New Technologies and Innovation in Construction - Research Proposal Example

New technologies and innovation in construction This proposal is effectively looking into the new technologies that can be used to improve the architectural designs in the establishment of the new office and teaching space in the university. There are several technological advancements in construction that can make the structure modern, create a reference point for other designs in future and make the structure a monument of ingenuity. New technologies mean new problems if not properly managed by the users. Therefore, this proposal is going to look into the intricacies of the suggested new technologies. In general, the proposal will review the use of the new technology factoring out the advantages, disadvantages, how to use, features of the new products, manufacturing details, importance, durability and more. Building Information Modeling (BIM) The use of building information modeling is a new approach in design and documentation in building projects. Building It focuses on the entire building, design and operation process the project accumulates. Information: It incorporates the building information and its lifecycle Modeling This is simulation of the building, the delivery and operations with the use of integrated tools. Advantages It provides a 3D dimension and volume of a building that can be exported for further analysis. Secondly, the use of BIM is refined when it comes to phases of the project. The use of BIM is effective for fast remodeling of building. In many cases it is a tool that assists the architects to achieve the LEED points required. It is a flexible system that allows changes to be applied easily making it easy to rectify the mistakes made in projects. BIM allows teams to look into projects from different lenses like, the structural, electrical, mechanical, architectural and mechanicals points of analysis. Disadvantages This tool does not necessarily compute every angle for the engineer. There are points where manual disaggregation is required in order to refine the material estimates. For instance, a reinforcement wall, or a wall with wooden studs, insulation and gypsum plasters boards require manual disaggregation into individual products. BIM is a strong tool to use in the project modeling and guarantees immediate progress in the structural, mechanical, architectural and electrical design of the building. With this in the project the estimates and accuracy of the building will be uncompromised. BIM guarantees workflows, project moving forward more predictably, satisfaction, accuracy, improved outcomes and innovation. Many reviews have shown that the use of BIM in projects promote sustainability through speedy implementation, enhanced reporting, and accuracy. Moreover the use of BIM reveals the .conflicts between systems making it easier to know what does not work with the other (see fig 1). This tool dissects the project into sections making it easy to make predictions of the needed materials and construction progress Fig.1 BIM technology will be used in the proposed building to provide information management of the project. Information management of the project means delivery, execution and strategy coordination of the project entirely. Visualization, clash detection and building design are some of the tasks that BIM will assist to help the in the completion of the proposed building. During the project BIM will be used for the purpose of programming and massing studies. BIM technology has replaced the traditional shop drawings which makes it a resourceful tool for the production of the building. Moreover, BIM can easily be tailored for forensic analysis to graphically exemplify probable failures, leaks, or evacuation plans, based on the perceived calamities that can happen to the building. BIM promises and delivers many advantages as a single source of construction information for instance; • Elevations, plans, and section drawings, generated as “views” from a particular design model, are always dependable • Dexterity of building objects designed across diverse disciplines in a single model resolves clashes in the design elements. • Ample window, door, room, and equipment schedules related with the structure are easily rendered and updated with any change to the model • it is easy to make additional information available throughout the design, procurement and building of the proposed structure while making it serve as a living record for the operations that will occur during the lifecycle of the project and maintenance. Below is an example of a breakdown of the building analysis. Energy Wide ranging lighting systems design for new buildings and major renovations are essential for the project since they go beyond simply replacing the lamps of the traditional fixtures. The use of modern fits for the lighting systems in the premises being brought up should complement layout in aesthetics, how lighting layout and technology control other building systems. When looking into the lighting aspect of the building, light levels appropriate to each appliance and location consistency of the light, the available daylight, glare, safety and the total operation of lighting and more need to be included since the overhead cost will reflect in the years to come. Ample lighting plan can exploit energy