Jianfeng Xiao - Blog 2

This chapter discuss the application of BIM for architecture and engineer. This chapter begin by discussing the traditional process of design and construction, the traditional way of coordination and collaboration and the traditional forms of project delivery. Then, it shows application of BIM on design and construction process. Through this comparison, I can understand how BIM had influenced the entire range of design and construction activities.

This chapter shows three impacts of BIM on design: conceptual design, integration of engineering services and construction-level modeling. The conceptual design means that it is easier to generate complex building shell using BIM. In the past, the conceptual design was relied on the experience and expertise of lead designer, and the feedback from the design team. Their assessment and decision making are based on their past project and experience. The freehand sketches are the main documentation for recording and discussion. By using the BIM, engineer and architect can provide faster and more accurate assessment and feedback on project. They can also use BIM tools for sketching which make it easier to read and discuss. However, each BIM tool only does part of the overall task, which requires multiple BIM tools used in one project. This may make some incontinence for engineers. The integration of engineering services means the integration of new information workflows and existing simulation and analysis tools in BIM. In the design phase, the various types of building behaviors will be analyzed. BIM can support more complex and specific data or model analysis. In addition, the cost estimation can be better predicted because of the information available. The construction-level modeling is to address potentially achievement through a collaborative design-construction process, such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). Design team can collaborate with contractor at the beginning for details for modeling. This will eliminate some construction issues and reduce the amount of time for producing construction documents.

Although the BIM has many advantages, the author points out some concern on the implement of BIM. As mention previous, each BIM tool only does part of overall task which require multiple tools used in one project. Therefore, the firms will need to select and evaluate BIM tools that fit their needs. The various tools used may cause problems in the exchange of building model data between them and in the collaboration between engineers and contractor. In addition, the training for proficiency use is required at the beginning.

Sources:

C. M. Eastman, “Chapter 5: BIM for Architects and Engineers,” in BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Contractors, 2nd ed., Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2012, pp. 193–261.

Dung Tran Comments:

Dung,

Thanks for your post. You did a good job summarizing the chapter to few paragraphs. I agree that the BIM tools provide faster and precise option in design and manage a project. But as you mention, the Revit has dominant the market for BIM tools. I think this might cause problems. If a firm use other BIM tools that is not associated with Revit, the data and model transferring will be a problem.

Allison Abad Comments:

Allision,

You did a good job explaining the importance of using BIM for owners and facility managers. BIM will allow owners to produce high quality building, estimate the cost and analyze the complexity of building. In addition, your co-op experiences are interesting. You can have a deeper understand on how to solve problems by using BIM in daily experience.  

Christhach Comments:

Chris,

Your post is interesting that give me a new understand of BIM use for contractor. As you mention, the scheduling component, clash detection and collaboration functions of BIM are important. They will allow contractor to track project progress, to check if things are overlapped, and to collaborate with engineers and architect to do project edit. 

Week 2: BIM for Contractors

Topic: BIM for Contractors

The idea of integrating BIM into the Civil and Architecture fields and having them more prevalent in projects is something that provides many different advantages and these advantages are linked to the different stakeholders in the project. It is obvious that BIM helps designers, but Contractors also reap the benefits of using the newest technology into their projects. BIM yields many advantages to contractors and there are many reasons as to why contractors would want to use BIM in more projects. The first reason as to why BIM would benefits contractors is that BIM models are all inclusive, in addition to holding the necessary drawings to construct a building, BIM models also provide construction analysis. BIM can help control and create schedules and cost analysis, thus elimination the use of other softwares, and creating a centralized document. Because of the scheduling component, contractors can now track day to day activities and check progress as the project moves along. Another reason why BIM is helpful to contractors is clash detection, in the project methodology, trades do not often meet and sometimes designers can design over each other. BIM’s built in clash detection allows for contractors to see that things are overlapped and can point them out before it’s too late. Finally, the last reason as to BIM is beneficial to contractors is the opportunity for collaboration. BIM allows for each member of the project team, whether it is the engineer or the architect to make change and have it update to everyone’s model so that there is no confusion on where a detail comes from and when it was made. This allows for everyone on the team to have the updated plans and information, thus allowing for the project to move smoothly. All in all, BIM can help contractors save both time and money.

