AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS BASED TECHNOLOGY

FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Building and construction is one of the major industries around the world.
Construction industry is labour-intensive and is conducted in dangerous
situations. To avoid this a new technique developed called as ROBOTICS in the
early 90s aiming to optimize operations, improve safety, enhance work and
ensure quality environment for building occupants.

Construction productivity on large projects, including road construction,

has been constant or declining since 1970s due to dramatic increase in labour
cost and shortage in funding. In the mean time highway construction costs have
been increasing. Today’s construction projects are characterising by short
design and build period, increased demands of quality and low cost. These
problems can be overcome by using robots based on computer. In high labour
cost countries automated and robotized construction technologies can demand
construction projects.

Robotic technology would result in better working and health conditions and
advanced mechatronics. In some cases labourers will be replaced.

Work Breakdown Structure of Road Construction:

The works that exists in a typical road construction-

1. Cut and fill operations:

2. Grading: This task involves the sieving and breakdown of small rock and soil
pieces to desired sizes. Specialised grading machinery used.

3. Base preparation and placement: Consists of the placement of gravel base on

the grounded soil include gravel dumping, screeding and compaction. Heavy
trucks and drums are used.

4. Surface material placement: Involves the placement of hot bituminous

material, concrete mix, or other surface type, as well as vibration and screeding.
Surface-placement equipment used.

5. Curbing and guardrail placement: Forming and placement of temporary or

permanent guardrails. Include fabrication of curb and guardrails.
6. Road maintenance: Involves a variety of continuously performed tasks like
snow removal, road painting, grass mowing, brush cleaning, crack filling, sign
placement, and others.

Road construction success means bringing each of the project performance

indicators (PPI) – such as cost, schedule, quality, safety, labour productivity,
material consumption, waste etc.

Automation and robotics in construction industry can achieve following

advantages

- Higher safety for public and workers

- Uniform quality with higher accuracy
- Improving work environment
- Eliminating complains about noise and dust concerning works
- Increasing productivity and work efficiency