B6 - Course Reflection - Michael Sciarra

Below I will reflect on the events of the course and give my overall reaction. I will also discuss how this course could possibly affect my future in Architectural Engineering and/or architecture. 

I appreciated the flow of the course and being able to give feedback and discuss topics in class. The teamwork option of the final was also very helpful as in my case, it forced me to be more attentive in completing my portions of the project as opposed to procrastinating to the last minute. Because my teammate was depending on me, I was more likely to get my work done ahead of time in order to accommodate eachother’s schedules and availability. I thought the task of commenting on other people’s blog posts was very enlightening. This portion of each blog forced me to view each of these articles from different people’s perspectives. I was able to gather a lot of insight I would have never considered otherwise. 

Elements of this course could be very influential on my career and helpful in adapting to the future of the construction world. The progress made with my experience in Revit has helped me become relatively proficient in navigating through the basic tools and user interface. Making standard blocks and that can be easily edited is extremely useful as they are comparable to variable blocks in autocad which proved to be very useful in the structural firm I served my second year coop with. Also this course made me aware of the vast wealth of BIM softwares which can improve the overall construction and design process. The introduction of so many technology articles was very inspiring and eye opening to the current environment we are working in and the projects from leading professionals. Databases could potentially be useful with highly detailed organization, but I doubt this would be used often. It is still helpful to have databases in one’s toolbox given it is applicable to so many facets. 

I would certainly recommend this class for future students as a professionally elective as I think there is a wide variety of topics discussed in the class with the opportunity to pursue one’s own professional interests in the final without being binded by the restriction of typical finals. 

Varsha:

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/03/b6-reflection.html

You touch on something I feel I did not go into as much detail on and I think it is very important now that you mention it. The comment you make is on the fact that the knowledge of the industry itself is as important as learning the science required to function within it. I agree completely, this is similar to the necessity in high school for curriculums to cover more real life skills for students. Industry knowledge is something that will give us the upper hand. 

Reece:

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/03/reflection-post.html

You’re discussion of the takeaways from this course and how you were able to take away some environmentally cautious practices in the construction sounds super interesting. This takeaway is a testament to the flexibility of this course that allows students of different interests to not be constrained to one specific topic.

Madeleine:

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/03/b6-course-reflection_37.html

I agree with you that I wish this course could have been taken earlier in my career at drexel. This course would have been greatly appreciated in my freshmen or software year in solidifying my specific area of interest within the architectural engineering major.

Reflection

This class opened my eyes to a different world and a lot of technology that I didn’t know existed. I did not know about some of the technology that was presented and some of it is very applicable right now in both co-op and career search. This class has made me think about how I should look at a company and whether they are valuing technology. I didn’t know anything about databases, which was very helpful to think about. BIM was much more applicable for me as a structural engineer, but the holistic approach of using BIM as a full package including all the project data. The topics related to robots and AI were also very intriguing, especially the use of AI to look at sites and using robots to construct buildings. Learning how to create a family in Revit is a very practical and useful tool, especially understanding the idea of constraints and using the dimension tool to get equal distances. This can be very applicable to a job in structural engineering.

I think this knowledge can be applied to structural engineering and a future job by understanding I constantly have to be learning, because nobody knows how the industry will change and the effect it will have on the people working in it. I think having an eye towards the future is the best way to do your job effectively as well as keeping your company relevant and profitable. Technology can only help improve us as engineers and make our job more efficient and things like BIM, AI, robots and databases can be part of making that happen.

Overall, this class covered a lot of material and had a large amount of knowledge available, which will be useful to know when my time at Drexel is complete. The whole class gave me a new perspective and I am glad I took the class.

Abdul,

This class was great at covering a wide range of material and much like you I faced challenges associated with using databases for the first time and I am glad I took the class.

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2403473360137505969&postID=4058787061143159220&isPopup=true

Pritesh,

I agree that revit is much more complicated than autocad, but can be much more useful. It is an important skill to have as a structural engineer, I used it every day over co-op and it doesn't take that long to learn.

