AE-510 Reflection

The Intelligent Building course was a great tool to learn more about current ways, as well as a look into the future ways, that technology is used within the design and construction of buildings. When I signed up for the class I expected a heavy dose of building networks and sensor information which I knew could help me in my career. We did get that for a few weeks. The added lectures on robotics and BIM offered a great deal of information through the guest speaker and Prof. Mitchell’s knowledge on the topics. Exploring the database functions also offered a great deal as many students are not familiar with Access and other database software, which can be put to great use in areas other than buildings.

I would have to say my favorite part of the class was hearing everyone’s thoughts on the various topics during class. I also enjoyed getting experience with building Revit families as well as increasing my knowledge on database creation, even though I could not figure out how to get my reports and forms to work together like I wanted.

I agree with many other students in their posts that this class just scratches the surface of each topic and whole classes can be used to explore each topic further. I also think some people mentioned the workload being heavy but I think the assignments were manageable and easy to complete within an hour or two.

Having taken AE390 and AE391 under Prof. Mitchell and now this course I see that he really appreciates every student and loves teaching what he knows.

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

Term Project - Sensor Database in BMS

For my AE-510 term project I am researching how a collection of data, provided by sensors throughout a building, is compiled into a database and how this database interacts with the Building Management System (BMS) to specifically influence HVAC system control. Like Rita Pauliushchyk stated in her blog post, sensors improve the overall efficiency of building operation. By themselves, sensors provide very little information; it is not until the sensor data is compiled and processed that the information can be used to report data or perform a task. My project will explore the interaction of the sensors in a database with the BMS to operate the various components of the HVAC system efficiently in order to optimize the building and lower the operating cost and environmental impact.

In order to do this I will define the aspects of a building management system which involves a network of controllers, sensors and output devices that can control metering, air systems and water systems within the building. I will then explore the various kinds of sensors and how their data is collected and formed into a database of all the sensors within the building. This data is processed and recorded and displayed to the user through the database so the information can be used. I will look at the specific ways that data is used in order to automate the building systems. I will also look at the future of sensors and their interaction with the BMS.

Many of the students in the class are researching intelligent vs. green building. I believe that the interaction between sensors and the BMS are a link between these two as it is using the intelligence of sensors and automation in order to improve system efficiency, lowering the amount of energy used and minimizing the buildings impact on the environment.

Chapter 4 - BIM Handbook

The use of BIM software helps all people involved in the design and operation of a building. It allows the engineers and architects to coordinate during design, and later in the construction phase, the contractors as well. As Kayleigh mentions in her blog post, Designers are able to coordinate in 3D for the first time during design phase. BIM also helps building owners in a multitude of ways that may not be obvious at first glance.  The owner’s wishes for their building are mainly to receive a working and safe building at a low cost. With BIM software the owner can see their building during the design phase and make changes, along with the engineers and architect, in order to get the final product that they wish for. BIM software also decreases the amount of time from concept to start-up because of the coordination among all involved parties.

Another tool of BIM software is the ability to perform energy analysis to lower energy consumption and costs. The building model, along with energy analysis software allows the owner and engineers to tweak the design aspects like insulation and window placement in order to decrease the amount of energy used in the building through heating, cooling and lighting. BIM software’s Daylighting and glare simulations allow designers to optimize light into the workspaces where employees or building users will achieve the most productivity.

A well-built model can be used during operation and maintenance phase in order to better facilitate the building staff’s upkeep of the building. Knowing exactly where a piece of equipment is, what it looks like and how to access it can save a lot of time and money on yearly maintenance cost. A BIM model’s “walk through” capabilities will also allow simulations such as fire exit scenarios to be assessed.

Of course all of these benefits are brought forth only if the owner is proactive enough to require BIM software. As Jeanine says in her blog, owners must know the capabilities of BIM software and must have representative that are informed in the use of a BIM model and software.

Future of Robotics

An autonomous robot is a robot that performs a task without human intervention. There are many autonomous robots in existence today, such as those used in the automotive industry to assemble cars. In the future there will be many, many more autonomous robots all around us performing a variety of everyday tasks.

A specific task that autonomous robots will likely perform is the act of driving our vehicles for us. An article by Prof. Seth Teller of MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory wrote an article discussing the ability of robots to drive our vehicles for us. Teller’s article states that there are a multitude of benefits from having robots drive our vehicles including, safety, productivity and energy efficiency. Imagine being able to talk on your cell phone, write a report or finish work that you did not complete; all on your way home. Smart cars like these will be able to increase fuel efficiency and prolong the life of the car. Additionally, accidents between vehicles may be reduced if vehicles were able to communicate between each other, something that human drivers are not always able to do.

In order for these vehicles to function there must still be a human and machine interaction such as telling the vehicle where to go. The system must also be able to communicate with the world around it effectively. This is done by placement of sensors that will give the car its bearings; the vehicle must know where it is specifically in the world, as well as what is in its vicinity. Technology like this already exists in retail warehouses on a smaller scale. Hundreds of robots know exactly where they are located inside of a warehouse, interact with eachother, and are able to travel down "robot highways" in order to pick products off of shelves. It is just a matter of time till the scale is increased to aid the human race in transportation. The future of robotics, especially in this case, can be scary to some people, but with proper engineering, the benefits that it can bring to the human race are limitless.

Articles:

Autonomous Passenger Vehicles 

Autonomous robots invade retail warehouses