B9 - Eduardo Borja - Group E - Reflection

             From the beginning, even before starting to attend class I was interested in Intelligent Buildings, but I had a different idea of what intelligent buildings meant. Before I believed Intelligent Buildings were characterized as smart automated buildings. Through this course I understood that intelligent buildings are much more involved than the technological aspects of the final structure. Intelligent buildings take into consideration the design and the time efficiency of building a certain structure.

            I can definitely state that this class has had a great effect on my profession because it has fed my interest in aspects such as the creation of databases and BIM, which are becoming more and more important in the construction industry. Through AE 510 specifically, I have been introduced the creation of databases, as well as further deepening my knowledge about Revit. Through our assignment on databases I learned that planning before executing is quite essential in any aspect of design. If you didn’t plan the database before creating it, then this could have created a lot of problems once you tried to execute it. Also, databases prove to be quite effective once you want to find a specific set of points within a large amount of data. In regards to Revit, I have only scratched to surface on the program capabilities but from what I have learned in this class and from different tutorial videos, I have seen that Revit can become quite powerful. I can say that this class has affected my profession because it has showed me that the industry is changing and that this new technology regarding BIM will certainly be something I will need to fully understand.

            Regarding my future, this class has provided an introduction to an industry that is going to continue to grow and offer a lot of job opportunities. Understanding even a broad aspect of intelligent buildings and be able to discuss different aspects of intelligent buildings can certainly help me in my future job searches.

            Regarding actual class time, I personally would have enjoyed more small projects in order to learn a greater variety of BIM software. On the other hand, the lecture speakers in class gave an interesting perspective on how intelligent building techniques are applied and used outside the classroom. Similarly, the lectures provided by Dr. Mitchell were certainly useful and gave us as well a professional perspective on intelligent buildings and their applications.

Comments:

Alqallaf: From the beginning of your post I could identify with you. I joined this class even though I was taking another professional elective because the name caught my attention. Also, I can relate to the fact that the database project was quite instructive. I enjoyed how you related the project you did for your concentration.

Laura Hill: I enjoyed your post because it made me think of something really important in this class that i took for granted. The blog posts as you stated were quite helpful because it was an opportunity to reflect upon different new topics. The posts actually helped me understand and actually focus on the reading which ultimately helped me fully understand the different topics at hand.

  

B5 - Databases in Construction - Eduardo Borja

            Computerized databases started in 1960’s. This happened when the computers became more cost effective options for different firms and organisations. Databases in general have great benefits for companies. Databases are essential in reducing the amount of time spent managing data. Data management can be tedious and mundane and if there is a large amount of data to handle, the time spent processing could be excessive. One interesting example of a database that was basically one of the first commercial successes was SABRE. SABRE was a system that was used by IBM in order to help American Airlines to manage its reservations.

            Specifically related to construction firms, databases can provide a particularly easy way to contact customers, suppliers, even employees. For example, something that could seem meaningless, such as being able to pull up an email address, could actually be as easy as typing a name. The ability to find information easily creates an effective and productive work force. Organisation in a database i believe is crucial as well. Making an element easy to find should be a goal of any creation of a database, but if the database is not organised then the database loses its purpose.

            Another example of how critical databases are in a construction firm relate to estimating. Estimating could be extremely tedious if you would have to input the data for each element of a structure. In this case, databases allow keeping records of a variety of properties of elements. Also, in construction firms, cost and scheduling is greatly affected by the use of databases. Also, databases can extremely facilitate the life of an engineer. This is due to the fact that in a database one can input many different trade information that could certainly prove to be useful when estimating a project. One example of a typical database used in industry is RSMeans. RSMeans is used when estimating the price per square foot of a structure. This database provides data for both renovation projects and new buildings and has costs for over 900 cities in the US and Canada. Construction firms could also establish a database for all of the past projects they have taken. This could be quite beneficial because the firm could reference any project that could actually help with a current bid or estimate.