Contractors should be getting in on the ground floor with BIM projects, working with and having access to the model early is always beneficial in cases like this. In case in the past, BIM was not given to the contractors but now with the popularity of having Integrated Project Delivery or IPD, contractors are now brought in with the design team and there is a more collaborative feel in the project. This thus helps the relationship between designer and builder and hopefully yields a more successful project. The collaborative aspect of BIM is appealing to contractors because it makes their jobs simpler and can cause less headaches. That being said, implementing BIM can be tricky, there needs to patience when working with BIM projects and models because of the possibility of technical issues.

Comments

Kerry,

I think you made several good points throughout the post, especially when you said that not all BIM tools are created equally, I think that sadly this is true. REVIT is absolutely an industry standard but not all firms can afford it as the license for it something like $10,000 a year. This causes firms to rely on smaller tools with smaller scaled platforms, this can lead to trouble. Especially since everyone is learning a new tool, using a tool that isnt as good can lead to problems down the road.

Malik,

I think you made some points about the user friendliness of some BIM software, most notably Google SketchUp. Sketch Up is really user friendly and can help architects and designers in the process of design because it can help define the space that is a being used. Also I think sketchup is helpful because it allows the user to essentially do whatever they want, there are no physics restriction.  I like the way you closed out the post as you talked about the future of BIM and the measures engineers need to take so that it becomes more well-known and more popular.

Brad,

I like the overall direction of your blog post, I think you were very concise in your terminology but were able to show the numerous advantages that BIM has in the construction process. I too think that BIM will make labor more efficient. Shortening the time it takes to iron out ambiguities. As the blog post progressed, your insight on the coding and the methodology of how BIM works showed that you learned a significant amount from the reading while also proving the point that the concept of BIM is extremely technologically advanced.

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.

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.

Quelly Wk 2-2: Brainstorm on Robotics and AI

Brainstorm on Robotics and AI: How does this Impact STEM Education 

• Classes
• more coding, more robotics, more electrical engineering
• perhaps less construction management or project management classes
• perhaps banging CCI back into the COE? or a robotics/AI engineering specific major. 
• Campus Infrastructure
• More open fabrication labs, open design space
• Make PBI & Inquiry even more essential
• Students, since they will be interfacing with robotics on a, we'll say daily basis, specifically how they are constructed, and how they are designed. A focus on our industry would be to also design new structures that utilize "existing" technologies in new way (more of a procedural adaptation)
• Bloom.
• students will need to be experienced with the higher of the two Bloom's tax. levels. While some engineers will have to design/produce the technologies, but it will be essential to get students to ask their own questions and drive the implantation in new ways that we couldn't yet predict.
• Recall
• Will become even less important that we hold on to archaic facts.  
• Other
• Backpacks will (hopefully) become lighter. 

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.

Odorizzi: Impact of A.I. and Robotics on Safety in Construction Industry

I could envision A.I. having a prevalent impact on all stages of the construction industry.

In design phases, coded computers are already programmed to identify code violations. I could easily see A.I. becoming a virtual presence that guides designers through schemes of a building. Maybe a structural engineer develops a schematic design, but fails to realize that the safety factors for the region of the building are more stringent. A.I. could flag the problem and potentially solve it autonomously.

For construction, I think cameras could be used for A.I. to monitor and identify action being taken by construction workers that could be deemed dangerous, and direct the workers to resolve their situation. The use of robots inherently would eliminate that risk entirely. When cranes and machinery can all be remotely controlled (VR maybe), and humans don’t even need to be on site, that would be the safest for humans… but is also a scary thought.

