Class Reflections

Personally, I believe that it is pretty much impossible to not gain any kind of knowledge out of the class that spans over the 10 week period and incorporates so many different assignments, speakers, blogs, class discussions, and etc. As many students in the class, I have found the overall experience of AE 510 to be very beneficial. Although the structure of the class was a bit convoluted, I thought that in the end it served its purpose to introduce us to all these concepts, all of which were ultimately related to the whole point of the class – Intelligent buildings. Yes, some of the topics were not addressed in full detail; however, I have stopped expecting a great deal of depth on a certain subject after studying at Drexel for over four years just purely due to the hectic schedule of our school. I believe this is where individual learning should come in regarding a certain topic of the class that was of especial interest.

I thought that the weekly presentations by guest speakers were one of the highlights of the class. It is always more interesting to get an insider view on the benefits and actual uses of databases or sensors, for example. Possibly two of my favorite speakers ended up being Eric Kuszewski and Travis Peyton simply because of the topics that they covered.  Mr. Kuszewki’s coverage of the benefits of Revit and BIM was very interesting since it was about something that I am bound to deal with during my professional career but unfortunately don’t know that much about. Travis Peyton covered one of my favorite topics of building retrofit with a special focus on sensors. I was sad to learn, however, that it may not be that beneficial after all to try to optimize buildings smaller in size (under 35,000 sq ft). Also I agree with Nathan that unfortunately the lecture presented by Dr. Il-Yeol Song seemed a bit redundant and possibly should have just replaced the class discussion of databases in the previous class.

The only downside of the class for me were the assignment deadlines that ended up being all piled up on the same week. The weekend prior to that Tuesday when everything was due, I would constantly find myself stuck in the lab for many hours. I can also sympathize with Maria when she mentions that she has lost a lot of points for the database assignment because of the lack of forms, the same mistake I have done. I can’t help but agree with Elda and other students in the class on the benefits of databases for an Architectural engineer that I have been clueless about prior to the beginning of the this class. 

Flow Sensors

Flow sensors find various uses in the Building Automation systems. One of the increasingly more common uses of flow sensors is to measure the chilled water, heating water, and electrical energy consumption of a building or a tenant. Sometimes it is used to verify energy consumption and utility costs. Measuring water energy consumption requires temperature and flow measurements. In the following application, a flow meter is used to measure the liquid flow through the pipes. Flow sensors are also often utilized to measure air velocity indoors. This provides for a controlled ventilation of living areas as well as an optimization of energy costs. Flow sensors are also employed in water and wastewater management. Measurement of water, wastewater, and gray water used by a building provides an understanding of the building’s carbon footprint.  

There are various types of flow sensors for HVAC systems available on the market today. In order to make an appropriate selection of a flow sensor, it is important to have a clear understanding of the requirements of a particular application. Characteristics that should be considered: familiarity of the staff with the type of product and its calibration procedure, maintenance, type of fluid, characteristics of the fluid, minimum and maximum pressure and temperature values and etc. Figure below illustrates different types of flow sensors:

Differential pressure flow meters are possibly the most commonly used type. The calculation of fluid flow is performed by reading the pressure loss across a pipe restriction. As a fluid passes through, it accelerates, and the energy associated with this acceleration is obtained. The pressure differential head is measured. Different types of differential pressure flow meters:

Additionally, Jalpesh has shown various very detailed diagrams of differential flow meters in his blog post.
Maria has decided to focus on fluidic flow measurement sensors. These are much more advanced than the basic differential flow meters I have described. It also sees as though they are more applicable for applications with gaseous fluids.

http://www.omega.com/literature/transactions/volume4/T9904-07-DIFF.html#diff_1

http://www.badgermeter.com/getdoc/ceed2c59-7e4f-4734-af85-36108f1c228f/16-INC-BR-00480-EN-HVAC-Market-Brochure.aspx

http://www.iowaenergycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Klaassen_HPAC_07-2001.pdf

Use of Databases in Design Office

Possibly one of the most popular database programs that has found its use in a typical architectural firm is a relational database management system (RDBMS). The program lets its user to create, update, and administer relational databases that have numerous benefits for designers compared to traditional construction specifications in word processing. Traditionally, these files are organized into individual flat files and grouped into numbered sections. This kind of a structural system increases the likehood of errors, since the files have to be duplicated from section to section. It is also impossible to link individual files together or rearrange them.

