Class Reflection

Prior to taking this course, I thought its content would have been more focused on the design of intelligent buildings, or the intelligent design of buildings. However, after the first class I realized it was much more than that. The class, to me, was very conceptual. While I can't say that I walked away from this class with a full understanding BIM, robotics, or databases, I can say that I have a very broad understanding of these topics. With that understanding came my ability to come up with ideas and understand how building design could be done more efficiently, and intelligently. All of the aspects of the course can be tied back to idea of designing a better building.

One misconception I discovered I had during this class was that intelligent and green buildings can go hand-in-hand, but aren't one in the same.  Professor Mitchell mentioned that Bill Gates's house is extremely intelligent, having televisions that follow people on the adjacent walls throughout the house. However, that does not make his house very "green".

Course Reflection

Coming into this course, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. My intention behind taking the course was that it would fill a professional elective requirement and the class name "Intelligent Building" sounded like it could be interesting.

After taking this class, I am leaving this term with a much more realistic view on where the engineering and construction industries are going.  Going through the core architectural engineering classes, I have focused more on the academic aspect and have only been given a glimpse of the real life engineering industry through my co-op positions.  This class allowed me to explore and reflect on technologies such as robotics, sensors, BIM and databases and how those technologies can be applied in engineering and construction.

Professor Mitchell tended to focus on the possibilities of these technologies and encouraged us to discuss the most extreme developments and uses possible. The speakers we had in class were a helpful balance by providing us with a more realistic perspective on how these technologies are currently being used and developed.  I enjoyed learning about BIM from Eric of KlingStubbins because I was able to see the possibilities that BIM offers and how it can be applied when designing real life building systems.

Group C - High Rise CIA Facility

The building we are focusing on is a high rise office building in Washington, DC. The building will be a 36 story office facility for the CIA.  Because this is a government building with an assumed large budger, advanced building intelligence and maximum security are both top priorities.
In terms of programming, BIM would be highly useful in allotting spaces for highly classified areas and creating a flow of spaces based on security clearances.  BIM and cost analysis would be the primary technologies in the design process.  BIM would be used to integrate all building systems and to satisfy the client's needs regarding security. Sensors play an important role in security and monitoring systems for energy efficiency. For bidding and approval, the municipality, contractors, and owners would be the key stakeholders. BIM, a building program database, and structural model would all be used in this stage of the building process through cost analyses and permit approvals.
All stakeholders would be involved in the construction process. BIM, surveys, and regional models would all be utilized through construction management.  These technologies would be used to make the building process more efficient. Sensors would be the most important technology during the occupancy of the building.  They would be used to control temperature, humidity, and lighting to control the building conditions. BIM and building analyses would be used during any required renovations as well as the demolition process.

Key conclusions:
high security
low energy
well integrated building automation system
database integration

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/11zHlbeyAH2uO-qwbqSojYviIMqF4eBdOyr3su7oHtTs/edit?usp=sharing

Humidity Sensors

Of all the sensors used in a typical building, humidity sensors were what I knew the least about before writing this post.  I had a general idea of how the other types of sensors worked, but couldn't even really make assumptions as to how humidity sensors worked.  The first thing I learned with this post is that humidity sensors are called hygrometers.  I did figure that, like other sensors, hygrometers used a combination of temperature and pressure, or change in electrical properties for electronic sensors to determine the moisture in the atmosphere. 

When searching the internet I came across a list of typical types of hygrometers used in the industry; metal-paper coil, hair tension, chilled mirror dewpoint, capacitive humidity, resistive, and thermal conductivity. The metal-paper coil and the hair tension hygrometers seem to be the most "primitive" form of sensor, being that it uses physical properties of materials and calibration to display humidity level on a dial.  The metal-paper coil hygrometer works like a bimetallic thermometer, only instead of two different metals, a salt infused strip of paper is attached to a coil, causing the coil to change shape.  A hair tension hygrometer works by measuring the change in tension in a human or animal hair with the hair shortening as humidity increases.  Both of those types of hygrometers are calibrated to display relative humidity. 

The other types of humidity sensors use the change in a materials electrical properties to determine the relative humidity.  Most of the time a type of salt or electrical polymer is used in these hygrometers. 

Object Oriented Databases

An object oriented database is one that attempts to model the real world. The database defines objects by using different classes that can perform actions or have actions performed on them. As Kayleigh stated, Revit is an object oriented database because it models real objects inside buildings. An object has a class and different attributes that define it as well as methods that can be applied to it. An example of class and attributes in Revit could be Air Handling units or Windows, etc. Each class has different attributes defined when the families are made, such as door size, material, manufacturer, etc. The example in the article I read by Ramon A. Mata-Toledo and Pranshu Gupta uses automobiles as an example. The Class is automobiles and the attributes are the color, make and model and other attributes that can define an individual car. The methods are things that cars can do or have done to them such as park or be washed.

