B6: Course Reflection

During this course we learned about a multiple technologies including BIM programs, AI applications in construction, and studied concepts about how technology with advance in the future. The most significant assignment for me was the group project in which Samantha and I studied how Dynamo could be useful in our senior design project's Revit file. We tried to automate how the rooms where number, how to count elements in our file, and how to code the occupancy throughout the spaces. This was a really good way to practice, especially with the tutorials we followed. I think the same concept applied for the assignment on Microsoft Access because we had a guide of what to do but were able to make it our own and learn the program through the process of trial and error. Since my major is digital building systems I feel that learning these programs will help me save a lot of time when creating drawings so that my time can be spent on more detailed items rather than tedious/repetitive things.

I also really enjoyed the group activities and discussing our ideas about what technology would be like in the future for our weekly blogs. Although a lot of the time we had goofy answers and over exaggerated, it made us be able to think of really creative ideas and made the class really fun. I think that allowing us to be imaginative and slightly unrealistic with our ideas at first lead us to research into topics that weren't actually that far off. For example, my groups underwater data center started off as a fun idea and then when we really researched it we discovered that - although its expensive- it's very possible and Microsoft has been developing that technology.

My biggest takeaway from this course was that technology is not as far away from the advancements that people may believe to be unrealistic. Concrete blocks are being 3D printed, BIM technologies can help predict how outdoor conditions will effect a buildings indoor qualities, AI systems and sensors are monitoring conditions within buildings to keep them more consistent than ever, and robot dogs are doing back flips. The possibilities are endless but it is also our responsibility to make sure what we create is safe. I hope to apply these concepts to my career by being able to connect smart devices in a building to a network in order to make a cohesive controls system within a building to help regulate and monitor conditions from a phone (ex: Nest for heating and cooling).

B4 - Term Project Outline

Project Outline

Abstract

• Our team will be creating Revit Families needed for senior design, primarily electrical devices and fixtures. We will also be using dynamo to create sheets, schedules and manage data that is input into the model and families. The design process used to accomplish these tasks will be discussed in the paper.

Division of Labor

• Samantha’s Tasks:

• Place electrical devices

• Circuit devices?
• Schedules (creating and exporting)
• Report - document the steps used to create code
• Presentation

• Jennifer’s Tasks:

• Renumber Rooms by Level
• Project Setup (ex. Sheets and templates)
• Schedules
• Report - document the steps used to create code
• Presentation

Challenges and Limitations

• Dynamo uses visual nodes to help connect inputs and outputs to make accessing and repeating tasks easier.
• Challenges stem from never having used the program. We will have to learn how to build scripts within dynamo to eliminate typically repetitive and time consuming tasks in Revit.

Conclusions

• Use Dynamo to complete tasks within Revit more efficiently. In the first few weeks we intent to become familiar with dynamo by watching tutorials and following along. After we will attempt to write our own code to complete the outlined tasks in our senior design revit model.

Resources

• Lynda
• Coworkers who use Dynamo

Schedule

• W4 - Define tasks and watch tutorials
• W5 - Watch tutorials, follow along and work with practice models provided
• W6 - Begin to develop own script/ Rough Draft of Report
• W7 - Draft due/ Work on script
• W8 - Finish script/ Final Report
• W9 - Final Report due/ Work on presentation
• W10 - Presentation

*****

For this term project we will be creating Revit families for electrical devices and fixtures. We also will be exploring Dynamo, which both of us are beginners to. In Dynamo, we are going to create sheets and schedules that implement the families we've created in Revit. Instead of using code, Dynamo uses visual nodes to help connect inputs and outputs to make accessing tasks easier when they need to be repeated multiple times.

An example of a useful function of Dynamo is creating a full set of sheets with the same format instead of having to create each one by one. This can apply not only to creating sheets but also to editing font, changing page numbers, or any other command that be automated and applied throughout the project. You are also able to export you Revit data into excel sheets, which can be used for scheduling or inventory. Another unique feature of Dynamo is it's ability to help reduce time spent on simple design, such as classic classroom furniture layouts or glazing patterns.

Similarly to eQuest, Dynamo also allows you to analyze building function such as the amount of hours of daylight the building should expect depending on the month. By performing analysis on the building function before it's built, it can help reduce the amount of errors and reduce the amount of change orders, in turn reducing cost. You have the ability to create many tools to analyze the building, but they will not be exactly accurate to real life the main function is to evaluate based on objective data provided.

