Concurrent engineering and electronic data interchange

This paper discusses the evolution of the automated production system used for structural design of large scale industrial facilities at Bechtel's Houston Regional Office. Following an historical overview, the paper presents a detailed discussion of the state of the current production system. The paper describes how progressive developments of the automated production system have lead to the generation of highly detailed structural steel models and how these models are implemented for drawing production, structural steel detailing and fabrication. Several examples of concurrent engineering are furnished throughout the discussion of the automated production system. Finally, recent applications of the production system, including descriptions of Electronic Data Interchange, are presented.