The applications of object oriented databases to intelligent building are numerous. For instance, as already discussed, Revit already uses an object oriented database to model architectural, structural and MEP designs; but the applications do not end here. Object oriented databases can call on a model to simulate building performance. An air handling unit class can have further modeling done such as fan power, cooling and heating coil information and other information in order to perform simulations with different building zones to model energy performance. Other building systems can also be simulated as well as full system integration simulations that show how different building systems work together. 

Sources:

http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=object+oriented+programming&id=757337

http://beesl.syr.edu/pdf/Poster_VirtualBuilding_KF.pdf

Object Oriented Databases

As engineers in this modern era, databases are used in almost every aspect of our careers.  While working on co-op I learned to use databases that the firm created, that were provided by equipment manufacturing, and that had been used for BIM or Revit purposes.  The database most relevant to this course would have to be the one we used for Revit and AutoCAD.  As a structural engineer, most of the materials we work with are somewhat generic and do not have specific manufacturers providing models of their product.  For the most part, Revit has the steel shapes stored within the preloaded database. However, when it came to concrete design, we often had to create our own families within the database for different types o concrete beams and columns.  Eventually this database begins to cover almost every type of beam or column and therefore lessens the requirement for engineers to make new families for a given project. After reading Maria's and Kayleigh's post I was able to understand a little better what exactly databases are and what they are used for within the BIM category.  While I had an idea of what an object oriented database is, I wasn't actually clear until reading their posts. 

Object oriented databases are exactly what their name implies, they store objects rather than data points.  This is obviously geared towards design applications, whether they be in CAD, BIM, manufacturing, animation, or anything of the sort.  This allows for the designers to be more efficient with their design and modeling.  I know that if I had to redraw everything in Revit or even AutoCAD, my job would have taken twice as long, which would dramatically decrease my efficiency.  I only see the use of these databases increasing tremendously over the course of our careers.  With the theme of this course being intelligent buildings, I feel this topic fits perfectly.  As engineers and designers, we will definitely continue to utilize these databases to further the efficiency of our process and design more intelligent buildings. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Object_database

ieor.berkeley.edu/~goldberg/courses/F04/215/215-OODB.ppt

http://www.25hoursaday.com/WhyArentYouUsingAnOODBMS.html

Term Project Description

For my term project I chose to explore the uses and potential uses of robotics in construction, particularly in the structural component manufacturing and assembling.  Professor Mitchell suggested I further narrow down my topic to make it a more manageable project for the term.  Taking this into consideration I think I am going to research how robotics can and will impact the precast concrete industry. More particularly, the manufacturing of prestressed elements in the plant.  I had done a co-op with a precast manufacturer my sophomore year and have first hand experience with how the plant is run.  I am also currently taking a concrete design course, as well as a prestressed concrete design course.  Using all of the knowledge I have gained from these and the knowledge I will gain from these courses, I would be able to better understand in which ways the use of robotics would benefit this facet of the industry.  While I believe that robotics could and eventually will become the main components of a prestressed concrete plant, I believe that there is still a large human component necessary for the success of the plant.

While I had worked at the precast plant I had noticed that there was great deal of automation within the plant, but was in a very primitive form.  I am not sure if this was just because the plant I worked at was in great need of an update, or if this was common among precast plants.  Either way, there was much room for improvement.  I remember the concrete mixing plant being in the back of the building, where normal concrete trucks would receive the concrete and then continue to drive through the plant to their destination, all the while mixing as if they were delivering concrete to a site in the field miles away.  This seemed very inefficent and time consuming and potentially dangerous.  A truck meant for operating on an open road was opperating in an environmet with people walking aroud in close quarters.  These trucks have many blindspots and are not meant to be driven indoors like that.  There was also the issue of pulling the prestressing tendons to their design tension, a very dangerous taks.  If one of those strands had pulled or snapped it could have easily killed someone.  There is also the health hazard of working in an environment with all of the chemicals and dust associated with precast plants. 

I want to discuss how and if robotics will be implemented into the precast manufacturaing industry in the near future.  I feel this is an industry that can benefit from the use of robotics in a big way.

I found the project being done by Maria Gabriela Gonzalez and her partner to be very interesting and pretty similar to my project.  They talk about using robots in construction in the field; particularly for the more repetetive, automated tasks as well.  I think that once the technology becomes more advanced this will become much more feasible. 

