Applications of multirotor drone technologies in construction management

Increased flight time of multirotor drones is a key enabler for further adoption and industrial use of drones. A model for analyzing the performance of a fuel cell hybrid system for a multirotor drone is presented and applied for a case with an X8 multirotor drone with a maximum take-off mass of 25 kg. Endurance is the main performance parameter, and the model can be used to quantify the relative performance between different power sources. The model aims to determine if a specific hybrid fuel cell system is a viable option for a given multirotor drone and if it will provide better endurance than when powered by batteries. The model can also be used in system optimization and sensitivity analysis. In a case study, a fuel cell hybrid system with a 7.2 L cylinder with hydrogen at 300 bar is found to increase the flight time by 43 minutes (+76%) from the currently used LiPo-batteries. A plot identifies the energy system mass threshold for when the fuel cell hybrid system gives better endurance than batteries to be 7.3 kg. Based on current technology status, the cost of a fuel cell hybrid system is about 12 times that of LiPo-batteries.

Creating the correct maintenance of the strings that form the electric generators, from a photovoltaic park, it requires scanning of the equipment with thermal vision cameras, in the visible and infrared field, at an optimum angle determined precisely for each location depending on the geographic position and the architecture of the power station. In general, this angle is difficult to maintain from the ground so it is necessary to mount the cameras on a support, or most efficiently on a multi-rotor drone that is very stable and easy to handle. Maintenance using multi-rotor drones and heat sensitive cameras is no longer a novelty and has multiple advantages: low costs, minimization of work accidents, and the data acquired can be analyzed in real time or can be stored for later analysis. But this process also has disadvantages: limited flight autonomy of drones, generated by the hard development of battery technology and a small number of specialized personnel in this field. To minimize these disadvantages, we have developed an automatic recharging system of batteries, without disconnecting them, which allows the automation of the scanning process and offers the possibility of taking control of the drones and from a distance.

Moreover, there is an increasing amount of literature covering specific geotechnical risk analysis and management topics. Examples of these are the difference between unsafe geotechnical certainty and safe geotechnical uncertainty (Barends, 2005), the role of the human factor in achieving geotechnical reliability (Bea, 2006), objective and subjective ways of geotechnical risk classification (Altabba et al., 2004), and contractual allocation of geotechnical risk (Essex, 2007).

Drones have evolved rapidly over the decades, but the limited flight time inhibits multirotor drones from performing long-duration tasks. Batteries that power drones are considered an inadequate power source due to their low energy density. As gasoline is an energy-dense source, combining an electric propulsion system with gasoline engines should be considered. This paper proposes a novel hybrid multirotor drone design using two gasoline engines to provide the majority of the lift force and four electric motors to stabilize the drone. These propulsion systems have been characterized and optimized to exploit their respective advantages, which reduce the total energy consumption rate and increase flight time. Simulation and experimental results show that the hybrid gas–electric multirotor drone can achieve more than three times the flight time of the fully electric drone.

The construction industry has a dynamic and complex environment. The successful completion of a construction project depends on various factors. Accordingly, construction delay is observed to happen in construction projects. It is highly affecting the construction sector and the economy of the country too. Although previous research studies identified the causes, effects, and mitigation methods separately, this study adopts a linked approach and directs to identify the effective applicable mitigation methods and their practices on each significant cause of delay in construction projects. Moreover, contractors are noted as one of the main sources of construction delay from the previous studies. Hence, this research aims to develop a framework to determine the applicable mitigation strategies and the practices of each mitigation strategy for each significant cause of contractor’s delays in construction projects in Sri Lanka. A mixed research approach was adopted to generate the research process. A literature review was conducted on construction delays, organizational and project management factors, and professional competency, mitigation strategies in delay management. The significant causes of delays and effective mitigation strategies were ranked through a questionnaire survey using a Likert scale. Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors in the Sri Lankan construction industry were selected in the ratio of 1:3 respectively for the interview as they are mostly engaged with delay management. Also, the respondents were limited to 68 and the collected data were analysed through the Relative Important Index (RII) method, to rank the significant causes and mitigation strategies. Then techniques and possible mitigation strategies were found through interviews and content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings indicated that most of the contractor’s delays can be mitigated through applying proper mitigation strategies as effective management approaches in the construction projects such as effective project planning and schedules of construction works, maintain positive financial stability and well qualified and experienced professionals and staff, effective strategic planning, risk analysis, and management, selection of suitable sub-contractor and management and effective site management and supervision. In addition to that, inaccurate planning and scheduling of the project, financial dishonesty, poor procurement of construction materials, ineffective time management of contractors, and incompetence of management professionals and staffs were identified as the most significant contractor’s causes of delays in construction management.
 Keywords: Delays, Significant Causes, Mitigation, Construction Management, Construction Projects.