Cited Sources:

https://archsmarter.com/what-is-dynamo-revit/

Comments:

Sam Huttick-

Blog 3- What are the possible future advantages of Revit/BIM?

BIM helps collaborate project information for all parties involved using three dimensional design applications that make it simple for everyone to understand the project expectations. This includes, but is not limited to: scheduling, budgeting, operations, and maintenance. This will give companies a an advantage in organization, accuracy, and precision. This is especially useful in budgeting for projects because it is less likely for human error to occur if the program is taking into account the costs as you're creating it.

The programs included in BIM help make visualizing the project easy for the clients, while also allowing all the subcontractors to see what is expected of them and how their interactions with other subcontractors will be throughout the project. An example of this is creating 3D models and providing virtual tours for clients, which we can only assume will advance over time as the quality of graphics and design technologies enhances.

I think in the next 10 years we will not be able to print entire buildings, but we will be able to 3D print components and possibly expedite the process of materials gathering. I think we also will be looking at very advanced modeling, which can either translate to making Revit even more detailed and user friendly or allowing someone in virtual reality to manipulate and create their surroundings. I don't think that BIM is the only thing advancing in our field but I do think that it will have a significant effect on the productivity of building design.

Cited Sources:
(1) http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Accelerating_BIM_Adoption_Action_Plan.pdf
(2) https://futureofconstruction.org/blog/artificial-intelligence-meets-construction/
(3) https://futureofconstruction.org/blog/how-automation-and-technology-will-change-the-buildings-we-live-in-2/

Comments:
Hailey- I agree with you that Revit is much more common in the structural field than AutoCAD and that it's much more user friendly for people of all ages because it's more intuitive. I'm a little surprised that not many companies you've heard of or have had experience with aren't using these programs as much because I feel that eventually it'll be the standard of design.

Nick- I completely agree that someone without an extensive technological degree would be able to edit the AI parameters set by the user inputs. I think that in the next 10 years, the bugs of BIM programing will not be completely solved. But I do think the advancements will make things closer to realistic and allow the user to design more accurately.

Blog 2- Chapter 4: BIM for Owners and Facility Managers

Chapter 4 of the BIM Handbook discusses the benefits of using BIM processes and tools for Owners and Facility Managers. BIM is helpful for these parties because it reduces errors and field changes, which in turn reduces project time and cost. BIM based energy and lighting design can help improve building efficiency and save money for the Owners on a monthly basis. BIM programs also help make cost estimation more accurate so that the financial risk was reduced and the Owners know what to budget for more precisely. By prefabricating the design using BIM technology, labor time is reduced and the project schedule can be shortened, which saves money.

Owners should care about BIM digital modeling and lean processes because they help achieve optimum production efficiency. By being able to collaborate all MEP drawings, clashes and collisions can be found ahead of time rather than in the field. This will reduce the amount of field changes and man hours used on trying to correct the given drawings. This also prevents conflict between subcontractors in the field because there will be less to disagree on from errors in the drawings. According to the BIM handbook, "With BIM based processes, the owner can potentially realize a greater return on his or her investment as a result of the improved integrated design process, which increases the value of project information in each phase and allows greater efficiency for the project team" (BIM Handbook).

Reducing project time also increases the amount of profit that the new building can make through it's functions once opened. Earlier start date means earlier chance to gain profits for the Owner. BIM programs can also do analyses at a rapid rate, such as spatial relativity in a space, which can save a lot of time for engineers. By using new BIM programs, time can be saved in the office and in turn will save time in the field. This can also be applied when comparing different options to present to Owners.

Cited Sources:
(1) http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzM2NDIzOV9fQU41?sid=2f4dbaa1-3626-4311-bebe-df25b60cff92@sessionmgr104&vid=0&format=EB&rid=1

Responses:
1) Jackie- I agree that the collaboration aspect is beneficial to be able to communicate plans to every person involved in the project- from subcontractors to clients. I also agree that in order to have the maximum efficiency, each department would have to make no mistakes and be on time for one another which rarely happens. I think the use of BIM is helpful but human error is inevitable in most situations at one point or another.

2) Sam- I think it's a huge benefit that cost estimation tends to be more accurate using BIM programming. Most of my experience in the field has had errors made in budgeting and it often causes bad relations with owners if you're inaccurate.

