Patent Publication Number: US-2015073576-A1

Title: Construction process management system and construction process management method

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a plant construction process management system and a plant construction management method that manages the construction process of a plant by section and by system thereof. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     When carrying our work to construct a nuclear power plant or a thermal power plant out, a process chart is created and process management is performed on the basis of the process chart. Nowadays, the development of tools that electronically simulate the circumstances of construction work using a three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) system and a process management system is proceeding. Such tools enhance the accuracy of work design drawings and make it possible to visualize the state of progression. 
     For example, Patent Document 1 discloses technology that visualizes transitions in the installation of equipment modules and members in accordance with a process chart by performing moving-image simulation using the shapes of the equipment modules and members. 
     RELATED ART DOCUMENTS 
     Patent Document 
     Patent Document 1 
     
         
         Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-262829 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
     At the initial stage of work to construct a plant, section-based construction work management is performed by. Section-based construction work management is a method that manages construction work in small room units that are selected based on a laying route, a work sequence and a work amount of construction work that are related to equipment as represented by plumbing, electrical instrumentation or air conditioning equipment. 
     When the construction work progressiones and the power supply board begins to receive electricity, the construction work is thereafter managed with respect to each function and system of the plant facilities (in-service of the equipment in the plant). And then, it becomes possible to manage the system-based construction work. System-based construction work management is a method that manages the state of the progression of construction work of each section or for item of equipment associated with a system by function (by system). 
     As described above, in the initial stage of construction work, section-based construction work management is adopted, and a section-based process chart is used. Therefore, as the construction work progressiones it is necessary to separately create a system-based process chart in order to manage the construction work from the two viewpoints of section-based management and system-based management. 
     However, in the case of creating a system-based process chart at an intermediate stage or latter stage of construction work, it is needed to create or alter the system-based process chart based on a section-based process chart. This work requires a great deal of time and effort, and complicates the management. 
     Further, the time that the power supply board begins to receive electricity is in the latter stage of the plant construction work. Since there is a tendency for the number of construction work items and the number of man hours accompanying such construction work to increase in processes performed in the later stage, the time for creating and the volume of section-based and system-based process charts as well as the time required to create the process charts increase. 
     The present invention has been conceived in consideration of the above described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a construction process management system and a construction process management method that can unify section-based construction work management and system-based construction work management and reduce the time required for process chart creation. 
     Means for Solving the Problem 
     To solve the above described problems, a construction process management system according to the present invention comprises: a storage unit that stores work information relating to work that is carried out during construction work of a plant, as well as section information, period information, and system information that are associated with the work information, of which the section information relates to a section in which the work is carried out among a plurality of sections that are defined in the plant, the period information relates to a period for carrying out the work and the system information relates to a system to which the work belongs among systems that are under the executing of the construction work; a process chart generation unit that extracts the work information for each of the section information items, and generates a section-based process chart that shows a process of the work for each of the sections based on the period information of the work information that is extracted; and a conversion unit that converts the section-based process chart to a system-based process chart that shows a process of the work for each of the systems based on the system information. 
     Advantages of the Invention 
     According to the construction process management system and the construction process management method according to the present invention, section-based construction work management and system-based construction work management can be unified and a time period required for process chart creation can be reduced. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a construction process management system according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an explanatory drawing that illustrates an example of process data that is stored in a process data storage unit and CAD data that is stored in a CAD data storage unit. 
         FIG. 3  is an explanatory drawing that illustrates an example of a section-based process chart. 
         FIG. 4  is an explanatory drawing that conceptually illustrates a simulation moving image. 
         FIG. 5  is an explanatory drawing that illustrates a section-based process chart of selected sections. 
         FIG. 6  is an explanatory drawing that conceptually illustrates a simulation moving image relating to a section B and a section C. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart that illustrates process chart conversion processing that is executed by the construction process management system according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is an explanatory drawing that illustrates an example of a system-based process chart relating to a system A. 
