Building Floor Plans Research Articles

Analysis of high-rise building by using fluid viscous dampers

Fluid viscous dampers are dynamic actuators that when stroke, it absorb the energy that by tectonic disturbances, wind absorption, or heat on a structure. Every multi-story building structure that is subjected to ground motion in daily life needs to be studied to determine how it responds because this is a common issue for construction. The structure's foundation is vibrating due to the earthquake. Buildings oscillate as a result of these vibrations, which could seriously harm the structure and observe the earthquake behaviour of structures with and without Fluid Viscous Dampers (FVD) and conventional Reinforce Concrete (RC) moment-resistant frames. The analysis takes place on displacement changes that caused by the addition of FVD in the structure and reduction in base shear in reinforced concrete structures after installing FVD and by using response spectrum and time history analysis. It compares the findings of storey displacement, storey stiffness, base shear, and storey drift assessments. This research provides information on several studies done on multi-story buildings while taking into account the various factors. The examination on vibration characteristics of a G+20 structure with and without a viscous damper is presented in the proposed work. Practically all multi-storeyed buildings must be analysed as three-dimensional systems, according to the current edition of the IS: 1893–2016. The building floor plans may be seen as asymmetrical and the hill slope topography of India is typically geologically stable.

A large-scale dataset for indoor visual localization with high-precision ground truth

This article presents a challenging new dataset for indoor localization research. We have recorded the whole internal structure of Fengtai Wanda Plaza which is an area of over 15,800 m2 with a Navvis M6 device. The dataset contains 679 RGB-D panoramas and 2,664 query images collected by three different smartphones. In addition to the data, an aligned 3D point cloud is produced after the elimination of moving objects based on the building floorplan. Furthermore, a method is provided to generate corresponding high-resolution depth images for each panorama. By fixing the smartphones on the device using a specially designed bracket, six-degree-of-freedom camera poses can be calculated precisely. We believe it can give a new benchmark for indoor visual localization and the full dataset can be downloaded from http://vision.ia.ac.cn/Faculty/wgao/data_code/data_indoor_localizaiton/data_indoor_localization.htm

Self-Organizing Floor Plans

This article introduces and comments on some of the techniques currently used by designers to generate automatic building floor plans and spatial configurations in general, with emphasis on machine learning and neural networks models. This is a relatively new tendency in computational design that reflects a growing interest in advanced generative and optimization models by architects and building engineers. The first part of this work contextualizes self-organizing floor plans in architecture and computational design, highlighting their importance and potential for designers as well as software developers. The central part discusses some of the most common techniques with concrete examples, including Neuro Evolution of Augmenting Topologies (NEAT) and Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN). The final section of the article provides some general comments considering pitfalls and possible future developments, as well as speculating on the future of this trend.

EPICGen

Effectively and accurately forecasting the congestion in indoor spaces has become particularly important during the pandemic in order to reduce the risk of exposure to airborne viruses. However, there is a lack of readily available indoor congestion data to train such models. Therefore, in this demo paper we propose EPICGen , an experimental platform for indoor congestion generation to support congestion forecasting in indoor spaces. EPICGen consists of two components: (i) Grid Overlayer , which models the floor plans of buildings; and (ii) Congestion Generator , a realistic indoor congestion generator. We demonstrate EPICGen through an intuitive map-based user interface that enables end-users to customize the parameters of the system and visualize generated datasets.

A rotation and scale invariant approach for multi-oriented floor plan image retrieval

An automatic system for analysis and retrieval of building floor plans images is helpful for the architects while designing new projects and providing recommendations to the buyers. For such systems, query by example is preferred over query by keyword, for which user’s requirements must be available in digital image form. Floor plans are converted to digital form by scanning and often get rotated slightly by a certain degree of angle during digitization. In this paper, we have proposed a geometric feature-based approach for floor plan image retrieval and our key contribution is to handle different kinds of rotation and scale while retrieving similar floor plan from the database. Our framework is divided into three phases, namely outer shape feature extraction, internal object feature extraction, followed by matching and retrieval. For our experimentation, we have rotated images of ROBIN dataset as currently no rotated floor plan dataset was available. Our experiment shows that the proposed methodology outperforms recent competing methods.

