Search

This paper presents results of transdisciplinary research on the development of a bioinspired computational framework for engineering design. This framework is intended to support design by addressing three critical design objectives, including novelty, optimality, and robustness. It provides several computational models and methods, which are inspired by fundamental processes occurring in nature, and discusses their potential for enhancing design. They include models and methods for evolutionary, developmental, and coevolutionary design. Their use is illustrated with examples from the area of steel structural design ranging from a simple cantilever beam design problem to a much more complex problem of designing wind bracings in tall buildings. The paper also shows how several methods and models can be integrated and form a coherent bioinspired computational framework for engineering design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based upon technical feasibility and interest in Augmented Reality as a flexible framework for the development of visualization tools and human–machine interfaces for the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, a prototype for augmented reality computer aided drawing (AR CAD) is being developed as a first example and test bed for establishing the benefits of such tools. AR CAD adds an augmented reality assistant viewer to standard CAD. Following a brief description of the structure and function of AR CAD, this technical note focuses on an experiment to measure AR CAD’s utility with respect to its relative advantage over basic CAD as measured in terms of time to perform a simple conflict detection task. The basic concepts of spatial cognition are noted as key issues in exploiting the strengths of such three-dimensional visualization systems as AR CAD. Experimental results demonstrate that the spatial cognition benefits from using the AR viewer assistant for a simple spatial conflict detection task exceeds the cognition cost associated with transitioning between viewing windows when the only other method of detection is visual cues in standard CAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]