Reflection

Class Reflection 

Coming into the class, I was not sure what a class on Intelligent Building would entail, but I was not disappointed. I think that dividing the class intro BIM and  Databases was a good way structure the class, since they are both relevant to the future of engineering. In the BIM section of the class, I was able to learn about new softwares that are being used, such as Dynamo, and how they are being applied in the field. This was my favorite part of the class since it showed me what a future in Digital Building concentration could look like. I enjoyed hearing representatives from companies talk about the future of BIM and Virtual Reality in engineering. Thanks to the presentation from the consulting/engineering firm, I interviewed with a couple companies for a position in Virtual Design Construction for my third co-op. Thus, I am more excited about the job possibilities within my field. It was also interesting to learn about all the advancements in engineering with the introduction of new technologies, such as drones in construction and the use of AI for generative design, and how they haven’t become a popular trend yet. Almost every guest speaker mentioned the pushback that new methods receive within our field, which I hope is something that will start to change in the next couple of years with new generations being introduced into the industry. 

Furthermore, I found learning about databases useful, as this is what allows for the development of intelligent buildings. From our definition of intelligent building at the start of the course, intelligent building are able to respond/adapt to their surrounding to optimize performance and efficiency. Thus, the collection of data is key.  The collection of large amounts of data allows for insightful and well rounded decisions concerning building design, whilst also providing real-time feedback on the conditions inside the building. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this class and thought it provided good amount of information regarding a future in intelligent building and the current technologies being implemented. 

Amanda, 

I think you provided really thoughtful analysis of how this class was beneficial for you as a structural engineer. I agree that this class was really helpful in making us realize the multiple softwares that are available to us and how they can become the future of our fields. 

Andrew,

I completely agree that one of the most important things this class taught me was that we have to be constantly learning. Everyday there are new technologies and softwares being introduced and it is really important for us to understand this and how they can help us in our careers.

Ina,

I agree with your point that one of the most enjoyable things of the class was its diversity. I really enjoyed having people from different experiences and concentrations in the class as it proved to create more interesting discussions in class. It is always interesting to see the different perspectives shared in class.

B3: What are the possible future problems with Revit/BIM?

What problems could face us using Revit in the future? I didn't think of this question before because I thought that any problem or issue we have now is going to be solved with all the technologies we have. That's why there are updated versions approximately every year. The current problem that I can think about is that Revit and some other software are not available for everyone. People who are using mac can't download Revit because the company doesn't provide one for Mac users. It is only for Microsoft users, why? Would this issue going to stay till the next decade? Hopefully not! 

The other issue that may be considered is that there is only one version of Revit which is used worldwide. This is great, but every state or country has different building codes, restrictions, and limitations. Although I think engineers should be aware and review this part, but I would recommend that they add this to the program.     

BIM/Revit year over year is becoming more realistic that people can’t differ between both. There are more features that are added and developed. If you remember the Paint program that was on our old computers, do you think children still use it now as we did? Today Microsoft has developed that old tool to Paint 3D program, you can see the difference between these two programs. Paint is the only painting tool that I used when I was a kid, but know there are a bunch of them with high quality and resolution. What problems could BIM have in the future? If there weren't enough options in designing, the creativity of designing using these tools could decrease. This could happen when engineers rely on these programs and limit there designs on what these software provide.  BIM can do work faster than humans, but it is controlled by us. Therefore, we shouldn't rely on and fully trust the computer's work without reviewing it because it could have some errors.   

Michael,

I believe that in future more simulations will be updated and also more models that are close to reality. The idea you have might sound crazy at first, but nothing possible. There are programs where you can design and decorate your house without even paying a cent so you can see if it fits or not. Sometimes you imagine things that you think it is going to work but when you do it and pay for it, you realize that you wasted your time and money on something that didn’t fit the place, and you didn’t like it. Therefore, these programs can help in these cases. In addition to the VR and XR human-eye resolution products, this can also be used in the construction field in the future or something similar to your idea.

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/future-of-bim.html

Walker,

I’m interested to know how BIM improved the communication between fields. I know that Revit can combine structural, mechanical, plumbing and architectural systems together, but this is all in the same field. Do you mean the environmental field, for example?

