B6 - Reflection

This course has been one of my favorite courses at Drexel thus far. The main reason is because I felt like this course looked beyond how the AEC industry is functioning today. I enjoyed learning about the new technologies that will mold the building design in the future. For example, I found the topic of interoperability very fascinating because I think it has the ability to improve the network capabilities between themany types of BIM software which is still a continuing issue in today’s industry.

I also enjoyed learning more about Revit during the semester. I have had some experience with the program through my co-ops in which I had assisted in creating BIM models as part of my duties. However, I appreciated that this class gave me more experience with Revit that is relevant to what I will be doing after graduation. In addition, Dynamo is a new feature to me that I had never used before. I think this feature could be really useful for me in the future since it allows easy data pulling from the Revit model.

I also felt like I gained a lot from working in teams. Team work is a key aspect in engineering jobs, so I think that having experience working with new people from various disciplines will prepare me for my future co-ops, and eventually my future job. 

Furthermore, the articles I think also contributed greatly to my learning in the class. Although they were time consuming, I think it is important to take extra time to stay up to date on industry trends and new emerging technologies. I think this will make me a better professional in the future.

Lastly, I enjoyed gaining more insight into what makes a building “intelligent.” I had never taken into consideration how buildings could be more efficient by implementing technology and sensors. As society becomes more accustomed to convenience, I think that technology within building design will continue to expand and evolve. Therefore, I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be in a class in which I could get a glimpse of what the future of my profession and my industry will look like.

Greetings Manon,

I felt a similar way coming into class. I was also unsure of what it meant for a building to be intelligent, and I feel that this class has given me great insight into the future of engineering as well. I also really enjoyed hearing from industry professionals who are seeing the implementation of the technologies we are learning about as well. It is truly incredible how big data has the ability to impact the efficiency of buildings.

Hi Jake,

It is interesting that you are going to work with Revit to design electrical systems. That is what I worked on at my last co-op. I think what we learned in this class about Revit will give you a great foundation for your future job. Although Revit can be a daunting program, it becomes very intuitive after you use it for a while. I am positive you will be able to adopt it easily.

Greetings Varsha,

I agree that this class gives great insight on the extent of careers available with an AE concentration. I definitely wish I would have taken this course earlier during my time at Drexel so that I would have understood the various opportunities earlier. I also agree that the department should do a better job of integrating knowledge about the status of the industry within our various courses.

B6 - Course Reflection

Coming into this course I had a few different reservations. The course description led me to believe there would be a lot of education about things in which I had little to no experience. Additionally, walking into an architectural engineering course as a mechanical engineer could be a little intimidating. But I needed a college of engineering elective and was interested in learning about intelligent building technology, so AE410 is where I landed. 

Over the course of the term I have learned a lot more about the technological advances in the AEC industry than I ever expected to know. Videos of construction drones and 3D printing concrete structures were enlightening and opened my eyes up to a world in the not too distant future. We were given the opportunity to practice and use Revit in a practical and helpful way; which is an experience I’d been searching for and need for my industry. I definitely struggled the most with the MS Access database assignment, but those challenges opened up the possibility for me to learn the most. The ability to link so many emerging technologies to an industry I expect to be working in for years is an invaluable skill. 

AE410 definitely covers a vast array of different topics that are quite difficult to tie together. There are a lot of different technologies, as we now know, as well as a lot of different methods in which they can be applied. But the progression of the course, group activities and guest speakers all help to paint the bigger picture. In my final project I chose to specifically research different technologies that aid in improving the efficiency of building mechanical systems. I wanted to take the opportunity to look deeper into sensors, BIM and building controls’ advances that will be impacting my day to day life in the near future. It was very enlightening to read about so many different technologies that exist, as well as to see the many advances that are coming. Despite being hesitant about being a mechanical engineer in a room of architectural engineers, I really enjoyed and am glad to have taken this class. AE410 has given me a new perspective on the AEC industry and prepared me for the future of intelligent building technologies. I am looking forward to being a part of the technological advances in the building industry, and using what I’ve learned in this class to build a better world.

Comments:

Dane:https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/03/bell-blog-6.html

I really like that your reflection touches on people's unwillingness to change; this industry is one founded on many old and well established principles. I also agree that it is hard to believe that there will be a time where people in the field are obsolete and that technology will do all the work. It's clear that there are a lot of different advances that could be helpful but just because something is new and exciting that doesn't make it ideal. Great post!

Amanda: https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/03/b6-course-reflection_9.html
As an MEP engineer I really appreciate you adding a structural engineering perspective to the mix. The idea of using databases and dynamo to help with change orders is very innovative! If people could get on board with using something like that on a day to day basis the process could be made very efficient. Looking into energy usage for structural materials is very cool and impactful; I really appreciate the perspective you've taken on the things we've learned in this class.

Michael: https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/03/course-reflection.html
I like that you highlighted how this class provided some freedom to look into things we individually found interesting. There was a certain level of guidance of course that led the class through the right topics and down the right path but it was helpful to have free reign to look into things that seemed interesting if you wanted to. I agree that Professor Mitchell did a great job tying a lot of topics together and regularly asking for feedback helped the students feel heard. Great post!

