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Spatial synthesis in computer-aided building design
Spatial synthesis in computer-aided building design
Buying software International Computer Programs Inc., Indiana, USA, (1975), 20pp, $2.95 (paperback)
Editea by Charles M. Eastman. Applied Science Publishers Ltd., London (1975), 333pp £12
This book contains nine chapters plus a bibliography containing 356 references to other published information; each chapter has been contributed by a separate author, or joint authors in the case of two of the chapters, with the whole collection being edited by Charles Eastman who has also written the introductory and one other chapter. Those who have contributed are: Eric Bunselmeier, Unver Cinar, John Gero, Steven Handel, Warren Julian, Theodore Myer, Charles Pfefferkorn, Herbert Simon, Guy Weinzapfel and Chris Yessicos. The book consists in essence of an integrated collection of papers with each surveying a different aspect of the state of the art in using the computer as an aid to solving spatial synthesis problems. It is aimed at students of computer-aided building design, and is intended to be a guide and reference for those with only a minimal knowledge of computers, who require to learn about the subject matter, and may wish to contribute further work subsequently themselves. The chapters o f the b o o k cover the scope of c.a.b.d., an approach to space allocation, an information system for component building, the IMAGE system, a system for producing furniture and equipment layouts, formal languages for site planning, interaction in the planning of buildings, and the source program coding of a set of F O R T R A N subroutines which can be used for building up into complete space .planning computer programs. The subject matter of most of the chapters has already appeared in print elsewhere, much of it in conference papers, but this does not detract from the usefulness o f having them all available together, albeit at a price which many people may find beyond their reach; for an office this is only the cost of employing someone for about two hours. The book is, in general, written in an easily readable style and does not, except in the case of one chapter, involve other than an elementary mathematical understanding on the part o f the reader; this is certainly to be commended and will appeal to practising architects who might otherwise be deterred by the university backgrounds of most
134
of the contributing authors. Nevertheless, practising architects should not expect to find here off-the-shelf programs which they can use directly in their everyday work; there are nearly always problems in trying to make universityproduced computer programs directly available to the practising architect. Although the book is supposed to be aimed at those with only a minimal grounding in computers it is difficult to envisage how quite a lot of the text could be easily comprehended by anyone not familiar with much of the computer jargon used; in particular, a number of chapters in the book pre-suppose that the reader is familiar with computer programming techniques since he would otherwise find it difficult to understand the subject matter presented. For this reason it would therefore have been appropriate to have included a glossary of terms used. It must however be acknowledged that it is difficult, within a single book, to cater for both the beginner and the experienced reader when dealing with computer techniques and applications; the reader inexperienced in computer technology ought therefore to look elsewhere for an introduction to computer techniques before tackling some parts of this book. The reader with computer experience will appreciate the depth of coverage of each subject area in the book; this serves to emphasize the impossibility of covering the whole field of architectural computer applications within a single book and justifies the aim of this book in restricting itself to a single application area in depth, i.e. space planning. The book is particularly useful in demonstrating the depth of study which is necessary before the computer can be used to solve certain types of space planning problem. These parts of the book clearly show that there is more to using a computer than simply writing a computer program; the in-depth analysis of an application area is clearly shown to be the most difficult and important part of the problem of using computer techniques.
David Campion, Cusdin Burden and Howitt, London.
Buying the right software is always difficult, particularly in the case of c.a.d. when many of the benefits are intangible. This short publication is useful if used only as a checklist with vendors to avoid pitfalls, such as poor software support. The text of the book is written for managers with a little knowledge of computers and the appendix of charts and checklists is useful for the expert.
Finite element program catalogue The LinkiSping Institute of Technology, Sweden, has produced a catalogue entitled 'Structural Mechanics Finite Element Computer Programs -- Surveys and Availability', edited by B. Fredriksson and J. Mackerle. A b o u t 230 computer programs are described alphabetically in table form. The catalogue is arranged in two sections. The first part covers the program characteristics, description, element library and software information. The range of application includes the finite element programs within linear and nonlinear statics and dynamics, and heat transfer. The second part of the catalogue gives the address of the program-developer and references to journals and conference proceedings which describe the programs and applications experience. Copies of the catalogue or further information can be obtained from the Linkrping Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Division of Solid Mechanics, S-581 83 Linkrping, Sweden.
