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.

Humidity Sensors

Developments in semiconductor technology have made possible humidity sensors that are incredibly accurate, durable, and inexpensive.  The three most commons types of humidity sensors are capacitive, resistive, and thermal conductivity.

Resistive humidity sensors measure the change in impedance of a medium which has an inverse exponential relationship to relative humidity.  Mediums used include conductive polymers, salt, or treated substrate.  These sensors typically use ceramic as a coating for protection from condensation.  The voltage output provided from the sensor become directly proportional to the relative humidity when signal conditioning is applied.

Thermal conductivity humidity sensors calculate the difference between thermal conductivities of dry air and air containing water vapor to measure absolute humidity.  Because of their ability to measure absolute humidity, these sensors are also referred to as absolute humidity sensors.  This sensor consists of two negative temperature coefficient thermistor elements within a DC bridge circuit.  One element gets sealed in dry nitrogen and the other remains exposed to the environment.  Absolute humidity is directly proportional to the difference between the resistances of each element.

Capacitive sensors are the only type of full-range sensor that can accurately measure to 0% relative humidity.  This type of relative humidity sensor is most commonly used in industrial, commercial, and weather applications and is used over wide ranges of temperature due to their low temperature effect.  Capacitive sensors measure the change in dielectric constant which is proportional to the environment’s relative humidity.  A 0.2-0.5 pF change in capacitance is related to a 1% change in relative humidity. This type of sensor would most likely be used in HVAC applications.

Regardless of the type of relative humidity sensor, all outputs are affected by both temperature and perfect of relative humidity.  When higher accuracy or wide operating temperature ranges are considered, temperature compensation is included in the application. Relative humidity integrated circuits, or RHIC, have linear voltage outputs that are a function of the supply voltage, percent of relative humidity, and temperature.  This allows for the sensor to translate supply and output voltages to determine the true relative humidity of an area.

OODB

Object-oriented databases are an important evolution for database management systems because can handle data that needs to be managed for a large variety of applications. Object-oriented databases, commonly referred to as OODB, have been developed to meet the need for a database that is more flexible and can handle the need for custom operations. 

One of the most useful aspects of this type of database is that it is not limited by the types of data and language typical of traditional databases. It provides flexibility in that both an object and all of its possible functions and methods can be specified. Because of this flexibility, different data types can be used within this type of database to serve the needs of the industries such as design systems like CAD, scientific, medical, and multimedia databases, and geographic information systems. These data types allow the development of programs that consist of independent objects as opposed to basic information. Independent objects can contain functions and methods that specify what that object can do.

A lot of the research I did for this post was difficult to understand because I have no experience with computer programming and my knowledge of that field and common language used is slim to none. One thing I was able to understand was how relevant object-oriented databases are to our field of architectural engineering design, especially in terms of developing models using BIM. Revit is based on an object-oriented database. Each object you use or place into a model is part of a class and has its own parameters and functions. The objects also communicate with other objects within the model. Without object-oriented databases, we would not have the BIM software available to us today.

Because this type of database is very specialized, it is not relevant for all fields and is not as commonly used as the traditional database; however, the opportunities available for industries looking for a more flexible and customizable database management system find OODBs to work exceptionally well. Due to the increased use of object-oriented databases, standards and specifications have been developed for using this type of programming.

Sensor Network for Hagerty Library

For my term project I am working in a group with Jeanine Lancellotti and Rita Pauliushchyk. We knew we wanted to further explore the role of sensors in intelligent building design. Clearly that is an incredibly broad topic and needed to be narrowed down significantly if we wanted to write a successful research paper. We met in the basement library to discuss different possibilities and directions we could take the project, when inspiration struck us. We were in a study room in the basement of the library; it was stuffy, hot, and hard to concentrate in those room conditions. We decided we would explore how sensor technology can be applied in the W.W. Hagerty library to create a more suitable and comfortable study environment for Drexel students.

The physical environment is very important in a library because there are specific conditions ideal for academic work.  Conditions such as temperature, humidity control, lighting levels, and heating and cooling requirements for computer rooms must be considered.  Sensors can help building systems efficiently control any condition within a building through monitoring indoor and outdoor climates, occupancy, energy usage patterns, lighting, and water usage.  Implementing a sensor network would greatly improve student comfort levels as well as help increase overall building efficiency.

