Reflection

Intelligent Buildings was a course in which I could explore the future of my chosen profession. I enjoyed learning about problems I will be faced with in the future and how professionals and researchers are already working on solutions to said problems. Using technology to solve current issues also gives rise to other difficulties. Through this course, I’ve been taught about the responsibilities I have as a prospective engineer to solve these new problems because of their impacts on society and my profession.

Additionally, this course allowed me to explore some of my weaknesses and work on them. For example, I knew about Revit families before this course, but I’ve never made my own furniture family. I also got to work with databases which was something I wasn’t familiar with. I’m hoping I can use them in the future professionally, although right now, I don’t know where they would fit in. I was also happy to use Revit because it is one of my strengths and I like being able to improve on my current skillset. I was also able to practice my writing skills since we were able to get feedback from the professor on our assignments.

I took this course because I was interested in sensor technology and I believed I would be afforded the opportunity to explore sensors. For my final project I researched CO2 sensors in depth as I believed them to be a viable solution to a serious problem facing the building systems industry. After conducting research, writing a paper, and creating a presentation, I still believe that CO2 sensors are the solution for supplying air on demand. I think my paper and presentation are interesting to read and do a good job at explaining the current status of CO2 sensor technology and their use in everyday applications.

This course touched a lot upon things I have learned in other classes and my Co-Ops. I think a lot of the topics gone over in the class will help me professionally and add to my abilities as an engineer. It also helps to hear about things other students are working on so that we can learn from them as well. Instead of just one teacher we get multiple! I’m looking forward to seeing the presentations in class so I can learn more about some of the topics we have gone over in class and possibly some new topics.

In conclusion, this course is beneficial to people who are new to building systems because a lot of the information presented in the class is common knowledge to people who have been employed by firms who work on buildings over their co-ops. I believe that the project was well geared toward a wide audience because it gave students the opportunity to research something they cared about. All in all, I think the course was beneficial to most students and I think we all took away some important lessons. I feel better prepared for my future in the industry and it was exciting to learn about emerging technology.

Comments:

Robert Borelli: I agree that Professor Mitchell’s videos helped a lot with the assignments. I think that if he hadn’t posted them, I would have had a much more difficult time completing the assignments. Particularly the database assignment. I had a lot of difficulty with that assignment.

Hanyan Chen: I think you have a point with gearing the class more towards digital buildings students. However, I think this class could also be used for students beginning in architectural engineering since it explains and goes over a lot of topics students will encounter on their co-ops.

Laney Fries: I think your “what could happen” comment was spot on. I think that we could have narrowed the topics down to “what is currently happening” instead. We went over a lot of technologies that are arising but not what problems they will solve really.

The Development of Databases and Their Relevancy

A database at its fundamental level is a collection of datum, or facts and statistics. Without context or accessibility, data has no value to employees or firms. A library is the most traditional form of a database whereby people can go find a relevant book pertaining to a relevant subject. However, using computers, databases have become organized and machine readable. The implications of this are that users can look up terms and use variables to access the most relevant information. [1]

The relational data model was invented in 1970 by C. F. Codd. [2] The invention of this model has enabled researchers to understand the theory of data/relationship/ constraint. It has also allowed for many database design methods and the development of the standard database access language. In addition to these things, all commercial modern database systems are based on the 1970 model.

An example of one of the modern access language models is the eXtensible Markup Language or (XML). It has become the standard form of data exchange over the internet. The implementation of this model has led to another form of data management which is storing the XML documents. Researchers have suggested using relational data systems to satisfy this need. [3]

The use of databases has enabled users to quickly and efficiently find data. This ability allows for average people, professionals, and researchers to streamline the process of finding data and implementing it to create, learn, and teach. The advancement of the database makes humans more productive and creates less chance of misinformation. As the development of new concepts become published, databases become more robust and up to date using machine updating. Meaning that humans do not have to worry themselves with trying to keep up with the everchanging world of research articles and the like.

Sources:

[1] Roman, Steven. Access Database Design & Programming. O'Reilly, 1999.

[2] Darwen, Hugh. An Introduction to Relational Database Theory. Ventus Publishing, 2009.

[3] Tatarinov, Igor, et al. “Storing and Querying Ordered XML Using a Relational Database System.” Proceedings of the 2002 ACM SIGMOD International Conference on Management of Data - SIGMOD '02, 2002, doi:10.1145/564712.564715.

Comments:

Harvin Bhandal: I find the maintenance and updating of databases interesting. SQL seems like a very powerful tool that creates an intuitive way to access data. I’m interested to see how algorithms will change in the future to match our diction to optimize search results from person to person.

