Automation and Robotics in Surveying Processes
Discuss about the Automation and Robotics in Construction.
All along, robotics were majorly applied in factories for the purpose of automating the process of production until recently. In as early as the years of 1970, the factory of robotics had emerged and had led to a lot of debate on the effect they have in terms of the employment. People feared that, as a result of the development, there would be huge cases of unemployment. Although this did not turn out to be the case, gradually the technology of robotics has changed how the performance of job is carried out in numerous number of industries. The industry of construction plays a key role that is influential in the economies nationally as well as globally. As high as 10% of the GDP of a country in the countries that are already developed is made up of the robotics industry while more than 25% of the GDP of the developing countries is made up of the robotics industry. However, compared to other industries such as the manufacturing industries, the automation of construction tends to be a little less. This leads to poor conditions of working as well as conditions that are risky in the working environment. Application of robotics and automation offer a good method of solving such issues in the industry of construction. Major developments have been observed in the control of robotic, visioning, sensing, mapping, localization and modules of planning due to the fast developing of hardware and software of the computer during the past few decades. New robotics not only is it applied in the applications of the factory but also it is applied in the outside world in unstructured and a complex manner, that is, it is used in the automation of the normal human activities such as driving a car, caring for the unwell among others.
This special review draws its focus on case studies and research which elaborate how the technologies of robotics and automation and their tools may be used in the building construction as well as the infrastructure. The paper also discovers one or more issues where the application of the technologies of robotics, automation or techniques of management that are advanced can be used to offer solutions that are innovative.
In today’s practices of the construction, the application of the process of surveying has become an important procedure which can be carried out with the technologies of robotics and automation when the appropriate tools are integrated. Several regular processes of surveying such as the layout of point and monitoring of the deformation of the soil can gain advantages from the development of innovative hardware such as the total stations of robotics and scanning of laser that speeds up the processes of checking of the quality and accuracy of construction.
Risk and Safety Analysis and Education in Construction
Zhao et al. (2014) discovered characteristics of deformation of buildings which are found in positions of convex and concave of the excavation that assists in predicting and preventing any influences that are possible with buildings’ surroundings among cases of excavation. In consideration of efficient, safe and methods that are not expensive in extraction of data infrastructures that are spatial, Dai and Zhu (2014) have used an approach of collecting photographs from the robotics technology in developing a method of automation of vertices of objects and the process of marking of edges. The advanced process is important in reduction of efforts of conversion of the data of an image into a geometric model of 3D which signifies a huge step towards automation that is full as information that is built in the process of reconstruction. The TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is a construction equipment of cutting edge for rapid excavation and much safer compared to the methods of tunneling that are conventional. Mao et al. (2014) applied a total station of robotic and innovative algorithms of computing algorithms in monitoring the status of alignment of the machine of TBM which evades the issues with the tedious processes of calibration and accuracy on the use of conventional station of laser.
Wang et al. (2014) projected a system that is integrated for encapsulating LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and BIM (Building Information Modelling) for collection of information on-site and control of quality construction. This could assist managers of the quality to accurately and quickly recognize and manage errors; an advancement to inspections that are time consuming which had to be carried out in certain positions. Through the proposition of a situation of awareness of the environment in the site of construction, Chi et al. (2014) carried out various cases of studies to discover the usage of is potential of a model as-built scanned by laser in the processes of assurance of quality of LNG (Liquid and Gas) construction plant. Other technologies of tracking technologies like the GPS and RFID among others may also be utilized in rapid discovery of uncertainties in the process of construction and assist managers in better making of decisions of re-planning as soon as possible. The communications in those kinds of environment may be created online with the use of services of the cloud. The study carried out by Cheng et al. (2014) brought about system of CQSCS (Construction Quality Supervision Collaboration System) which is created by integrating the SaaS private cloud in order to strengthen supervision of the quality of construction and management.
Interface Management and Data Exchange in Construction
Zhong and Li (2014) discovered a method of combination of the risk and process management through the introduction of the approach that was semantic and ontological. The ontology model which is risk oriented has been encouraged and retaining wall system considered based on a bored pile case study. Besides the protections of safety and identifications of risk in practice, promotion of a healthful and safe environment of working through education of safety is essential as well. Le et al. (2014) applied technologies of virtual reality in creation of an environment that is virtual that enables cooperative safety learning that is distributed, inspection of hazard, cognition of safety and active learning that is game-based. An evaluation that has been done has clearly indicated that such platforms of education may increase effectiveness of learning. Zhang et al. (2014) focused on the impacts of tunneling that is metro tunneling with regard to operation of the surface road and suggested a guideline for the safety analysis that is dynamic over a period of time. It can be utilized as tool for decision for the assurance of safety in a construction environment that is dynamic.
