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

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.

BP - 4 - Final Project

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

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

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

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

Steven, (link)

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

Cory, (link)

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

Douha, (link)

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

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.

B2 - BIM for Owners and Facility Managers

BIM can be useful for owners and faculty manager. Some ways that BIM can be of use are to improve many aspects of the building process and other factors effecting the building. Some examples of this are improving building performance and sustainability, reduce financial risk, shorten the overall project schedule, use leaner construction practices, making sure the program complies with the codes, and better documenting changes in the future.

Owners can use BIM to enhance the design process by integrating the development of the requirements for the program. This is done by collaboratively sharing data in real time. Also, the use of BIM allows for more options to be explored in a shorter amount of time. This also helps when looking at the feasibility of the various options. BIM also allows for the simulation of many building systems which can be useful when determining operating cost. Included in the feasibility is whether prefabricated or modular construction is an option. Another factor that improves when talking about operating cost is using BIM to reduce the energy consumption of energy. There are tools that can help calculate the payoff of energy related decisions. The way to make sure a that BIM is used is to put it in the job description for the consultants by requiring them to understand the strategy for using BIM, the implementation guidelines and finally actually being able to do the BIM modeling.

Cost is a major concern for everyone involved in the building process. By using BIM there is a better understanding of what will cost, and it gets more accurate as the project moves along through the different phases. Using BIM there will be more accurate estimates earlier in the process. BIM has tools that do quality takeoffs and that have more detail which provides a more accurate measurement.  

BIM can help facility and information management as well by getting a building commissioned more efficiently. BIM can confirm that building systems and processes work ahead of time. Having BIM allows for a much faster evaluation of the impact of potential maintenance on a facility. An example of this would be accessing the real time data to provide a more accurate depiction of a problem that has arisen.

Overall BIM can be extremely useful to owners and facility managers in many different aspects and it would be extremely beneficial to involve BIM from day one of any given project to increase efficiency, accuracy and cost analysis.

Works Cited

Eastman, C., Teicholz, P., Sacks, R., & Lee, G. (2018). Bim handbook : A guide to building information        modeling for owners, designers, engineers, contractors, and facility managers. Retrieved from           http://ebookcentral.proquest.com

Spencer (Link)

I think you are right on target and I have seen how the “development of object libraries” can decrease the drafting time. Companies often use the same details over and over but modify them to a specific situation. The section on the history of modeling was very interesting and gives good perspective on what we have today.

Dane (Link)

I think you made a good point about contractors in the field not having a good way to view the 3d models and I think that is one way that they could get a better understanding of what is going on in the building. It is also important for the engineer to have the construction worker in mind

Isabel (Link)

I enjoyed your discussion on data sharing, and you hit the nail on the head. I have personally seen how the exchange of information or lack thereof can lead to slowdowns in the process and money out of pocket for the firms or consultants involved.  

B1 - Robotics - AI - 3D Printing - Future - Andrew Norris

Artificial Intelligence

For the last five or so years we have seen the rise in technology that automates tasks such as the Google home or Amazon Alexa and according to the article “Tech that will Invade our lives in 2020” there is a great possibility of those devices getting smarter. This translates to the devices being able to communicate with each other requiring less human interaction than before. This isn’t just a hypothetical 5 years down the road, but this could be seen in the next year. An example of this might be when it is dark out and you open the door the lights will automatically turn on. This requires more automated systems than ever. This is likely also going to work itself into the wearable technology we have such as smart watches, headphones and earbuds. The possibilities are endless.

https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510#st=p&x=AI&n=b15d7680-c04d-4bcc-9d21-8910d8ba54dd

Robotics

Robots and farming are typically not mentioned in the same sentence, but as the world continues to become more technologically advanced the farming industry is also experiencing massive technological advances. According to the article “How High Tech Is Transforming One of the Oldest Jobs: Farming” robots are being developed to automate the operation of farm equipment. This can also lead to optimization of rows of crops. Another aspect of robotics in farming is the collection of data and this can take place using robots that take samples of crops and analyze data such as the nutrients in the plant. As someone who grew up in a rural farming area this is fascinating, but I am curious to see the timeline of some of the advances, because often the farming community is slower to adapt to the growth in technology. Could this lead to a new “type” of farmer, one with a greater knowledge of technology than plants? Only time will tell.