Alynne Jeanty: It’s important to eliminate the need to use separate databases to find information that could be kept under one database. The implementation of the relational database theory seems like a very important development to eliminate the need to use multiple databases.

Julie Anderson: Your explanation of how rational databases was very informative. The tables helped get your point across effectively. I’d be interested to hear more about how this applies to Building Information technology. Hopefully in the future, we will have tools that will fill out all of the information automatically!

Building Topic Outline: "How Sensor Technology Will Shape Occupant Comfort and Energy Consumption"

I
Identification of sensor technologies
Define sensors and the problem
State argument for research
II
Available technology
Application of sensors in HVAC systems
III
Issues that must be researched regarding enthalpy sensors
How these issues can be sorted
Who will solve these problems and how will the research be conducted
IV
Issues that must be researched regarding CO2 sensors
How these issues can be sorted
Who will solve these problems and how will the research be conducted
V
Benefits of better sensor technologies
How will the building industry change as a result?
VI
Conclusion
VII
References

Sensor technology for HVAC design is still developing and control schemes are often overlooked by mechanical engineers throughout the design process. Most available sensor technologies that are available now are used to optimize the comfort of occupants. The cost of this is measured through increased energy consumption in mechanical systems. However, to the owners of the building, the benefit of making sure all occupants are comfortable is measured in productivity. Ensuring occupant comfort is an integral aspect towards designing now as many new buildings adhere to more stringent wellness standards. I would like to explore how building systems can maintain occupant comfort while also reducing the energy consumption of buildings using the same sensors.

CO2, enthalpy, humidity, temperature, and occupancy sensors are all available for use in mechanical design. Networking these sensors to mechanical systems in the form of complex control schemes is a method of increasing occupant comfort and decreasing energy cost. These sensors can be used to determine outside conditions and whether passive or economizer cycles can be enabled in a mechanical system. CO2 sensors specifically are imperative to smart energy control, yet, they are among the most unreliable sensors among the group listed. Often having to be recalibrated and replaced, CO2 sensors have proven themselves to be a mutable at best solution to reducing energy demand in HVAC systems. In addition to CO2 sensors, Enthalpy sensors which are used in air handling units to create economizer cycles are still yet to be widespread in use because the standard energy practice set in place by ASHRAE codes 90.1 and 189.1 need to change to accommodate higher limit controls.

The paper I will be writing will focus on how CO2 and Enthalpy sensor technology can improve so that HVAC systems and HVAC design practices can reduce energy demand in buildings. Many successful companies have commercialized these sensors which proves that the industry is ready for a breakthrough regarding sensor technologies. When CO2 technology becomes more practical and more widespread, the industry will see a positive shift in occupant comfort. Ganging CO2 sensors together with enthalpy sensors, engineers will be able to increase the prevalence of economizers in HVAC systems. Thus, increasing occupant productivity and reducing energy consumption.

The benefits of researching sensor technology will be felt by employees, they environment, and businesses alike. Sensors must also have the capacity to be wireless now as well. To reduce the cost of wiring and other materials, the ability to network sensors to a central control system is essential. Additionally, by creating a wireless network of sensors, the operational staff can monitor and override the automatic controls of the HVAC system. Giving the operational staff control of the building allows for the ability to maintain acute areas of the building without having to disrupt an entire HVAC system.

Some of the drawbacks of researching sensor technology include the initial investment cost. The biggest issue that undermine the development of CO2 sensors pertain to undiscovered materials that can be mass produced efficiently to give reliable measurements. More experimentation in different climate zones must be conducted to realize the potential of enthalpy sensors. So far, the technology is still relatively unregulated and to pervasively enact positive change, codes must be developed and required. Conducting this research is expensive and often is not beneficial enough to invest in as a private company. However, with the emergence of these technologies and their improvements so far, the industry will continue to develop. In my opinion, it is worth the investment which is why I want to find out what can be done to improve CO2 and enthalpy sensors.

Relevant papers:

http://www.cmfnh.com/documents/ASHRAE_Journal_QA.pdf

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316364813_SMART_HVAC_SENSORS_FOR_SMART_ENERGY

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/4266818

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5346631

Comments:
Laney Fries:
I think the inclusion of AI within residential homes will become more commonplace as time goes on. It is already popular through the use of Amazon echo and other similar devices. It will be interesting to see what other applications they have in residential atmospheres.
Calvin Tang:
Your topic would pertain more to this class if you included a section on how your method of design will change over time. It would also be interested to read about any notes you may have about the flaws and benefits of your current method.
Qiaodan Lin:
Predicting the future of the buidling industry in ten years is an interesting concept. However, I would like to hear about a longer term. Maybe a time frame larger than what we have discussed in class. Maybe you could include a short section of this in your report.

