Application of computer vision for construction progress monitoring

Abstract

Progress monitoring of construction work is crucial to identify the discrepancies between the as-built product and as-planned design and take necessary action based on the results. Construction work is time consuming and labour intensive. However, the use of new technologies, such as computer vision (CV), in construction progress monitoring (CPM) can minimise human errors. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the current applications of CV in the construction industry in general and in the different stages of CPM. A qualitative approach based on the Delphi technique comprising two interview rounds was used to collect the required data. The study findings revealed that CPM has seven stages: initial planning, data acquisition, information retrieval, verification, progress estimation and comparison, results visualisation and schedule updating. During these stages, CV can be used in various CPM activities, such as earthmoving operations, crane operations, formwork and rebar tracking, worker activity tracking, safety assurance, landscape identification, work item monitoring and integrating with other technologies. Familiarisation of the workforce with CV and research on the applications of CV in construction can help the construction industry to move with technology and be on par with other industries. This study would enable construction personnel to explore the possibility of applying CV in CPM. Further research on identifying the synergy between CV and CPM can be based on the study findings.

Evaluation of Construction Project’s Cost Using BIM Technology

“…The results of this work are consistent with the research findings of [1][2][3][4], who stated that BIM technology and the REVIT software tool could minimize much of human errors and achieve a higher degree of precision. Also, these results are consistent with the findings of [5][6][7], who reported that the REVIT program could save considerable effort and time that would be significantly consumed by engineers to estimate the construction project cost. Also, the results of this study are compatible with [8][9][10], who analyzed the critical role of the BIM technology and REVIT software in estimating project costs and found that using the REVIT program can significantly cut effort, time, and cost required to calculate the construction projects costs that have higher complexity.…”

“…The construction projects' activities and parameters associated with each building task have been growing in the last decades, leading to higher challenges and difficulties for quantity surveyors to calculate the cost of each project as the complexity of these projects is remarkable. Additionally, if the calculation process relies on human efforts, the cost assessment will contribute to various errors and less precision, and it will consume much time [5][6][7]. In this context, designers, planners, and scholars have been working through decades of Research and Development (R&D) to develop BIM technology and REVIT software package that can be capable of providing state-of-the-art cost-evaluation techniques by which these problems can be alleviated and resolved.…”