Team 3 - Group Project Reflection

As a group, we learned that people bring different ideas to the table; these ideas can be influenced culture, geography, and other outside factors.  We also learned the importance of stating your definition and expanding on the idea you are speaking about.  As a group, we all had different definitions of intelligent and green buildings, and your definition may take your project or paper in a different direction than someone else's.  Technology can be defined differently depending on the time period.  Technology is constantly evolving and influencing the design, construction, and operational phases of a building's life cycle. 

Wicker - Course Reflection

AE410 has exposed me to many technologies and ideas that will become increasingly prevalent in my field of work in the coming years. As a college graduate it is important to make yourself as valuable as possible in an attempt to land that first post-grad job. Being able to introduce new and innovative ways to complete tasks to any workplace is one of the best ways to do just that. In engineering design, computer programs have become the standard tool for all projects. Even the most basic projects require multiple users to be able to use various program so being able to learn a new program quickly will be valuable as they continue to evolve.

I enjoyed learning how to use Revit and Access the most in this class. These are two programs I had little experience with but the instructional videos gave me enough knowledge to be able to work with them and start figuring out more complex features on my own. Learning Revit has also helped me at work since we receive architectural drawings for project all the time. Being able to identify building outlines, facades, and overhangs helps to give everyone involved in the projects a good idea of the overall goal. While I am not sure if I can use BIM technologies at my current job I can surely incorporate them into my senior design project. Experimenting with new programs will help us to create a unique project that solves common problems in innovative ways.

The weekly blog posts helped me to research and learn more about topics that I wouldn’t regularly read about. It also created talking points for communicating with other people in the class. The only improvements I could suggest for the class would be to have more assignment similar to the Revit one. I know it would be difficult, but if there could be multiple mini assignments that each utilize a demo version of a new program that would be a great way to learn about new software. Overall it was a good experience and I am glad I choose to take this class.

Responses:

Maita,

I also signed up for AE410 because it was a professional elective that fit my schedule and much like you I ended up really enjoying the class. It really put into prospective just how many different technologies exist and how they are evolving to solve modern problems. Just knowing that these technologies are out there gives us an advantage but having a basic understanding of some of them (BIM, Revit, Access) will be very useful going forward.

Wahbeh,

I also found this class interesting.  The connections drawn between technology and various professional fields were fun to learn about. I also plan to try an incorporate some of these technologies into my future projects.

Johnson,

I didn’t appreciate the freedom that we were given for the final project until after reading your post. Few classes allow you to choose your topic and even fewer allow you to explore that topic in any way you want. It made it easy to find something that we were interested in which always makes these types of projects more interesting. I also agree that the ability to continue to adapt to changing technologies will be increasingly important in the future.    

Wicker - SQL- What is it and Why is it Important?

SQL (Structured Query Language) is defined as a special purpose programing language that was designed to work with relational databases (1). Although it’s been around for a long time, SQL is still the primary program used for the relation between an application and a relational database. There are many tools associated with SQL that have been designed for specific functions or jobs. These tools enhance the ability of various features of SQL to meet different criteria. For example, PHPMyAdmin allows you to easily add and edit visuals associated with your database. It also allows you to create new databases or delete old ones. Once you have a database created you can begin to build it out using the coding language. You can add request boxes for things like names, ID numbers, and addresses by creating a table for a specific type of entry. Once a table has been created specific data can be added for individual customers or projects. Each line of data can be assigned a specific ID number, this allows you to edit data associated with a specific object.

The types of functions can all be entered by hand by the database administrator but the real power and functionality of this comes with the ability to automate databases. In the RG Edu video, Brian Alderman talks about the benefits of using data bases and is quick to point out that a lot of things that we encounter daily are associated with databases (2). Everything from grocery store inventories to airline company websites. By using a collection of tables that are able to talk to each other with primary keys you can create a functional relational database that is able to do a wide range of things. In terms of design tools, being able to have a database that contains things like objects and book cases is extremely helpful for large projects since all you have to do is grab the data rather than redesign each piece. Data bases like this already exist and are being used in programs like AutoCAD and Revit. As these design programs become more powerful the databases associated with them also need to co-evolve. If you think back to the one BIM video we watched in class, each door had its own product info that would appear when selected, this was a prime example of how these databases can be used to further enhance design tools.

