B7 - Group D - Ayon

This course gave me insight not only on the newest technological advances in the construction and design industries, but also made me look at things differently. After looking at the key term Professor Mitchell introduced at the beginning of the course (BIM, database, sensors, 3D printing, etc.) you see there is much more there to an intelligent building. The importance of these key terms goes beyond simple definition understating, therefore we were required to do several class projects and write blogs to further enhance out knowledge.

Through the weekly blogs, we were given a specific topic and we had to analyze this topic in relation to BIM, always looking for limitations and advantages. Providing sources was an excellent way to go out of the box, in my opinion, since it made us look for current applications of that topic and compare it to the future. I personally felt curious after writing a blog about robotics, therefore I decided to do my research paper on that.

Also, we had larger projects to complete through the term allowing us to put into practice the definitions we had learned about the key terms. For instance, creating a database using Microsoft Access made me look at the importance of databases and more importantly, how they work. It was a challenging task for me since it was the first time I was creating a database, but it made realize and understand the importance of applying this in the real world. A construction project would run easier and smoother with this application, as not only material properties and specifics would be in the database, but also cost information, schedule, constriction plans, and even contractors information.

Taking these course made me realize there is more out there than simple sketched done through AutoCAD, that there is a whole intelligent world created with the intend to facilitate the job of the engineers, architects and designers. In the future, I hope to get further knowledge on these applications and put them into practice. Technology is something that will keep changing through the years, and us as Engineers need to be able to adapt to what is new out there and willing to implement these new technologies to our work.    

B6: AE 510 Reflection - Danielle Beynon (Group D)

As we get close to reaching the end of the term, I can happily say that Intelligent Buildings has been a worthwhile course. I originally chose to take this course because the topic sounded interesting, and my initial expectations were certainly fulfilled. Not only did I learn about intelligent software for building design, but I also learned how intelligence has been (and currently is) applied to other building aspects such as sensors and construction robotics.

AE 510 has had a positive effect on my profession in several ways. The most important way in which this course has been useful to my profession is that I have gained significant knowledge in BIM software. My previous co-op, to which I will be returning in the spring, involved structural design and the use of AutoCAD and Revit to create foundation and framing plans. I learned about the drawing tools and some structural features in Revit while on co-op, but I learned even more Revit functionalities and the “behind-the-scenes” aspects of the program from taking this course. Creating families and learning how families are retrieved in databases were highly beneficial aspects. Also, I am learning how multiple Revit system models are integrated while working on the final project. Having these skills are helpful to my structural design profession.

Another aspect of the course that I thoroughly enjoyed was the guest lecture portion. It is one thing to discuss among classmates what is happening in the building industry, but having spokespeople from various companies come to class and talk in detail about their personal experiences is highly worthwhile and rewarding. The variety of guest lecturers was also great, since it allowed for an introduction to a wide range of career paths and I was able to see how each person applies the skills and knowledge that we obtain in class to their everyday lives.

Looking ahead to the future, I can apply skills obtained in AE 510 so that I can think more innovatively and acknowledge technological advances in society. Aside from the useful BIM aspects of the course, I have learned to appreciate how far technology has come in the field of buildings. It is even more impressive that technology is evolving every single day, and sometimes this innovation can go unnoticed. I believe that as engineering students, we are all capable of aiding in the future of intelligent building, whether it be with coming up with new improvements or by implementing the existing software to produce models that are appealing to generations to come. Personally, I will apply the intelligent aspects of this course to my future in the engineering field.

Comments:

1) http://ae-510-ay15-16.blogspot.com/2016/02/b2-dianna-vogel-reflection-post.html

Dianna,

I agree that AE510 has exposed us to topics that are directly useful to our future careers in structural engineering, as well as topics that could potentially help us if the opportunity arises. I definitely will use the family tools and other Revit functionalities in my profession, so I am grateful that a section of this class involved Revit and discussion about other BIM software. I do not predict that I will use databases much in my profession but like you said, if it does happen, I will at least have a background in how they work and how they are initiated. I liked how the class topics were broad since I think it made us more well-rounded students in the building technology field.

2) http://ae-510-ay15-16.blogspot.com/2016/02/b6-group-b-alex-palma.html

Alex,
I, too, believe that AE510 has helped in preparing me for the professional world. With the skills and knowledge that we have obtained in BIM software, databases, and sensors, we now have a wide range of building technology traits that will help us in the future. With the information and advice that we have received from listening to guest speakers talk about their real-world experiences in the industry, we have gained more professional pointers than I would have ever imagined when signing up to take this course. I will certainly take many aspects of this course and apply them to my future career in structural engineering; just the way of thinking innovatively itself is something that I will keep with me.

B5: Group C - Mridul Chulet

In simple definition object oriented databases are databases that stores their contents as objects. Furthermore, they support the modelling and creation of data stored as objects. As the name suggests, the fundamental feature of Object oriented databases is allowing the definition of items, which are not the same as expected database objects [1]. Objects, in an object oriented database, reference the capacity to add to an object, then characterize and name it. The object can then be referenced, or called later, as a unit without getting into its complexities [2]. The same can be noticed in objects used in object-oriented programming . 

For example, a car engineer is a perfect example for Object oriented database. An engine is made up of several components: the main cylinder block, the exhaust system, intake manifold, etc [3]. But, when all of these components are combined altogether they form an engine. Similarly, when writing a program one can characterize a several segments, for instance, a vertical line intersecting a perpendicular horizontal line while both lines have a graded measurement [3]. This object can then later transformed into a diagram or a graph. 

There are several advantages of using object oriented database. First, it assures the system will enjoy longer life with small maintenance costs. The main reason for the long longevity is its behavior can be reused and implemented into new behaviors. Second, it allows real-world modeling. Objects are organized into classes of objects and there objects are associated with behaviors. The result is a model which is based on objects, rather than on data. Lastly, it provides improved reliability and flexibility than the existing systems because new behaviors can be built from the exciting objects [1]. As far the disadvantages are concerned, there are not much. The main disadvantage of object oriented database is that it is yet to be accepted by major companies and is not a technology [1].   

In conclusion, object oriented database approach will be really helpful when programming and processing tasks for intelligent building. One of the main reasons is the seamless integration of operating systems and AI expert system shells which in turn makes is easier to share data or software components or products.

References:

1)    http://ecomputernotes.com/database-system/adv-database/object-oriented-database-oodb

2)    http://searchoracle.techtarget.com/definition/object-oriented-database-management-system

3)    https://www.techopedia.com/definition/8639/object-oriented-database

    
 Comments:
 

Hamad Al-Hajri,
I really enjoyed reading your post and how you separately wrote of brief description of uses of databases in construction firms. All the statements you wrote are correct and make sense. I really like how databases are good estimators of wealth, construction time, track materials and performance. It will not only help save time, but it will also help check for errors or avoid any mistakes. But, object oriented approach is yet to be accepted by the major firms. Overall your post was concise and provided with helpful information.

Hatim Amiji,

        Great post. I had no idea about SQL and its importance before reading your post. I completely agree with your view point towards SQL. I feel like SQL helps to define relational databases models easily and helps to explicitly define the relationships. This will make it easier for architects and engineers to extract data and use the data from AutoCad or REVIT databases. Overall, I really enjoyed reading your article and it was very informative.