Even though the construction management (CM) system was introduced for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of the domestic construction industry along with the establishment of construction industry fundamental laws in December of 1996, now it is very difficult that the public institutions can judge their application of construction management methods due to the lack of clear guidelines or directions to select construction management methods when the public institutions were executing public construction projects. Therefore, this study was executed to prepare for the selection criteria which could be referred in reviewing the application of construction management ordering methods according to public institution`s competences and project characteristics. It is expected that future domestic demand of construction management will be gradually increasing both in public and private construction sectors. However under the current construction management systems, it is judged to be difficult that the construction projects that apply the construction management methods will be activated with full-scale. Therefore, it could be said that active efforts in domestic sectors are required in order that the construction management systems of developed countries levels could be activated. Additionally in order to vitalize the construction management systems, it is expected that public institutions could use this study results as the review data for feasibility of construction projects for the consignment of construction management in selecting the ordering methods.

The scientific article reveals the problems of finding innovative approaches to solving problems related to the organization of an integrated management system in the construction industry. Promising trends of integrated management in the construction sector, which are focused on the flexibility and adaptability of management systems to modern conditions, are studied. The ability to respond quickly to changes in market conditions and customer requirements is becoming key to the success of construction projects. The urgency of the problem of finding rational solutions for the organization of the integrated management system in the construction industry is indicated. The paper highlights the problems of organization of the integrated management system in the construction hall. Construction projects often come with risks, such as changes in the project, unforeseen circumstances, and technical complications. Integrated management systems must meet the challenges of risk management and provide flexibility in solving problems. Grounded prospects and opportunities for using an integrated management system that allows construction enterprises to be flexible and adaptable to changes in the internal and external environment. This is especially important in the face of rapid technological changes and volatile market conditions. As a result of the analysis, opportunities for the introduction of innovative technologies and methods in the construction industry have been identified. The integration of advanced solutions allows us to improve construction processes at all stages. The results of our research revealed the basic principles of applying an integrated management model under risk conditions for quality control modules in construction, based on the concept of dynamic systems. Therefore, we consider it expedient to introduce an integrated model risk and quality management in construction, and this requires further scientific research. The proposed method allows to harmonize the processes of quality management and risk management, taking into account the criteria of project efficiency, contributing to the avoidance of conflicts between the requirements for the quality of the construction object and the level of acceptable risks. In addition, this approach aligns them with the efficiency requirements for the developer. It is determined that the principles of using the integrated model of quality management in the face of risks include the principle of complementarity and the principle of identity of the management process. This made it possible to identify management modules that correspond to the concept of construction quality management in the face of risks as a dynamic system.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the value of interdisciplinary learning specifically in the architecture (ARCH), building construction (BC) and construction management and engineering (CEM) disciplines within the USA’s higher education system. The study attempts to expand the existing literature on integrated design and construction education and offer an alternative model for academic students’ collaboration when restructuring curriculums is not possible in the short term. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a qualitative research methodology, which involved designing a structured learning experiment, then followed it with collecting the “lived experience” of 31 participants from three majors according to the institution’s institution review board (IRB) office’s guidelines. The author hypothesized that students from different, but related disciplines working on a real-life project, would better understand the value of each other’s knowledge brought to the teamwork before graduation. The data were analyzed and compared to existing literature on integrated project delivery, and collaborative learning models. Data collection (surveys) was approved by the higher education’s IRB No. 13-021. Findings Despite the already-existing curriculum obstacles, the majority of students were very pleased with this collaborative experiment. The results confirmed many of the expectations about how students viewed each other’s discipline. The preconceived notions were dissipated at the end of the study, and students expressed more appreciation for each other’s field and expressed interest in learning more about the thought processes of other disciplines. Research limitations/implications Typical conflicting academic schedules were the greatest obstacle in this experiment. Architecture students often devote majority of their time to design studios and therefore are unable to fully engage in an integrated capstone project like this one as extracurricular. Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further. Practical implications It is possible to develop a successful collaborative experience in the architecture, engineering and construction higher education system without major restructuring of the curriculums. The impact on students’ learning experience is greater than the existing separated education model. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study how integrated design and construction education occurs without creating new dedicated programs or coursework.

