Week 4 Blog Post - Edward Bruder

The topic I choose is:

• BIM makes the Engineer's Work Easier vs It makes the Engineer's work Harder

     I choose this topic mainly because I personally and strongly believe that BIM will make engineers work easier rather than harder. Not only is it easier, it is also, in my opinion, a lot more fun to work with. BIM is much more advanced then CAD or hand drafting thus leading it to improve building in the future as well.

     BIM can be used many different ways, such as; 2D, 3D, and even 4D. At its most sophisticated level, BIM combines all the documents, data, and software packages used during design, construction, and, ultimately, operation and management into a single electronic source. [1] This will ultimately replace all types of engineering into one system. This system is so powerful that I only know a percentage of what the program can do.

     The performance from BIM will ultimately make work easier for engineers. This is because BIM can do multiple operations to help create a final design. Not only can it help find errors it can also help fix them. This will save time and ultimately help engineers create more efficient and creative designs. BIM is a platform that can provide a comprehensive and interactive assembly of the components in a building to create a new type of energy model. As more information is added to BIM for each individual part of the building, BIM becomes increasingly closer to matching the real world building itself. [3]Designs that would never be possible if not for BIM are being created every day. It is truly amazing.

     BIM’s 3D modeling is also impeccable comparatively to some other programs. You can actually see what the project would look like before it is even built. This is a huge advantage to the industry in the sense that you can change the way the building looks and see what the cost difference will be. All of which makes an engineer’s job easier.

[2]

     As seen from the graph the BIM work flow only has an increase in cost and effort in the detailed design phase of a project. This is a huge advantage over the other phases in a project.

In conclusion I believe that BIM works seamlessly with engineers to create amazing projects. BIM will definitely make work for engineers easier and will further the human advancement with in building projects.

References:

[1] Fortner, Brian.  Special Report: Are You Ready For BIM.  Civil Engineering The Online                 Magazine.  May 2008.

[2] Strafaci, Adam. What Does BIM Mean for Civil Engineers. CE News. October 2008.                       http://www.cenews.com/magazine-article----                                                                                     what_does_bim_mean_for_civil_engineers_-6098.html

[3] Alcorn, Terence. "How BIM Can Improve Building Efficiency." Facilitiesnet. n. page. Print.               <http://www.facilitiesnet.com/green/article/How-BIM-Can-Improve-Building-Efficiency--14297

Comment on Other Blog Post:
To Matt Morimoto:

Matt: I liked how you talked about both the positive and negatives of the BIM system but I'm not sure which side you chose. I do understand the pitfalls of using a BIM program but when I looked at the question I thought of BIM in a personal use frame of mind. What I mean by that is I understand that moving from CAD to BIM is frustrating but I believe that once BIM takes over and it more widely taught in schools it will become like a second language. But very nice post, very well written and insightful.

Week 2 - Robotic Capabilities (Group C)

Week 2 - Robotic Capabilities (Group C)

Robotic development has been continued rapidly. Nowadays, we can find robotic systems pretty much everywhere. Could robotic technology affect the building where humans find the comfort and safe in their lives?

Ever since the computer technology have been developed, they changed the way of life in the offices as well as the job sites. Since the performance of machines getting better and better, people started to adopting the era. Despite people still trying to fight for their rights to keep their jobs and possible computer errors that could cost human lives, researches and studies are coming up with convincing statistics and results to announce that the futuristic world is not too far way from now. One of the best example is Google self-driving car. The research is taken in the state of California to show the world that even computer programming error could bring better results than human errors. Along with Google, Volvo and Auidi's also perform self-driving program on the highway and streets with busy traffics.

Robotic actions does not stop on the road, but they also were taken into factories and commercial buildings. These robots are being more precise, small, durable, and cheaper as the technology advances. ABB's IRB 120 is one of the smallest robot arm that could work in the factory. That small robot arm, as small as 25kg can operate many repetitive works like what the robot arms that people could expect.

What if these technologies could be used for human comfort and safeties in buildings? There are many robots developed, but still in the progress of perfecting it. Quodrotor machines can build any types of figures as long as it could be generated in computer program and materials are light enough. Those machines are very effective since they have no limit of access during the construction and move whole lot faster than human workers. Like Nameita says, Robots also have sensors to operate HVAC construction to figure out the data that are changing throughout the construction. However, they are not precise enough and limits of weight for carrying. Also there is a limit of connection methods which has to require glues and magnetic connections. To be more realistic, they could be used for visual inspection for unreachable space by human.

