Benjamin Barben's Senior Thesis

The New York Times Building
620 Eighth Avenue, New York City, New York 10018

Benjamin R. Barben | Structural Option | 2009-2010| IPD/BIM Thesis

Student Reflections

ABET Outcome Survey

ABET Outcomes for AE 481W/482	Outcome not able to be assessed	Level of ability demonstrated but below acceptable	Minimum acceptable level of ability demonstrated	More than minimum level of ability demonstrated
ABET Outcomes for AE 481W/482	(Score of 0)	(Score of 1)	(Score of 2)	(Score of 3)
a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering				X
b. An ability to analyze and interpret data				X
c. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs				X
e. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems				X
f. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility				X
g. An ability to communicate effectively				X
h. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context				X
i. An ability to engage in life-long learning				X
j. A knowledge of contemporary issues				X
k. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice				X
o. Engineering design capabilities in at least two (2) of the (3) basic curriculum areas of architectural engineering, and that design has been integrated across the breadth of the program				X
p. Communication and interaction with other design professionals in the execution of building projects				X

A E 481W/482 Course Reflection
After five years of homeworks, lectures, exams, presentations, and thesis, I am finally done. Reflecting on those five years of learning, I learned a lot and I am grateful for the support of my family, friends, and faculty. Within this one year-long project, all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place or the number of tools in my "engineering toolbox/ tool belt" have a place and a use in my engineering career. Senior thesis has reinforced my own abilities allowing me to effectively communicate with individuals in a professional manner, formulate engineering judgment issues, and gain more experience with codes and references. Overall, I feel that this senior thesis project was a huge success in preparing me for a career as a structural engineer.

IPD/BIM Reflection

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) was used primarily in group meetings and discussions. In order to make IPD effective every member of the design team should be communicating ever step of the way and attend meetings regularly. With a group of four members, it was difficult at times to coordinate and get everyone to agree with a decision. Scheduling meetings also became an issue throughout the semester. At times not everyone was able to attend meetings, due to exams, classes, and other events.

Building Information Modeling(BIM) was used primarily in the 3D model. Interoperability between RAM and Revit was nonexistent for 64 bit computers. For the 32 bit computers, it was a struggle just to open the structural models. Transfer between ETABS and Revit was available, but due to the simplified design of the core it was determined it would take longer to transfer the lateral system than to create the walls in Revit. In addition, on numerous occasions ETABS, RAM, and Revit crashed due to the computing demands exceeding the computing capabilities.

CPEP Reflection

The Capstone Project Electronic Portfolio (CPEP) that we were required to create and update throughout fifth-year senior thesis was a great way to document the progress of my project throughout the year. One of the advantages of the CPEP site was to communicate technical information with design professionals, family, and friends throughout the year. It is a great resource to understand how webpage development works and to display the work of the Architectural Engineering students.

The Capstone Project Electronic Portfolio (CPEP) is a web-based project and information center. It contains material produced for a year-long Senior Thesis class. Its purpose, in addition to providing central storage of individual assignments, is to foster communication and collaboration between student, faculty consultant, course instructors, and industry consultants. This website is dedicated to the research and analysis conducted via guidelines provided by the Department of Architectural Engineering. For an explanation of this capstone design course and its requirements click here.

Note: While great efforts have been taken to provide accurate and complete information on the pages of CPEP, please be aware that the information contained herewith is considered a work-in-progress for this thesis project. Modifications and changes related to the original building designs and construction methodologies for this senior thesis project are solely the interpretation of Benjamin Barben. Changes and discrepancies in no way imply that the original design contained errors or was flawed. Differing assumptions, code references, requirements, and methodologies have been incorporated into this thesis project; therefore, investigation results may vary from the original design.

The above panorama in the header on this page and the subsequent web pages on Benjamin Barben's CPEP site is courtesy of Joergen Geerds