Robotic Bridge Construction: Experimental Phase I

Robotics and Automation are widely used in several industries such as automobile, electronics, and aerospace mainly due to the nature of their massive production and design standardization. Unlike other industries, construction industry leaders are reluctant to integrate automation and robotic applications in their construction techniques due to unsuitability of most current conventional design to the available automation and robotics applications; the nature of large scale construction activity; material limitations; managerial concerns; and the lack of comprehensive proven research findings and guidelines related to robotics and automation in construction field. Many challenges are associated with current robotics and automated techniques such as limitations in developed 3D-printed materials; the inability of most developed 3D-printed materials to sustain standard structural loading; and challenges of 3D-printing with reinforcement which is essential for structural elements to achieve the designed capacity. In ABC-UTC the research team proposed a step forward toward automating bridge construction “Robotic Bridge Construction” by constructing and experimentally testing bridge elements made through robotics and automation. This project is the second phase of the ongoing project of “Robotics and Automation in ABC Projects: Exploratory Phase- ABC-UTC-2016-C2-FIU05”. In the exploratory phase, the PIs are identifying suitable materials, ultra-high performance concrete", suitable robotic systems “mobile robot and 3d-printing system”, and suitable prefabricated bridge elements “UHPC shells for bridge columns and beams”. Research objectives include: (1) Material level testing for the proposed ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) design mixture for automation. The material selection is being developed under the exploratory phase of this project. (2) Construction of UHPC shell for beams and columns using automated systems or robot which are both developed under the exploratory phase. (3) Large level testing of the robotic bridge elements (UHPC shells for beams and columns) and comparison with those constructed using conventional construction. (4) Preliminary investigation on robotic and automated construction for repair and retrofit for field application.

• Record URL:
  https://abc-utc.fiu.edu/research-projects/fiu-research-projects/robotic-bridge-construction-experimental-phase-i/

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $45000
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747121

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC)

  Florida International University
  10555 W. Flagler Street
  Miami, FL  United States  33174

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC)

  Florida International University
  10555 W. Flagler Street
  Miami, FL  United States  33174

  USDOT/OST-R

  Washington DC,   United States 
• Project Managers:

  Azizinamini, Atorod

• Performing Organizations:

  Florida International University

  Civil and Environmental Engineering
  10555 W. Flagler Street, EC 3680
  Miami, FL  United States  33174
• Principal Investigators:

  Azizinamini, Atorod

  Mantawy, Islam

• Start Date: 20200101
• Expected Completion Date: 20230804
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: Advanced Research
• USDOT Program: Research and Development
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers
• Subprogram: Bridge Safety
• Subprogram: Pedestrian Safety
• Subprogram: Research
• Subprogram: safety in bridges

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Automation; Bridge construction; Bridge members; Materials tests; Repairing; Retrofitting; Robots; Ultra high performance concrete
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01731835
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC)
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747121
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Feb 24 2020 7:43PM