B6 - Course Reflection

This course was nothing like I was expecting it to be, in a good way. I originally chose to take this course because I needed a professional elective and saw that Professor Mitchell was teaching it. What caught my attention while reading over the syllabus before the start of the term, was the fact that we would be learning new skills and getting more experience with Revit. It seemed like a ton of work at first, but the assignments were very straightforward and worthwhile. What made the class even more interesting was the diversity in the class. There were people of so many other majors besides architectural engineering, and they were able to provide different insight to the topics we were learning. Initially, I was unsure of how all the different topics related to buildings, but I thought Professor Mitchell did a great job at relating things like databases and robots to buildings. I did my final project on robotics in the construction industry, and it was really intriguing to research how companies are trying to integrate robots on construction sites. This project particularly encouraged me to stay up to date on new technologies that are being used in the building design and construction industries, and I now have a better understanding of how technology can be used to improve the efficiency and sustainability of buildings. I also believe that the knowledge I gained from this course will benefit me in my future career. We learned a lot of new programs, such as Dynamo and Microsoft Access, throughout the course and it would be really impressive if I could use those programs at my future workplace. If I did not take this course, I definitely would not have known about these different programs and learned how to use them during my time here at Drexel. I wish there were more courses that we could take to learn and advance in our skills in these programs, especially Revit. I am grateful that I will be entering my last co-op with a new set of skills that I can hopefully implement in my work.

Comments:
(Link)
Abdul, I agree that this class was simple yet challenging. It forced us to step out of our comfort zones and learn completely new software. I also had some difficulty with MS Access, but I now have more respect for databases and people who manage databases for living. I am glad you learned something meaningful from this course and I wish you the best of luck in your final term!

(Link)
Izzy, It's been a pleasure to work with you throughout the term! You provided a different perspective on the topics we were learning and it made our conversations more interesting. I, too, was excited to get more experience with Revit during this course, and I wish we were able to do more assignments using it. I commend you for taking an AE course as an MEM student, and I am glad this course was as meaningful to you as it was for me.

(Link)

Mika,

I also learned a lot from reading about interoperability. I was aware of the issues that come with sharing information between different programs, but I did not know there was a term for it. I also agree that Professor Mitchell does a great job at teaching us a substantial amount of information in a simple and interactive way, and this is one of the reasons I decided to take this course. I wish you the best of luck in your career!

Brooks B5: SQL - What is it and why is it important?

SQL or Structured Query Language originated in IBM in the 1970s. IBM had created a new database software called System R, and they designed SQL (originally “SEQUEL”) to manage the information stored in System R. [1] Simply put, SQL is a programming language that is used to access and manipulate the data stored in databases. SQL has the power to populate,modify or delete information in tables, as well as modify the structure of the database itself. [2,3] There are five main elements within the SQL programming language: clauses, expressions, predicates, queries and statements. Clauses are a part of the statements and queries, which control transactions or retrieve data respectively. Predicates specify conditions, and expressions will produce scalar values or tables. Varying combinations of these commands are necessary for use in database management systems. [1] The American National Standard Institute (ANSI) and the International Standards Organization (ISO) have both deemed SQL as the standard language in relational database communication. Many companies will choose to purchase software with SQL already built into it, such as MySQL a software produced by Oracle. MySQL is often used in conjunction with other web programming languages like Python, and can therefore be applied in a myriad of ways. [2]

SQL is used to manage information stored in a variety of databases, which effectively can be found almost everywhere these days. For this reason among many learning to use and understand SQL is very important. Using SQL allows a data scientist to first understand what exactly they’re looking at. Knowing what the data is about, how its structured etc. is imperative for proper data manipulation and to actually get helpful information out of that data. Additionally, SQL is necessary for the management and manipulation of large datasets. Companies like Amazon are collecting, storing and analyzing millions of data points every day. Without SQL a task as large as that would be arguably impossible. Big companies collect data for ad placements, market research, stock information and a variety of other things.  The sheer amount of data collected is huge, and without proper analysis the information that comes from that is useless. [4]

Works Cited

[1] “Web Hosting Services, VPS Servers and Domain Names by NTC Hosting.” NTC Hosting, www.ntchosting.com/encyclopedia/databases/structured-query-language/.

[2] Brooks, Chad. “What Is SQL?” Business News Daily, Businessnewsdaily.com, 22 Jan. 2014, www.businessnewsdaily.com/5804-what-is-sql.html.

[3] “What Is SQL?” Database Directory, www.databasedir.com/what-is-sql/.

[4] Onyango, Francis. “5 Reasons Every Aspiring Data Scientist Must Learn SQL.” Medium, Analytics Vidhya, 1 July 2019, medium.com/analytics-vidhya/5-reasons-every-aspiring-data-scientist-must-learn-sql-2bab007a8d76.

Comments:

Varsha:https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/b5-databases-in-construction-firms.html

You did a good job highlighting not only the importance of databases in the construction industry, but also for AEC productivity in general. Information is power is this industry, and I agree that although hard copy record-keeping is still popular amongst contractors efficiency could be greatly improved with a more digital approach.

Madeleine: https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/b5-walker-elders-databases-in-design.html

I never associated Augmented Reality applications with a need for databases, but after reading your post that actually makes so much sense! There's a lot of data to be interpreted and stored in such an application and it is imperative that there is a database to help organize the process.Though I agree that collaboration tools in the construction industry would be helpful, I do think that getting people to want to learn and use them could be tricky. Great post!

