Course Reflection

Before taking AE410, I only had a brief understanding of intelligent buildings that buildings can take conveniences to people, and the buildings in the future. AE 410 provide me a deeper understanding of buildings in the future, and a basic understanding of artificial intelligence, the sensor applications, database, and Revit Family function. As an architectural engineer student, the BIM software, Database, and some detailed AI applications will help my future career directly. In the future, more skills will be required in the construction field, and with BIM software skill will increase my probability to get involved into more projects than others.

In this course, the most impressive knowledge will be the BIM, and forecast of future buildings. For the BIM, at beginning, I thought BIM is just a software like AutoCAD which is only for drawings with special 3D models. However, after taking this 410 I learned the BIM is not a design software and it also is a software will take many benefits to both owners and subcontractors. Because by using Revit, it will help with shorten the cost, providing a more accurate schedule, and easier for subcontractors to knowing the best position to install equipements. Due to the characters of BIM software, designers can store and change the file easier than the hand drawings.

As we known, people always talks about the future buildings: what should the buildings look like; what kinds of things will be involved; and How human builds it. In 410, Professor Mitchell gives us a general forecast of the future buildings. In the future buildings, BIM software will be used to design; the robotics will be used during the constructions; sensors and AI application will be installed in the building to provide a comfortable, convenient and efficiency living or working place.  Additionally, in the final project, we did some searches online about intelligent buildings nowadays and in future which could be defined into three main characters: Performance-based definitions, Services-based definitions and System-based definitions.

I really enjoy taking this course, and I learn real and useful things from this course. However, there are also some points confused me. For example, when talk about the robotics has been used in the construction, we did not talk about the weak points of using robotics. For example, the costs of building robotics, the energy consumptions, and how should we replace the human workers. Moreover, the BIM software should be talked more. Because nowadays, everyone uses computer and BIM really helps students in their career and professions.

Object oriented database

Object oriented database

Object oriented database is a database management system which supports the modelling and creation of data as objects. And there are two necessary criteria which should be a DBMS, and it should be consistent with programming languages. In other words, object-oriented programming + relational database features = object-oriented database model. And there are many features of object-oriented database which are: 1. Objects and classes (as known as object identity), because object has state and behavior, therefore, each object is unique object. For example, a student has his own name, own student Id. 2. Encapsulation, this process is helping with hiding some important information. For example, if you bought a coke, and you know what’s in that, but you don’t know how to make a coke. 3. Inheritance, it shows the relationships between different and similar objects. Like, the vehicle includes bikes and cars, and then the bike involves motor bike and normal bike; and the car involves the Hybrid car, electrical car, and gas-use car. And all of these are belonged to vehicle. 4. Relationships, it can show the relationship between various objects. Like, the student can be related with leader, and other roles.

From the definition and features of object-oriented database, there are also some advantages of it. Firstly, object-oriented database can easily share the data, software components, information and computing things. For example, comparing with other database type, the object-oriented database can easily and quickly finish the task of data exchanging, and determination of computing Secondly, object-oriented database allows various controlling systems. like, AI, and operating systems. Therefore, engineers can use different application to do object-oriented database.

Cite pages:

http://www.odbms.org/introduction-to-odbms/definition/

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

Comments:
Nana Lin, Your post is very clear showing the SQL database system's definition, systems adaption, and benefits of SQL.But i think you should put some information to show how does SQL work, and the limitation of SQL systems.

Jenny, I like your post. You made a very great definition, and the process of systems working for the object-oriented database. And the example you post made very great explanation of advantages of this database system.

Yichen, the SQL can help with organizing the large database with good protection. And you said SQL is like human brains. it's interesting, and I like your post with imagining the future of SQL system.

x

Topic: Future residential house

Final report type: 90% paper, 10% design

Explanation: The basic idea of this project is to learn about future residential buildings and trying to design a sample model. The model will only be used to help to give a clearer explanation for the future building, and the evaluation paper for it will be short.  