Construction management (CM) consultant has an important role in construction project. It involves in many activities during the construction processes such as designing, tendering, consulting and managing the construction. Based on that sequence, it can be seen that CM consultant’s role starts from the beginning of the construction. Despite its important role, the service quality of CM consultant in Indonesia can still be improved. In addition, previous studies show lack of research in exploring service quality in context of CM consultant in construction projects. Therefore, the objectives of this research are to evaluate the importance level of CM consultant’s service quality items; to analyze factors of CM consultant’s service quality; and to describe the importance of CM consultant’s service quality based on owners’ perception in Indonesian building construction projects. This research is classified as quantitative and qualitative research approach. The quantitative research approach aims to evaluate the importance level of service quality items and explore factors that influence CM consultant’s service quality. The qualitative research approach aims to explain the importance of each service quality item based on owner’s perception. The survey questionnaire and interview techniques were used to gather data from project owners. There were 71 respondents who participated in this research. The collected data was analyzed by conducting relative importance index and factor analysis. The result shows the importance level of each CM consultant’s service quality item. Based on the relative importance index, the most important item is “The CM consultant is able to anticipate the problem before it happens in the project". The next most important item is “The CM consultant does a job according to the SOP that has already been agreed". In addition, the results show 10 factors influencing consultant’s service quality in Indonesian building construction projects. The examples of factors are “Understanding & providing individualized attention for the owner"; “Service oriented characteristic of the staff"; “Awareness of the project’s status and information"; etc. The findings can help CM consultant understand the service quality factors that should be provided.

In the dynamic realm of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) projects, technological advancements have played a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and safety on construction sites. Augmented Reality (AR) has emerged as a transformative tool, revolutionizing how construction projects are planned, executed, and monitored. This paper presents a comprehensive review of AR applications in construction management from 2018 to 2022, offering insights into the evolution, impact, and potential of this innovative technology. This study encompasses various AR applications, including design, fabrication, safety, education and training, and construction and facility management. The development of AR hardware and software solutions was explored. Notable developments and their implications have also been highlighted for the construction industry. Furthermore, the challenges and barriers hindering the widespread adoption of AR in construction management were analyzed, such as cost considerations, technological limitations, and workforce readiness. This comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers seeking to navigate the transformative landscape of AR in construction management.

Progressive digitalisation makes a consistent integration of new technologies in the medical field inevitable in the long term. Especially the application of virtual reality and drones offers great potential for further developments in this sector but is still largely unexplored. Due to this fact, in the present trial it was investigated whether or to what extent the use of VR-drone-couplings can influence the quality of life of immobile patients. In order to analyse this impact, a field trial was carried out with ten persons who were not handicapped. Their quality of life was assessed by using the questionnaire WHOQOL-BREF before and after the experiment and the values were compared subsequently. By incorporating a systematic literature search, the trial results could be applied to the use of drones by immobile patients. The results show that the VR-drone-deployment can positively influence the quality of life of both healthy and movement-restricted individuals, but only to the extent that the resulting mobility increase is weighted in the life of those affected. The use of a video drone enables locally fixed persons to expand their mobility radius, as well as to overcome barriers and maintain social contacts. Accordingly, it is important to pursue this approach and to carry out additional studies regarding this concern in the future. A detailed breakdown of the results, as well as their consequences for the use of drones by paraplegic patients in the future is represented in this paper. Moreover, the need of further adaptions, changes and research which was revealed by this investigation can be taken from the following study.