1. Traversy Media. “SQL Crash Course – Beginner to Intermediate.” Youtube, commentary by Brad Traversy, 29 Mar. 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWeW3sCmD2k

2. RG Edu. “Database Fundamentals – Introduction to Core Database Concepts.”

Youtube, commentary by Brian Alderman and Pete Harris, 25 May 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdeaqBCR5PQ

Responses:

Jacob,

It is clear that databases can be very useful for constructions firms because they can quickly and easily track data for multiple projects at the same time. Being able to track everything from revision dates to product inventories is a great way to have a complete understanding of where a project is at. One problem that could develop is that this amount of data becomes overwhelming. A good database will keep it organized but it seems like an easy way to overload a system and cause possible crash scenarios. This is why these databases must coevolve along with the BIM technologies that they are associated with.

Amisal,

I agree with your leading point about how any successful business also has an effective database that they use. I work part time for a company right now who have a functioning database but there are a lot of reoccurring flaws. These flaws account for multiple hours of wasted time each week. Its easy to see how a properly designed database can streamline workflow no matter what that workflow might be.

Isaac,

You bring up a great point about how each part of the process can be easily documented and tracked using databases. This can be especially helpful for regulatory agencies since they need the most updated and accurate data to enforce regulations and policies. Without accurate tracking and recording these regulations might as well not exist.  Incorporating these new database technologies is a good step towards making government regulators more efficient.

Blog Post 4- How Intelligent Building Technologies Can Be Used to Make A Building More Green

Our project is based on a variation of the “Intelligent vs Green” topic. We aim to explore how these intelligent building technologies are being implemented in the design and operation of buildings to create an overall green building. As intelligent building technologies are developed they primarily focus on making new buildings more efficient to lower operating cost while increasing comfort. Green technologies meet similar goals with a focus on things like utilizing sustainable materials and energy efficient processes. This has led to the two fields coevolving to change the way new buildings are designed and operated.

We plan to start by researching the definitions for what defines an “intelligent” and “green” building. From there we will be finding the technologies that are currently being used or developed to create/operate these building. I suspect that many of these technologies will aim to solve the same problems that designers and operator face which is why they are commonly integrated together in buildings. Both intelligent and green buildings are becoming increasingly popular and regulatory agencies are implementing more strict design requirements that reflect this. Incentive systems are already in place to help push developers to create more efficient buildings, so it makes sense that this will also drive any companies in the technology sector to continue to create products that can be implemented in new and retrofitted buildings.

While doing some preliminary research for this paper I stopped to look at a website that I am currently using. I have an account with Swellinvesting.com, an investing website with a focus on socially responsible companies. The website has 6 portfolios that it manages in various categories like green technologies, renewable energy, zero waste, and disease eradication.  Under the green technologies portfolio, you have companies like Park Electrochemical Corp. who are a materials manufacturer for telecommunications infrastructure, but you also have companies like AutoDesk who create design technologies to help create green and intelligent structures. Swell tracks how these portfolios do against the Russell 3000 and over the last two years the portfolio had performed around 16% better than the market. This reinforces the idea that there is a growing market for these types of technologies and that there will continue to be growth in this area.

   

 Responses:

Chris,

Sounds like a real fun brainstorming session! It will be interesting to see how these “smart” technologies become common place in our homes. I feel like now more than ever the public is more open to new technologies that have the ability to make our lives easier. Things like Amazon’s Alexa are already being implemented into people’s homes and exposing entire families to new technologies. However, I don’t know if homeowners will be interested in having all that data available to them but they would be interested on a system that could update and maintain itself without user input.

The idea of retrofitting old buildings with intelligent devises sounds like a great way to increase the efficiently of outdated structures without a large capital investment.

Isaac,

 I think it is great that you will be applying the engineering skills that you have learned here to teaching others. I think as engineers one of the things you learn how to do is learn new skills quickly and be able to apply them to various projects. This is a skill that can be applied to all fields and can be very valuable. I think in the future their will be more classes focused on technology and how it is implemented in various fields, so being up to date on new programs could be very valuable as an instructor.