Fu et al. (2014) discovered the connection a carbon that is low and the assimilation of process of construction that is lean. Through going through of a case of study and using the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), the lean process of construction has been verified to reduce emissions of carbon in comparison with the original processes. Apart from the analysis of sustainability at the stage of construction, it is also essential to become conscious of the consumption of energy for the design of healthy space that is indoors. Kim et al. (2014) used technologies of MAR (Mobile Augmented Reality), that were generated from the theorem of computer vision in order to simulate awareness of the energy consumption in the environment of building. They also discovered factors of evaluations of energy that are key for the development of smart services of home.
Wang et al. (2014) carried a research on the method for the structural transformation model and discovered the features and representations between structural and architectural models. In response, a software based on IFC was developed and the results of tests indicate that exchanging of data between the models of building information for various disciplines may be attained. Luo and Gong (2014) used BIM in order to enhance the checking of the code and identification of risk before construction of foundations that are deep for projects. A case of study has also been provided in order to prove that code processes that are based on BIM enhanced the efficiency and accuracy of the compliance of code checking and identification of risk. Besides issues of exchanging of data in current processes of construction, several interfaces among various disciplines too created a huge gap for cooperation and communication. Ju and Ding (2014) focused on the problems that arose with the use of WIIMS (Web-based Integrated Interface Management System) for the reduction of reworks and conflicts of interface. Other scholars such as Yu et al. (2014) came up with an automatic approach regarding the recognition of section map for identification of construction risk. Two legends that are typical on the map section of a project of metro are identified by their algorithm that has already been developed that would assist to improve further the evaluations of risk.
With the trend of development of technologies of robotics and automation in construction, schemes that are new, components and tools have been anticipated to be generated for the ease of incorporation and the benefits that are maximum. Xiong and Li (2014) carried a research and suggested an internal model that is modified scheme of control for the part of drive of the system of robotics that is often treated like bodies that are rigid. A test was done in order to validate the effectiveness of the control scheme that was proposed. Lee et al. (2014) created a language of computer programming that is domain specific for the purpose of dealing with models of information building in the early phases of design. The concept of the design of the language concentrates on the objects of building and their related relationship and properties that offers effectiveness and ease in usage without knowledge that is precise of the languages that are conventional that are utilized in the development of the software of BIM. With the use of that knowledge of development by Lee et al. (2014), a new structure of column-beam referred to as GF (Green Frame) was created in order to enhance further the economy, constructability and friendliness of the environment of construction. The dynamic system of erection of the structure that was developed was created in this research in regard to the on-site production changes and conditions of erection. The distinct issue brings about emerging, novelty, research concepts of high quality, and results on construction of the state of the art. All the methods that have been proposed, technologies, models and applications can contribute potentially the construction paradigm that is current or further inspire research with integration of technologies of robotics and automation. We anticipate for a life that is better that would result from the integrations that are advance between the construction and automation industries in the days to come.
In order to understand better the concept of robotics and automation and its importance to the industry of construction, its essential to understand in detail the terms. Automation may be elaborated as a procedure that is self-regulating carried out through the use of machines that are computerized to perform tasks, that is according to Mistri et al (2015). Additionally, machines that are automated can perform according to a program which regulates the machine behavior. As early as the twentieth century, immediately after electrical devices were improved and switches of time, it turned out that a lot of techniques could be controlled and several important businesses like the processing of food and refining of oil were becoming computerized progressively (Elattar, 2009). Over decades, automation has advanced from mechanization that is straightforward of tasks that are normally performed using hands through the coming of control automation systems that are complex and extensive.
According to the study carried out by Ruggiero and Salvo (2016) on modern processes of labor, it proposes that automation does not replace people and the skills they contain but instead it displace them to distribution, planning, additional work and maintenance. Robotics may be categorized as a process that is synchronized whereby there is an introduction of a combination of mechanical, software and electrical engineering. Its aim is to offer good lives to humans who are at the edge of injuring themselves as they are carrying out tasks on site. The machines are used in the industry in order to accomplish tasks that are in a location that is hazardous or are in a nature that is repetitive and as the development of computers continues, robots are utilized in tasks that are getting more complex as days passes on.