When you mentioned that there are benefits from using BIM and drawing plans by hand, I was wondering if there is a tool where we can draw plans and sketch by hand then these plans could be transferred to digital plans. If this tool doesn’t exist now, maybe it will in the future.

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/walker-elders-b3-advantages-of-revitbim.html

Reece,

In my experience, while my job interviews all of the companies and firms that I had applied for asked about my AutoCAD skills. In addition, the firm that I worked in used AutoCAD although they knew about Revit, but it seems that it is a new tool. Honestly, I don’t know how to work on something other than AutoCAD. However, I think this will change in the future corresponding to me or to the firms where Revit going to replace AutoCAD, but we need some time for this change.

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/blog-post-3-how-does-revit-relate-to.html

B3 - Possible Future Problems With Revit/BIM

Technology is continuously evolving just according to Moore’s Law (Wikipedia 1), and there is no indication that the process of innovation is slowing down anytime soon. As our computers become more and more powerful and able to support larger, more complex operations, the viability of current industry standards is called into question. 

Currently, Revit is one of the most popular BIM platforms in the construction field. Of course, whether or not it continues to dominate in AEC is up to Autodesk’s research and development team and executives. One present issue that will most likely continue to be a problem for the future is the issue of interoperability. BIM platforms need to be able to synthesize data from many sources and transfer information readily and seamlessly using IFC classes or other standardizations yet to come. Undoubtedly, more platforms will be developed in the next decade; ideally, each new platform is more and more efficient with data storage, transfer, and usage. 

Bill Allen comments on the issue of “data waste” (Allen 1). Data waste is, in general, the inefficient use of data. This includes recreating already-existing data, processing data manually rather than automatically, or having extraneous data in excess for a project (for example, storing the topographical model of Cleveland on a file for a project in Philadelphia). Like interoperability, data waste is also a current issue that will continue to plague future BIM projects. Workflows and programming are paramount for efficient usage of BIM technology. Many firms that claim to be well versed in BIM are still using it inefficiently, or, at the very least, not to its full present potential. Coding software like Dynamo aids in automating some of the BIM management and design tasks. Dynamo can also be used as an organizational tool for data to minimize the amount of data waste for a model. Developments in generative design are also advancements in parametric design and efficient use of data in building design.

We have the technology to work with BIM in ways that save enormous sums of money and time in all phases of a project: schematics, trades coordination, construction project, and closeouts all have the potential to be highly efficient and mostly (if not entirely) automated. What restricts the innovation of the AEC field is the willingness to invest time and capital into new ideas and the drive to challenge the status quo. As long as firms aren’t “settling” for BIM solutions and demand the functionality, the industry is destined to see great changes in virtual design and construction.

References

• Wikipedia contributors. (2020, January 19). Moore's law. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 03:19, January 23, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Moore%27s_law&oldid=936559599   
• Allen, B. (2019, October 16). The Future of BIM Will Not Be BIM and It's Coming Faster Than You Think. Retrieved from https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/article/Future-BIM-Will-Not-Be-BIM-and-Its-Coming-Faster-You-Think-2017  

Andy,

Contractors are a huge beneficiary of BIM/VDC technology. Like Dr. Fiori mentioned during her lecture on Thursday, contractors are one of the groups putting major pressure on designers to use BIM because of the benefits in time, cost, and quality of the project. As more autonomous means of inspection and performing work are developed, safety of laborers will also improve.

Jake,

While I am thrilled that Revit and other BIM applications can produce detailed, accurate sets of electronic drawings, many seasoned professionals in the AEC industry do not feel the same. On one of my co-ops, there were several individuals that refused to use electronic drawings and would re-print entire sets of drawings for a handful of revised pages. Sustainability needs to be a focus in all aspects of our practice, including something as seemingly trivial as document management. Revit is a great tool, but it's potential is limited by how much the people behind it choose to use it.

Mika,

You're absolutely right in regards to how frustrating the learning process for a new technology can be. Proper training is essential in a firm implementing BIM into their workflows, and unfortunately, many professionals are left on their own with Revit in a trial-by-Youtube learning environment. I am also a self-taught Revit user and I recognize how valuable an in-depth training or learning under a mentor can be.

