B6 Course Reflection - Alkiviadis Tsitsios

AE 410, Intelligent buildings has been a very beneficial course to me. Because of technological advances, the building industry is changing. The purpose of the course was to help us understand how these technologies affect the future of our professional career. In terms of design, construction, operation, renovation, and demolition, AE 410 has helped teach the role of information technology in these aspects. Through the review and discussion of articles, many topics have been touched on. The class has reviewed how BIM affects all parties of a project, like owners, architects, engineers, and contractors. It allows you to communicate with all parties, and eases the access of shared information. Additionally, the class discussed BIM technology’s relation to other drafting programs, like AutoCAD. Not only did the class discuss BIM technology, it also discussed database software. In particular, its relation to BIM, and in design, was emphasized.

One of the goals of the course was to become proficient in Autodesk’s Revit. I believe that after this class, I am much more seasoned in the software. There were various assignments and tutorials that forced students to become accustomed to its uses. These tutorials and assignments allowed me to become more familiar with the software. Previously, I had glanced upon the software, and was slow at navigating it. Now I can make my way around, and I am aware of the locations and functions of many of the tools. Additionally, training was instilled for the Database software. Assignments regarding this were helpful. While the training in both softwares were helpful, I believe with slightly more tutorials, as well as some more tutorials on how to correlated BIM with Database software would have been helpful. Nevertheless, the knowledge that I have gained through the assignments and the class will be carried on with me through my career. My first real exposure to BIM and Database software has been through this class. As I progress in engineering, I can always come back to the information that I have gathered in this class for reference. The course has been helpful in understanding the conceptual reasoning behind the use of the software, as well as administering the software for technical use.

ROBERT BORRELLI
I agree that the course is not what I expected. I am glad that we discussed and trained in the softwares. Initially, I thought that it would be an informative course, littered with structural calculations and a buildings relation to technology. The class did emphasize a buildings relation to smart technology, but through demonstration, rather than lecture and speeches.

HANYAN CHEN
Before the course, I already understood that there existed “smart” technology. I did not understand that an entire building could actually be intelligent. Even through the final project, there have been many instances shown where a building could indeed be intelligent. Not only is there automation in manufacturing, and advancements in robotics, there are also advancements in building, and that is intelligent building.



MAALIK KAPTUE
I agree that this course is a lot different than most. Like you said, I am also used to courses which emphasize heavy calculations. It was refreshing to take a course where guest speakers were frequent, demonstrations were helpful, and the ability to be creative was emphasized

B3 Revit's Relation to Drafting Programs - Alkiviadis Tsitsios

Revit and AutoCAD are both Autodesk design softwares which are used to design a variety of components to a construction project. The main difference between the two is that AutoCAD is a computer-aided design drafting program. It is used for accurate drawings, both 2D and 3D. It has access to many industry toolsets. It is a more general drawing tool that can be applied to a large amount of projects with a broad application. Revit, on the other hand, is a building-specific design software. It offers documentation solution, and is used throughout all of the phases of a construction project. It can be used to plan, model, design, construct, and even manage infrastructure with the many tools that it contains. While the two softwares have different functions, their core purpose is the same. To help model and visualize the design of a certain project.
AutoCAD and Revit coincide and can be used together. 2D designs compiled in AutoCAD can be exported into Revit, to incorporate building designs and functions. Revit can then use its BIM capabilities, and create intelligent components of designs. AutoCAD is often the first step, while Revit steps in to provide BIM deliverables, enabling collaboration with other factions who may be using the design at hand. For example, in AutoCAD, ducts are often represented just as lines. The lines are indicators of the ducts with no additional information, unless it was labeled and detailed in a table elsewhere. With Revit, the AutoCAD data can be turned into components of a system. Not only that, the components can even have technical specifications, and proper materials can be assigned. AutoCAD has the capability of creating 3D models as well, but they are solely geometric with no component information. Revit models contain component information.
AutoCAD is the predecessor to Revit, launched in 1982. As it has been updating regularly, Revit launched in 2000. When Autodesk purchased Revit, the potential was very clear. Revit can be used to further develop AutoCAD drawings. As technology is improving and new buildings are erecting, building systems are improving as well. Revit fills that gap as AutoCAD is used for existing buildings and renovations projects regularly. Overall, the two go hand in hand as leading design softwares in the industry. CITATIONS Tobias, Michael. “How Do AutoCad and Revit Compare?” MEP Engineering & Design Consulting Firm, New York Engineers, 15 May 2018, www.ny-engineers.com/blog/how-do-autocad-and-revit-compare. YIDI LI Great way to correlate BIM with the future of AI development. As AI technology improves, the importance for BIM becomes more relevant. Automation will increase. While AutoCAD is still primary as you said, BIM will become an important component of an engineer’s skill set regardless. As the technology improves, it is important to adapt with the times. WEIYI TANG Data optimization is in AEC’s future as you mentioned, I do not agree that it will take as long as you say though. It is true that Haste makes waste, but as the intelligent technology industry is growing exponentially, industries which are correlated must follow. Yes, it will not become true instantaneously, but I believe the transition will be more swift than you think. It is so easy to share information between programs in modern times, which will speed the transition. It is not like decades ago, where computer aided implementation was a groundbreaking difference. YICHENG LI I was intrigued by your problem 2, where IT departments will need to improve just as the technology does. The requirements rise, and departments will have to re educate themselves on the industry. Also, they will need to hire qualified personnel.