Manon: https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/b-5-relational-database-theory.html

This post was very informative! I personally was tasked with writing specifically about SQL, and found it very helpful to read your post about the specifics regarding the actual database contents. I didn't realize there were so many different qualifications associated with one piece of data within a table and your post did a good job explaining that.

Stephen Pettit - B5 - What is SQL?

What is SQL?

SQL is a computer programming language that is connected to informational databases. SQL stands for Structured Query Language. A database is a tool that basically stores any kind of information you input.[3] SQL extracts and organizes information that is listed inside a database. SQL is one of the most popular coding softwares that competes with Java, C++,  Python. SQL is able to handle a tremendous amount of information[2] It can control millions of data in rows and columns which is very helpful.[2] Some companies are huge, and have databases with what it seems to be infinite amount of information. SQL is very useful in extracting specific information. There is also database management systems that has SQL built into the software. MySQL is one of the most popular engines that uses SQL. MySQL is "generally used on web servers" which makes it a very popular option.

Why is SQL important?

SQL is one of the most desired coding programs from companies. It is a very strong skill to possess, because of how many companies utilize databases.[1] In general though, you are able to find specific data very quickly rather to spending hours, days, months, even years trying to find data. SQL doesn't limit to extracting data, but also allows the user to modify the data, and the combine data from other sources as well.[4] It is also very easy to find a data based job, if you are proficient with SQL. Apparently it is very easy to learn too, because it does not require nearly as much code as other programs. One unique feature that I found is that it can be used on smart phones in addition to laptops, and PCs.[5]           

Work Cited
[1] https://tableplus.com/blog/2018/08/why-sql-is-the-most-important-skill-to-learn.html
[2] https://codingsight.com/structured-query-language-importance-of-learning-sql/
[3] https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5804-what-is-sql.html
[4] https://blog.stoneriverelearning.com/6-reasons-why-you-should-learn-sql/
[5] https://www.javatpoint.com/dbms-advantage-of-sql

Comments

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/a-database-in-simple-terms-is.html

Pritesh,

I am not too familiar with databases, but my understanding is that most types of databases are similar to each other. And that the main difference between other databases is how the data is interpreted. Object database seem to be able to paint a better picture for the user. Also, when the database gets more intense, object databases would probably break down the situation more clearly. It would show how sub categories are connected with each other.

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

Jake,

I found your post very interesting because I currently work for a MEP form for the mechanical department, and I design ductwork/piping on Revit. Databases will help me in the future when I get more involved in the engineering aspects. Dynamo is a perfect example on how it can extract information from the BIM server Revit to minimize time spent on digging information. For this assignment, I research SQL which is a coding program that is used on databases. The SQL allows you to organize the data in large databases like you described.

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/b5-relational-database.html

Douha,

I found your post very interesting, and thought you did a great job explaining in more depth about a relational database. The image made it more clear as well. Another interesting thing you brought up is the registration process at Drexel. Never realized that was considered a database. Also after researching SQL it makes more sense how it can be used to extract data from a relational database. All of the information in the tables can be extracted and modified from SQL, and this cleared it up for me.

B5 - What is SQL and Why is it Important

Structured Query Language (SQL) is a database language that is used to communicate with databases. To start, a database is simply a library of information that is stored online. Data is extremely important in the world today and some databases may become enormous and hard to go through. This is where SQL comes into play. To put simply, SQL pulls specified data from these databases for the user to either analyze or manipulate. Furthermore, it is easy and is highly recommended to learn. This is important because in this advancing world, databases will only be increasing in size and to be able to quickly go through all of the data, SQL allows the ability to do that while filtering, modifying, and analyzing it. Because it is a universal language, it can integrate into other scripting languages. Another benefit of learning this is that it is high in demand in the job industry. A con regarding SQL is that it is a language that mainly only speaks to relational databases. A relational database is basically a tabular database. 

https://medium.com/analytics-vidhya/5-reasons-every-aspiring-data-scientist-must-learn-sql-2bab007a8d76

https://tableplus.com/blog/2018/08/why-sql-is-the-most-important-skill-to-learn.html

Comments

Amanda,

I think object oriented databases would definitely play a role in our industry. Due to an object based database, the information that is being shared throughout the teams would be easily filtered or manipulated to portray/show what they want.

Douha,

This definitely helped me understand my research on SQL a lot more since SQL is used to pull data from relational databases. Databases are everywhere in our life and we use it for many different things and you came up with great examples.

Abdul,

Showing data through objects and classes seems extremely beneficial for our industry. It is easily managed and the information can be shared through many different teams. Learning this and understanding the many different types of databases allowed me to understand more of why there are so many different types. Some databases are more beneficial to certain applications than others.

B5-Mika Awai-SQL in databases

Generally speaking databases are organized sets of data that are contained in or accessed through a computer. Relational databases, which are digital databases based on the relational model of data, use SQL for querying and maintaining the database. Structured Query Language (SQL) is a domain-specific language used in programming, which was started about 50 years ago in the 1970’s. It is designed for managing data or for stream processing in a relational data steam management system. [2] This is the standard language when it comes to relational database management systems. Database updates or information retrieval use SQL statements. The SQL commands that are used in conjunction with other database extensions are “Select”, “Insert”, “Update”, “Delete”, “Create”, and “Drop”. [1] These basis SQL commands are able to achieve almost all the needs of a database.