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2403473360137505969&postID=2309809571603717449&page=1&token=1583726716736&isPopup=true

Dane,

I thought very similar thoughts as I was taking this class because the first co-op I worked for had extremely outdated processes and software. It caused the company to go downhill fast and taking this class allowed me to keep the future in mind.

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2403473360137505969&postID=9060160268032413966&page=1&token=1583727139816&isPopup=true

B6: Course Reflection

Before taking this class, I was only slightly familiar with the various technologies and programs that can be used in the engineering, design, and construction fields. My awareness of these tools stemmed from the exposure I’ve had with BIM interfaces like Revit, as well as the common knowledge I had in regards to robotics, AI, and sensors. I really feel as though this class benefited my general understanding of the abilities we as an industry have at our fingertips and showed how these increasingly incredible advancements impact the work we do daily. I think the most beneficial aspect of the course for me was the exposure to more BIM programs and how they can be integrated into the work of any trades in the field. The main goal I have as I near my entrance into working in as an engineer is to design sustainable and green buildings, which can be greatly benefited by the use of various BIM interfaces. This topic ended up being a common point of discussion for my project group, which ultimately led to our discussion of BIM advancements on sustainable design. At first, I wasn’t too sure how these programs could influence me as a structural engineer, as it is very easy to see the impact programs like eQUEST have on MEP engineers and their work. However, after further exposure to innovative ideas in this class, I think these programs can be beneficial for structural engineers for a multitude of reasons. The first idea, which I discussed in the database reflection, is how the use of relational databases and Dynamo can help with the organization of structural components of design for various buildings or projects. This can potentially eliminate change orders that result in the redesign, manufacturing, and production of structural elements. This concept ties into the second major impact on structural design, which is the use of these BIM programs to efficiently design the structural systems. Interfaces like Athena Impact Estimator allow for the measuring of the energy usage of structural materials from production to demolition, ultimately providing an analysis on the environmental impact each stage of the structural design of a project has. This class has exposed me to certain technologies and allowed for me to explore different ones, like Athena, that pertain to my future in the field, and I hope it isn’t the last time I experience them and I can continue to use the knowledge I gained through this class to grow as an engineer and make a difference, specifically in terms of making energy efficiency and sustainability concepts that are evaluated more thoroughly throughout structural design.

Comments:

Mika,

I completely agree with everything you said. I was unsure about what the course would cover at first, but knew we’d be learning a lot with Professor Mitchell. I wasn’t sure how our futures would be linked to some of the information taught, but this class really made it easy to understand the importance of integrating technology into what we do, especially as the industry grows.

Isabel,

I really enjoyed reading your reflection, especially given your perspective of someone outside of the major. Like you mentioned, the different types of assignments allowed us to be exposed to all sorts of applications that go beyond one specific major. Ultimately, I think this course is a great way to tie everything together and expose people with different backgrounds and experiences to things we’ll all use in some capacity in the future.

Ina,

I completely agree with your post, especially in regards to how AE 410 allows us to stay up to date on the technology used in our field. I particularly enjoyed learning about the use of robots and drones throughout the construction process, and it’s definitely something we should become familiar with given that they’ll become more prevalent as the industry continues to advance.

B5 - Object-Oriented Databases - Michael Sciarra

Object-Oriented Databases, or OODB, are defined as a type of database used to represent data with objects and classes, where “objects” are defined as real world entities and “classes” are a specific grouping of objects based on similar traits. Object oriented database models are founded on the union of object-oriented programming and relational database features. The objects in object-oriented databases have special identifiers which are either dependent on their state, which is essentially the objects properties that define specific facts about the object, or their behavior, which pertains to more methods that define what the object does as opposed to simply what it is. A class may be an accumulation of objects with similar identifiers that may be methods or properties. 

Objects can be divided into simple objects and complex objects. Simple objects are very minimal, usually only consisting of simple integers and characters. Complex characters formed by a complex string of simple objects. There is another type of objects referred to as persistent and normal objects. Persistent objects can exist even after a project is executed through being stored in a computer’s memory while normal objects will disappear after execution. 