Sources:  My first hand experience in a precast plant at Universal Concrete Products Corporation

 

BIM Handbook 2011 – Chapter 4 – “BIM for Owners and Facility Managers”

Week 4

1/29/13

David Bregande

Group C

               The purpose of this post is to compare chapters from the 2008 BIM Handbook to the most current 2011 edition.   The executive summary is exactly the same between the two versions of the book.  The first notable addition is introduced shortly afterwards when the 2011 version goes into the details of Integrated Process Delivery, or IPD.  This concept is used in order to better communicate the project to all aspects and departments involved.   This especially applies to the owner of the future structure and the ability for this person to be included and informed from beginning to end.  In the 2008 edition, this section is primarily used to discuss how the owner can benefit from BIM most when it comes to cost projections and being the most efficient economically.  The idea of IPD being included in the current edition makes sense to me because integration between personal has been a recurring issue under constant improvement and has been discussed frequently in class and in previous readings. 

                The trend towards an owner’s better understanding of the design and physical nature of the project itself, as well as an economical payoff due to better organization through BIM, is further displayed in the 2011 version as it leads off section 4.2 with “Design Assessment”.  This section, as compared to the first section of 4.2 titled “Cost Reliability and Management”, goes further into explaining how the concept of the project in its functional phase can be realized before ground is even broken.  This idea allows for owners and managers alike to make alterations and design changes as necessary with as little disruption to the process as possible.  This means a faster and more economical turnaround as well as the creation of a better-suited and more functional result.

               I also found it interesting how the increase in mobile technology and computer systems between 2008 and 2011 allow for BIM to function in a way never thought of before.  As Kayleigh mentioned in her post, the traditional office is being redefined as mobile technology is allowing for people to be unchained from their desks while still being prepared and able to work.  Not only is this nice for the average office worker being able to get some fresh air, but whole projects are now accessible for multiple people from lightweight laptops which allows for instantaneous information almost anywhere.  Jeanine points out that with BIM software becoming more commonplace and practical, there are going to be the need for and an increase in students graduating with vast knowledge with some sort of BIM software.  What was once a tool used by the few to get an edge on the competition, BIM will soon be a requirement for graduating with an engineering degree and landing a good design job.

SOURCE:

BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Contractors.  Chuck Eastman, Paul Teicholz, Rafael Sacks and Kathleen Liston  Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The Future of BIM

In class we discussed how BIM has not only been the biggest advancement in the building industry in quite some time, but it has also been one of the fastest developing technologies within the industry.  When first developed, the theories and ideas behind the technology were much further ahead than the technology.  With rapid advancements within the technology, it is becoming commonplace for designers and owners to prefer BIM implementation in their project.  BIM is allowing for better communication between the owners, designers, and different disciplines.   Better communication and integration will lead to better designs, more efficient building processes, and slightly cheaper building costs. 

As Kayleigh said in her post, the need for a dedicated BIM department will be pivotal in the success of architectural and engineering firms in the future.  With the complexity and potential for multidisciplinary integration, consistency within the design process will be very important.  These departments will control design standards and regulate families and model synchronization within the firm.  This integration will increase model efficiency and allow for further development of model use in the field.  Which brings me to the point that Junwah made; we are no longer limited to advanced technology only being available in the office.  With the advancement in mobile technology, there is reason to believe that a tablet device could be loaded with the BIM, allowing a contractor to navigate the model in the field when questions arise during construction.  I believe that within the next 5-10 years mobile device technology will allow for this type of integration in the field.

Source: BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Contractors. Chuck Eastman, Paul Teicholz, Rafael Sacks and Kathleen Liston Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

  

Introductory Post

Week 1
Bregande
GROUP C
Introductory Post

My Background:

                As stated in the Introductory Survey, my experience with building automation comes from the work I did during my first two Co-ops.  Working for a small energy management firm in Center City for two years taught me a broad range of energy efficiency methods and their implementations.  Although our work was more oriented in mass product upgrades, such as lighting and HVAC, in the “Big Box” setting, I had some brief hands on experience with Automated Building Systems and different controls used to monitor and provide feedback and changes in efficiency.

Course Expectations:

                Given only one class a week, I am expecting to learn about a broad range of systems and methods for improving the overall efficiency of a building.  It will then be up to my own accord to really investigate and get the most out of what is briefly introduced to me.  I find the content interesting and very relevant and for these reasons look forward to gaining any knowledge possible. 

Personal Definition of “Intelligent Buildings”:

                I define an intelligent building as one that is not only designed to function efficiently on a day to day basis but is created to be efficient from day one.  This means that the materials, location, building methods, and all aspects of design are considered.  Personally, I find the most intelligent buildings to be ones constructed underground.  These designs are cheap and take advantage of natural thermal properties in order to provide aspects that can be very costly otherwise.  The more modern and common way to describe an intelligent building would be one that is virtually monitored and ran by computer systems for maximum efficiency purposes.