Bell Blog 6

This course has opened my eyes to many thing that I have not previously encountered at Drexel or in the workplace. When I go to work it is often presented to me that no one wants to change the way things have been operated for the past thirty years. Because I work in an industry that specializes on roads and bridges, change is very frightening to most. There is currently a push within the company to use 3D design but it doesn’t have as much traction as one would hope. This class has shown me what the future can hold if effort is applied. I am hoping that my company will adopt 3D design and that I will be using it in the future. Another important thing that I learned was the commitment that construction workers have on creating buildings. It is very difficult to build anything and the contractor needs to make everything fit in the increasingly more complicated world that we live in. Also, I had never thought about sensors in the way that I think of them now and how if properly maintained, they can completely regulate all the things that function in a building. The database was another interesting tool that I am not sure how I can implement in my life but I do enjoy the ability to be able to make a database if I ever needed to. Overall this class was an enlightening experience starting with the innovative ways that construction is being carried out and interestingly enough I am currently doing graduate research with people who are 3D printing concrete. The usage of drones and robots were all eye opening to me but sadly I am a skeptic and believe that if everyone could sit around in their pajamas all day they would. Also, the latest presenter who explained the difficulty of keeping track of sensors and systems in large buildings with reference to building managers made good points about the willingness of people to change or even do things correctly. But although I am a hasty critic I think that most of the things shown in the class will be utilized in the future but not quickly. I believe that over time, like it will be more and more common to use only 3D design and it will be more and more common to 3D print concrete and use robots and databases until everyone will be doing it. The future will eventually get here and the upheaval is starting.

Reece,

I hope you have a meaningful time at your next co-op and learn more about additive manufacturing of concrete. I am also working on concrete for my masters research studies and am optimistic that the future will use concrete completely differently than it does currently. I also think that database usage is very important in society, I was unaware how many databases are necessary to run the world and it is hundreds of thousands, and the way to make them was foreign to me until this class

Douha,

I completely understand what you are saying because I have primarily used autocad and civil 3d without ever using revit. I was surprised how easy and clean it was. Many people in my office also use revit for architecture but because I am civil engineering, I barely get to use it. Hopefully I will be able to utilize my skills and be incorporated in multiple different fields.

Madeleine,

I agree with you when you say that you feel behind because I had also never learned about the topics covered in this class. Another thing is that I have close to no affiliation with building systems, this topic came up in my senior design in which I should have implemented more systems. It’s sufficient to say that I almost never think about the architectural side of engineering which appears to be the opposite problem that you have.

Bell-Blog 5 Database usage in construction firms

Construction can use databases with as much efficacy as any field and because construction is such an outdated field, it can be highly beneficial. The most important thing that construction firms can use databases for is item indexing. It is much easier to look up items and all of their specifications than going through the code and finding the item you’re looking for. This could easily streamline the processes of construction managers because they would be able have access to the entire array of items and parts without having to manually find them. The next thing that is very valuable is the ability to put plans on the internet. This is just about the most important thing that has ever happened in the engineering world behind autocad because the construction managers and workers don’t need hundreds of papers. They can also write on all these papers, all of this is backed up in databases where the information is stored. This can then be transferred to the client. The client can use the databases for their building in the future because the building manager is supposed to fix everything as it breaks over time. Instead of having complicated drawings that often get lost or damaged, the owner could instead find all of the things they need in a database. These all prove very useful but there is another reason that construction companies can use databases to increase productivity that is harder to exemplify. Databases can store large amounts of data, a potential source could be past jobs. The speed at which past jobs have happened or perhaps past problems could be tracked. This sort of idea could be sculpted to the desire of the construction company, they could use it to calculate bid prices for certain types of projects or circumvent problems that are likely to occur. Although this strays more towards the topic of deep learning where a refined program can find trends that the average human can’t, this burgeoning industry revolution could make construction much more efficient and manageable. By manageable, I mean able to be managed but also predictable, with more possible storage space, more pictures of daily activity could be taken, this was mentioned by a few guest speakers. Also, the workplace would become safer because hazards could be detected faster and hopefully mitigated. Essentially, the two most costly aspects of construction have been covered by implementing databases, identification of unforeseen problems and worker safety, that is why I personally believe that databases and large amounts of new technology will be used in the construction field in the near future.

Michael,

I never thought about buying goods using a neural network, this is a very intuitive idea that could be used in many different industries as well as construction. But then it the question of the accuracy of the neural network because people have tried to predict the stock market but as far as I know, none have succeeded. It is easier to track simple prices over time but, I was just thinking ahead. Also, the majority of the thing you wrote about were similar to ideas I had and I fully support you.

