Turner Dissertation Committees

James A. Turner was a member of the following dissertation committees:

Uk Kim, 1987

Formalization of Building Codes: A Knowledge-Based System for Building Code Compliance Checking As a Design Tool
This research was concerned with the question of how to represent building codes in a form that makes it possible to use the representations in a computer-aided design system. A proper representation enables both design evaluation and design production. The primary contribution of this research was to provide designers with a design tool which could evaluate a proposed design at the earliest possible stage for code compliance checking, and to provide building officials with a time-saving and comprehensive code checking system.

Eduardo L. Sobrino, 1988

Knowledge Base and Data-base Integration in the Architectural Design Process
The purpose of this research was to study the use and management of information by an architect engaged in the design process. This study proposed that a computer-aided design system should allow the designer to: (a) build a model that represents an abstraction of an artifact and (b) describe a particular view of an artifact detailing all the attributes relevant to the design problem. Therefore, a computer system used in the design process needed to incorporate those tools that allowed the designer to build and manipulate models. This research demonstrated that a design system which integrated knowledge, data, and geometric modeling could be used successfully in the architectural design process.

Dongwoo Shin, 1988

A Model for Construction Schedule Analysis During the Design Process
Construction schedule analysis is a very broad and complex problem in that it requires a variety of data and problem-solving procedures which are not defined by uniform information methods. This research was concerned with how to model the construction scheduling procedures for the purpose of design analysis, and described a method which (1) allowed the construction schedule analysis to be executed in a sequential manner by the stepwise refinement of the analysis detail, and (2) allowed specific analysis tasks to be automated by modeling the knowledge relating to building construction. The research concluded that a successful model depends more on the legitimacy of the methodology taken rather than the accuracy of the knowledge used.

Cornelius VanWyk, 1988

A Geometry-Based Insolation Model for Computer-Aided Building Design
Insolation modeling is a unique aspect of building energy-use modeling that determines the energy incident on building surfaces due to the interaction of the sun, the clouds and atmosphere, and reflection from the ground and adjacent surfaces. Though its established roots lie in the fields of meteorology and mechanical engineering, insolation modeling can be used in architectural applications as an analysis tool on which to base design decisions. This dissertation described one application of insolation modeling for use in the early stages of building design, and presented an overview of the methods and techniques used to implement such a geometry-based insolation model. The model was evaluated for real world conditions using a scaled physical model, configured to represent an architectural facade typical of energy-responsive design, and instrumented under a range of sky conditions (clear, partly cloudy, and overcast) over a two-week period. The emittances of the surfaces representing the sky were measured using a computer-controlled, multipurpose automatic scanning photometer (MASP) developed by Pacific Northwest Laboratories.

Moon Sang Cho, 1989

Automated Learning of Program-matic Information From Plans of Existing Buildings
An automated knowledge acquisition method was developed to acquire design knowledge from plans of existing buildings. The proposed system used frames to represent design knowledge and utilized probability theory in decision-making. The proposed system was tested with elementary schools in both Ann Arbor and Detroit. Results confirmed that a computer can learn some design knowledge with the proposed automated knowledge acquisition method, generate reasonable design guidelines with the properly defined design requirement generation variables in the programming phase, and evaluate a design solution against the accumu-lated design knowledge during a feedback process.

Yasser Sakr, 1991

Design in the Age of Information: The Impact of Computers on the Practice of Architectural Design
This research was concerned with the impact of computer-aided design (CAD) systems on the practice of architectural design. It was an attempt to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the development and implementation of CAD systems in architectural design. It aimed to uncover, to understand, and to reflect on the day-to-day experiences of architects and firms who use CAD systems in design.

Naai-Jung Shih, 1991

Path-Finding in a Building
Path-finding research is an investigation of different kinds of paths and the discovery of the interrelationships between each path-finding object and its environment. A path-finding problem deals with how an object finds a continuous route from an initial position to a goal position, avoiding collisions along the path. The object can be a person or a distribution system such as water pipes and air ducts, etc. The purpose of this research was to investigate the search algorithm, problem representation, and cost evaluation related to path-finding in an architectural environment. The path-finding problem was modeled through the representation of the path-finding elements, such as object, path, constraints, space, source, and goal. The research solved the path-finding problem by applying an obstacle-oriented problem-solving strategy.

