Lovett - Final Reflection

The time spent in this course has been very diverse and very much individualized which is what more courses within this broad-spectrum degree should require.  It has helped mold an understanding of what I may desire to pursue further in the future and how relevant technologies may help me achieve that.  The concept behind my paper topic started as a simple exploration of intellectual buildings and how green technologies could be innovated into and improve this state.  The subject grew with time and transformed into something much more that lead me to discover basic concepts about energy capture for sustainability and how intelligent systems can easily augment these processes and ensure precision when and where it is most pertinent.  In fact, the database assignment concerning sensors is what led me to these additional thoughts on the matter.  The humidity and temperature sensors showed the level of precision possible and applying these to a renewable energy resource procurement system such as wind turbines allowed for an in-depth look at how such commodities can be used for two or three different purposes so as not to produce waste.  This is inherently what green building technology is truly about, and it came to be purely by coincidence in my findings.  The latter idea has shown me that these modern and hopefully futuristic ideals can occur easily enough if they are taken seriously by the construction world and the investors that stoke the fire of industry.

Furthermore, collaborating on certain topics and seeing how other students view said topics gives valuable insight on perspectives for how new technologies will affect our workforce of engineers.  Some are more accepting and others confused about the potential that certain technologies can bring to our field.  Of course certain types of engineering will be more exposed to these innovations, but it is a better future for all, regardless.

COMMENTS:

Luciana,

I agree that the course was a good start in terms of using multiple programs that are often utilized in the industry.  There was not nearly enough material or guidance to become even a novice user considering the depth of the programs.  Considering it is a course near the end of a degree, I feel as though there should've been more concentrated direction.


Sarina,

I enjoyed the ability to have an undergrad and graduate level course applied to intelligent buildings.  Group work is definitely a crucial factor in the field and the few in-class blog assignments were a useful tool that portrayed this.  At the same time, the individual posts did, as you mentioned, allow for us to explore personal interests as related to the field.


Tyler,

The weekly blog posts are what I'd say were most relevant to the core material of the course.  Not only did some allow for individuality, but they gave us an opportunity to stay current in the world of technology when we otherwise may not.  This provides incentive for us to expand our knowledge-base of not only the engineering world, but in adjacent fields. 

B5 - Object-oriented databases

Databases are simply a compendium of information that are more easily accessed by organizing it into comprehensible packages or categories that can be related to keys throughout the system.  There are myriad types of models used for this process and some of the common logical data models can be seen below:

• Hierarchical database model.
• Network model.
• Relational model.
• Entity–relationship model. Enhanced entity–relationship model.
• Object model.
• Document model.
• Entity–attribute–value model.
• Star schema

A large extent of these utilize tables to store information and much of it works like a digital ladder, especially hierarchical based ones.  To examine the object-oriented approach, this concept allows for a more direct, and therefore faster retrieval of the data requested.  This task is completed by associating the elements with a particular language or often a visual graphic.  The required parameters for this are: class of data, extensibility, inheritance, and persistence.  These are general guidelines of all database management systems (DBMS's) though the object oriented method allows for a more user-friendly process and interface, while also allowing the necessary maintenance and upgrading of the system to be feasible for the programmers.


Comments:


Luciana,

I found the point of superimposing the OODB approach onto relational schema very interesting and would like to see how this is done.  I'm sure the original integration may be challenging, but the idea of updating a system with a new type of DBMS is an exciting one considering how much time it would save compared to creating a new one all-together.


Jianfeng,

You brought up some very good points on the collection of data, though I think much of databases are the organization and eventual use of said data.  There are numerous methods for this, of course, as are there for the collection as you have mentioned.


