880 research outputs found
Sort by
PROGENY: A GRASSHOPPER PLUG-IN THAT AUGMENTS CELLULAR AUTOMATA ALGORITHMS FOR 3D FORM EXPLORATIONS
Get PDFCellular automata (CA) is a well-known computation method introduced by John von Neumann and Stanislaw Ulam in the 1940s. Since then, it has been studied in various fields such as computer science, biology, physics, chemistry, and art. The Classic CA algorithm is a calculation of a grid of cells\u27 binary states based on neighboring cells and a set of rules. With the variation of these parameters, the CA algorithm has evolved into alternative versions such as 3D CA, Multiple neighborhood CA, Multiple rules CA, and Stochastic CA (Url-1). As a rule-based generative algorithm, CA has been used as a bottom-up design approach in the architectural design process in the search for form (Frazer,1995; Dinçer et al., 2014), in simulating the displacement of individuals in space, and in revealing complex relations at the urban scale (Güzelci, 2013). There are implementations of CA tools in 3D design software for designers as additional scripts or plug-ins. However, these often have limited ability to create customized CA algorithms by the designer. This study aims to create a customizable framework for 3D CA algorithms to be used in 3D form explorations by designers. Grasshopper3D, which is a visual scripting environment in Rhinoceros 3D, is used to implement the framework. The main difference between this work and the current Grasshopper3D plug-ins for CA simulation is the customizability and the real-time control of the framework. The parameters that allow the CA algorithm to be customized are; the initial state of the 3D grid, neighborhood conditions, cell states and rules. CA algorithms are created for each customizable parameter using the framework. Those algorithms are evaluated based on the ability to generate form. A voxel-based approach is used to generate geometry from the points created by the 3D cellular automata. In future, forms generated using this framework can be used as a form generating tool for digital environments
GENERATIVE DESIGN FOR A SUSTAINABLE URBAN MORPHOLOGY
Get PDFThe present work concerns the applications of generative design for sustainable urban fabric. This represents an iterative process that involves an algorithm for the generation of solar envelopes to satisfy solar and density constraints. We propose in this paper to explore a meta-universe of human-machine interaction. It aims to design urban forms that offer solar access. This being to minimize heating energy expenditure and provide solar well-being. We propose to study the impact of the solar strategy of building morphosis on energy exposure. It consists of determining the layout and shape of the constructions based on the shading cut-off time. This is a period of desirable solar access. We propose to define it as a balance between the solar irradiation received in winter and that received in summer. We rely on the concept of the solar envelope defined since the 1970s by Knowles and its many derivatives (Koubaa Turki & al., 2020). We propose a parametric model to generate solar envelopes at the scale of an urban block. The generative design makes it possible to create a digital model of the different density solutions by varying the solar access duration. The virtual environment created allows exploring urban morphologies resilient both to urban densification and better use of the context’s resources. The seasonal energy balance, between overexposure in summer and access to the sun in winter, allows reaching high energy and environmental efficiency of the buildings. We have developed an algorithm on Dynamo for the generation of the solar envelope by shading exchange. The program makes it possible to detect the boundaries of the parcels imported from Revit, establish the layout of the building, and generate the solar envelopes for each variation of the shading cut-off time. It also calculates the FAR[1] and the FSI[2] from the variation of the shading cut-off time for each parcel of the island. We compare the solutions generated according to the urban density coefficients and the solar access duration. Once the optimal solution has been determined, we export the results back into Revit environment to complete the BIM modelling for solar study. This article proposes a method for designing buildings and neighbourhoods in a virtual environment. The latter acts upstream of the design process and can be extended to the different phases of the building life cycle: detailed design, construction, and use
A NOVEL DESIGN-BASED OPTIMIZATION SOLUTION FOR BUILDING BY SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
Get PDFThe important objective of a building must be to provide a comfortable environment for people. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems provide a comfortable environment, but they are using high energy consumption, therefore, designing an energy-efficient building that balances energy performance and thermal comfort is necessary. To achieve this subject is important to choose the effective parameters for energy performance. This research aim is to produce a methodology for multi-objective optimization of daylight and thermal comfort in order to study the effect of wall material and shading of an office building (Tehran a basic-location). The building simulation was developed and validated by comparing predicted daylight hours and thermal comfort hour based on test and training on Jupiter Notebook (Anaconda3). The sensitivity analysis uses a multiple linear regression (MLR) method. Secondly, optimization is based on a genetic algorithm (GA) with the effective parameters to optimize the daylight and thermal comfort performance. For this, we developed a parametric model using the Grasshopper plugin for Rhino and then use Honeybee and Ladybug plugins to simulate thermal comfort and daylight, at the end use the Octopus engine to find an optimization solution. The result of this paper is essential as a preliminary analysis for shading devices, window-to-wall ratios, and wall construction optimization in the open-plan office