According to Tambi et al (2014), there are normal lessons which require to be comprehended regarding the industry of construction and manufacturing on the usage of robotics and automation which is that most devices of robotics ought to be considered as a part of the process of design and production. The reason behind that is that the equipment cannot be restricted to the operation of construction but instead it extends through the design of production, planning and in the development of the strategy that is corporate. An important factor to consider is that, automation that is flexible ought to be considered from the prior outset to the introduction of robotics to the site of construction itself. Kim et al (2015) argued that the usage of robotics may have an impact on the designing of building, planning and organization of the process of construction as well as methods and construction process. The output of the construction a number of the countries that are developing has increased especially quick in the past few years to the extent that the growth is usually more than the rate of growth of an economy since the countries place their infrastructure in place as early as the development stages begin. The rest of the countries double their outputs of construction and development hence creating an industry that is developing rapidly which requires solutions that innovative and efficient in order to increase work that is quality as well as production. As a result of increase in infrastructure growth and development in countries that are already developed, a good number of the countries that are developed have moved from the procedures of construction that are traditional to prefabricated components of manufacturing in workshops which then are assembled on site. (Mahbub, 2012).
Investigating activities of construction that can gain a lot from the automation of construction could be viewed like the first step of automation implementation since it aids in identification of the areas that can or not be automated and as a result turns it to be easy for it to be handled. Several aspects are important and will have effect on the adaptation of the idea. This is according to Balaguer and Abderrahim, 2008, Momin et al. 2015 and Mistri and Rathod, 2015.
They include:
- Companies of construction require to alter their attitudes, the machine industry, research centers and the research of government and the officials of development.
- Implementation of technologies of new IT and telecommunication is changing already the process of work in all the segments that are social including the people of construction.
- Adaptation of structures that are commercial structures market globalization brings about competition of high level in the section of construction. This implies that companies require to assimilate automated means that are more efficient.
The following actions should be considered for the purpose of integration. Transportation, erection and various phases of procedures of development, considering prefabrication, transportation and different phases of development procedures, consideration of prefabrication, assembly and getting response for the designs. Qualities that are assorted of the plan using the mainly number that is elevated of the standard that are comparable for the components that are pre-assembled, regarding building of houses that are diverse with parts that are similar. Institutionalization of programming that enable the quick and simple trade of information between professionals. Automation presentation and also autonomy of mechanic into the cycle of construction to improve performance, need supervision that is cautious of any dangers and imperative needs that are commercial to be understood by the user or his professional (expert) advisor at the stage that is early in the procedure of planning (Cusack, 2014).
From the statement of Vähä et al. (2013), prefabrication may be defined as the way of collecting and assembling parts of a plant structure or other site of assembling and transporting entire assemblies to the site of development where construction routine is more ordinary of transferring important parts and equipment to where manufacture of component and assembly are carried out. Advancing the technology could imply that covering materials other than concrete ought to increase productivity. According to Kim, et al (2015), the required actions may comprise of the following;
- Manufacturing that is large scale utilizing prefabrication so as to make a choice of parts in the catalogue.
- Standardization optimum value of segments through the use dimensions that are rigid, joints that are common and links.
- Materials that are new the parts that are prefabricated that make them lesser, for prefabricated parts which make them lighter, preserving the same features that are mechanical.
Vähä et al. (2012) argued further that automation that is relating to the construction of prefab sector basically lies in one of the categories below:
- The process of making segments of prefab, (formwork, parts, pre-cast, panels, formwork)
that controls the development pieces of building.
- The procedure of assembly procedure whereby the segments of building are installed to generate structure or houses, buildings by a number of sub-contractors.
- The procedures of business building which characterize both the procedures of business and support.
- Robotics and automated machine
According to Struková and Líska (2013), a number of applications of mechanical autonomy and automation in robotics of construction comprises of three groups; improvement to plants of building and equipment, machines that are task specific and technologies that are cognitive or intelligent. Improvement to current plants of building may be recognized through the sensors connection and guides of navigation to provide input that is enhanced to the operator (Ruggerio, et al. 2016). Immediately the machined is located in front of the area of working, soil setting and the excavation ought to be carried out consequently through controls and sensors added to enable operation that is program controlled. Controls of Laser and ultrasound is mainly applied. Robots that are task specific and dedicated mainly developed in Japan normally perform under control program or teleoperation. The robots carry out tasks that are well defined which are usually used within a certain area of the procedure of building.
Machines of intelligent present the category that is least developed, majority of them are still under research. The rest of the applications comprises of the technologies of CAM/CAD (Computer Aided Manufacturing/Design) that its applications is not limited to the stage of design but is linked to and supports applications in various development stages (Momin, et al. 2015, Tambi et al 2014). This can also be seen where developments have been advanced to compromise various functions like the management of project, scheduling and planning.
