Technological Advancements of the
Future and its Implications on BIM and the World
It is evident that technology in the
world is changing rapidly, and the advancements in the construction and
building industry are no exception. There are three main technology trends that
are causing the BIM industry to change rapidly. The first being the
incorporation of the Internet of Things (IoT).
Access to this amount of data and cross communication has allowed
designers to automate building systems based on real data. [2] Not only does
access to the IoT allow for real time systems optimization, but also for energy
efficiency based on increasingly accurate usage data. The more information
building operators have regarding the usage of a space and its systems, the
better they can optimize its function and energy consumption. Additionally, the
IoT allows for the development of adaptable construction tools, some of which
are being realized and produced by companies such as Hilti. [2] An additional
technological advancement that is being more frequently integrated into the BIM
industry is cloud-based data management. Many companies are switching to
document management via some sort of cloud-based software, but adding that to
the BIM industries allows for a lot of efficiency increases. There is a myriad
of information that has to be accurately passed between client, engineer,
contractor etc. Cloud based data management allows for minimal errors due to
miscommunication about plans, existing conditions or any on site construction
changes. Virtual reality in the BIM industry
is also starting to contribute heavily to its technological advancements. Not
only does it give architects the ability to visualize and communicate their
designs, but virtual reality also allows for on the spot design changes without
having to redraft the entire thing. It
can also help with building walk-throughs for designers as well as clients and
construction managers. [2] A 3D visualization of a building opens up a whole
world of possibilities for communication and design and can lead to a variety
of optimizations and innovative design changes.
Data communication and usage are not
the only technological advances coming into the future of BIM; 3D printing is
starting to affect the industry as well. NASA Marshall Space Flight
Center managed to 3D print nickel alloy parts approved for use in a rocket
engine. They developed a new printing technique to do so called “SLM” or
Selective Laser Melting; this was developed based on the more commonly used
printing method “SLS” or “Selective Laser Sintering”. [1] This new technique of
3D printing allows for a variety of new applications; potentially to be used
for easier production of rebar or other supportive building materials.
This technique was developed and made public by NASA in 2012 and is, as
expected, a very expensive printer to own.
As time advances and systems are optimized perhaps in the future it will
become more commercially available in the building industry. In addition to NASA’s new printing technique,
a “gravity defying” 3D printer has been used to construct a fully functioning
bridge in Amsterdam. Artist and designer Joris Laarman developed the Mataerial
3D printer,a “robotic 3D printer that
combined the MX3D-Resin with a welder to be able to "draw"
fast-setting metal structures” [3] The idea for the bridge is two have
multiple robots working in tandem to print the intricate single line designs
that ultimately build their way into a bridge.
The idea behind this bridge was to communicate to the world that 3D
printing can and will be applied to the real world construction and building
industry.
Based on the plethora of articles and
information available, there are clearly many advancements in the BIM industry
happening now and expected to unfurl in the future. It is important to note
that while all of these technologies are exciting and innovative, efficiency
and practicality are just as important as well. The building industry has to
keep form and function in mind; cost effective solutions are important to both
the client and the designers. Many of these new systems will improve the
industry dramatically, and have the power to do a lot of good in the up and
coming world.
Comments
Dane: https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/bell-blog-1.html
I am so glad that you addressed this topic! The privacy concerns regarding technological advancements and company involvement has really become a hot topic within the past few years. I like how you highlighted that cookies on websites were introduced as a seemingly simply solution to optimize user interaction, but has developed into something much larger and invasive. I think sometimes people underestimate the impacts future iterations technology can have because they get to stuck only on its current functionality. I also found the idea that just the sensors in cars are so easily hackable and tell a lot about a person and their whereabouts; technology can be used as both a helpful tool and a destructive weapon and your post has highlighted that clearly.
Mike: https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/b1-mike-sciarra.html
I find the article you've chosen to talk about on robotics to be quite interesting! I see the article mentioned that a robot designed based on human features solves rubiks cube much slower than that of a more idealized shape and I never knew that! I guess just the basic design of human anatomy has inherent limitations. Your post also made me wonder, how exactly do you teach a robot to learn something? Does the code tell its operating systems to adjust its actions based on certain consequences? I honestly find the idea that robots and certain forms of AI can start to learn and advance on their own a little bit scary. Hopefully this type of tech will be applied in helpful ways!
Andrew: https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/b1-robotics-ai-3d-printing-future.html
I really like the article you found on 3D printing; it's pretty clear that 3D printing in a variety of ways is a new emerging technology but how well it works in large scale applications is still very questionable. It never occurred to me that printing large metal objects would be hindered simply by the impurities added from the air. I wonder if they could find a way to 3D print in a vaccuum? Probably not but who knows. I agree that with you that there are a lot of possibilities for 3D printing in the future, but I think its important efficiency and practicality are taken into account along the way
Comments
Dane: https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/bell-blog-1.html
I am so glad that you addressed this topic! The privacy concerns regarding technological advancements and company involvement has really become a hot topic within the past few years. I like how you highlighted that cookies on websites were introduced as a seemingly simply solution to optimize user interaction, but has developed into something much larger and invasive. I think sometimes people underestimate the impacts future iterations technology can have because they get to stuck only on its current functionality. I also found the idea that just the sensors in cars are so easily hackable and tell a lot about a person and their whereabouts; technology can be used as both a helpful tool and a destructive weapon and your post has highlighted that clearly.