OPTIMIZATION OF WINDOW PARAMETERS IN LOCATION IN CREATIVE SPACE BUILDING STRUCTURES

Using the developed methodology and a set of graphical models and methods for determining the optimal and rational (close to optimal) geometric parameters of translucent structures in the thermal insulation of buildings, taking into account heat loss, heat from solar radiation by the minimum heat loss, angle of inclination, heat transfer resistance) location of windows in the enclosing structures of the architectural object Creative Space during design. The problem of thermal protection against overheating of the building in the summer period due to the use of sun protection devices is solved. Recommendations for their use are given. The given technique and graphic models should be used in the future when designing energy-efficient buildings. This will increase their energy efficiency and, accordingly, the energy efficiency class of buildings. This technique allows the designer in a short time to quickly determine both the parameters of translucent structures and the level of heat balance of translucent structures for heating and summer periods. Graphic models in the design process are combined with floor plans of buildings and the architect quickly determines both the level of thermal balance of windows and location (parameters), azimuth and angle of the insulation structure, for the rational location of windows. This also takes into account the light transmission coefficient of the translucent structure. The designer also determines the area of permissible orientation of the windows in which the heat loss through the windows during the heating period is less than the heat loss due to opaque wall structures.

Comparison of Three Wayfinding Assessment Tools

An early, problematic symptom of aging, exacerbated by cognitive problems such as Alzheimer’s disease, is difficulty finding one’s way. Long term care (LTC) communities are especially challenging for wayfinding. This study compares three different tools to evaluate spatial complexity within eight LTC communities. The tools included computation of space syntax integration values using axial lines to determine how connected wayfinding routes are within the community. The Wayfinding Checklist tool (revised) rates the quality of signage, complexity of a building floor plan, and use of decorative elements. The Calkins Route Assessment tool evaluates route complexity using both plan and vertical visual field information (e.g. presence, location, clarity of signage and cues). The results of the analysis showed that the buildings varied with respect to integration, with some very well integrated floorplans and routes, and some that were very complex, with multiple jogs, turns, and limited integration. The Wayfinding Checklist echoed the variety of complexity of floorplans, but lowered scores for poor existence and design of signage and mostly substandard lighting for visibility. The Calkins Route Assessment tool added greater specificity to the space syntax analysis and Wayfinding Checklist, showing how visual elements (versus just visual access) can compensate for plans with low-integration. These study findings indicate that each tool was valuable for measuring wayfinding complexity, but measured different aspects of building and route complexity. Tools like these can be used to identify challenging wayfinding routes and buildings so that designers and clinicians can improve the overall design for wayfinding.

The Thermal Performance of Vernacular Houses as An Identity of Kurdish Traditional Architecture

Nature in general and especially climate, play a decisive role in defining the architecture of a place or people over time. Therefore, it is more convenient to look at architecture as a mirror reflects people's adaptation and behavior to the environment over time. Because of mainstream design with low-tech conditions, the climate is the predominant power that characterizes the building types. In this manner, as long as the climate differs from one place to another, the vernacular architecture is going to be differs as well, due to the environmental conditions. Traditional houses were adopted to meet the basic psychological and physiological needs of man through the most rational elements, such as building floor plans (spatial organization), materials, shapes, details and floor effects in various ranges. As a result, these architectural features marked the identity features of local architecture in the city. For this reason, the paper focuses on testing the thermal performance of some types of vernacular houses commonly used in the city of Sulaimani, especially in the traditional zone of the city. To achieve the research objectives, the study followed experimental analytical methodology, using outputs of the most appropriate software (Design Builder) to test the performance of three common types of local traditional houses (single and double floors). It appears that the type L with single floor is the most efficient, but the U shape with single floor recorded the highest number of days throughout the year when energy was needed.