Object-Oriented Databases have a few special features that make them more convenient. Some of these features are Encapsulation, Inheritance, and Association. Encapsulation is a feature that allows the programmer to hide unnecessary information from the user that is not important to them, but is important to the object itself. Inheritance is an interesting feature that appears to be a sub-class essentially where the object in a class can inherit the properties or behaviors of its primary class. Association is another feature involved in the connecting of classes. With association, two classes can be related by similarly linked circumstances, and then identified by a unifying label. These features further aid in making Object-Oriented Databases a more organized classification and storage system.

Source: https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-an-object-oriented-database.html

Stephen:

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/stephen-pettit-b5-what-is-sql.html

I appreciated your general overview of databases as it gave me a good understanding of the concept before starting my own post. The use of this system over the Web would make it highly desirable. From experience, students will always take the cheaper option, and this is evident with sketchup which is often only used in the free web format among students. This is even further reinforced with your comment on the programs accessibility on smart phones in addition to laptops and desktops.

Varsha:

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

I think your overview of the applications of databases in construction firms is very hefty, having covered a lot of ground. Upon reading your post it made me question whether or not it would be appropriate to store construction materials themselves into a database. Knowing how strenuous it is to find specific information for materials in the current structures class this would be super efficient and applicable to object-oriented databases as you could possibly organize by specific steel sizes and divide them into smaller sub-classes by similar widths or flange size, etc.

Madeleine:

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

The use of Augmented Reality to compare virtual elements with existing site features was very intriguing. This application really highlights the power of databases. I feel this can really help designers visualize any differences between a theoretical model and the actual site, differences that would go unnoticed otherwise and cause problems farther down the road.

B5: Object Oriented Databases

Object-oriented databases (OODB) are a means of identifying components of a system as objects and classes in order to store data and perform tasks or functions. The ability of objects to be defined and referenced later as one unit is different from other database features. As someone with limited knowledge regarding databases, I found an example of the theory behind OODBs very helpful. Object oriented databases are similar to a car engine when it comes down to basic principles of function. There are several components that are identified individually with specific functions that, once machined into one object, are then known and function as an engine. The article I read goes on to talk about a basic database example: how a vertical and horizontal line oriented perpendicularly with a set grading scale are then known as a graph and can serve the new functions of analyzing and organizing data.

Although it is said that this type of database programming is difficult to learn, especially for beginners or those unfamiliar with coding, OODB provide several important advantages that can greatly impact our field. OODBs are persistent, resilient, and secure, which make storing data easier and safer. Typical relational databases store data in rows and columns that need to be continuously stored, converted, and loaded in order to assign data, and thus function, to program objects. OODB allow for data to be persistently stored so that this repetitive process is eliminated.  I think the biggest impact OODB have on our industry is that it allows for a more seamless sharing and integration of information. Because of how object data is stored, different operating systems, coding languages, BIM programs, and AI technologies can be used by various trades and people involved on a project without the worry of incompatibility. Thus, its shown that object-oriented databases aid in interoperability, the ability of data and information exchange between various systems. This would have a direct impact on file and model sharing between architects and engineers, for example, because it eliminates any lack of coordination on the technological side to ensure the project can run as smoothly as possible.

Sources:

https://www.techopedia.com/definition/8639/object-oriented-database

https://people.cs.pitt.edu/~chang/156/19oodb.html

https://www.c-sharpcorner.com/article/what-are-object-oriented-databases-and-their-advantages2/

Comments:

Ina,

I really enjoyed the quote you included and how you summarized your post because it really brought light to the fact that how databases are used and information is stored is up to the specific company and is based on its needs, as well as the needs of the users. Like you mentioned, SQL can be formidable for simpler tasks, but with the advancements being made for different programs and websites, a means of processing more complex data might be necessary.

