Difference between revisions of "Journal:Advanced engineering informatics: Philosophical and methodological foundations with examples from civil and construction engineering"

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Full article title Advanced engineering informatics: Philosophical and methodological foundations
with examples from civil and construction engineering
Journal Developments in the Built Environment
Author(s) Hartmann, Timo; Trappey, Amy
Author affiliation(s) Technische Universität Berlin, National Tsing Hua University
Primary contact timo dot hartmann at tu-berlin dot de
Year published 2020
Volume and issue 4
Article # 100020
DOI 10.1016/j.dibe.2020.100020
ISSN 2666-1659
Distribution license Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Website https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666165920300168
Download https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666165920300168/pdfft (PDF)

Abstract

We argue that the representation and formalization of complex engineering knowledge is the main aim of inquiries in the scientific field of advanced engineering informatics. We introduce ontology and logic as underlying methods to formalize knowledge. We also suggest that it is important to account for the purpose of engineers and the context they work in while representing and formalizing knowledge. Based on the concepts of ontology, logic, purpose, and context, we discuss different possible research methods and approaches that scholars can use to formalize complex engineering knowledge and to validate whether a specific formalization can support engineers with their complex tasks. On the grounds of this discussion, we suggest that research efforts in advanced engineering should be conducted in a bottom-up manner, closely involving engineering practitioners. We also suggest that researchers make use of social science methods while both eliciting knowledge to formalize and validating that formalized knowledge.

Keywords: advanced engineering informatics, knowledge formalization, knowledge engineering, computing in engineering, research method, engineering

Introduction: Attempting to define advanced engineering informatics

Engineers invent, design, analyze, build, test and maintain complex physical systems, structures, and materials to solve some of societies most urgent problems, but also to improve the quality of life of individuals. Engineering is artifact-centered and concerned with realizing physical products of all shapes, sizes, and functions. Engineers routinely use computers and engineering work is almost entirely digitized. Few tasks are conducted without some sort of digital support. Surprisingly still, some engineering disciplines, and in particular, civil engineers are termed and term themselves as digital laggards. Resistance to apply new digital technologies is high and more often than not the real benefits of applying new digital technologies to support engineering design tasks is not perceived, visible, or existing.


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Notes

This presentation is faithful to the original, with only a few minor changes to presentation. In some cases important information was missing from the references, and that information was added.