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Automation in Construction Industry- LiDAR

Miss. Prachi Parag Jagtap, Prof. R M Swamy

Miss.

Prachi

Jagtap, Thane Professor. R M Swamy, Dept. of Civil Engineering, SSJCET, Maharashtra, India

Abstract - The world of automation has been growing rapidlyforthelastfewyearsanditisthereisahugedemand from the users. Many companies have automated their manufacturing processes which have led improved productivityandqualityimprovements.Intheconstruction industry innovation technology is extremely slowly and reluctant to adopt new strategies and low budget also contributetotheslowinnovationrate.Becauseoftheseslow developmentsinthetechnologicalinnovationautomationis uncommon solution in the construction industry. Most construction company in India does not fully achieve to implement automation due to various constraints. The purposeofthisthesisistoinvestigateexistingandemerging solutionsthatcouldbeusedtoautomateonsiteoperation.

Aliteraturestudywasconductedtogainknowledgeabout theoverallimplementations,challenges,opportunities,etc. of automation and robotics in the construction industry. After the literature study to incorporate some extra data interviews were conducted with companies using automation at present and companies which intent to implement automation but face some obstacles in its implementation. To get idea about the factors that are becoming an obstacle in the implementations a questionnaire was designed. With the help of this informationresearchquestionswereformulated.Theresult findings were regarding what are the possibilities to use automation, what are the benefits that could be possible afterimplementations,andwhataretherequirementsand thechallengesfacedifautomationisimplemented.

Thedatacollectedshowsthatthefactorsaffectingdependon eachsiteconditions.Thestudyrevealsthattherearesome challengesregardingtheimplementationsofsolution.This thesisprovidesknowledgeofavailabletechnology(LiDAR) andifthatcanbeusedforautomationonsiteaswellashow toadoptnewtechnologythatcanbenefittheprojectinmany ways. Here the benefits that can be expected from the successfulimplementationsofsuchtechnologytoincrease theproductivity,quality,timemanagementwiththehelpof automationareevaluated.

Key Words: Construction industry, Automation and Robotics, Barriers, Opportunity, LiDAR.

1.Introduction

The construction industry of India is an important sector frompointofdevelopmentaswellasitcreatesinvestment

opportunities for various related fields. The construction industryisdividedwithahandfulofmajorcompanieswhich areinvolvedinalltypesofconstructionactivitiesthatcarry out any required segment of the construction, the middle companiesarespecializedinaparticulartypeofworkofthe completesectionand thustheycarryout onlythespecific part of the construction work, the small company contractorsworkonthecontractorbasisandcarryoutthe work.Theconstructionindustryplaysapowerfulroleinthe economicgrowthandalsoprovidingstructuraldevelopment. Theconstructionindustryislabourintensiveandprovides indirect employment. Construction industry is the 2nd largest employer and contributor in the economic sector 10% of the country’s GDP depends on the construction activities.50% of the construction demands are the infrastructure project and the rest are the residential, industrialandotheractivities.

Construction industry is the one in which automation is practiced the least. In developing countries like India automation must be used to the most in construction industry.Newmachinery, equipment’s,electronicdevices, newmethods,fortunnelsforbridgesthesethingsrequires automation. The recent developments in the field of computerscienceandtechnologywhencombinedwiththe constructionactivitiesgiveabetterandaproductiveoutput, itnotonlygivesabetteroutputbutalsosavesthetimeand thehumaninterventionintheprocess.

1.1 Construction scenario in India

The key sectors in the Indian construction market are commercial construction, industrial construction, infrastructureconstruction,energyandutilitiesconstruction institutional construction, and residential construction. In 2022, the residential construction sector was followed by infrastructureconstruction. The construction process may varyfromtimetotimedaytodayandinanyothersituation the construction of the structure may always not be according to the plan or as per the design process at such timesthetraditionalmethodmaybecomedifficulttocarry outtheconstruction.Insuchtediousconditionsorduringthe timeofhardshipsautomationisusedwhichworksaccording totheconditionleavingharmtohumanlife.Humanefforts andrisktolifearereduced;abetterqualityofproductisthe output if the technology is used in proper amount at the correctplaceandcorrecttiming.Thedevelopedcountriesare usingautomationandincreasingtheiroutputandeconomy thusdevelopingcountrieslikeIndiamustadoptautomation

