Thomas Sisson -Blog Post #5

SQL – What is it and why is it important?

          SQL – or Structured Query Language – is a very basic way to interact with elements in a database. It uses various standard commands such as Create, Insert, Delete, etc. to accomplish everything necessary to create and maintain a database. Many database programs use these standard commands, while some also add their own proprietary commands to the list. The basic nature of SQL is to provide a simple and easy to understand way to access database elements in order to limit the necessary skill to run the database. Before SQL, the interaction with a database was much more brute force, with what was called a Codasyl database. Let me preface this by saying that my experience with databases is very limited, and much of the inner workings of SQL and Codasyl are pretty foreign to me. How I understood it, however, is that with a Codasyl database, you needed to access each individual field that you wanted in order to extract that data that was needed. This becomes incredibly complex when there are many fields within the database, with the referenced article using a student list for a college course as an example. In this example, there was a “Courses” set, an “Enrollees” set, then list the student record from this set, and run a loop command to print out this list until there were no more names. If this means that it was simple loops and programming commands, then I can see the appeal of such a method, but I can also see how the difficulty of the method would limit the willing database operators. SQL appears to be much more relation based, and a single command could be used to achieve all of the individual steps listed above. This is incredibly important for when an industry needs quick and easy ways of pulling data from a database, since it limits working hours spent and improves productivity. The gap in difficulty between the two methods just becomes larger when more complexity and volume is added to the database. Instead of running individual commands to narrow down a search to one out of a hundred sets and then sorting it by whatever property, a database operator could just use a single SQL query using a couple commands and its done.

          SQL is important to us because it gives us a way to use the data that a building may generate for us. For construction, a database could contain different materials needed to complete a certain section of a building, during a certain phase, and order them by cost, date to be installed, or whatever needed. This data could either be used in a report, or could be then transferred to a program which could read it and automatically determine any inefficiencies, or begin ordering the materials, or even send this data to any autonomous fabricators to begin the construction. Post construction, all of the different systems could be outputting large volumes of data that a building controller could use to properly regulate the buildings temperature controls, façade elements, or any other system. It may even be used to detect potential problems in the building’s structure using vibrations, or cleanliness using air particle detection. SQL enables all of this since it will give the various controllers a way to interact with the database. Perhaps more efficient methods will come around and SQL will go the way of Codasyl, but for now it remains the most effective method.

Citations:

Heller, Martin. “What Is SQL? Structured Query Language Explained.” InfoWorld, InfoWorld, 28 Aug. 2017, www.infoworld.com/article/3219795/sql/what-is-sql-structured-query-language-explained.html.

SQLCourse. “What Is SQL?” SQLCourse - Lesson 1: What Is SQL?, IT Business Edge, 20 Aug. 2000, www.sqlcourse.com/intro.html.

Comments:
Sherry L:
Your post is very informative. I am struggling as well with some of these definitions, and had some significant trouble at the start of writing my blog post. The way you define an object is pretty clear, since it makes sense that everything is stored as an object, and that object would have its own set of definitions. What I still don't fully understand is the difference between object oriented databases and relational databases, as you mentioned. The way I think I understand it after your post is that one stores data with certain definitions that group them, while one has sets of definitions with individual objects stored in them. I may be misunderstanding this though, and hope we can have time to cover this in class.

Kerry M:
Thank you for this post, it was like a light-bulb turning on above my head. The source I had used was describing some database strategies using the term "one to many" and I had no idea what they were trying to say, but your topic cleared up what they mean in terms of a database. Between your post and Sherry's, I think I have a decent idea of these types of databases, although I am still a bit fuzzy on the differences between the two. The relational database does seem to drive the SQL model that I had looked into for my blog post, as every command is based on relationships and using them to narrow down the data that you want.

