Request for Information (RFI) Recommender System for Pre-Construction Design Review Application Using Natural Language Processing, Chat-GPT, and Computer Vision
Publication: Computing in Civil Engineering 2023
ABSTRACT
Design reviews are critical for construction projects to reduce costly reworks and future conflicts. However, this is a challenging task due to uncertainties during the initial stages of a project, which can lead to numerous requests for information (RFIs). With the recent advancements in language models and computer vision, a large volume of historical RFIs can be leveraged to aid design reviews. This study proposes a novel framework using natural language processing, ChatGPT API, and computer vision techniques to identify the RFIs from previous projects that are more likely to reoccur in the project under review. The framework was tested using RFI data from 19 healthcare construction projects, and a web application was used to evaluate user experiences with the tool. Successful implementation of the proposed framework could reduce the number of RFIs, change orders, rework by contractors, and the likelihood of time and cost overruns for construction projects.
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Published online: Jan 25, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Business management
- Computer languages
- Computer models
- Computer programming
- Computer vision and image processing
- Computing in civil engineering
- Construction costs
- Construction engineering
- Construction management
- Dispute resolution
- Engineering fundamentals
- Information systems
- Legal affairs
- Methodology (by type)
- Models (by type)
- Practice and Profession
- Project management
- Systems engineering
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