Mike: https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/b1-mike-sciarra.html
I find the article you've chosen to talk about on robotics to be quite interesting! I see the article mentioned that a robot designed based on human features solves rubiks cube much slower than that of a more idealized shape and I never knew that! I guess just the basic design of human anatomy has inherent limitations. Your post also made me wonder, how exactly do you teach a robot to learn something? Does the code tell its operating systems to adjust its actions based on certain consequences? I honestly find the idea that robots and certain forms of AI can start to learn and advance on their own a little bit scary. Hopefully this type of tech will be applied in helpful ways!
Andrew: https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/b1-robotics-ai-3d-printing-future.html
I really like the article you found on 3D printing; it's pretty clear that 3D printing in a variety of ways is a new emerging technology but how well it works in large scale applications is still very questionable. It never occurred to me that printing large metal objects would be hindered simply by the impurities added from the air. I wonder if they could find a way to 3D print in a vaccuum? Probably not but who knows. I agree that with you that there are a lot of possibilities for 3D printing in the future, but I think its important efficiency and practicality are taken into account along the way
Works Cited
1. Hewitt, John. “NASA 3D
Prints Rocket Parts - With Steel, Not Plastic.” ExtremeTech, 15
Nov.2012www.evernote.com/Home.action?login=true#n=e8f13f07-bc40-4329-80d0-b469a32fd6f6&s=s3&ses=1&sh=5&sds=5&x=tag%253Astructure&xb=3ca5dd9b-8b1c-4939-875f-262706dc1487&
2. Williams, Dennis. “Three Tech Trends Shifting the BIM Industry in 2016.” AECBytes Viewpoint, 21 July 2016, www.evernote.com/Home.action?login=true#n=da590e33-9e5c-4f32-a75b-5320ac4e2841&s=s3&ses=1&sh=5&sds=5&x=tag%253Afuture&xb=3ca5dd9b-8b1c-4939-875f-262706dc1487&.
3. Starr, Michelle. “Gravity-Defying 3D Printer to Print Bridge Over Water in Amsterdam.” CNET, 15 June 2015. https://www.evernote.com/Home.action?_sourcePage=q-3-K1aN8cDiMUD9T65RG_YvRLZ-1eYO3fqfqRu0fynRL_1nukNa4gH1t86pc1SP&__fp=eTGrCkdmjqA3yWPvuidLz-TPR6I9Jhx8&hpts=1578866719483&showSwitchService=true&usernameImmutable=false&login=&login=Sign+in&login=true&hptsh=ATpC%2BSyyV6QhpzJlFtfhNt2Da9g%3D#n=267ccf63-c628-4842-ad6f-90f1b08464b7&s=s3&ses=1&sh=5&sds=5&x=tag%253Astructure&xb=3ca5dd9b-8b1c-4939-875f-262706dc1487&
4 comments:
Your last paragraph is really powerful. I think efficiency and practicality are often overlooked, especially the latter in regard to this kind of technology. Moreover, you note the importance of form and function in your blog, which I also think can be overlooked in this industry. The form must follow function and I think sometimes we get so caught up in a design that we forget about this.
Isabel
3D printing is very valuable and it appears that can be used in many ways. This blog interests me a lot because the idea of printing metals is otherworldly. But this seems very inappropriate because printing stuff takes a large amount of time and is liable for mistakes and failures. Also multiple printers need to be purchased in order to make multiple parts. Finally this alloy that is very efficient will most likely be modified some way because, there is always another more efficient material in aerospace, making the printer useless. It's a cool idea though.
Isabel,
You have done a great job compiling and discussing some of the most exciting innovations building technology. As an architectural engineering major, the prospect of utilizing Virtual Reality to view the built space and explore different options is very thrilling. While most of these technologies are built to ease the demands of professionals, that may not always be the case in the result. For example, I think it would be interesting to do an analysis on the amount of time and costs saved by 3D printing a simple building relative to building the traditional way and see how to could improve, since 3D printing buildings are not yet commonplace. The opportunities for creativity in development and usage are truly endless.
Isabel,
I thought it was interesting to think back to when 3D printing was something that was so coveted and niche, and certainly big, industrial 3D printers are still very expensive and high-performing. But a lot of 3D printing has become almost pedestrian, where people can buy small 3D printers to sit in their houses and tinker with, not realizing the huge step that this is in creating something from nothing. I wonder if, in the future, individuals would be able to print their own houses, or at least their own building materials.
Post a Comment