A PIXELS-BASED DESIGN APPROACH FOR PARAMETRIC THINKING IN PATTERNING DYNAMIC FAÇADES
Get PDFIn today’s Architectural design process, there has been considerable advancements in design computation tools that empowers designer to explore and configure the building façades schemes. However, one could formally argue that some processes are prescribed, lacks automation and are only for the purpose of visualizing the aesthetic design concepts. As a result, these design concept explorations are driven manually to exhibit variations between schemes. To overcome such limitations, the development presented here describes a proactive approach to incorporate parametric design thinking process and Building Information Modeling (BIM). This paper reports on an ongoing development in computational design and its potential application in exploring an interactive façade pattern. The objective is to present the developed approach for exploring façade patterns that responds parametrically to design-performance attractors. Examples of these attractors are solar exposure, interior privacy importance, and aesthetics. It introduces a paradigm-shift in the development of design tools and theory of parameterization in architecture. This work utilizes programming script to manipulate the logic behind placement of faced panels. The placement and sizes for the building facade 3D parametric panels react to variety of Analytical Image Data (AID) as a source for the design-performance data (e.g.: solar exposure, interior privacy importance, and aesthetics). Accordingly, this research developed the PatternGen(c) add-on in Autodesk ® Revit that utilizes a merge (or an overlay) of AID images as a source to dynamically pattern the building façade and generate the façade panels arrangement rules panels on the building exterior. This work concludes by a project case study assessment, that the methodology of applying AID would be an effective dynamic approach to patterning façades. A case-study design project is presented to show the use of the AID pixel-gradient range from Red, Green and Blue as information source value. In light of the general objectives in this study, this work highlights how future designers may shift to a hybrid design process
A CRYPTO-TWIN FRAMEWORK FOR THE AEC INDUSTRY - ENABLING DIGITAL TWINS WITH BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGIES
Get PDFThe paper describes a conceptual framework and the smart contract architecture for Crypto-Twins (CT) in the AEC industry, i.e. blockchain (BC) enabled digital twins. We describe the background, terminology of technologies involved, while the methodology follows design science research patterns to construct the framework and architecture of the Crypto-Twin. Further avenues for prototype development and validation of the framework are proposed in the conclusion
ADAPTING DIGITAL ARCHITECTURE VOCABULARY TO REFORMULATE GEOMETRIC COMPOSITIONS OF ISLAMIC FACADES - CASE STUDY: PROPOSED MODEL FOR ISLAMIC FAÇADE THROUGH DIGITAL VOCABULARY
Get PDFIslamic architectural facades characterized by many distinguished vocabularies that formed its character; as arches, ornaments, al-Muqarnas and mashrabeya etc. However, during the modern era, the Islamic heritage regions faced many changes and transformations of its character, either by new buildings that were built according to modern or unplanned styles, or by random and unplanned developments. However, recently and with the beginning of the twenty first century and with the great breakthrough in the digital tools and techniques, it facilitates new horizons in the architectural form generation. Accordingly, the research focuses on how to investigate the positive impacts of digital technologies on Islamic Architecture. In addition to how to utilize the digital thoughts, vocabulary, and techniques to create and develop a heritage inspired vocabulary that can compromise with the traditional Islamic architecture theme. Through this, the research aims to achieve a systemization of digital design strategies to facilitate the generation of Islamic-inspired façade, to create a new Islamic architecture that can be applied within Islamic heritage regions to connect the modern buildings which located in these regions with the existing Islamic reference. To achieve that, the research starts with studying and discussing the main elements that formed the Islamic facades, to stand on the methods of formations of each element and its function of the Islamic façade, whether it is an intrinsic function or aesthetic function. Consequently, standing on the main digital theories that lead to new architectural vocabulary that can homogenate with Islamic vocabulary, through studying the concept of each digital theory, accordingly how it can be applied theoretically to create a modern façade with an Islamic spirit. The research ends with a case study for a proposed modern building that resembles most of the recent buildings in Al-Azhar Islamic region in Cairo, and how through applying some selected digital theories can result in developing and renovating this facade to match the heritage Islamic surrounding in a new digital way
KNOWLEDGE AND MISCONCEPTIONS AMONG LEBANESE COMMUNITY ON IMMUNIZATIONS
