Fouchal, F; Hassan, T M and Loveday, D L (2014) Design methodology for integrating multipath systems (building services). Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 12(4), pp. 491-506.
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on a geometrical integration methodology that can be used to organise some types of these systems. Most multipath delivery systems, such as Building Services (BSs), are arbitrarily distributed with no known solution to reduce the complexity in the way channels are arranged. Design/methodology/approach – Integration for optimal functionality through reduction of geometrical complexity is achieved by understanding the elements of complexity within current practices; identifying commonalities between the various components which can be used for integration; performing an axiomatic design to resolve design complications; adopting theory of inventive problem-solving for methodology and process development towards optimal functionality; and generating a mathematical solution to inform digital modelling of optimal design. The study takes into account thermophysical and electromagnetic interactions between utilities and uses novel mathematical manipulations based on designing a manifold of spherical and cylindrical geometries joined using Bezier surfaces. Findings – Once a solution was reached, computer-aided design (CAD) iterations were undertaken for channelling six BSs into a single unit. The outcome was concentric cylindrical–spherical shells superimposed with spacings of typically few millimetres to deliver/distribute the utilities. It is applied to bring together BSs into a single trunking system at minimal, yet appropriate, proximal distances, and it allows distribution of any number of services in any direction. Physical prototypes were produced and initial testing of their performance (reported elsewhere) has been encouraging. Originality/value – A design methodology for integrating arbitrary distributed paths/conduits. The approach could be incorporated into CAD tools as a design feature to facilitate integration of multipath delivery systems.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building technology; computer-aided manufacturing and design; advanced assembly methods; modelling; rapid prototyping; manufacturing engineering |
| Index terms: | utilities, geometry, computer-aided manufacturing and design, building service, testing, modelling, interaction, digital-modelling, functionality, prototype, building technology, manufacturing engineering, advanced assembly method, complexity, rapid prototyping, computer aided design, methodology, integration |
| Subjects: | digital design, manufacturing engineering, digital manufacturing, research methods, systems engineering, behavioral psychology, organizational analysis, engineering systems, construction type, computational design, mathematical modelling, innovation and technology management, professional practice, analytical methods, modelling and simulation, design features |
| Topics: | Construction Technology, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Digital Applications, Design Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here