B1: 3D Printing, Robotics, AI

In the construction industry, 2D technical modeling (elevations, floor plans, etc) is used to demonstrate the layout of real life structures. The transition from the use of 2D CAD to 3D CAD can be instrumental in multiple ways. In small scale, one can make 3D physical models layer by layer in order to give a client a visual representation. On a larger scale, there have been examples of 3D printed buildings made of layers of mortar and are designed through 3D CAD programming. The buildings are cheap, quickly made, and require less waste than a standard construction project. The downside to 3D printing is that there will be a huge cut in jobs for the construction material and labor industries since this will be the cheapest and fastest option for construction.

On a similar note, having robotics implemented into construction could make jobs less dangerous for humans by putting the risk on a robot, which can be repaired, rather than a person. This could mean anything from jobs at high heights to lifting heavy materials. The issue with robotics is that it will also take jobs from the industry, which is already struggling as shown by the amount of failing roads and bridges in the United States. Robotics could range from physical robots doing labor to sensors that help monitor the control systems of the building. By implementing computer based systems rather than human interaction, the amount of error could be reduced significantly since a program will consistently do the same thing. 

On another hand, if you implement an AI system then you are putting the computer in a position to develop and change with day to day results. There are many benefits, but also many down sides to AI systems and the direction the industry is headed. Work is faster, there are less errors, things are done more precisely, and AI has the ability to adapt based on the data presented to reduce errors. But AI is also dangerous because humanity will not be able to keep up with the advances of AI and we could end up in a situation where we rely on AI for everything. There is a difference between using AI to help us improve our own knowledge and techniques, and using it at a convenience because we're trying to find the easiest way out of doing it ourselves. The same applies for other AI operated technologies. The thing that is most concerning is how easy it is to feed wrong information to an AI system and create an unsafe situation. If someone were to hack your self-driving vehicle and take you somewhere or crash your car, there wouldn't be a way that the person in danger could stop that. In terms of construction I find that AI is extremely useful in digital building systems implemented into the building (heat control from a device, sensor triggered security systems, etc), but I do worry about the dependence of man on technology. 

Works Cited

[1] https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/3880/6/strathprints003880.pdf

[2] https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-43411581

[3] https://www-engineeringvillage-com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/search/doc/abstract.url?&pageType=quickSearch&usageZone=resultslist&usageOrigin=searchresults&searchtype=Quick&SEARCHID=d309a5beM79dbM4505M9143Mce618b1ccea0&DOCINDEX=1&ignore_docid=inspec_M2999691651feb9f11M3dc51017816339&database=8388611&format=quickSearchAbstractFormat&tagscope=&displayPagination=yes

Comments

1. Kyle, I completely agree that people are trying to play God by creating artificial intelligence systems that are far above humanities ability to learn. It's playing with fire to create something that we don't have the ability to completely understand and what it's potential effects are, especially if we create something sentient.

2. Sean, I read a few similar articles to the ones that you wrote about for 3D printing and I find it so interesting how quickly these structures can be created when there are millions of people who don't have homes. At a cost of $30/month, thousands of people in El Salvador can have the opportunity to have a roof over their heads. 

Introduction and Intelligent Building Definition- Jenny Fretta

My name is Jenny Fretta and I'm a fifth year senior in the Civil and Architectural Engineering Program at Drexel. My concentration is in Digital Building, in which I hope to learn more about integrated building systems and the uses of different materials for sustainability. I'm originally from the Jersey shore and then I moved to Long Island, so this is the farthest I've ever lived from the ocean.

My first co-op was with Sunoco, where I was a retail engineer and mostly created markups for interior and exterior finishes on the convenience stores. My second co-op was with Mainstay Engineering, where I performed structural analysis on existing structures using Revit and RAM. My last co-op was with StructureTone, where I worked as a rotating Project Manager and Estimator for the Five Below Headquarters on 8th and Market St.

To me intelligent building means using new technologies to help reduce waste in buildings and enhance the function of the building for the users. This definition can vary from technologies linked to a users phone to help them control the settings of building use (such as temperature and lighting), to sensors that monitor CO2 levels. Another idea linked to intelligent building is AI, which can adapt based on the behavior of the users inside the building. 

Dummy Post - Student Names

This is here to allow me to make your last names as labels.