savings and supply better comfort, wellbeing and efficiency for occupants. In this project the proposed lighting system is the placement of the pendant hung fixtures, which can be placed in both high and low-medium ceiling heights in offices and lecture rooms. They are also energy efficient compared to the phased out T12s. This lighting system reduces the cost by 45% as compared to the traditional lighting systems. Moreover, this system uses LEDs which promise 50,000- 100,000 light hours. It has a color rendering index of 80-85 and a temperature of K3000 to 6500. This fittings will be fit for some areas and different fittings will be placed in the offices. Benefits They are low cost and maintenance proficient. Moreover they are long lasting therefore the building will have return the initial cost before replacement of the entire system. They have improved lighting uniformity over the older. Nonelectrical HID. They can use occupancy and other lighting controls like instant on. Can occupy high ceiling areas (>15ft) making it possible to fit for the lecture halls. Cool roofing During summer the surrounding of an area can be 6-8 degrees cooler than the areas where buildings exist. This effect is known as urban heat island. The use of cool roofing materials and pavements, and vegetation around a building can reduce the heat island effect, save energy, and decrease the smog formation. This innovation will save energy and save money in the long- run (see fig 2). When choosing a roof and it is important to look into solar reflectance and thermo emittance are two important radiative properties to consider. Advantages The use of cool roofing system increase the efficiency in buildings by reducing the demand for air conditioning and decreases the greenhouse gases emissions hence the energy demand is reduced dramatically. Moreover, the use of this roofing system will enable the building blend to the surrounding. Cool roofs can cause the climate change to slow down since the heat the earth absorbs is reduced making surface temperatures lower. This will in turn reduce the flow of heat into the atmosphere offsetting the warming created by the greenhouse gases. Fig 2 Disadvantages Increased need for warming in winter. During winter months, cool roofs increase the need for heating power in cold climates. Nevertheless, in winter the sun stays low, the days are short, and the skies are often cloudy, limiting the amount of rays presented to a roof. In a study conducted by the Heat Island Group indicates that in the United States, this winter heating consequence is in general small judging against to the summer cooling advantage (see fig 3).Additionally, note that if a roof is covered with snow, the color of the roofing product doesnt matter — the roofs surface will be white. Another penalty the roofs have is the glare they produce and may cause disturbance to neighboring buildings taller as compared to them. This situation can however be solved by the use of nonwhite roofs that cut out the glare. Fig. 3 Courting nature in design Before there was structural design, ancient humans were absorbed in nature, on which they were unswervingly reliant for food, water, and shelter-in short, basic endurance. In the millennia since then, the civilizations have developed more expedient, easy means for finding these essentials, but the evolution away from a mental dependence on the natural world is yet to happen, an affinity recognized as "biophilia." Evidence display payback in physical and mental health credited to contact with environment. Sustainable design can be biophilic, and vice versa, since both relate to normal systems and resources. When designing a biophilic a structure it may include day lighting, natural materials, organic forms, natural ventilation, access to flora and visual diversity and views to nature both inside and outside. This idea is closely tied to energy conservation and renewable energy conservation and renewable material. A vegetated roof for instance limits the ambient heat buildup and decreases the storm water runoff. It can also be a garden and views of nature. Natural ventilation can reduce the cooling loads in the building and, the air moving equipment while at the same time providing fresh air. Cautiously shaded glazing provides heat and light to the building without overheating or glare, at the same time bestowing on interior spaces with the subtle periodical changes in the color fill and quality of light. Thermally massive walls that re combined with glazing that selectively filters heat and light for passive solar design can ape the cited biophilic amenity of panorama and protection. That which was once a seen as a matter of survival in the beginning of human knowledge will now be produced as a sensational of comfort and refuge. This will promote lack of anxiety and stress in the structures. A perfect example is that used in the design of Cornell University redefining the concept of college green. The university has vegetated roofs on the students pavilions making is more comfortable in the learning of students, greater productivity in workers and the well being of the entire school. If the design captures the qualities of the environment without danger and discomfort to the population it will be the epitome of green architectural designs (see fig 4). Because of its tremendous