B1 - Databases, Network, Sociology, Future_Alkiviadis Tsitsios Week 2

As humans cross the bridge from 2018 to 2019, technological advancements are moving at an exponential pace. It is up to humans to keep up with that pace, and make sure that they are advancing as a whole, while technologies make strides [4]. While considering the future, even further than the unknown of 2019, databases, networks, and sociology must be considered. All three of these points will help shape the future [1]. 

The first impact on the future can be related to how databases are changing, with the increased popularity of ‘containers” [3]. Containers allow the user to host applications in portable environments. Containers are helpful because they make the process of using applications and scale services much easier [3]. This is because the user does not have to manage multiple servers. Amazon Web Services, or AWS offers elastic container service which automates much of the infrastructure that is required to deploy a container task [3]. 

Along with databases comes networks. That word, “networks”, can be attributed in more ways than one. In particular, it can be interpreted in terms of cellular networks. Cellular networks will be making the transition between 4G and 5G [2]. This transition will greatly increase mobile internet speeds. It will likely allow downloads to occur in a matter of seconds. This faster network will increase the technological gap, it will influence the spread of artificial intelligence. Phone carriers have already previewed 5G smartphone prototypes [2].

Finally, the last influential factor on the future is the sociological factor. While technology is booming, sights are set on large goals, and wild promises are made, one detail is being forgotten. Originally, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates had visions to place a PC on every person’s desk in the world. Now, the goal seems to be to place a “computer” inside of everything [1]. The goal is to connect everything technologically. With the invention of Alexa, and other home devices that competitors are testing, the goal is to connect everyone and everything. This idea seems exciting. It would allow for a much easier user interface and it would change the way the world works. Social constructs would change, and it is important to consider that the change may not be for the better [1]. Overall, Databases, networks, and sociology will shape the future. 

1. Manjoo, Farhad. “A Future Where Everything Becomes a Computer Is as Creepy as You Feared.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Oct. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/10/10/technology/future-internet-of-things.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ftechnology&action=click&contentCollection=technology®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront.

2.Clark, Don. “5G Is Coming This Year. Here's What You Need to Know.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 31 Dec. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/12/31/technology/personaltech/5g-what-you-need-to-know.html?partner=rss&emc=rss.

3.Tozzi, Christopher. “Containers and the Serverless Computing Model: What AWS, Azure and Google Offer.” IT Pro, 29 Nov. 2018, www.itprotoday.com/programming-languages/containers-and-serverless-computing-model-what-aws-azure-and-google-offer.

4.Marvin, Rob. “What Tech Will Look Like in 2039.” PCMAG, PCMAG.COM, 3 Jan. 2019, www.pcmag.com/news/365676/what-tech-will-look-like-in-2039.

Comments

Tyler Madden

Our post draws many parallels, like how you talked about cloud computing, I spoke about containers. I admire your contribution relating to the Global Data Protection Regulation. This is a sociological factor that must be considered. It is important to regulate and allow regular people to have access/control to their information. Companies that can not follow GDPR are performing immoral practices. Their regulation of the data is not trustworthy. 

Yicheng Li

The way you tied in the tags, starting with BIM, to 3D Printing, into construction, it was very articulate. Bim is the design, 3D is the model, and construction is the result. It is clear how the three tie into one another, and how altogether, they will impact the future. These new technologies all go hand in hand, and will shape the way construction will undergo in the future. 

Michael Tse
BIM will greatly influence the future, I agree. And the internet of things plays a big role into the future of BIM, but you failed to relate 3D printing to BIM and the future. It is important to incorporate 3D printing because it is directly related to BIM. It allows users to mass produce models of designs that can be converted into structures, which was also failed to be mentioned. Overall, your analysis of the future of BIM was good.

Dummy Post2 - Other Names

This too is necessary to get your last names in as labels.