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Sustainability
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Automation and Digital Fabrication in the Building Construction Process
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Automation and Digital Fabrication in the Building Construction Process

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Building".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2022) | Viewed by 11971

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Valentino Sangiorgio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Concrete Science and Technology (ICITECH), Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain
Interests: building construction technologies; building-performance; multi-criteria analysis; digital fabrication
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The building construction sector is undergoing one of the most profound transformations of its history. In particular, the “Digital Transition” of the building sector is profoundly changing building technologies and construction processes. Even if the innovation process still remains scattered and not really organized, automation and digital fabrication are certainly playing a significant role in this transformation and will be fundamental tools for the buildings of the future. In this context, the use of computer-aided design (CAD) has become extremely popular over the past decade. In addition, in recent years, the advent of modern technologies of the Industry 4.0 has allowed the wide diffusion of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) techniques in the building sector. In CAM, machines such as lathes, laser cutters, and milling machines (also integrated in powerful robotic arms) are directed by a computer to perform complex digital fabrication (a process called numerical control—CNC). Afterwards, in the early 21st century, CAM introduced the use of 3D printers that has become one of the frontlines of the transformations happening in the building sector.

Beyond 3D printing, automation is improving various processes in building production. Human intervention and error are more and more reduced, embodying decision criteria, subprocess relationships, and related actions in machines. In support of this automated process, the application of modern intelligent sensor networks allows acquiring useful information about the building to pave the way for the visionary concept of the digital twin. All these new techniques open up new possibilities for high-performance and sustainable building production processes.

This Special Issue aims to gather research on the use of automation and digital fabrication in building construction. In particular, the Special Issue is open to the research contributions in the building sector dealing with digital models, computer-aided design (including point cloud surveys), computer-aided manufacturing, 3D printing, automation, novel sensor performance monitoring, and digital twins.

Dr. Valentino Sangiorgio
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable building
  • building construction technologies
  • automation in building construction
  • building digital models
  • computer-aided design
  • point cloud surveys
  • computer-aided manufacturing
  • digital fabrication for building
  • 3D technology for building
  • 3D technologies and sustainable new building materials
  • 3D technologies and sustainable construction procedures
  • intelligent sensor system
  • sensors for building monitoring
  • digital twin

