Integrating rules of modular coordination to improve model authoring in BIM

As the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) becomes pervasive and its level of application matures, the need to incorporate domain-specific knowledge in BIM authoring tools is also increasing. Rule-based scripts that assist and guide the modeller in model authoring are needed to enhance the level of usage of BIM. The authors developed a framework for incorporation of rule-driven domain knowledge into BIM authoring tools. With the objective of customizing the modelling process using a set of rules, the approach presented in this paper combines rules of modular coordination in prefabricated building with BIM. Modular coordination, a dimensional coordination system for sizing and placing building elements within a three-dimensional (3D) reference system, is translated into rules that are incorporated into the BIM authoring tool through object-level and process-level interventions. The study explores various options of parametric modelling for integration of identified modular coordination rules. The aim of integrating modular coordination rules is to assist the user during the modelling process. The proposed approach has the potential of reducing inconsistencies and time spent in modelling and documentation allowing the designer to spend more effort on value-adding design tasks. With the help of a case study and an experiment, capabilities of the proposed framework are demonstrated and validated

Rule base reasoning in the knowledge-based mould design system

U članku se prikazuje parametarski, modularni, integrirani CAD/CAE sustav za konstruiranje kalupa, temeljen na značajkama. Predloženi sustav integrira Pro/E s izvorno razvijenim modulom za izračunavanje parametara injekcijskog prešanja, parametara kalupa i izbor kalupa. Sučelje koristi parametarske CAD/CAE značajke iz tipsko-orijentirane baze podataka, što doprinosi jednostavnijem procesu konstruiranja, uređivanja i izmjene podataka. S obzirom na prethodno istraživanje, članak prikazuje mogućnost modeliranja sustava primjenom pravila. U članku se još predstavlja popis inženjerskih metoda koje su se koristile za gradnju sustava zasnovanog na znanju, a metoda zaključivanja na osnovu pravila proizvodnje predstavlja se detaljnije.This paper describes knowledge-based oriented, parametric, modular, and feature-based integrated CAD/CAE system for mould design. The proposed system integrates Pro/E system with developed original module for calculation of parameters of injection moulding and mould design calculation and selection. The system interface uses parametric and CAD/CAE feature-based database to make the process of design, editing, and reviewing smoother. An example is provided to demonstrate our approach in rule-based representation. Also presented the lists of KBE techniques used for building the knowledge-based system and especially production rules reasoning

Modular Coordination and BIM: Development of Rule Based Smart Building Components

The introduction of computing tools to Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) industry has enabled the professionals to navigate successfully from traditional design/drafting to Computer Aided Design/Drafting (CADD). Furthermore, the industry is slowly transitioning towards sophisticated Building Information Modelling (BIM), which necessitates the integration of domain specific knowledge into the BIM authoring tools. The approach presented in this paper elucidates the development of rule-based BIM objects which allows a designer to create building models within the rules of Modular Coordination (MC). With this development, a designer will be able to use MC standards to size and locate building objects in a modular reference frame. Integration of rules of MC with BIM authoring tool will enhance the design process and allow designers to automate some complex modelling/documentation activities requiring no design expertise. The development of rule-based BIM objects exploits the parametric modelling capabilities of BIM authoring tools in addition to visual programming tool to automate the modelling process. The research first explains development of rule based BIM objects which is extended to streamline the overall design process. The presented approach discusses the customization of BIM authoring tool for modelling a residential facility in MC using axial planning of structural elements. In the prototype system, the designer is guided by specific rules and constraints while providing sufficient options to develop variegated configuration. The integration of design rules of MC standards with BIM application will be influential to increase radical use of BIM for built environment especially in the prefabrication industry. © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Assume-Guarantee Testing

Verification techniques for component-based systems should ideally be able to predict properties of the assembled system through analysis of individual components before assembly. This work introduces such a modular technique in the context of testing. Assume-guarantee testing relies on the (automated) decomposition of key system-level requirements into local component requirements at design time. Developers can verify the local requirements by checking components in isolation; failed checks may indicate violations of system requirements, while valid traces from different components compose via the assume-guarantee proof rule to potentially provide system coverage. These local requirements also form the foundation of a technique for efficient predictive testing of assembled systems: given a correct system run, this technique can predict violations by alternative system runs without constructing those runs. We discuss the application of our approach to testing a multi-threaded NASA application, where we treat threads as components

