NIST Research Toward Construction Site Integration and Automation.
NIST Research Toward Construction Site Integration and
Automation.
(962 K)
Stone, W. C.; Reed, K. A.; Chang, P.; Pfeffer, L. E.;
Jacoff, A.
Journal of Aerospace Engineering, Vol. 12, No. 2,
50-64, April 1999.
Keywords:
construction; construction automation; virtual reality;
augmented simulation; equipment tracking; resource
tracking; information utilization; remote-controlled
construction; metrology
Abstract:
Current uses of computers in construction include
design, planning, scheduling, and cost estimating. Much
more could be achieved on a fully computer-integrated
construction site. This paper describes initial work at
the National Institute of Standards and Technology
toward construction site integration and automation,
beginning with a simple steel-erection procedure using
an instrumented crane. CAD-generated geometry sets are
transformed into a library of 3D construction site
objects. These objects are then loaded into an augmented
simulation system that tracks both equipment and
resources based on real-time data from the construction
site. With some future enhancements, the end result will
be a world model of the site, in which as-built
conditions can be assessed, current construction
processes can be viewed as they occur, planned sequences
of processes can be tested, and object information can
be retrieved on demand. A project can be viewed and
managed remotely using this tool. Remotely controlled
construction in hazardous environments is a natural
extension of this environment. The National
Construction Automation Testbed (NCAT) is currently
being used in various research projects with the
intentions of making sudti possibilities a reality. A
major effort in the NCAT is the development and testing
of the metrology, communication, and simulation
protocols required.
