B4 - Generative Design

I will be working with Dane Bell on a paper about generative design. We touched on generative design a bit in class, but mostly in the guest lecture from last week from Kayleigh Houde. Generative design is similar to parametric design, with which we are more familiar with, that is assigning parameters to the design so that the computer can fill in the design within the constraints. This is different from computational design or traditional design, where every component is designed individually. In traditional design, the user must take it upon themselves to think of various design options; they definitely cannot come up with ALL the options. Generative design utilizes algorithms, where a computer can definitively come up with all the designs that fit the constraints or parameters applied, often including a cost parameter as well.

Generative design can be applied to many fields and industries, but we will be focusing on mechanical engineering--that is, mechanics, manufacturing, 3D printing-- and architecture--that is, building design, construction, intelligent buildings. Generative design and efficiency go hand-in-hand. Since the computer can determine which are the best models that fit our constraints, there is less time needed to revise and revisit options. Coupled with 3D printing, complex models can be developed on a small scale. Generative design also has the opportunity to revolutionize the architecture and construction industry. As design is refined through parametric/generative methods, the door is opened to new ideas never thought of before. On the microscale, objects like furniture can be optimized with generative design to determine the best way to incorporate size, shape, and cost of material into a singular design. On the macroscale, whole office buildings can be optimized to determine the best locations for desks, meeting spaces, and entrances to allow for the best, most natural layout of the place. Of course, this shouldn’t take away the creativity of the designer. If the designer realizes that the most optimal design that the computer has chosen does not fit the intended use or function of the object or space, design expertise must still be applied. The hope is that generative design can be used as a tool to aid and inspire new designs and ways of approaching problems.

Respones:

Spencer, 

I like that your topic directly relates to your field of interest. It makes what you are doing that much more worthwhile. From someone who knew very little about BIM, the clash detection feature is something that I think is fascinating. Interoperability is crucial to efficiency, and moving various models from one platform to the next is a waste of effort sometimes. I hope you are able to figure out a good way to make the transition more seamless, or at the very least, learn some things along the way!

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/b4-automation-of-clash-detection-report.html

Abigail,

Robots in the construction industry in the capacity you have described is something I have never thought of before. Having actual robots construct actual buildings seems tricky. Like Spencer said above, the code must be flawless, or else something could go very wrong. I think that there would still really need to be a certain level of human interaction with the robot builders since as of right now, humans with proper experience and training are the only ones that would know if something is being done incorrectly, even though blueprints or plans may say otherwise. However, I guess with technological advances and AI, robots are learning, not just being told what to do. 

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/b4.html

Isabel,

I believe that sensors and building management systems are key to an intelligent building. Intelligent buildings are not just about how the structure is built, but how it interacts with the world around it and satisfies the users' needs as well. If sensors can tell when to increase/decrease the temperature based on (1) what the user wants, (2) what temperature already exists within the structure, (3) the outside environment (natural heat from the sun or cooling from the shade), and potentially even (4) costs of energy, that would truly be an intelligent building. I am excited to see what you come up with!

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/b4-how-intelligent-building-technology.html

B4 - Automation of Clash Detection Report Generation Using Dynamo

Project Description: “Design Project - Write a code in Dynamo that generates detailed clash detection reports; synthesizing data between Revit and Navisworks and exporting a formatted document with meaningful information regarding model clashes.”

Some of the inspiration from this project came from the desire to learn more about automating certain tasks that would make my job easier. This spring I will be going on my third and final co-op as a BIM/VDC Co-op at CRB in Plymouth Meeting. I will be developing project documents, inspecting designs to be within industry standards and regulations, and coordinating interdisciplinary problem-solving during project development. I would love to be able to walk onto the job in April and be able to offer suggestions on automating certain practices directly related to my job. Also, as we have seen in multiple lectures now, the AEC industry is in the middle of an innovation hotspot and the use of technology and automation on the job increases every year. My main goal for the project is to explore the Dynamo interface and familiarize myself with its capabilities.

My project would automate one of the more common responsibilities of a BIM coordinator: clash detection in BIM models between elements and trades. While this is only the tip of the iceberg of what construction technology is capable of, it is one of the most used functions of integrating BIM into projects. Clash detection identifies problems early in the design phase, where its financial, schedule, and quality impacts can be minimized; however, clash detection is tedious and often has the BIM coordinator adapting model files back and forth between several software and manually running analysis programs. This is incredibly inefficient and could benefit greatly from automating the task using Dynamo.

I imagine the most difficult parts of this process will be learning how to accurately import and export data using Dynamo and developing a workflow for moving a Revit model from the Revit platform to the Navisworks platform efficiently and accurately. I am excited to, at the very least, familiarize myself more deeply with Dynamo, Revit, and Navisworks before starting my co-op this spring. Hopefully I can be successful in developing this workflow and potentially benefit future-Spencer on co-op.