https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510#st=p&x=robotics&n=947f870e-25a3-4b39-8626-76c314e867e7

3D Printing

Have you ever thought to yourself “how long does It take to build a boat?” I hadn’t previously, but according to the article “Giant 3D printers for making boats, bridges, buildings and rockets” the researchers at Maine University thought the process was too long, even with modern materials. They printed a patrol boat and when it comes to 3D printing there are endless possibilities. Some obstacles do exist in the form of materials and obviously the size of the object can’t be larger than the printer itself. Printing large metal objects is difficult due to impurities in the air when printing which could lead to inconsistent material properties or even an explosion. Overall the idea of 3d printing is on its way to expanding our view of what it can do. A space firm in Los Angeles is using a 3d printer to try to print a spaceship or the possibility of using a 3d printer to print a rocket when on the surface of Mars. There are endless possibilities.

https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510#st=p&x=3d%2520printing&n=91966705-479d-40b8-b4db-6031a703cf2a

Future

The future is hard to imagine, but I would guess that people also said that in the 1990’s and yet we still are consumed with what is next. In the health field everyone is hoping for a world without cancer, but as that is not the case yet one future application being worked on now is the use of AI to improve breast cancer screening. A UK based research group is working on just that and according to the article “Using AI to improve breast cancer screening” by looking at the last mammogram and comparing it in a model. This had wide success as there was a five percent decrease in false positive in the United States. Looking to the future the increase in efficiency in the screening process could be used in many different tests. This could lead to a better detection rate for many diseases.

https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510#st=p&x=Future&n=46e3fbe8-ba71-441c-b0ef-6e4b5dafba07

Comments

Brian

Link -https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2403473360137505969&postID=5613606844963262456&isPopup=true

When talking about BIM I never thought of it from an RFI standpoint and I think that was an interesting point. Having a central database would increase access to the information. Learning about this is very important because we will see this happen during our careers. It is a very insightful post.

Michael

Link –

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2403473360137505969&postID=7045217485780800940&page=1&token=1578955927990&isPopup=true

I am very skeptical of this “optimized learning path” because how do we know it will actually work? I think you raised a great point about the social interaction aspect and that the end goal should be to increase the efficiency of the system already in place. This is very fascinating, and another thought I had was the possibility of pairing teacher with students using AI. Could that increase learning? I enjoyed reading your post.

Citations

Evernote shared notebook: (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510#st=p&x=AI&n=b15d7680-c04d-4bcc-9d21-8910d8ba54dd.

Evernote shared notebook: (n.d.). Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510#st=p&x=robotics&n=947f870e-25a3-4b39-8626-76c314e867e7.

Evernote shared notebook: (n.d.). Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510#st=p&x=3d%20printing&n=91966705-479d-40b8-b4db-6031a703cf2a.

Evernote shared notebook: (n.d.). Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510#st=p&x=Future&n=46e3fbe8-ba71-441c-b0ef-6e4b5dafba07.

About Andrew Norris

I am Andrew Norris and my concentration is Structural Engineering.

I have no relevant experience concerning intelligent buildings.

For this class I expect to get a basic understanding of what intelligent buildings are as well as increase my Revit skills and learn how to create a database.

The Evernote note that I found most interesting was a design competition that NASA held to find a 3D printable structure to house people on the surface of Mars. This was searchable using the tag "BIM". (https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510#st=p&x=BIM&n=fe9f78f6-b826-4917-a161-3a83610c21e5)

Intelligent building - a building that has many automated tasks using various forms of technology.

Students in the Intelligent Building

These students are taking Intelligent Building in AY19-2.   This post is mostly here to allow creation of the labels.

Varsha Ajith Abdulrahman Alhafath Dane Bell Douha Alqudaihi Mika Awai Isabel Brooks Cory Christopher Manon Flamini Jacob Hall Brian Huynh Vishist Jain Spencer Kociba Amanda Kolar Abigail Kryszan Michael Manley Reece Masucci Brian Mynaugh Andrew Norris Liam Ossenfort Stephen Pettit Pritesh Prajapati Michael Sciarra Ina Sison Madeleine Walker-Elders