Computing and Information Technology (IT) Research in Civil Engineering—Self-Fulfilling or Industry Transforming?

Abstract

Numerous exciting research projects on various aspects of computing and information technology IT in civil engineering have been undertaken over the last twenty years. Note that Computing and IT are used broadly to cover both software and hardwarerelated projects. The outcomes of many of these projects have been widely published in the Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering. Many of these projects have resulted in proof-ofconcept prototype IT systems that tend to have very little or no use beyond the end of the project. In light of this, there are some critical questions that must be asked with regard to both the quality of the research undertaken and the publications associated with them: • How many of these computing and IT research projects have constituted stepping stones for other researchers in the domain? • How many of the resulting prototype systems have evolved into successful commercial systems over time? • How many of the outcomes of these projects have been adopted by the industry, especially at the field/jobsite level? • How many of these have moved computing and IT in civil engineering forward in a meaningful way? These questions challenge the long-term utility of proof-ofconcept prototype systems, the underlying research and the associated publications. It may be rightly argued that research prototypes do not need to address all the above issues; but it could also be argued that those that do not address any of these questions are of dubious value. This may be a harsh conclusion, but it is one that funding agencies are increasingly being required to explore. The first question relates to the scientific merit of the research undertaken. Surely, if the computing/IT model, prototype or system developed is sound and underpinned by excellent and rigorous research, then other researchers will build on it without having to reinvent the wheel. We recognize that there are legal and other considerations that limit the extent to which research results are exploited by other researchers. However, there are very few instances of researchers being denied access to results and systems on those bases. The lack of use of previous research may be because the prototypes and other outputs are not as robust as we claim in our publications, and often keel over under close examination. It could also be that we are not as confident about