The Relationship between Design and Engineering

ABSTRACT:

Digital Technology, or binary controlled ways of processing and storing data, provides for a common conversion of various problems into a single mode of operation. These were previously managed by separate consultancies, requiring laborious management and organizational investment. In other words, digital technology forms a common platform where many issues can be related to each other and be resolved using a common language, enabling a more diverse view. Both literally and metaphorically, the conversion of all languages into 0s and 1s allows for such an interaction.

The Finite Element Method has been developed over the second half of the last century and is being utilized with the emerging digital technologies in the analysis of many aspects of the design world. Programs such as AnSys and Abaqus are software based on the finite element method (FEM) applied to simulate many engineering issues ranging from the very basic to complicated non-linear questions. They are technologies that have been developed for the last 20 years and are ever changing to meet the engineering needs of today. This research will look into FEM as well as how it is used with the Abaqus software suite.

The suite consists of Abaqus/Standard, Abaqus/Explicit, and Abaqus/CAE. Abaqus Standard is applied to static, low-speed dynamic, or steady-state transport analisis; while Abaqus/Explicit may be applied to those portions of the analysis where high-speed, nonlinear, transient response dominates the solution. Using Abaqus CAE one can create geometry, import CAD models for meshing or integrate geometry - based meshes that do not have associated CAD geometry. Abaqus/CAE also offers comprehensive visualization options which enable users to interpret and communicate the results of any Abaqus analysis.

The software is used by engineers working in fields of aerospace, defense, automotive & transportation, industrial design, such as furniture and packaging (including both the design and the production process), high-tech, industrial equipment, service industry, shipbuilding, power process & petroleum industry, life sciences, and most certainly, in the field of architecture and construction. The program is quite limitless in its scope.

The broad range of uses of the FEM based software presents a notable point of integration between fields. One analysis of a field, such as industrial design, can raise questions in any number of other fields. With so many options of use the suite allows for an open dialogue between design fields, in a way becoming a tool of translation between the different domains of design and engineering. This exchange between different fields can create more efficient, safer and better overall designs in each of the involved fields.

This paper will make an in depth investigation of the Finite Element Method as well as how it is being used with software interfaces. The aim of the paper is to establish a dialogue between engineers and designers, with the objective of giving designers the basic information about the method and the technology so as to have more in productive conversations with engineers.

Research Beginings on the Finite Element Method

Specifically, the Finite Element Method or Finite Element Analysis is a system to take a complex problem and separate it into parts. From these smaller parts you can derive approximate solutions of each element and then combine the solutions and begin to a form an overall solution for the problem. The overall accuracy of FEA depends on the number of elements the problem was divided into, the assumptions made about the individual elements to derive a mathematical solution, and how the isolated elements were amalgamated into a coherent result.

Depending on the complexity of the problem there are steps for the finite method to follow so as to achieve the desired result, the more complex the problem, the more steps in the method. It is important to remember that much of finite element method can be defined in simple one-dimensional or two dimensional mechanical physics if the elements are divided properly1.

The first step is Idealization, or taking the problem and reducing the entire system into a simplified, physics model. In other words, taking the question and relating it to an already developed system of physics and mathematics.

The second step is Finite Element Discretization, decomposing the question into the required amount of elements to gain an accurate solution. Essentially this part is taking the mathematical or physics model that is used to represent the question and partitioning it into separate, more manageble parts.

Local Approximation or the Discrete Solution is the the third step. This is the mathematical portion of solving the individual parts by the sum of their forces (in mechanical physics models).

The final step is the Amalgamtion. This is taking all of the individual solutions and forming them into a single cohesive, overall solution. In other words, this is the assembly of all of the parts to answer the question.

It is important to note that there is a give and take relationship between step one and two as well as step two and three. If the mathematical model assumed to represent a part of the question is incorrect than the entire solution will also be incorrect, therefore it is important to be extremely precise in the suppositions made from step one to step two. On the other hand it is not always possible to know the specific amount of parts you need and the FE discretization step might need to be returned to on multiple occasions to gather the correct information needed. There is a certain amount of “guess and check” involved with the finite element method to gain a faithful solution.



FEM opens wide range of possibilities for architects and designers to analyze their projects before realization. Using softwares based on FEM one can predict how particular form will work and behave considering loads impact. One of the softwares based on the FEM is Abaqus.
Abaqus suite consist of Abaqus/Standard, Abaqus/Explicit, Abaqus/CAE. Abaqus Standard is applied to static, low-speed dynamic, or steady-state transport analisis; while Abaqus/Explicit may be applied to those portions of the analysis where high-speed, nonlinear, transient response dominates the solution. Using Abaqus CAE one can create geometry, import CAD models for meshing or integrate geometry – based meshes that don’t have associated CAD geometry.

