Drone Technology in Contemporary Construction Engineering Management
Construction Engineering Management Program (CMP),
College of
Engineering (C.E.), Prince Sultan University (PSU),
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ikatar@psu.edu.sa
Abstract
Drones present numerous advantages in
the construction industry, including enhanced work safety, cost-effectiveness,
and reduced carbon emissions. However, their current limitations must be
addressed to unlock their potential fully. Despite these challenges, the
utility of drones in construction projects is expected to increase
significantly in the future. This study is a valuable resource for construction
managers to familiarize themselves with these emerging technologies and for
researchers to further explore drone applications in construction engineering
management. By embracing drones, construction professionals can embrace their
benefits and stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
Keywords
Drones, Work Safety,
Cost-Effectiveness, Carbon Emissions, Construction Engineering Management.
Introduction
Drones come in
various types, including fixed-wing hybrid, single-rotor, and fixed-wing, as
depicted in Figure 1 [1]. Drones, such as quadcopters, offer advantages over
other UAV systems. They are known for their high maneuverability, robustness,
and cost-effectiveness in purchase and maintenance. Drones typically have more
than two rotors and utilize static-pitch blades. Control of the vehicle's
motion is achieved by adjusting the relative speed of each rotor to alter the
thrust and torque produced by them. These drones excel in maneuvering within
small spaces while hovering and can be controlled through various devices like
cell phones, tablets, and computers. Furthermore, they can easily accommodate
additional equipment, such as cameras and communication devices [2].
Consequently, numerous fields are increasingly interested in harnessing the
capabilities of drones for numerous non-military applications [3].
Fig.
1. Drone types: fixed-wing hybrid, single-rotor, and fixed-wing [1].
In the modern
construction industry, drones have emerged as an innovative technology with the
potential to enhance construction activities significantly. They offer various
benefits, ranging from observation and inspection to monitoring safe practices,
resulting in time and cost savings, improved quality of work, and reduced
injuries [4].
Despite these advantages, the construction industry has slowly adopted emerging
technologies like drones [5]. Consequently, limited research has focused
on exploring their potential applications in construction engineering and
management compared to other fields. This paper aims to address this gap by
comprehensively investigating the applications of drones, discussing their roles,
and exploring their future potential in construction engineering and
management.
Fig.
2. Building Facade Inspection [9].
Demolition
Currently, drones
have found applications in waste management [10] and in capturing footage to document the
progress of demolition activities [11; 12] during the end-of-life phase of building
deconstruction. For instance, O'Neill [13] showcased remarkable aerial footage of the
controlled demolition of the 11-story Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital in New
York, where the entire building was brought down in just 30 seconds.
Furthermore, the ongoing demolition of Parramatta Stadium is underway to make
room for the $300 million Western Sydney Stadium (CommBank Stadium), which
opened in April 2019.
Surveying
Land surveying is
an essential component of any land development project and serves as a critical
step at the beginning of the construction process. Traditional land surveying
methods involve using bulky tools like tripods, total stations, and GPS
equipment. However, drones equipped with cameras, autopilots, and image
processing software can revolutionize land surveying and mapping in
construction projects, offering faster and more cost-effective surveying
solutions. A study conducted by Siebert and Teizer [14] compared two types of
measurements: a manual, ground-based real-time kinematic GPS survey and a
drone-based photogrammetric survey conducted near Magdeburg, Germany. Figure 3
outlines a construction site's precise topographic survey process [15]. The
bottom-left image illustrates a plan view of the construction site with a
designated flight path for the drone. The image on the right demonstrates the
drone's camera pointed downwards, capturing 3D dimensional coordinates. Aerial
photogrammetry is then employed to generate 3D models. In comparison to a
traditional GPS survey that collected 1,800 individual points over an area of
60,000 m2, the drone-based photogrammetric survey autonomously gathered
5,500,000 color-coded points. It produced an orthophoto as the final output [14]. The
test results indicated that the drone-based survey reduced surveying time by
one-third while increasing the point density by more than 3,000 times.
Fig.
