradigms, such as
  RMI-IIOP, CORBA, or Browser-based access via
  HTTP
• The integrated Reasoning Agent Engine enables the
  provision of knowledge-based methods for advanced
  reasoning on the product model data

Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
39
Model Access Service (MAS) - Architecture
CIS
Externalinfrastructureservices
Product Data Servers (PDS)
Core Information Services (CIS)
Infrastructure services
The MAS EJB Framework
PPS
SL
Information Logic (EJB Container)
Enterprise Information System (EIS)
MAS
CISPlug-Ins
PDSPlug-Ins
EOS
MAS Knowledge Base(PM Cache, OntologyRepository)
PDS
ECS
GenericProduct Data Interface
GenericAccess Control Interface
Product Model Ontology Provider
Product Model Logistics
TOS
Presentation Logic (Web Container)
Rental eng. services
CCS
Explanation Component Front-End (Servlets, JSP,
HTML)
Client Adapters (RMI-IIOP, CORBA)
Reasoning AgentEngine
Reasoning AgentSolvers
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
MAS clients
MAS Clients ( Local / Remote Applications,
Web-Browser )
40
Personalised web-based product model data
management (1/2)
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
41
Personalised web-based product model data
management (2/2)
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
42
Engineering Ontology Service (EOS) Overview
CIS

• Add on service of the Model Access Services (MAS)
• Translates the strictly formalised IFC data
  structures to an engineering vocabulary
• Enables real-time mapping between the EO
  definitions and the underlying IFC 2x model
• Built upon a formal specification and a
  processing framework that are fully based on the
  XML standard(using XML Schema as baseline)
• Prototypically implemented to support core IFC
  dataand structural design domain extensions
• The open and extensible specification facilitates
  further upgrading as well as ontology
  development for otherAEC/FM domains on the basis
  of the same framework
• Easy to learn and use client-side Ontology Browser

Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
43
Real time ontology processing
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
44
User friendly web browser interface
Three principal types of concepts are available
basic, composite and container
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
The Navigation Window enables intelligent
browsing through the model structure using
meaningful engineering concepts
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
45
User friendly web browser interface
For certain components and operation a link to an
externally integrated IFC Geometry Browser is
also provided
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
The available actions dynamically change
depending on the type of the focused component
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
The Description Window provides details for the
focused component(technical attributes of the
data structure are not shown, but only meaningful
engineering properties)
SRS
VTLS
DAS
46
User friendly web browser interface
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
47
Project Data Server (PDS) - Overview

• Objectives
• Provide a shared repository for projects hosted
  by the platform
• Keep track of successive versions of the data
• Provide a protected access to data
• Use standard and open protocols
• Use standard and open data model schemas (IFC)
• Features
• User, session, workspace, project and version
  management
• Download/upload of whole models
• Download parts of projects (site, building,
  storey) and single instances
• Query functions (project list, version list,
  instance list,)
• Implementation independent with respect to client
  applications
• Client API for Java applications provided as
  usage example

CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
48
Project Data Server (PDS) Sample view of the
console

• PDS runs as a background application. Its console
  gives a vision of current active sessions and
  requests processing.

CIS
Infrastructure services
Journal of exchanges with clients
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
Active connections status
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
Output trace for IFC related processes
49
PDS Details
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
50
E-Commerce Services Principal Functionality
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
51
E-Commerce Services (ECS) Billing process
Reception of data, creation and sending of bills
and payment
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
52
Submitting invoices to the ECS
CIS
The process can run automatically. These data are
stored in a log file
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
Invoice data saved from XML file.
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
Details saved in ECS DB from a XML file.
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
53
Receiving Bills by email (1/2)
E-Mail with an access to the bill is sent to the
user.
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
In this way, only certified users can see the
bill!
CCS
AESP
The sending of email for all users and providers
with the particular link is automaticaly
generated when the bill is created.
SRS
VTLS
DAS
54
Receiving Bills by email (2/2)
The email does not contain the file, as this
would not be completely safe.
CIS
Infrastructure services
The user receives only a link to the file
(through https and SSL).
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
55
E-Invoice Format XML
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
This is the format of the invoice. From the DB,
we get an XML file with all the data billing.
This file is sent to the Client using the https
protocol.
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
56
Choice of Payment mode
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
On the bottom of the Invoice, there are two
buttons for choosing the payment method
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
57
Online Payment
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
The credit card number is not stored, but only
used once for this operation
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
58
Requesting an Info-Bill Order by Project
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
Insert the client ID and Dates. The Certificate
secures the identity of the client.
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
59
Displaying an Info-Bill
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
Data are clasified by projects
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
60
Training Online Support Services (TOS)
Overview