Implications of AI & robots abilities for building forms

Implications of AI & robots abilities for building forms

AI could make buildings operate automatically in the future. Starting from small, maybe there will be some sensors connected to human bodies and then the sensors would adjust the indoor temperature based on humans reactions. In a bigger scale, there might be systems that operate the building envelop and window shading to automatically get the maximum sunlight and natural ventilation into the buildings. And also there might be a way to solve the extra heat that heat pump system produced to the environment. There might not be any control buttons once entering a building because everything is automatically controlled. And once the location and use of the building is firmed, all the systems will be designed and constructed on its own. No designers and construction workers needed. I'm imagining there will be like a machine for owners to order buildings and every building process will be starting on its own.

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.

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. 

Intelligent Building Definition

I partially agree with Professor Mitchell's definition of an intelligent building.  An intelligent building should use computer technology to integrate multiple building systems.  These systems should incorporate smart  technologies such as the Amazon Echo, Nest Thermostat, etc. 

Intelligent Building - Carlos Hillinger

Intelligent Building

Definition:

It is a building that integrates various systems to provide maximum efficiency of the resources and maximizes technical performance.

Source:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00038628.2015.1079164

Another definition that I found online in the same source, is:

"an intelligent building is a dynamic and responsive architecture that provides every occupant with productive, cost-effective and environmentally approved conditions through a continuous interaction among its basic elements: places (fabric; structure; facilities); process (automation; control; systems); people (services; users) and management (maintenance; performance) and the interrelation between them. (Clements-Croome 2004)"
Clements-Croome, D. J. 2004. Intelligent Buildings: Design, Management and Operation. London: Thomas Telford. [Google Scholar]

My Definition of "Intelligent Building"

The first definition I found for intelligent building demonstrates what I don't believe intelligent building is. It states:

What is Intelligent Building

1.

A building controlled by an advanced, smart Building Management System (often referred as Smart Building).

[https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/intelligent-building/15019]

I think there is a difference between a smart building and an intelligent one. Smart buildings have advanced technologies incorporated into their design, but are static or passive. They may not be connected, or learn along the way.

I agree with Prof. Mitchell's definition that an intelligent building is one that is active, and is constantly learning and becoming more efficient, as the below definition illustrates.

intelligent building

NOUN

• An office or other building containing a set of integrated services such as heating, lighting, electronic office equipment, etc., controlled by a central computer system which is capable of ensuring the most efficient and sound use of resources.

[https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/intelligent_building]

Intelligent Buildings Definition

Intelligent Buildings Definition

Professor Mitchell's: 

"Intelligence" requires the use of adaptive computer technology.

¨Intelligence" may exist in any system or phase of the building process.

We may thus talk of

Intelligent Building Industry

Intelligent Building Design

Intelligent Building Construction (including renovation)

Intelligent Building Operation

We may also subdivide by systems – structure, HVAC etc.

Mine:

An "Intelligent Building" is one that maintains efficiency and connection as well as the flexibility to improve on the original design within an evolving community. 

This does not only have to do with the immediate technology that is expected to be used by individuals within the finished structure every day but starts at the very beginning phases of design and construction as well.

           

         

Thomas Sisson - Intelligent Building Definition

Intelligent Building: A structure which can self regulate its internal space using any number of different inputs.

Jianfeng Xiao - Blog 1

HVAC & Future: Putting Building Science into Practice

By: Martin LaMonica

Published By: MIT Technology Review

Date: January 21, 2013

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/510131/putting-building-science-into-practice/

In this article, new technologies including HVAC system, windows and walls are discussed. The Fraunhofer Institute in south Boston was built in different new technologies and materials to test their performance. The technology products chose were based on their effectiveness, low energy emission and best return investment. This building used chilled beams for lighting and HVAC system. The advantage of the chilled beams are its cooling and heating performance and its low cost. It requires smaller ceiling space and little maintenance compares to traditional HVAC system. In addition, the smart glass and insulation wall was used to keep the heat out of building, which makes the HVAC system more efficiency. The different technologies used in this building were still in energy retrofit. I believe in the future, there will be more energy efficiency technologies being invented and applied in building construction.