Zac A:
I appreciate how you covered some of the industry databases that we are likely to run into in our jobs. I had heard about P6, but never really realized it was run off of a database, but it makes sense in retrospect. Every activity is related to the other activities and has its own rules and restrictions that need to be kept under control. Your post has helped me to loosen my definition of a database a little bit, as before I pictured them to just be large excel or access spreadsheets full of numbers/data that could only really be interacted as such. The idea that a database can be used in more creative ways such as scheduling and file storage is really interesting and it makes sense that it is widely used in practice. This also bodes well for the use of databases in most intelligent building applications.

Term Project Description - Hillinger

Carlos Hillinger - AE410 - B4

Term Project

     My project is going to explain how we can use new emerging technologies to improve lives in developing countries. It will explain how the use of technologies that are changing the way we build in developed countries can directly impact in the economy and development of underdeveloped countries. The project will focus on solving construction-related problems, but will also address other areas such as healthcare and farming.

     I will address the main factors impacting the difficulty to develop of some countries and compare them to other countries with similar characteristics that have managed to developed. This factors are the countries' government and their geography & meteorology. I will also include some benefits of building in such countries, such as less regulations that will make engineers' lives easier. 

Other topics I will address are "main problems to be solved" and "technologies already being implemented" in the construction industry of developing countries. I will vaguely research and write on most topics because I do not want to loose focus on my main point, which is how to implement new technologies to improve construction and lifestyle in developing countries. As I will focus on construction, I will also write about improving farming, healthcare and resource provision, which in my opinion are critical to think about when looking to improve a lifestyle or construction methods. 

The main technologies I will research on, and think how to apply them will be: "3D Printing", "BIM technologies", "Robotics" and "Online Education". Most of the previously stated technologies we have talked about in class. The reason why I included Online Education is because it is "newly" developed technology, and because I believe that to improve a country you can't just do things for them, but show them how to do them, give them the tools, and allow them to build their own country.

I will finish my project by showing two real life scenarios and how to improve those countries with the technologies I researched and each of their unique characteristics. So far, I chose to use Venezuela and Madagascar as my scenarios, because of their uniqueness, but I may end up changing them.

Finally, I will write a conclusion on whether I think my research was helpful and how someone (or me) could continue to research and write about this topic. I hope my topic will help my classmates understand how to address construction problems in undeveloped countries with technology, and make them aware of their situations to inspire them to contribute to this cause in the future.

Comments:

Kerry:

Kerry, I think you chose a very interesting topic. Technology is not something we can only use to improve the way we build, but also to improve the way we use our building. I think that appliances is something that definitely falls under ways of using our building. It could also be fun to look into other technological improvements that you can add to a construction. A good example is induction charging for electrical vehicles. It was actually implemented in a residential building for the first time here in Philadelphia, in the building Walnut 500, which opened this year. 

Sherry:
Sherry, I enjoyed reading your post, it is definitely a very important technology to look at. The advances in BIM and Revit will allow us to change we build and change the way we address a problem in any construction. I like that you mentioned that Revit could help you predict how would a building react to extreme weather conditions. It is a long shots but with good research as backup, you could make some very interesting points about it. 

Nay Ye Oo:
Sonny, I think yours is one of the most interesting topics I have read so far. Maybe I find it interesting because I also share a concern for all these emerging technologies. It is something I will also consider in my project, maybe not to the same extent, but will definitely share a similar perspective to yours. I also think that advances in construction is going to affect the amount of engineers needed in the field, but I would predict at least 10 years until we see an important impact. I would love to read your project once you are done, as well as discuss this problems in class. Great topic.

Construction Sequence & AI

Robots can be used in construction for a variety of tasks. Mainly doing jobs that are either repetitive or dangerous for humans to perform. That way, construction companies are saving labor costs but also keeping people out of harms way and reducing liability. (Apologies for missing class)

Lovett, Week 2-2 Impacts of

In terms of design work, my group has recently stated that there is currently no capacity for this in the future; if the majority of the architects that lead the field are considered, many pull ideas from a multitude of experiences and memory of other's work.  This is essentially a randomization of current and past designs being implemented in its own form.  The process of this is very similar to pulling from a database and randomizing variables, leading me to believe it's not that far-fetched of a concept to have AI design structures in the future.  The construction side of things will undoubtedly be lead by robotics when the aforementioned time comes in order to meet the unique and seemingly unrealistic demands of physical nature produced by AI design.