Dane,

I agree that databases can benefit the construction field in a multitude of ways throughout the design and maintenance portions of the project. Efficiently and effectively storing drawings and mark ups throughout the design process allows for clarity in terms of possible change orders and RFIs, while proper up keeping of these drawings makes maintenance much easier.

Mika,

I enjoyed hearing about the differences between SQL and NoSQL database management systems, and why SQL might be the preferred system. I think a lot of times, people think that the more complex of the options will be the most suitable, but, as you mentioned, SQLs have more advantages than NoSQL, such as its integration with other coding languages like you mentioned.

BP 5 - Object Oriented Databases

Object oriented databases are databases that are created using objects and classes and can be used as an alternate to a relational database. An object is the part that has properties and methods which is identified using a unique identifier. A good example of this can be found in the article titled “what is an object oriented database?” which explains an object as a student. Much like a student objects have unique information such as their name, birth date, address, year in school, eye color, height, weight and the list goes on and on. These are equivalent to the properties of an object known as a state. Going back to the student analogy objects can also have behaviors and in the student analogy this would be represented as writing an exam, listening, submitting assignments, or paying their tuition. And the analogy for a class of objects is a class of students.

Some important aspects of object-oriented databases are encapsulation, inheritance, and association. Encapsulation is where the user only sees the end result and does not see the process in which it got to the end result. Inheritance is important because it allows things to be reused by creating new classes from existing classes. This allows for the creation of new classes that can inherit the properties of their parent class. Finally, association looks at how the objects are connected and going back to the student analogy this could be a student being on a basketball team which connects students or five students on the class are honors students. It’s the link between different objects.

Some advantages of object oriented databases are their large capabilities for handling different data types, such as voice, video and text, their high capabilities and improved performance, as well as the extensibility. The extensibility allows for new databases to be built from the existing ones. Finally, some disadvantages include being very complex, lack of standards and lack of experience. Overall for someone such as myself who is very new to databases it seems very complex and hard to understand, but it seems like object oriented databases have endless capabilities.

Sources

Curator, C.  What Are Object-Oriented Databases And Their Advantages. Retrieved February 8, 2020, from https://www.c-sharpcorner.com/article/what-are-object-oriented-databases-and-their-advantages2/

What is an Object-Oriented Database? Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-an-object-oriented-database.html

Comments

Douha, (link)

You made relational databases easy for me to understand as someone who doesn't have a lot of experience with it. The Drexel example helped point out how important these are for us in our daily use.

Dane, (link)

You are right when you talk about the advantages to having databases in the construction field. Overall it is just so much easier to track what is going on as well as determining how many of parts are needed. I would also imagine it leads to less mixups and confusion.

Ina, (link)

As someone who doesn't really understand databases very well your blog post was well written and I liked how you explained SQL and Hadoop and then tied them together. I think for companies that deal with massive databases figuring out what type to use must be a challenge. I would be curious to know how companies go through the process of deciding.

Project Description - Michael Sciarra

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

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

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

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

Liam: 

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

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

Brian: 

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

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

Stephen: 

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

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

B4: Project Description

Mika, Brian, and I decided to research different types of BIM software and programs that can aid in producing sustainable and green building designs. We also plan on discussing the direct impact these tools have on the various people involved on a project, such as owners, facility managers, and the different trades. Firstly, the definitions of sustainability and green were determined in order to better understand how BIM can be used to achieve these types of designs. It can be argued that the two terms are the synonymous or have differences when it comes to building design. As a team, we decided that green falls under the larger category of sustainable, which is essentially the desire to lower the demands a building places on the environment. This can be done through several means, such as lowering a building’s energy usage, designing a carbon neutral structure, installing systems that conserve water, and improving indoor air quality. By monitoring these various aspects of the building throughout its life cycle, as well as making changes to the equipment and materials used that impact sustainability, different criteria, such as cost and time, can be greatly impacted.

