scholarly journals Cutting Edge Fabrication: Investigating Timber Sheet Materials with Robotic Fabrication

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Celine Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Robotic Arm ◽  
Supporting Structure ◽  
Robotic Fabrication ◽  
Sheet Materials ◽  
Manual Labour ◽  
Timber Connections

<p>Timber sheet materials have been used in the same manner for decades despite having a vital role in the construction industry. This often results in indistinguishable surfaces with no identity. The research developed in this thesis is the creation of a workflow to create a self-supporting structure from sheet materials using robotic fabrication and computational tools. Timber sheet materials is the key focus for this research, as timber is a material that can be altered in a variety of ways. Japanese timber connections were a strong influence for this research, due to its prolonged life span and sustainable advantages. In the past, timber fabrication techniques have been limited due to design limitations. Current technology, specifically parametric software combined with the robotic arm was explored to find how it can create timber connections to connect sheet materials at different angles. This method was utilised to repurpose the concept of sheet materials towards a complex structure, which adopted the idea of mass customisation over mass production.   Prototypes of timber connections were created to develop an outcome that will structurally support itself. The outcome of each prototype was evaluated and compared with one another to establish which connection would be most suited to bring forward to the self-supporting structure. Computational simulations were used to explore individual structures which created panels that were automatically flattened in the software. This allowed the digital file to be transferred to the robotic arm to be milled. Using the robotic arm was an advantage, as it can rotate around six-axis giving multiple degrees of design freedom which broadened the range of construction techniques that can be used with sheet materials. There is a high chance of human error with manual labour, therefore precision is a positive attribute of the robotic arm. The precision helped minimise waste compared to manual labour. This thesis presented an opportunity for the design/construction industry to adopt a new workflow to bring leading-edge technology to focus on sustainable materials and to steer away from the repetitions evident in buildings today.</p>

scholarly journals Cutting Edge Fabrication: Investigating Timber Sheet Materials with Robotic Fabrication

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Celine Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Robotic Arm ◽  
Supporting Structure ◽  
Robotic Fabrication ◽  
Sheet Materials ◽  
Manual Labour ◽  
Timber Connections

<p>Timber sheet materials have been used in the same manner for decades despite having a vital role in the construction industry. This often results in indistinguishable surfaces with no identity. The research developed in this thesis is the creation of a workflow to create a self-supporting structure from sheet materials using robotic fabrication and computational tools. Timber sheet materials is the key focus for this research, as timber is a material that can be altered in a variety of ways. Japanese timber connections were a strong influence for this research, due to its prolonged life span and sustainable advantages. In the past, timber fabrication techniques have been limited due to design limitations. Current technology, specifically parametric software combined with the robotic arm was explored to find how it can create timber connections to connect sheet materials at different angles. This method was utilised to repurpose the concept of sheet materials towards a complex structure, which adopted the idea of mass customisation over mass production.   Prototypes of timber connections were created to develop an outcome that will structurally support itself. The outcome of each prototype was evaluated and compared with one another to establish which connection would be most suited to bring forward to the self-supporting structure. Computational simulations were used to explore individual structures which created panels that were automatically flattened in the software. This allowed the digital file to be transferred to the robotic arm to be milled. Using the robotic arm was an advantage, as it can rotate around six-axis giving multiple degrees of design freedom which broadened the range of construction techniques that can be used with sheet materials. There is a high chance of human error with manual labour, therefore precision is a positive attribute of the robotic arm. The precision helped minimise waste compared to manual labour. This thesis presented an opportunity for the design/construction industry to adopt a new workflow to bring leading-edge technology to focus on sustainable materials and to steer away from the repetitions evident in buildings today.</p>

Augmented drawn construction symbols: A method for ad hoc robotic fabrication

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-269
Author(s):  
Jens Pedersen ◽  
Narendrakrishnan Neythalath ◽  
Jay Hesslink ◽  
Asbjørn Søndergaard ◽  
Dagmar Reinhardt
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Digital Fabrication ◽  
Manual Labor ◽  
Robotic Fabrication ◽  
Timber Construction ◽  
Digital Production ◽  
Global Construction ◽  
Human Interpretation ◽  
High Level

The global construction industry is one the least productive sectors over a 30-year period, which arguably could be related to virtually no implementation of digital and automation technologies within the construction industry. Construction processes arguably consist of expensive manual labor or manual operation of mechanized processes, where hand-drawn markings on work-objects or partly build structures are used to inform and steer the construction process or allows for ad hoc adjustments of elements. As such, the use of on-object, hand-drawn information is considered integral to the modus operandi of a plurality of construction trades, where timber construction and carpentry are of special interest. In contrast, emerging methods of digital production in timber construction implicitly or explicitly seek to eliminate the interpretive component to the construction work, imposing a top-down paradigm of file-to-factory execution. While such systems offer a performance increase compared to manual labor, it is notoriously sensitive to construction tolerances and requires a high level of specialism to be operated, which could alienate craft-educated workers. This research argues that developing methods for digital production compatible with on-site human interpretation and adaptation can help overcome these challenges. In addition, these methods offer the opportunity to increase the robustness and versatility of digital fabrication in the context of the construction site. The article reports on a new method titled “augmented drawn construction symbols” that through a visual communication system converts on-object hand-drawn markings to CAD drawings and sends them to a robotic system. The process is demonstrated on a full-scale prototypical robot setup.