There is also something called NoSQL, which is another type of database management system, but instead are non-relational databases.These databases are used for large volumes of data that would cause the response time of a relational database to slow down. NoSQL databases are specialized systems and still have their limitations. They are better suited towards sites that deal with large amounts of data such as Google or Amazon. That being said, it is important to learn about SQL databases because they still have more advantages than NoSQL databases. SQL databases have a secure storage and management model, they allow for control of the view of data, they allow for developers the add to the existing database, and they have better security models for their data storage.[3] In addition to the advantages over NoSQL, it is important for data scientists to learn SQL because it is easy to learn and understand, it integrates well with  other coding languages, it has the ability to deal with huge data sets, and it is a highly marketable programming language.[4] Overall, SQL is one of the starting languages used to create relational databases, it has the ability for communication between relational databases, and if you learn SQL you will have an entry to more science data jobs.

Sources:

[1] SQLCourse. “What Is SQL?” SQLCourse, 20 Aug. 2000, www.sqlcourse.com/intro.html.

[2] “SQL.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 4 Feb. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL.

[3] “What Is Database? What Is SQL?” Guru99, www.guru99.com/introduction-to-database-sql.html.

[4] Onyango, Francis. “5 Reasons Every Aspiring Data Scientist Must Learn SQL.” Medium, Analytics Vidhya, 1 July 2019, medium.com/analytics-vidhya/5-reasons-every-aspiring-data-scientist-must-learn-sql-2bab007a8d76.

Comments:

Dane,

Everything you mentioned in your post is true. Minimal technology is taken into the field, but with the incorporation of even the most simple form of database, the overall construction process could be improved from timing, to cost, to communication, all of which play an important role in a project. 

Douha,

It was interesting to learn more in depth what a relational database is, as I researched SQL and they go hand in hand together. I understood that when broken down it is essentially rows and columns working together. The class registration was a good example of this type of database and how we use them more than we are aware of.

Pritesh,

From your post and others my understanding of a object oriented database is one that is similar to a relational database, but is presented in a different form that may be easier to visualize. Because I am unfamiliar with databases in general, i’m not sure what other “real-world entities” could be presented as an object, but I am interested to find out more.

B4 - Project Description

Our group, Amanda, Mika, and I, are planning on focusing green and sustainability design using various BIM software. This topic will talk about the advancement of BIM and how it has affected engineers and designers on their process of sustainable design. This topic was chosen because sustainability is something that is always talked about, however, not as well known aside from the popular options, like natural air circulation, low carbon-footprint, etc. Researching this will allow a better understanding of the extents of a sustainable/green building and then being able to tie it into the progression of BIM and its affects, whether it is advantageous, or a disadvantage. 

Its relation to Intelligent Buildings is mainly BIM itself as mentioned above. To dive further, a part of an intelligent building is to be able to analyze the building's system and data to understand how well it is operating. This would help the sustainable design drastically since it would assist the designer/engineer on what should be modified. Furthermore, using BIM, the building may be monitored over time to determine the best performance for the building. 

Having the ability to use BIM to help design sustainability and green would decrease cost and time since BIM would be doing most of the analysis. This would also benefit many other people than just the engineer/designer. As mentioned before, people would be able to consistently monitor the building. An example of BIM software that does sustainable design would be eQuest. It generates an energy analysis of the structure based on the inputs the user does. This allows the user to implement many different ideas and designs to get the best option. 

A few challenges regarding sustainability and green design would be how sustainable does it have to be? A green building certification program, LEED, has a some guidelines on how green the building is which is based on a ranking system. Like any program, LEED has issues which will be addressed in the research.

Comments

Steve: I think your goal for this project is great and makes a lot of sense. Taking advantage of this project to further your knowledge and experience in Revit would definitely make you stand out and be much more of a valued employee.

Andre: I think it is interesting that you are doing this project in an electrical engineering perspective. Having a co-op in electrical design, this would immensely help the design flow in projects and would allow unnecessary mistakes that are bound to happen.

Cory: The ability to prefabricate elements is very beneficial. Like you mentioned, there are definitely pros and cons regarding this type of construction and may be specific towards certain types of constructions only. I do believe that as the field advance, more elements will definitely be prefabricated to reduce the time and cost consumption.

B4 - Stephen Pettit - Project - Revit Families

For the term project, I will be designing two Revit families of mechanical equipment. I have decided to design an automatic pump packaged unit, and a rooftop unit. The equipment chosen has many components, and would give me good experience with developing Revit families. I have chosen this project because I know this exercise will benefit me in my career. At my co-op company, they design their own Revit families to their standards. I have not had experience in that part of Revit, and I believe that this project would strengthen my Revit skills. Revit is used frequently at work, and I want to be able to be proficient enough that I stick out at my company. Revit is starting to get more popular at my company, and there is a handful of people that are proficient with it. I want to be able to expand my skills to make myself more versatile in my career.

I chose the pump package unit and the RTU because I am somewhat familiar with them. I often run into those equipment throughout my projects. My goal is to create detailed enough Revit families that have adjustable parameters that suits different needs. Another one of my goals is to learn more about the equipment in detail, and the equipment operates. In addition to the Revit families, I will create a general building, and insert the equipment inside the building.