Jin-Yeu Tsou, 1992

Using Conceptual Modeling and an Object-Oriented Environment to Support Building Cost Control During Early Design
This research investigated formal information modeling techniques and object-oriented knowledge representation on the domain of building cost control during early design stages. The findings contribute to an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of applying formal modeling techniques to the analysis of architectural problems and the representation of domain knowledge in an object-oriented environment. In this study information modeling techniques were reviewed, formal information analysis was performed, a conceptual model based on the cost control problem domain was created, a computational model based on the object-oriented approach was developed, a mechanism to support infor-mation broadcasting for representing interrelationships was implemented, and an object-oriented cost analysis system for early design (OBCIS) was demonstrated.

Abdulrehman Al-Harkan, 1994

An Intelligent Environment for Design Evaluation and Feedback: A Machine Learning Approach
It has been the tradition of design methods paradigms to provide designers with tools to enhance their ability to deal with the complexity of design. These tools have ranged from systematic methods and procedures for designing to computerized aids. However, the efforts directed towards computerizing design evaluation have not been as successful as those in other areas. This is due to the difficulties associated with passing judgment on the results of evolving design solutions. This research investigates these difficulties and suggests remedies that are implemented in a computer system capable of evaluating design solutions throughout their stages of development. The system uses design precedents as frames of reference to pass judgment, as is done in architecture and other disciplines in which precedents are called upon to support an idea or avoid an error.

Abdulrahman Al-Tassan, 1995

An Investigation of the Role of Implicit and Explicit Constraints in Indexing Case-based Architectural Systems
This study is an attempt to employ computers as design-aids in the core of the design process, the synthesis phase. Most efforts to formulate design-aids are focused on the analysis and evaluation phases. By comparison, little attention has been devoted to design-aids focusing on synthesis. This is due to the difficulty of understanding and accommodating some important aspects of synthesis, such as creativity. This study suggests that computers can assist in the synthesis phase of the design process if they have access to knowledge and experience similar to that upon which designers rely. The study is based on evidence that prior knowledge can play an important role in stimulating and inspiring the thinking process and, thus, creativity. This research addresses an important problem that represents a major obstacle in building a case-based architectural systemăan indexing scheme which is vital to this type of system.

Chutiman Prayoonhong, 1995

An Integrated Information Model for the Building Process.
A major problem that inhibits the development of an integrated information model of the building process is the lack of structure of the information that meets the requirements of all the participants during the building process. The development of databases to facilitate interdisciplinary tasks is a promising approach to integrating and sharing information for a building process. This research investigates the sharing of information among interdisciplinary tasks in the building process. It uses information modeling techniques with the support of a relational database management system.

Patrick Tripeny, Current

A Morphological Investigation into a Space Frame Structural System through the use of a Grammer Based Computer Program
The basis of this research is that the morphological potential of space frame structures in architecture has not been fully realized. Morphology for this research is defined as the shape or form of the structure plus its support or boundary conditions. The morphological limitation of space frame structures is due largely to the complex nature of the structures' geometry. This complexity required that the morphology be simplified in order to simplify the structural analysis. Although the development of computer structural analysis techniques has eliminated the need for morphological simplicity architects still tend to limit space frame structural systems use to the simplified morphologies. It is the hypothesis of this research that new morphologies can be realized through the use of a computer program which generates space frame structures with a generative grammar.