Construction Apps: A Critical Review and Analysis Salman Azhar, Andrew Jackson, Anoop Sattineni Pages 1-7 (2015 Proceedings of the 32nd ISARC, Oulu, Finland, ISBN 978-951-758-597-2, ISSN 2413-5844) Abstract: At the end of 2013 it is estimated that there are nearly 13,000 apps related to design and construction available on Apple's iPad. with this many apps available in the market finding the right app for a construction manager can be a challenge. The purpose of this research was to identify mobile apps that can be used in the life cycle of a construction project. A total of 205 design, construction, and facility management apps were recorded. The majority of mobile apps discovered were apps to be used during the construction phase of a project. Research revealed there is a lack of mobile apps for facility management in the market. Apple's iOS platform was found to be the most popular operating system followed by Android with Windows 8/8.1 being the least popular platform. This research also aimed to discover the top ten best apps for a construction manager. Construction managers from several different companies were interviewed to find out what apps are currently being used in construction as well as which activities mobile apps would be most useful. It was discovered the majority of apps currently used by construction managers are not construction apps. Interviewees also indicated apps would be most useful for activities related to quality control, specifically deficiency tracking. Another goal of this research was to explore current and future challenges of implementing apps in the construction industry. The top two problems identified were (1) lack of training and (2) difficulty viewing documents on mobile devices. This suggests companies could improve the use of mobile apps by properly training employees. Keywords: Mobile Technologies, Apps, Smart Phone, Tablet, Project Management DOI: https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2015/0008 Download fulltext Download BibTex Download Endnote (RIS) TeX Import to Mendeley

The construction sector in the United States (US) is facing a shortage of employees due to high and disproportionate rates of retirement. Experienced professionals are leaving the industry to pave the way for inexperienced recruits lacking implicit or experiential knowledge. This loss of knowledge contributes to annual financial losses as novices cannot gain experience at the required rate to combat the “knowledge drain.” Combining traditional tools with innovative technology such as virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) have the potential to bridge this gap in construction management (CM). VR is now being rapidly used in CM due to the ease it provides in information modeling, safety training, and knowledge management. This paper proposes a theoretical framework to understand whether tacit knowledge can be delivered using VR to improve students’ situational awareness in the context of CM education and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) components. It utilizes VR in information transfer from an expert to novice, and then measures whether their knowledge is enhanced using such hybrid teaching methods instead of more traditional classrooms. The framework brings VR hardware into CM education and gives undergraduate students an opportunity to exploit its full worth. This work has the potential to create more experienced CM graduates before they join the industry and will enable improved tacit knowledge transfer from experts to novices.

Disputes are an inevitable and significant aspect of the construction industry that cannot be disregarded. This study is a bibliometric literature review analysis of the existing sources on disputes in the construction industry. The study includes academic publications such as journal and review articles, conference papers, and book chapters. The data was obtained from publications indexed on Scopus database. The objective is to identify patterns, key themes, and the evolution of research on construction conflicts. The software tool VOS viewer created a co-occurrence network based on the bibliographic data obtained. Additionally, a Sankey diagram was generated to analyze the types and patterns of publications. The findings indicate the presence of seven prominent study clusters in the field of construction disputes, including "Project and Construction Management," "Construction Industry and Conflict Management," "Laws and Legislation," "Contractors and Contract Management," "Cost Management and Change Order," "Information Technologies and Smart Contract," and "Artificial Intelligence." The focus of the investigation has shifted from "Law and Legislation" to "Information Technologies and Smart Contracts," "Artificial Intelligence," and "Project and Construction Management" as trending topics. The findings of this study can highlight current research topics on construction disputes, contribute to determining research direction, and offer new areas for further research.

Ethical decision-making is central to the practice of construction engineering and management. This is no more evident than in the twenty-first century, when the construction industry must function in very diverse organizational contexts. Whilst construction companies pursue projects in international markets, many investors are buying or forming joint ventures with domestic companies. New and varied professional attitudes have recently arrived in western markets such as the United States and Australia because construction companies are increasingly employing managers from developing nations to undertake commercial and infrastructure engineering projects. In many developing countries the construction industry is vulnerable to unethical behavior or corruption – vulnerability in part because of differences in culture and managerial systems across countries; and this diversity is manifest in the different perspectives of professional ethics and professional practice. Importantly, professionals in construction engineering must be aware of these differences; however current ethics education for engineering professionals generally lacks global components. In this chapter, emphasis is placed upon professional registration, including mandatory awareness of professional ethics, as an imperative for the welfare of world citizens; discussion on the nature of the construction industry and globalized trends emphasizes why ethics and professional education must be integrated within civil and construction engineering and management curricula. Only then we can anticipate an appropriate educational foundation for professional registration of the international engineer.