The software is used by engeneers working in fields of aerospace & defense, automotive & transportation, industrial design such as furniture and packaging (including both the design and the production process), high-tech, industrial equipment, services industry, shipbuilding, power process & petroleum industry, life sciences, and of course in the field of architecture and construction.

The process of analysis using the Abaqus software is divided in three parts:
Phase 1 preprocessor, phase 2 processor, phase 3 postprocessor. All phases are described below.


Phase 1 preprocessor
The object of the preprocessor is to define the discrete model.
First the geometry which one wants to analyze, prepared in 3d (imported from other software as .stl or .igs file, or created in Abaqus) is simplified to the physical model. To get the discrete model one has to defined all the data such as mesh definition, material data, loads for the physical model. Those decisions influent on the precision and time taken for calculations of the part 2.
Finally one gets the input file (.inp) - text file - which contains the numerical description of the model.

The model is defined by:
ß geometry: defined by mesh based on the finite elements
Library of Abaqus let the user choose from 200-300 kinds of elements which will create the mesh from the analyzed surface. It is possible to change the size and amount of elements, it means the density of the mesh.

ß element section properties: complement information about geometry

ß material data

ß loads and boundary conditions

Two typical loads are: the concentrated load ( force [N] ) which defines the force impact on particular point of the mesh and the distribution load (pressure [Pa] ) which defines the pressure on the area of the mesh.

Boudary conditions define degrees of freedom for the geometry. Each point of the geometry has six degrees of freedom – three transitions and three rotations, considering x, y ,z axis.

ß kind of analysis : static (in Abaqus/Standard )or dynamic (in Abaqus/Explicit)


Phase 2 processor
It is the phase of calculations based on the input file. Adequate procedures are activated and the task is accomplished.
The program informs user of any problem or mistake of the input file. Some typical mistakes are “comma” instead of “dot” or “o” instead of “zero”.
Considering the complexity of the analysis the processor phase can take from few seconds up to several hours.
Outcome of the processor is described as text file or binary file.

Phase 3 postprocessor
That is the final part. It transforms the result of calculations into visual file such as pictures or animation. Abaqus/CAE also offers comprehensive visualization options which enable users to interpret and communicate the results of any Abaqus analysis.
The postprocessor part is really important considering communication between engineer and architect or designer, and communication between them and the client.

Architectural Glazing Technologies: Customizing for the Masses in Practice.

How do you pretension a cable-supported skylight with over 41,000 pounds of pressure to provide the required structural support? You talk to Architectural Glazing Technologies, a design and manufacturing firm in Waterboro, Maine, USA. They have worked with the likes of Gehry and Rafael Vinoly, but also work with anyone who needs to do anything with glass from a simple window wall to the answer of the fore-mentioned question. They are an innovative firm who are willing to take big risks in design and manufacturing.

There contributions to the idea of mass customization include an online program where you can design and get a price quote almost instantaneously for a skylight. E-Skylight is a system where you can design any number of combinations of skylights using standardized pieces, from a 12 sided polygon with 15 degrees of pitch to 12 pyramid skylights with 45 degrees of pitch. Then they will give you the plans, sections, data sheets and a price quote for the project, all for free and the entire process of designing one skylight from beginning to end takes less than 10 minutes.

This idea of quick, thorough design straight to the manufactured product epitomizes mass customization. For mass customization to be a successful endeavour there must be seamless flow from idea, to design, to manufacturing, to construction. If there are glitches in the process the system breaks down, becoming more akin to customized production, and therefore slower and more expensive. E-skylight is a system which embodies this idea of a multitude of design options based on mass produced, simplified pieces. The modular system of the production of aluminium supports in the case of e-skylight creates possibilities for individual, inexpensive designs; mass customization.

Mass customization is an idea being driven more by the industry than academics. It’s frequently observed that radical innovations and research work being conducted outside school. This is primarily because task involves huge investment and technical expertise. Working under strict prescribed conditions as per law, licensing such ideas and getting patents also required meticulous work. More over it has evolved from the popular idea of mass-production, which now is being enriched. In a way, to understand modularity in terms of parameters reveals possible alterations that can generate customized iterations. The idea is viable commercially and suits consumer needs.