         FIG. 9  is an explanatory drawing that conceptually illustrates a simulation moving image relating to the system A. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart that illustrates process editing processing that is executed by the construction process management system according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is an explanatory drawing that illustrates a section-based process chart before editing, in a case of editing a work period of a section-based process chart. 
         FIG. 12  is an explanatory drawing that illustrates the section-based process chart after editing, in the case of editing a work period of a section-based process chart. 
         FIG. 13  is an explanatory drawing that illustrates an example of a system-based process chart that is generated based on the section-based process chart after editing. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     One embodiment of the construction process management system and the construction process management method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The construction process management system and the management method thereof according to the present embodiment can be applied to management of processes when constructing various kinds of plants such as, for example, a nuclear power plant or a thermal power plant. 
       FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the construction process management system according to the present invention.  FIG. 2  is an explanatory drawing illustrating an example of process data  20  that is stored in a process data storage unit  10  and CAD data  21  that is stored in a CAD data storage unit  11 . 
     The construction process management system  1  includes a process data storage unit  10 , a three-dimensional CAD data storage unit (CAD data storage unit)  11 , a data processor  12 , an input apparatus  13 , and an output apparatus  14 . 
     The process data storage unit  10  stores data (process data  20 ) that is used by the process management system that manages work processes of construction work. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the process data storage unit  10  stores a work name, work information, section information and period information that are associated with each other. The work name is, for example, a name that is assigned for distinguishing the work in a process chart. The work information is information that is uniquely assigned to a plurality of work items to be carried out during the plant construction work. The section information is information relating to sections in which the work is carried out among a plurality of sections defined within the plant. The sections are defined in respective small room units that are selected based on a laying route, a work sequence, and a work amount of construction work that are related to equipment as represented by plumbing, electrical instrumentation or air conditioning equipment. The period information is information relating to a period within which the work is to be performed (a starting date and time and an ending date and time). 
     The three-dimensional CAD data storage unit (CAD data storage unit)  11  stores data (CAD data  21 ) that is used by a three-dimensional CAD system (3D CAD) that creates design drawings of plant facilities. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the CAD data storage unit  11  stores shape data, work information and system information that are associated with each other. The shape data is data that shows the shapes of members that are used in work relating to plumbing, electrical instrumentation, air conditioning equipment and other equipment (referred to simply as “work”). The CAD data storage unit  11  stores the shape data and work information regarding work in which the members shown by the shape data are used, in association with each other. The work performed during the construction work belongs to one of the systems, and the respective systems are constituted by one or a plurality of members (shape data). The system information is information relating to the system to which the shape data belongs among the systems of the plant. In other words, the system information is a value that is associated with shape data of members that comprise the system to which the work belongs. 
     A storage unit built in an existing process management system or a 3D CAD system may be utilized for the process data storage unit  10  and the CAD data storage unit  11 . In this case, the construction process management system  1  acquires the data stored in the respective storage units  10  and  11  through a network. Further, the process data storage unit  10  and the CAD data storage unit  11  may be inherently built in the construction process management system  1 . In this case, it is not necessary for the CAD data storage unit  11  and the process data storage unit  10  to be separated; these can be in a common storage unit. 
     The data processor  12  includes a process chart generation unit  23 , a simulation unit  24 , a data conversion unit  25  and a process editing unit  26 . 
     The process chart generation unit  23  generates a section-based process chart based on process data that is stored in the process data storage unit  10 . The term “section-based process chart” refers to a process chart which shows work processes in a state in which the work processes are divided according to respective sections. In the section-based process chart, for example, sections are allocated to the ordinate axis and time is allocated to the abscissa axis, and a (length of a) period in which the respective items of work are to be carried out is shown by a (length of a) process bar. 