Chris,

I agree that databases are useful for all of the purposes listed above.  I think it would be very beneficial for not only the construction side of things, but for the design world as well if the paths for databases were simplified enough to be easily understood yet had the breadth needed for numerous request types.  For example, if someone within a firm wants to look up a similar detail for a previous job they had and re-purpose a model of special component then it can sometimes be a virtual nightmare to find exactly where it is if you are lacking the exact job information.  Using DBMS's such as object oriented databases they could potentially assign particular objects to category for easier retrieval based on what they know such as the type of room the model would be in, or perhaps its general specifications.  

 

B4 Project Outline Post

Intelligent Buildings Augmented by Sustainable Design

Although the concept of "green" design being integrated with intelligent building, or vice versa, is not a new concept, it has become under great scrutiny over recent years and have begun being perfected and quickly advancing methods for synergistic employment. 

The main idea proposed within my paper will be how to have sustainable features from the "green" initiative become multi-fold for other aspects of the building systems.  In other words, how can we harness resources that allows our buildings to function on a more sustainable level while utilizing the excess output to create more efficient usage of the systems and general environment, all the while having the advanced control systems typically associated with intelligent buildings to monitor said efficiency.  These methods open up an entirely new world for energy modeling and the use of advanced sensors to monitor and therefore improve conditions for the inhabitants.

Below you will find a link associated with the concept of reusing sustainable energies (wind in this case) after their need for power retention has been fulfilled.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032114008351
Beyond this scope, I will explore how certain companies may surpass the monetary restrictions associated with not only the “green” systems, but also the cost synonymous with intelligent building design.  Though there is not much in the way of research completed in this vein, the possibility of such a matter will be a direct result of how well these concepts can intertwine to meet the future of building design innovation.  


Cody,
This is such a great tool for the construction industry for so many purposes.  As you mentioned it can create 3-D models of buildings for renovations and the like.  Another application that may be possible in the future, the the proper correlation with a program such as Revit, could be the ability to store the models and reconfigure them into different components.  This would mirror the concept of libraries and architects could even use this type of catalogue for inspiration as they do real pre-existing buildings.


Luciana,
I found your topic of particular interest because of how much it relates to my own, or rather how much it deviates from what I am delving into.  I intend to find a distinct connection between the two topics and I believe understanding the concepts you're speaking of prior to will be crucial to do so.

Brad,

I had commented on another student's post concerning the future of 3-D laser scanning and how libraries could form eventually to help pre-construction processes.  You have essentially outlined this concept from the opposite end. You bring up a valid point of the different levels of technological advancements in the many other countries around the world.  Perhaps this could help bridge that gap to an extent.

Future Advantages of BIM/ REVIT

BIM has become a hot-topic of sorts within the construction industry and has leaped forward greatly in terms of complexity within the last 5 years.  Much of the advances are based on correlation between differing discipline's software for a typical project.  To elaborate, the concepts involved in modeling an abstract facade of a building, which is becoming much more prominent, is a large task in and of itself, though remodeling such a component of the structure in a program such as Revit can be extremely challenging.  BIM advances have allowed for not only a simplified UI for the original creation, but an easy connection interface for an automatic model to be essentially carried over into Revit.

Another great aspect to BIM advances are the interdisciplinary communication allotted for not only initial system designs, but any changes made later on.  These systems are becoming so integrated that there is even object awareness built into HVAC programs to help avoid the classic issue of running ductwork or the like into structural components.  This is all perceived in real-time so any "collisions" can be tracked, edited, and resubmitted by the related system managers for each project.  This will allow for much faster, cleaner, and overall more efficient processes when designing, constructing, and following through on the life-cycle of a building.

Comments:

Sarina,

I couldn't agree more about the idea of all relevant programs making the same or similar advances in order to integrate properly.  This presents another problem within the software market as well.  Though Autodesk does own rights to the majority of the programs we've been discussing, it would inevitably become a monopoly rather quickly if this integration was necessary. Either that or there would be full systems of programs competing which would make for a very expensive market for designers.



Kerry,

I know precisely what you mean concerning the resource needs pertaining to these high-end software and their related components.  I have worked in small firms that struggled to simply integrate Revit into their workload.  This is mostly because these systems are sold in bulk to large firms for the convenience of it all.  This would make several small firms obsolete for commercial projects and therefore not very profitable overall.