Comments:
https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/cory-christopher-modular-construction.html
Cory,

Modular building construction is a great idea. The construction industry is getting more involved with prefabricated elements. I definitely think you should talk about how they would transport elements such as a whole room or whatever aspect you touch on. Transportation is important in my opinion, and that is why I think that robotics and construction is starting to become a building option.

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

I really like your project idea. I have no experience with Kaggle, but I like the idea of creating a model that will determine future outcomes based off past outcomes. I am excited to see how your project turns out because it something that is very important in the building industry. Characteristics such as loads, temperatures, and other weather measurements are crucial for project accuracy. I agree as well with your statement with how building owners will have a better idea with energy consumption on renovation projects.

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

I find this topic very interesting. This topic intrigued me because I used to have family that lived in Dubai, and I am aware that they are great in the building industry. I am excited to see how far Philadelphia is from the advancements of Dubai, and how both areas can improve in their current advances. It might be a good idea to consider the current issues with what both areas are dealing with, and how they are planning to overcome those issues. Also, I am interested to see what kind of job openings will be available in those areas in the future of robotics, drones, etc.

Group B - Week 4 In Class Discussion

In our group, we believe that interoperability is a current issue within BIM/Revit. Although Revit was created to resolve this problem, it only helped to a certain extent and more issues arose. It is advancing much faster than people can learn and quite expensive for the licensing and training. Furthermore, the models are not compatible in different Revit versions. For instance, Revit 2019 model will not work in Revit 2018 program. 

B3 - Current Issues with BIM - Stephen Pettit

BIM is a very useful tool, but there are a few drawbacks with it in the industry. One issue is that not everyone is proficient with BIM or even familiar with it. This causes issues with what direction of modeling the owner and his clients want to go with. Everyone needs to be on the same page with BIM because although it can save a lot of money, it can cost a lot of money as well if it is not used properly. If a company does not have the software, or the skilled workers to do the job, it will cost a lot more money. A lot of times, they will have "to hire a BIM manager" which would increase the budgets. For the company I work for now, not everyone in the company is familiar with Revit. There is about 5 people in the company that know how to proficiently use Revit, and all of those people are young engineers. I am actually one of the workers that is designated to work on Revit projects.

Revit projects are also not very useful for smaller projects because it requires a lot of detail and time which would be unnecessary for a small project. Another issue is the contractor demands. If the contractor only wants 2D drawings, then BIM would be a waste of money. BIM is very useful for modeling buildings, and showing isometric views of the building and its sections. If the contractor only wants 2D, then programs like AutoCAD would be more beneficial since a lot of companies are proficient with it. In my opinion, AutoCAD projects are still going to be very popular in the next 10 years or so due to the all of the companies that have not adjusted to BIM. Once project managers and higher level engineers become proficient with BIM, I think BIM will take a huge jump in the industry.

A problem with Revit that I often run into is synchronizing. If a lot of engineers are on the model, or if the model has a lot of data in it, the software will take between 5-10 minutes to load. If the model is not synchronized periodically and there is an outage, the model will lose all of the progress since the last synchronization. I have been in this situation. I once was in the zone, and I kept ignoring the synchronization updates, and then I, as well as other employees, lost at least a hour and a half worth of work. That work would have to be repeated, which would cost money. One more issue I have with Revit is a central model cannot be opened in different versions which is frustrating. If other companies aren't updated with the same software, then there will be issues with linking in models etc. Also I grew accustomed to Revit 2019 & 2020, so when I have to work on a project in Revit 2018, I get frustrated due to the lack of advancements. Revit families, however, can be brought in from earlier versions which does make life easy. Revit families are very important in making a proficient building model.

Comments

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

Michael,

I definitely agree that simulations and virtual reality will become very popular and very useful in the future. I also thought your statement about the possibility of changing aspects of the building systems in the 3D realm. For example, it would be extremely useful to be able to change a duct size or move mechanical systems around if I notice something that should not be there. I agree that having a 3D version of the building would be very useful when selling a building. It would clear up many questions that clients, engineers, contractors often have when they first get the project.

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/bell-blog-3.html

Dane,

I agree with your standpoint that a lot of companies still like to use AutoCAD because of the familiarity and the fact that there most drawings that go out to the contractors are all 2D. Therefore, some companies do not think there is a need to adapt. However, over time I think Revit and other BIM software will ultimately take over as the dominate design softwares. I think the main thing that will make companies adapt to the BIM industry is the ability for multiple people to work on the project model at the same time. AutoCAD only lets one user make changes to a drawing at a time which limits productivity if multiple people need to be on the file.

Madeleine,

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

It is so beneficial that 2D linework appears to 3D in every view. I agree that Revit is better for presentation. It allows for 3D views, sections, and elevations without having to draft those views individually. One of my favorite aspects of Revit is the ability to look at in section, and be able to adjust the model through the sections. In my co-op, I have to draft piping and ductwork, and the sections are a lot easier to understand the situation as well as adjust the model. Communication is also a huge benefit from BIM with its synchronization capabilities, and its 3D features.

Links of References
https://www.revitmodelingindia.com/latest-blog/the-5-worst-problems-faced-during-bim-implementation/

https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2016/29/matecconf_ibcc2016_00005.pdf

https://www.lodplanner.com/bim-challenges-potential/

B3-What are the current problems with Revit/BIM?

