ALDRAW: Algorithmic engineering representations

Abstract

Engineering drawings have been the predominant representation of engineering information but have several deficiencies due to their graphical nature. This paper addresses these issues by proposing an algorithmic framework, ALDRAW, to represent engineering information and de-link design option qualification from representation. ALDRAW enhances engineering communication by enabling purposefulness, explainability, information scalability, domain abstraction, active collaboration, version control, knowledge transfer and machine learning in the representations. The framework has been successfully tested on real-world facility layout and other engineering problems, and compared with other proposed approaches in recent literature, demonstrating its potential to improve the engineering process through more effective and efficient information representation. A web application is also developed based on this framework using Django Python for real-world projects. Recommendations towards industry adoption and future research are also highlighted.