Blog 1 - AI and BIM in building development

Through the years, humanity has been implementing new techniques and knowledge to the construction of buildings. One of the first time that we applied knowledge to the construction and development was on the 16 century with Galileo, in which he develop the strength of materials which allow constructors to use educated approaches when designing buildings. Going forward were the social revolution and the industrial revolution which not only looked for the protection of human rights but also brought the systematic use of steel, the large-scale prefabrication of concrete or the development of construction machinery, among others. However, we did never stop improvement and bringing new elements into construction techniques [1].

Getting closer to our age, the computer revolution has been a huge step that has provide us enormous tools that allow us to model and design complex structures with BIM. BIM is defined as Building Information Management which contains the complete building information during its life cycle (from design to construction up to dismantling). With such rich database, all stakeholders can coordinate better a central updated base of information that contains all the characteristics of each element like color, strength, cost, shape, use, among others [2]. As a result, nowadays this system is almost necessary for a good quality of the construction process.

However, many factors are not controlled by BIM in the current state like weather, lack of communication between workers, cost of safety devices, permits, among others. As a result, we are trying to implement robots to the construction site to decrease the human factor. As a result, new technologies have come along to perform construction tasks in a more precise and faster manner. Using the inspiration from nature, we are developing a set drones able to assemble many light construction elements (just as birds or bees). Two of these drones can build a 16 square meters masonry in less than 2 hours with a labor cost of 4$ per square foot [1]. In the other hand, new complex structures can be developed to perfection due to the precision of this systems. Using systematic robotic arms new shapes came come to play a big role in our building design [3]. Therefore, as new technologies come along, they can be implemented through different techniques in our building design that not only changes the construction process but allow us to go further into better buildings.

[1] Talks, TEDx. YouTube, YouTube, 7 June 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn9SnXz-c4g.

[2] Khemlani, Lachmi. “Three Tech Trends Shifting the BIM Industry in 2016AECbytes Viewpoint #80 (July 21, 2016).” Technology Toolkit for Sustainable Design at Orcutt Winslow Partnership: AECbytes Feature, www.aecbytes.com/viewpoint/2016/issue_80.html.

[3] Prix, Wolf D. YouTube, 23 Oct. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiJ8wt75SYo.

Comments

               Adam Raifsneider – HVAC, Sensors, AI

Your point about how much data we produce and process as a society I think is key for any element in our lives. Nowadays, everything we do produce data and information that can be use in several different ways. In which there are companies that revolve around connecting trends and selling information from processed data. I can see in the future more implementation of AI and sensors in houses like the example you gave from the Keen Home Smart Vent. The way that we create a profile of an individual I think is key to truly automate these processes. It is true that we do not need to reinvent the wheel, we just need to bring new technologies to systems that already exist to make them innovative.

               Nana Lin Rasmussen – 3D printing in the manufacturing industry and dwellings

Like in my post you talk about another approach to use robotics in the construction site to develop buildings. I think it is interesting because in one of my techniques (the use of a drone) we are really limited by the weight of the elements, however by implementing 3D printing we could create those heavier elements already on position. In the other hand, the project in El Salvador that you presented is a great project being done there. El Salvador has always had problems in infrastructure of their most rural areas and to provide such a great opportunity to the people there is an example of the advancements and benefits that these machines can bring.

               Albert Hanan – Facebook, Fear, and the “Black Box” of AI

I completely agree with that “Black Box” point of view. Talking about AI so many people get scared and worried that “somebody” is keeping track of their behavior because they do not truly understand what AI is. The fact that it allows a black box that do not connect input data with the output makes this useful for many applications. If people were more educated about how AI works and how the data is managed, they will include it more into their lives and much more advancements could be done at a faster rate.