Examination of Advanced Fastening Systems for the use of Robots in the Construction Industry

Abstract

Since robotics become more widespread in the construction industry, more construction phases and work steps must be covered with one robot system. Current robot systems are used almost exclusively in precast construction. At the construction site, so far only prototypes are in use, and only individual parts of the building shell construction and assembly can be covered. This paper examines to what extent fastenings are necessary to increase the operating range of robots and which boundary conditions exist or need to be addressed. Automated construction, and more precisely installation of fastenings, has so far been partially implemented, which has shown increased productivity as well as installation quality, thus load-bearing safety. This knowledge must now be extended to robots. The present work is based on an overview of current research and development and on the current research on a cable robot for brickwork construction at the university Duisburg-Essen. It further demonstrates that fastenings pose an important further application, especially in order to explore the extended phases towards the brickwork or contour crafting. It can be assumed that robots will become increasingly important in the construction industry. Reasons include high quality, safety, speed and economic aspects.