     The simulation unit  24  simulates the state of construction work in accordance with a section-based process chart or a system-based process chart based on data that is stored in the CAD data storage unit  11 . That is, the simulation unit  24  uses shape data to schematically visualize (create design drawings of) the state of the progression of work in accordance with each process chart. In the present embodiment, since the shape data is three-dimensional data, the state of the progression of work is simulated three-dimensionally. 
     The data conversion unit  25  converts a section-based process chart that was generated by the process chart generation unit  23  to a system-based process chart. The term “system-based process chart” refers to a process chart which shows work processes in a state in which the work processes are divided according to respective systems. In the system-based process chart, for example, system names are allocated to the ordinate axis and time is allocated to the abscissa axis, and the length of a period in which the respective items of work are to be carried out is shown by a process bar. The data conversion unit  25  converts the section-based process chart based on system information that is associated with the work information. Processing that is performed by the data conversion unit  25  is described in detail later. 
     The process editing unit  26  alters period information of work in each process chart based on an input that is accepted through the input apparatus  13 . Processing that is performed by the process editing unit  26  is described in detail later. 
     The input apparatus  13  is an apparatus such as a keyboard or a mouse, and is an apparatus for allowing the data processor  12  to accept an instruction from an operator. The output apparatus  14  is an apparatus such as a display or a printer, and is an apparatus for presenting a processing result obtained by the data processor  12  to an operator. 
     Next, the actions of the construction process management system  1  in the present embodiment will be described. 
     First, a section-based process chart that is generated by the process chart generation unit  23  and a simulation moving image that is generated by the simulation unit  24  will be described. 
       FIG. 3  is an explanatory drawing that illustrates an example of a section-based process chart  30 .  FIG. 4  is an explanatory drawing that conceptually illustrates a simulation moving image  34 . For convenience in the description, the simulation moving image  34  is illustrated with a plan view. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in the section-based process chart  30 , sections are allocated to the ordinate axis and time is allocated to the abscissa axis, and a bar (hereunder, referred to as “process bar”)  31  is used to show a period in which the respective items of work are to be carried out. A work name that is recognizable by the operator is displayed on each process bar  31 . In  FIG. 3 , the work names are “work item 1” to “work item 5”. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , in the simulation moving image  34 , shape data included in section A  35   a  to section D  35   d  is displayed three-dimensionally. Boundaries between the respective sections from section A  35   a  to section D  35   d  are shown with dashed lines. Further, shape data A  36   a  to shape data E  36   e  is used as the shape data in section A  35   a  to section D  35   d.    
     Members relating to shape data A  36   a  to shape data C  36   c  are members comprising system A as one system in the plant, and system A is associated with the shape data A  36   a  to shape data C  36   c . Further, members relating to shape data D  36   d  and shape data E  36   e  are members comprising system B, and system B is associated with the shape data D  36   d  and shape data E  36   e.    
     The shape data A  36   a  is a member that is arranged so as to extend from section B  35   b  to section D  35   d . The shape data B  36   b  is a member that is arranged in section A  35   a . The shape data C  36   c  is a member that is arranged in section D  35   d . The shape data D  36   d  is a member that is arranged in section A  35   a . The shape data E  36   e  is a member that is arranged in section C  35   c.    
     The simulation unit  24  simulates the state of construction work according to a process in the section-based process chart  30  in  FIG. 3 . For example, if the process bar  31  in the section-based process chart  30  is selected by an operator, the simulation unit  24  simulates the state of work based on the process data  20  and the CAD data  21  relating to the process bar  31 . For example, based on the period information stored in the process data storage unit  10 , the simulation unit  24  displays only members (shape data) relating to construction work that has already been completed, and does not display members relating to construction work with respect to which work has not yet been performed. The operator can visually figure out the state of the construction work. The simulation unit  24  may also simulate the state of work in accordance with information such as a section and a date and time that is inputted by an operator. 
