Building Systems Integration: Theoretical Background

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Building Systems Integration Theoretical
Background

• Adil Sharag-Eldin, Ph.D.
• 1/22/2007

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Smart Buildings

• A term that describes a building which provide a
  safe, productive and cost-effective environment
  through the dynamic optimization of its basic
  systems based on sensing and predetermined course
  of reaction
• Structural systems
• Environmental Systems
• Envelop Systems
• Interior Systems
• Services
• Management and
• The interrelationship between them
• It depends on the building designers
  understanding and predicting the occupants needs
  and how to achieve them
• Ask students to describe buildings in the future

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Systems Integration Players and Their Choices

• Client
• Buy or build
• Financing
• Selecting design and construction team
• Architect and Designers
• Originating systems
• Selecting from existing products and services
• Integrating systems
• Other players, building officials, Construction
  mangers, developers, etc

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What is a system ?

• A system is defined as a coherent set of physical
  entities organized for a particular purpose
• System design is a product of deductive
  reasoning
• Errors in reasoning can be products of
• Ignorance
• Incompetence
• Haste

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What is integration?

• The act or process of incorporating or
  coordinating different elements or group of
  elements in a cohesive environment
• It requires creativity and logic
• Problems occur because of
• Lack of experience
• Lack of skill

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Building Systems Integration

• Is about putting systems made of discrete
  subsystems to work in harmony for a specific
  purpose
• The different systems involve different players
  and their respective skills playing their roles
  at the time in which project is conceived,
  planned, constructed, and managed

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Building Systems Integration

• From before
• A system results from a rational process
• Integration is a design process
• Therefore BSI is a DESIGN process that depends on
  knowledge, experience, creativity, and skill
  which in turn is based on rational judgment
  (analysis and synthesis of facts and objectives)
• Any building is by definition- a product of
  systems integration
• Different types and levels of integration varies

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Types of Integration

• Physical Integration
• Visual Integration
• Performance Integration
• Source Bachman

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Example
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Another Example
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Integration Pyramid
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Integration and Time
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Integration and Players
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Building Systems Integration
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Systems Integration Problems

• Integration problems occur because of
• Lack of experience
• Lack of skill

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Primary Building Systems

• Structure
• Envelope
• Interior
• Mechanical

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Structure

• Creates the equilibrium necessary for the
  building to stand
• Supports loads other than its own
• Includes frames, shells, slabs, bearing
  wallsetc

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Envelope

• Visible from the exterior of the building
• Protects the building from climate and natural
  degradation
• Rarely exists in isolation

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Mechanical

• Provide services to the building and its
  occupants
• Control heat transfer, power supply, water
  supply, waste disposal, fire safety, security,
  control systems, and conveyances
• Include many professions

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Interior

• Visible inside the building
• Highly integrated system

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Four Primary Building Systems
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Five Levels of Integration

• Remote
• Touching
• Connected
• Meshed
• Unified

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Integration Matrix
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Notes

• System integration is not purely a rational
  process
• Integration (levels and types) can be a design
  objective
• Mechanical systems are most versatile

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Possible Combinations

• Two-systems
• SE
• SI
• SM
• EI
• EM
• MI

• Three Systems
• SEI
• SEM
• SIM
• EIM

• Four Systems
• SEIM

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Systems combinations

• Structure Envelope
• high propensity of integration
• interdependent
• examples walls, slabs, domes, shells, tensile
  structures, or a covered structural frame

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Systems combinations

• Structure Envelope (touching)
• envelope rests on structure (gravity)
• separate and independent (function, materials,
  physical characteristics)
• easy to change and repair
• vulnerable to weather conditions
• examples protected membrane roofing

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Structure Envelope (touching)
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Structure Envelope (connected)

• envelope attached to structure by clips, bolts,
  nails, or permanent adhesive
• may share functional requirements (distribution
  of load).
• can simplify construction in large-scale bldgs.
• design considerations include connections
• example access floor and curtain wall

S
E
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Structure Envelope (connected)
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Structure Envelope (unified)

• indistinguishable
• share materials, function, and spatial
  requirements
• reduced flexibility
• example pre-cast frame

SE
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Structure Envelope (unified)
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Structure Mechanical

• problem competing spatially
• serve different functions
• voids in structure for mechanical systems
• if successful, results in a more efficient use of
  spaces

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Structure Mechanical (connected)

