Ron Sharpe

An interactive model for the layout of buildings

Abstract The TOPAZ model and its derivatives, TOPLAY and TOPMET which have been developed for sketch planning design of buildings, are presented and their use is illustrated by application to a 40 000 m2 insurance building. TOPMET introduces a completely new approach to solve the inherently difficult quadratic assignment layout problem. The new approach is relatively simple and readily adaptable to microcomputer usage in an interactive form using colour graphics. It also exhibits artificial intelligence behaviour and offers further development possibilities. The paper concludes that while the sketch planning phase of multi-storey building design has received relatively little attention from computer modellers to date, the use of models such as those described in conjunction with inexpensive colour graphic microcomputers is now set for extensive development and application.

Towards a unifying theory for modelling urban systems

Abstract A unifying theory is proposed in which predictive and prescriptive models of urban development are shown to be special cases of a more general model, in which community and individual welfare objectives may be combined in a weighted fashion. To illustrate the theory, the TOPAZ model is revised into a more flexible form with a widened scope of application and interpretation.

A regional planning model and its application to South Eastern Australia

Abstract A mathematical regional planning model is developed primarily for Australian conditions but is sufficiently general for applications elsewhere. The model has an input-output framework with constraints on labour, production, investment, exports and imports, and consumption. The objective function of the model includes production, labour, intermediate demand, consumption, investment, export and import terms (all linear) plus transportation cost terms (quasi-quadratic). The objective and the constraints may be manipulated to reflect various community goals such as maximize exports minus imports, minimize or constrain unemployment, minimize investment, etc.

Solution of the facilities layout problem by simulated annealing

Abstract The simulated annealing method (SAM) is a radically new and powerful approach to solving certain integer optimization problems. The paper describes its application to the facility layout problem (QAP) and shows how it can generally match or produce superior solutions to the best known values for classical benchmark problems. The technique is also suited to microcomputer solution using interactive graphics for practical layout problems.

Evaluation of alternative growth patterns in urban systems

Abstract The paper describes the formulation of the general planning model, TOPAZ (Technique for the Optimum Placement of Activities into Zones) and its application to evaluating and optimizing alternative growth patterns in urban systems. TOPAZ identifies an urban system as a set of interacting activities to be allocated to a set of zones to maximize an objective of overall benefit less cost of interaction between activities together with the benefit less cost of establishment of the activities, over a set of time periods. The model takes the form of a non-linear assignment problem with linear constraints, and is solved using iterative linear programming. The model is illustrated by application at a macro level to the evaluation of alternative corridor growth patterns for the city of Melbourne (population 2.4 million) over three time periods, 1970–80–90–2000. Two activities are involved, residential and employment activity, and the interactions consist of work, residential, industrial and commercial trips. The city is divided into forty zones.

Expert systems for urban and building planning and management

Abstract Expert systems enable knowledge and expertise to be captured and disseminated widely to increase the quality, safety and maintainability of cities, buildings and transport systems. The paper discusses several applications including the control of a metropolitan water and sewerage system, wind loads on buildings including environmental effects, building regulations and environmental noise control from very fast trains.

Flow Process Analysis in Construction

It is argued that the flow process analysis essentially provides two new options for improvement of production: elimination or reduction of non value adding activities (also called waste) in flow processes and increase of output value from the customer point of view. The typical categories of waste and value loss in a construction project are analyzed in this framework, and the corresponding improvement or redesign prescriptions for construction flow processes are determined.

Wind loads on buildings expert system - WINDLOADER

Abstract The Australian Standard, Minimum Design Loads on Structures, part 2: Wind Loads (AS1170.2 - 1983) has been extensively revised over the past three years, and a new version will be released in early 1989. The text has also been represented in a rule-based form using Expert Systems techniques, providing further input to the Standards Australia Committee work by checking for logical inconsistences. In addition, project details may be documented, stored and retrieved for modification, and graphics have been used to enhance explanation in the use of the Code and to avoid input errors. The paper will highlight some of the problems encountered in the development of the expert system, called WINDLOADER, and the expected benefits for users when it is released with the revised Code.

Windloader KBS - from prototype to the market

Abstract The Australian Standard, Minimum Design Loads on Structures: Part 2-Wind Loads (AS 1170.2) has been extensively revised, and many comments made during the public revision have been incorporated. The text has also been represented in a rule-based form using expert systems techniques, providing further input to the SAA Committee work by checking for logical inconsistencies and, in addition, using graphical input to enhance use of the Code and to avoid input errors. The paper will show how AS 11 70.2 (hereafter called the Wind Code) has been transferred into knowledge-based form, pointing out some of the problems that have been encountered and are likely to occur during any similar process: A Code text written for manual use will, in general, not be as well organized, complete and logically consistent as a computer software version requires to avoid failure. The computer version of the document must be understood by the experts to make validation of the knowledge base possible. Only very expensive c...

Optimizing Urban Futures

Mental, descriptive, or mathematical modelling processes are often used to predict or prescribe the future. The certainty of such projections can be improved by careful selection of the modelling criteria. Information theory is used to develop models that maximize the use of available information, which may include observed data, system constraints, and community objectives. The use of game and information theory is explored via a combined land-use and transportation planning model to project the development of an urban system from the viewpoints of different groups and the decisions they control. This model can optimize future urban form by means of a weighted set of planning and behavioural goals. Variables include new activity, demolitions of existing activity, transport flows, and energy consumption. Solutions are generated by optimizing the model under cooperative and noncooperative gaming conditions. The use of subsidies and surcharges to manipulate solutions towards a compromise or equilibrium is discussed.