The International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction
Publications / CSCE/CRC 2025 - Montreal, Canada
Physics-Based Simulation for Construction Activity Sequence Planning
Construction activity sequence planning ensures the structured execution of construction processes by defining task order, dependencies, and constraints. While traditional planning methods rely on predefined templates, fragnets, or automated approaches using large language models, machine learning, and 4D building information modeling (BIM), these methods often struggle to address site-specific and real-time constructability challenges. To address these challenges, this study introduces a physics-based simulation approach that automates sequencing by evaluating structural dependencies and spatial constraints. In this study, a 3D BIM model is transformed into a physics-simulated environment using universal robot description format files, where a brute-force search iteratively refines sequences based on stability and path clearance constraints. To confirm the method's ability to dynamically generate feasible sequences that can subsequently be structured into construction schedules, testing is conducted on an industrial module comprising steel frames, pipe spools, and cable trays. Notably, as structural complexity increases, computational demands grow exponentially, demonstrating the limitations of brute-force search. The results indicate that physics-based simulation effectively validates constructability but requires optimization for scalability. Therefore, future advancements in this area should focus on AI-driven sequence optimization, improved BIM data integration, and distributed computing to enhance efficiency. By bridging the gap between digital models and real-world constraints, this study offers a novel method for advancing automated construction sequencing, making it more practical for industry-wide adoption.