• difficult to unify (materials and functions)
• may share characteristics but not materials or
  spatial requirements
• connected through hangers, straps or collars
• connections simple to make and maintain
• mechanical system needs to be dimensionally
  coordinated with the structure

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Structure Mechanical (meshed)

• maintain own functions but share the same space
• the meshing allows the two systems to occupy less
  space
• problem coordination, lack of flexibility,
  difficult to move repair or maintain
• mechanical systems may require extra support

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Structure Mechanical (meshed)
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Structure Interiors

• important design components
• affect each other
• increase spans
• or limit spaces

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Structure Interiors (touching)

• interior rests on the structure
• examplefloor slab and interiors and equipment
• problems flexibility, mobility, and stability

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Structure Interiors (touching)
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Structure Interiors (connected)

• interior subsystems connected to structure by
  screws, bolts, nails, hangers, etc.
• interior is flexible and may depend on the
  properties and configuration of the structural
  system
• maintain own materials, functions, spatial
  requirements, but share physical characteristics

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Structure Interiors (connected)
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Structure Interiors (unified)

• share function, materials, spatial requirements,
  and physical characteristics
• efficient but not flexible
• may have conflicts between formal or acoustic
  requirements

SI
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Structure Interiors (unified)
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Envelope Mechanical

• complementary systems (protection and provision
  of services to interior spaces)
• envelope is usually penetrated by the mechanical
  systems
• integration at points of intersection and
  perimeter of the envelope

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Envelope Mechanical (connected)

• by bolts, ties, clips or seals
• no overlap in functions, materials, or spatial
  requirements
• both depend on structure
• example rooftop HVAC unit

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Envelope Mechanical (connected)
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Envelope Mechanical (meshed)

• mechanical subsystems fit into envelope
• share spatial requirements but differ in
  materials and functions
• envelope has to be modified to accommodate
  mechanical systems
• problem maintenance
• example air intake and exhaust

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Envelope Interior

• reduce effect of external forces while
  maintaining comfortable interiors
• points of contact must accommodate interior
• complex integration when envelope is modified for
  lighting, ventilation, and access

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Envelope Interior (remote)

• physically separate
• separate function, materials, spatial
  accommodations
• example ceiling, floors, furniture, etc.

E
I
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Envelope Interior (connected)

• by bolts, ties, clips, or permanent adhesive
• separate function, no shared materials, or
  spatial requirements
• share physical characteristics
• easily connected
• assembly may occupy less space

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Envelope Interior (connected)
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Envelope Interior (unified)

• share materials function and space
• materials are characterized either as translucent
  or opaque
• examples doors, windows, etc..

EI
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Mechanical Interior

• mechanical serves the interior systems
• interior accommodates the mechanical
• examples include lighting fixtures, exposed
  pipes, etc..
• Integration benefits operational efficiency and
  saves time

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Mechanical Interior (touching)

• interior rests on mechanical
• integration occurs at the horizontal plane
  (floors)
• overlap in spatial requirements, but no shared
  materials or functions
• example flat conductor cable

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Mechanical Interior (touching)
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Mechanical Interior (connected)

• by bolts, screws, ties, and clips etc.
• functions do not overlap
• share no materials or spatial requirements
• both depend on structure for support
• occurs with other levels of integration

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Mechanical Interior (meshed)

• share same space
• rarely share materials or functions, but share
  spatial requirements and physical characteristics
• integration must be coordinated
• access should be provided for maintenance
• examples integrated ceilings etc..

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Mechanical Interior (unified)

• share function, materials, spatial requirements,
  and physical characteristics
• many interior subsystems require power
• examples include interior ducts, lights,
  plumbing, etc..

MI
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Final notes

• Examples of different types and levels of systems
  integration
• Flexibility vs. efficiency
• Method can be used to describe relationship
  between different building components and
  assemblies
• Can also be used to analyze the relationship
  between the different trades and their time of
  involvement in the building

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Sources

• Rush, Richard (ed.) 1986. The Building Systems
  Integration Handbook. Wiley. New York.
• Bachman, Leonard. 2003. Integrated Building the
  Systems Basis of Architecture. Wiley New York

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Building Cores

• Combine usage
• Structural System
• Mechanical
• HVAC (air/water)
• Plumbing
• Fire safety
• Vertical Transportation
• May be used for daylighting
• Etc