B2 - Chapter 5 - BIM for Architects and Engineers

Comparing to CADD, BIM concentrates more on conceptual design and gradually changes the design process and methodology. The chapter discusses the influences of BIM from three perspectives: integrated services, conceptual design, and construction-level modeling.

Traditional design services tend to be a time-related single-line workflow process such as design-bid-build or design-build, and a new form called Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) was introduced with the application of BIM. Unlike the traditional delivery, IPD provides a more dynamic collaboration and communication form, thus the design will be more efficient.

Starting from the information development, which is the first step of the design a building, it can be divided into low end and high end spectrums. BIM offers a shortcut for the design of the low-end buildings with fixed characters and functions. The design of the high-end buildings with new functions often requires a large amount of information exchange within the design team and between the team and the clients, during which BIM can be a handy tool. 

When it comes to the design part, BIM benefits our architects and engineers with conceptual design, building system simulation and analysis, and construction-level modeling. Traditional conceptual design is mainly sketched freehanded, and that is the basic media of documentation and communication. Nowadays, although many designers still adhere to freehand sketch, more have accepted the use of quick 3D sketching tools such as SketchUp. These tools make it more convenient for people to modify, understand, and track the drawings. The build-in elements in the software also allow designers to generate the sketches more quickly.

(tbc)

Term Project - BIM Macros

Topic: BIM Macros - "Explore Revit's macro language and develop one or more useful macros that you can use to demonstrate the capability."
In an interview for a co-op of acoustic engineering, the interviewer raised the questions that if I had any experience on macros, and that's when I realized the use of macro did not limit to MS Excel. Based on my experience of Revit, there are many process including repeated operations, and a macro would save much time from that. 

Team Member: Yipin Geng, Ziyang Lin

B1 - AI and Misc

Speaking of industrial revolutions, we may refer to steam engines, electricity, and computers, and only of recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) is recognized to be the fourth industrial revolution. With only about 60 years of development, AI seems mostly existing in fictions, but gradually it is becoming real [1]. In the year of 2016, we human beings had a glance of what we have made, and it terrified some and excited the others. The stories of how Google, Amazon, Facebook, or just some simple applications in your smartphone pushed their business to the next level thanks to the usage of AI were heard a lot [2], and in addition to those “high-technology” industries, AI also has a bright future in traditional construction industry. When Tim Chapman, the director of Arup, was asked whether AI would lead to a more efficient and productive construction industry, he gave a positive answer [3]. He explained that AI would have a great impact on professional services, especially design services, because AI could share data and thoughts efficiently without all the unnecessary activities caused by arguments, prejudices, egos, or other negative emotions. This is one of the fields that many overlooked the potential of AI, as we thought that creativity was the unique characteristic of human beings. It is debatable, but without overthrowing that opinion, AI can still be a great assistant in design services, especially when generating a standard, cost-efficient, and safe design. 

One of the most used AI tech nowadays is deep learning based on neural network tech. It simulates the process of how human learns and improves itself by analyzing a vast amount of data. Since we are too scared of the consequences of Skynet, a well-built local database may be the best chance for an AI to learn from. For example, a BIM library can serve for such purpose. Other examples include Nest Thermostat learning from users’ preferences, structure analyzing tools learning from existing data of past decades, and so on. The industry is still exploring such technology, but AI, although in its elementary stage, has been adopted by many construction companies, so that the “learning materials” we can provide to it is also growing, and with that, it is confident to expect a better future with great possibilities.

Sources:

[1] “Artificial Intelligence Has a Big Year Ahead.” https://www.cnet.com/news/2017-artificial-intelligence-mainstream-businesses-adopt-ai/

[2] “2016: The Year That Deep Learning Took over The Internet.” https://www.wired.com/2016/12/2016-year-deep-learning-took-internet/

[3] “How will artificial intelligence benefit the construction industry?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Atz4S5FceQ


Comments:

Brennan Connolly – I like how you discussed about artificial intelligence and robotics in a single paragraph. I neglected that part in my post but only focused on the design or analysis aspect of construction. The combination of practical AI and robotics can hugely impact the industry, and I agree that there’s still a long way to go before we use it massively.

Yosep Bak – Knowing the potential of modern technology, I was still surprised by the facts that you provided in the Robotics part that how much time and manpower that robotics could save for us. It reminds of a news I read but not mentioned in my original post: “Komatsu started Smart Construction where drones are used to survey construction sites, create 3D maps, extract blueprints, and simulate construction plans. Now, processes such as these that can typically take weeks can be done in one day.”

http://www.conexpoconagg.com/news/august-2016/artificial-intelligence-in-the-construction-indust/

Group D - Week 1 Thoughts

Using intelligent buildings will be common in the future, but it is difficult to implement into current uses. Sensors, networks, and artificial intelligence can be used to adapt and improve building health.  Artificial intelligence will be applied within the building, manufacturing processes, and manufacturing to create a better built environment. Utilizing robotics and artificial intelligence will reduce construction workers, reducing chance of injury with very detailed accuracy and precision. Applying these systems can have high upfront costs, but often generate lower usage or maintenance costs.  It is also difficult to begin using many of these methods due to social groups and labor unions.    

Week 1 - Geng - About Me & Definition of IB

Hi, my name is Yipin Geng, and I am a senior majoring in Architectural Engineering and Civil Engineering. My concentration for AE is digital building. I have had one co-op during which I used Revit to draft the 2D and 3D architectural drawings of single-family residence throughout the design process.
AE-410 is a mandatory course for my concentration, but I would take it even if it was not, because I would like to learn more about the state-of-the-art technology that is or will be applied in our industry. For this class, I expect to further understand tools like BIM and how to integrate them in design and construction.
My understanding of "Intelligent Building": a building during whose life cycle that computer technology is used in design, construction, and operation.

Names Placeholder Post for Labels, Tags

This post creates the first half of the last names of everyone as a label/tag in the class as of 1/4/2017.  I have to add in several posts because it’s limited by Blogger.