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

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and help in improving the country’s economy. While developmentandadoptionofautomationtechnologieshas evolvedmoreslowlyinconstructionthaninmanufacturing, thetimeisnowripeforautomatedconstructiontechnologies toplayamajorroleinhelpingtobringconstruction’sdigital transformationintofull bloom.Thecontinuedevolutionof theconstructionindustrywillrelyonautomationinitsmany forms,fromautomateddigitaldesignandanalysesprocesses to the automated creation of construction documentation and,ultimately,theactofconstruction.

1.2 What is Automation

Automationisthetechnologybywhichtheprocessorthe procedurewhichconventionallyincludedmaximumormore humaninterventioncannowbedonewithminimalhuman assistance.Automationcanbeusedfromthesmallestwork tothemostdifficultorremoteworkwherehumannetwork is impossible to reach. Automation is used for operating various equipment’s such as machinery, fabrication processes, mixing process, cleaning processes, in case of constructionindustry.Inconstructionindustrytherearea few times when it gets difficult to carry out a process in whichhumaninterventionisnotpossibleoritmayberisky forhumansatthistimeautomationisused.Automationis the simplest form of controlling a work as the controller comparesaprocessandsetsdesiredvaluesandprocedure therearesomesetrulestofollowautomationwhichonceset donotallowanykindofdisturbancetodisruptthesystem. Once the set of designs are computed or set in particular machineryitfollowsthesameprocedurethroughoutandthe finaloutputistheresultofthesetprocedure.

Automationhasbeenachievedbyvariousmeanswhich include mechanical, computer technology, electrical equipment’smostlyautomationisthecombinationofallthe technologyworkinghandinhandwitheachothertogivethe bestpossibleoutput.Automationcanalsobedefinedasthe creation and application of technologies and controlling them till the final delivery and service of the product. Automation includes many elements of the system from planning, designing, manufacturing, transporting, utilities, installations, maintenance, management, demolition, and manymore.Automationinitselfisadifferentfieldwhichhas brought transformation in the construction industry. Automationhelpstomaintaintheincreaseddemandinthe construction.

Scope of the Project:

1)Toreviewthefeasibilityofapplicationofautomationon constructionsites.

2)To investigate the factors those are affecting the implementationofautomationatconstructionsite.

3)Wealsoanalyzethebenefitsandthechallengesfaced whenuseofparticulartechnology(LiDAR)anddotheyget thedesiresoutput.

4)Analysis for identifying the factors that significantly influencethesafetyandqualityatsiteduetoautomation.

5)Propose specific improvement schemes based on the results.

6)Recommendationstohelpbringinnewtechnologyand efficientlyincorporateitindailypractice.

2. Types of automation

Industrial automation systems are categorized based on their integration level and flexibility in the manufacturing processesandoperation.Theautomationsystemincludes:

1.Fixedautomation

Fixedautomationsystemsareutilizedinproductionofhigh volume products. This equipment’s have a fixed set of operationsetsandaredesignedtoperformefficientlywith theoperationsets.Thistypeofautomationisusedinmass production and continuously flow systems like conveyor belts.

2.Programmableautomation

Programmable automation systems allow changing of operation sequence and machine configuration using electronic controls. Since the production process are not changedveryoftenthisprogrammablesystemarenotmuch intrend.

3.Flexibleautomation

Flexible automation systems are utilized in computer controlledflexiblemanufacturingsystems.Humanoperators entercommandsincodesthatareusedtoidentifythework type.Theinstructionsareusedforthenecessaryprocessing of the product. Flexible automation is used in the batch processesandjobs.

4.Integratedautomation

Integrated automation involves the complete work at manufacturing plants.The processfunctionsunder digital information.Itcomprisescomputeraided processes. Such technologies are utilized in computer integrated manufacturingandadvancedprocessautomationsystems.

Case Study for the Possible Applications of Automation

To summarize, the process of estimating the excavation requiredforaspecimenroadiscomplexandnecessitatesa comprehensiveapproach.Itentailsanalysingthecurrentsite conditions,selectingtheappropriateequipment,settingup the necessary sensors and accessories, establishing a benchmark,andscanningthesampleroadtocollectaccurate geospatialdatasets.