• The main goal of the Training and Online Support
  Services (TOS) is to give the user a single
  access point for IT help. TOS is based on a study
  about user requirements. In this study User
  Profiles have been worked out (Deliverable D3).

CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS

• Every User Group gets one or more specialized
  tools,to fit there needs.

PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS

• The Training and Online Support System is based
  on Lotus Domino Server, Lotus Notes Client and
  Browser usable Notes Databases. The
  communication between the components is Lotus
  Notes based. The communication with the user is
  SMTP Mail based .

AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
61
TOS components overview

• Call_DB for WEB use
• - store the CE Questions
• - inform the CE about Status Changes
• - interact with other ISTforCE components via
  API (PPS)

CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS

• Work_DB Lotus Notes Database for the Helpdesk
  Staff
• - application with notification and alert
  functionality
• - tries to find automated solutions ,
  responsible persons

SL
MAS
EOS
PDS

• Knowledge_DB Lotus Notes Knowledge Database
• - stores all relevant solved Requests
• - stores also Multimedia, FAQ, Checklists, etc.
  
• - includes different search capabilities

ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS

• Archive_DB Lotus Notes Database for statistic
  purposes
• - stores all closed tickets

AESP
SRS
VTLS

• config_DB, User_DB, Agent-log.DB Lotus Notes
  Data-bases internal issues
• - keep the system running

DAS
62
TOS Components Screenshots Call_DBSupport
Document Toolbar, Protocol and Notification Mail
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
The provided examples are partially from the
fully implemented, running German version,
already deployed and used for real projects
63
TOS Components Screenshots Work_DBProblem
Detail, Toolbar and Problem Overview
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
64
TOS integration details
CIS

• For fast integration of the Help Desk Service in
  ISTforCE and other Internet based environments, a
  very simple and easy to use interface (API) was
  defined.

Infrastructure services
PPS

• The API uses standard URL calls and the Methods
  GET and POST to exchange data.

SL
MAS
EOS
PDS

• TOS is integrated in several other parts of
  ISTforCE e.g. in the Service Launcher

ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
And in - the Personal Planning System (PPS)
- the ISTforCE Core Services
VTLS
DAS
65
TOS videoconference integration
CIS

• Because TOS is based on standard Internet
  technologies it can easily integrate other
  applications designed for Internet use, like Java
  Applets, Java Servlets, Java Scripts, and so on.

Infrastructure services
PPS
SL

• The Videoconference System is written as a Java
  Servlet, hosted on the Domino Server and
  accessible from every document.

MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services

• After completing the entry, the Request is sent
  to the ASP. If he accepts the call, the
  Videoconference starts in the Browser Window.

CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
66
Code Checking Service (CCS) Overview
CIS
Infrastructure services

• Objectives
• Assist the end-user in regulation codes
  application by providing an on-line checking tool
  for IFC project data
• Help organizations to disseminate regulation
  codes by offering a friendly access to relevant
  information and documentation
• Features
• Manages multiple rule bases
• Supports the work on ISTforCE-hosted project data
  as well as uploaded IFC files
• Generates a report highlighting the failed Rules
  and related anomalies in the project

PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
67
Code Checking Service (CCS) Project explorer

• After startup (via SL or PPS), the basic
  structure of the selected project is displayed,
  allowing to process all or only a part of the
  project data (e.g. a single story).

CIS
Infrastructure services
Project selected in the SL has automatically been
retrieved thanks to MAS and PDS
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
Project basic structure is displayed (site,
buildings, storeys), allowing the user to pick
the part to be analyzed
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
68
Code Checking Service (CCS) - Rule base
selection

• The user selects now the rule base against which
  the project must be validated.

CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
Available rule bases are proposed for selection
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
69
Code Checking Service (CCS) Rule base explorer

• Available rules of the selected rule base are
  displayed, with their description and access to
  associated documents (if provided).
• The user can then select which rules he wants to
  validate for the considered project.

CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
Rules can be selected on an individual basis,
allowing to focus on a specific concern
MAS
EOS
PDS
Short description of the rule is displayed,
together with access to complementary material
(documents, pictures, images) when available
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
When available, complementary material
(documents, pictures, videos,) are directly
accessible from here
70
Code Checking Service (CCS) Results display

• Detailed report is displayed, giving clues to non
  compliant elements.
• Rules which could not be checked (e.g. because of
  missing or insufficient information) are also
  identified.

CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
Reports present the checking status of selected
rules (passed, failed, not checkable)
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
Offending items of the project are referenced, to
give the user a clue for resolution
71
Automated Engineering Consultant Service Provider
for Seismic Risk Assessment (AESP) Overview
CIS
The goal of AESP is to to facilitate the process
of designing buildings or industrial facilities
in seismic prone areas without having specific
knowledge about seismic hazard technologies
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
It has been made available on line on the
INTERNET by Geodeco S.p.A. for engineers seeking
consulting services for seismic risk analysis
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
The Seismic Risk Assessment Services are provided
using State-of-the-art risk methodologies.
VTLS
DAS
72
Client interacts with AESP
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
73
AESP Performs Simplified Analysis "On - Line"
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
74
AESP Performs Detailed Analysis "Off - Line"
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
75
AESP Starting Screen
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
76
GIS Screen for Selecting the Geographical Location
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
77
A built-in Web Browser
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
78
The Negotiation Form to Request Off-Line Analysis
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
79
Specialised Geotechnical Rental Services (SRS)
Overview

• SRS is a set of specialised geotechnical
  applications offered through the ISTforCE
  platform
• All applications are available on the Web as
  registered ISTforCE services
• Run remotely on an Application Server hosted
  by the ASP
• Information about Applications, Methods and
  Charging is available through TOS - the
  ISTforCE Helpdesk and Videoconference system
• Charging is done automatically, the user
  need only to login once to the platform

CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
80
SRS Details
All services are registered on the ISTforCE
platform and can be invoked via the Service
Launcher

• A large library of soil design and structural
  analysis applications is available
• Settlement Settlements of single
  foundations
• with typical geometries
• BearingCapacity Ground failure calculation
  according
• to DIN 4017/DIN 4017-100
• EarthPressure Active/passive earth pressure
  calculation accord. to an extended
  Culmann Method or a 2-body mechanism
  
• WWDim WALLS Design - Design of
  timbered,
• sheet pile, pile, in-situ Walls
• WALLS-FEM Sheet pile walls using the
  Finite Element Method
• WinIGEL Settlement calculations
  taking into account the elastic halfspace
• Settlement 2,dD Settlement calculations with
  simplified soil layers
• Kinematic Element Analysis Kinematic Element
  Analysis and stability according to the
• method of Krey-Bishop and DIN 4084
• Slipcircle Calculation Calculation of
  stability and optimization of the slipcircle
  according to Krey-Bishop and DIN 4084
• WALLS Sheet Pile, In-Situ, Timbered H-Beam,
  Drilled Pile Walls
• anchor lengths and Safety/Surface Failure
• SOFiSTiK Structural analysis system as
  third-party legacy application

CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
Run on a MS Terminal Server, installed at the
Service Provider, FIDES DV-Partner, Germany
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
81
SRS Details Example of a Specialised Application
Stability calculations and optimisation with
the Kinematic Element Method
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
82
SRS Details Kinematic Element Analysis

• The Kinematic Element Analysis application
  provides
• Soil Stability Computation
• Starting Mechanical Model
• Modeling Kinematic failure mechanisms
• Optimisation of the excavation design
• Force equilibrium on the discretised elements
• Limit stage according to Coulomb
• Adaptive optimisation
• Target Function according to specific problem
• For earth pressure computations, the remaining
  force at an edge is minimized with the imposed
  displacement (passive earth pressure) or
  maximized (active earth pressure).
• For computations of the safety of
• embankments or supporting structures,
• the target function is the safety
• according to Fellenius.
• As safety for Ground failure computations
• can be defined to find the minimum

CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
83
Use of SRS on the ISTforCE Platform
Start SRS through the Service Launcher
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
Ask Information about required Application /
Problem type
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
Use the Helpdesk System to - get Information
about the costs and conditions for using an
application - get Answers to Technical Questions
VTLS
DAS
User is directed to the Knowledgebase Search Form
84
Charging method pay per use
CIS
After finishing work with an application The
user receives a message about the amount that
will be charged The e-commerce system is
initiated by sending the charging information
(uploading the Invoice) All results are stored
under the registered User and Projectand can be
downloaded at any time
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
85
Virtual Test Laboratory Service (VTLS) Overview

• VTLS enables the virtual testing of structures.
• The service includes
• Web Pages for consulting support
• A user database
• Consulting project and task database
• Sharing project data between local computer and
  terminal server
• Execution of remote analysis on the terminal
  server
• Execution of local analysis
• Video-Conferencing
• Accounting and connection to ECS
• Import of IFC2x geometry information

CIS
Simplified model
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
Results of simulation
Concrete crushing
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
Concrete cracking
86
Main VTLS Task Menu where the work is done
CIS
Infrastructure services
Here the user can receive help share data
with VTLS consultants, on-line test his
structure upload, download data, share IFC
data
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
87
The VTLS model is based on imported IFC data
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
88
Remote execution of nonlinear analysis can be
performed via Microsofts Terminal Server
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
89
VTLS experts can be contacted for help or
assistance
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
Help is always just one click away!
90
Download and local post-processing
CIS
The results can be downloaded to the Clients
computer for detailed post-processing
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
91
VTLS Accounting / Billing is achieved by using ECS
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
XML invoice generated and submitted to the
eCommerce server
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
92
Structural Design Assistance Service (DAS)
Overview
CIS

• The Design Assistance Service supports an
  engineer in conceptual and preliminary design by
  practical design knowledge.

Infrastructure services
PPS
SL

• Methods from Artificial Intelligence have been
  applied for encoding knowledge that supports the
  development process of a consistent structural
  scheme.

MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS

• The Design Assistance Service uses an intelligent
  object-oriented model of the load-bearing system.
  Single parts can be exchanged with analysis
  packages on the basis of IFC 2x.

DAS
93
The GUI of DAS
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
94
Intelligent GUI Adaptation depending on Design
Focus
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
95
Integration of Relational Database for suitable
slab type retrieval
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
96
IFC 2x Model Exchange to Analysis Tools via MAS
and a Common Internet Browser
CIS
Infrastructure services
PPS
SL
MAS
EOS
PDS
ECS
TOS
Rental eng. services
CCS
AESP
SRS
VTLS
DAS
97
III. Example of Services Integration

• The Task
• Do conceptual structural design with the help of
  DAS (a local tool)

• The Problem
• The functionality of DAS does not support all the
  requirements to fully complete this task, e.g.
  the non-linear analysis of detail of the
  structure
• The Solution
• A service offered by an external service provider
  and registered in the ISTforCE environment can
  offer the needed functionality.This service is
  VTLS.
• The service can be accessed via CIS and the
  Service Launcher.
• The necessary model support and data exchange
  facilities are provided by MAS.
• Data integration can be achieved by using the IFC
  2x model.

