Cost Metric Projection from Engineering to Architectural Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods in the AEC field lack effective solutions for accurately calculating and visualizing cost metrics across different models of physical structures, particularly in multistory buildings, and fail to accurately map these metrics between engineering and architectural models, leading to incomplete understanding of cost distribution and structural errors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that obtain cost metrics from engineering models, calculate direct and indirect contributions of these metrics across structural elements, and display them on architectural massing models using load paths, enabling accurate cost mapping and visualization without requiring structural mechanics knowledge, and assisting in error detection and design optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If cost metrics are calculated and mapped from engineering models to architectural models, then cost distribution understanding is improved, but the complexity of the system increases due to needing to handle multiple model types and load path analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses load paths as an intermediary mechanism to connect engineering models with architectural models. Load paths trace the flow of forces from applied loads through structural elements to supports, enabling cost metric propagation without requiring direct complex mappings between different model types. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system by providing a clear physical basis for cost distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments cost metrics into direct contributions (from structural elements directly supporting a given area) and indirect contributions (from structural elements supporting other areas that in turn support the given area). This segmentation allows complex cost distribution to be broken down into manageable components that can be calculated and visualized separately, reducing system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If direct and indirect contributions are calculated using load paths, then cost metric accuracy is improved, but calculation time and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary identification and classification of structural elements into direct and indirect contributors before performing detailed cost calculations. By pre-processing the structural model to identify which elements fall into each category based on load path analysis, the system avoids redundant calculations during the actual cost metric computation, thereby reducing overall calculation time while maintaining accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If cost metrics are visualized on architectural massing models, then ease of operation is improved for users without structural mechanics knowledge, but the complexity of mapping between models increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of cost metric information on the architectural massing model that corresponds to the engineering model data. Instead of requiring users to interpret complex engineering models directly, the system projects cost metrics onto the simpler architectural model that users are already familiar with. This copying approach maintains data integrity while significantly improving accessibility for non-expert users.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method includes obtaining an engineering model of a physical structure, the engineering model specifying structural elements distributed among different levels of the structure; obtaining a value of a cost metric for each of the structural elements; determining an accumulated value of the cost metric for at least one area of an architectural massing model of the structure, the at least one area being associated with a predetermined level of the different levels of the structure, the determining including calculating a direct contribution to the accumulated value of the cost metric, and calculating an indirect contribution to the accumulated value of the cost metric; and displaying the accumulated value of the cost metric for the at least one area of the architectural massing model of the structure.