Shuster - Term Paper Idea

I'd like to do a research paper about how databases, sensors, and AI can be used to develop innovative archival spaces within buildings. This would focus both on how they are being used today and also predictions for how they could be used in the future, once the technology has been developed to the appropriate extent.

Term Project Subjects- Amisial

Green Building vs Intelligent Building, 3D Printing, AI

Group C - Building Form Implications

Robotics broaden the limit of building shapes we could build. They also provide more possibilities when it comes to precision construction. However, the bulk or weight of a robot could provide limitations when it comes to fitting in small spaces or balancing on higher, more delicate floors.

AI programs could design new building shapes and forms that humans possibly couldn't even imagine. For example, AI and robots might create a perfectly spherical building, which is incredibly difficult by current standards. AI could also provide sensors that can respond to human reactions to things like sunlight to change the building form to negate the sunlight, or to brace for natural disasters by providing extra reinforcement during an earthquake or close shutters during a hurricane.

Group B: Cost Implications of AI and Robots

The group agreed that cost is one of the driving factors in the advancement of AI. Initial costs are going to be high for implementing AI robots into different fields like construction and fully automated assembly lines but once everything has been bought and introduced, costs will be reduced greatly since human workers will not have to be paid. For example, the hotel building built in 15 days could potential be built all by AI because of its modular design. AI automation could also pose problems to entire industries. Larger companies that can afford the AI robots will be able to work more efficiently than small companies that cannot and will eventually cause these smaller companies to be bought out/go out of business.

Group D - AI and Robots in the Construction Sequence

AI and robotic advancements have major implications on the construction field.  With new technologies, robots have been able to completely build a new skyscraper in 15 days.  This will improve the construction process in terms of speed and safety, but will take away several jobs from laborers and managers.  With robots constructing buildings there is less freedom for changes later in the project.  If the owner wants to make design changes later in the project, it may be more difficult to perform because the computer programming would have to be shut down and changed.  While it will be difficult to allow complete control of construction to robotics, it can be implemented and ease the constructor during the process.

Manufacturing + Safety (Group A)

AI + Robotics + Manufacturing Implications in Safety

Robotics in manufacturing inherently increases the safety of the processes by removing humans from dangerous activities. Related to construction manufacturing, evaluating potentially or known to be dangerous buildings can be performed by robots instead of humans.

We also think AI is relevant to these topics. For example, AI could be trained to analyze live video feeds to find and alert for safety hazards. AI can also more efficiently automate the manufacturing process to result in more safe processes than what a human could come up with.

However, there is still the idea of human safety and security. If robotics and AI become so advanced that humans become obsolete, there is a serious threat to human life safety.

Group E Post - Education

With the new technologies that available to workers, universities can begin to teach students the coding process that goes into making machines rather than teaching just civil or architectural engineering and computer science.  The education would be much more in depth on AI and robotics, but a student would still need the CIVE or AE background in order to understand the building process. Project based instruction would become more practical: a design could be made and implemented and tested in a laboratory setting.

Dung T. :Implication of A.I. and robotics for safety

A.I. and Robotics directly interacts with human, laws and regulations should be established to protect human from safety issues. For instance, autonomous car users should have knowledge on programming to control their car's artificial intelligence through commands. Such that, it can function as a normal car driver that includes communicating with other drivers through sensor, and regulating the traffic law. Also, they should have knowledge on internet security, which prevents their autonomous cars being hacked by hackers. In fact, it would severely impact the users if these hackers could fully access to the control. A good example is that autonomous car users would have to deal with legal issues if their cars were used to commit a crime. 

