Abstract
The study explores recent innovations in robotic and sensor-based technologies that are spearheading advancements in the construction sector to achieve improvements in construction quality, efficiency, and safety. Automation in construction, although coined as a concept in 1980s, has witnessed minimal progress in the level of application. The study attempts to identify issues constraining adoption of automation in the sector, the recent developments in technologies and their scope in construction, their applications and impacts, and way forward. The role of robotics in various stages of construction and its impact on a wider scale has been identified and discussed. The evolution of Building Information Modeling (BIM) has transitioned it into being an efficient mediator in the construction process with novel concepts such as 4D and 5D BIM and Building Knowledge Management. Various sensor technologies, functioning at diverse scales, have found wide-ranging applications on construction sites ranging from high-accuracy positioning to slow-tracking of personnel and materials, as well as, in progress monitoring and quality control. Information Technology has a major role in binding the sensor technology with on-site requirements to create positive results. A study was done to identify such technological interventions and various software utilities which integrate BIM and sensor technology with tools such as GIS. The factors which restrained developments in automation in construction sector were identified in the course of study. Various global examples of advanced automated construction technologies with applications in various stages of construction were discussed. The review successfully identifies the nascent technological innovations and their productive usage in relevant areas of construction sector.
Highlights
The industrial age revolutionized construction sector with advent of machinery, which took over bulk physical labour
While automation has established applications in distinct construction processes, there has been no recorded attempt at complete site automation
While robotics has picked up gradual pace by catering to specific processes, the sensor technology is getting explored in the construction industry for its specific applications in relevant areas
Summary
Construction industry has seen minimal change in technology and process over the past century. Automation in building industry, in general perception, is connected with robotics. While this holds true, the industry has a potential to be automated well beyond robotics. The industrial age revolutionized construction sector with advent of machinery, which took over bulk physical labour. The uniqueness of projects and vast difference in scale prevented standardization, thereby limiting the scope of machinery in the sector. Effectively substitute human intervention in on-site operations by speeding up construction, reducing errors and working under hazardous conditions. The progress in off-site operations in construction including Building Information Modelling and pre-fabrication technologies could remodel site interventions to minimize labour and save costs. The research explores technological interventions in the construction part of the all-inclusive classification
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