Jake,

Interesting that you directly related databases to BIM, and I do believe that it is true that the more information about a building, the bigger the database, and the more accurate the project model would be. However, hopefully most if not all design will become cloud based very soon so that there will not need to be a server database room in every office and instead in can be put into the cloud. Finally, I believe there are more ways databases impact construction field other than just BIM.

Amanda,

What a great idea, I am hoping that this practice could come into the field soon but this technology could just be sequestered to mechanical engineering. I'm not saying that it would be difficult to transfer to civil and architectural but at this very moment, few people in the field can code databases. Although I do see this type of OODB coming into reality very soon.

Bell Blog 4-Project Information

Our project will be based on generative design which is a topic that has come up multiple times in class but we do not believe that it was explained to its full extent because it is much deeper than previously stated. We are planning on doing a written report that analyzes the wonders of generative design. Essentially, we are going to research and compile the processes in which generative design exercise and how it will be beneficial to be used in the future. In general, this form of design, also called parametric design operates as such; a computer program is given a list of constraint (parameters) and with those constraints it creates designs that fit the parameters to any level in order to accomplish the goal set out. For example, if a chair needed to be designed, it only needs to do a few things, give the program those few parameters and it will generate designs that no person has ever thought of and can be made because of 3D printing. We chose this topic because from our perspective, this is very cool that a computer can solve problems in ways never before thought of and because computers don’t have knowledge of manufacturing, it will create any design, feasible or not. This idea of generative design fits in with intelligent buildings because it can be used on a microscale, such as in furniture but also in a macroscale. Architecture could be wholly reinvented because of this new modelling process, and there are some projects already underway that utilize generative design. If we look to trends, they are often created due to future technology, when the lunar landing was going to occur in 1969, the cars of the era were reminiscent of space ships, or when polyester was invented, suddenly everything was made of polyester. This kind of community wide or worldwide upheaval could come from this new process of design which could be used in buildings and applied to everything engineering.

Looking at other groups there is a very large amount of differentiation between topics, which should be very interesting. I am personally excited to see where my project fits in with other peoples project because this coarse can be very broad but sort of all come together. I am happy that it doesn’t look like our project will have much overlap although I believe they will inevitably.

Jake,

Very interesting topic, I am very interested in the technology movements toward making construction easier and safer. I hope that Philadelphia isn't too far behind Dubai in the realm of robotics in construction, but I fear that is a conclusion that you will reach. Also, I wonder if you should investigate how many jobs could be replaced because everyone knows that people hate losing their jobs and that could be a huge problem for Americans as a whole, good luck though.

Pritesh,

I like your topic but do want to know if you will be designing the landscape around the building or if you're only doing the structural and innards. This project could prove to be very hard if there are many moving parts. Because I am a novice in Revit, I am excited to see what kind of designs can be created and how intelligent building coincides with Revit and see the functions that synthesize the program and idea.

Amanda,

I hope that there is a good way to put all these programs together, the guest speaker may be of some help to you because she was very knowledgeable about the different workings of all the programs. I would like to see more robots on construction sites for the sake of efficiency but like you, I have never seen it in real life. I wonder when it will be the norm. Also, I wonder how you will be able to put all the pieces of the green infrastructure into one place.

Group E - Week 4 Discussion

Overall, our group decided that AutoCAD and Sketchup are helpful in producing rough drafts, then ultimately using them as references to create a more comprehensive, polished final product in Revit. That's not to say that this is Revit's only use, though. 3D visualization is vastly helpful. Minute details, such structural member connections, are easier to view in 3D in Revit than in 2D in AutoCAD. Revit makes section cuts easier once the geometry is in place. In summary, Revit combines many of the best features of other drafting programs into a comprehensive 3D modeling software.

Bell Blog 3-Revit vs. Autocad

Although Autocad and Revit have been assimilated and transformed so that they are similar programs now, in fact Autodesk bought Revit, they started out with a completely different motive. Revit is design oriented specifically for buildings which is why it is at the forefront of BIM. Revit started out as one of the first 3D design softwares, and with its simple nature took over much of the building engineering world. What set Revit apart from the rest of the competition was the user interface, which was designed initially as a 3D modelling program, unlike others. It was easy to learn and had countless tools, this was especially helpful in the architecture field because design aspects could be viewed easier than ever before. Also, these images could be rendered efficiently to show clients what they want to see and to streamline processes. Furthermore, the 3D aspect allows for better viewing of potential overlaps and crashes. With all of these put together it is difficult to see why any other program would be needed because Revit can do everything.