Introduction

• Background of future buildings
• Why are we curious about future buildings? (Motivation)

Nowadays’ residential houses

• What can the current houses do for the hosts?
• What needs to be improved? and how?
• What improvements are in progressing? and how?

Future residential houses

• What can we expect for the future houses?
• Different ideas from the professionals (the architects, engineers, constructors, and owners) and from the public (who are the customers, the other major students and any other).
• What are the common parts of the ideas?
• What are the different parts of the ideas?
• Challenges

Discussion

• The main aspects of improvements:
• The exterior of the building (Architectural ideas)
• The house system with database controlling (Engineer ideas)
• The environmental friendly control of the building (Scientific, Environmental engineer, and public ideas)
• Group members’ thoughts about future residential buildings based on the above information.

Model

• Pictures showing the sample BIM model designed by the group members with simple explanations.
• The evaluation of the BIM model.

Conclusion

• Summary
• Difficulties while doing the project
• As a future engineer, what will we do for the future residential houses?

The reason why we choose to talk about the building in 10 years is because our group is so curious about the changes in future. We watched a lot of videos in class, and also find many information related with the designs in future. There things are so interesting, and as architectural engineers we really need to be familiar with new BIM technologies. Therefore, we chose this topic, and set some requirements for ourselves.

In our project, we mainly focus on the future buildings; how does the technology, and material will affect the future buildings. Like, in 10 years, the building will be more convenient with all voice or mobile control, and maybe the AI is going to be used in the buildings. And, maybe some new materials will be used to change shapes as the owners' wishes. Therefore, in our project, we will build a simple model with BIM-Revit, and the most of information will be displayed on writing parts. And in our report, there will be five main points: background information, imagination of future buildings, model description, discussions and conclusion. And for the model, floor plans, sections, and 3D view are necessary. Our primary goal is to design a 2,500 square feet and 2-story house in future 10 years based on our research and imagination.

In the discussion, I think my group will talk about the different design concepts in the future and how does the systems change and vary ways to control the system. Also, we may talk about environmental ideas: how to make the building become more environment friendly and how to make the building has the minimum energy consumption. And at last, we will put each members’ opinions about the changes in 10 years later, and to put evidence why these imaginations are possible.

At the end of report, the summary and challenges will be provided. From our thought, the most difficult parts will be the new technology may be created, and how does the construction area changes, robotics.

Comments:

Hanyan, I really like your idea about the BIM. With development of technology, the creativity and innovation are necessary for every designers and engineers. Because the owner will have more and more requirements. and once the designers and engineers want to meet these requirements, creativity and innovation are important.

Alec, your post is interesting. As we known, robotics is one of most important things in the future which will affect a lot of areas, and it’s also going to change intelligent building area a lot. Because we talked about in class, the robotics will release intensive labors, and with enough energy robotics can work 24 hours a day. Moreover, some robotics have already been used in our life. For example, the cleaning robotics, cooking robotics, and construction robotics.

B2-Chapter 4: BIM for Owner and Facility Manager

BIM handbook’s Chapter 4 discussed the changes of architectural and construction industry which could take many conveniences to the owners and facility managers. There are some main benefits for owners: firstly, the performing of building; secondly, shorten the building schedules; and then reduce the finical risks.

With developing of BIM software, now the buildings can be performed perfectly with all different models, like the 2-D plans and 3-D models with all details, like lightings, floor materials, and the facades, via Revit. Moreover, the BIM model can have a great cooperation with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system. And all the system can successfully be combined or separate to show structure of the buildings. Therefore, the owner can check the models to ensure the designs can meet his requirements, and the owner can see where his investment is.

Then, BIM can shorten the project schedules. In BIM software, all the details of building can be performed and scheduled with accurate time and amount. Therefore, when making a construction schedule, it will be much easier.