     In the present embodiment, it is sufficient that the simulation moving image  34  is generated in association with the section-based process chart  30 , and so the display method and generation method are not limited to those described above, and known technology can be applied. In addition, the simulation unit  24  may generate a still image at a certain time as the simulation result, and not only a moving image. 
     The construction process management system  1  can also generate the section-based process chart  30  and the simulation moving image  34  of only sections selected by the operator. 
       FIG. 5  is an explanatory drawing illustrating the section-based process chart  30  for selected sections. The process chart generation unit  23  accepts the input of a section name of a section for which to display the section-based process chart  30 , that the operator inputs through the input apparatus  13 . At this time, the input apparatus  13  accepts input of one or a plurality of sections. In a case where “section B  35   b ” and “section C  35   c ” are selected, the process chart generation unit  23  refers to the process data storage unit  10  and reads out the process data  20  having the section information relating to “section B  35   b ” and “section C  35   c ” that were inputted. 
     The simulation unit  24  generates the simulation moving image  34  that relates to the inputted sections, and outputs the generated simulation moving image  34  by means of the output apparatus  14 .  FIG. 6  is an explanatory drawing that conceptually shows the simulation moving image  34  relating to section B  35   b  and section C  35   c . In the simulation moving image  34  shown in  FIG. 6 , the state of construction work in section B  35   b  and section C  35   c  is simulated. The simulation unit  24 , for example, displays only shape data A  36   a  and shape data E  36   e  that are included in section B  35   b  and section C  35   c , and does not display the shape data for section A  35   a  and section D  35   d.    
     The output apparatus  14  outputs the section-based process chart  30  and the simulation moving image  34  that are generated. The operator can easily obtain the section-based process chart  30  relating to a desired section, and can review the construction plan while confirming the relation between a plurality of sections based on the detailed schedule plan for one section. 
     Next, processing when converting the section-based process chart  30  and the simulation moving image  34  to a system-based process chart and a simulation moving image are described. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart that illustrates process chart conversion processing that is executed by the construction process management system  1  according to the present embodiment. 
     In step S 1 , the input apparatus  13  accepts input by the operator of a system name of a system for which to display the system-based process chart  40  and the simulation moving image  34 . At this time, the input apparatus  13  accepts input of one or a plurality of systems. The input apparatus  13 , for example, accepts input of “system A”. The input apparatus  13  supplies the inputted system name to the data processor  12 . 
     In step S 2 , the data conversion unit  25  of the data processor  12  extracts work (processes) belonging to the inputted system name from the section-based process chart  30 . That is, the data conversion unit  25  refers to the work information of each process shown in the section-based process chart  30 , and extracts work having work information which system information relating to the inputted system name is associated with. For example, the data conversion unit  25  extracts only work relating to system A from the section-based process chart  30  shown in  FIG. 3 . Further, in a case where a plurality of system names were inputted in the inputting step S 1 , the data conversion unit  25  extracts work for each item of system information. 
     In step S 3 , the data conversion unit  25  rearranges the processes extracted in the extracting step S 2  for each of the inputted systems, and generates the system-based process chart  40  relating to the inputted systems. 
       FIG. 8  is an explanatory drawing showing an example of the system-based process chart  40  relating to system A. In the system-based process chart  40 , a system name is allocated to the ordinate axis and time is allocated to the abscissa axis, and periods in which respective work items are to be carried out are shown using process bars  41 . That is, the system-based process chart  40  shown in  FIG. 8  corresponds to a chart for which only work associated with system A is extracted from the section-based process chart  30  in  FIG. 3 , and the extracted work has been rearranged and displayed. Further, in a case where a plurality of system names were inputted in the inputting step S 1 , the data conversion unit  25  converts the section-based process chart to the system-based process chart  40  by rearranging the extracted processes for each system. Together with the process bar  41 , the data conversion unit  25  also displays the section name to which the process of each work item belongs. 