Towards Adoption of Smart Contract in Construction Industry in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-160
Author(s):  
Dewi Noorain Bolhassan ◽  
Chai Changsaar ◽  
Ali Raza Khoso ◽  
Loo Siawchuing ◽  
Jibril Adewale Bamgbade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Human Error ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Smart Contracts ◽  
Implementation Framework ◽  
Contract Administration ◽  
Contract Duration ◽  
Smart Contract ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Short Term Contract

The revolution of Malaysian Construction 4.0 through emerging technologies has brought a paradigm shift that has digitalized the construction sector. There is a need to adopt a computerized protocol to assist in automating the performance of a contract to meet future digital challenges. Therefore, this paper aims to serve as a pioneer study to investigate the implementation of the Malaysian construction industry to adopt smart contracts. This study adopted a qualitative scientific methodology, whereby a systematic review was conducted to gather the benefits and challenges of implementing smart contracts in the construction industry. Further, interview sessions were arranged to collect data from the construction contract management experts. The research findings unveil that due to the self-executing attribute of smart contracts, the implementation of smart contracts could provide a better apportionment of risks in a contract. The study also finds that the challenges in implementing smart contracts are severe. For instance, the smart contract is irreversible and immutable and prone to human error. The study concludes that it is more suitable to apply and implement a smart contract to a short-term contract that is not subjected to variation. Furthermore, a smart contract can enhance the efficiency in managing the contracts, such as reducing time and managing the conflicts and disputes that arise during the contract duration. The developed implementation framework is significant for the construction personnel, especially those dealing with the contract administration. The implementation of smart contracts in construction could boost contract administration and management discipline via investment in this new technology.

Aerodynamic Analysis of an Innovative Low Pressure Vane Placed in a S-Shape Duct

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lavagnoli ◽  
T. Yasa ◽  
G. Paniagua ◽  
S. Duni ◽  
L. Castillon
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Unsteady Flow ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Turbine Stage ◽  
Mean Pressure ◽  
Spectrum Distribution ◽  
The One

In this paper the aerodynamics of an innovative multisplitter LP stator downstream of a high-pressure turbine stage is presented. The stator row, located inside a swan necked diffuser, is composed of 16 large structural vanes and 48 small airfoils. The experimental characterization of the steady and unsteady flow field was carried out in a compression tube rig under engine representative conditions. The one-and-a-half turbine stage was tested at three operating regimes by varying the pressure ratio and the rotational speed. Time-averaged and time-accurate surface pressure measurements are used to investigate the aerodynamic performance of the stator and the complex interaction mechanisms with the HP turbine stage. Results show that the strut blade has a strong impact on the steady and unsteady flow field of the small vanes depending on the vane circumferential position. The time-mean pressure distributions around the airfoils show that the strut influence is significant only in the leading edge region. At off-design condition (higher rotor speed) a wide separated region is present on the strut pressure side and it affects the flow field of the adjacent vanes. A complex behavior of the unsteady surface pressures was observed. Up to four pressure peaks are identified in the time-periodic signals. The frequency analysis also shows a complex structure. The spectrum distribution depends on the vane position. The contribution of the harmonics is often larger than the fundamental frequency. The forces acting on the LP stator vanes are calculated. The results show that higher forces act on the small vanes but largest fluctuations are experienced by the strut. The load on the whole stator decreases 30% as the turbine pressure ratio is reduced by approx. 35%.

