Publications / 2020 Proceedings of the 37th ISARC, Kitakyushu, Japan

A Simulation Approach to Optimize Concrete Delivery using UAV Photogrammetry and Traffic Data

Robert Sprotte and Hani Alzraiee
Pages 719-726 (2020 Proceedings of the 37th ISARC, Kitakyushu, Japan, ISBN 978-952-94-3634-7, ISSN 2413-5844)
Abstract:

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are an emerging technology that serve a range of applications for construction purposes including the creation of site survey maps, jobsite monitoring for routine progress reports, and structural inspections. Though while promising, drones have not yet been widely utilized by the construction industry to their fullest potential and there are still many areas to explore. One such activity is utilizing drones to optimize concrete delivery to a jobsite. Ready-mix concrete is an essential part of many projects, but its quick setting time makes proper delivery planning essential. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of UAVs and traffic data in scheduling a concrete delivery and develop an overall framework to optimize this activity. The proposed Automated Construction Data Acquisition and Simulation (ACDAS) framework is comprised of three main steps: collection, simulation, and reporting. To implement the concept, traffic data of a construction site in San Luis Obispo, California was collected and EZStrobe discrete event simulation modelling was used to model three potential routes from a local concrete batch plant to the specified job site. The model was able to predict the most efficient route for concrete delivery in a congested traffic area.

Keywords: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles; UAVs; optimization; ready mix concrete; construction planning; delivery