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 12 Issue: 02 | Feb 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

Applications of Automation for Surveying

TheMethodologyforestimatingtheexcavationrequiredfor aspecimenroadisacrucialaspectofroadconstructionthat demands a systematic approach comprising several welldefined steps. Firstly, one needs to carefully discern and analyzethecurrentsiteconditions,takingintoaccountboth naturalandhumanfactorsthatmighthaveanimpactonthe excavationrequirements.



Conventional Method

Conventional methods have long been used in road surveying to gather information about the terrain and surrounding area. These methods typically involve using equipmentsuchasmeasuringtapes,levels,theodolites,and totalstationstomeasuredistances,angles,andelevations. Surveyors would then use this data to create topographic maps, cross-sections, and profiles of the road and surrounding area. This process requires a high level of precision and accuracy, as any errors in measurement or placement of markers can have significant impacts on the road's design and construction. Conventional methods remainan essential part of roadsurveying,particularlyin areas where newer technologies may not be accessible or suitablefortheproject'sneeds.

 LiDAR METHOD:

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology is a remotesensingmethodusedincivilengineeringforcreating high-resolution 3D maps of the environment. It works by sendingoutlaserpulsesandmeasuringthetimeittakesfor the light to bounce back to the sensor. This enables the systemtodeterminethedistancetoobjectsandcreate an accurate3Dmapofthesurroundingarea.

There are two main types of LiDAR used in civil engineering:airborneLiDARandterrestrialLiDAR.Airborne LiDARinvolvesmountingaLiDARsystemonanaircraftto surveylargeareasquicklyandefficiently,whileterrestrial LiDAR is used for smaller-scale projects and involves mountingtheLiDARsystemonatripodorvehicle

 LiDAR Utilization:

The utilization of LiDAR technology in various applications.LiDARstandsforLightDetectionandRanging, whichisaremotesensingtechnologythatuseslaserpulses to generate precise measurements of the Earth's surface. LiDAR can also be known as Light Imaging Detection and Ranging, which refers to the extra capability of LiDAR to captureimagesthroughitscollecteddata.LiDAR iswidely usedinsurveyapplicationstomaptheEarth’ssurface.The technology provides high-resolution maps of the terrain, whichcan be used forvarious applications,suchasurban planning, floodplain mapping, and coastal management. LiDAR data can accurately differentiate between types of

vegetationandidentifythelocationsofbuildingsandother structures.Thisinformationiscrucialfordesigningaccurate anddetailedmaps.

Tocalculatethedistanceoftheobject,theLidaremitsa pulse of light from its laser emitter towards the object in question.Thebeamtravelsatthespeedoflight,andwhenit hitstheobject,asmallfractionofthebeamisreflectedback towardstheLidarsensor.Thesensorrecordsthetraveltime of the beam and uses it to determine the distance to the objectbasedonthespeedoflight.Thereflectivityoramount of the emitted pulse energy that returns the Lidar sensor backisthenusedtodeterminethereflectivityoftheobject. Thesensorcalculatestheintensityofthereturnedlightand usesittodeterminethereflectivityortheamountofenergy absorbedorscatteredbytheobject.Oncethesensorreceives these measurements, it processes and maps them into a three-dimensionalpointcloudoftheobject,whichprovides anaccuraterepresentationoftheobject’ssurfaces.

 Problem Statement:

To estimate the volume of earthwork required for the constructionofanewroad.Toachievethis,wehadtogather informationregardingexcavation,depthlevels,andsimple pothole measurements. However, we encountered difficulties due to the congested nature of the site, which posedachallengeforobtainingaccuratemeasurements.The presenceofmanyvehiclesandpedestriansinpoorcondition madeitfurtherchallengingtogatherprecisedata.

Asaresult,wewerekeentofindsolutionstoensurewe could achieve an accurate estimation without disrupting trafficandpedestrians.Inordertoeffectivelyestimatethe volumeofearthworkrequiredfortheconstructionofaroad itwasdecidestoutilizeastate-of-the-arttechnologyknown as the TF MINI-S LiDAR sensor. To further record and managethedatacollected,theengineersusedaRaspberryPi 3B+torecordthemeasurementsandcreateadatabasethat could be utilized for further analysis and potential future use.