There are various BIM software that can monitor and recommend changes to the equipment and materials, such as the HVAC system servicing the building and types of glass and wall constructions, being used for a specific project. In order to better understand the capabilities and specialties of different programs and plug-ins and refrain from analyzing a very broad topic, we decided to analyze the results produced by three different programs for one common building. These programs are Revit Insight, eQUEST, and Autodesk Green Building Studio. Each of these interfaces have various capabilities with the common goal of designing a sustainable building by helping provide multiple layers of analysis for the different people involved on the project, such as the architects and engineers. Throughout our analysis, we plan on discussing which programs would be better suited for various needs and trades, as well as what type of inputs, outputs, and recommendations each interface can suggest when it comes to making decisions that impact the overall design process. In addition to these points, we would like to tie everything together by discussing the intentions of LEED certification, what that rating system means, and how it can affect the building owner and facilities managers specifically, as it impacts energy usage, materials, and the equipment being used and maintained throughout the building’s life cycle.

Comments: 

Ina,

I really enjoyed reading about your topic. Although I personally have never seen robots work on site, I think the there is definitely the potential for them to grow as a more common tool in our field. I also liked how you are going to talk about the pros and cons to the argument, especially because acknowledging the opposing side can strength yours. I’m excited to hear about the examples you’ll encounter in research, like the drone video where they built a bridge, and how you think technology will advance in the future of our field.

Dane,

I think your topic is really interesting! I’m not really familiar with the concept of generative design, but it sounds like there are so many possibilities to explore in terms of new design ideas. Inspiration can come from anywhere, like you mentioned in regards to new design materials and current events that change design, and I think this type of design method mixed with the technology we have and will continue to develop in the future and will allow for so many different ideas and exploration of varying materials, aesthetics, and solutions to issues.  

Abdul,

I think it’s really important and interesting that you plan on discussing the advantages and disadvantages in order to strengthen your side of the argument for in AI is something that can ultimately benefit our fields. I personally think it’s such a great advancement, especially given the points you discussed, such as reducing human errors and increasing accuracy. However, there are always going to be negatives to these positives, and I think the major one would be trying to figure out how to have humans work harmoniously with robots in order to combat the issue of unemployment and allow for both the people with experience and the robots that can achieve what humans can’t to help in different types of engineering projects. I’m excited to see how the project turns out!

Group C - Week 4 Class Discussion

Some possible future advantages of Revit/BIM are:

The future possibilities of BIM are endless, and I don’t think we can ever fully predict what that future might look like but already BIM is helping to improve the transfer of information from all parties involved in the design process. I think BIM will allow everyone to spot interferences earlier in the process and allow for the most economical design possible. As more and more companies dive into the realm of BIM it will become second nature and there will be even more information in one single location that everyone on the project team can access.

Improving Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, BIM significantly affects expanding proficiency during the design and construction periods of a project. A construction project designed with BIM assists subcontractors with recognizing areas for energy improvement and utilization all through the structure. Utilizing BIM energy examination in these circumstances improves energy effectiveness and diminish material waste, and making a progressively feasible environment.

One of the greatest advantages of Revit/BIM in the future to engineers and architects is collaboration. It empowers designers, owners, and builders.

BIM will accomplish something other than offering architects a look at the structure's physical features. It's a mutual information asset where architects and collaborators can store the entirety of their thoughts, ideas, and make complex estimations on the fly. Future architects will be utilizing this work process to design superior buildings that are effective and forward-thinking.

The Current Problems with Revit/BIM

Revit and BIM are a relatively new technology in the quickly evolving construction world. With the coming of new technology there is always some problems associated with this new system and its implications on the future of building and humankind itself. This discussion will serve to alleviate the current problems with Revit and BIM that are prohibiting its progression, usability, and potential applications. 