1. http://www.rsmeans.com/
2. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140724234418-100956650-coming-soon-construction-databases-why-use-a-database
3. http://pmbook.ce.cmu.edu/14_Organization_and_Use_of_Project_Information.html

Comments:

Mohammed Alqallaf: Mohammed, i particularly enjoyed reading through your post. I enjoyed the fact that you discussed how databases have evolved through time and how computers/clouds have helped with this evolution. I completely agree, and also i must add that organisation must be key with databases. Dealing with such a large amount of elements in a database must have a certain degree of organization. Also, i agree with the fact that the databases must be updated regularly. For example, if RSMeans does not update regularly the cost estimate of a construction firm could not be competitive.

Kuzniarowicz: I enjoyed reading your post because i also did some research on RSMeans. This is certainly a great database and its uses are quite extensive. The last point you touch on in your post is really interesting and i believe it is a future of many companies with their products as well as a future of BIM. I believe many companies will develop a database and have the ability to import their products into a BIM software in order to make the designers life much easier with regards to cost and scheduling.

B4 - Eduardo Borja - Group E

             From the topics given, Maria and I thought that Robotics in construction was quite interesting. It is something that is starting to develop and can actually be the future of construction. From our research we established that there are many aspects of construction that could benefit from robotics. We started out with a broad idea on what our project could be but decided to research robotics that will actually build a vertical structure.

            The category of robotics in general is an interesting topic and is one that definitely will evolve in the future. The fact that we are aspiring Engineers makes this topic really interesting. This project was chosen mainly to analyze the effects that robotics will have in the construction industry. It will be interesting to compare and contrast what robots can contribute vs. what humans contribute to the construction industry. I believe it could also be interesting to determine which human disciplines could be affected due to the introduction of robotics in the construction industry. Also, I believe one of the greatest effects robots will have in the construction industry is the fact that they will help speed up mundane and repetitive processes like laying concrete blocks or bricks.

            One aspect of intelligent buildings could be optimizing the work force. One benefit that could be huge with robotics is the fact that these machines could take over low-value, repetitive, mundane work. Human job force can be efficiently redirected to high priority work in order to have a successful facility.

            Since this topic involves a lot of research and not many robots have been implemented in industry, it is hard to obtain conclusive results. Some robots are prototypes and have done small projects while other robots are still just ideas. Most of the information we could obtain will be some sort of speculation. For example, it can be said that some robots will eventually take over human jobs but it is hard to say actually how many jobs would actually be taken.

Resources:

1.     http://www.gizmag.com/hadrian-brick-laying-robot-fastbrick/38239/

2.     http://www.roboticsbusinessreview.com/article/robotics_automating_construction_and_building

3.     http://buildingrobotics.com/blog/the-year-ahead-intelligent-building-trends-to-watch-in-2016/

Comments:

Mohammed Alqallaf: Mohammed, I found your topic really interesting. An additional two floors is certainly a major addition. The benefits of using BIM are getting stronger and stronger in my opinion. The cost schedule would be something quite tedious if Revit wasn’t there to help you guys out. Good luck with your senior design!

Karan Sagar Sinha: Karan, the topic you chose I believe is quite interesting and will definitely have a great impact in the construction industry. If a machine can print onsite any design, there will be a great satisfaction regarding the ease of constriction of the structure. Good luck with your project!

B3 - GROUP E - EDUARDO BORJA

            Revit and AutoCAD have some differences as well as various key similarities. In regards to the similarities, Revit and AutoCAD share 2D drawing, 3D drawing, and rendering. The interface and tools differ but the essence and the end result of the design is the same. Overall, AutoCAD is excellent for 2D drawing while Revit is excellent for modeling, and generating cost schedules. Relating Revit and AutoCAD it is essential to point out the differences between those two programs. The main difference can be summed up through Building Information Modeling. Revit uses drawing armed with real life information. This information is key for example for the generation of cost schedules. Also, Revit modifies the drawings in different views, so if you make a change in a certain view all views will get changed as well.

