Projects

Using BIM in Construction (…)

Information Models developed within the early stages of a project can provide significant benefits within the construction process.  This project outlines the different ways that models can be used within construction, and outlines an approach toward planning the adoption of modeling throughout the design and construction process.

ifc dataArrow Application Development (…)

dataArrows ifcMiner is a free tool developed to facilitate querying information in IFC models.  It also contains a module for validating IFC models against related schemas.

Virtual Penn State (2016 - Current)

As we develop more model information about our facilities and campus environment, we are exploring better approaches to organize, store, retrieve and visualize this information.  The Virtual Penn State project is focused on developing an interface to the facility information at the University Park Campus of Penn State, along with leveraging reality models of the campus to visualize this information.

Safe and Efficient Cyber-Physical Operation Systems for Construction Equipment

This award will conduct research to improve the safety and efficiency of cranes by integrating advances in robotics, computer vision, and construction management. It will create tools for quick and easy planning of crane operations and incorporate them into a safe and efficient system that can monitor a crane's environment and provide control feedback to the crane and the operator. Resulting gains in safety and efficiency will reduce fatal and non-fatal crane accidents.

Fostering Innovation and Learning through Immersive Virtual Facility Prototyping  (2004 - 2009)

The design and construction of facilities requires the conceptualization of complex systems and processes. While many industries have embraced rapid prototyping processes and technologies, the use of prototypes in the building industry remains in its infancy. Expensive scale models and mock-ups of building components are used to analyze design and construction. However, they represent only a single snapshot or configuration of the construction process. 3D and 4D computer aided design tools allow virtual models to be constructed, however they are typically challenging to manipulate and limited by small scale display for individual users.

Developing an Immersive Environments Lab  (2001 - 2005)

The Immersive Environments Lab was developed to evaluate the impact of immersive virtual reality for education and project visualization.  The Immersive Environments Lab has been used for many years to visualization projects.  The initial development was a collaboration of the Architecture Department, Architectural Engineering Department, and Penn State Information Technology Services.

Evolving Penn State Sustainability Policy for the Built Environment (2017 - Current)

This project aims to lead the transformation of the design and construction practices at PSU to be more sustainable while providing engaged scholarship opportunities for the students. Office of Physical Plant, in collaboration with PSU’s Department of Architectural Engineering is working to evolve PSU’s Sustainability Policy for the build environment to reflect a dynamic based process that encourages the engagement of OPP teams in the earliest stages of a project, Build the policy to reflect the unique place and needs of PSU’s campuses and communities.

Interactive Workspaces Guide 

Integrating interactive workspaces into facility projects

Interactive Workspaces are team meeting rooms that have been augmented with technology to enable visualization, interaction with digital information, and team collaboration for enhanced decision-making. This guide assists a capital facility project team in the identification and selection of workspace requirements for their integrative team meetings.

OpenStudio Enhancements to Support Energy Retrofit Projects

 The enhancements will further the development of OpenStudio and Radiance to support modeling of physically based lighting layouts and systems including daylight integrated photocontrol. These additional enhancements to OpenStudio, as well as Radiance, will improve energy efficient design for small and medium sized retrofit projects, while achieving high levels of lighting quality. These capabilities will continue to be supported by developing increasing levels of interoperability with BIM applications via BIMserver integration with a focus on extending beyond the core geometric information for energy modeling to enable more analyses related to lighting.

Integrated Building Life Cycle Process Model for Advanced Energy Retrofit Project (2012 - 2015)

Advanced energy retrofit projects are critical to contributing to the reduction of energy consumption within the United States and abroad. Successful retrofit projects require detailed coordination throughout the design, construction, and operations process. As a part of the consortium for building energy innovation, we developed an integrated building lifecycle process model for performing advanced energy retrofit projects.

Lean Deployment Planning Guide

This project is about developing a guide for Lean Development Plan. The plan will help project teams apply Lean principles and practices throughout the project by embedding them into their project management processes. The plan is meant to be developed by the project team aiming at helping it through the steps of the planning procedure. The guide details the steps and provides template ressources.

Maximizing Success In Integrated Projects

An Owner's Guide

The most successful facility projects follow distinct delivery strategies. In particular, those strategies that align the core project team - owner, designers, primary building and key specialty trades - are more effective in meeting or exceeding their cost, schedule and quality goals. Best leveraged in a workshop setting, this guide will illustrate the process for selecting a delivery strategy that meets the need of your project.

Virtual Construction Simulator

Play, Simulate, Learn

The Virtual Construction Simulator (VCS) is a simulation game that teaches students the dynamic nature of the construction process and frequent changes to construction schedules. The VCS provides the user with an advanced 3D graphical user interface (GUI) for the development of the planned schedule, together with a 3D simulation environment. The purpose of the game is to allow the user to experiment with the planning and managing of construction schedules, while learning the difference between the as-planned and the as-built schedule.

ecoCAMPUS

The ecoCampus augmented reality educational application is focused on increasing students’ understanding of sustainability, LEED rating system, and design principles early in their academic careers.  This application allows students to redesign a building facade, and evaluate the impacts of their design on sustainability while visualizing the design in the actual building via augmented reality.