References
Zhao, W., Chen, C., Li, S., Pang, Y. (2014): Researches on the Influence on Neighboring Buildings by Concave and Convex Location Effect of Excavations in Soft Soil Area,Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Dai, F., Zhu, Z. (2014): Line Segment Grouping and Linking: A Key Step toward Automated Photogrammetry for Non-Contact Site Surveying, Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Mao, S., Shen, X., Lu, M. (2014): Virtual Laser Target Board for Alignment Control and Machine Guidance in Tunnel-Boring Operations, Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Fu, F., Sun, J., Pasquire, C. (2014): Carbon Emission Assessment for Steel Structure Based on Lean Construction Process,Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Wang, J., Sun, W., Shou, W., Wang, X., Wu, C., Chong, H.Y., Liu, Y., Sun, C. (2014): Integrating BIM and LiDAR for Real Time Construction Quality Control, Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Chi, H.-L., Wang, J., Wang, X., Truijens, M., Yung, P. (2014): A Conceptual Framework of Quality-Assured Fabrication, Delivery and Installation Processes for Liquefied Natural
Gas (LNG) Plant Construction. Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Zhong, B., and Li, Y. (2014): An Ontological and Semantic Approach for the Construction Risk Inferring and Application, Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Wang, X., Yang, H., Zhang, Q. (2014): Research of the IFC based Transformation Methods of Geometry Information for Structural Elements, Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Xiong, Y., and Li, Y. (2014): Modified Internal Model Control Scheme for the Drive Part with Elastic Joints in Robotic System, Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Le, Q.T., Pedro, A., Park, C.S. (2014): A Social Virtual Reality Based Construction Safety Education System for Experiential Learning, Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Lee, J.-K., Eastman, C.M., Lee, Y.C.(2014): Implementation of a BIM Domain-specific Language for the Building Environment Rule and Analysis, Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems
Kim, M.J., Lee, J.H., Wang, X., Kim, J.T. (2014): Health Smart Home Services incorporating a MAR-based Energy Consumption Awareness System, Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Lee, S., Hong, W.K., Lim, C., Kim, S. (2014): A Dynamic Erection Simulation Model of Column-Beam Structures Using Composite Precast Concrete Components, Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Luo, H., and Gong, P. (2014): A BIM-based Code Compliance Checking Process of Deep Foundation Construction Plans, Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Ju, Q., and Ding, L. (2014): A Web-based System for Interface Management of Metro Equipment Engineering, Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Zhang, L., Wu, X., Ding, L., Skibniewski, M.J., Zhong, J. (2014): A Dynamic Decision Approach for Risk Analysis in Complex Projects, Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Yu, H.L., Ding, L., Li, P. (2014): Two Typical Legends Automatic Recognition in Geological Section Map of Metro Project, Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Cheng, Y., Chen, Y., Wei, R., Luo, H. (2014): Development of a Construction Quality Supervision Collaboration System based on a SaaS Private Cloud, Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems.
Balaguer, C. & Abderrahim,M. (2008), Robotics and Automation in Construction, InTech, Rijeka.
Cottle, E. (2014) The Transformation of the Construction Sector in South Africa since apartheid: Social inequality and labour, Unpublished thesis. Brazil: State Universityof Campinas.
Cusack, M. (2014), Industrial Robot: An International Journal, 21(4), pp. 10-14.
Elattar, S. (2008), Automation and Robotics in Construction: Opportunities and challenges, Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, 13(2), pp. 21-26.
Kim, M.J., Chi, H., Wang, X. & Ding, L. (2015) Automation and Robotics in Construction and Civil Engineering, Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems, 79(3-4), pp. 347-350.
Momin, S.J., Patil, J.R. & Nale, R.R. (2015). Enhancement of Road Construction Sector using esearch Journal of Engineering and Technology, 02(03), pp. 978-983.
Ruggiero, A., Salvo, S. & St. Laurent, C. (2016) Robotics in construction, Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Robotics Automation in Construction, 6(2), pp. 109-120.
Execution, AD ALTA: Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 20(12), pp. 121-125.
Tambi, A.S., Kolhe, A.R. & Saharkar, U. (2014). Remedies over the Obstacles in International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology (IJRET), 03(05), pp. 606-608
Vähä,P., Heikkilä,T., Kilpeläinen, P. (2013). Extending Automation of Building construction Survey on potential sensor technologies and robotic applications, Automation in Construction, 36, pp. 168-178
Struková Z., M. Líška (2012), Application of automation and robotics in construction work execution, AD ALTA: J. Interdiscipl. Res. 2(2) 121-125.
Mistri S. (2015), H. A. Rathod, Remedies over Barriers of Automation and Robotics for Construction Industry, Int. J. Adv. Res. Eng. Sci. Manag.pg1-4.
Mahbub R., 2012, Readiness of a Developing Nation in Implementing Automation and Robotics. Technologies in Construction: A case study of Malaysia, J. Civil Eng. Archit. 6(7)pg 858-866.
Order an Essay Now & Get These Features For Free:
Turnitin Report
Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