As discussed in class, one of the most glaring problems I found with Revit/BIM technology in the workplace is a lack of people who know how to use it. Dr. Fiori pointed out that part of the Drexel curriculum is changing to mitigate that problem however that does not necessarily help people working in the AEC industry with no BIM training now. The NBS National BIM report of 2014 in the UK identified a variety of reasons why organizations balk at the idea of integrating BIM into those practices. 62% of practices with five or fewer employees are concerned with a lack of in-house expertise, and 77% of practices with six or more staff share the same concern. Businesses are trying to take advantage of recruitment and hiring people with the desired skills, but there is still a lot of training to be done and a lack of manpower to help people do it.

Another cited concern regards project size; if BIM becomes a mandated projects there will be projects deemed too small for an operation of that caliber but have to modeled in such a way regardless. 71% of small practices believed that BIM wasn’t a good fit for their typical workload; BIM can be a large financial investment and if it doesn’t fit a business’ needs it is very difficult to justify such a purchase. 

Dr. Fiori also discussed a general lack of enthusiasm coming from some of the more established employees in the industry.  There are plenty of people who believe that if what they’ve been doing for so many years works there’s no need to change it; or as Dr. Fiori said “If it aint broke, don’t fix it”. Integrating BIM into offices with little experience in it and minimal people capable of training others can be a bit of a culture shock.  There can be a steep learning curve when it comes to BIM modelling; with not enough people to train others this becomes a block on workflow and a downer for company morale. 

A noted technical issue that has arose regarding Revit/BIM is data exchange; interoperability is not at the ideal level it should be. BIM modelling incorporates three dimensional geometries, parametrics and a lot of added details to each piece in the model. Additionally time and cost can be added factors to the models as well. That generates a massive amount of information that needs to be stored, interpreted and communicated as smoothly as possible. Existing software companies aren’t coming up with solutions good enough to accommodate BIM’s full potential.

BIM/Revit technology is certainly revolutionary and benefits to using it can be seen across the board in architecture, engineering, and construction. However it is of course not without its problems and will evolve as the industry does as well. 

Works Cited

1.    Lymath, Anthony. “The Top Five Barriers to BIM Implementation.” NBS, Www.theNBS.com, 1 Dec. 2014, www.thenbs.com/knowledge/the-top-five-barriers-to-bim-implementation.

2.    Day, Martyn. “The Trouble with BIM.” AEC, aecmag.com/technology-mainmenu-35/450-the-trouble-with-bim.

Comments:

Spencer: https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/b3-possible-future-problems-with.html

       

      I had never heard of the specific term "data waste" but wow I see stuff similar to what you were describing in my job all the time. Even in just two dimensional autocad people are always adding extra layers or cross references that make the files that much more bogged down. I can really see how this would have a heavily negative impact on BIM; unnecessary bits of information in a 3D model already chocked full of data could really throw a wrench in things

Abdul:https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/b3-what-are-possible-future-advantages.html

       All the future advantages of BIM you touched on are so relevant to today and so important to improve on in the future! Energy efficiency and sustainability are such a hot topic in all industries around the world right now. Its important that everyone is doing their part and BIM is a grade way at helping with that. Additionally I like how you highlighted that better collaboration leads to better design. Meetings of the mind can really have everyone at their best, and if architects engineers and construction managers can easily share their thoughts and ideas the sky really is the limit

Andrew: https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/b3-future-advantages-with-bim-revit.html

       You did a good job highlighting that BIM doesn't just benefit the engineers, or the architects or whoever is designing the model. It really can have a positive impact on everyone who has a hand in the project; the contractors, the clients, even financial boards in charge of the budgets way a the top of the food chain! The ability to easily communicate the designs and ideas really optimizes the project. Adding augmented reality would be so cool and would definitely have some interesting impacts on the industry too.

B3 - What are the current problems with Revit/BIM?

BIM software like Revit can be very a very powerful tool when used correctly. However, like everything, it may have some downfalls. For instance, everyone has a different level of knowledge to using Revit which may cause issues with communications or collaborations with other disciplines or the owner. Being in different level of BIM knowledge could also fall under not being on board of using it at all. Clients could just not want the BIM service.

BIM is advancing the AEC industry at a rapid rate. Because of this, many people who work with and use BIM may not be able to catch up and cause more miscommunication. A solution I can think of regarding this is to be able to gain some experience as we are still learning and in continuing education. Each year, these software bring out a new program (ex. Revit 2020) and new things in this program can vary from minor changes like bug fixes, tools moved around, to a major change like a whole new addition of a particular system from electrical, structural, to communication. Because this issue may be yearly, people need to keep learning and adapt to changes.

Another issue would be the constant need to transfer data/information back and forth. This is and issue because things may get corrupt or lost through a transfer. With the advancement in data sharing, many problems regarding this were solved, but there are still more to be considered. Revit allows multiple people to work in a single project. Doing so, Revit has a feature, synchronization, where the people working in the project would occasionally "save" their work and updates the project to show everything else that people worked on. This helps with the data loss issue, however, still has some issues within itself. If there is a big project that many people are working on, the speed of the software would drastically decrease and would even periodically "crash", causing all of the work that has not been synced to be lost.

Source: https://aecmag.com/technology-mainmenu-35/450-the-trouble-with-bim

Comments

Spencer,


I believe interoperability will always be an issue due to what you mentioned in your first paragraph about how technology is continuously evolving. The best case to do is to find a method to secure the issue because it will most likely never to be resolved. I have never considered data waste although it is obviously there. It is interesting that no matter how "well-versed" you are in BIM, you are still ineffectively using it.