Comments:

Andy,
I am very excited to see what you and Mike come up with for this project. I have used BIM as a general contractor, owner's rep, and designer and have seen first hand which features are most useful to which users. I am interested to see the research that the two of you come up with and see if it matches my personal experience.
https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/bp-4-final-project.html

Abigail, Ina, and Varsha,
One thing to keep in mind with your project is the capacity of a robot's ability to think for itself (although with AI progressing like it has, this may no longer be an issue). A robot is capable of performing very complex tasks with the proper programming, but if the user tells the robot to do something incorrectly, the robot will perform those incorrect directions to the best of its ability. Technology in our industry is only as good as the training the end-users have received to capitalize on it.
https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/b4.html

Andre,
Code compliance and regulations are some of the most frustrating components of the design process. I am interested that you've chosen to focus on life safety and general safety aspects of a design. It is a trade in construction that can pass or fail a project during the permit acquiring phase. With very clear guidelines and checklists for this aspect of design, it makes sense to code a program to check for those regulations rather than going through them by hand. I am excited to see the end results of this attempt to automate a critical part of project design.
https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/code-compliant-automation-through-dynamo.html 

BP - 4 - Final Project

For the final project Mike and I are going to look at how BIM is used in the field, specifically looking at the contractor and engineer relationship with each other and BIM. We are going to look at how BIM is being used right now and how contractors and engineers have historically communicated. We are then going to look at the effect that BIM has already had on the construction industry such as contractors now being able to access everything from their phones.

We will state the question “how can engineers and contractors better use the tools they have now?”, which will look at the benefits that could come from this. These benefits include but are not limited to improving efficiency in design and construction which would lead to a faster schedule, lower cost, and most likely a more defined, simplified communication method. On this same topic we will look at what other software exists that could be used that might not be an industry standard and look at how implementing it would affect the above stated factors. This could include planning software, modeling software, performance analysis software and collaboration and integration of these different types of software.

We will then compare these new ideas to the current standards and look at whether or not they are feasible ideas. We will look at why the current BIM is not being used to its fullest potential and the training required to utilize these tools at an optimal capacity. We will further discuss the risks of implementing new software as well as the challenges that may come with it.

Finally, we will project to the future and what the future of the relationship between engineer and contractors will look like and how they will use BIM to communicate better. This will be a combination of what new tools can be used as well as which current tools can be used at a higher level to increase productivity.

Steven, (link)

This seems like a very useful project and it seems to combine both your personal goals and the goals of this class. Also choosing something that you want to learn more about outside of Revit is a good idea. For the first assignment I found it very useful to learn how to create a family.

Cory, (link)

Your project is extremely interesting and I look forward to seeing the examples you present. Earlier on in the class I read an article talking about how 3d printers might be used to prefab buildings. It would be cool to see an example of this if one exists.

Douha, (link)

This is a very relevant topic and I remember reading an article about a contest in which students competed to develop a 3d structure that could withstand the atmosphere of mars. I think the possibilities are endless.

Project Description - Michael Sciarra

In the pitch for our original topic, Andy and I wanted to pursue something related to BIM, given that we are both intrigued by modeling programs, and are seeking positions involving Revit and Autocad to be used on a daily basis. We decided to write a research paper on the effects of BIM on the Contracting world but then later came to the conclusion that the paper would be more beneficial to our own careers if we centered it around the Engineer/Contractor relationship and how BIM can either strengthen or weaken said relationship. 

We hope to cover, as presented in our outline, the History and Modern Presence of BIM in Contracting and Engineering, the benefits and detriments of implementing BIM, the applicable tools for each party, and the possible future implications of this new technology. 

Our paper will cover this topic’s relation to the course theme of Intelligent Buildings. The progression in technological design evolution toward 3d Modeling and Smarter Planning and Analysis technology will make for more efficient construction and therefore more Intelligent Buildings. With the help of BIM we can simulate more efficient sun, wind, rain, etc. analysis. This makes our buildings more adaptive to their environment which is commonly believed to be one of the core values of Intelligent Buildings in this class. 

We expect to encounter a few challenges on our way to completing our research paper. One of those challenges is providing a respectable list of applicable programs to the Engineering/Contractor relationship that does not become too abundant or too scarce. We need to find a middle ground that demonstrates BIM’s many facet’s while also not turning our research paper into a massive archive. Another challenge could be finding credible sources that provide a new light to our topic as opposed to the already witnessed repetition of expected knowledge. 

Liam: 

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/b4-liam-ossenfort-future-of-artificial.html

It appears your paper will be very in-depth in its analysis of AI and what it holds for our future. I think it may be also interesting to inform the reader of the history of AI and how it has captivated human imagination in the past. You could maybe also describe how you, personally, define AI. 

Brian: 

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/b4-project-description_3.html

I like that your topic is even applicable to our current lives as we’ve had to use BIM to model our buildings in AE-391. This paper will definitely be helpful in creating a more sustainable structure, of which the class pushes us to consider. I like that you consider how BIM will help many more people than just the engineer as this would make its implementation in modern firms more intriguing.  

