The role of information and communication technologies in engineering network research methodology

Abstract

The article examines the directions of application of information and communication technologies in the methodology of theoretical and practical studies of engineering networks (water supply and sewerage, heat supply, heating and ventilation, gas supply), which are laid in buildings and structures, and are also an important part of the infrastructure of settlements. Development trends and prospects for the introduction of information and communication technologies in engineering networks are analyzed. It was noted that such implementation currently takes place at various levels of technical and technological complexity. In particular, this happens from the technically simple improvement of automation processes for measuring engineering network parameters to the technically and theoretically complex process construction of flexible multi-organizational structures of intelligent engineering network management systems.

In recent decades, there has been a dynamic development of the processes of adaptation and integration into engineering networks of advanced technical systems of information and communication technologies. Such dynamism makes it possible to consider research objects in the engineering network research methodology as an effective integrated production and technological environment. It has been established that the development of this environment is subject to the direction of the formation of an intelligent technical and technological system, which independently performs the functions of monitoring, analysis, and regulation and thus fulfills the tasks of intelligent management of the engineering network programmed by humans. The use of information and communication technologies improves the research methodology regarding work with scientific and technical information; technical design support; application of mathematical apparatus; modeling of objects and processes; preparation, conducting, and obtaining the results of experimental and theoretical studies; generalization, presentation, distribution of research results; management of the scientific research work, intellectualization of engineering networks.