The use of relational databases solved many issues for an architect or an architectural engineer. Using word processing specification program, formatting and editing becomes very time consuming and full of errors. With the use of RDBMS, creating and manipulating project specifications may be accomplished in half the time. Generally, RDBMS is able to simplify the entire design process, keep coordination notes in order, and reference standards up to date.

Another area of project design that has found the use of relational databases to be significantly beneficial is cost estimating. Engineers are now able to save time and money in the process, while producing a better quality product. In the database system, each element and each crew are linked to various assemblies; however, the data for each is entered only once. This system has much better efficiency and may be updated much faster. As the project being developed, the relational database allows to refine and update the progress easily and save the time pricing elements that haven’t been added yet.

After reading Issa’s post on the use of relational databases in construction firms, it seems that there are a lot of similarities. Both industries found the use of databases extremely advantages improving the efficiency and productivity while providing huge economic benefits.

http://continuingeducation.construction.com/article.php?L=12&C=838&P=5

Final Project

The final topic of the project that my group decided to focus on is “Building Optimization Through the Use of Sensors in W.W. Hagerty Library”. Our main objective is to study the functions of the most common sensors used in the building industry today and their ability to improve the overall efficiency of building operation. The building in focus ended up being the library purely because we felt as though the library in its current state required numerous improvements and a possible redesign. W.W. Hagerty Library is one of the most commonly used and popular buildings on campus that houses numerous study areas, book storage rooms, and lab rooms. We felt that it could become an excellent example of how beneficial the implementation of building automation technologies could be.

The plan is to survey library visitors or any Drexel students who have visited the building for that matter regarding the quality of their overall experience. The designed survey questions are intended to give a feel of how satisfied students are with characteristics like temperature control, humidity levels, noise from HVAC equipment, lighting levels, and any others that could be potentially improved with the use of sensors. The obtained survey results are to be analyzed in order to identify the most prevalent issues of the building operation. The next step will be performing any necessary research, possibly studying relevant case studies of other library buildings, to come up with several design alternatives. These options will be further analyzed based on their cost, efficiency, the ease of maintenance, and etc. Finally, the developed sensor network for Hagerty library will be explained in detail, and its potential benefits and possible drawbacks are going to be discussed.

With the following project, we are hoping to stress the point that no building is an island. It exists in a context of numerous and various externalities that constantly influence its performance. The implementation of sensor network in the library takes control over occupancy levels, lighting, indoor and outdoor climate, performance of HVAC equipment, all the things that characterize the building and influence its efficiency. This promotes extremely efficient “intelligent” building, in which energy usage patterns may be predicted and the performance optimized. 

Looking at other group's projects, it seems that Mike, Nathan, and Jalpesh are going to be focusing on the implementation of sensors as well. However, their topic is closely related to residential application whereas ours is more commercial. The two projects seem to go along nicely though since both of them are more focused on improving the existing construction. This trend that has been emerging over the recent years is even more important and advantageous than the application of sensors in new construction since it is always more sustainable to improve something that already exists than to build something from scratch.

BIM in the Future

It is an exciting time for the building modeling industry with increasing adoptation of various innovative 3D modeling technologies. The benefits of this change are obvious and extensive. BIM has proven to significantly reduce waste and energy usage required during the creation of a building, enhancing and encouraging sustainable engineering practices. I believe this is one of the main incentives to be using BIM as more and more attention is brought to the environmental problems of the world, and the required change of the current practices seems unavoidable.
It is difficult to predict the future of BIM technology in 5 or 10 years from now being hardly proficient at it or aware of the major issues that exist within the BIM world today. I can only assume that the advanced computer modeling will transform the design process of buildings and will eventually become a standard. Going along with what my teammates have mentioned, I can see a fellow architectural engineer graduating 10 years from now with an actual degree in BIM and applying for a "BIM specialist" or a manager position at a building firm.
However, 3D modeling does represent possibly the simplest level of computer involvement compared to 4D and even 5D modeling technologies that are being pioneered today. 4D modeling aligns the 3D models to time, allowing for immediate control of all stages of the construction of a project. 5D modeling also integrates costing, improving the quality of financial decisions made during the progression of the project. These emerging technologies are already finding their use today (Heathrow's Terminal 5, for example), and it is only natural for them to be developed in more depth in the future.
It is also hard to overlook the impact these new practices will have in the future especially on the people directly involved in the building design process. I look at my friends in the Architecture program at Drexel and can't help but wonder if the hand-drafted projects they are working on in the studio are still relevant. It seems that this method of design is gradually but inevitably becoming obsolete. I would like to be accepting of the new innovations in the building industry, especially if they result in the ability to build more complex and creative structures, however, I also feel weary and apprehensive of the overall impact. Hopefully, BIM will result in the ability to create a better final product and to completely understand a building as a whole.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/building-information-modeling-built-environment-innovation