Jake,

It is definitely ideal to have Revit a part of Autodesk. Being connected to many different applications allows a greater communication. I also agree with its advantages over drafters. In addition to the pros, because everything is constantly updated, the designer would not miss any changes.

Andrew,

The future with BIM in the AEC field has many pros with minimal cons. I like how you mention how effective it would be for contractors as well. With them receiving more information quickly allows less time wasted which means less money wasted.

Mika Awai Blog Post 3- Current Problems with Revit/BIM

From the discussions in class and readings done individually, we all know that BIM is ever evolving. Its expanding and used in almost all types of building design. That being said, BIM is technology and all technology comes with problems. 

Interoperability, the ability for computer systems or software to exchange and make use of data, is one of the biggest problems that lies in BIM. Not all information is able to be relayed or interpreted correctly. This can be seen when model sharing or collaboration on one central model are unable to save or update because of the multiple users that are accessing that model. Data loss is one of the worst parts of the lack of interoperability of BIM servers. Software updates can also cause problems, as this type of data sharing relies on many moving parts and proper translation in the codes, but there are software engineers always working to try and fix any glitches in the system.

Currently, most BIM users input data for a project manually and let the computer (or “robot”) do the work for us based on a set of algorithms. The algorithms used in BIM software have the ability to do so much more, but the users are not aware or do not have the proper training to utilize the software to its full potential. I think the evolution of the technology used in construction is a lot faster than the people using the technology can actually learn it. These advances and updates to programs, such as Revit, are expensive and there are a lot of companies that want to stay up to date and competitive with what they are producing, but might not be able to afford to do so. I for one know that learning Revit is frustrating and confusing, so each time there is an update or newer version available means that more time is needed to learn the new/updated features, and time is money. This is why I think it is important to have exposure to the programs used in the “real world”, as it would benefit you and the firm you are working for.

Sources:

Allen, Bill. “The Future of BIM Will Not Be BIM and It's Coming Faster Than You Think.” Autodesk University, 16 Oct. 2019, www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/article/Future-BIM-Will-Not-Be-BIM-and-Its-Coming-Faster-You-Think-2017.

Comments:

Spencer,

As BIM continues to expand in its abilities, we can see it as a positive and a negative for us users. You mention data waste and interoperability, which are current problems that we face and could potentially be future problems, but what if the programing evolves so much that there is minimal use for human interference. Robots have been on the rise and are capable of doing so much, I worry that instead of helping us as an addition to the construction process, they might be able to do most of it without the need of humans.

Abdul,

 I believe all of the topics you touched on are important to the future of design. Sustainability is a goal that everyone is working towards achieving, but the two other topics I found interesting/helpful were the detailed visualization and the higher quality results. Being able to see a model in 4D or 5D can help to see any collisions and have a clearer idea of the work that is being produced. This higher quality work is translated into better drawings with accuracy for the contractors, which helps the construction phase, as well as anyone who needs to look at those drawings in the future.

Jake,

Although I have not used all of the aspects that are in the top 5 advantages to using Revit, I do like the parametric components. Being able to edit ductwork or piping in 2D and then being able to see that edit in 3D is not only cool, but extremely helpful with coordination. I also appreciate the ability to link CAD into revit and them both having a similar interface, it helped with my first coop of only knowing CAD but having to learn Revit. It probably cut the learning time by 50% if not more.

B3 - Current Problems With Revit/BIM

There are many benefits to using Revit, including the ability for all trades to work and collaborate on a central model. The engineers and architects can work on separate models then sync their work to the central model for the rest of the team to see. Although this is a useful feature, it comes with many problems.

One problem with Revit is that if the central model is created in one version of the software, the rest of the team is advised to open the project and only work in that version. Neglecting to work in the same Revit version can affect the central model when syncing. Furthermore, companies would have to regularly update their machines, which can be a tedious process. Another current problem with Revit is that some engineers and architects are still in the process of learning and mastering the software. Not everyone on the team may have the same level of experience using Revit, so a more inexperienced user may slow down the design process. However, this should not be seen as an issue since we all had to take some time to learn it, and we should be helping each other become more adept at it. An issue I encountered at engineering firms I have worked at was figuring out a syncing schedule. One firm was still relatively new to Revit so everyone synced their work whenever they felt the need to. The downside to this process was that it often slowed down the model to the point where no one was able to work on it. A different firm I worked for had a more organized way of syncing their work. An added feature on Revit allowed each member of the project team to see if anyone was currently syncing. This prevented multiple people from simultaneously syncing and slowing down the model. They recommended that each trade synced every thirty minutes in an alternating pattern, and this process proved to work well for the team. 

Many people are aware of these current problems, so I am sure that software engineers for Revit are working hard to solve these issues. For now, using Revit just takes patience, practice and good communication skills. 

Comments:

(Link)

Jake,

An important advantage that you mentioned was the fact that information can easily be shared between Autodesk applications. For example, you can build a model in Revit then use another Autodesk application called FormIt to analyze how heat from the Sun is absorbed by the building. This allows engineers to perform many different analyses without having to manually transfer information from one application to another. Like you said, these analyses help the engineers prove to the owner that they are choosing the best options for the building.

