Measurement requirements and advanced techniques for construction robotization

Advanced measurement technology will play an essential role in construction robotization. The development towards automatic construction machinery and computer integrated construction emphasises the role of measurements not only in every phase of on-site construction but also in the whole CAD/ CAM-process of building component prefabrication. The simultaneous use of manually and automatically operated measurement devices, together with construction robots, presupposes the design of an integrated measurement system concept with a unified coordinate system and a standardised data base structure. Such a measurement system frame could enable effective integration and utilization of the CAD/CAM-data together with the on-site measuring data and real-time sensor data of construction robots. This report presents a summary of the analyses made for examining the measurement requirements and the suitability of the above mentioned measurement system concept in different construction areas. The other subjects examined were the measurement needs for the utilisation of automatic construction machinery and the suitability of advanced techniques for construction robotization. The results of the Finnish construction robotics feasibility study have been used as case examples. That feasibility study was carried out in 1988 at the Technical Research Centre of Finland in close cooperation with 15 supporting enterprises. In the study five robotization themes were examined in detail: crane automation, automation in prefabrication, robotization of interior works, material handling and masonry automation. The conclusion of the analyses is that current measurement devices are accurate enough to provide solutions to most measuring problems in construction. However, the labour-intensiveness of many current measuring methods, inconvenience in use and the relatively high price are problems that prevent wider use of advanced technology in many construction measurement tasks. Real-time measurement technology for on-site use needs further development work. For example, there is currently a lack of completed products for such tasks as reliable and accurate 3D-positioning of a construction machine or a hand-held, noncontact coordinate measurement device to be used for accurate indoor measurements.