Seismic control of multi degree of freedom structure outfitted with sloped bottom tuned liquid damper

Application of TLD in controlling the unwanted vibration of the structure is of practical importance. But the studies are limited to circular or rectangular shape TLD. However, it is not always feasible to use conventional shape TLD due to geometrical and space constraints of the building floor plan. Hence, a new shape of the tank is used in this study to verify its efficiency as a damping device. The present research is focused on controlling the vibration of a multidegree of freedom structure rigidly supporting a sloped bottom tuned liquid damper subjected to real earthquake ground excitation. Three actual earthquake ground motion classified in the category of low, intermediate, and high-frequency contents are used for the investigation. Numerical simulation of the TLD-structure coupled model is developed, which uses a finite element method to simulate sloshing in sloped bottom TLD and a spring-mass model to determine structural response. The confined liquid in TLD is discretized as a combination of three-node triangular and four-node quadrilateral finite elements. A parametric study is carried out on mass ratio and tuning ratio to study the effectiveness of TLD in controlling the structural vibration. It is observed that increase in mass ratio significantly control the top floor structural vibration. However, the tuning ratio plays an important role.

BUILDING FLOOR PLAN RECONSTRUCTION FROM SLAM-BASED POINT CLOUD USING RANSAC ALGORITHM

Abstract. In recent years, the applications of interior and exterior model of buildings have been increased in the field of surveying and mapping. This paper presents a new method for extracting a two-dimensional (2D) floor plan of a building from Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM)-based point clouds. In the proposed algorithm, after preprocessing, the voxel space is generated for the point cloud. Then, the optimal section of the voxel cube to generate building floor plan is identified. Finally, the linear structures and walls are extracted using the random sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm. The proposed algorithm was examined on a collected point clouds of a building, and the walls of this building were automatically extracted. To evaluate the proposed method, the obtained walls by the algorithm were compared with the manually extracted walls. The algorithm successfully extracted almost 90% of the walls in the test area. Moreover, the average error of 3 cm for the extracted walls proved the high accuracy of the proposed method for building floor plan modeling.

3D built-environment attributes and household road traffic noise exposure in Hong Kong

Road traffic noise is an environmental health hazard in Hong Kong and other high-density cities. The dense built environment modifies noise propagation, reflects, absorbs or diffracts sound depending on building morphology, road configuration, and open space layout, etc. Mitigation of urban traffic noise is of growing concerns to planning and design practitioners. Existing assessment methods are limited in reliably accounting for localized variations in noise exposure associated with a high-density city. The aim of this research is to 1) develop a 3D database of road traffic noise exposure for a large number of households in a high-density city; 2) explore the linkages between built environment attributes and road traffic noise exposure. A 3D built environment database was constructed for Hong Kong using building geometries, topography and urban traffic noise data. Window coordinates for each household were extracted using address and building floor plans. Computer simulation was conducted to determine traffic noise exposure at window locations using CadnaA for a random sample of 8,158 households across the city. Results revealed that 76.3% of the households are exposed to excessive road traffic noise by WHO standards. Household traffic noise exposure are significantly associated with proximity to secondary road, story-level of the flat, and other urban form attributes. The 3D database is of value for public health research in relation to noise and urban noise mitigation measures. The next step is to develop an efficient and reliable simulation tool to support planning and design decisions in traffic noise mitigation.

INDOOR 3D INTERACTIVE ASSET DETECTION USING A SMARTPHONE

Abstract. Building floor plans with locations of safety, security and energy assets such as IoT sensors, thermostats, fire sprinklers, EXIT signs, fire alarms, smoke detectors, routers etc. are vital for climate control, emergency security, safety, and maintenance of building infrastructure. Existing approaches to building survey are manual, and usually involve an operator with a clipboard and pen, or a tablet enumerating and localizing assets in each room. In this paper, we propose an interactive method for a human operator to use an app on a smart phone to (a) create the 2D layout of a room, (b) detect assets of interest, and (c) localize them within the layout. We use deep learning methods to train a neural network to recognize assets of interest, and use human in the loop interactive methods to correct erroneous recognitions by the networks. These corrections are then used to improve the accuracy of the system over time as the inspector moves from one room to another in a given building or from one building to the next; this progressive training and testing mechanism makes our system useful in building inspection scenarios where a given class of assets in a building are same instantiation of that object category, thus reducing the problem to instance, rather than category recognition. Experiments show our proposed method to achieve accuracy rate of 76% for testing 102 objects across 10 classes.

