Design Practices to Facilitate Construction Automation

Constructors utilize automated technologies on projects as a means of saving cost, improving production and quality, reducing project durations, improving safety, and gaining other related project benefits.  Unfortunately, the introduction of new technologies to more fully automate the construction process has not kept pace with that in other industries, resulting in a construction process that remains a predominantly labor-intensive activity.

Many factors can be identified that limit the use of automated technologies in the construction industry.  Cost, availability, and applicability of automated technologies, along with the knowledge and training required to operate the technologies, are often mentioned as obstacles to technology implementation.  Another barrier to automating the construction process can be the design of the project itself.  The design of the permanent features of the project and the means used to communicate the design may inhibit, or even prohibit, the use of available automated technologies during construction.

By considering construction automation during project design, design professionals can positively influence the implementation of automated technologies during construction.  Benefits received from such design efforts have included lower total project cost, increased quality, better safety performance, and shorter and more reliable schedules.  The topic was the focus of a research study conducted by the Construction Industry Institute (CII).

Design professionals are encouraged to review the information in this website as part of the planning and design efforts for a project.  Information is organized according to Project Features and the Project Development Process.  Project Features contains information related to specific design and product features that includes: a list of example automated technologies used to construct the feature; design barriers to implementation of the technologies; suggested design practices; expected benefits; and a design for automation real-life example.  Project Development Process contains similar information that focuses on the means by which automation can be facilitated through effective design phase project management at both the project level and industry-wide.

Project Features                                              Project Development Process

Excavation and Earthmoving                                     Project level practices
Concrete and Masonry                                             Industry-wide practices
Structural Steel
Piping
Painting and Coatings
Finishes
Site Inspection and Surveying
Material and Asset Management

A Design for Construction Automation Checklist is also available to assist designers with addressing construction automation in the design of a project.  The checklist contains a variety of design suggestions related to: General design practices; Concrete placement; Concrete reinforcement; Excavations/earthwork; Soil compaction; Site inspection and surveying; Pipe fabrication, installation, and inspection; Structural steel fabrication and installation; and Material handling and tracking.