Sensor: The world's most sustainable building is also the smartest

By: ELEANOR PEAKE

Published By: WIRED

Date: November 1, 2017

http://www.wired.co.uk/article/this-is-the-worlds-smartest-building

In this article, sensors are discussed. The Deloitte’s new Amsterdam Headquarter, a most sustainable building designed by Ron Bakker, is the smartest building in the world. This building does not use any energy for heating and cooling. Because a huge atrium is designed to provide air flow and sunlight, which stores sunlight heat in the summer to be used in the winter. In addition, the 30000 sensors are placed throughout the office to measure every aspect of lighting, CO2 level and humidity. This will help to measure the air quality and wellness condition of building.

AI & Future: Alibaba's AI Outgunned Humans in Key Stanford Reading Test

By: Bloomberg

Published By: ITPro

Date: January 15, 2018

http://www.itprotoday.com/machine-learning/alibabas-ai-outgunned-humans-key-stanford-reading-test

This article talks about the recent development of AI. The Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. put its deep neural network model to test the AI’s intelligence compares to human intelligence. This test was to ask AI for exact question for more than 10000 questions. The AI final scored 82.44, which past the 82.304 human achieved. This shows the AI technology has made a huge advancement. This AI technology can be applied to numerous application such as customer service, online responses to medical inquiries from patients and even autonomous driving. I believe the AI technology will be used widely in different areas which helps to develop the quality of life in the future. But the only concern right now is how much we should develop the AI technology.

Database: Software equal to or better than humans at cataloging published science data

Published By: Kurzweil

Date: December 2, 2014

http://www.kurzweilai.net/software-equal-to-or-better-than-humans-at-cataloging-published-science-data

In this article, database is discussed. A computer system called PaleoDeepDive has extracting data from scientific publications and placing it in a database for individual studies. This system rapidly and precisely summary, collate, and index the vast output of scientists around the globe. This database allows people to access information without going back to library for original documents.

Cody Johnson Comments:

Cody,

I agree that boundaries should be set up for AI by developer since AI is widely applied in different areas. If boundaries were set up, the AI could bring our life a lot convenience. It can be applied in customer service, online response and even autonomous driving in the future. But as you mention, if boundaries were taken away, AI could learn anything that could lead to negative direction. This is not what we want. Therefore, discipline should be set up for developer to develop AI.  

Bradley DiGiovanni Comments:

Brad,

I read the same article as you about this sustainable building. The interesting part of this article is this building use 30000 sensors in the office to measure every aspect of lighting, CO2 level and humidity. These sensors help to measure the air quality and wellness condition of building. In addition, one interesting part you do not mention is that this building does not use energy for cooling and heating. They use natural sunlight, and they store heat in the summer to be used in winter. This really help to decrease energy use.

Dee Dee Strohl Comments:

Dee Dee,

Your post about the HVAC and sensor part is interesting. I agree with you that this technology will help to decrease the energy use in a building. In addition, this will increase the quality of our life. You can control the HVAC system to adjust temperature or humidity using app on your phone when you are not at home. 

Jordan Shuster - B1

Robotics & the Future

The robotics industry has the potential to revolutionize the dining industry as we know it, in the context of both cooking meals and serving them. For example, Momentum Machines has developed a "burger robot" which can produce up to 360 burgers in a single hour, complete with grinding the meat, cooking the patty, and stacking the burger for consumption. Another robot called "Robotista" replaces human baristas by preparing customers' coffee orders from a fully automated kiosk rather than a coffee shop. Even waitstaff is starting to be replaced, as in a Singapore restaurant; Infinium Robotics has developed a drone that can take orders and deliver food to waiting customers at their tables. Truly, the dining industry has one foot in the future and is inching closer as the years go by.