Construction Sequence for AI

From a personal experience point of view, I would say construction sequence for AI is potentially similar for every designer since I would assume that it starts first by writing the documents necessary for the project, next creating the codes and running them for processes. After this step, the design process will be developed to accommodate shape, load and purposes, then the electrical and  possibly mechanical phase would take place which will lead to the final phase: the different units assembly. Furthermore, it is my belief that practical tests will be conducted before the construction is declared complete.

AI & Safety

Implications of AI in relation to safety within our world and its future:

Although I believe that AI is capable of being a very useful source in helping us accomplish strenuous or time consuming tasks faster, more efficiently and more accurately, it also poses a possible threat to us as humans. Since our brains are only capable of containing so much information over a lifetime, we have a cap on how much we can accomplish. How I see AI is a type of creation that not only will outlive a human lifetime but can learn faster, better and more in shorter periods of time while retaining the ability to also live forever as well. I am worried that if we make them too efficient, they will learn how inefficient a human might be in comparison, thus posing a threat to us as humans in general just like the initial video we witnessed in class today.

Along with that, I am worried that some of the best minds in the world are also worried about how AI could alter our future. When some of the most intelligent people in existence fear something, it is probably a smart assumption to at least partially agree with their mindset. Even though there are a lot of possible ways that AI could improve our existence and future existence, it could also pose a real threat to our overall safety if it becomes significantly more intelligent than us. Maybe our generation wouldn't have to face that problem but a generation in the immediate future would have to so we can't be selfish in what we create now. Perhaps a way to prevent unsafe outcomes would be to provide some sort of cap on the learning abilities of the more advanced AI technologies created. But then another question would be, who gets to draw that line?

Cost Effects of Implementing AI and Robotics Into Our Field

Implementing AI and robotics into our field could help to reduce the cost of design for projects. Utilizing AI that can learn regulations and codes to design and review plans or models would speed up the entire process. AI could be used to quickly build models to help solve various engineering problems. An advanced robot also has the ability to be very precise while doing a task which would lead to less mistakes and therefore save money.

AI's Future in Education

I believe AI in education can be a great feature to use, as an AI machine can be programmed to pick up the small feats in humans to see if one is really understanding the information being taught. Also would be able to analyze select humans if they need more time or any special aid throughout certain lessons.

Building shape and Form

When it comes to building construction, most shapes and forms for basic buildings are determined by what is the most feasible option which is usually along the lines of a square of rectangle. But if AI is able to create and construct buildings on its own will the standards building shapes remain the same? If it is just as easy to build a box than it is to build an irregular shape then more abstract forms may take over for building construction perhaps. But personally I feel that many buildings erected will keep to traditional forms because it is still somewhat a norm at this point in time and anything out of the box can clash with building/city landscapes.

Education Implications of AI and Robotics

I don’t think that anyone coming into this field will be educated differently. The building will still need to be designed, drawn, and built in the same if not very similar fashion as it is currently being done. The task of doing these things will most likely become much easier as AI and robotics gets stronger where a designer could just ask the computer to look up a code for them and it could tell them it in a matter of seconds. Thus, speeding up the design process. What I do think will happen is a new major will be developed to cover thins technological advancements in our field and how to deal with them, diagnose issues, and implement them effectively.

Johnson - AI in Construction Sequence

AI and robots are attempting to advance the field of construction.  Using AI and robotics in construction could potentially help out if there laborer issues.  They could help to be used during construction to analyze construction sites and projects and keep records of what is accomplished regularly.  If they advance enough, AI and robots could be used to speed up the construction process helping cut down on human labor.

AI/ Robot Implications on Construction Sequence - Dee Dee

If robots and AI begin to be used in construction and design, there would be more upfront time coding or teaching robots to do certain tasks to then be able to do the work on their own. When this process first begins, it might take more time to teach the technology in the setting. If the technology becomes well used in the field, the construction time will be comparable or even faster than construction time with human workers.