            Revit and ArchiCAD also have various similarities and differences. ArchiCAD was classified as an easier program to deal with once the structure gets complicated. ArchiCAD also runs with OSX, and is primarily designed for architects. Revit on the other hand is widely supported and there are extensive books and tutorials to follow from. Also, Revit is meant for architecture, but it can also be used by the structural and MEP trades.

            Something interesting that has to be taken into consideration is the fact that some people have been working with AutoCAD for over 20 years. Revit is a relatively new program compared to AutoCAD. The transition must be hard to get used to. I can only imagine using AutoCAD for 20 years and then being introduced into a new program with different tools and different drawing formats. I would be reluctant to switch programs, and this I assume is a dilemma that a lot of professionals face when discussing about new technologies. Fortunately now since there are extensive tutorials and books teaching how to use the program the learning curve is not that bad. Definitely each modeling and drawing program has its own benefits. Familiarizing with the different programs is just a matter of playing around with different tutorials and with the different commands on the program itself.

Comments:

Adrian Kuzniarowicz: Your post gives a concise comparison of AutoCAD and Revit. Revit certainly makes it easier to draw quickly floors, walls, roofs, and sections as well as provide material properties for each element stated previously. I agree with your last comment. Now a day, for BIM to fully work as intended all trades have to communicate effectively. If all parties fail to communicate or to participate, this can diminish the power of BIM.

Laura Hill: I enjoyed reading your post. I especially enjoyed how you described one aspect of a program and then used a different aspect to transition cleanly with your comparison. From your post it is easy to understand what were the key aspects of each program. Also, you clearly describe what aspects of a program stand out making one program more desirable than the other.

Week 3

Eduardo Borja

BIM for Contractors

            BIM for contractors is important for the development of construction projects and can be very beneficial for both the owner and the contractor if BIM is used correctly. Contractors should push for early involvement in the project in order to avoid and conflicts during the construction. Early involvement can actually diminish the time spent in the construction phase because it increases and facilitates coordination.

            Many construction companies are set on working traditionally with 2D plans because BIM have steep learning curves. These traditional methods have proven to reduce the involvement of the contractor in the design leading to inefficient work schedules. BIM can lead to true integration between design and construction.

            BIM provides many advantages for the contractor even before the design stage. Normally the collaboration process does not start until the job has actually been awarded to the low bid contractor. With BIM, early involvement can actually be even before the project is awarded. Owners can provide models early in the process in order for the contractors to provide competitive estimates. Estimating is a process that can actually be quite tedious and costly and prone to errors, it can also result in over estimating. For example, if a contractor is not sure if he can fit some structural members in the building, coordination can be a factor leading to over estimating. Another example regarding human error can be in a large estimating project human error can takeoff a structural member twice and add to the overall cost of the project. BIM can reduce these errors as the program can highlight objects that have not been included in the cost estimate. Another important advantage is the reduction of design errors using clash detection. This when done manually has to be done using 2D plans and placing one on top of the other which could lead to major mistakes regarding clash detection. Similarly, BIM has to be detailed or some similar errors regarding clash detection would occur.

            Chapter 6 in the BIM handbook is very helpful to understand the benefits BIM give contractors. BIM is a good starting point and can certainly make things more efficient but the contractor cannot solely rely on BIM. (1)

1.     http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzM2NDIzOV9fQU41?sid=6c5e5b0c-3e0f-4ef1-89b7-87f7a5b1a254@sessionmgr4001&vid=0&format=EB&rid=1

Comments:

Karan: I enjoyed reading your post, it was concise and provided helpful information regarding BIM for contractors. The flow chart you included in your post was especially useful to understand how a certain company using 2D paper drawings can take advantage of BIM. BIM is certainly a useful tool in order for the company to make estimates more competitive as well as to minimize any human error in takeoffs.

Allison: Your post provides insight not only on the book but also on a real life experience that helps the reader relate to the benefits of BIM for contractors. I believe that BIM and handheld devices will certainly keep growing in the industry because it is convenient for all trade collaborations. Sometimes in a job site it is hard to find a table where to set up all the plans and discuss the collaboration needed but with handheld devices this could certainly diminish that issue.