Autocad was designed in the 80’s which was before Revit by about 20 years, Autocad made a name for itself as one of the first design softwares in existence. There was considerably less computing power then confining it to be a 2D program. Although dated by todays standards, Autocad has been a staple in many engineering firms even today, I spend much of my time using Autocad for work. There are a few reasons why Autocad has not been surpassed in certain fields such as civil engineering, the first is that people don’t want to learn a new product because that would cost large sums of money and “it has always worked in Autocad”. This revolution where the young outweigh the old is coming but I am unsure of when. Another reason is that Autocad has all the correct formats, fonts, linetypes, symbols, etc. to create plan documents. The third reason why Autocad is still used is because 2D printed drawings are still a deliverable so business owners don’t see a reason to change to 3D because it will be printed on 2D paper, which I know is a fallacious statement. Finally, the most important reason is that Autocad can store a large amount of data, meaning roadway designs that span for several miles or city plans should be used in Autocad. Also, roads are fairly unimaginative in general, making 3D design unnecessary.

As a side note, Autodesk tried to update Autocad to make it 3D, but it is quite clunky because the original design of the program did not account for 3D design. Autodesk scrapped that project and instead, invested in completely new programs such as inventor, then Revit was bought, to increase their 3D design portfolio.

Manon,

This is an interesting post, but you confuse me with the problems of BIM, I believe that you are trying to say that the problem with BIM is that people aren't using it enough and don't want to try to use it. Which would not be a problem with BIM, but instead a problem with people. Also, it would be interesting to see what would happen if AI was used in BIM to create things in building.

Pritesh,

I enjoy how you go immediately to the legal issues, because legal problems are often the most expensive. When there is a clash from two different designs, that is where the most problems occur and most money is lost.I also am saddened that not many people use BIM because it is so useful.

Isabel,

I agree that people not wanting to learn BIM is a huge problem but I also think that they don't want to spend any money when they are unsure of the outcomes. I am not defending small firms but it is a large sum of money to buy licenses and to also learn something that is "unnecessary" by some viewpoints. Also I don't know when BIM will be mandatory, but it could be soon and at that point I'm excited to see what happens to the industry.

Bell Blog 2-BIM for Contractors

Initially, this section comments on the importance of contractor input in the design process. I personally, have often wondered how the plans that are created are digested by contractors. It is difficult for the engineer to think as a construction worker because the construction process is very different than the beautifully furnished indoors of the engineer. The contractor needs to comment on the progression of the project and its necessities which are almost never put on plans. With this construction consultation, many new ideas could come about because of multiple stakeholders. The project managers would be able to see things about the construction site that the engineers usually don’t think of such as facilities and parking.

This leads to the 4D, aspect of design and modelling, which was touched on later in the piece. 3D design is obviously the way construction plans should be for every type of construction. The only problem is that the contractor can not always view the 3D design well or at least it is more difficult without an ipad. I do not believe these changes will be difficult, however, the firm that I currently work for only uses 2D design and I am one of the only people pushing for 3D design. The reason for this is that the standards in bridge and road engineering is dense, entrenched, and different for most states. 4D design includes time, which will make it all the harder to create plans. Although I think it’s easy, change is always fought. 3D and 4D plans are a good use of time because they mitigate issues that could be overlooked. It is difficult to determine the scope of a project unless it is in 3D. The stakeholders will also most likely get involved; the “smart” engineers use the 2D models to ignore the public largely, if unintentionally. When the public gets a good idea of what the project is more problems occur, which although makes it tougher, it becomes a better construction plan with happier people.

Prospective problems with 4D design are numerous. Sorry to be negative about this but I don’t see it happening for a few years. The first problem is the program, with multiple types of 3D software coming and competing, it is difficult to implement just one singular one. This problem pervades further because all the states in america have different codes. Having a program that sticks to one would be tough, however, other countries are using 3D and maybe 4D design successfully. This is something that I hope will be prevalent in the next few years.

Madeleine

I wrote a very similar analysis but from a completely different section. Most of my points were analogous to yours as well, including the idea that multiple disciplines should be taking part in the design process to eliminate unforeseen problems, overlap and confusion. You however, said that the different disciplines should have the same tools which I assume means teaching civil and structural engineers revit or architects microstation or cad. I appreciate how you explain that the it should be easy to convert everyone to one program but is basically impossible because nobody likes change, apparently. Sorry I don’t have any contradictory points, but we happened to land on adjacent conclusions.

Spencer

This was quite the interesting history lesson for the majority. I did not think about how long engineers have been drawing everything by hand which is probably why this very fast innovative technology is knocking every entrenched engineer off their feet. As a side note, humans have not been making engineering project for tens of thousands of years. Also it is much cheaper now to  do projects because the software has gotten so much better. I also like the international language, because if everything is standardized, the method of sharing and ironing out issues becomes streamlined.

Andrew

I liked how you spoke about cost being the main issue which it is. People don’t want to invest in an integrated BIM system because currently, the design build protocol “works”. But people don’t see how much easier and better projects could move through phases which is the toughest part of design. Also it is important to note that when one thing is changed, the parametric aspect changes multiple factors. This is very good, I think that it could be very beneficial but it could also cause huge problems if they aren’t connected correctly.