3. Precise topographic surveys by innovative sensors [15].
Logistics
In construction,
logistics plays a vital role in managing the movement of materials and
equipment from their sources to the areas where the workforce needs them. Procuring
materials and services from suppliers and subcontractors constitutes a
significant portion of construction activities [16]. To enhance supply chain management and
assist construction logistics managers, drones have been utilized to transport
goods from suppliers and move materials within construction sites [17]. For
instance, drone-based technologies have been employed to detect, identify, and
track the locations of tagged materials in real-time using systems such as GPS,
ultra-wideband (U.B.) radio, or radio frequency identification (RFID) [18].
Onsite
construction
Onsite construction
includes a set of factors to be managed during the project execution, including
the management of time, quality site, and safety.
1.
Time
Drone-BIM technologies
can potentially improve time management in construction projects [19]. By
linking 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) models with schedule (4D), costs
(5D), and project lifecycle information (6D), the effectiveness of BIM models
can be enhanced [20].
ND BIM models, incorporating multiple data dimensions, have been utilized for construction
progress monitoring [21].
Drones are crucial in efficiently capturing records and as-built information,
even in indoor construction sites [22; 23]. Subsequently, BIM models can be updated
to assess potential delays and identify any other impacts on the project's
normal progress.
Irizarry and Costa [3]
presented four case studies to explore further applications of drones during
construction. These cases included the demolition and reconstruction of an
academic office building in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, the construction of an
academic research building and a high school building in Georgia, and the
construction of eight apartment buildings in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Over
seven months, 200 visual assets, consisting of 98 photos and 102 videos, were
collected through drone flights at these construction sites. Through interviews
with construction project personnel, the researchers and construction staff
acknowledged the potential applications of drones in progress monitoring,
planning for construction management tasks, safety management, and quality
inspections.
2. Quality
Considerable
attention has been given to quality management during construction [24].
Construction defects, in particular, significantly cause reduced project
productivity, delays, additional costs, and the need for additional materials
and labor to rectify the defects [25; 26]. Hence, it is crucial to effectively
identify defects early in the construction process to ensure quality control.
BIM offers smart
solutions for efficient project execution [27]. Drone technologies reduce human
intervention and enhance project monitoring and quality control efficiency for
BIM-related construction projects [28]. Wang et al. [29] observed that previous
approaches to quality control on construction sites did not adequately assist
quality managers in easily identifying and managing defects. Their work
introduced an integrated system of BIM and LIDAR for construction quality
control. The BIM-LIDAR approach incorporates a LIDAR-based real-time tracking
system, a BIM based real-time checking system, a quality control system, a
point cloud coordinate transformation system, and a data processing system. To
support quality managers in quality assessment and control, a transformation
module for drone flight was employed to convert predefined flight path
parameters into a drone flight path-control system, as depicted in Figure 4 [30].
Consequently, the drone in the actual environment follows a flight path
identical to the predefined flight path in the virtual environment.
Fig. 4. BIM-LiDAR construction quality control system [30].
3.
Site
To enhance the
management of construction sites, construction engineers were presented with
augmented views of the sites, incorporating elevated viewpoints and a blend of real
and virtual scenes [31].
3D representations were developed using augmented reality (A.R.) technologies
using drone images at specific altitudes and locations. This innovative
approach, combining A.R. and drone-related technologies, assists practitioners
in visualizing the actual field and virtual construction environments during
site organization. It empowers managers to plan various aspects of the
construction site, including material and worker flow while identifying
potential issues.
4.
Safety
The issue of
construction safety management has garnered significant attention in both
research and practice due to the frequent occurrence of fatal accidents in the
construction industry [32; 33; 34]. Irizarry et al. [35] initially explored the
potential benefits of drone-related technologies for safety managers in the
construction field. Drones can capture real-time videos of ongoing situations
at construction sites, which prompted Gheisari et al. [36] to investigate their
applications in safety inspections on construction sites. In their study, the
researchers designed an experiment to simulate a construction site and assess
the task of detecting whether workers were wearing hard hats. The observation
conditions included plain view, iPad visualization, and iPhone visualization.