Global Monocular Indoor Positioning of a Robotic Vehicle with a Floorplan.

This paper presents a global monocular indoor positioning system for a robotic vehicle starting from a known pose. The proposed system does not depend on a dense 3D map, require prior environment exploration or installation, or rely on the scene remaining the same, photometrically or geometrically. The approach presents a new way of providing global positioning relying on the sparse knowledge of the building floorplan by utilizing special algorithms to resolve the unknown scale through wall–plane association. This Wall Plane Fusion algorithm presented finds correspondences between walls of the floorplan and planar structures present in the 3D point cloud. In order to extract planes from point clouds that contain scale ambiguity, the Scale Invariant Planar RANSAC (SIPR) algorithm was developed. The best wall–plane correspondence is used as an external constraint to a custom Bundle Adjustment optimization which refines the motion estimation solution and enforces a global scale solution. A necessary condition is that only one wall needs to be in view. The feasibility of using the algorithms is tested with synthetic and real-world data; extensive testing is performed in an indoor simulation environment using the Unreal Engine and Microsoft Airsim. The system performs consistently across all three types of data. The tests presented in this paper show that the standard deviation of the error did not exceed 6 cm.

Room measurement tool combining ultrasonic and inertial sensors in smartphones

Obtaining accurate floor plans of buildings is critical for optimising indoor geographic information system (GIS) applications. In this paper, we present a room measurement tool that utilises a smartphone equipped with an ultrasonic sensor. To take measurements, users complete a lap along the walls of all of the rooms. Then the tool accurately estimates the shape and size of them by tracking the walking paths of users and measuring the distance from the path to the walls with ultrasonic sensors. To track walking paths, we utilise inertial sensors embedded in the smartphone to estimate walking steps and turns, and the ultrasonic sensors to estimate the stride length when walking toward the wall. To account for such adjacent objects as bookshelves that decrease the accuracy of room size estimation, we used a mixed Gaussian filter. Our experimental results show that our tool considerably improved the estimation accuracy of the room shape and size.

Room measurement tool combining ultrasonic and inertial sensors in smartphones

Obtaining accurate floor plans of buildings is critical for optimising indoor geographic information system (GIS) applications. In this paper, we present a room measurement tool that utilises a smartphone equipped with an ultrasonic sensor. To take measurements, users complete a lap along the walls of all of the rooms. Then the tool accurately estimates the shape and size of them by tracking the walking paths of users and measuring the distance from the path to the walls with ultrasonic sensors. To track walking paths, we utilise inertial sensors embedded in the smartphone to estimate walking steps and turns, and the ultrasonic sensors to estimate the stride length when walking toward the wall. To account for such adjacent objects as bookshelves that decrease the accuracy of room size estimation, we used a mixed Gaussian filter. Our experimental results show that our tool considerably improved the estimation accuracy of the room shape and size.

METHODOLOGY TO GENERATE NAVIGATION MODELS IN BUILDING

Indoor route networks models are created for use in navigation. They may be built manually, but it is better to generate them automatically, based on the building floor plans. Research has been conducted in this field in many research centers. The authors undertook to develop their own methodology for generating navigation networks, using topological neighborhood relations and semantic data. The research project focuses on one floor in a building, which consists of rooms and an expanded corridor with an obstacle in the form of an open space between the floors. The first stage of the project consisted in the segmentation of the corridor space to improve its resolution. The objective of the conducted research was to select special points (five suggestions) for the segmentation. As a result, five different segmentations of the corridor space were obtained. The aim of the second stage was to automatically generate five navigation network models. The graphically presented results have been verified against the routes generated between the selected points in the building plan. A comparison of the results with other solutions shows that the routes generated in the presented methodology are more straight-line and less zigzagging.