Get PDFTwo centuries ago, immunization practices have become the greatest land mark in medical history as they significantly contributed to a decline in several major infectious diseases worldwide thus decreasing both the mortality and morbidity. Moreover, they have been able to eradicate small pox and eliminate poliomyelitis in most regions of the world. However, in recent years the general opinion towards vaccination began shifting due to the emergence of certain opposing views to it, questioning the vaccine\u27s safety and efficacy. This study aims to shed light on the vaccination status in Lebanon by assessing the knowledge, attitude, awareness, and misconceptions among the Lebanese community concerning immunization. This article was a descriptive cross-sectional study that enrolled 388 randomly selected adults in Lebanon. A 23-item questionnaire was distributed among the Lebanese population in Beirut, Mont Lebanon, North, South, Al Bekaa and Al Nabatieh. In total, 388 participants completed the questionnaire. 53.4% were females, and 60% reached the university level. 96.4% agreed to vaccinate their children. 92.5% believed that vaccination protects from diseases, and a significant relationship was found with educational level (p=0.026). Moreover, 96.9% believed that vaccination is safe in general, but we didn’t find any significant relation with their educational level (p=0.13). 73.5% believed that vaccines should not be given in certain health conditions. Only 2.8% thought that vaccination causes learning disabilities like autism with no significant association with educational level (p=0.264). 34.6% thought that it shouldn’t be given to pregnant women. 3.1% assumed that vaccination can cause chronic illnesses and a significant relation was established with their educational level (p=0.01). Furthermore, 8.8% of the participants presumed that natural infection is better than immunization and 15.5% said that better hygiene is actually responsible for decreasing infections and not vaccines. However, both were not significantly related to educational level with (p=0.517) and (p=0.170), respectively. The Lebanese population’s attitude towards immunization was found to be mostly positive with a few misconceptions that didn’t seem to affect their vaccination practice. What influenced their practice was their fear of side effects which may be due to untrustworthy sources of knowledge such as media and family members. Therefore, implementing an awareness system regarding vaccination would further improve the Lebanese population’s attitude towards this subject
BEIRUT ARAB UNIVERSITY - FACULTY OF ENGINEERING - NEWSLETTER ISSUE 1
Get PDFhttps://digitalcommons.bau.edu.lb/engnewsletter/1001/thumbnail.jp
HARASSMENT AND BULLYING (A STUDY IN THE LEBANESE AND EGYPTIAN PENAL CODE)
Get PDFThis research paper solves a new and very serious problem which is the possibility of considering the punitive penalty, that was selected by the Lebanese penal code and the Egyptian penal law for harassment crime and the bullying action, capable of achieving the criminal deterrence function and the deterrence function in a public figure. The problem was solved using a unique technique referred to the importance of cooperation between the humanitarian sciences to achieve an effective criminal policy that we can combat these crimes and actions through. On a specific level referred to the harassment and the bullying action, we have analyzed the legal concept of it, showing the reasons behind these actions by referring to criminal psychology theories and showing the results of these action; and according to this analysis we have listed the main conclusions talking about the base of these actions which is violence and how we can take steps of some effective preventive methods that can help in reducing this phenomenon. Also we listed some recommendations, between these comes the importance of community awareness of the danger behind these actions and the possibility of applying the alternative penalties , also working on creating treatment centers for the victims of these actions also establishing specific national committees that works on combating these crimes and actions
NURSES’ EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, BEHAVIOR AND THE MEDIATING ROLE OF JOB STRESS IN LEBANON
Get PDFThe aim of this paper is to examine the influence of emotional intelligence, namely self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and management’s relationship on the nurse’s behavior within the Lebanese context. It specifically examines the indirect effect of the nurses’ EI and its sub skills on behavior, exit, voice, loyalty, neglect, through the mediating role of job stress. A total sample of subjects consisted of 365 registered nurses actively working in the Lebanese hospitals during the COVID 19 period. Mediation was tested using Baron and Kenny (1986)’s framework. The findings demonstrate that the EI elements (Self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and management’s relationship) had a significant positive effect on nurses’ behavior. Another finding revealed the negative effect of emotional intelligence with the subskills, namely SA, SM, SoA, and SK, on job stress. In particular, SM was the most important factor in decreasing stress. Moreover, SM had a greater negative influence on job stress than SA did, followed RR and the least one is the SoA. In addition, the results proved the existence of the negative partial mediation of job stress among the four skills of emotional intelligence and behavior. This result highlights the importance of skills like emotional intelligence to maintain the good behavior of the nurses