Factors that Contribute to the Generation of Construction Waste at Sites

2010 ◽  
Vol 163-167 ◽  
pp. 4501-4507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Nazziera Mokhtar ◽  
Noor Zalina Mahmood ◽  
Che Rosmani Che Hassan ◽  
Ahmad Firman Masudi ◽  
Nik Meriam Sulaiman
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Technical Problem ◽  
Waste Minimization ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Construction Waste ◽  
Waste Index ◽  
Area Of Concern

Construction industry in Malaysia is growing rapidly with high demand due to vast development and urbanization. Therefore, many commercial and residential buildings are being developed. The increasing number of construction projects in Malaysia will indirectly contribute to the increase of construction waste generation. Thus, waste minimization is an important area of concern in the implementation of the construction waste management in the construction industry of Malaysia. Data collection and observations was conducted at three construction sites which adopt different type of method with different type of building and size of project in Klang Valley. The calculation of the construction waste index generated at these sites is adopted from Poon et al., (2001). Result showed that construction method, size of projects (GFA), type of building, storage method system, human error and technical problem can affect the amount of waste index (debris) and amount of wastage level generated at construction sites. Therefore waste index and wastage level can be used as operational an indicator for waste minimization of the construction activities.

scholarly journals Additive Manufacturing in the Construction Industry: The Comparative Competitiveness of 3D Concrete Printing

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 3865
Author(s):  
Siavash H. Khajavi ◽  
Müge Tetik ◽  
Ashish Mohite ◽  
Antti Peltokorpi ◽  
Mingyang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Robotic Arm ◽  
Process Time ◽  
Current State ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

The construction industry is facing increasing pressure to improve productivity and decrease its environmental impact. Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, especially three-dimensional concrete printing (3DCP) technology, have provided many benefits for construction. However, holistic comparative studies of the competitiveness of 3DCP and conventional methods, from cost and time perspectives, are lacking. Choosing between the methods is difficult for practitioners. In this study, we investigated the current state of 3DCP in the construction industry using seven distinct scenarios. Our analysis was performed to illustrate the impact of design and supply chain configurations on performance. The results prove the notable competitiveness of 3DCP. In contrast to the conventional construction method, the more complex round design had a positive impact on the cost and process time in 3DCP scenarios. Additionally, we show that on-site 3DCP using a robotic arm was more cost-effective than off-site 3DCP.

scholarly journals Parametric design of an additively manufactured building facade for bespoke response to solar radiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 2042 (1) ◽  
pp. 012180
Author(s):  
Bharath Seshadri ◽  
Ina Cheibas ◽  
Matthias Leschok ◽  
Valeria Piccioni ◽  
Illias Hischier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Parametric Design ◽  
Material Selection ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Digital Fabrication ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Robotic Fabrication ◽  
New Buildings ◽  
Combination Of Material

Abstract The building construction industry is adapting Additive Manufacturing (AM) and robotic fabrication techniques to, among other efficiency and cost benefits, reduce the lifecycle Green House Gas (GHG) emissions of new buildings. This research aims to fabricate a low- GHG emission façade by encoding environmental performance using a combination of material selection, AM techniques, and bespoke geometry. This paper presents the design methodology, specifically the response to solar radiation (i.e. shading and daylight transmission). The key contribution of this publication is establishing the digital fabrication process of AM facades: beginning with performative parametric design, using empirical Bi-directional Scattering Distribution Function (BSDF) data of AM thermoplastic elements for daylight simulation to assess performance, and finally optimising the topology for a specific context (location and orientation).

Aerodynamic Analysis of an Innovative Low Pressure Vane Placed in an s-Shape Duct

2011 ◽  
Vol 134 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Lavagnoli ◽  
Tolga Yasa ◽  
Guillermo Paniagua ◽  
Lionel Castillon ◽  
Simone Duni
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Unsteady Flow ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Flow Fields ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Turbine Stage ◽  
Spectrum Distribution

In this paper the aerodynamics of an innovative multisplitter low pressure (LP) stator downstream of a high pressure turbine stage is presented. The stator row, located inside a swan necked diffuser, is composed of 16 large structural vanes and 48 small airfoils. The experimental characterization of the steady and unsteady flow fields was carried out in a compression tube rig under engine representative conditions. The one-and-a-half turbine stage was tested at three operating regimes by varying the pressure ratio and the rotational speed. Time-averaged and time-accurate surface pressure measurements are used to investigate the aerodynamic performance of the stator and the complex interaction mechanisms with the high pressure (HP) turbine stage. Results show that the strut blade has a strong impact on the steady and unsteady flow fields of the small vanes depending on the vane circumferential position. The time-mean pressure distributions around the airfoils show that the strut influence is significant only in the leading edge region. At off-design condition (higher rotor speed) a wide separated region is present on the strut pressure side and it affects the flow field of the adjacent vanes. A complex behavior of the unsteady surface pressures was observed. Up to four pressure peaks are identified in the time-periodic signals. The frequency analysis also shows a complex structure. The spectrum distribution depends on the vane position. The contribution of the harmonics is often larger than the fundamental frequency. The forces acting on the LP stator vanes are calculated. The results show that higher forces act on the small vanes but largest fluctuations are experienced by the strut. The load on the whole stator decreases 30% as the turbine pressure ratio is reduced by approximately 35%.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document