Integrating concurrent engineering concepts in a steelwork construction project

The aim of this paper is to present a methodology for integrating Concurren t Engineering (CE) concepts in a steelwork construction project. Difference s between construction sector and manufacturing sector are first reviewed t hrough the description of the specificities of the construction sector in t erms of organisations and main features projects. The second part presents an integrated product and process model currently developed by the authors (ProMICE project). CE concepts are introduced acco rding to a two axes methodology, a first axis describing the "working metho d" and a second providing a way of representing "CE knowledge" through the description of CE specificity. This axis also defines a way of "translating " those concepts into the generic representation of the model. One objective of the ProMICE project is to identify changes needed by this transition from the traditional approach towards CE approach. then to repre sent them, in the domain of steelwork construction.