Advance Material Engineering for Construction

The Use of AI in Construction Materials

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction .............................................................................................................. 3

2. Overview of Construction Material and the Implication of AI ..................................... 4

3. Application areas of AI in Construction Engineering ................................................... 5

3.1 Modelling and Simulation ............................................................................................ 5

3.2 Design and Development ............................................................................................. 5

3.3 Material Inventory Management.................................................................................. 6

3.4 Environment and Climate Change ................................................................................. 6

3.5 Health and Safety ........................................................................................................ 7

3.6 AI in post-construction ................................................................................................. 8

4. Future of AI ............................................................................................................... 9

4.1 Challenges of adopting AI in the construction Industry .................................................. 9

4.2 Job Risks ...................................................................................................................... 9

5. Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 10

Works Cited .................................................................................................................... 11

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1. Introduction

The construction industry is one of the most important sectors in the world.
Construction materials are the key component of modern-day living and generally
long-life expectancy. Since construction materials play a vital role in the construction
industry, some of their properties like eco-friendliness, durability, sustainability,
legibility and affordability are the key factors in the choice of the material and its
functionality. The selection of suitable material and its recipe for mass production is
becoming quite difficult for the construction industries. Because of this, the productivity
level is low when compared with other industries such as automobile manufacturing.
(Michael, 2017) (Massimo Regona, 2022). The construction industries tend towards
digitalization, which makes it difficult to tackle the issues that they are facing the issues
such as productivity, efficiency, health & safety, manpower etc., The absence of
requisite technology and digitalization has also been connected to poor deliveries,
production, cost inefficiency and safety. This report aims to explain the different AI
techniques being used to overcome the difficulties in current construction industries.

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2. Overview of Construction Material and the Implication of AI

The design and production of the construction materials involve various components
such as cement, aggregates, composites, metallic and non-metallic materials, and
natural materials such as wood and bamboo and are interdependent on the
environmental conditions. The impact of the construction materials on a structure has
several factors such as high strength, cost-effectiveness, carbon emission and distant
future etc., when collated with the traditional expectations. As a result, it makes it
exceedingly difficult for the material's mass production. And, this mass production of
the material requires innumerable trials and experiments, which require further
manpower, resources and time, even for any changes in the single material's
properties.

To resolve all the problems in any industry like construction, manufacturing etc., the
new trend is known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) (Uygun, 2021).
This trend is towards the exchange of data and automation in manufacturing
technologies by involving the Internet of Things (IoT), Industrial Internet of Things
(IIoT), Cloud Computing and Artificial Intelligence. The competence of the production
of material by machines cannot replace the expertise of humans, but the efficiency of
the production of the material is probably high when compared with the skilled workers
and can do the production repetitively using machine learning and computational
power allows the machine to carry extremely complicated task (Uygun, 2021).

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a computer science branch aiming to create smart

machines by using some of the programming languages capable of sensing, decision-
making, and problem-solving tasks. AI is not a new technology, its first conversation
was mentioned by A.M. Turing’s report, which was first published in the year 1950
(Turing, 1950). The main aim of AI is to make the machine do its task, whatever it is
programmed to get vast output and it also helps to get enhanced results when
compared with the traditional methods (CF Chien, 2020). AI is sub-categorized into
Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL) and others. Machine learning (ML), one
of the fields of artificial intelligence, derives mathematical solutions by using the given
data i.e., graphs, data tables, and figures and gives the output most precisely by
considering the computer algorithms (Jing Wei, 2019). Deep Learning is the sub-
category of machine learning, it is mainly inspired by biological computation and the
perception in the human brain, one of its crucial strengths is getting accurate and
detailed values from the raw input data (Ian Goodfellow, 2016). All these tools made
a lot of development and changes in all sectors which changed the entire world into a
new aspect (TVN Rao, 2021). By use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the construction
industry helps to strengthen production or operations safely, speedily, efficiently and
accurately. Using AI in the production of construction materials, companies can
monitor their job sites for potential hazards and critical issues to prevent mishaps.

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3. Application areas of AI in Construction Engineering

3.1 Modelling and Simulation

Building Information Modelling or Building Information Management (BIM) is a

technology that is used in the construction industry, which makes the architects,
engineers, contractors, real estate developers and other construction professionals
build a structure or a building within one 3D model. The “I” in the BIM stands for the
information i.e., all the data given is gathered involved not only in construction but also
in the management of the life expectancy of the project (Lorek, n.d.). Before the
construction begins, the design, plan and sequence of data executed from it should
be considered by respective teams and the client. Because of BIM the cost of the
project, the amount of material requirement and the time of delivery can be easily
reduced, and one can see the building virtually (Bazjanac, 2004).