Digital technology, both is design and data processing has enabled mass customisation, primarily by introducing parametric-city for control in simulation which has completely removed the need for prototypes (hence removing labour cost while still maintaining standards). Simulation being the key to this process, interface comes as a close second most important aspect in allowing this mass-customization process to be accepted by masses. User friendly interface enables commercial success which is of prime importance to continue interest in this philosophy. Advertising strategies combined with digi-tech have generated some pretty interesting interfaces which are more fun to use than even the final product. Another cruicial part for the whole process to succeed is to interpret a product or design in components (physical parameters). While the more complicated and technical parts of the product may remain the same, the modifications can be in areas of user requirements and tastes.

ttp://www.emachineshop.com/

http://www.paulkrush.com/2007/02/03/3d-mass-customization-configuration-tools-in-real-time-using-actionscript-in-flash/

http://genometri.com/DIY/

http://www.bigbluesaw.com/saw/

http://www.threadless.com/?streetteam=FTP69

http://www.crowdspirit.com/

(re)Inventing Materiality: The Developers of Sustainable Materials

As sustainable ideas flood the design field to attempt to quell the effects of global warming it is sometimes hard to decipher all of the information and the directions that the ideas might be going in. Sustainable Material development is one of these many emerging fields, but we consider it to be extremely important, and decided to research it with respect to the question "what is (re)inventing material?".

As previously mentioned, sustainable material development is part of the explosion of "green" ideas that have emerged in the last 30 years (though exponentially greater in the last 10). A simple search engine search for sustainable material development produces countless hits ranging from sustainably grown bamboo to natural yarns which might be able to be used as structural elements. It is estimated that Architecture causes almost half of CO2 emissions in the USA alone and the development of these materials is crucial in lowering our impact on the world. We looked thoroughly through these and emerged with a plethora of information, the best of which we have highlighted below.


The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan is an amazing institute, dedicated to the science behind sustainable materials and their possible uses. Not only does the site list it's research, discoveries, and patents, but it takes an in depth look at each one of them with diagrams and full explanations. One of the most important aspects of this institute is it's multidisciplinary approach, not a singular look at materials, but a look at how they can be used in many different fields. Another Japanese institute of higher learning is the International Research Center for Sustainable Materials at the University of Tokyo

Half way around the world, but developing the same types of ideas, is the University of Toronto Department of Material Science ad Engineering. The research pages of their website contain multiple pdf's of their research but also broad overviews of things such as what nano-technologies are and what their sustainable significance is for the world.

Overall the idea of Sustainable Material invention is similar to any other process of invention: a combination of innovation of existing materials and a need for something new to solve a problem. The ideas and products highlighted in these pages are the technologies that need to be used to reduce our impact on the planet and ensure the survival of the world as it is today.


Other Websites of Note:
Arc-Architects
Timber Building in Australia
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainable Materials In Construction (AASMIC)

Complex Geometry, Algorithmic Computation, and Neri Oxman

A leading idea of experimental architecture, and possibly a future characteristic of the field, is the idea of agent based modelling. This is the dynamic computed demonstration of actions, such as human habits or traffic patterns. Projects, evolving from such mapping, can be seen as a systematic whole from multiple perspectives, and a pattern of relationships can be developed based upon the model or program created by the architect. Custom made digital machines are being created to follow parametric design in a more precise and dynamic fashion.

Where precision and objectivity formlise fluidity in form, and enable collating (scanning), computing and creating (physically) data, digital media also allow for editing options and mutations in the evolution process itself. In this respect, where modernism reflected on the idea of refusing superficiality, digital technologies facilitate inclusion of every modifying parameter, hence ushering in a new paradigm of design more complex and yet accurate. Recent overlaps & cross overs in modes of knowledge, aim to derive new meanings from composite understandings, hence expanding the domain of digital technology.

A culmination of ideologies in architecture can lead to programs which demonstrate the true complexity of a project’s situation in an aesthetically pleasing manifestation. Writing individual scripts with respect to a project, instead of using a program for every project, creates individual solutions, most of which result in a fluid, complex geometric result.

Examples of this type of work can be seen with Neri Oxman (MIT), mentioned in the Neal Leach lecture from October 11th. Much of her work with materialecology demonstrates the idea of using algorithms and computer programs to progress the idea of architecture.




Links
http://www.materialecology.com/
http://www.smartgeometry.org/
http://span.vox.com/library/posts/tags/conference/
http://www.fab.fh-wiesbaden.de/index.php?id=120
http://www.community-intelligence.com/blogs/public/