We will be using a survey consisting of nine simple questions to collect feedback from students on the conditions of the library.  These questions address issues such as temperature, humidity and “stuffiness”, noise and light levels, energy and water consumption, and overcrowding.  After analyzing the survey answers, we will be able to determine what qualities most affect students and explore sensors that can best address those issues.  We will be able to create a network of sensors that could theoretically be utilized throughout the Hagerty library.  Factors we will consider include cost, efficiency, ease of maintenance, and how easily integrated the sensors can be into the existing building systems.  

Future Look - BIM for Owners and Facility Managers

A difference I noticed between the 2008 and 2011 editions of the BIM handbook was that in 2008 the handbook focused on the benefits of 3D drafting, while the 2011 edition focused much more on the benefits of 3D drafting for an integrative design process. In 2008, all disciplines could make separate models and eventually bring them together to form a cohesive design. Now, and in the 2011 version, it is possible for all disciplines to work together from the beginning of the design process using BIM.

This version of the handbook introduced the concept of Integrated Project Delivery. A difference this poses for owners is that they are now responsible for specifying the required scope and level of detail they want for a project before design begins. The design process is now changing in that multiple people are working on a design at the same time, which poses new legal issues concerning responsibility. As Kayleigh stated in her post, "the development of standards is a pivotal and important step in creating a cohesive use of the new method." Owners must understand and be able to communicate in BIM terms exactly what they want from their architects, engineers, and contractors, who will be responsible for what, and when. Like what Eric talked about in class last Tuesday, each project is unique and requires the owner to create BIM standards for every project.

Right now it seems that we have the technology to create fully integrated models between all disciplines but we do not have the proper space or memory to create files that large. On page 188 in the 2011 Handbook it states, “two to five years ago the creation of an integrated model required extensive effort on the part of a project team and dedicated technical expertise to support the integration. Today, many of BIM design tools have matured and provide integration capabilities between several disciplines at the generic object level. “ It seems that most members of my group agree that in the future, companies will have IT departments specifically there for BIM support to help address these issues.  With these advances, we also see performance issues with this technology. Within the next ten to fifteen years, I imagine this space to become accessible, and the norm will be for project design to be fully integrative from the beginning design stages. 

BIM for Owners and Facility Managers

Chapter 4 in the BIM Handbook was directed towards owners and facilities managers. Since learning about BIM technology in classes and on co-op, I only considered the benefits this technology would yield through coordinating architectural, structural, and mechanical aspects of a project. The chapter I read in the BIM handbook made me aware of how many benefits BIM technology provides for an owner over the course of a project.

The chapter began by discussing why owners should consider using BIM tools throughout their projects. As stated in the handbook, “these tools broadly enhance today ’s CAD capabilities with an improved ability to link design information with business processes, such as estimating, sales forecasts, and operations” (94). With the ability to link estimates and cost analyses with the building design, many miscommunications between owner, designer, and contractor can be eliminated saving the owner both time and money. The handbook also addressed specific areas where BIM technology can be applied. These include cost management, estimating, and quantity take-offs. This chapter even discussed specific tools that owners can use in these areas based on their needs. BIM can also help owners create and manage more accurate project schedules and allow for smoother coordination between all disciplines. Other concerns this chapter addressed were codes and sustainability. BIM modeling can provide automatic checks to ensure a project is meeting all applicable codes and requirements and perform energy analyses.

Another advantage of BIM is the ease of communication between all levels of work on a project. “The computable nature of the 3D building information models makes them an excellent tool for quickly bringing new team members up to speed, so they can understand the scope, requirements, and status of a project” (105). As David stated in his post, "with the ability to model and navigate something in 3D, a building manager can make sure that things are physically arranged in a way that makes the most sense for his needs and functions". The 3D model can be used to show an owner exactly what a design looks like whereas 2D drawings may be confusing or difficult to conceptualize.  Kayleigh mentions how this advantage allows an owner or facility manager to give input on disciplines like MEP that they typically would not be able to visualize during the initial design process.