The data in BIM is shared accessibly through the online space called “Common Data
Environment (CDE) (Richards, 2013). By incorporating AI, BIM methods can be
elegant and automated, which incorporates automated design and rule checking,
building performance analysis and virtual reality.
3.2 Design and Development

The design, plan and concept are the three important phases of building construction,
and its life span is crucial. Everything should be done in a particular manner to make
the project run quietly with a high range of quality and economical. It takes a long time
to study the characteristics of the site and plan the design of the structure accordingly.
Also, there is a high chance of failure in the construction of a structure due to incorrect
planning and design.

This is one of the areas where we can replace the traditional methods of designing a
structure is replaced with automation i.e., Artificial Intelligence (AI). With the data that
is shared through online space (CDE) (Richards, 2013) of the earlier plans of the
structure, the automated AI-based system can re-design and produce the alternatives
of the plans based on the data that is available in online space (CDE). The only thing
the architect or engineer does is select the appropriate design that suits the site's
condition. This is considerable progress over the traditional methods of designing and
drawing the plans and structures which leads to numerous trials and calculations.

This collaboration of the AI allows the individuals to produce the most well-planned
and functional design relying on any parameters gives express, effective and high-

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quality planning and design. Furthermore, AI makes the design field in the construction
industry more feasible by creating unimaginable design forms and plans which leads
to greater design solutions.

3.3 Material Inventory Management

Managing the inventory of the materials is the primary key to delivering the ongoing
project on time, otherwise, there may be a chance of delay in the project. In this case,
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can assist the organization in ordering the materials in the
required amount at an appropriate time. AI can also predict the price of raw materials
like sand, gravel, cement etc., the main components of the industry by adopting the
data history that is stored in an online space. After the prediction, AI can automatically
place an order for the required material and pick the best time to buy. This leads to
managing the inventory of the materials for the project's successful completion and
helps the company be more efficient and eco-friendlier by reducing waste.

3.4 Environment and Climate Change

There are many structures and buildings in different forms and shapes all around the
world. However, the consequences of these structures on the environment are
substantial. “The built environment is responsible for about 42% of annual global CO2
emission,” says Architecture 2030 (Architecture 2030, 2018). Overall, only 27% is
responsible for building operations and the remaining 15% comes from raw materials
like cement, iron, steel and aluminium (Architecture 2030, 2018).

Figure 1: Total Annual Global Co2 Emissions (Architecture 2030, 2018)

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Building acts as a median for the inner living space and the external environment and
it is mandatory for the flow of hot and cool air using a method called heat pumps.
Today it is mandatory by the government to keep the efficiency of heat pumps to
reduce environmental damage (IEEE, n.d.). Maintaining climate change and
environmental control in the construction industry due to many causes became big
trouble for the developers and contractors, which leads to cost consideration and
usage of different green materials and thoughts.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and some other tools are ready to be deployed into the
construction industry to forecast the issues and limitations of the project. AI is helping
in designing new green buildings by reducing material waste by using innovation in
material sciences and recycling the excess waste. However, the old existing buildings
are altered by utilizing renewable energy or by installing solar panels. Artificial
Intelligence (AI) will help in the fight against global environmental change.

3.5 Health and Safety

Each construction project or industry has several types of risks in different forms, this
may be the quality of the project, the safety of the workers on the site or the cost of
the project. According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA, “Falls
are the leading cause of death when compared with any other accidents” (OSHA, n.d.).
The dangers may be caused onsite like tools and equipment without prior safety,
working from heights, toxic substances etc., Sometimes these dangers may lead to
the loss of life, health issues and high chances of disabilities.

To overcome this problem regarding health and safety, digital technologies like
Artificial Intelligence (AI) are introduced to reduce the hazards at the site and health
risks before they turn out. Artificial Intelligence (AI) based health and safety monitor
systems work with some AI programs by collecting the data from different sensors like
motion detection, heat sensors, hazard sensors, trespassing detection etc., sending
the intimation to the system monitoring unit before any accident happens and is
prevented. With the help of CCTV and the workers' monitoring system, it helps track
real-time work progress. It also helps in finding safety measures like workers wearing
safety gear and helmets and making the alert before entering the workplace. In future,
merging the sensors with AI is likely to be put into action in work procedures to reduce
the risk at the workplace by using wireless technology devices which are connected
to the machines and personnel to a central monitoring system.

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3.6 AI in post-construction

One of the major key aspects of making the structure or construction long-lasting is
the maintenance of the structure. Proper protection is required, and one needs to
ensure its compatibility before it crosses the level of risk. Using Artificial Intelligence
(AI) along with sensors, drones and wireless technologies helps to collect the data of
the structure and compare it with characteristic properties of the material at the early
stage of construction. If any minor changes are found at some point, then automatically
the system will alert before crossing its limitations. Consider an example in our daily
life – At the time of short-circuit, finding the root cause for the incident is a bit difficult
and, in such cases, AI helps in taking preventive action. This means AI can be used
to track the progression of problems, identify preventive measures and allow
maintenance when required, replacing the human for maximum safety and security.