98
III. Example of Services Integration
DAS
The Set up
MAS
Synthesis of structural scheme by DAS
VTLS
Validation of structural behaviour by VTLS
Engineering tools
IFC 2x product data
MAS
PDS
Platform services
99
Step 1 Performing partially the design task
with DAS
DAS
These elements require more detailed analysis
MAS
VTLS
100
Step 2Exporting a partial model as a STEP
physical file
ISO-10303-21 HEADER FILE_DESCRIPTION
(('ArchiCAD generated IFC file.'),
'21') FILE_NAME ('20011214_2columns1beam.IFC',
'2001-12-14T125620', ('Architect'), ('Building
Designer Office'), 'PreProc - IFC Toolbox Version
2.x (00/11/07)', 'Windows System', 'The
authorising person.') FILE_SCHEMA
(('IFC2X_FINAL')) ENDSEC DATA 1
IFCORGANIZATION ('GS', 'Graphisoft',
'Graphisoft', , ) 3 IFCPERSON (, , , ,
, , , ) 4 IFCORGANIZATION (,
'OrganizationName', , , ) 5
IFCPERSONANDORGANIZATION (3, 4, ) 7
IFCSIUNIT (, .LENGTHUNIT., , .METRE.) 8
IFCSIUNIT (, .AREAUNIT., , .SQUARE_METRE.) 9
IFCSIUNIT (, .VOLUMEUNIT., ,
.CUBIC_METRE.) 10 IFCSIUNIT (, .MASSUNIT.,
, .GRAM.) 11 IFCSIUNIT (, .TIMEUNIT., ,
.SECOND.) 12 IFCSIUNIT (, .THERMODYNAMICTEMPE
RATUREUNIT., , .DEGREE_CELSIUS.) 13
IFCSIUNIT (, .LUMINOUSINTENSITYUNIT., ,
.LUMEN.) 14 IFCUNITASSIGNMENT ((7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12, 13)) 18 IFCDIRECTION ((0.,
1., 0.)) 23 IFCSITE ('1V6BJilYP22A3QTmOVOlNV',
6, , , , 22, , , .ELEMENT., , , , ,
) 24 IFCLOCALPLACEMENT (22, 21) 22
IFCLOCALPLACEMENT (, 21) 21
IFCAXIS2PLACEMENT3D (20, 19, 17) 20
IFCCARTESIANPOINT ((0., 0., 0.)) 19
IFCDIRECTION ((0., 0., 1.)) 17 IFCDIRECTION
((1., 0., 0.)) 26 IFCAXIS2PLACEMENT3D (20,
19, 17) 25 IFCBUILDING ('0duxPj74jAVuKJq1VMC
BJ6', 6, , , , 24, , , .ELEMENT., , ,
) 27 IFCLOCALPLACEMENT (24, 26) 6
IFCOWNERHISTORY (5, 2, , .NOCHANGE., , , ,
1008330980) 2 IFCAPPLICATION (1, '6.5',
'ArchiCAD 6.5 (Graphisoft)', 'ArchiCAD') 29
IFCDIRECTION ((0., 1.)) 30 IFCCARTESIANPOINT
((0., 0.)) 31 IFCAXIS2PLACEMENT2D (30,
29) 32 IFCRECTANGLEPROFILEDEF (.AREA., ,
31, 0.2, 0.2) 33 IFCAXIS2PLACEMENT3D (20,
19, 17) 34 IFCEXTRUDEDAREASOLID (32, 33,
19, 3.) 35 IFCSHAPEREPRESENTATION (15,
'Body', 'SweptSolid', (34)) 36
IFCCARTESIANPOINT ((-0.1, -0.1, 0.)) 37
IFCBOUNDINGBOX (36, 0.2, 0.2, 3.) 39
IFCSHAPEREPRESENTATION (38, '', 'BoundingBox',
(37)) 40 IFCPRODUCTDEFINITIONSHAPE (, ,
(35, 39)) 41 IFCAXIS2PLACEMENT3D (20, 19,
17) 42 IFCLOCALPLACEMENT (27, 41) 44
IFCMATERIAL ('structural concrete') 45
IFCRELASSOCIATESMATERIAL ('3B6DT0P8X75BDklQYOXvC'
, 6, , , (43), 44) 43 IFCCOLUMN
('0gmsV6XOD0RQot6DIWM5mG', 6, , , , 42, 40,
) . . .
DAS
MAS
VTLS
101
Step 3 Using MAS to send the model to VTLS
DAS
MAS
VTLS
Can be done manually by the user(as shown), or
automatically by directly invoking MAS from
DAS with the help of the Launcher
102
The End

• Thank you for viewing the ISTforCE walkthrough
  presentation. We hope it could give you some
  insight of the developed overall system and the
  implemented infrastructure services and
  engineering tools.
• - The ISTforCE team.

Authors All ISTforCE partners. Editor Dr.-Ing.
Peter Katranuschkov, TU Dresden, Germany.