Not only does this chapter discuss why owners should use BIM, but the authors also addressed how an owner can go about building a project team who can efficiently utilize BIM technology. What I found most interesting was that at the end of the chapter, common myths that prevent owners from implementing BIM were addressed.


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.

Future of Robotics in Our World

According to an article summarizing the 8th annual RoboBusiness Leadership Summit held this past October, the robotics industry claims that the most growth in robotics will be seen in the areas of warehousing, distribution, and manufacturing. Within the next ten to twenty years, robotics technology will provide robots that can be taught manufacturing processes in a day or move, sort, and distribute products throughout a warehouse. While some people may be worried by the potential loss of jobs or the ““the ending of the human era” as Jay mentioned in his post, it is inevitable that robots will eventually be integrated into our everyday work and home lives.

An article was posted on the official class blog from Wired entitled “Better Than Human: Why Robots Will – And Must – Take Our Jobs.” This article addresses the fear humans have that robots will eventually take our jobs and leave people unemployed by pointing out that 70% of American workers lost their jobs to technology during the industrial revolution. Workers responded by adapting and finding jobs in the new fields that this technology created. The same will happen when robots become incorporated into our lives in the next hundred years. Robotics will enhance the current workforce by first completing tasks involving repetitive, manual labor but will eventually move to “information-intensive” jobs.

Robots will definitely infiltrate the workplace in most industries, and building and construction are not excluded. Through watching the video in class of the flying robots placing blocks and creating a pre-determined structure, it was apparent to me that robots will play a role in future construction sites. Another interesting point the Wired article addressed is that robots are being designed to work alongside humans. The article from the Leadership Summit addresses that “humans can do things that robots will not be able to do for a long time,” and provides the example that robots can much more effectively move goods while humans can perform dexterous grabbing. Imagine how much faster a construction job could be completed if robots could work with humans to accomplish tasks. Obviously there are many safety and cost issues that must be worked out, but I see this as being a probable direction for our future within the next hundred years.

http://www.library.drexel.edu/cgi-bin/r.cgi?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1243385066?accountid=10559
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/12/ff-robots-will-take-our-jobs/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Top+Stories%29

Natasha's Intro Post

Hello Everyone!

I’m Natasha and I’m an architectural engineering junior with a mechanical concentration.  Coming into school I was dead set on studying structures, but after a few HVAC classes and a co-op with a mechanical firm I know I definitely want to study mechanical building systems. In AE 340, I worked on a project that detailed various lighting control systems. This served as a brief introduction to the different ways in which a building's systems could be automatically controlled by sensors to improve efficiency and occupant comfort. I wasn't sure what to expect when signing up for this class but after Professor Mitchell's introduction I now expect to learn about the technology behind building automation systems. I am excited to explore different facets of this topic and have the freedom to explore the areas I find most interesting through blog posts and the final project. 

I would define an "intelligent building" as one that utilizes a system of controls to better and more efficiently serve the needs of its occupants.  There are so many building systems that can be involved in this process. I would imagine that designing an intelligent building would entail and extremely complicated and integrative design process, but would yield a very satisfying result for the end user.

Architectural Engineering & BS/MS Students

Here is the list of Architectural Engineering 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. – Updated 1/14/2013

Group	Last Name	First Name	Major
B	Barry	Nathan	Architectural Engineering
B	Ben-David	Tom	Architectural Engineering
B	Butler	Mitchell	Architectural Engineering
B	Cifligu	Elda	Architectural Engineering
B	Morrison	David	Architectural Engineering
B	Sawin	Michael	Architectural Engineering
B	Scanlon	John	Civil Engineering
C	Bregande	David	Architectural Engineering
C	Hindes	Brian	Architectural Engineering
C	Houde	Kayleigh	Architectural Engineering
C	James	Daniel	Architectural Engineering
C	Lancellotti	Jeanine	Architectural Engineering
C	Martines	Natasha	Architectural Engineering
D	Gonzalez	Maria	Architectural Engineering
D	Ng	Junwah	Architectural Engineering
D	Patel	Jalpesh	Architectural Engineering
D	Pauliushchyk	Margarita	Architectural Engineering
D	Tedesco	Matthew	Architectural Engineering