Optical tool for additive construction of complex brick structures

• Published in: Automation in construction Vol. 140; p. 104330
• Main Authors: Fazel, Alireza, Fayaz, Rima, Mostaghni, Alireza, Matini, Mohammad Reza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.08.2022; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Additive manufacturing; Bricks; Complex brickwork; Construction industry; Digital fabrication; Flexibility; Human augmentation; Human error; Laser pointer; Microcontrollers; Microprocessors; Laser pointer; Human augmentation; Digital fabrication; Complex brickwork; Additive manufacturing
• ISSN: 0926-5805; 1872-7891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.autcon.2022.104330

The level of automation in the construction industry is currently low, and there is a growing need for new fabrication techniques that can bring more flexibility. This paper aims to introduce an optical tool which can bring the digital fabrication data on the building site in a real-time procedure to facilitate construction of complex brick structures. This tool consists of three custom-made two-axis laser pointer devices, a micro-controller, and a processor that enable the user to identify the exact location of the objects in the real world. Additionally, a controlling sub-system is considered to reduce human errors. The efficacy of the proposed system was studied by four full-scale prototypes. The results showed that the average lateral error was 2.5 mm, the average orientation error was 1°, and the average construction time for each module was 27 s. This tool can provide more flexibility for constructing complex brick structures on the building site. •A new optical tool for constructing complex brick structures is presented.•Digitally projected laser beams enable the user to see the location of any brick in the real world.•A controlling subsystem is designed to enhance the accuracy of the system.•This tool can provide more flexibility for constructing complex brick structures on the building site.