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4. Future of AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT) can reduce the
construction cost by 20%. The present and future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the
construction industries making the most AI-based tools and techniques to come into
the workflow. As industries are digitalizing, AI has become one of the main tools for
digitalization and an essential part of the construction process, by helping to improve
the quality, cost-effective and eco-friendly structures.

4.1 Challenges of adopting AI in the construction Industry

Introducing innovative technology to the existing industry is a big deal which needs a
lot of research and the experimental scope of the technology where it should be
replaced with existing methods. The major challenge of adopting AI in the construction
industry involves traditional factors, security concerns, high upfront costs, and
transportation of AI-based robots from one site to another site, which requires more
protection and supervision. Adopting AI in the construction industry will reduce the
impact of other things like shortage of labour, materials etc.

4.2 Job Risks

Construction jobs are the third highest risk when digitalization and automation are
involved in the construction industry in coming years (John Hawksworth, 2018). Most
of the jobs are at risk (38-45%) and require medium to low levels of education (John
Hawksworth, 2018). Despite that, the involvement of modern technologies in the
industry can create a lot of new roles. For example, the invention of BIM led to the
creation of new roles like BIM project manager, designer and coordinator (Miyoung
Uhm, 2017). The approach of AI in the construction industry gives rise to new roles
like AI researchers, engineers and trainers. Researchers are the main ones
responsible for the involvement of AI in the industry by continuously researching.
Finally, trainers and testers are required to maintain the robots or sensors using AI to
get the results effectively and efficiently, this can replace the low and medium-level
education will lose their jobs and can serve as trainers and testers for those systems
by replacing them.

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5. Conclusion

With a lot of data that has emerged from the structure throughout its lifecycle and the
involvement of digital technologies, AI can collect the data, detect and give the warning
to improve the process of the construction before reaching its limitations. This report
is not only about the latest research but also over the last few decades in different
applications in the construction industry. The overview, implementation and
application of AI in several areas, the future and its challenges are briefly explained.
A basic review of different application areas, scope, limitations and benefits of each
subfield of AI used in the construction industry is explained. This study gives a
qualitative approach through the review of different reports and publications on AI and
its areas of applications.

Although the application of AI is gradually increasing its involvement in different

sectors of the construction industry, some of the challenges that are affecting the
adoption of AI in the construction industry and resolved through some
recommendations. This study will be useful for educational purposes and research
about the relevance of AI in the construction industry. A clear view of the benefits and
obstacles due to the implication of modern technology in this field is explained clearly
and precisely. Overall, this report reviewed and discussed further opportunities and
issues for the involvement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is discussed.

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Works Cited

Architecture 2030, 2018. Architecture 2030. [Online]

Available at: https://www.architecture2030.org/why-the-built-environment/

Bazjanac, V., 2004. Virtual Building Environments (VBE) - Applying Information

Modeling to Buildings. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

CF Chien, S. D.-p. W. H. Y. J. J. M., 2020. Artificial Intelligence in manufacturing and

logistics systems: algorithms, applications and case studies.. Taylor & Francis online.

Ian Goodfellow, Y. B. A. C., 2016. Deep Learning, Cambridge, Massachusetts: The

MIT Press.

IEEE, n.d. Climate change: IEEE. [Online]

Available at: https://climate-change.ieee.org/news/ai-smartbuildings/#footnote2

Jing Wei, X. C. X.-Y. s. K. X. H. D. J. C. Z. W. M. L., 2019. Machine Learning in Material

Science. InfoMat.

John Hawksworth, R. B. S. G., 2018. Will robots steal our jobs?. [Online]

Available at: https://www.pwc.co.uk/economic-services/assets/international-impact-

of-automation-feb-2018.pdf

Lorek, S., n.d. Trimble.com. [Online]

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building-information-modeling

Massimo Regona, T. Y. B. X. R. Y. M. L., 2022. Opportunities and Adoption challanges

of AI in the construction Industry: A PRISMA Review. Journal of Open Innovation:

Technology, Market and Complexity.

Michael, C., 2017. Artificial Intelligence the next digital frontier. McKinsey and

Company and Global Institute.

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Miyoung Uhm, G. L. B. J., 2017. An analysis of BIM jobs and competencies based on

the use of terms in industry. Automation in Construction, Volume 81.

OSHA, n.d. Occupation Safety and Health Administration. [Online]

Available at: https://www.osha.gov/stop-

falls#:~:text=FALLS%20ARE%20THE%20LEADING%20CAUSE,construction%20fat

alities%20(BLS%20data).

Richards, M., 2013. Desiginingbuildings.co.uk. [Online]

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https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Common_data_environment_CDE

Turing, A., 1950. COMPUTING MACHINERY AND INTELLIGENCE.

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and Deep learning in the Era of Industry 4.0. [Online]

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