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

35 pages, 11837 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Photogrammetry Tools following Progress Detection of Rebar towards Sustainable Construction Processes
by Abdul Hannan Qureshi, Wesam Salah Alaloul, Syed Jawad Hussain, Arnadi Murtiyoso, Syed Saad, Khalid Mhmoud Alzubi, Syed Ammad and Abdullah O. Baarimah
Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 21; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15010021 - 20 Dec 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2079
Abstract
In the attainment of digitization and sustainable solutions under Industry 4.0, effective and economical technology like photogrammetry is gaining popularity in every field among professionals and researchers alike. In the market, various photogrammetry tools are available. These tools employ different techniques and it [...] Read more.
In the attainment of digitization and sustainable solutions under Industry 4.0, effective and economical technology like photogrammetry is gaining popularity in every field among professionals and researchers alike. In the market, various photogrammetry tools are available. These tools employ different techniques and it is hard to identify the best among them. This study is an attempt to develop a methodology for the assessment of photogrammetry tools. Overall, 37 photogrammetry tools were found via literature review and open sources, out of which 12 tools were shortlisted. The evaluation process consisted of three steps, i.e., metadata and visual inspection, comparison with the ground truth model, and comparison with the averaged-merged point cloud model. In addition, a validation test was also performed on the final sorted photogrammetry tools. This study followed a sustainable construction progress monitoring theme for rebar and covered the maximum number of photogrammetry tools for comparison by considering the most authentic evaluation and validation techniques, which make it exclusive. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Automation and Digital Fabrication in the Building Construction Process)
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22 pages, 927 KiB  
Article
Towards Lean Automation in Construction—Exploring Barriers to Implementing Automation in Prefabrication
by Finn G. Feldmann
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12944; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141912944 - 10 Oct 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2822
Abstract
As a sustainable alternative to conventional cast-in-situ construction, modular construction (MC) offers several promising benefits concerning energy and waste reduction, shorter construction times, as well as increased quality. In addition, given its high degree of prefabrication, MC offers ideal conditions to solve the [...] Read more.
As a sustainable alternative to conventional cast-in-situ construction, modular construction (MC) offers several promising benefits concerning energy and waste reduction, shorter construction times, as well as increased quality. In addition, given its high degree of prefabrication, MC offers ideal conditions to solve the industry’s long-lasting productivity problem by implementing manufacturing concepts such as lean production and automation. However, in practice, the share of automation and robotics in the production process is still relatively low, which is why the potential of this construction method is currently far from being fully exploited. An overview of the particular barriers to implementing automation in the context of MC is still lacking. Therefore, a qualitative study was conducted including eight MC manufacturers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Following a comprehensive literature review, expert interviews were conducted based on an academically proven framework. Thereby, seven barrier dimensions with 21 sub-categories could be identified. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of current barriers to implementing automation in prefabrication and how they can be overcome most effectively. Additionally, recommendations for future research are proposed within a research agenda. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Automation and Digital Fabrication in the Building Construction Process)
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15 pages, 12587 KiB  
Article
Embedded Piezo-Sensor-Based Automatic Performance Monitoring of Chloride-Induced Corrosion in Alkali-Activated Concrete
by Tushar Bansal, Visalakshi Talakokula, Sri Kalyana Rama Jyosyula, Romeu Vicente and Guilherme Ascensão
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12917; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912917 - 10 Oct 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1590
Abstract
The primary goal of the construction industries worldwide is to improve material durability and achieve sustainability. In recent years of sustainable cement industry innovation, alkali-activated cement has emerged as one of the most promising alternatives to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). In terms of [...] Read more.
The primary goal of the construction industries worldwide is to improve material durability and achieve sustainability. In recent years of sustainable cement industry innovation, alkali-activated cement has emerged as one of the most promising alternatives to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). In terms of durability, corrosion of steel is a significant problem and has become a major cause of deterioration of reinforced concrete structures worldwide. Thus, structural health monitoring techniques are essential to monitor the corrosion in real-time to avoid unexpected failure since civil engineering structures serve as a crucial pillar of the economy. This paper presents through an experimental campaign a novel method of automatically monitoring the performance of alkali-activated concrete (AAC) and ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPCC) under chloride-induced corrosion conditions using an embedded piezo sensor (EPS) based on the electro-mechanical impedance (EMI) technique. AAC was produced using alkali silicate-activated fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag. The accelerated corrosion tests were conducted on reinforced AAC and OPCC specimens in which the EPS was attached to reinforcing steel bars inside the specimens to monitor the changes in the EMI signature during the corrosion progression. To quantify the damage due to chloride-induced corrosion, statistical damage indices such as root mean square deviation were calculated. Further, the deterioration in structural parameters was identified by extracting the equivalent structural parameters (ESPs) such as stiffness, mass and damping from the raw EMI signatures. Based on qualitative and quantitative results, it can be seen that the changes in raw signature and damage in AAC were lower than OPCC. The deterioration in term of stiffness loss was found to be 39.35% in OPCC and 12.73% in AAC. Hence, it is demonstrated that the AAC exhibits a superior corrosion resistance to OPCC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Automation and Digital Fabrication in the Building Construction Process)
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13 pages, 3725 KiB  
Article
Building Envelope Prefabricated with 3D Printing Technology
by Stelladriana Volpe, Valentino Sangiorgio, Andrea Petrella, Armando Coppola, Michele Notarnicola and Francesco Fiorito
Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8923; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13168923 - 09 Aug 2021
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4632
Abstract
The Fourth Industrial Revolution represents the beginning of a profound change for the building sector. In the last decade, the perspective of shapes, materials, and construction techniques is evolving fast due to the additive manufacturing technology. On the other hand, even if the [...] Read more.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution represents the beginning of a profound change for the building sector. In the last decade, the perspective of shapes, materials, and construction techniques is evolving fast due to the additive manufacturing technology. On the other hand, even if the technology is growing fast and several 3D printed buildings are being developed worldwide, the potential of concrete 3D printing in building prefabrication remains unexplored. Consequently, the application of new digital fabrication technologies in the construction industry requires a redesign of the construction process and its components. This paper proposes a novel conception, design, and prototyping of a precast building envelope to be prefabricated with extrusion-based 3D concrete printing (3DCP). The new design and conception aim to fully exploit the potential of 3D printing for prefabricated components, especially in terms of dry assembly, speed of implementation, reusability, recyclability, modularity, versatility, adaptability, and sustainability. Beyond the novel conceptual design of precast elements, the research investigated the 3D printable cementitious material based on a magnesium potassium phosphate cement (MKPC), which was devised and tested to ensure good performances of the proposed component. Finally, a prototype has been realised in scale with additive manufacturing technology in order to verify the printability and to optimize the extruder path. This study leads us to believe that the combined use of prefabricated systems, construction automation, and innovative materials can decisively improve the construction industry’s sustainability in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Automation and Digital Fabrication in the Building Construction Process)
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