Last Blog

I although I do not think that I will ever have to use the things I have learned in AE 510 in the near future, I know that this class has made me think in a different way especially when it comes to intelligent design. While I was preparing my senior seminar poster, I started thinking about the topic I had researched (Traffic Analysis Software) in a different way. Even before I took AE 510, I had an idea that our highway systems could change according to the amount of cars on the roadway. The lane medians instead of being concrete could be made of bollards that that could expand or retract one side of the highway to accommodate the amount of traffic. When it comes to construction of buildings, I think that over the course of my career I will most definitely have to learn how to use BIM on a professional level. And not just BIM programs such as Revit but also programs that will deal with stormwater management, structural engineering, etc. I do not however think that these programs will create a standard language so that all these programs can work together. I think there will be too much money to be made by keeping these programs from reaching their full potential of intelligence. When it comes to stormwater management which, I have mainly worked on during my co-op experiences, I can see very good uses for BIM and databases when it comes to designing things like bio-retention areas, dry wells, cisterns, etc. As for the class, I don’t think I would change anything except for maybe introducing the class to more BIM software. As I noted before I think there should be development of BIM software dealing with different areas of construction not just for buildings. Doing a quick search, it seems that there are BIM programs for what I noted but they seem to still be in their infancy. I agree with what Matthew Tedesco said when he mentioned that out work as engineers affect people in many different ways. I would also add that some of our work is not necessarily appreciated because it can not be seen. Things such as taking time to consider how a building should be constructed to save money, to have a more efficient construction, and to lessen environmental impacts. 

http://www.wspgroup.com/en/wsp-group-bim/10-truth-bim/

http://www3.villanova.edu/vusp/Outreach/pasym11/lidpdfs/66_4west.pdf

Databases Construction Firms

Due to the size of construction projects, there are vast amounts of information that is recorded and stored but do need to be retrieved. By using databases this information can be kept without having to use up physical space, the information can be shared with authorized users and can be summoned with a couple clicks. This kind of organization can lower costs, making analysis of data easier. The more data that is inputted into the database will give the organization using the database more room for analysis. These databases can greatly improve organization as different pieces of information can be organized into queries. Databases are used for auditing, tracking users, generating reports, and creating group assignments. These databases can become so big that tables containing columns of information can be connected to other tables. Relational databases help immensely with cost estimates, and time. The relational database makes updating very easy as the design of the project is still in progress. These kinds of features are especially useful when using programs like Revit. In some cases manufacturers have their products recorded on the program in which the database is being created and information can automatically be filled in the proper categories. Going back to the analysis part of databases. I think that these databases can really improve construction by finding trends with the data gathered. By finding trends you can either determine that the trend is bad and needs to be fixed or it is good and suggest ways to improve it. Obviously hundreds of projects would have to be examined to determine if there are any trends. I agree with David Morrison that databases are "glorified excel files" and that the main features are to organize data and to be able to search for that data quickly when needed. I find that databases having their own language in SQL is interesting. This is something that we have talked a lot about with BIM. There needs to be one universal language in which all programs can use so that different firms can use the data even if they don't have the same programs.

http://pmbook.ce.cmu.edu/14_Organization_and_Use_of_Project_Information.html#14.4 Organizing Information in Databases
http://continuingeducation.construction.com/article.php?L=12&C=838&P=5
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/concrete/pubs/07020/

Senior Design Project BIM

I will be working with Jay Ng and Mitchell Butler. My group and I chose the project topic of "Senior Design With BIM" with the theme of making our building green, specifically to make the building and the site net zero. We chose this project not only because of the convenience of using our senior design project to help us with this project but also to document the differences between BIM and traditional approaches to design. We plan to document the use of BIM using Revit for the design of our building and comparing it to Google Sketchup. We will possibly compare AutoCAD to Revit if time allows for it. I think the challenge will be to document the use of BIM as an amateur Revit user as the full potential of the program may not come to fruition. It would also be a good idea to explain what is required of a typical construction project and explain how Revit can meet or not meet the requirements as opposed to using Google Sketchup or AutoCAD.  The theme of our senior design project is a net-zero building and site. The proposed site is an urban agricultural farm that will grow crops and serve the community. It involves net-zero in energy, water use, and environmental impact. Our project is trying to do this through rain water harvesting, erosion sediment control, photovoltaics, and other systems in order to reach our goals. We will see which approach will be able to achieve these methods. I also think we should evaluate the user friendliness of these programs as well as giving our own recommendations as to what the companies that make these programs can do to make them better. I think we can also explore how Revit can assist in the civil engineering parts of the project at least when it comes to modeling the building and the site. Looking specifically at Lorena Alvarado's post, I can come to think of a lot of ideas in which our project alone can use sensors. Since we are trying to achieve net-zero in energy, water use, and having to irrigate crops, we could use a whole host of sensors.

Future Of BIM In The Construction Industry

I think that the future for BIM is promising. Chapter 6 lists five capabilities that BIM should provide to contractors. Currently BIM can only provide two. These capabilities are: detailed building information, temporary components, specification information associated with each building component, analysis data related to performance level and project requirements, design and construction status. The last three capabilities seem to already be in existence, obviously still not on programs like Revit but it does seem doable. I think these capabilities can definitely be on BIM programs in five years. Junwah Ng mentioned how we could use phones to check the BIM models. I think that this is definitely possible. I know that AutoCAD already has an app for the iphone. Dr. Moon analyses the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge. I'm pretty sure he sees what he needs to see with strain gauges and the data then comes back to him through a computer displaying whatever he needs to know in real-time. BIM programs would have to have some kind of programming that allows it to analyze data in real-time. I think the last capability of construction status is very doable in the next 5 years. Contractors can be given a task for the day. At the end of the day they can just go to a computer and check off an already made checklist of the things that need to be completed and they can leave notes or reports for reference. I also think that the cost estimating can improve in 5 years and may not entirely replace an estimator. There is going to have to be some kind of online database that BIM can connect to in order to associate different components in the model to the respective brands, prices, properties, etc. The clash detection that BIM can already do is only going to get better. Obviously, the whole point of transitioning to BIM is to save money. Money is the driving for factor for a lot things and construction cost is definitely a driver. With the use of BIM we could probably see government agencies change the way they review projects. Instead of submitting plans, BIM could print out data that cover specific requirements by the government. The government could also be connected to the BIM model at any time for "off-site" inspections to see how the construction is going by giving real-time data as mentioned before.