Intelligent Building Group E

Intelligent Building

An intelligent building is one that is adaptive. It senses the environment and makes appropriate changes. It is aware of its users and occupants and their needs. It aims for efficiency, ultimately trying to create a more green building.

Bell Blog 1

How the Future will be Impacted by Burgeoning Technological Advances

Technology is the hottest topic of the century for good reason; all aspects of daily life is being influenced by technology, with alleged goals to make the world more efficient or safer.  The introduction of cookies on websites appears to be the beginning of such tracking. Cookies would try to determine what an internet user wanted to buy and offer the best deals that they had. Although there was pushback, people started to realize that google also started to track users, but no one seemed to care. Recently tracking individuals for data has evolved immensely. The article “The Tech That Will Invade Our Lives in 2020”, explains how the smart houses are coming into view as a viable lifestyle. It explains that many of the large tech companies, apple, google, Samsung, etc. have come together, to try to synthesize products. These products are all interconnected in a single database. These products, namely Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistants, will be part of every home and will control it. Many also question the legality of monumental companies colluding but with that aside the issue pressing is that in most if not all homes, devices are listening and recording. In the near future, these homes will be autonomous and mold to the desires of the inhabitants. Although there is nothing outright devious going on it is still interesting that more and more information about each individual is tracked and stored in a warehouse somewhere. Another tracker that is attached all day long is the apple watch and its various competitors. These take blood pressure constantly and track heartbeats as well as location. It is clear to see that soon these watches will be able to do much more than record and track.

The idea that everyone is being tracked becomes further entrenched when it comes to cars. According to the article, “What does your car know about you? We hacked a Chevy to find out.” All new cars track the whereabouts of the driver, the speeds they drive, the acceleration, stopping speed and hundreds if not thousands of other details. This info is also put into a database and analyzed to allegedly make the car safer. Although it is a very viable option, it is hard not to ponder the amount of sensors on the car. Fowler, the author, claims that there are thousands of sensors on his 2017 Chevrolet, why are so many needed some may ask. Furthermore, when someone connects their phone to a car, a large amount of personal data is accessible to the car. Essentially, everyone is being tracked or listened to.

These two articles illuminate the very simple idea that we apparently are not worried about tech companies tracking our every movement. I personally am like everyone else, I do not care as of now. It is very possible that one day, the information will be leaked and people will have their personal information and most likely, their identity stolen. Finally, although, this has been a negative paper written by myself, this data does have many upsides that are relatively unknown. The data piles are basically like discovering a new element, scientist won’t know what to with it but eventually usefulness will come out of it. For example, breast cancer has been spotted by AWS before doctors can. Heart attacks can be tracked by accessories and then 911 can be called for the elderly. So having people storing data is scary but may prove instrumental to progress and will also be very dangerous.

 Chen, Brian. “The Tech That Will Invade Our Lives in 2020.” Evernote, 1 Jan. 2020,www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510?linked=8d6edc4c-9623-4645-9d36-b057ad589798&newReg=false#st=p&x=lasky&n=0e18e88a-862b-42f9-b28a-e5419939c919.

Fowler, Julie. “What does your car know about you? We hacked a Chevy to find out.” Evernote, 8 Nov. 2019, www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510?linked=8d6edc4c-9623-4645-9d36-b057ad589798&newReg=false#st=p&x=future&n=0e18e88a-862b-42f9-b28a-e5419939c919.  

Amanda

I am very intrigued by the amount of people that are at risk of losing their job to robots, hopefully I am not one of them. I always wonder however, what will that unemployed person do? Because there has to be a job somewhere they can do. Also do you think that this many jobs will be taken quickly or slowly? Because the us, china, and india have billions of people, it could take a while. I also never would have guessed that hobbyists are being challenged by 3d printing , I found that amusing.

Varsha

I wrote on a very similar topic and although I agree with you that the big tech companies are very coy with their advertising, they have yet to do any harm and could in fact help in the long run. With lots of data do you believe that trends could be found that a human would never think of or is unable to perceive simply based on bias alone?

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.

Bell Post 1

Dane Bell 

I'm a structural engineering student
I have always loved architecture and future technology
I don't actually study architecture but I like it.
I'm hoping this class fulfills both of the things that I listed before, and I hope to learn new things.


Intelligent building: a building designed or created in an innovative way using new technologies. Also a building that solves current problems of waste


AI: Should we be afraid of AI

This completely supports my viewpoint, which is why I read it and enjoyed it. Essentially, AI is possible but only if we program human reactions into a robot. At least hundreds of thousands of responses. Which is not easy and not an intelligent thing to do. Also the only way robots attack us is if that is what they're programmed to do

Student Names - Placeholder

This is a placeholder post to allow creation of the last few names as labels.  You can ignore it.