Amisial,

We are doing a similar topic and have found that there is a strong connection between intelligent and green technologies. Thankfully there is a lot of research and data available on these types of technologies so researching them should be easy. If companies are able to continue to develop these technologies further the high cost of installation may become less of a factor.

Wicker - Current Problems With Revit/BIM

As an Environmental Engineering major, I haven’t had a lot of experience with Revit. My co-ops have involved extensive CAD work and required me to learn and implement add-ons for the program, but I have had very little experience using Revit. To gain insight on some common problems associated with Revit I chose to speak with my friend Alex who is a 5th year Architecture major and is currently working full time at an architecture firm in Malvern. She works with Revit every day and shared with me some of the problems she has with it.

Alex feels that Revit isn’t user friendly, which makes it hard for new people to pick it up quickly. She said that she has spent many hours helping new co-ops figure out how to use basic features of the program. Alex also expressed frustrations about being restricted to orthogonal pieces unless you create a module or family. This adds to a point she made at the beginning of our conversation about AutoCAD being a better option for some tasks such as details or specs. In the end Alex did admit that she enjoys using Revit and has become efficient in it after using it for so many days at work.

Many of Alex’s comments could have been copy and pasted into a forum for multiple computer aided design programs. Every program has its flaws but the greatest problem facing them as a collective is the inability to quickly and efficiently share usable data between platforms. My group read about interoperability during week 3 and what it meant for BIM technology. This is the number 1 problem facing these types of programs. As each improves and adds more features they generate more data that is used within a drawing/model. As we read in the BIM Handbook, It is difficult for someone on a different platform to take the existing file and improve upon it to use in a model of their own. Developers must create additional translators for their programs which costs time and money that could be used to further develop the program itself. As I stated in my previous post, if developers can not create an effective way for these platforms to work together seamlessly than the overall growth of BIM technologies will suffer. However, the current market for these types of programs is unique since a single consumer could be using multiple programs created by different companies to complete a project. This could help incentivize developers to focus more on making their programs work more seamlessly with other data since a program with superior interoperability will be more valuable to consumers in the future.

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.


Replies:

Chris,

I have worked extensively with AutoCAD over all 3 of my co-ops but never had the opportunity to learn much about Revit. My co-op was with a Civil Site Design team, so CAD was our number 1 tool. I feel that one of the advantages we have as students right now is that we are being exposed to many different computer programs right now which will help us to be able to learn how to use them more easily in the future. We already know that advancements in design technology will continue to change and improve how we as engineers work in the future, so it is critical that we are able to continue to learn an adapt as well.

Thomas,

I am not very familiar with Revit so I asked some friends who are about how they felt about the program. They echoed your posted to a degree. Even though they have been working with Revit for a few years now they are no where close to using the program to its full potential. Some blamed this on what you referred to as the “learning curve” associated with the program. They found it to not be very intuitive so even performing basic tasks could be difficult. It could be especially difficult for older engineers who didn’t grow up in a world filled with technology to quickly adopt these programs even if it would be beneficial for them to do so.

I also agree with your take on Dynamo. After what we were able to find in class it seems like it could be a great first step toward creating a more efficient program all around.

Lauren,
After reading your post I began thinking about how useful a hybrid program of AutoCAD and Revit could be. Civil site designers can easily move between site layouts that reflect the work currently being done by those designing the building its self. It could shorten the total time of projects and save money on design costs. Currently a simple issue with a building footprint or façade sizing could take days to resolve since emails or meetings must take place between multiple parties and then updated files must be transferred and translated into useable forms. Having all this design happen in one centralized place may be able to shorten these processes and make for a more efficient project.
However, the current technology isn’t there yet and having a file with all that data is impossible currently. As BIM technologies advance we may see programs with this kind of versatility become common in our field.