One of the largest concerns with BIM and Revit is simply adapting to the new software. Companies are often daunted by the process of switching from 2D to 3D CAD because it has numerous consequences. This will require downloading a new software obviously, providing ample time to learn said new software, and even upgrading the necessary hardware to support the new system. This change in design technology could even manipulate the entire process or level of detail being applied into a particular set of drawings. Model ownership becomes more complicated and requires more consideration for how said documents can be shared and worked on in parallel. Often smaller companies will find it more convenient and cost efficient to continue using their current software and process for the time being. Because of this there is lack of continuity across the construction world, where some departments may utilize the program while others may not causing further confusion and incompatibility. The use of BIM and Revit is being considered unnecessary. To add more time to a set of plans in order to make them three dimensional. The cost of time may not be worth the extra visual aid added when a project could have already been financed with a completed design. There also exists many legal barriers in the progression of BIM systems. The outdated use of paper documents and old fashioned contracts still exist as a means of transportation of design information. The digital exchange of project information is still maturing and becoming more available. 

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

I was truly inspired by your predictions for the use of BIM in future virtual reality. The thought of being able to interact with a virtual building in that way had never occurred to me until this moment. This can completely reshape the world we live in. It is fascinating to consider how relatively close we are to achieving said feat. I thought your choice to reflect on the designers perspective was very interesting. I do think being able to view one's building in VR will allow for a vastly new perspective on the design process itself. Possibly this shift will be more focused on highlighting the human experience as virtual reality will create a more human interaction with creating the structure. 

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

I think this discussion of the comparison between these three dimensional and two dimensional modeling/designing systems was an enlightening experience. I like that you considered the age gap between AutoCAD and Revit as it was not previously known to me and it is quite astounding when you actually read it. The fact that Autocad can store a larger amount of data was a very insightful callout. As I briefly discussed in my post, the file size for a three dimensional building was absolutely outweigh that of a simple two dimensional drawing. It should also be noted of the computing time necessary for computers to run each program as it is likely that Revit becomes much slower with larger file sizes. 

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

I think your post brings to light a lot of the things that are not typically considered when weighing the benefits of BIM over 2D designing. The ability to have more realistic visuals is just not as easily capable with a 2D Format. The powerful program of Revit can create lighting and rendering visuals that would take days to draw in Autocad with the same visual aesthetic. Your post is also one of the first to introduce how the adoption of BIM is moving us closer to a paperless world where we don’t have to carelessly destroy the environment for our simplest of outdated needs.

B3: Possible Future Advantages of BIM/Revit

     Building Information Modeling (BIM) has allowed for so many advancements to be made when it comes to the design, construction, and maintenance of a building. It plays very distinct roles for the various trades like engineers, contractors, and architects, as well as the stakeholders and facility managers. BIM allows for cost to be minimized and time to be maximized in several ways, such as mitigating issues and areas of possible RFIs and COs throughout the construction processes, monitoring energy usage and the equipment to be installed so that the most economical options are being used, and the building is maintained properly to extend and maximize its life. When giving her presentation, Dr. Fiori mentioned several advantages of BIM, such as its ability to allow for better communication and collaboration between trades and throughout the design and construction process, cost estimation based on the designed model to ensure savings when necessary, and increased productivity and prefabrication of pieces used in construction because of how accurate the designs are thanks to BIM. These are all important ways to ways to maximize the overall efficiency of the project.

     Dr. Fiori also mentioned the use of BIM in the field, which allows for the connection of the office and on-site work. She mentioned that Bluebeam is one of the most used BIM programs because of this ability to be used in multiple settings and well beyond the office. I used Bluebeam a lot at my past Co-Op at a structural engineering firm, most notably for quantity takeoffs when going into the field with the restoration department. The capabilities of Bluebeam allowed for the team to bring tablets into the field and mark where any façade issues, like spalling and cracking, are located in order to ensure the safety and proper maintenance of the building. This use of the program lets the team ensure accurate representation and organization of the types, sizes, locations, and severity of the problems observed on site that might not be as accurate by just taking pictures and hand drawing the size onto a set of drawings, once again contributing to the minimizing of cost and maximizing of time spent on a project.

