BIM-Based and IoT-Driven Smart Tracking for Precast Construction Dynamic Scheduling
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 150, Issue 9
Abstract
Precast construction offers multiple benefits, encompassing heightened productivity, an enhanced working environment, and significant waste reduction. Timely delivery of precast components (PCs) is of paramount importance in the successful execution of construction projects, mainly because processes involving precast prefabrication are identified frequently as critical activities in the majority of cases. However, current scheduling models for precast production need to meet the demands of dynamic environments in which construction projects contend with uncertainties. Consequently, it is essential to investigate and develop more-resilient and flexible scheduling approaches to address these challenges effectively and guarantee the timely delivery of precast components in these dynamic construction scenarios. To address these challenges, this study introduces an approach that integrates precast tracking, positioning, progress monitoring, and analysis among the multiple stages undertaken by project communities. Each component’s status is updated dynamically in the cloud-based Building Information Modeling (BIM) platform using radio-frequency identification (RFID) and ultrawideband (UWB) technologies. Moreover, the collected data are updated to a dynamic production planning engine to be analyzed more accurately and flexibly for prefabrication, fitting-out, installation resources, workerpower planning, scheduling, and execution. To verify the efficiency of the proposed system, on-site testing was performed on a prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC) residential building project. The findings show that a precast component can be tracked precisely on-site and that the sensor network can deliver trustworthy data. This research adopted an innovative and comprehensive methodology, centering on the transmission of real-time data collected via RFID and UWB sensing to enable dynamic scheduling in precast construction. By facilitating dynamic planning, scheduling, optimization, and progress monitoring, the study introduces a paradigm shift in construction project management, markedly improving the efficiency and effectiveness of project execution.
Practical Applications
Precast construction, known for its efficiency and sustainability, faces a key challenge in ensuring the timely delivery of precast components. This is crucial because PCs assembly often represents critical activities in construction projects. Current scheduling engines struggle to adapt to the unpredictable nature of construction environments, which frequently deal with uncertainties. This study presents an innovative approach that integrates tracking, positioning, and progress monitoring of PCs using advanced technologies. By employing radio-frequency identification and ultrawideband sensors, PCs’ status is updated in real-time on a cloud-based Building Information Modeling platform. These data are uploaded into a dynamic production scheduling engine, enhancing the accuracy and flexibility of scheduling and execution, especially for prefabrication and installation stages. This approach was tested in a real-world prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction residential building project. The results demonstrate the system’s ability to locate PCs on-site precisely and provide reliable data. This holistic strategy not only allows for dynamic scheduling, optimizing workerpower and resource allocation, but also enhances overall project management. This leads to more-effective planning, optimization, and monitoring of progress, significantly improving project execution in precast construction environments.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This research is supported by the Ministry of National Development (MND) Singapore under the MND Research and Innovation Fund. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of Ministry of National Development Singapore.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 150 • Issue 9 • September 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 9, 2023
Accepted: Apr 15, 2024
Published online: Jul 12, 2024
Published in print: Sep 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Dec 12, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Architectural engineering
- Building information modeling
- Building management
- Business management
- Computer networks
- Computing in civil engineering
- Construction engineering
- Construction industry
- Construction management
- Construction wastes
- Engineering fundamentals
- Environmental engineering
- Internet
- Management methods
- Models (by type)
- Offsite construction
- Pollutants
- Practice and Profession
- Project management
- Scheduling
- Solid wastes
- Wastes
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