B2 - Chapter 3: Interoperability

Interoperability is defined as the ability to exchange data between different applications in order to improve workflow. Since there are many different programs and applications used in the design process for various fields of engineering it is critical for these groups to be able to convert and utilize the data from others. However, this adds repetitive steps to the process which has a negative effect on work flow. There has been a national push through the National BIM Standard (NIBIMS) to standardize the data required for these types of applications to allow data to be converted more quickly and even automatically.

One of the major challenges for interoperability is platform-to-platform exchange (1). Each individual platform has its own range of data as well as internal rules that make the object exist in terms of that program. If you were to try to share this object across platforms you would need to convert all the data as well as exchange the rules for that object. This is difficult since sometimes those rules exist in separate spreadsheets that would also need to be shared. Another problem with interoperability is that once the data is moved to a new platform the goal is usually to modify it and improve upon it to complete the project. Currently if you were to receive a model form a different platform, an engineer would have to review, modify, and update the model to make sure there are no errors before making his or her own changes. This adds time and costs to all projects and ultimately hurts workflow.

As new modeling technologies are introduced, and the existing platforms are updated to follow the NIBIMS standards for data, we will begin to see more applications that are able to operate together seamlessly. Two NASA funded companies, Boeing and General Electric, have already adapted what is now known as IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specifications) which allows each software company to develop only two translators for their program rather than a new translator for every exchange. IGES was a success and is still used today throughout engineering communities.

I believe that the overall capabilities of BIM technology will be hindered if the technology that promotes interoperability does not improve with it. The more complex that these programs get the harder it will be to move data between them which will ultimately hurt workflow and discourage the desire to push these technologies further.

Sources:

1.)    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.

1. Carlos Hillinger

I watched the video and it helped me gain a better understanding of how BIM works for a project. The chapter I read this week was on interoperability and I see where the advantages are with having multiple programs that are able to access the same data and build a concise model like the one in the video. Here it seems that all the components in the restaurant are stored in a central BIM library so adding them to the model seems easy. A problem may arise when a client wants to use a certain door or window that isn’t already loaded into the BIM library. It may just be as simple as adding the specs for the door to the library and having someone who runs the BIM library review and approve it to be used again on later projects. With all this data going into a single model it is also important for developers to focus on interoperability to allow the various programs being used to create it to talk to each other easily.

2. Andrew Maita

One of the portions of this chapter that stuck out to me was the highlights of how the current platforms utilize interoperability and the flaws highlights similar to what you have said here. If that person from the senior design group has to go in to eQuest and enter all the parameters of the building again it will require a lot more time than just loading in a Revit file. This also creates more opportunities for errors which would further increase the amount of time spent trying to analyze the building. It is clear that there are huge implications for businesses to focus on interoperability for these exact reasons. The time and costs that could be saved on each project would be worth the early investments.

3. Jacob Wahbeh

I think any time you make more data accessible to people you have the opportunity to streamline a process like this. Being able to have a single model with all aspects of the construction on it would make planning a construction process much easier as well as predicting those conflicts. Making the right data more available for everyone to access may also help in this area. The people handling the construction don’t need to know the make and model of the chairs that will be going inside but they would need piling dimensions or board sizes for a fence. In the few BIM videos I’ve watched on youtube it seems like there is so much information that it may just clutter the model and make it difficult for people to get to what they need in a timely fashion.  

Lauren Kujawa Project Idea

I plan on researching the difference between intelligent and green buildings.  I plan on working with Tyler Wicker on this project. 

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.

Tyler Wicker - Definition of Intelligent Building

Intelligent Building- incorporating new and innovative technologies into all aspect of the design build process for new and retrofit structures.

Tyler Wicker - Blog Post 1

During the in-class assignment in week one, our group discussed how automation could possibly phase out jobs in the construction industry as well as various engineering jobs. Advancements in 3D printing technology have lead to companies being able to create structures using a single machine with little to no user input. This combined with BIM could one-day lead to a revolutionary change in how structures are designed and built.
After watching the video in class of the 3D printed concrete wall and video in the link below with Cedric de Meeus, 3D printing along with use of advanced robotics can completely change the way buildings are built. Implementing these technologies would mean a reduction in labor costs and liability for construction companies as well as an increase in efficiency. Mr. Meeus explains that a typical construction site will not look the same if these technologies continue to be implemented. Sites will be continuously running and have far fewer humans around. Pre-fabricated pieces may also become more prominent since it would be easier for robots to assemble something rather than to create what is needed on site. These changes would all be slowly transitioned into use but the end goal looks more like an automated factory assembly line then a current typical construction site.
As engineers our jobs seem much harder to automate then some of the jobs you may find on a construction site due to the many factors that must but accounted for when designing anything. Countries, states, counties, cities, and towns all have various regulations and standard when it comes to designing something that is going to be built or produced. These regulations and standards must be met by the designer and checked by the governing body to ensure that the final product is safe for the public to use. This process had been relatively uninfluenced by advancements in BIM technology until Singapore initiated the CORENET project in 1998. The project aimed to automate the process of checking plans submitted for code compliance. “CORENET itself was a larger national initiative to boost the turnaround time, productivity and quality of Singapore’s construction industry, and in addition to automated code-checking (called e-PlanCheck), it included the ability to electronically submit project plans and documents for approval (called e-Submission) and the availability of a central online repository of building and construction related information (called e-Info). With the introduction of BIM technology in the AEC industry, e-PlanCheck seemed poised to be a success, given that it is so much easier to check a model for code compliance than a drawing” (2). The CORENET project never met its goal but it did inspire companies to devote time and research to creating similar platforms to address the problem. The International Code Council (ICC) created a similar project in 2006 in the US but it would end up failing just a year later due to lack of funding. A few companies are still working to on projects to create an automated code checking system, but none have made any significant advancements in the recent years. Steady progress in the implementation of BIM throughout the world could help to strengthen the push for automated code checking but a lot more research and new technologies are required for it to become common place for engineers in the US. However, if through technology we can automate the review process for engineering there is nothing stopping companies from working to automate the design process as well.

1) 3D printing in construction by Cédric de Meeûs, LafargeHolcim:

https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510?linked=c8a753c4-b124-4c7c-9d70-02439705dd90&newReg=false#st=p&n=dbb7311b-e54d-4ec7-8b51-25c267053569&t=3db95129-c0cf-48a9-9fbb-4a68f8bd32ba

2) Automating Code Compliance in AEC:

https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510?linked=c8a753c4-b124-4c7c-9d70-02439705dd90&newReg=false#st=p&n=2f717fc0-697c-4397-bf1b-72ec1ac49c70&t=faed6016-756b-4c6a-b93e-ef9163c42d1e

Comment 1: Jordan,
It'll be interesting to see how advancements in AI will make its way into our everyday lives similar to how google already has. I think now more than ever the general population is more willing to try new and revolutionary products to change the way we do things in our day-to-day lives. With more businesses able to produce products that utilize AI more consumers will have access to the technology. 
Comment 2: Lauren,
Being able to create data bases and other AI technologies quickly and cheaply will hopefully allow smaller companies to compete with large tech giants like Google and Amazon. The larger companies will still attract the best talent on the market but better access to this technology will promote competition in the industry. I'm interested to see what Google is able to create with this technology.
Comment 3: Dee Dee,
The smart HVAC technology sounds like a great idea that should be implemented in all future homes and offices. Especially if you can couple it with exiting nest technologies like you said. I wonder how much development still needs to be done to make this a common feature in building design and if there will ever be regulations requiring technology like this in all new buildings to help limit energy consumption.

Tyler Wicker

My name is Tyler Wicker and I am a senior Environmental Engineering Student here at Drexel University. My expectations for this class include learning about various new technologies that will improve the way we approach problems throughout our professional careers. I have some experience using Revit from earlier classes but have never had to use it in a professional setting. While working at the Philadelphia Water Department for my first co-op I had to work with their database daily to retrieve information as well as enter specific data for new projects. The most interesting Evernote article that I found was one about how Blockchain is re imagining the "rules of the game" in the energy sector. The article talks about how the technology has the potential to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future.

My current definition of Intelligent Building would be: combining advances in technology and materials to efficiently design and build new structures 

Last Names for Tags (Part II) Ignore it

This post is required because Blogger doesn't allow more than 200 characters of Labels for any post.  You can ignore the post