Scott Johnson, 2004

An Exploration of Protean Elements as Representations in a Computer Aid for Design Visualization
Good representations generally correspond in a meaningful manner to the things being represented. They often make use of the user's existing knowledge, as well as characteristics inherent in the representation, resulting in better acquisition, retention, and utilization of knowledge and skills. Poor representations, on the other hand, can force a person to perform mental "translations," inhibiting performance on tasks by draining cognitive resources like attention and short-term memory. This dissertation explores the possibility of basing a computer aid for design visualization on representations consisting of what are being termed "Protean" (readily assuming different forms) elements. These elements are intended to correspond to architectural "elements" like rooms, walls, windows, beams, moldings, etc., and have attributes (height, radius, endpoints, cross section shape, etc.) appropriate for the individual type of element being represented. This may allow a much more natural and transparent interface than conventional representations such as point, lines, and planes; CSG trees; or procedural assembly scripts; freeing cognitive resources for the design task. Issues of completeness, extendibility, fit to architectural elements, mutability, fit to the design process, and ability to support analyses will be explored, in order to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of the approach.
Scott has finally finished after more than a decade of working very hard almost every day.

Wassim Jabi, 2004

A Protocol of Interaction for Computer-Supported Collaborative Architectural Design Environments
The theoretical contribution of this dissertation is to derive, define and construct a protocol of interaction for Computer-Supported Collaborative Design Environments. This protocol maps the important declarative and procedural units of collaborative design as practiced in the architectural office. The significance of this protocol will be in its ability: (1) to allow us to gain clearer insight into the nature of collaborative architectural design in the early phases and (2) to further the knowledge needed to construct computer systems that help designers in their work. To illustrate the advantages and features of this protocol, a computer prototype will be devised that illustrates its use. The computer implementation will address the most important conceptual elements of the protocol such as Participants, Tasks, and Artifacts.

George Tye-Yan Yeh, 1996

Using Natural Language in Computer-Sided Architectural Design Computer
Science, Natural Language Processing and Artificial Intelligence researchers have developed many solutions to address computational natural language understanding issues. Some of the solutions have potential applications in Computer-Aided Architectural Design (CAAD). However, all language processors have limitations in interpreting English expressions because they cannot process all conceivable syntactic structures and resolve all semantic ambiguities with limited representations of syntactic, semantic and conceptual rules. They also, because of limited resources, cannot represent all word meanings with a small number of primitive concepts. This research has tested the selected solutions, addressed the above limitations, and investigated a natural language approach to defining a language for CAAD applications. The language and the CAAD system use a subset of natural (American) English expressions. A prototype of the proposed system is developed to assist the research. This research concludes that setting up the proposed system is feasible and good for many applications. The prototype is capable of pointing out ambiguous expressions, which help designers avoid miscommunication in a collaborative design environment. Other applications such as extracting design goals, assigning or interpreting meanings with a geometric object can be extended with the prototype by writing additional usage rules for design and geometry concepts. This dissertation provides the groundwork for other CAAD researchers who have similar interests in language processing.

A. Scott Howe, 1998

A New Paradigm for Life-cycle Management of Kit-of-parts Building Systems
This research introduces a new paradigm in design which attempts to integrate design, fabrication, construction, maintenance, and facility management processes. The paradigm is based solely on the use of pre-designed and pre-engineered kit-of-parts systems and depends entirely upon computer-based tools and a geographically distributed networking environment such as the Internet. The paradigm includes a real-time linkage of a virtual design environement to design information sources, manufacturing and construction environments, and the actual final product itself. Instead of static artifacts, the paradigm encourages the design of dynamic systems of standards and interfaces. In order to show the feasibility of such a paradigm, an experimental design environment is developed and tested. A series of case studies supports the approach for possible application of similar design environments.

Charlene M. Proctor, 2000

The Use of Community-based Planning and the Policy Exercise to Build Organizational Learning Capability

Buthayna Eilouti, 2001

Towards A Form Processor: A Framework for Architectural Form Derivation and Analysis Using a Formal Language Analogy

Seung-Hoon Han, 2003

Ruchi Choudary, 2003

Mehlika Inanici, 2004

Elena Primikiri, 2004

Linda Nubani

Ipek Kaynar

Sharad Sharma

Sharad will be my last doctoral student. I suspect he will graduate in 2007. I will retire in January, 2005 but will hang around like my mentors, Harold "I will never give up my office" Borkin, and Norm Barnett.