Semi-Automated Signal Surveying Using Smartphones and Floorplans

Location fingerprinting locates devices based on pattern matching signal observations to a pre-defined signal map. This paper introduces a technique to enable fast signal map creation given a dedicated surveyor with a smartphone and floorplan. Our technique (PFSurvey) uses accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer data to estimate the surveyor's trajectory post-hoc using Simultaneous Localization and Mapping and particle filtering to incorporate a building floorplan. We demonstrate conventional methods can fail to recover the survey path robustly and determine the room unambiguously. To counter this, we use a novel loop closure detection method based on magnetic field signals and propose to incorporate the magnetic loop closures and straight-line constraints into the filtering process to ensure robust trajectory recovery. We show this allows room ambiguities to be resolved. An entire building can be surveyed by the proposed system in minutes rather than days. We evaluate in a large office space and compare to state-of-the-art approaches. We achieve trajectories within 1.1 m of the ground truth 90 percent of the time. Output signal maps well approximate those built from conventional, laborious manual survey. We also demonstrate that the signal maps built by PFSurvey provide similar or even better positioning performance than the manual signal maps.

Semi-Automated Signal Surveying Using Smartphones and Floorplans

Location fingerprinting locates devices based on pattern matching signal observations to a pre-defined signal map. This paper introduces a technique to enable fast signal map creation given a dedicated surveyor with a smartphone and floorplan. Our technique (PFSurvey) uses accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer data to estimate the surveyor's trajectory post-hoc using Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping and particle filtering to incorporate a building floorplan. We demonstrate conventional methods can fail to recover the survey path robustly and determine the room unambiguously. To counter this we use a novel loop closure detection method based on magnetic field signals and propose to incorporate the magnetic loop closures and straight-line constraints into the filtering process to ensure robust trajectory recovery. We show this allows room ambiguities to be resolved. An entire building can be surveyed by the proposed system in minutes rather than days. We evaluate in a large office space and compare to state-of-the-art approaches. We achieve trajectories within 1.1 m of the ground truth 90% of the time. Output signal maps well approximate those built from conventional, laborious manual survey. We also demonstrate that the signal maps built by PFSurvey provide similar or even better positioning performance than the manual signal maps.

Stiffness Effects of Structural Elements on the Seismic Response of RC High-Rise Buildings

Abstract The stiffness of structural elements (columns, beams, and slabs) significantly contributes to the overall stiffness of reinforced concrete (RC) high-rise buildings (H.R.B.s) subjected to earthquake. In order to investigate what percentage each type of element contributes to the overall performance of an H.R.B. under seismic load, the stiffness of each type of element is reduced by 10% to 90%. A time history analysis by SAP2000 was performed on thirteen 3D models of 12-story RC buildings in order to illustrate the contribution of column stiffness and column cross sections (rectangular or square), building floor plans (square or rectangular), beam stiffness and slab stiffness, on building resistance to an earthquake. The stiffness of the columns contributed more than the beams and slabs to the earthquake resistance of H.R.B.s. Rectangular cross-section columns must be properly oriented in order for H.R.B.s and slender buildings to attain the maximum resistance against earthquakes.

Toward Smart Building Design Automation: Extensible CAD Framework for Indoor Localization Systems Deployment

Over the last years, many smart buildings applications, such as indoor localization or safety systems, have been subject of intense research. Smart environments usually rely on several hardware nodes equipped with sensors, actuators, and communication functionalities. The high level of heterogeneity and the lack of standardization across technologies make design of such environments a very challenging task, as each installation has to be designed manually and performed ad-hoc for the specific building. On the other hand, many different systems show common characteristics, like the strict dependency with the building floor plan, also sharing similar requirements such as a nodes allocation that provides sensing coverage and nodes connectivity. This paper provides a computer-aided design application for the design of smart building systems based on the installation of hardware nodes across the indoor space. The tool provides a site-specific algorithm for cost-effective deployment of wireless localization systems, with the aim to maximize the localization accuracy. Experimental results from real-world environment show that the proposed site-specific model can improve the positioning accuracy of general models from the state-of-the-art. The tool, available open-source, is modular and extensible through plug-ins allowing to model building systems with different requirements.