The International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction
Publications / 2025 Proceedings of the 42nd ISARC, Montreal, Canada
Development of Auto Route System for MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) Pipe Design in Construction
This study introduces a novel framework for optimizing material costs and construction efficiency in MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) automatic routing design. Through a detailed literature review, the study identified key limitations in existing MEP auto routing systems, including insufficient consideration of material cost reduction, inefficiencies in handling complex installation steps, and the inability to manage additional costs related to the number and angles of bends and diverse material selections. The proposed framework addresses these challenges through five main stages: integration of physical and spatial data for accurate initial design, application of optimization algorithms such as A* and Genetic Algorithm (GA) to minimize total path length and bends, material cost evaluation to refine routes in cases of excessive material usage, construction feasibility analysis to ensure practical viability, and VR/AR-based simulations to identify and resolve potential construction issues. This comprehensive framework systematically reduces material waste, improves construction workflows, and enhances overall efficiency in MEP design. Future research aims to integrate machine learning and real-time adaptive technologies to further advance the adaptability and sustainability of MEP auto routing systems, meeting the demands of increasingly dynamic construction environments.