implications on the human development and psychology, biophilic designs play a vital role in design and healthy environments delivery. In the proposed building the use of biophilic designs will assist contain many flaws especially in its physical spaces. The offices will have a stress free environment that will accelerate the professional performance in the university. In one well known study by Ulrich et al showed the benefits of using biophilic designs in the healthcare system. It showed that patients who were subjected to biophilic design structures had a shorter stay in the facilities. This aspect when utilized in the proposed design will guarantee a restorative response in the university. Cool Data centers Data centers primary purpose is to house, operate, and maintain the information the university’s technology equipment. For that matter, the centers will run 24/7 year round making the university consume 100-200 times the amount of energy per square foot. With this knowledge it is pre-emptive to make sure that the proposed building has a data center cool enough to make sure the information in the university is stored in a stable atmosphere. In the centers, it is possible to adopt the fiber optics with a twist in the transfer of information in the center. For the data centers, light peak fiber optic cables will be incorporated for the center. This will increase the transfer speed which runs at 10gb/sec,. Moreover the components will be less expensiveand lighter-weight than the traditional fiber-optic products. A new incorporation in the data center is the submerged liquid cooling and horizontal racks. This works with a new coolant known as the green DEF made out of mineral oil and is confirmed nontoxic will be the agent of the technology. The liquid will be circulating through the nodes ensuring there is constant temperature in the computing nodes. Installing the cooling system is expected to make sure there is 30 to 40% savings as compare to the traditional air-cooled centers. Despite the fact that the setup costs are alleviated the return is significantly high after the installation as compared to air cooling (see fig 5). The entire cost is reduced by the reduced use of generators, ups, chillers, and so on since they would not be used as often in the cooling of the centers. Another privilege the cooling system presents is the fact that the cost of the liquid is significantly low and is not electrically conductive like water. Below is an illustration of the comparison of smart design like liquid cooling and business as usual plans. Therefore the use of this technology will increase the productivity of the data centers and reduce the ineffective use of energy in the data centers. Justification for the use of the above innovations BIM Effective use of BIM has the prospective to eradicate enormous waste in the construction that results from the duplication of effort collecting, crafting project and building entropy several times over the lifecycle of a building. In addition, the use of BIM has always resulted in saving up to 15% of the cost of construction. This is as a result of detecting the intricacies in the construction earlier and making necessary adjustments to suit the needed changes. Moreover the use of beam detects mistakes virtually making it possible to make arrangement beforehand. These benefits are so compelling that the UK and US governments have authorized the use of BIM on government building projects. Using BIM, architects and engineer also have the opportunity to enhance model green designs. Factors such as environment, efficiency evaluations of fixtures and energy utilization patterns can now be investigated far more promptly and precisely and above all, the breakdown can be eligible for government discounts which can considerably reduce the cost of the modeling. Energy The use of the above energy innovations guarantee cost effective consumption and return on investment in the long-run. Above all the use of energy effective innovation in the proposed building will make sure there is enough environmental conservancy which in turn makes the entire project an overall conservation success. The use of natural ventilations for instance, guarantees that the building save on energy used by the electrical air moving equipment in the building. The overall energy innovation in the building will give the students a contributing environment that will enable their learning prospects prosper with comfort and well being. With combination of other technology energy conservation in the building will see new levels of sustenance and profitability. Courting nature to the design In a study to observe cost reduction strategies on energy costs, Wal-Mart built a model store using natural daylight in one half of the store and was amazed to find that sales per square foot were considerably enhanced in the day lit area. This is of designing with one of the benefit of designing with nature. This shows that people to move towards biophilic environments. In the proposed building the use of nature will enhance the learning environment and increase productivity in the staff and students. Biophilic design strategy utilized in the proposed in the interior environments will incorporate day lighting which makes it more appealing to the users. 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