B2: Core Technologies and Software

              3D modeling and BIM are both recent technologies that were invented in the ’90s, that’s what I thought, but according to BIM Handbook, the idea was there since 1960. The 3D application is not limited to modeling buildings, however, it is a numerous concept. It almost contributed to every field including the media field in movies, engineering fields like mechanical, and more. The BIM gives better views of a project from different angles, and from this privilege, one could study the model and know the errors. The BIM had gone through many editions and engineers will not stop updating these programs for better editions and better future. A model is formed by parameters that are the properties of the model’s elements. These parameters were difficult to be edited in the earlier modeling programs like B-rip. Today, editing and making changes in a model is the challenging part between companies. The better the properties of a BIM, the better is the software. Parameters are being detailed in every new edition of the CAD tool. Revit is a well-known software that engineers love, especially architects, but the sudden fact that it was first developed as a mechanical system. 

         BIM also provides features that can illustrate the environmental conditions in a specific location. For example, what effects the shadows of the surrounding buildings would have on the designed building, in addition to solar orientation. These features can reduce construction failures by providing accurate numbers, angels, plans, and elevations. Also weather conditions regarding a selected location as outdoor and indoor temperature. This helps engineers to determine the best HVAC system, construction materials, and glazing. Many previous failures were because of scaling. One could distinguish that when comparing and contracting a new building with an old one. The old buildings are not symmetrical and not creatively designed. These were all designed and scaled on papers. The manual sale could be right, but not as specific as on computers. One inch matters and a pencil's thickness would also affect. I had two of my AE studio classes that I preferred the class to be taken in a computer lab, and the designs were made using one of the modeling programs. The class was designing class using scaling tools, and papers. I like to learn the basics first, but two classes using the same technique is pointless. I was having a hard time with the scaling because if there was one mistake, you have to erase and do it again by your hand. It prevented me from being creative in my own design because my time and efforts were wasted on doing scaled sections, elevations and plans, whereas, there were much better software to use for designing a building.   

            

Although we have these programs available, I do believe that the start of every idea which then becomes a project is a sketch using a pen and paper. We all do our designs and plans on a paper then transfer it to an electronic copy; so the technology can take our traditional way of doing something, but it can’t erase it because we have to understand the basics first to know how things work. 

Citation:

Eastman, Chuck, et al. BIM Handbook : A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Designers, Engineers, Contractors, and Facility Managers, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2018. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/lib/drexel-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5447327.

Comments:

1-

Dane,
I can’t imagine how there is an engineering firm that doesn’t support 3D modeling. BIM isn’t a new tool, but the only thing that I can think about that prevent them from using these programs is money. Some small firms don’t want to pay more for better tools which gives the employees a hard time. However, these programs help all parties that are involved to have the best presentation of the project including the stakeholders. These 3D views can be edited using the IPAD as you mentioned. This could be handy while the contractor and the engineers are at the worksite. It gives perfect results in designing which means better projects and that counts toward the firm’s reputation.

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/dane-bell-blog-2.html

2-

Ina,
You started your post with a clear definition of Interoperability. Exporting a BIM file or changing its format is not easy as exporting PDF to JPEG. Although, also between these formats, the file could lose its quality. Regarding converting 3D models from one program to another, every number and information has to be converted including parameters. These files carry a large amount of data that reflects the design, so any small missing code could cause a large failure that could change the whole design, the scale, for example. Personally, I'm still experiencing that while using some software. This issue is still occurring and not solved yet because every software has its own settings. Therefore, there isn’t one solution for all. However, IGES would be a perfect invention.

Thank you for mentioning IGES in your post because it might help me with my senior design project. I was using AutoCAD, and now I’m switching to Revit. This technique will save me time where I just convert files without redoing the design all over again on Revit.

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/b2-interoperability.html

3-

Pritesh,

You brought up a good point when you related BIM to financial risks. The precision of these programs can really reduce the financial risks that occur due to design failures which leads to delays that affect the project’s budget. Every delay has a cost. The stakeholders or the owner of the project will ask for payback from the contractor. These are all statements that were agreed upon by all parties in the contract. Therefore, BIM is really important, and companies won’t stop improving their software to be better than other companies. Regarding the project’s schedule and timeline, RSMeans software and MS project software are both excellent programs to use to know the total cost, early start, early finish dates for your projects.  

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/blog-2.html