Andres Cavieres

Rich Knowledge Parametric Tools for Concrete Masonry Design Automation of Preliminary Structural Analysis, Detailing and Specifications

Our research focuses on how new computational tools and design methods can support the design process of masonry buildings. Specifically we discuss the potential of parametric modeling technologies to promote innovation by embedding knowledge on masonry construction as both generative rules and checker functions. Their goal is to inform designers on the feasibility of their intents on early stages of the design process. For this purpose we will adopt a methodology and notation called Building Object Behavior (BOB) to identify and translate construction knowledge towards the implementation of masonry parametric objects. A curved masonry wall is used as case study for the development of several parametric prototypes and their possible implications for collaboration are discussed.

A Process-Driven Representation Schema for Masonry Wall Assemblies

The paper introduces a new approach for the representation of masonry walls in Building Information Modeling applications. The proposed representational scheme addresses the different types and levels of information required to support the design and construction of masonry walls. In particular, the paper proposes the concept of masonry wall “region”, as a suitable abstraction to represent the variety of view-dependent features that characterize the life-cycle of masonry walls. At the geometric level, a masonry region works as a surrogate for the description of arbitrary aggregation relations without the cost associated with the explicit propagation of masonry units. In this way, a higher degree of semantic expressiveness can be achieved while keeping the design model flexible and agile. The concept of masonry regions motivates the formulation of a conceptual data model as foundation upon which different masonryspecific applications can be developed in the future, along with the definition of model views necessary to support masonry related data queries and exchanges. The paper outlines the theoretical background behind the concept of masonry regions and its relationship with the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC). Finally the paper introduces a proof-ofconcept implementation for a masonry wall schema, and discusses the next steps in the research.