Friday, December 21, 2018

I. READING TEXT
AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS IN CONSTRUCTION

Construction is one of the most creative and hardest industries. It can’t excuse
the lack of progress, technology and engineering knowhow. The need for
construction industry in automation and robotics is doubtless. The first large-
scale experiments in the field of robotics in construction industry started in the
early 1990s.

The casting, erection, joining and finishing of building components require a

high level of skilled manual work on a site. The problem with the shortage of
skilled personnel and the need to increase productivity in the industry has
prompted research and development into robotics in the construction
industry.

Innovations in IT (Information Technologies), simulation, engineering and

management software, and object-oriented programming are opening new
possibilities for engineers and designers. Automation and robotics are referred
to the new technologies that have come to improve the efficiency of work,
make it easier and also to speed up production.

For example, in Japan the leading position of civil engineering today is primarily
explained by entirely automated and computer-controlled process though
workers are still involved in overseeing operations. The process of construction
begins with the installation of speed platform for covering the upper floor.
Further robots, equipped with computer controlled systems, accurately install
all modules, and automatic machines weld beams and columns according to
the draft.

After installation of intermediate floors integrated stepped platforms are

raised hydraulically to the next level, and the whole cycle repeats. The
automated system allows not only to reduce day and night time of
constructing, but also to minimize labor costs (on average, by 30 %) and it
practically eliminates injuries. Accuracy for complex technical projects is a
guarantee for predictable behavior of buildings during earthquakes, strong
wind loads and other tests of strength and stability.

The ideal situation in future construction world looks like a space where people
and robots co-work and interact with one another. Large volume structures
will be built widely with preassembled components. Intelligent robots will
work to assemble predominantly heavy components. Each robot will be able
to communicate easily with people.

Retrieved from: English for Civil Engineering by Danilenko Silman, 2016

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II. TASK 1
Find the synonym of these words in the reading text above!

1. heavy industry =
2. shortage of progress =
3. automatic machine =
4. professional labour =
5. scope of construction =
6. new opportunities =
7. 3D-modeling =
8. to set modulus =
9. to co-work with people =
10. to reduce cost =

III. TASK 2
Find the antonym of these words in the reading text above!
1. easy project =
2. ground floor =
3. low level =
4. light breeze =
5. fragility of material =
6. stagnation in progress =
7. ancient technique =
8. destruction =
9. unpredictable behaviour =
10. automated work =
11. routine work =
12. doubtful =
13. to disassemble components=
14. to reduce productivity =
15. to increase injuries =

IV. TASK 3
Answer these questions correctly!
1. Which country takes the leading position in civil engineering and why?
2. What new technologies contribute to construction industry?
3. What’s the image of the ideal future construction world?
4. Why is there an acute need of construction in automation and robotics?
5. What might happen if robotic technology were not applied in
constructions?

V. ASSIGNMENTS
1. Do all of the tasks above individually.
2. Submit your assignments today to my e-mail:

annvalanta1974@gmail.com