Prospects for Applying Automation/Robotization in Concrete Dam Construction

There is a need to introduce the application of automation and robotization for excavation and concrete pouring to improve the working environment and to compensate for the labor shortage. Therefore, as an example, we have decided to study on concrete dam construction using the RCD (Roller Compacted concrete for Dam) method in order to investigate a future method for constructing concrete gravity dams. This paper discusses the need for a highly-integrated robotic excavation system which consists of two robotic excavation systems, one for excavation/stockpiling and the other for transportation, and a support system. There is also a requirement for a highly-integrated concrete pouring and curing of concrete. The technical problems concerning the design and construction method that must be reviewed for the early realization of these systems are discussed in this paper as well.