The Promise of BIM

Traditional drafting is very time consuming and ineffective compared to modern BIM technologies. BIM allows architects and engineers to easily input building information and draft entire buildings in one model. As such, clash analysis of building elements becomes easier to detect in a 3-D virtual environment. Additionally, BIM software is capable of extracting data from entities in the model into the form of “smart schedules.” Building information also reduces redundant labor in the design process. Models created using Revit or other BIM software can be exported into programs that analyze certain aspects of the buildings design. [1]

Clash analysis of building elements such as ducts and beams, helps mitigate potential in-field construction issues. Additionally, coordination between building elements in a 3-D environment is conducive to designing comprehensive buildings with coordination between building disciplines. BIM software conjunctively aids in the optimization of building systems and their operation using available add-ons to Revit. This helps Architects and Engineers reduce energy costs and consequentially the CO2 footprint in buildings. [2] Traditional hand drafting and calculations are not as comprehensive and do not allow the engineer to compare different building systems solutions. By using BIM, architects and engineers contribute to environmental stewardship and sustainability in design.

BIM software takes views of the building model to create plans. Changes made in the model are propagated throughout all the plans to reduce redundant labor. Not only does this create coherent, well-coordinated plans, but it also mitigates monetary losses. Additionally, an advantage that BIM has over traditional drafting in this regard is the ability to update room areas, family properties, and other important building information when these elements are worked on in the model. These elements can also be connected into building systems which can be examined using analytical add on software. [3]

The advantages of BIM over other methods of representing building plans are demonstrated through the wide adoption of software such as Revit. By streamlining the design process to eliminate unwieldy methods, designers have the tools to improve building designs which has other positive implications.

[1] Meng, et al. Study on Improving Engineering Information Management by Interating BIM and Internet of Things,Advances in Computer Science Research (ACSR) No. 83, (2018)

[2] Sandvik an Fougner. BIM as a Tool for Sustainable Design, Research Gate, (2018)

[3] Sampaio.Building Information Modeling (BIM) Aplications in an Education Context, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Lisbon, (2018)

Comments:

To Harvin Bandal: 

I also had a similar experience with older engineers not being able to use modern design software. I found their hands-on experience to be valuable, but it was difficult to communicate with them because I think they have a different concept of how a building should be designed. In order to design more efficient buildings, I think that these older engineers should either learn how to use design software or be rendered obscure by people who are willing to learn the design software.

To Jenny Fretta: 

I concur that entire buildings will not be printed. However, I think that different components can be printed and then manufactured automatedly. I think the future for construction workers is bleak regarding the need for them to labor in ways other than to maintain the robots that do their current job for them.

To Gabriel Grajewski: 

I disagree about the building industry not manipulating data. I have designed HVAC systems for past co-ops and more often than not, in order to design an HVAC system effectively, data must be manipulated to yield comprehensive design solutions.

Chapter 5: BIM for Architects and Engineers

BIM software can be used in every stage of the construction process. They are commonly used for developing construction level information and the design and analysis of building structures. Another helpful service that BIM software provides is the ability to coordinate design integration. These three services are imperative to intelligent building design. Google Sketchup, IES, Vectorworks, and Revit are several of the most commonly used softwares to mass buildings, meet programming requirements, conduct environmental analyses, execute energy analysis, and create construction level documents.

Revit is often used as a link to other software to reduce redundant design. If a Revit model is constructed well, the amount of redundant data input required from auxiliary software is minimized. Add ons for other software are available to perform even more specific tasks. For example, Apache HVAC, is used by IES to complete HVAC plant calculations. This is an area that I have personally worked in.  The advantage that a central BIM model provides over traditional drawings is that it can be analyzed directly and offers an array of information that can be extrapolated for engineers efficiently. [1]

Structural analysis can also be completed from a central BIM model. By using RAM, structural engineers can ensure design integrity under a varying set of design conditions. BIM also allows for efficient building scheduling. Revit can be used to assign material properties which can be extrapolated into tables within the software. Additionally, construction phases and design sets can be used for different building options and phasing for construction.

Additional advantages that BIM has provided over the course of its life include the fabrication and design of unique parts which was traditionally impossible. However, using BIM models, fabricators can take a 3-D drawing and manufacture abstract shapes. Another advantage of BIM software is the ability to value engineer. Engineers can analyze and compare different building systems to provide the most economical solutions to their clients. Additionally, the ease of early exploration of building massing and programming ensures that architects create the best experience for clients in a building.