Mark,

Your concern about trusting the reliability of the software not to make critical errors is certainly a common one.  It may seem redundant here, though perhaps there could be a secondary software to check if there are any collisions of sorts. Perhaps a software not inherent to the systems related to the original software that is used to create the BIM. 

Lovett: Week 2 Discussion

Chapter: BIM for the owners

Chapter 4 of this text focuses on the benefits the BIM process can offer owners and managers.  This is at first aimed at the delivery of a product in the most efficient method possible, mostly relating to cost incurred upfront (capital and the estimation of costs), during issues (change orders and scheduling liquidation damages), and throughout the lifecycle of the project.  This concept is restated several times over in different manners, though the fact that the BIM tools are directed for use of architects, engineers, and the like.  

To address the construction process as seen by the owners, the adaptability of BIM has become a benchmark in the construction industry.  It has not only made the capability of large-scale projects possible, but the process of integrating large change orders in a project has been simplified by the possibilities of families and being able to carry-over more complex assemblies from one job to another.    

The increase in efficiency for the structures can be carried over from commercial to residential projects seamlessly, which allows for a growing diversity of larger firms offering new opportunities to individual home owners. 

3-D Printing with Steel Bridges
It has been long-sought after to build larger scale objects utilizing 3-D printing but this approach to build a bridge is still a modest ambition.  It will be used for foot traffic, ideally, and will actually be composed of a composite steel.  The reason this is such a large undertaking is that the generic 3-D printing usually requires a boundaries box and with this installment of innovation by MX3D, there are no boundaries to speak of.  This is a monumental leap forward considering the potential applications of 6-axis automated welding.  The possibility of structural repairs using this method are incalculable. 


Citation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITCneG2GnO4


3-D printing with Building Envelopes
Building envelopes have evolved over time from simplistic cladding to flowing pieces of art that incorporate a degree of the same qualities as its predecessors due to its inherent nature.  Layering these "sheets" have similar effects of geosynthetics in that the qualities of each layer can be seen as a whole, cohesive unit.  The flexibility of the materials involved also allow for more artistic liberties to be taken during the design process, which can also lend to a warmer feeling for the inhabitants.  The main concern for large-scale production of these features is the inevitable waste created when non-degradable polymers are disposed of.

Citation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiMWsqo82I4


3-D printing entire structures
Bringing the concepts mentioned above together is the ultimate goal of engineers working with 3-D printing.  MIT has developed a prototype for fully designing a structure.  This approach is currently limited by materials needed for the structure that are not necessarily available for 3-D printing yet.  Ideally this will become a completely autonomous process so uninhabited areas (particularly relating to space exploration) could be constructed without the need of human labors or the excess resources they would need during this time. 

Citation:
https://scitechdaily.com/mit-develops-a-system-that-can-3d-print-the-basic-structure-of-an-entire-building/


Comments:

Dung,

I appreciate your candor on the matter, particularly pertaining to feeling haunted by many school not offering guidance with this software, especially Drexel of all.  This is a clear gap in knowledge that our graduating class will certainly be penalized for.  Knowing more about the company and its origin is a helpful start to the process.



Jordan,

I couldn't agree more concerning the handbook's take on efficiency being paramount for today's field.  Scheduling is obviously an important factor, though when the inevitable changes occur mid-project it is comforting to know how simplistic the updates to design and the subsequent integration into the construction can be when approached in this manner.  You bring up another imperative point concerning the international factor that is forever-growing.  Helping bridge the language gap by the use of universal software is nothing short of a miracle and will save everyone involved the time and money that the problem may otherwise cause.


