Automation in construction/project management

这项研究建议的目的是促进知识体系的发展；在目前的探索补助金及其DAS补充资金的期限内，在两个主要领域扩大申请人及其同事的发展：1)可持续民用基础设施系统(CI)的智能系统和方法，主要侧重于市政基础设施(MI)，占加拿大市政基础设施系统的70%；2)基于信息技术(IT)的建设管理技术和决策支持系统，以优化已建设施的交付。过去20年来，北美民用基础设施日益恶化的状况引起了公众的关注，并引起了政府机构、行业专业人士和学者的极大关注。美国钢铁工业协会2013年的“成绩单”将美国供水、废水和道路基础设施的状况评为接近不及格的等级(D+)和(D)；预计到2020年所需的投资将达到3.6万亿美元。加拿大估计耗资1.6万亿美元的民用基础设施的情况也没有太大不同。拟议的研究计划将涉及以下关键领域：(1)研究、建模和开发针对桥梁、供水、废水和下水道以及公路网的非侵入性、非破坏性和智能检测和创新的状况评估方法，考虑到它们在空间和功能上的相互依存关系。此外，研究、规划和开发算法、方法和自动化系统，以支持可持续民用基础设施的优化干预计划和合理预算分配；以及(2)探索和扩大利用快速原型技术对自动化工地数据获取和基于IT的建筑工程和管理方法进行的创新研究，以测试遥感硬件和相关软件、优化算法、智能系统和空间、无线传感器网络和网络使能技术的设计配置的性能，以捕获、组织和处理数据，重点是提高加拿大建筑业的生产率、安全性和竞争力。因此，拟议的方案有助于努力保护和改善公共健康、安全和经济福祉，并有助于培训加拿大经济关键部门的高素质人员。它利用CFI重大研究基础设施赠款提供的资源，该基金为拟议的研究提供必要的计算设施，并向合格的研究生和博士后研究员提供内部财政支持。

The aim of this research proposal is to advance the body of knowledge; expanding upon the development made by the applicant and his coworkers, over the term of the current Discovery Grant and its DAS supplement in two major areas: 1) intelligent systems and methods for sustainable civil infrastructure systems (CISs), focusing primarily on municipal infrastructure (MI), which represents 70% of CISs in Canada, electric power grids and bridges, and 2) information technology (IT)-based construction management techniques and decision support systems for optimized delivery of constructed facilities. The deteriorating condition of civil infrastructure in North America gave rise to public concern and attracted considerable attention from government agencies, industry professionals and academics over the last 20 years. The ASCE’s 2013 "Report Card" assigns near failing grade (D+) to CISs and (D) for the condition of water and wastewater and roads infrastructure in the USA; projecting needed investment of $3.6 trillion by the 2020. The picture is not much different in Canada's estimated $1.6 trillion civil infrastructure. The proposed program of research will address the following key areas (1) study, model and develop non-invasive, non-destructive and smart inspection and innovative condition assessment methods for bridges, water, wastewater and sewer, and road networks, considering their spatial and functional interdependencies. As well, to investigate, plan and develop algorithms, methods and automated systems to support optimized intervention plans and rational budget allocation for sustainable civil infrastructure; and (2) explore and expand upon the innovative research conducted on automated site date acquisition and on IT-based construction engineering and management methods using rapid prototyping for testing performance of designed configurations of remote sensing hardware and related software, optimization algorithms, intelligent systems and spatial, wireless sensors networks and web enabling technologies for data capturing, organization and processing with a focus on improving productivity, safety and competitiveness of Canada's $290+ billion (capital expenditures) construction industry according to Statistic Canada for 2013. The proposed program, accordingly, contributes to efforts being made to protect and improve public health, safety and economic wellbeing, and towards the training of highly qualified personnel in vital sectors of the Canadian economy. It leverages the resources provided by a major CFI research infrastructure grant that provides the required computing facilities for the proposed research and internal financial support to qualified graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.