B7 - Course reflection - Cristian Almendariz

            This class ended up being completely different from what I expected.  Going from its name Intelligent Buildings, I originally though would a lecture/project-based class in learning different BIM software.  Instead it was a more informative, analytical, and writing intensive class.  Although I would have preferred it to be the other way, I did learn a lot in this class.  Each lecture touched several different but important facts about the evolution of the construction industry and its current state. 

            Overall, the lectures were really informative and interesting.  I think that the guest speakers were the best part of them.  Each guest speaker came from different parts of the industry and had different perspectives the evolution of construction.  For example, before taking this class I did not know that robots and drones were already being used in construction.  Drones are really useful in several tasks of construction for example in site supervision and project control.  Now construction managers, owners, and designers can check the project progress from their home or office.  Additionally, it was really interesting to see what different professionals think about BIM software.  BIM software is definitely revolutionizing the construction industry and it has outstanding future potential.  As of now, most of them have realized that they must keep up with its evolution and learn how to use it.  Bentley’s lecture was the best.  I was amazed with the program capability to merge the architectural with MEP models and its ability for clash detection between elements.  This is a huge step forward in construction because it allows the detection of costly errors before construction.  In order to exploit this technology’s potential, all construction parties should be completely involved and work as a team.  I believe that BIM software training should be part of all engineering, architectural, or construction management undergraduate programs.  Professionals without software knowledge will definitely be in a disadvantage in the future. 

            The Revit project was an excellent introduction to the program.  Before completing the project I did not know how to use Revit.  Fortunately, prof. Mitchell’s video tutorials were really useful and easy to follow.  Moreover, it was an excellent foundation for the term project.  As I mentioned in B5 post, prior taking this class I did not know what databases were.  The lectures, blog post, and database project were an excellent introduction to them.  By completing the database project, I was able to accurately know what databases are and how they work.  Although my database was not too related to AE, I was able to develop a database that could be used in my dads company.  I develop a database to keep track the company’s cars and computer hardware.  This database could be expanded to become more complex and keep track of more assets. 

            The term project was an excellent opportunity to improve my senior design project house. I decided use Revit to develop, modify, and improve the original model of the house.  With little Revit experience, this project was quite challenging at the beginning.  It was really difficult to get used Revit’s toolbar and tools.  I had to watch several youtube tutorials to be able to modify the house roof, floor, walls, and furniture.  While completing the project, I noticed that Revit’s 3D visualization tool is really useful.  It help me a lot to modify and improve the overall house model and choose material finishes.  Overall, this term project was an excellent experience and opportunity to take my senior design house model to the next level.

            Although this class ended up being different from what I expected, it was really useful.  It brought me up to date in construction and its tendencies.  I was able to realize that technology is evolving at a really fast rate and I must keep up with it.  I can definitely conclude that the knowledge gained in this class is an excellent asset for my future architecture master degree program and profession.  I will definitely recommend all civil and architectural engineers to take this class.

Responses,

Mridul,

            

I also think that the guest lectures were one of the best parts about this course.  By having speakers from different sectors of the construction industry, I was able too see the impacts BIM, AI, and robots has had in them.  These technologies are definitely going to take over our industry and we must be ready to accept it.  In order to take full advantage of this technology, all construction parties must be involved and working as a team to develop the BIM models.  Moreover, I believe that architectural, engineering, and construction management undergraduate programs should include training in this technology.  

         

Alexis,

            I respectfully disagree with you that AI, robotics, and 3D printing will not be used in HVAC in the near future.  My dad owns an HVAC company in Ecuador and Asian companies like LG and Samsung are definitely starting to use this technology.  I will like to add that Robots and AI are going to become really useful especially for the installation of these ducts.  I believe that 3D printing and AI can potentially be used for the systems ducts.  Ecuador is a little behind in this industry and ducts are built manually from galvanized steel sheets.  This is really time consuming and labor intensive.  AI and robots can definitely be used in order to easy the process.  I am really looking forward for this technology to be applied in Ecuador. 

     

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.

B5 - Databases and Construction firms - Hamad Al-Hajri

What are the uses of databases in construction firms?
There are several reasons as to why databases should be utilized in construction companies. Though not all the reason may be illustrated below, however, I will focus on demonstrating an understanding of the importance associated with the use of the database in construction firms
1- Databases are good estimators of wealth, and when employed in construction firms, they enable the management of the company the opportunity to rates and them tendency to build up. This facilitates in the management the ability to have an overview of the scope of work that is underway or is to be taken. [1]

2- Databases are employed to ensure that firms are in a position to attain and maintain updated information appertaining to the project at hand. In construction companies, databases are used to enable the management to stand the opportunity to input their information to facilitate in them a check into the happenings that surrounds the project at hand. [1]
3- Through their use, databases enable firms to be in a position to understand the measures that must be put in place to improve their performance. When the appropriate considerations have been made, a construction firm attains the flexibility it desires to make the necessary estimations that facilitate in it the ability to improve its performance. [1]

4- Databases are used to measure the work that a construction firm is undertaking. With their application, and their ability to estimate the work at hand, a construction firm can understand the rates that are necessary to facilitate in it capacity to point out the measures that have to be taken to actually complete a project and with the right approximates to minimize losses. [1]

5- Databases are also used as an application to better help track materials and assortment of parts that are in office building. Furthermore, supervisors that are responsible of materials use databases to track complete project inventory and perform inventory-related transactions. Finally, through tracking, databases link items to bar coded labels that comprise all information necessary. [2]

Work Cited:

[1] Abdou, Alaa, Moh’d Radaideh, and John Lewis. "Decision Support Systems and Their Application in Construction." (2008). Print

 [2] Handheld Database Applications Solve Large Construction Problems. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2016. [http://www.syware.com/company/case_study/smb_pocket_sized_tools_solve_large_const.php]

Comments: 

Maria Ayon:

Thanks Maria for your post, I enjoyed reading through it. The most interesting part that I will need to read more on it, is database applications and its relation to office design and BIM software. Furthermore, I found the part on utilizing database in structural designing to be on point. I agree that using databases help tremendously with keeping information and utilize them later on when necessary.

Mohammed Al-Qallaf:

Great post Mohammed. It was very interesting to know that not only companies can incorporate the use of databases through PCs, but also in mobile devices and tablets! You are right, a great number of us have smartphones and with the technology developing everyday it makes thing easier to track. Furthermore, I also use AutoCAD viewer on my phone for a structural course I am taking and its enormously helpful. There are more advanced versions of AutoCAD, which can be found on the App store where you have to pay little to download, and it gives you the ability to do certain things.