33rd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 33) - Osaka and Kyoto, Japan - 2025

https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0196

Development of a Space Constraint Management Ontology for Lean Construction: Enhancing Constraint Management in Steel Fabrication Projects

Zeyu Mao1, Rafiq Ahmad2, Farook Hamzeh3 & Vicente A. Gonzalez4

1PhD researcher, Faculty of Engineering - Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1115-7842
2Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9353-3380
3Professor, Faculty of Engineering - Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3986-9534
4Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Digital Lean Construction, Faculty of Engineering - Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3408-3863

Abstract

Effective constraint management is critical for the successful implementation of the Last Planner System (LPS), particularly during the lookahead planning phase. However, space-related constraints are not well represented in current LPS implementation. This paper addresses this gap by introducing a Space Constraint Management Ontology (SCMO) to represent and manage the intricate spatial management constraints during construction tasks. The SCMO is developed using the Ontology 101 methodology, an accessible and feasible methodology for building ontologies through a well-structured seven-step process. Afterwards, the SCMO is applied in the context of a steel fabrication project. SCMO conveys steel fabrication logistics and space-related concepts, including safety distances between factory entities, following Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety regulations. This study advanced the constraint management process in current LPS practices, offering a valuable knowledge base for improving space management efficiency and safety in construction sites.

Keywords

Lean construction, constraint management, semantic web, ontology, steel fabrication.

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Reference in APA 7th edition format:

Mao, Z., Ahmad, R., Hamzeh, F. & Gonzalez, V. A.. (2025). Development of a Space Constraint Management Ontology for Lean Construction: Enhancing Constraint Management in Steel Fabrication Projects. In Seppänen, O., Koskela, L., & Murata , K. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 33) (pp. 1035–1045). https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0196

Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:

Mao, Z., Ahmad, R., Hamzeh, F. & Gonzalez, V. A.. (2025). Development of a Space Constraint Management Ontology for Lean Construction: Enhancing Constraint Management in Steel Fabrication Projects. IGLC33. https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0196

 

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