Computing in structural engineering J. E. Gibson, Applied Science Publishers (1975) 290pp, £ 12.00 Professor Gibson is a structural engineer who is well-known for his contributions to the understanding of the behaviour of plate and shell structures. The computational problems posed by structural analysis have brought him into contact with computers for which he has developed an enthusiasm; this has spurred
COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN
Buying software International Computer Programs Inc., Indiana, USA, (1975), 20pp, $2.95 (paperback)
Editea by Charles M. Eastman. Applied Science Publishers Ltd., London (1975), 333pp £12
This book contains nine chapters plus a bibliography containing 356 references to other published information; each chapter has been contributed by a separate author, or joint authors in the case of two of the chapters, with the whole collection being edited by Charles Eastman who has also written the introductory and one other chapter. Those who have contributed are: Eric Bunselmeier, Unver Cinar, John Gero, Steven Handel, Warren Julian, Theodore Myer, Charles Pfefferkorn, Herbert Simon, Guy Weinzapfel and Chris Yessicos. The book consists in essence of an integrated collection of papers with each surveying a different aspect of the state of the art in using the computer as an aid to solving spatial synthesis problems. It is aimed at students of computer-aided building design, and is intended to be a guide and reference for those with only a minimal knowledge of computers, who require to learn about the subject matter, and may wish to contribute further work subsequently themselves. The chapters o f the b o o k cover the scope of c.a.b.d., an approach to space allocation, an information system for component building, the IMAGE system, a system for producing furniture and equipment layouts, formal languages for site planning, interaction in the planning of buildings, and the source program coding of a set of F O R T R A N subroutines which can be used for building up into complete space .planning computer programs. The subject matter of most of the chapters has already appeared in print elsewhere, much of it in conference papers, but this does not detract from the usefulness o f having them all available together, albeit at a price which many people may find beyond their reach; for an office this is only the cost of employing someone for about two hours. The book is, in general, written in an easily readable style and does not, except in the case of one chapter, involve other than an elementary mathematical understanding on the part o f the reader; this is certainly to be commended and will appeal to practising architects who might otherwise be deterred by the university backgrounds of most
134
of the contributing authors. Nevertheless, practising architects should not expect to find here off-the-shelf programs which they can use directly in their everyday work; there are nearly always problems in trying to make universityproduced computer programs directly available to the practising architect. Although the book is supposed to be aimed at those with only a minimal grounding in computers it is difficult to envisage how quite a lot of the text could be easily comprehended by anyone not familiar with much of the computer jargon used; in particular, a number of chapters in the book pre-suppose that the reader is familiar with computer programming techniques since he would otherwise find it difficult to understand the subject matter presented. For this reason it would therefore have been appropriate to have included a glossary of terms used. It must however be acknowledged that it is difficult, within a single book, to cater for both the beginner and the experienced reader when dealing with computer techniques and applications; the reader inexperienced in computer technology ought therefore to look elsewhere for an introduction to computer techniques before tackling some parts of this book. The reader with computer experience will appreciate the depth of coverage of each subject area in the book; this serves to emphasize the impossibility of covering the whole field of architectural computer applications within a single book and justifies the aim of this book in restricting itself to a single application area in depth, i.e. space planning. The book is particularly useful in demonstrating the depth of study which is necessary before the computer can be used to solve certain types of space planning problem. These parts of the book clearly show that there is more to using a computer than simply writing a computer program; the in-depth analysis of an application area is clearly shown to be the most difficult and important part of the problem of using computer techniques.
David Campion, Cusdin Burden and Howitt, London.
Buying the right software is always difficult, particularly in the case of c.a.d. when many of the benefits are intangible. This short publication is useful if used only as a checklist with vendors to avoid pitfalls, such as poor software support. The text of the book is written for managers with a little knowledge of computers and the appendix of charts and checklists is useful for the expert.
Finite element program catalogue The LinkiSping Institute of Technology, Sweden, has produced a catalogue entitled 'Structural Mechanics Finite Element Computer Programs -- Surveys and Availability', edited by B. Fredriksson and J. Mackerle. A b o u t 230 computer programs are described alphabetically in table form. The catalogue is arranged in two sections. The first part covers the program characteristics, description, element library and software information. The range of application includes the finite element programs within linear and nonlinear statics and dynamics, and heat transfer. The second part of the catalogue gives the address of the program-developer and references to journals and conference proceedings which describe the programs and applications experience. Copies of the catalogue or further information can be obtained from the Linkrping Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Division of Solid Mechanics, S-581 83 Linkrping, Sweden.
Computing in structural engineering J. E. Gibson, Applied Science Publishers (1975) 290pp, £ 12.00 Professor Gibson is a structural engineer who is well-known for his contributions to the understanding of the behaviour of plate and shell structures. The computational problems posed by structural analysis have brought him into contact with computers for which he has developed an enthusiasm; this has spurred
COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN