Future - Analysis Techniques

During the first class, it was pointed out that the future of the civil engineering field could be previewed as a result of the current happenings in the aerospace and automotive fields.  A perfect example of this can be read in the opening two sentences of a paper found in the ASCE Journal of Aerospace Engineering (Henshaw).  It reads, “A successful autonomous spacecraft must be able to navigate intelligently.  Intelligent navigation entails finding and following collision-free paths through space which can be traversed in a ‘reasonable’ time and which can use a reasonable amount of fuel” (147).  Building off of many of our initial, in-class, week-1 posts, this definition of intelligent navigation can be applied to the definition of intelligent building.  Much like the autonomous spacecraft needs to be able follow a collision-free path and use minimal time and fuel; the intelligent building/intelligent integrated systems would need to be autonomous, utilize minimal energy (and, therefore, money), require minimal maintenance, and all the while being as efficient as possible.

The Henshaw/Sanner paper analyzes trajectory planning algorithms that are necessary for an autonomous spacecraft to navigate intelligently (155) and similar calculations will undoubtedly be required for intelligent building/building systems to optimize the “intelligent” nature of each system, the integration of the systems, and the building as a whole.  An example of such an algorithm can be found in my fellow Group A member, Gayaneh Gulbenkian’s post (see “Future Analysis Techniques”, machine-learning algorithm).  Although the algorithms currently being applied in the civil engineering field are (probably) not yet as complicated as those involved in the “obstacle-constrained trajectory planning” algorithms required by the Hershaw/Sanner article; this may become the case as we require buildings to become more and more intelligent.  This increasing complexity of algorithms will also require more sophisticated and dynamic modeling software.  Evidence of this already occurring in the field is discussed by Gabrielle Carpenter in her Future Analysis Techniques post (Group A).

But, is translating this idea from one field to another done as simply as with the definitions?  Maybe, maybe not.  It is and will most likely be different for each of the other topics of discussion (sensor capabilities, robotics capabilities, 3D manufacturing capabilities, and computer hardware technology) and have each be dependent upon the progress of the other with multiple iterations in between.

Henshaw, Carl Glen and Robert M. Sanner.  “Variational Technique for Spacecraft Trajectory Planning.” Journal of Aerospace Engineering. Volume 23, Issue 3 (July 2010): 147-156.

Future of Sensors and the Capabilities

Nest

I found Tom Ben-David's post on the Nest thermostat very interesting. I personally bought a Nest Thermostat (I believe his blog post incorrectly called the product a "Verge") this past holiday break for my parents household in Florida.

Screenshot of the web control for the Nest thermostat set up in my parents house:

When you think about a green solution, you typically won't think of just adding efficiency to your system. However, this is EXACTLY what the Nest product does. Nest claims (in their white paper) that the average savings of a Type 1 user (as I would classify my parents), would have the average Anual savings of approximately $200/year in Miami. With the total price of a Nest at $250, this is a payback period of approximately 1.25 years. This is a much faster payback period than other green energy solutions (Windmill is somewhere between 3-8 years with a much larger initial investment). Overall I think we will find more solutions like this in the near future. A future where we use data and sensors to make smarter (and greener) decisions. These decisions will increasingly also be made by a computer such as Nest.

Leap Motion

Another type of sensor I am very excited for is the type of sensor that changes the way we interact with computers. This is best seen in the Leap Motion (demonstrated in the following video):

Computers were originally built with a mouse and keyboard (which has worked well so far), as a means for telling the computer exactly what we want it to do. As computers are evolving, so must their input. Computers of the future will be able to use sensors (such as Leap Motion) to understand what you want done, and perform the task. This is radical change from the original use of a mouse and keyboard to give exact commands (imagine a world with no CTRL+C to copy, but rather a slight gesture). The computers of the future will be able to understand what you really want done, and do it for you. This will all require more sensors (such as motion, sound, and visual sensors) to replace standard interface.

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!

Evan Rosario - Intro

My name is Evan Rosario; I am a 5^th year senior at Drexel University majoring in Civil Engineering. I was born and raised here in Philadelphia, where I plan on staying for work after graduation most likely with one of my previous Co-Op employers. My BIM experience comes from my two most recent Co-op experiences with HNTB Corp. and Jacobs Engineering Group. There I dealt with drawing revisions and some minor CAD modeling within AutoCAD and also MicroStation.

Through this course I expect to gain a better understanding of how our further advancing technologies can be integrated in the intelligent design of buildings.

My definition of an intelligent building is a structure designed to monitor and enhance its efficiency in energy and utilities use as well as a building designed to cater to its user’s needs in the most efficient manner.

Introduction

My name is Cleonie Meraz and I am currently a Civil Engineering graduate student following the AE plan of study.  I received my bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering with a minor in Architecture in 2011.  During my undergraduate studies I had a few opportunities to work with Revit. I took one class specifically on Revit and utilized it in several others, such as studio.  I was also able to use Revit as one of the main tools during my senior design project as an undergraduate.

In this class I expect to refresh and expand upon my Revit skills.  Most specifically, I would like to further explore using Revit to integrate one or more AE systems I have not had much experience with this in Revit.

I would say that an intelligent buildings have to do with “smart” design or where all of the systems are integrated and work efficiently together with ever improving materials.

Intro Maria Gabriela Gonzalez

 Hello! I’m Maria Gabriela Gonzalez I’m a senior in Architectural and Civil Engineering, in mechanical concentration (HVAC). In AE-510 I expect to learn on the available technologies (systems, controls, etc.) in the market for intelligent buildings.  I would also like to learn on existing building and how they work. Hopefully the class will give me a general background on intelligent building and its related subjects. Intelligent building means the application of technologies controls, systems, in a building for it to perform efficiently and control its own mechanical and electronic systems.  

Junwah Ng

     Hello, my name is Junwah Ng or Jay to make things easier. I’m a senior with a structural concentration, I don’t have any sort of background on BIM other than doing a few assignments on Revit and absolutely know nothing about databases. Right now I'm working with a construction management company, which basically just manages a construction site and tries to finish everything on time.

     I was hoping to learn new and innovating systems with-in a building that would make it “intelligent”. Like a system that can monitor the sunlight exposure and would change the whole buildings shaping system accordingly or something along the lines of that.

     An intelligent building would be a build that would be energy efficient as well as being able to work well with the occupancy it holds.

Lorena Alvarado - Introduction

Background

My name is Lorena Alvarado and I am a civil and architectural engineering student with a concentration in HVAC.  I am currently a fifth year senior.  I have always been interested in technological innovations and how these can be incorporated to facilitate usage in structures.

Expectations

My expectations for this class are to better understand the future in buildings and the involvement of technology.  There is always the need to find ways that will be more cost effective in buildings and smart buildings are on the rise.

Preliminary definition of what is “Intelligent Building”

My definition of an Intelligent Building is the use of various technologies to improve the functionality and efficiency and also by reducing the energy consumption.

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.