Serviceability  is another important factor of the building that human expects. With technology nowadays, robot can find its location and remove obstacles to get to assigned locations. WooWee is one of the leading company that designs the machine to located and control robot itself to explore the building. If these machines get be developed further more, these machine can save human lives in the unlivable condition like fire or earth quakes. Like david mentioned, some of the schools are already using machines for human works. Even in a Japanese restaurant, machines are not only making ramen noodle to serve, but also they perform for entertainments.

If the Robot technologies keep developing as it is, one day, robots would become human's best friend. That would bring many advantages and disadvantages. It is good to keep the traditions, but sometimes, accepting new things could help to carry on the tradition in better ways. Future is almost here.


Nameita Toure, future robot capabilities
David Barbalace, future robot capabilities
Wowwee, Home robots
Quodrotor team, Construction footage with quodrotor
NTD TV, Japanese ramen making machine
Singularity HUB, ABB's sallest robot arms and many more
Chris Matzski, Google's self-driving car

Yoon's initial Blog Post

Background relevant to Intelligent Building

My father owns a business which supplies many products to construction companies. One of the supplies are sensors. As I was growing up, I watch many different types of sensors and what they can do to make life easier.

Expectation for this class

I wish to share and learn knowledge about newest technologies on buildings.

My initial definition of "Intelligent Building"

Intelligent Building I thought of was a kind of building that could communicate with people living in and working on the buildings. Any sort of response that could let people know for any kind of discomfort or danger so that people can avoid any problems for staying in that building.

Michael Kilgallon's Initial Blog Post

Background regarding intelligent buildings:
-Dabbled a bit with Revit, but I am more fluent with AutoCAD
-Never really heard of the term until this class actually

Expectations:
-To learn what Intelligent Buildings are, why they are beneficial, and how to implement them in the design process
-To learn more about BIM and see how useful it is in the construction of new buildings and projects
-Learn how to incorporate robotics and networks into buildings and building design

Initial definition of "Intelligent Buildings":
-A building that has its features recorded fully through design, construction, and completion, so that updates on each step of the process can be seem by all parties involved in its creation.
-It would allow projects to become more streamline to save time and cost in construction.

Nameita TOURE Initial Blog Post

Intelligent Building Background 

Unfortunately I do not have experience dealing with "Intelligent Building" 

Classes like AE 390/391 have briefly discussed the concept, but that was it.

Expectation for the course

I'm hoping to learn more about "Intelligent Building" and expand my horizons as an engineer.

Initial definition of "Intelligent Building"

As mentioned before I have a very limited knowledge of "Intelligent Building". The best definition I can come up with right now is: An "Intelligent Building" is a building that uses computer programming and automation to manage certain aspect of the building, such as HVAC, fire and safety, lightning, etc... 

Matt Morimoto's First Blog Post

Week 1 - Blog about yourself

Background: Im a Junior Engineering student pursuing a BS/MS degree with a concentration in structures.  I have have worked fairly extensively with Revit and Microstation during Coop. I did my first Coop at Ballinger as a Electrical Designer and for my second I worked at EwingCole as a HVAC designer.  I would have to say that if I had a spirit animal it would be a hawk.  Hawks can fly and hunt small animals.  Overall they are just awesome.

Expectations: I think that I will learn more about BIM and how to use it in the real world.  Additionally I hope to learn about the complexities of structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing aspects that have not been previously discussed in AE 390 and AE 391

Definition:  Intelligent Buildings, in my estimation, is a word to describe the integration of all the parts of the building coming together to make a system that is greater than the sum of the parts.  That together this integration causes ease of use and comfort for the client and the user.  An intelligent building is something that all buildings should strive to become.

Adam Brooke Initial Post

Currently my background in Intelligent Buildings is limited to knowledge gained through a few journal and news articles. Overall my knowledge of the subject is narrow. Expectations for this class include gaining a better knowledge in how "intelligent buildings" are run and designed. A greater knowledge in how to use BIM and database programs is also expected. My initial definition for an "Intelligent Building" is a building that incorporates technology to enhance the use, safety, and comfort of the occupants; through the use of various sensors and computers.

Common Topic Labels for the Course

Below are topics that we'll address in the course.  This post creates them as labels.  Please use these labels when creating your own posts to help people find topics that interest them.  You can add your own as well when creating a post.
TOPIC

• AI
• BIM
• Building
• Civil
• Computer
• Database
• Design
• Electrical
• Environmental
• Future
• Hardware
• HVAC
• Manufacturing
• Network
• Robotics
• Sensor
• Software
• Structures
• System
• Term Project

Note:  In a separate post I’m creating a label that consists of each student’s last name.  Please apply the label for your last name