Kerry,

The complexity of BIM software and its related databases are certainly growing as the product and environment evolves.  I enjoyed your honesty when addressing the learning curve for users to be acclimated to the layers of BIM that you mentioned.  The convenience cannot be exaggerate at this time, though fully understanding an assembly and furthermore how the BIM tools utilize and update in real-time is a challenge in and of itself.  This chapter makes a decent attempt at fleshing out the conceptual side of BIM and you took it a bit further so thank you.  

Term Project: Lovett

For my term project, I would like to look at "green" standards and how intelligent building components may make them a more viable practice.  This will encourage the use of green technologies for the environment as well as bring the efficiency and comfortably of intelligent building systems into the fold.  A subsequent topic to be examined is how to incorporate these two typically expensive alternatives using a monetarily feasible method.

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.

Intelligent Building Definition

Intelligent buildings can be defined by the relationship between the typical systems of a building and how their efficiency helps correlate the main goal of blending together to be one whole unit, all-the-while offering the highest level of feasibility and comfort for the owner. 

Lovett; Week 1 Assignment; Robotics, AI, Future

Robotics

Robotics are utilized in the mines of Sweden and are slowly replacing jobs such as truck driving.  This article focuses on the concept of replacing people and subsequently taking their jobs over as the human side of this process would be obsolete.  Considering Sweden’s government and financial standing, this is not much of a concern in their immediate culture.  This will obviously not be the case in other areas of the world, but it is my belief that it will drive technical education for the future and allow for safety measures to be less of a concern, thereby lessening injuries and deaths of humans as well as automating certain processes to the point of complete efficiency.

Linus Sundahl-Djerf, DEC. 28, 2017 The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/27/business/the-robots-are-coming-and-sweden-is-fine.html

AI

The legislative side of a new technology is often imperative, particularly when the subject is divisive.  Artificial intelligence (AI) has been disputed to be a dangerous field as it progresses by some of the greatest minds of this century.  The New York City Council has now passed a bill to increase the transparency of the AI creation and processes.  This has been seen as a premature motion considering the depth of AI has barely been explored.  Defining what AI is in the modern world is crucial to begin understanding how to control what even has the capability to one day become beyond or grasp.

ANDREW BURT, JAN. 4, 2018 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/opinion/leave-artificial-intelligence.html

Future

The technological advancements we see today appear to be the norm for our generation, but the leaps and bounds being made is leading some experts to believe there will be a singularity effect.  This may increase the gap of human equality even further.  What is currently seen between developed and non-developed countries will become detrimental to the global economy and possibly some political relations.  

Jared Leidich on December 13, 2017, https://www.singularityweblog.com/the-singularity-inequality/

The coinciding factors for AI, robotics, and the future (when pertaining to technological advancements) will be made clear as time progresses but not in the obvious sense.  There will likely be an intense technology boom where one or two discoveries bring forth a plethora of new inventions and these will cause strife in the blue collar world as well as impede the societies, now lacking in technological literacy, from closing the gap.


Comments:

Zac,

Concerning your comments on networks and the ever-increasing need for security; some of these companies may benefit further from allowing certain branches to access databases that are isolated to their branch but update regularly with a master system so as to avoid any unwanted security breaches.Of course having instantaneous results are almost a requirement nowadays and databases have been known to be fairly slow within monumental companies and their related data.


Cody,

The article you discussed about smart vent technology is absolutely user-friendly and able to meet new comfort levels, though the efficiency is something I'd like to learn more about.  Most "Green Standards" out there are warranting sizable monetary incentives to get the proverbial ball rolling for energy conscious buildings and systems, but the residential market has proven much more difficult to break into.  This may play a key role in the HVAC side of things since it offers numerous facets of concepts typical consumers may enjoy. 


Thomas,

I have been curious about the applications of structural 3-D printing since the larger-scale objects have begun production. Clearly the inherent issue is the need of flexibility to create the material within the proper medium, though much of steel design is based on ratios of flexibility, that of which the printer could not nearly replicate.  I am excited to see how they face this challenge and what compromises or innovations are required to meet today's building standards.