The use of the TF MINI-S LiDAR sensor provided an innovativeandeffectivesolutiontothechallengesposedby the congested and dynamic road site. By optimizing the measurementprocess,theengineerswereabletoachievea preciseandcomprehensivedepictionoftheroadsite,which isessentialforsuccessfulconstructionprojects



Calculations Requirements:

Based on the output of the LiDAR sensor we would be calculatingthedepthofthegroundsurfaceoftheroad.For the calculation of output with respect to its position, the widely known principles to determine distance based on speed and time could be used. Formation level must be assumedsoastomeasuretheexcavation

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 12 Issue: 02 | Feb 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

Themidsectionformulaisacommonlyusedmethodfor estimating the volume of earthwork needed for road constructionorothersimilarprojects.Theformulaisbased on the assumption that the cross-section of the road is composedofaseriesoftrapezoids.

Here'showtousethemidsectionformula:

Measurethewidthoftheroadatregularintervalsalong the length of the proposed road. These measurements shouldbetakenatequaldistances,suchasevery20meters. Usingthesemeasurements,drawcross-sectionsoftheroad attheseintervals.Thesecross-sectionsshouldbedrawnto scaleandshouldincludethewidthoftheroad,theheightof theembankmentorcut,andtheslopeoftheroad.Calculate theareaofeachtrapezoidalcross-sectionbyaddingthearea of the top and bottom rectangles and the area of the trapezoidinthemiddle.

Multiply the area of each cross-section by the distance between the sections to obtain the volume of earthwork neededforthatsection.Addupthevolumesforeachsection toobtainthetotalvolumeofearthworkneededfortheentire lengthoftheroad.

3. Conclusions

The TF MINI-S LiDAR sensor is a highly versatile and valuable tool that can be leveraged for a multitude of applications,rangingfromdistancemeasurementandobject detectiontoobstacleavoidanceandenvironmentalsensing. Particularlyusefulinconstructionprojects,itoffersamore efficientandstreamlinedmethodofgatheringdatathatcan beusedtomakesignificantprogress.Inthiscasestudy,the sensorwasusedtoestimatetheamountofworkrequiredfor theconstructionofaroad

TheabilityoftheTFMINI-SLiDARsensortomeasurethe distance between the road surface and the sensor was instrumentalinprovidingthenecessarydatatogeneratea numericmodel oftheroadconstructionsite.By collecting thisdataandleveragingittocreateanumericalmodel,the engineers were able to estimate the amount of work requiredfortheproject.Thisrequiredcarefulplanninganda sophisticatedapproachtoutilizingthesensortocreatean accurate picture of the road site, inclusive of all essential informationsuchasdepthlevels,excavationrequirements, andpotentialroadobstacles.

4. Future Scope

This paper investigates about the current situation of the constructionindustrywherethelevelofautomationonthe constructionsiteisascomparedto digitizationislowand stillunpracticed.Afterimplementationofthetechnologylike LiDARinthevariouspartsorproceduresofconstructionthe resultscanbecheckedifitgivesafruitfuloutput. Thislevel ofautomationhastobringintopracticesinceithasmuch

importanceinimprovingtheproductivity,safeenvironment, securityandsafetyonsite,nodangerousworkingconditions, improvementinthequalityandquantity,etc.butthereare some factors which are affecting the implementation of automationonsiteaccordingtothepeopleworkingonsite.. Thusaftertheanalysisthefuturerecommendationscanbe recommended

Acknowledgement

Projectisapleasantwaytorepresentourselfandintroduce. Makingthisrealitytakesmanydedicatedpeopleanditmy great pleasure to acknowledge the contribution of all membersofcivilengineeringdepartment.

It is a great pleasure in presenting the report on project I takethisopportunitytoexpressmysincerethankstowards my guide Prof. R. M. Swamy of Civil Engineering Department for providing the technical guidelines and suggestionsregardinglineofwork.Iwouldliketoexpress mygratitudetowardshisconstantencouragement,support andguidancethroughthedevelopmentofproject.

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