Sources:

[1] Sacks, Rafael. BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Designers, Engineers, Contractors, and Facility Managers. Wiley, 2018.

Comments:
Adam Raifsnider:

 I have also noticed the lack of access to 3-D models by smaller contractors. I think for BIM to reach its full potential, it is imperative that all parties involved in the creation of a building have access to 3-D models. I also think with the emergence of AI and 3-D printing on construction sites, we will reduce the need for subcontractors, and the subcontractors who do remain will have the technology to allow them to see a real time 3-D model containing addendums and changes to the original design.

Alec Silverstone:

 In order for contractors to make less mistakes in construction design, and for engineers to produce plans that accurately reflect what contractors will actually build, there should be contractors present during the design process of a building. I think contractors and engineers have a responsibility to coordinate physical construction to meet client demands and occupant safety.

Christian Tate:

 It has been the responsibility of engineers and architects to produce an accurate set of plans that reflect industry standards. It is interesting to think about the possibility of this being translated to three dimensions as construction documents shift away from paper and towards building models. Hopefully, this improves as design professionals will have standards built into the software they use.

Blog Post 1: Link Between Sensors, Building Operations, and AI

Sensor technologies are becoming imperative to intelligent building design. The use of thermostats kicked off the beginning of HVAC sensor technology but as other sensors are developed the thermostat must evolve beyond its current binary capabilities. Other technologies such as CO2 sensors, enthalpy sensors, and occupancy sensors have been implemented in building design to reduce energy consumption by HVAC systems. As these specialized sensors become more used, thermostats that at one point in time controlled entire HVAC systems, will become intelligent monitoring systems coordinating the specialized sensors. As renewable energy becomes adapted more widely, terminal sensors will be self-powered, wireless, and communicative [1]. Sensors will report errors in building envelopes, report damage, and report other data that pertains to what they are designed to do specifically.

Home automation and IoT have become buzzwords regarding building automation. As Home automation becomes more economically viable for the average American, data can be recorded and collected to achieve more accuracy for energy modeling and BIM. [2] Using 3-D models of buildings to monitor operating conditions in a building will allow for engineers and occupants to achieve an engaging synergy that encourages energy consciousness.

Additionally, the IoT may allow self-powered sensors to repair and maintain themselves using AI to physically repair damaged or weathered sensors. This could also be applied to a larger scale where buildings are maintained, repaired, and constructed using robots. [3] However, as robots become able to do jobs better and more efficiently than humans, the building industry will naturally require less humans. Naturally, this is an issue for many people and it is a question that has yet to be solved. But with the good news of reducing energy consumption we can think about a greener future instead of an unemployed future.

[1] Stein, Scott. “A Thermoelectric Future: Meet the next Generation of Self-Powered Sensors.” CNET, CNET, 4 Jan. 2019, www.cnet.com/news/thermoelectric-future-we-tried-out-the-next-generation-of-self-powered-sensors/.

[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] B1M, The. “The Construction Robots Are Coming | The B1M.” YouTube, YouTube, 30 May 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKGGHdl3NyQ.

Andrei Kuriatnikov

My name is Andy Kuriatnikov, I am an Architectural Engineering major with a mechanical focus, and I am from Annapolis, MD. I grew up spending a lot of time outside where I developed a deep love and appreciation for the natural world. I wish to incorporate environmentally sustainable designs in all projects I work on and I would like to eventually be able to push architectural and engineering designs to have more stringent energy consumption codes. Part of this will require researching how architectural and mechanical engineering can be coordinated more closely to reduce energy consumption during early stages in the design process.

During my career at Drexel, I have completed Co-ops at a Structural Engineering firm (EBA Engineering), an electrical engineering firm (Bruce E. Brooks & Assoc.), and an AE firm (Ballinger) where I worked as an HVAC engineer. I also completed an internship at an architecture firm during the summer after freshman year. I hope to apply my knowledge of the buildings sciences to reduce design coordination issues and to reduce energy consumption in buildings. I would also like to have a hand in the intelligent building revolution.

Intelligent buildings to me, means the use of sensors and monitoring technology to apply real time solutions to energy, ventilation, and heating/cooling demand. I believe this will create a living building where the mechanical systems in a building have the ability to sense the environment and respond to it. This means that I consider intelligent buildings to be operational as opposed to construction or design. I believe that designing buildings in this manner will be the future for commercial HVAC systems.

Dummy Post - Student Names

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