I see these new types of robotics as providing potential advancements to the industry, but also as having major drawbacks to society as a whole. In a society where jobs are hard to find and unemployment is high, many unskilled and lower-class workers find jobs in the restaurant industry as servers, fast-food cooks, and more. While the idea of robots that can replace these workers may be exciting, I fear for a future when the service industry is no longer home to millions of jobs for the lower class. The creation of these robots may create jobs for software engineers and programmers, but it does nothing to help those who couldn't afford to go to college or learn programming.

Source: Steel, Chandra. "Will These 12 Robots Make Chefs Obsolete?". PC Mag. 17 Feb 2015. <https://www.pcmag.com/feature/331668/will-these-12-robots-make-chefs-obsolete>.

AI & the Future

Google Cloud Machine Learning is an example of artificial intelligence that is accessible to individuals, be they people or businesses. Machine learning is a type of computer programming wherein the computers become "smarter" through experiences and interactions rather than by being explicitly coded. In the case of Cloud Machine Learning as produced by Google, this can mean increased efficiency when it comes to data analysis in a number of different fields. Google predicts that the utilization of machine learning in this context may lead businesses far in the near future. For example, one function that Google offers is "Explore," which uses natural language processing programming that is better-suited than ever to understand the syntax of any document and produce the information in a more compact format.

This function of Google's Cloud Machine Learning, and others, may allow businesses to become significantly more efficient, boosting productivity and profits. In the future, as this type of AI becomes more well-known and even smarter, I see it becoming significantly integrated into many businesses. In fact, within ten years, I predict that this form of AI, or a more advanced version, may be used in most large corporations in the world.

Source: Poutonnet, Philippe. "9 new ways that Google Cloud Machine Learning can help businesses". Google. 22 Nov 2016. <https://blog.google/topics/google-cloud/9-new-ways-google-cloud-machine-learning-can-help-businesses/>.

3D Printing & the Future

3D printing is often considered in the context of the products that it can make, but researchers are finding uses for it in other fields as well, such as education. Researchers around the world are discovering the uses of 3D printing in educating blind children, and in particular teaching them to read. Originally, 3D printing was used in this context to print in braille, a written language for hte blind community. However, in recent years, the use of 3D printing has become even more innovative. Scientists in Seoul have produced a set of stencils making up the Korean alphabet and given them to blind children to help them learn the alphabet. Previously, the students had been using paper stencils, which were flimsy and not nearly as durable as the plastic ones produced by the 3D printers. The studies performed showed that the students' skills increased after being given the plastic stencils. 3D printing also provides an opportunity for tactile learning for blind children. This means, for example, that if they are learning about animals, they can be given a small replica of a rabbit so that the children can feel it in order to "see" what a rabbit looks like.

I am excited to see 3D printing continue to expand in to the world of primary education. I fully support any technology that helps to level the playing field between abled and disabled children when it comes to learning. I believe that not only will engineers continue to find uses for 3D printing in the world of special education, but that it will also soon find its way into the mainstream educational system, to help even more children learn more efficiently.

Source: Curiosity Staff. "3D Printers Can Help Blind Children Learn To Read". Curiosity. 20 Dec 2016. <https://curiosity.com/topics/3d-printers-can-help-blind-children-learn-to-read-curiosity/>.

Responses

Josh:
The article you referenced about AI legislation is really interesting to me. I think the early legislation about AI developments is a direct result of something that is often at the root of legislation: fear. Legislators don't know much about what AI actually is; instead many of them likely base their ideas off of what they've learned from movies and other media. While I'm sure they don't actually believe that a Terminator situation will happen tomorrow, they have been taught for decades to fear what "sentient robots" may do, and it's now ingrained in their way of thinking. Whether or not AI proves to be a threat to civilization down the road, I think that it's just to early to be scared of any such developments, and that the legislation that they passed may be premature.