Stephen: 

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/b4-stephen-pettit-project-revit-families.html 

I like your idea for the final project. This would be something I would like to do for my final as it gets my hands dirty in some Revit Modeling while also serving the purpose of improving my experience and familiarizing myself with Revit’s interface. I think while it does make sense for you design something you are familiar with, I think it could benefit you to consider trying something new in each of the new families you create.

B4-Mynaugh

For this week's Blog Post, we are exploring our own individual projects that we are doing for this class. Now the subjects of the subjects could range from anything that will or has been aught for this course and due to the title being Intelligent buildings it'd be something along those lines. For my group, we wanted something more relevant to our field of work, and that is of the construction and, more specifically, how Artificial intelligence will be impacting it. The main course of action we wanted to take when exploring this was that of what are and will be the benefits of integrating AI into construction and, of course, the other side of the coin on what it could hinder. To list some of the benefits of AI, we wanted to delve into more was that of the efficiencies of how robotic labor could replace that of human labor. This in itself could direct our research in different avenues to the moral effects of said replacement to the actual method of how machines would be designed and program to handle these originally human tasks. However, if you manage to read my teammates' post that beyond the physical implementation of AI, we will also explore the implications of the digital impact. This could go from the automation of sorting through information or having programs in place that could react to new engineering obstacles. The paths laid before can vary greatly so within the coming weeks we will endeavor to bring these array of ideas into focus for the presentation of our final project


Comments

Hey Isabel,
Reading over your blog has piqued my interest in regards to how the ever-growing smart home market will have on that of the mechanical aspect of home improvement.  As I am not too familiar with Revit's mechanical portion in measuring cooling loads and the like, do you think that the active sensors in today's technologies are sufficient enough now to make these future changes that you re hinting at? Nonetheless, I look forward to your future presentation.


Andre,

Reviewing your proposed term project has me intrigued, and the possibilities Dynamo has to offer. To state outright, I have zero background on how Dynamo is used and only the vaguest idea of what can result from implementing it in a project. However, since we both are in the sam senior design group, do you think to have this experience perhaps a year before now would've abled you to have good enough grasp of Dynamo that you could've used for our senior design? Just seeing the tasks you are attempting t accomplish seems very useful had we the time to implement it sooner. Nonetheless, seeing the final results of both this project and that of our senior design will be exciting.

Hey Cory,

It seems you have the makings of an interesting project. Having modular designs is definitely a trend that is taking off as of late. One that comes to mind is that of an AEI competition project, I saw that was a retrofit of a hospital, and the team made the decision to have the hospital room be all prefabricated and simply put into place during construction. They had it laid out that all the mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems in these units were easy to install and had quick connections that reduced clutter. Best of luck with your project!

B4: 3D printing

The world is moving fast, and everything is being requested and delivered in a short period of time comparing that to the early decades. In construction sites, the buildings were built by hands then with the help of some equipment, and now we have what called 3D printing. Would this technology get our projects done quicker?

After what our professor showed us and talked about in class, I decided to do a research paper on 3D printing buildings, how long would it take to complete a project? What are the advantages and disadvantages? What are the limitations of construction materials?  What are the challenges?

After doing some research, I found it interesting to narrow the topic and focus on how 3D printing can be environmentally-friendly (sustainability) at low price using local materials like WASP which is an Italian 3D printed sustainable shelters.

One of the advantages that I liked about 3D printing is it could solve the housing crisis. However, it could cause an unemployment crisis. Other challenges aspects would be the construction location (topography) whether the machines can set up there to do the work or not, the weather conditions that are acceptable, how strong is the 3D printed building, and the limitations of building designs including scales.  

Some related sites that are interesting:

https://all3dp.com/2/3d-printing-in-construction-what-are-3d-printed-houses-made-of/

https://www.3dnatives.com/en/3d-printing-construction-310120184/

Comments:

1- Jake,

Your topic hooked me! Maybe because you are interested in Philadelphia’s future which the place we live and we are concerned about its future. In addition, I am from one of the Arabian Gulf countries and mentioning Dubai makes me attracted to what you will write about. Dubai is well-known for its developments and technology in all fields including construction. I’m also planning to make a research about 3D printing and Dubai one of the countries that started using this technique for their projects.

I agree that robotics may help a lot, but what do you think the future challenges are related to IB? What are some risks that robotics will not endure?

Good luck with your project!

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/b4-term-paper.html

2- Michael,

When I first read your post, the first thing that came to my mind was eQuest software which I think is similar to your project. I didn’t have any knowledge about Kaggle, but you made me search and read about it. You have a creative idea. If I know how this works, I would have joined you. I liked how you discussed your methodology and what difficulties you are facing. I think your project could be helpful for those you are doing researches on HVAC.

Your projects sound professional, interesting and really detailed. I can’t wait to see you presenting it to the class.

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/course-project.html

3- Manon,

We have something in common! My project is similar to your group’s. We both going to do research on 3D printing and sustainability. It would be interesting to know what is your point of view as an engineer on this topic. We would agree on some points but disagree on others which opens up an opportunity to discuss in class with our classmates.

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/b-4-sustainable-design-through-additive.html