BIM for Architects and Egnineers

This week's assignment is focused on Building Information Modeling (BIM) and its possible application for Architects and Engineers. This type of 3D software has been around for ages, however, it still has not been properly and efficiently utilized in the work of Architectural engineers possibly due to the fact explained in the Handbook. It is mentioned that the rates of adoption  among structural engineers are slower than for other construction professions. However, it is almost impossible not to embrace the multitude of benefits that arise from the use of tools provided by BIM modeling. BIM is a new way of multidisciplinary collaboration not only between various professionals responsible for project design, analysis, development, and construction, but also between the design stages themselves.
The Handbook examines three specific ways the new 3D modeling techniques are beneficial to the various design stages. The most fundamental stage of the design process where BIM finds many helpful applications is the concept design. This is where some of the most important core conceptual decisions are made, including the development of the building program, layouts of floor plans, the massing and general appearance of the building, site details, orientation and placement of the builidng. Traditionally this stage primarily relies on knowledge and intuition of the leader of the design team and the conceptual sketches, often hand-drawn, that they are able to develop. It is important not to overlook  the benefits of 3D computer modeling to speed up the sketching process with the use of such software as SketchUp, Rhino, or BonZai. BIM technoligies also provide a variety of beneficial applications in the design and analysis of the building systems. It feels as though BIM in this area is currently severely underutilized, even though it is able to efficiently combine all the different detailed analysis models into one. The other area of BIM application is in the development of construction-level information. BIM technologies are able to speed up the process as well as to greatly enhance the final quality of the product. This is the current strength of BIM application. In the future, the actual building model will serve as the basis for construction documents.
One of the most important points that the Handbook is hoping to convey is the fact that the process of building design is a complex and extensively collaborative experience. It requires the knowledge and expertise of professionals in a multitude of areas. It then becomes clear that the adaptation of such valuable tool as BIM that is able to support and combine all the information from the variety of contributors into one well-organized database is unavoidable.  Jalpesh has gone into a lot more detail here to explain and provide examples of this collaboration and how BIM programs are able to help. There are certain drawbacks and difficulties associated with an adaptation of any new technology. As Maria pointed out, the implementation of this new system requires the training of staff, development of new planning strategies, and etc. For such multidisciplinary process as the building design, however, it is impossible not to adapt BIM into a standard practice and possibly uncover even more practical benefits of the system.

Sources:
BIM Handbook

The Future of 3D Manufacturing

The industry of 3D manufacturing has been under progressive development for over two decades. Already today, 3D printers are capable of creating and outputting actual physical objects, things like medical implants, mechanical parts, and even jewelry.  Initially objects created using 3D printers typically served as prototypes or models, however, now they are being implemented and configured into final products increasingly more often. The advancing research has allowed for a wider use of materials for the printing, including plastics and metals. 3D printers are now being rescaled to be capable to print better and bigger things.   Possibly one of the most interesting applications of 3D manufacturing technologies in the civil engineering world is the 3D concrete printing. A professor from the University of Southern California, Behrokh Khoshnevis, has developed a method of creating entire houses out of 3D manufactured building elements. The structure is built layer by layer using concrete with automatic reinforcement, with plumbing and electrical wiring added during the process. The method is a direct result of implementing a process called Contour Crafting. The main advantages of the process include the superior quality of the finished surface as well as the greatly increased speed of production. As mentioned by Khoshnevis during his TEDx presentation, an average size family house of 25,000 sq ft custom designed may be ready in about twenty hours.  This method of construction also provides for an easy manufacturing of irregular wall shapes and other building elements without the added cost. The method itself is additive in contrast to typical subtractive construction techniques, which result in enormous amounts of waste. Contour Crafting printer extrudes an object with near perfect precision and without any waste. The result is dramatic savings in total material and energy use, less need for transportation of materials and equipment, safer conditions for workers. The latter point is of special interest since a profession in construction is often considered to be the one of the most dangerous occupations.  3D concrete printing has a clear ability to significantly alter the building industry of the future. It provides numerous opportunities for application, including emergency housing for the victims of hurricanes and other natural disasters and low-income housing. http://www.economist.com/node/18114221 http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/smart-takes/a-giant-3d-printer-builds-a-livable-house/28301 http://www.contourcrafting.org/

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