FRAMEWORK FOR AUTOMATED CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS MONITORING USING ROBOTIC VISION TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

Construction Progress monitoring is an activity of prime importance in the field of construction management. Liquidated damages, litigation and interim progress payments are dependent upon progress reports. Progress reports serve as a proof of client reliability and its ability to keep up to its commitments. Current construction progress reporting mechanisms are slow, labor intensive and have a lot of room for human error. Although progress reports are transmitted and stored digitally, their formation and updating is totally manual. The research presents an approach for automated construction progress monitoring using robotic vision techniques that have been successfully utilized in defense, health and entertainment sectors for a number of years. The technique involves setting up and calibration of equipment, coordinating axes and adding images along with parametric information to the database. The code reads metric and non-metric progress using specific algorithm tailored for the purpose. The measured progress is stored as parametric information in the image which is saved in the form of an excel file. The obtained excel file can be used to update Microsoft Project and Primavera models that can create Gantt charts and perform PERT analysis. The technique provides a low cost high tech solution to a real life problem that can be utilized by client who cannot visit sites due to security and logistical reasons and by small scale contractors who want to provide reliable updates to client in an automated manner. The research provides insight into the use of cutting edge technology in adding value to construction industry and can be further customized according to individual needs of the end user.