The Application of Internet and Mobile Technologies to New Pipeline Construction Management
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Abhay Chand
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Abhay Chand
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Abstract
Internet and GIS technologies have radically changed our lives over the last decade and half. Over the years, with the application of these technologies, GIS based risk & integrity management solutions have become more advanced, but new pipeline construction has seen little change (or technology leverage) for project and data management. This paper will develop a detailed look at how the current mobile, Internet and GIS technologies can be used in concert to make new pipeline construction more efficient and to bring a very high level of traceability and quality control into the exercise. We will begin with building an understanding of the key aspects of the construction management process, which can be improved and benefited through the use of such technologies. An example would be the validation of “construction” against “design” on a real time basis. For instance pipeline design demands for heavy wall pipe to be laid at a certain location, however, on the field during construction, pipe of a different wall thickness was strung at the given mileage. Using conventional methods a situation could occur, where the pipe gets welded at that location and even probably lowered into the ditch, before the paper-based quality assurance reporting catches up with the error. The paper will then go on to elucidate how these technologies can lend to a high level of traceability of material and installation. This can be enabled through capture of data points at the source location in the entire value chain, starting at the very beginning, i.e. the point of production of pipes and other material. Finally, the paper will lay out the methodology of implementing such a solution successfully for a new construction project and what its component pieces are.