Designing for Mass Customization Housing through Generative Design

This research proposal aims to investigate computational design strategies for sustainable, affordable, and more equitable housing. The study will focus on the use of generative design tools, such as parametric modeling, rule-based modeling, and optimization, to aid architects and designers in creating custom housing complexes for single families in small and medium urban lots. The goal is to develop a computational method that considers sustainability, affordability, and long-term usage parameters to create housing designs that meet the desired spatial qualities. The research question asks how generative design tools can support designers in approaching affordable housing given the increasing demand for it. The study will explore a modular grid-based design approach to ensure consistency and alignment and establish connections between individual spaces to form a complete house floor plan. The proposed research will consider site constraints and analyze existing buildings, trees, and zoning regulations to tailor the aggregation system. The stochastic aggregation component will generate numerous floor plans, and the optimization component will cherry-pick specific floor plans based on the requirements to evaluate the most suitable floor plans for any given scenario

Designing for Mass Customization Housing through Generative Design

This research proposal aims to investigate computational design strategies for sustainable, affordable, and more equitable housing. The study will focus on the use of generative design tools, such as parametric modeling, rule-based modeling, and optimization, to aid architects and designers in creating custom housing complexes for single families in small and medium urban lots. The goal is to develop a computational method that considers sustainability, affordability, and long-term usage parameters to create housing designs that meet the desired spatial qualities. The research question asks how generative design tools can support designers in approaching affordable housing given the increasing demand for it. The study will explore a modular grid-based design approach to ensure consistency and alignment and establish connections between individual spaces to form a complete house floor plan. The proposed research will consider site constraints and analyze existing buildings, trees, and zoning regulations to tailor the aggregation system. The stochastic aggregation component will generate numerous floor plans, and the optimization component will cherry-pick specific floor plans based on the requirements to evaluate the most suitable floor plans for any given scenario

Towards an Aspect-Oriented Design and Modelling Framework for Synthetic Biology

Work on synthetic biology has largely used a component-based metaphor for system construction. While this paradigm has been successful for the construction of numerous systems, the incorporation of contextual design issues—either compositional, host or environmental—will be key to realising more complex applications. Here, we present a design framework that radically steps away from a purely parts-based paradigm by using aspect-oriented software engineering concepts. We believe that the notion of concerns is a powerful and biologically credible way of thinking about system synthesis. By adopting this approach, we can separate core concerns, which represent modular aims of the design, from cross-cutting concerns, which represent system-wide attributes. The explicit handling of cross-cutting concerns allows for contextual information to enter the design process in a modular way. As a proof-of-principle, we implemented the aspect-oriented approach in the Python tool, SynBioWeaver, which enables the combination, or weaving, of core and cross-cutting concerns. The power and flexibility of this framework is demonstrated through a number of examples covering the inclusion of part context, combining circuit designs in a context dependent manner, and the generation of rule, logic and reaction models from synthetic circuit designs

A Modular Programmable CMOS Analog Fuzzy Controller Chip

We present a highly modular fuzzy inference analog CMOS chip architecture with on-chip digital programmability. This chip consists of the interconnection of parameterized instances of two different kind of blocks, namely label blocks and rule blocks. The architecture realizes a lattice partition of the universe of discourse, which at the hardware level means that the fuzzy labels associated to every input (realized by the label blocks) are shared among the rule blocks. This reduces the area and power consumption and is the key point for chip modularity. The proposed architecture is demonstrated through a 16-rule two input CMOS 1-μm prototype which features an operation speed of 2.5 Mflips (2.5×10^6 fuzzy inferences per second) with 8.6 mW power consumption. Core area occupation of this prototype is of only 1.6 mm 2 including the digital control and memory circuitry used for programmability. Because of the architecture modularity the number of inputs and rules can be increased with any hardly design effort.This work was supported in part by the Spanish C.I.C.Y.T under Contract TIC96-1392-C02- 02 (SIVA)