Chapter 6 Review

As expected after reading chapter 6, BIM can off the construction industry a lot but it still far from perfect. BIM can offer detailed building information and representing temporary components important to the project. However, contractors do need things that BIM cannot provide such as component specifications, design and construction status, and data according to performance and constraints. The construction industry does use the model information for certain procedures. BIM can also help with design errors with clash detection. This can help in construction for example if there are conflict between mechanical and structural systems. BIM is also able to give out data like “area, volume, materials used, and to plot them as schedules. This kind of tool can help with cost estimates. There are limitations however. It is still important to have on hand estimators for projects. BIM for example give the amount of concrete used for footings but cannot give the amount of reinforcing steel used for the footings. What is probably the most interesting thing I read was using BIM to track ongoing construction activities. Errors can be found during construction if there was every anything done that did not match the virtual plans. This can be done through laser scanners, GPS, and RFID tags. Also since BIM can log what materials are used, contractors can send the information to the fabrication centers so as to have these components when needed. By reading the post from Wang Chunyi, it seems that chapter 2 can be directly connected to chapter 6 especially when dealing with clash detection and being able to change the design. I agree with Chunyi that programs like AutoCAD will become obsolete at least when it comes to large projects because the user has to change the design manually rather than automatically with a BIM program. I think that using BIM can be very helpful with the Senior Design project in which I am involved with. We could definitely use BIM to account for the dimensions, materials used, etc and putting them into schedules. I also like the idea of clash detection. It can really save a lot of money, time, and energy to catch the mistakes beforehand. 

Computer Hardware

I think the definition of future is relative to what you are talking about. Such as if a new operating system is going to be released in the future you are probably going to be talking about three years, or if you are talking about prosthetic arms being controlled by a human's brain you could be talking about a decade, or if you talking about intergalactic space travel then you are probably talking about hundreds of years.
As for my topic of computer hardware technology future pretty much means every year since hardware companies are finding ways of making their products more powerful.
According to CNET which covered the CES 2013 computer hardware is "rarely the top category". If this is the case I would find it hard to believe that hardware has any significant impact on the building industry. It would seem that companies such as Intel are working to make their processors more powerful by the year but only to improve personal computer such as through tablets. We are pretty much taking our old technology and making it better to suit our needs as users. Intel for example is working on a technology in which can tract eye movement and motion in order to play an interactive game.  Intel is also working improving battery life and table top computers. The interactive gaming could probably have an impact on the building industry. If the motion control technology from Intel is any good you could probably see them develop a system where they could incorporate a whole room and the person can use the room as a field that is projected on the screen. Of course if Intel can master motion control then it could probably make the video of the automated construction more viable. A person from a room with motion control technology can control the robots with his hands or his eyes. After reading the posts from my group members we all pretty much came up with the same conclusion. I did like one specific thing from what Evan said in which he said that "The future of computer hardware is looking to create a more intuitive experience for the user". van I think this is definitely true. Aside from young children picking up an iphone and knowing how to use it very easily a lot of elderly people can start easily using these devices even though they never grew up having to be around them or use.


http://ces.cnet.com/8301-34439_1-57563543/wrapping-up-computers-tablets-and-hardware-at-ces-2013/
http://ces.cnet.com/8301-34435_1-57562560/pcs-of-the-near-future-intel-lays-out-next-gen-plans/

Group E Is this the future?

We thought this video showed us how construction can be automated, can lower construction costs, labor costs, construction time, can increase efficiency. We think this kind of technology can be used in the future but most likely to be used along side traditional construction techniques. By looking at the video there seemed to be different sensors, such as on the ceiling and the rovers most likely had sensors to know where they are. It could also show that different materials might need to be used if a building were to be constructed by automated machines. The blocks that the rovers were picking up had white painted strips on each end which was either a marker or a kind of glue. It is the future of construction!

Issa Haddad

Background

Hello Class,

My name is Issa Haddad. I am currently a senior majoring in civil engineering and concentrating in structural engineering. I do not have any kind of formal training in BIM or databases. I have mostly worked on stormwater management and erosion settlement control while on co-op. 

Expectations

My expectations are to be able to use Revit at a proficient level so that I could possibly use the new skills in a future job position. I also hope to learn a lot about intelligent building design so that I can take what I have learned and use it in the field.

Definition of intelligent building

I guess my definition on an intelligent building is that the building can adapt to the needs of the occupants. It can also give the occupants statistics like energy use, efficiency of certain systems, if a system needs maintenance, if something can be improved by changing a component, etc.

Civil Engineering Undergraduate Students

Here is the list of Civil Engineering undergraduate students in the course.  This post is also used to create a "label" for each student so it's easy to label your posts later.

Group	Last Name	First Name	Major
E	Alvarado Bastidas	Maria	Civil Engineering
E	Haddad	Issa	Civil Engineering
E	Krall	Ryan	Civil Engineering
E	Lin	Dong	Civil Engineering
E	Rosario	Evan	Civil Engineering