Advanced informatic technologies for intelligent construction: A review

Abstract

Since there is a growing interest in driving the digital transformation of the construction industry, the goal of this paper is to provide a full picture and understanding of the emerging research front on intelligent construction. Through the quantitative and qualitative analysis, relevant pieces of literature are thoroughly reviewed to extract useful knowledge to raise awareness of intelligent construction, resulting in the summary of research status and the determination of future needs. In light of the research findings, the rapid development of intelligent construction follows the strategies of standardization, digitization, intellectualization, collaboration, greenization, and customization, which mainly support “4S” technologies. The popular research topics covering intelligent engineering services for the project's full lifecycle (i.e., design, construction, operation, and maintenance) and even the city level have been deeply explored, which are proven to dramatically improve project efficiency, safety, and automation. Moreover, challenges exist in three potential paths for future research, including the digital twin-enabled engineering cloud platform, man-machine-environment interaction, great sustainability under carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. As for the practical value, a synthesized point of up-to-date reference is created to guide managers to promote intelligent construction in real-world engineering.