Luciana:
The article you summarized about a neural network surpassing human scores on the Stanford Reading Test reminds me of when an AI program was first able to beat a world chess champion, Garry Kasparov, in 1996. As engineers, we keep setting metrics for our AI development to beat, and the programs keep meeting them. Twenty years ago, it was chess. Today, it's a reading test. I wonder what the next metric we set will be, and how long until we finally develop AI that can consistently pass the Turing Test?

Carlos:
I really like that you pointed out the importance of global development when it comes to the future potential of 3D printing. I think that is an incredibly important point; so much development focuses on how to get to the next high-tech achievement, and not enough of it looks at how to bring developing regions up to speed. I see the future of any technological revolution as one in which developments allow developing areas to finally see the same technology as anywhere else.

Christopher Thach- Blog Post 1

Christopher Thach

Group E

Topics: Database, Network, Sociology and Future

As we head towards the future of consumer technology, every major tech firm is creating their own version of a virtual assistant. Google has the google-home and Amazon has Alexa. These virtual assistants have become very important to everyday life. They can answer everyday questions, such as what the weather is, or they can perform more difficult things like set reminders and online shop. One major aspect to the VA is its ability to access large databases like Google and can even create and edit its own smaller database. I believe that these technological aspects can be moved to the architectural and construction business. In the design process, these virtual assistants can aid designers in the design process. Answering questions and can make the process smoother. Bankers are trying to implement google home and Amazon echoes in their line of work. But there are certain security problems that can arise, because they can be fear of hacking into companies’ network and steal customer information from the company’s database. But hopefully, these problems can be solved and people will see these virtual assistants become a bigger part of the workforce. As of now, consumers have to buy these products and put them into your house. But it is my opinion that these Virtual Assistants will come with new homes. These assistants can let homeowners know when things aren’t quite right by performing diagnosis of the home network and help aid the process in fixing everyday home issues. There are some people that don’t like these virtual assistants, it will take some time for the product to become something that all of society has. There are paranoia with these products because people think that big brother is watching. They feel like these products violate privacy, so there is a bit of backlash with them being implemented throughout society.

Sources:

https://www.americanbanker.com/news/one-virtual-assistant-to-rule-them-all-bankers-already-getting-prepped

https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-plans-to-send-alexa-to-the-office-1512008730

Responses:

Brad,

I think some really good points about the sensors and HVAC especially how companies are using them to maximize the efficiency and save both money and energy. I think that this idea will be really helpful because often times larger firms generate an extremely large amount of energy heating and cooling a space for about 50% occupancy. I think sensors can help make these companies more environmentally friendly. But the problem is that I’m not completely sure that companies will want to invest into the technology and make the switch. Some are so stuck in their ways that will waste money rather than try a new way of doing things.

Kerry,

You piece on the future of how technology can affect the construction industry makes some really good points and I personally think technology will make its way there and change the whole entire landscape. I like the direction you went in by saying these technology can help with construction safety, ultimately helping firms monitor their employees and make sure problems and injuries don’t occur.

Cody,
I agree with your point on the smart vents. I am big fan of them and I think they can revolutionize the way MEP design moves forward. Smart vents are also environmentally friendly, so I can see them becoming more prominent as more sustainable buildings are built in the future. I think people who use them just need to weigh the pros and cons, the vents cost a lot of money but there can be a quicker return on investment, if the cost to operate lowers.

About This Blog

AE-410/510 is a course for Seniors and Graduate Students in Architectural Engineering at Drexel University in Philadelphia, USA.  We consider the uses of Information Technology on the Design, Construction and Operation of buildings, hence the course title: Intelligent Buildings.

This blog is created by students in the course responding to assignments and class exercises.  Use the "Labels" on the right to see the work of individual students OR the topics on which they've written.

The syllabus for the course is available from the "Pages" link.