William M Hayden JrAdjunct Assistant Professor| University at Buffalo, School of Management, Operations Management & StrategyBuffalo, Ny, United States
Rushing to embrace AI for engineering and construction,
prior to better understanding of AI’s challenges and opportunities
is not wise.
Q. What have you and/or your organization or university, society or association done to
first factually understand AI’s application for engineering and/or construction?
Cheers,
Bill
Saving Changes...
Start small to validate the technology at a theoretical level before the technology catches up with the theory.
It's similar to finite element analysis. The math existed long before it could be used for practical purposes due to the computational ability required for more than a few elements. Algorithms had to improve to break big problems into many smaller ones and computing technology had to improve to solve big problems on networks of computers rather than one giant computer.
Smaller models can be tested against reality before the problem gets overly-complex. Many engineering companies are currently experimenting with MBSE which serves as a framework for combining many views of some thing so that it may be evaluated at a system level where multiple interacting processes take place. AI can then be applied such as using by genetic algorithms to find the best fit of variables. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Bill, I do agree with Keith. We are starting to take baby steps, inspect and adapt. We are still in the very early stages of utilizing AI so don't have much feedback but we're adopting an agile approach when it comes to AI. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
While it depends on the technology you are using In construction project you are surrounded of AI. For example, inside the machines that construction workers are using to do the job. The same on engineering. And this is outside there from more than 30 years ago. I can write this because I was involved in real projects from long time ago. Saving Changes...
A lot of small projects within a construction project can be done by AI and verified by an Engineer.
Ex. designing a concrete slab for driveways. Saving Changes...
William M Hayden JrAdjunct Assistant Professor| University at Buffalo, School of Management, Operations Management & StrategyBuffalo, Ny, United States
Thanks for each of the responses!
But still, my question is not really answered.
"Q. What have you and/or your organization or university, society or association done to
first factually understand AI’s application for engineering and/or construction?"
<> Comment below from a non-tech contact:
"I see many people relying on AI to write everything known to man, typing up messages to others to have difficult conversations, solely relying on artificial outlets to communicate. Not good."
Cheers,
Bill Saving Changes...
Using AI for generative structural design is an example. "Build a shape that connects Part A to Part B with the following structural characteristics and optimized for minimum weight."
The design and fabrication tools have been in development for decades. Test coupon size parts are created and evaluated first, some in-house and some through university grants. 3D printing had to develop in parallel to move from plastic samples to metals because AI shapes can be impossible to machine using traditional methods. The FEM mesh developed using AI is verified with destructive testing.
Now production parts for for very specific applications can be designed using AI, printed using various material types, and substantiated using numerical analysis without destructive testing. That paves the way for expansion in more applications as the price-point improves. Saving Changes...
William M Hayden JrAdjunct Assistant Professor| University at Buffalo, School of Management, Operations Management & StrategyBuffalo, Ny, United States
Thanks again Keith for your patience with my questions.
And while I do NOT know of the actual work you describe,
I still ask the questions as originally posted.
Seems you want us to know that in the case you present,
what I suggest is not required.
Cheers,
Bill
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1 reply by Keith Novak
May 03, 2024 11:39 AM
Keith Novak
...
William,
If my answer didn't hit the mark, then I would reconsider your question. I both described in theory and practice how we validated the basics in a controlled lab environment to explore the technology applications before actually scaling up to production application and laying the groundwork for future applications. It seems like you had a desired answer in your mind, but mind reading isn't engineering.
Regards
Keith.
Thanks again Keith for your patience with my questions.
And while I do NOT know of the actual work you describe,
I still ask the questions as originally posted.
Seems you want us to know that in the case you present,
what I suggest is not required.
Cheers,
Bill
William,
If my answer didn't hit the mark, then I would reconsider your question. I both described in theory and practice how we validated the basics in a controlled lab environment to explore the technology applications before actually scaling up to production application and laying the groundwork for future applications. It seems like you had a desired answer in your mind, but mind reading isn't engineering.
Regards
Keith. Saving Changes...
William M Hayden JrAdjunct Assistant Professor| University at Buffalo, School of Management, Operations Management & StrategyBuffalo, Ny, United States
Thanks Keith!
Re: "If my answer didn't hit the mark, then I would reconsider your question."
Or, perhaps, you might note I asked:
"first factually understand AI’s application for engineering and/or construction?"
My question and experiences never included work within "a controlled lab environ."
Cheers,
Bill Saving Changes...
Bill: In the engineering world, exploring technology for capability and potential applications often begins in the lab. That includes computer science just like mechanical domains.
Regards,
Keith Saving Changes...
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