6.3 Suspended Ceiling Design Process - Bilkent University

6.4.4.5 Production of the Matrix and Analyses
Using a Microsoft EXCEL Visual Basic program developed by Qi Dong
(1999) and modified by Sait Emre Pektaş, DSMs were produced
automatically according to the recorded data. The produced DSMs are
of basic binary type in which a number (1) shows the existence of an
information flow. It may be thought that numerical DSMs described in
Chapter 3 would include more in-depth information. However, Browning
(1998) explains that numerical DSMs should be based on initially
developed basic DSMs and that attempts toward developing numerical
DSMs in the absence of any base binary DSM often result in superficial
outputs. Thus, it was expected that binary DSMs would be more
appropriate in this dissertation, since there was no available base DSM
that could be used.
Two DSMs were produced for suspended ceiling design. The system
level DSM (Figure 6.12) shows the information flows between the
suspended ceiling system and four other systems (HVAC distribution
system, structural frame system, lighting system, and floor construction
system). The assembly level DSM (Figure 6.13) shows the information
flows between the parameters that belong to suspended ceiling parts
(main runners and cross tees, panels, plenum, hangers, and wall
angles). Partitioning (Figures 6.14 and 6.15) and banding (Figures 6.16
and 6.17) were made to identify couplings and independent
(concurrent) parameter decisions in the process. The results of the
analyses are presented below.
137