     The simulation unit  24  generates a simulation moving image that relates to the system that was inputted. The simulation unit  24  refers to the CAD data storage unit  11 , and reads out shape data having system information that relates to the inputted system name.  FIG. 9  is an explanatory drawing that conceptually shows the simulation moving image  44  relating to system A. For example, the simulation unit  24  simulates the state of construction work of the shape data A  36   a  to shape data C  36   c  that are associated with “system A”. 
     The output apparatus  14  outputs the system-based process chart  40  and the simulation moving image  44  that were generated. 
     According to the construction process management system  1  that executes the above described process chart conversion processing, the section-based process chart  30  and the system-based process chart  40  can be easily generated in accordance with the stage of the construction work. More specifically, at the initial stage of construction work, the construction process management system  1  can provide the section-based process chart  30  that corresponds to management units of the construction work. On the other hand, when the construction work progressiones and the management units of the construction work have changed to system-based units, the construction process management system  1  can provide the system-based process chart  40  that is electronically generated on a computer based on the section-based process chart  30 . That is, the construction process management system  1  can automatically convert the section-based process chart  30  to the system-based process chart  40 , and can thereby reduce the time and costs that are required to create a new system-based process chart  40 . 
     Further, the construction process management system  1  can output the simulation moving images  34  and  44  that correspond to the section-based process chart  30  and the system-based process chart  40  together with those process charts. Thus, the construction process management system  1  can make the state of the construction work visually recognizable. 
     Further, the construction process management system  1  can convert one kind or more among a process chart and a simulation moving image between a section-based format and a system-based format, and can make the process of construction work visually recognizable from two viewpoints. Thus, the construction process management system  1  can decrease the occurrence of erroneous recognition of work and also the occurrence of needless work that is based on such erroneous recognition, and as a result can reduce the time required to review work. 
     By converting the section-based process chart  30  (and simulation moving image  34 ) to the system-based process chart  40  (and simulation moving image  44 ) using the construction process management system  1 , the operator can visually recognize whether all construction work and electrical and instrumentation testing has been completed before starting to test the systems of the plant. Further, in a case where construction work is not completed, the operator can obtain an image by means of 3D CAD (simulation moving image) of the contents of the remaining construction work and also confirm the existence of interfering objects that will constitute a problem, and thus a review time period in the construction plan can be reduced. 
     The information comprising the display of the section-based process chart  30  and the system-based process chart  40  is the same, and only the display methods are different. Consequently, the construction process management system  1  can reduce the occurrence of input errors that arise when performing work to separately create the system-based process chart  40 . 
     Next, processing for editing a work period through the section-based process chart  30  that is executed by the process editing unit  26  will be described. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart that illustrates process editing processing that is executed by the construction process management system  1  according to the present embodiment. 
       FIG. 11  is an explanatory drawing that illustrates the section-based process chart  30  before editing, in the case of editing a work period of the section-based process chart  30 .  FIG. 12  is an explanatory drawing that illustrates the section-based process chart  30  after editing, in the case of editing a work period of the section-based process chart  30 . 
     In  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , the process editing processing is described using the section-based process chart  30  of section B  35   b  and section C  35   c  as one example. 
     In step S 11 , the input apparatus  13  accepts contents for editing a work period that are input by an operator by moving the process bar  31  of a work period (period information) that the operator wants to alter. For example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the operator moves a process bar  31   a  of section B  35   b  to which work item 1 has been allocated to the right using the input apparatus  13  such as a mouse, to thereby delay the work period relative to the initial period (delay the starting date and time and the ending date and time). The input apparatus  13  supplies the inputted editing contents to the data processor  12 . 
     In step S 12 , the process editing unit  26  of the data processor  12  reflects the editing contents in the process data storage unit  10 . That is, the process editing unit  26  edits the process data  20  relating to the work item 1 in accordance with the contents of the input operation. Note that a configuration may also be adopted in which the process editing unit  26  provides a storage region in the data processor  12  and stores the relevant alteration in the storage region, and does not alter the process data  20  in the process data storage unit  10 . 
