Virtual 3D Modeling of Two Historic Barns in Bulloch County, GA (One Northwest of Statesboro and the Botanic Garden Barn)

This service-learning work is part of a larger project consisting in laser scanning and producing virtual, three-dimensional, computer-based, detailed models of eight (8) historic barns in Bulloch County, GA. The resulting spatial models (point clouds) will assist in the historical preservation of these now delicate and aging structures. In particular, this authoring group of students are currently working and focusing on two of those eight barns: (i) Dave & Carrie Welter’s Mule Barn, near the Northwest side of Statesboro, and (ii) Dan Bland’s Barn at Georgia Southern University Botanic Garden. After completion, the models will be donated to Dr. Brent W. Tharp who represents both, the Bulloch County Historical Society and the Georgia Southern Museum. This project gave our Civil Engineering and Construction team an opportunity to assist and serve our community in a service learning format while understanding and learning state-of-the-art laser scanning techniques

Roof Design Efficiency for Energy Consumption in Residential Units

This project investigates roof efficiency designs in the southeastern United States homes by creating a workflow for efficient roofing design. For this purpose, multiple 3D models are generated with different floorplan sizes and lower roof heights from the original pitch. This is done to find the most effective pitch in cost and performance, while still satisfying codes and local regulations. A Building Information Modeling (BIM) software package from Autodesk (Revit) is employed in this process along with an add-on, Metal-Wood-Framer (MWF), to create detailed models of the involved structures. Then, due to its compatibility with Revit and its parametric energy analysis, the Autodesk Insight platform was selected to further analyze the models. Results from Autodesk Insight provided information on Energy Use Intensity (EUI) and cost mean while comparing against Architecture 2030 and ASHRAE 90.1 standards. The RS Means catalog was employed to estimate the cost of roof construction. In the modified models, the cost of roof construction is lower than in the original models because less material is needed. However, findings indicate that, in the modified models, the EUI and cost mean is higher than in the original models, which may be due to heat gain/losses and lack of ventilation