     The last thing that really stuck with me was Dr. Fiori’s mention of the use of drones for construction. She talked how this type of technology can be used to detect issues on construction sites before projects are completed, such as with the twisting of the elevator shaft at a project in Center City. I think the use of drones to take pictures, especially of specific locations, can be beneficial for the restoration work I’ve been involved in. I’ve never seen nor heard of drones being used to analyze façade and structural issues that might be beyond reach. I know it’s important, for this type of work specifically, to see the problems up-close to note severity. At my Co-Op, I was able to ride a lift that was extended over 100 ft. to inspect a smoke stack, but there was still a portion of the structure that was just beyond our reach given the capabilities of the lift. In this instance, where most of the structure was observed up close, I think a drone would be useful and could lead to further uses and advancements in the field. This is just one of the possible future benefits BIM technologies can have on our field, and I'm excited to see what's to come.

Comments:

Mika,

I completely agree that the technology we use in our field is evolving at such a fast pace and that it sometimes makes it difficult to keep up. There are always going to be new developments, and they have the potential to benefit the way our industry is moving, but with that comes the need for proper training. I know my Co-Op held a course for newer employees in the office that entailed Revit training so that everyone was at least familiar with the program and had the capabilities to advance and continue learning once new features became available. I definitely think that this practice should be implemented across the industry and kept up with so everyone is able to utilize the capabilities of the program as it advances.

Jake,

The advantage that stuck out to me was “no paper documentation”. This is something that was implemented at my previous Co-Op, as we tried to keep everything organized through BIM models, scanned and program generated calculations, and revisions made through Bluebeam. Obviously, this is difficult to implement completely and hand calculations and physical drawing sets are inevitably going to be produced at some point throughout a project, working towards a paperless job allows for better organization, easier changes and revisions through the use of various BIM programs, and, of course, an attempt to make our industry green.

Ina,

I like how you talked about the learning curve and process of mastering any sort of BIM program. It’s so important for people to work together within the firm, and sharing knowledge about a BIM interface like Revit is something that requires communication and a flow of teaching and learning. Effectively utilizing time is such an important part of our industry, but there are certain instances like with the learning of a program where investing some time now will prove to be beneficial for the firm later.

B3 - Future advantages with BIM/ Revit

The future possibilities of BIM are endless, and I don’t think we can even fully predict what that future might look like but already BIM is helping to improve the transfer of information from all parties involved in the design process. I think BIM will allow everyone to spot interferences earlier in the process and allow for the most economical design possible. As more and more companies dive into the realm of BIM it will become second nature and there will be even more information in one single location that everyone on the project team can access.

A way that this might change the building industry as we know it is that there might be more innovative designs due to the decrease in time spent designing and drafting. This might allow firms to explore creative and monumental buildings.

The greater level of collaboration and communication could also lead to smarter buildings that house sensors and controls that would lead to a better environment in the building for the users. It could lead to higher levels of sustainability in buildings that are also economical.

The advantages of BIM don’t just benefit engineers and architects, but it can also benefit contractors and stakeholders. As BIM technology continues to progress the contractors will continue to receive documents that have more information, most likely tailored to their specific needs. For the stakeholders they can understand what they are putting their financial capital into and see a fully functioning building before it is built. They can understand how all the systems work together and see an accurate depiction of the building they envisioned.

Technology has a way of moving so fast and forcing everyone to adapt and maybe the single most advantage of BIM will be forcing everyone to adapt and join in the collaborative process. I think the implications of Augmented Reality (AR) will be very important for the BIM development as well. I think some future advantages could even be using AR to model existing conditions. Imagine a world where a drone could go through a building and no only capture pictures but also model what it sees. This seems closer to a dream than a reality right now, but as I said to open the possibilities are endless. Overall, I think the future of BIM will prove to be extremely advantageous to the design process.

Source:

Banos, George. “What Is The Future of Building Information Modeling?” IOFFICE, 28 May 2019,     www.iofficecorp.com/blog/what-is-the-future-of-building-information-modeling.

Mika, (link)

I found your post very interesting and have seen it first hand in the office I worked in as they were constantly discovering greater capabilities in Revit. Does this mean that there should be a greater emphasis on learning the full capabilities of revit as a firm or a greater investment in teaching Revit or is it moving so fast that revit will be obsolete in a few years? People probably felt the same way about AutoCad.