     In step S 13 , the process editing unit  26  regenerates the section-based process chart  30  in which the inputted editing contents are reflected. Further, the simulation unit  24  also regenerates the simulation moving image  34  in accordance with the alterations in the section-based process chart  30 . Because the period in which the construction work is carried out is delayed, the display timing of members relating to the altered work is also delayed. That is, the timing at which the members (shape data) relating to work item 1 of section B  35   b  are displayed is delayed. The output apparatus  14  outputs the section-based process chart  30  and the simulation moving image  34  that were generated. 
     Thereafter, for example, upon accepting an instruction from the operator to convert the section-based process chart  30  to the system-based process chart  40 , similarly to the extracting step S 2  and generating and outputting step S 3  in  FIG. 7  described above, the data conversion unit  25  generates the system-based process chart  40  based on the section-based process chart  30  after editing. 
       FIG. 13  is an explanatory drawing illustrating an example of the system-based process chart  40  that is generated based on the section-based process chart  30  after editing. 
     In the system-based process chart  40  in  FIG. 13 , the display position of the process bar  31   b  corresponding to the work item 1 of section B  35   b  that was altered in the section-based process chart  30  has moved to the right side in comparison to the system-based process chart  40  shown in  FIG. 8 . That is, the period in which the process is carried out is automatically altered and displayed. Further, the simulation unit  24  delays the timing at which the members relating to the work item 1 of section B  35   b  are displayed in the simulation moving image  44  relative to the timing before the alteration. 
     Thus, according to the construction process management system  1 , a work period that was altered in the section-based process chart  30  can be automatically reflected in the system-based process chart  40 . That is, even in a case where the period of a work process was altered, the construction process management system  1  can reduce the work of an operator to individually reflect the alteration in the system-based process chart  40 . 
     Further, according to the construction process management system  1 , in the case of constructing a plant having design specifications that are similar to design specifications to be used thereafter, section-based process charts  30  that were already generated can be easily edited and used, and creation time periods and creation costs relating to the section-based process charts  30  and system-based process charts  40  can be reduced. 
     In addition, according to the construction process management system  1 , since alterations to the section-based process chart  30  and the system-based process chart  40  can be converted into electronic information, by notifying alterations and revisions in the section-based process chart  30  to the manager of the system-based process chart  40 , a creation time period and creation costs with respect to a revised version of the system-based process chart  40  that accompany work to alter the system-based process chart  40  can be reduced. 
     Further, the information comprising the display of the section-based process chart  30  and the system-based process chart  40  is the same, and only the display methods are different. Consequently, the construction process management system  1  can reduce the occurrence of input errors that arise when performing work to separately alter the system-based process chart  40  after altering and revising the section-based process chart  30 . 
     That is, the construction process management system  1  and the management method thereof according to the present embodiment can unify section-based construction work management and system-based construction work management and reduce the time required to create process charts. 
     Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the gist of the inventions. These embodiments and the modifications thereof are included within the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the inventions described in the accompanying claims and their equivalents. 
     The technique described in the present embodiment can be written on, for example, a storage medium such as a magnetic disc, an optical disc, or a semiconductor memory as a program that a computer can be caused to execute, and applied to various apparatuses, and can also be transmitted by means of a communication medium and applied to various apparatuses. A computer that realizes the present apparatus executes the above described processing by reading the program that was recorded on the storage medium, and having the operations thereof controlled by the program. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               1  construction process management system 
               10  process data storage unit 
               11  three-dimensional CAD data storage unit (CAD data storage unit) 
               12  data processor 
               13  input apparatus 
               14  output apparatus 
               20  process data 
               21  CAD data 
               23  process chart generation unit 
               24  simulation unit 
               25  data conversion unit 
               26  process editing unit 
               30  section-based process chart 
               31 ,  41  process bar 
               34 ,  44  simulation moving image 
               40  system-based process chart