And, BIM can help with reduce the risk of finical problems. Because when you finished the modeling of buildings, all the materials and energy consumption can be demonstrated roughly. Therefore, compare with old method of measuring the cost of construction, BIM is better with some details of material and energy usage which will help the owner to save money. For example, if the energy consumption was 10,000 dollars for 1,000 square feet per month. But after using BIM methods, the designer can change some plans to reduce like ten percent of energy use which will help owner to save 1000 dollars per month.

Moreover, the facility managers are involved in the design and construction process. Therefore, they will know what kind of equipment will fit this building. And where is the best place to install equipment which will ensure higher efficiency and less wasted materials. Also, they will be aware which place need to pay more attention.

Last but the least, the BIM can be much more convenient than the old technology when the owners want to do the remodel. Because the BIM file will always be there, and you can edit, modify, and re-design based on what you have. And the small elements, like lightings, HVAC systems, or the material of wall or glass can be re-design at any time and any place.

Reference:
Eastman, Charles M. BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers and Contractors. Vol. 2nd, 3rd ed, Wiley, 2011. EBSCOhost, http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzM2NDIzOV9fQU41?sid=bc728db5-ac2a-463a-be02-b1d1edcfc78a@pdc-v-sessmgr02&vid=0&format=EB&lpid=lp_71&rid=0

Comments:
Hanyan Chen, I really like your post. From your post, you discussed a lot about the benefits for the owners. And I really like your point which the owner can install some voice control or some control system they like to enable their life more convenient. Moreover, for the facility managers, they will be easily to learn which place is best for different equipment because they know all the designs and construction process.

Kyle Breiman, I looked your post, and I found you mentioned about the construction process. The BIM will help the owner to simulate, therefore it will help the construction becoming more efficiency, knowing the details of maintenance, and estimating the energy consumption of the building.

Jenny Fretta, I totally agree with your point. You discussed three points which BIM can take for the owner and manager. Reduce the time and cost, and production efficiency. In your post, your quotation is about when the owner looked at the designs and the owner will know where his money is. Therefore, the whole project team will feel what they are doing, and which part is expensive. And from showing the investment, the owner also can decide to re-design the part he think is not valuable.    

B1-Group C, Lin

Topic: AI and Robotics

20 years before, I don’t think the world will predict the smart phones, the artificial intelligence, and the robotics will come to our life. When I searched the articles from the website about the “future” which are usually linked with “AI” and “Robotics”. As we know, the future is unpredictable, but what we know is that technology is always the main role of our life changer and the technology also has the biggest influences on the productivity.

Nowadays, smartphone becomes a part of our life, and seems some people can not live without smartphones. And how did the normal phone switch to the “smart phone”? The answer is “AI”. Because of the artificial intelligence appears, the phones become more convenient, and smart to the users. Like Siri, Bixby. And people can ask their smartphone questions and the AI can reply the answers via Internet. And with developing of the technology, the AI becomes more wide and can be used on different fields like, buildings, houses, some business area, and even aviation. People can give a direct order, and the AI will follow the order to do things to provide a easier and more convenient life.

Robotics have become part of life, like the clean-robots, and the cook-robots. However, the biggest change from the robotics is the workforce. As showing in the article, “Earlier this year, the company reported 2017 revenue of more than $170 million, a 72% increase over its 2016 performance.” Because the robotics can keep working 24 hours a day as long as there is enough power for them. Moreover, the robotics can reduce the risks of insecurity.  However, with the increasing amount of robotics results huge amounts of workers lost their job. Therefore, many people feel uncomfortable about this robotics.

[1] Robothusiast, “2018 Year Review: Top 6 Trends in Robotics, AI, and Automation”  December 11^th , 2018https://www.robothusiast.com/2018-year-in-review-top-6-trends-in-robotics-ai-and-automation/

comments:

Hailey Ihow, I really like your post. You made a very clear description of the sensors and the AI. And the examples you gave really makes me to understand what is the sensor and what is the AI. And how do these things affect our life.

Samantha, I really agree with your point. The 3-D printing has been used widely now, and with the developing, more and more materials and things can be printed and used in 3-D printing.