Jake, (link)

I think your point about Autodesk is interesting and I think as a user I can agree that having similarities between them all it helped me go from AutoCad to Revit. What happens if another BIM software were to be developed that was superior to revit for example but not owned by Autodesk? I think that is something that could drastically change the collaborative success we have seen with revit for example.

Spencer, (link)

I think the statement "Many firms that claim to be well versed in BIM are still using it inefficiently" is very true and I have seen it in the firm that I worked in. I think that it is so hard for companies to stay up to date in technology because they already don't have time because they are constantly trying to get the current project done and move to the next one.

BIM for Owners and Facility Managers

Owners and facilities managers can benefit from the use of BIM. The owner’s understanding of BIM tools and applications can help owners to better communicate with their fellow designers and architects. This communication will benefit the progression of projects and minimize the risk of delays caused by inconsistencies in vision. This is evidenced through its efficiency in project management with creating a more defined scope of work/design. The role of gathering and purchasing materials is simplified for owners with the use of BIM. 

An owner or facility manager’s education in BIM applications can be helpful for managing costs, projecting time of construction, evaluating the structures complexity, producing sustainable elements, predicting failures, and quantifying product necessity. This list of “drivers” as they are referred to in the BIM handbook are so vital to an owner and facility owner’s successful business. This list ensures project completion and efficiency while also improving the design/construction through cooperation with the client’s specific needs. Allowing a new filter to view the plans of a building through, or even a new set of eyes, will bring valuable considerations and mishaps to light that would otherwise go unnoticed until too late. 

There are specific tools within BIM specifically able to be catered to owner and facilities manager’s use. BIM estimating tools like U.S. Cost Success Estimator or Exactal’s CostX are specifically created for owners to value the structure and extract quantity takeoffs. Facility and Management tools can further personalize the building toward its projected function. BIM can also be used for conducting simulations under emergencies like a fire evacuation within the building. 

There are still some barriers preventing the universal acceptance of BIM. One of said limitations is society not having caught up with said technology. Requesting of 3D modeling may result in fewer bidders and thus, higher cost. BIM is also often considered an afterthought. With most projects already having been financed and complete, the results provided through the use of BIM must equate to the excess time put in to accomplish said model. The cost and time necessary to adapt can contribute to a very daunting path for most owners.

Work Cited:

Eastman, Chuck, et al. BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Architects, Engineers, Contractors, and Fabricators. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, Newark, 2018.

Christopher:

I appreciated your discussion of how architects and engineers can further accommodate their clients and owner’s of these buildings. The more cooperative the experience is with the owner, the more satisfied they will be with the final product in terms of savings and quality of work. This could satisfied client result in being provided more projects under this client or even referrals to other clients in need. Also, it is likely better to have these tools at one’s disposal so as to accommodate different clients’ experience and to have a leg up on those in the industry who have yet to adapt to the new technology of the modern era.  

https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/search/label/Christopher

Pritesh:

I really liked your focus on Energy Conservation as opposed to Aesthetic concerns when constructing a new movie. It shows how BIM can benefit a buildings long term responsibilities in addition to the interests in just building a structure as soon as possible that meets everyone’s immediate needs. The shortening of construction time does not imply a lack of detail or analysis in the development stage as you have elaborated. BIM simply provides owners with the chance to address errors earlier, when they are less lethal to the project. 

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

Manon:

I was drawn to your post due to the level of detail you emphasized on the individual platforms of which I had not come across in other posts. This just shows how many BIM tools that are at our disposal and how we are just barely touching the surface. DESTINI is an interesting considering it can provide a cost for a conceptual design. The system begs the question of whether or not it is accurate enough to depict the details of one’s specific site to calculate an accurate cost of construction. Digital Project sounds like a similar program to that of the program CREO 3.0 of which we were introduced to in freshman design. Bently is another program that sparks curiosity with its focus on curved structures, given that curves can become quite complicated in most other programs. 

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