AI in Construction: Streamlining Construction Processes with ChatGPT

AI is used in construction to assist with health & safety regulations, create custom tutorials for complicated software, develop cost breakdowns, and task dependency models. Its fast, accurate answers improve efficiency and can be integrated with other platforms, streamlining processes for professionals.

Danny Mitchell, who is the Head of Content Marketing at ArchDesk, has been exploring how AI can be beneficial for construction professionals. ArchDesk is a company that offers training to constructional experts on various topics, including safety and project management. Recently, Danny decided to try out ChatGPT to see how it can assist with health and safety regulations in the construction industry. And, can it give specific recommendations based on local laws? He gave the following prompt to ChatGPT.

Danny asked ChatGPT a couple of questions related to health and safety regulations in the UK roofing sector. First, he asked what regulations he needs to look out for on new jobs.

Input Prompt: I'm a UK specialist contractor in the roofing sector - what health & safety regulations do I need to look out for on new jobs?

Second, he requested ChatGPT to create a risk assessment framework for working at heights.

Input Prompt: can you create a risk assessment for working at height?

Third and final, ChatGPT was asked to fill out a template as an example of how it could provide useful information.

Input Prompt: Can you, just as an example, complete the template please

If you want to learn more about Danny's experiments with ChatGPT, you can read about them in his blog post.

Murillo Piazzi is an architect who specializes in processes and technologies related to Building Information Modelling (BIM). He works as a digital consultant at the BIM Academy and a regular contributor to BIM Plus, a publication that focuses on digital construction technology. Recently, he decided to experiment with ChatGPT to see if it could work in conjunction with leading construction software.

Murillo posed a question to ChatGPT related to Revit, a popular software used in the construction industry. He asked how he could select elements in Revit using their element IDs.

Input Prompt: Good morning! I am an architect trying to find information about a functionality in Revit 2022. I have received a list with elements IDs. How can I select elements in Revit 2022 through their ID?

According to Murillo, using ChatGPT is a quicker, more efficient way to obtain information on software functionality. It saves users time that would otherwise be spent scouring the internet or reading through lengthy forum discussions. ChatGPT can provide fast answers to questions, which can be especially helpful for people who need quick solutions.

Murillo also highlights that ChatGPT can be integrated with other platforms via API. This means that it can be utilized as a chat feature on a company website or within authoring tools. This allows teams to quickly ask questions about any software they are using, without the need to search for answers elsewhere.

If you want to learn more about Murrilo's experiments with ChatGPT, you can read about them in his blog post.

PMWeb is a Florida-based company that specializes in construction program management software. In a recent blog post, the company showcased how ChatGPT can be utilized by construction professionals to create cost breakdown structures for their construction projects.

Construction professionals require a comprehensive list of processes and actions that need to be completed during their construction projects. These processes and actions are organized into a cost breakdown structure, which is an essential tool for managing construction projects. To get started, the first prompt given to ChatGPT was to generate a cost breakdown structure.

Input Prompt: I need the cost breakdown structure for a building project

After the prompt was given, ChatGPT provided a list of eight areas that should be covered in the cost breakdown structure (CBS). While this was not the breakdown structure that was expected, it was still a helpful starting point for anyone who wants to provide input on what should be included in the CBS.

Following that, ChatGPT was prompted to provide a second level of detail for the CBS. Specifically, it was asked to provide more information regarding the first item on the list, which was "Site Preparation".

Input Prompt: For the site preparation of a building project, what details it should include?

ChatGPT suggested a list of nine items that could be included in the second level of detail for "Site Preparation". Of course, one could have continued to ask additional questions to further expand the levels of the cost breakdown structure to reach the necessary level of detail for controlling project costs.

However, instead of pursuing further details for the CBS, ChatGPT was asked about what should be considered in the project contingency allowance.

Input Prompt: What are the items that need to be covered in the Contingency cost of a building project?

ChatGPT provided a list of nine items related to project contingency, which can be utilized in various cost management processes such as cost estimates, budgets, commitments, revenue contracts, invoices, and timesheets. This information can be used to create the cost breakdown structure (CBS) for a construction project. To capture these details in a structured format, the PMWeb Project Management Information System (PMIS) cost code module or similar platforms can be used.

If you want to learn more about PMWeb's experiments with ChatGPT, you can read about them in this blog post.

According to PMWeb, ChatGPT has the ability to cover various project management perspectives, including schedule, quality, health and safety, security, environment (HSSE), sustainability, and communications, among others. In this case, it was prompted to provide a checklist of items to inspect for the waterproofing of a roof on a building.

Input Prompt: what should I inspect for roof waterproofing on a building?

ChatGPT provided a list of eight items that should be inspected for waterproofing a roof on a building. To ensure that these items are properly verified during the inspection, the project team can create a Work Inspection Request (WIR) for the "07 24 00 Thermal and Moisture Protection Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems" using the PMWeb Project Management Information System (PMIS).

Customized work inspection requests can be created for each building system using the PMWeb Project Management Information System (PMIS). However, it is important to ensure that these inspection checklists are consistent with the specifications outlined in the project's contract documents. These documents are an essential component of the project and must be carefully reviewed and adhered to during the inspection process.

If you want to learn more about PMWeb's experiments with ChatGPT, you can read about them in this blog post.

Waqas Ahmad is a Senior Project Planning Engineer at Osmani Consultants. He’s a seasoned international project management consultant and trainer, with expertise in the UAE, KSA, Qatar, and Pakistan. With ten years of experience in project management, he has successfully implemented process development strategies to enhance profitability and achieve targets.

Waqas emphasizes the significance of understanding the sequence of activities in construction projects for planning engineers. He showcases how ChatGPT can be utilized by planning engineers to generate a task dependency model for building construction projects. The information provided by ChatGPT can be used in Primavera 6 or similar software to create a dependency model.

Input Prompt: I want Building Construction Project Task dependency model

The details provided by ChatGPT are presented in a proper sequence and categorized, making it useful for internal discussions, brainstorming, and finalizing activity dependencies.

You can watch his demonstration video here (the demo is in Hindi, not english)