Development of Wood Building Systems for Construction Processes using Distributed Robotics
Development of construction systems with regard to construction processes by means of distributed robotic systems using the example of the production and assembly of detachable, reusable, unmixed and functionally adapted wooden structures
The project focuses on the investigation of in-situ construction and assembly processes on the construction site using distributed robotic systems ("distributed robotics"). The term refers to a large number of small, agile construction robots that can produce complex, functionally adapted assemblies from individual parts in highly parallel processes. This represents a fundamentally different approach than the current trend towards the automation of pre-digital construction machines, such as tower cranes. The advantage of distributed robotics is that the machines are small and inexpensive and can therefore be operated in parallel in large numbers. Distributed robotics also promises considerable advantages with regard to the solubility, sorting purity, and reusability of components. From a large number of identical parts, context-specific, functionally adapted and thus resource-saving building constructions can be built and dismantled or disassembled and returned for reuse. In order to exploit the potential of these emerging robotic technologies for the construction industry, fundamental research is needed on building systems and construction methods that are genuinely designed for such radically different construction processes.
The goal of this project is to explore the basic features and characteristics of timber building systems that will unlock the potential of distributed robotics for the construction industry. Timber is chosen as a light-weight, sustainable, and easily machinable material with which small machines can assemble. The timber industry and current standards of timber construction further provide a backdrop for evaluating the application of such novel systems for building construction.
Fundamental knowledge about a radically new approach to automation in the building industry is to be gained, which in the future will be able to make a significant contribution to solving the current challenges of the building industry.
PROJECT TEAM
ICD Institute for Computational Design and Construction, University of Stuttgart
Prof. A. Menges
Nicolas Kubail Kalousdian
Samuel Leder
Tobias Schwinn
PROJECT FUNDING
BBSR Forschungsinitiative Zukunft Bau