(Link)

Spencer,
Data waste is a term I was not fully aware of, so I am glad you discussed this point in your post. BIM software, just like our brains, can be very powerful when used at its full potential, but this is a rare case. This may be because new features are regularly being added and engineers do not always have the time to learn them. The firms I worked for regularly had BIM experts come in to give us lessons on new features that could make our jobs easier, and I believe this is something that all firms should do.

(Link)

Abdul,

The ability of BIM to basically centralize collaboration speeds up the design process and produces higher quality results, as you mentioned in you post. Instead of having regular in person team meetings to present work from different trades, BIM software can easily compile the work from every member of the project team for everyone to see. This keeps everyone on the same page during every step of the design process. As collaboration through BIM improves, the faster projects will reach completion.

B2 - Interoperability - Stephen Pettit

Interoperability is the exchange of data between applications. There are some issues and benefits with interoperability, and it is very important in the engineering, construction, and architecture industry. A lot of times when companies exchange data, it does not exchange correctly due to different programs, company standards, software bugs, or even just the year of the software being used. For example, converting a CAD dwg file to revit would run into problems, because a lot CAD drawings are drafted in 2D, and Revit's drawings are in 3D. Another issue is the interoperability of AutoCAD layers from one company to another. Every company has their own sets of the standards with how they like to create drawings, and how they like to assign layers. I have experience with this problem with my co-op. We will be getting all of the existing conditions from a client, but all of their layers are different from our company's standards which would affect the printing system. My job is always to convert all of the layers to our layers so that it will PDF properly which sometimes can take a long time. One solution in my opinion is to create a layer/properties standard for the industry, so that when companies exchange CAD files, there will be no need to fix the layers, and other parameters. Obviously this would be difficult to enforce, because every company will be reluctant to change all of their standards, and often times when old projects come back, those drawings would still be in the old format. It is an idea worth mentioning, but it would probably be difficult to go through with.

There are three level of requirements for interoperability to function problem. The first level is the external level. This is the "user's view on information exchange requirements". The user needs specific information to generate the data into a model with views, subsets, etc. The second level is the conceptual level. This level is referred to as a logical schema because it requires multiple users to provide the views, subsets, etc. The third level is the internal level which is where the software translates the information between two different systems.

There are also three different exchange methods which can be used depending on the issue. The first method is a direct through an Application Programming Interface between two systems. This is often used with specific softwares, and uses a basic coding system. Direct link is more effective when the companies involved are on the same page. The second method is a file data exchange. This method is used to exchange data through a model file using a proprietary exchange format which is basically a format that is developed from a commercial company to interface with a specific application. Each software has its own file exchange format. Autodesk develops popular exchange formats which is used with Revit, Autocad, etc. The third method is exchange through a model serving database. BIM is the most popular method because it allows automation to correct any interperoability issues.

File exchange method is quickly transitioning to BIM exchange because of a various of reasons. This method cannot determine who made the changes on a model. If an employee changes something on a CAD file, a project manager would not be able to tell who made the changes. One important issue is synchronization. Multiple people cannot work on the file at the same time, which would cause synchronization issues. BIM, however, have developed a sufficient synchronization system that allows multiple parties to access the model at the same time, as well as see changes throughout the development of the model. "Synchronization also addresses all the coordination issues among the different systems, including spatial clashes, intersystem connections, and load transfers between systems". 

In conclusion, Interoperability is very important in the building industry. Understanding this idea is important because we will be dealing with these issues in our career. I already run into these issues, and understanding this idea will help me more when these issues occur. I may be able to distinguish what issue we are running into whenever we receive a file from another company. Interoperability is also very beneficial because it allows you to communicate better with your clients and other employees. When interoperability is used correctly, projects will run more proficiently as well.

Works Cited

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.
https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/lib/drexel-ebooks/reader.action?docID=5447327

Comments:

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/b2-core-technologies-and-software.html

Manon,

I enjoyed learning about all of the various BIM modeling softwares. I have worked with Revit, and ArchiCAD in my previous co-ops and both softwares are very useful. Between the those two, Revit is more useful in my opinion, but Archicad is very similar to Revit. Revit is convenient in which it turns all of the objects to 3D which is very useful. I enjoyed learning that there are servers that are beneficial for certain applications. For example, Tekla structures is interesting because it focuses on the fabrications, and is useful for the structural industry. You did a good job breaking down the different types of BIM servers.

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

Pritesh,

I thought your statement about financial risk was accurate and interesting. I work in the MEP industry, and when our revit model is accurate early in the design stage, it gives the project manangers, owners, and clients a better idea of where they are at with their budget. Communication is the most important aspect of getting a project done correctly, and on time. I've been in situations where the existing conditions were not communicated properly to us which lead us to inaccurate modeling. I do disagree a little with building's energy consumption being the least of the concern. Especially if the building must be LEED, energy consumption is one of the important aspects of the building design. I agree with your statement that BIM is a very useful tool for all parties involved.

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/01/b2-bim-for-owners-and-facility-managers.html

Andrew,

Cost is extremely important, and for the owner is the most important. I agree with you that using BIM gives you a better idea of costs and estimates when it is on plan. For example, when you actually see all of the equipment on plan, you start to double check to make sure if its necessary, or if there is other options that could be implemented into the design that would be more beneficial. These options would just need to be maintained with code. BIM is very useful, and eventually will be used by every building industry company.