The findings highlighted the practicality of using drones in safety management,
demonstrating that plain view and iPad visualization conditions yielded
satisfactory accuracy in hard hat detection.
Role of Drones in the Construction Industry
Driven by the
observed valuable benefits described in the previous section, the construction
industry remains engaged in exploring the diverse applications of drones.
Construction companies and engineering researchers actively recognize the
significance of drones in their work. However, it is crucial to acknowledge and
evaluate both the advantages and disadvantages of employing drones in the
construction industry.
Economic
The utilization of
drone-based surveying approaches offers a relatively cost-effective solution.
Drones enable swift data collection and automated analysis of terrain data.
Moreover, drones can automate various simple tasks, significantly reducing
project costs. Instead of relying on human resources, heavy machinery, and
expensive surveying tools, drone-based technologies can generate complex data
with lower expenses and enhanced precision [14].
Typical structural
inspections often involve specialized equipment such as truck cranes, elevating
platforms, and under bridge units [8]. The high logistical and personnel costs
associated with large trucks, specialized elevating platforms, and drone-based
inspection methods can avoid scaffolding. Environmental
drones offer numerous positive applications in the construction field and
provide extensive benefits to construction companies. However, it is essential
to note that drones also significantly contribute to environmental fields,
although previous research has primarily focused on their social and economic
benefits in construction.
Unlike some
fixed-wing drones and other construction equipment, drones are driven by
electric motors [37],
eliminating the need for fossil fuels. As a result, they emit lower levels of
carbon dioxide, making them a more environmentally friendly option for aerial
work such as land mapping, aerial photography, and aerial surveying.
Integrating drones
into built environments also plays a vital role in enhancing environmental
conditions. For instance, using drones to track and photograph flora and fauna
species assists conservationists in gaining a better understanding of the
impact of land-use changes [38]. Moreover, the ease and affordability of
drone utilization for monitoring energy projects like pipelines, wind turbines,
and solar farms significantly contribute to sustainable development and
construction.
In summary, drones
offer various advantages to the construction industry and serve as valuable
tools in improving environmental conditions and promoting sustainable practices
in construction and related fields.
Social
From a social
perspective, the primary contribution of drones in the construction industry
lies in their ability to address workplace safety issues. Land surveyors, for
example, often operate in hazardous environments characterized by steep
surfaces or proximity to heavy machinery. Their work is conducted outdoors,
irrespective of weather conditions [39]. Implementing a drone-based mapping
solution allows for autonomous flights, eliminating several risks associated
with land surveying, such as potential accidents involving heavy equipment and
exposure to hazards.
Drone-based
technologies also offer solutions to the challenges posed by complex and
dangerous structural inspections. Those solutions include inspections of
steep-sloped roofs, exterior facades, walls, towers, and bridges and assessing
damage from fires, explosions, vehicle accidents, and catastrophic events [40].
Additionally, buildings change over time, making demolition work hazardous and
unpredictable. To ensure a safe demolition environment, using drones for
building thermal inspections enables the creation of 3D building models,
facilitating simulation and predicting the building's collapse. In summary, by
effectively employing drones, the risk of injuries and fatalities can be
significantly reduced or even prevented in various construction-related tasks.
Challenges
Undoubtedly, the
construction industry will witness a continuous increase in the usefulness of
drones, driven by ongoing improvements in drone technologies. However, it is
essential to address certain challenges associated with using drones in
construction processes [41; 42; 14; 22].
First and foremost,
one of the significant limitations of drones stems from the local regulations
governing their usage, which can vary from region to region. Second, the
involvement of professional operators is crucial for effectively using drones
in construction, as maneuvering these devices can be complex. Third, flight
reliability poses a critical concern on construction sites, as weather
conditions like strong winds and heavy rain can significantly impact flight
paths. Developing reliable algorithms that address various conditions is
necessary to ensure flight reliability and enhance applicability.
Fourth, the
presence of a flying drone during construction processes can distract workers,
potentially leading to safety issues. Fifth, a prevalent challenge with drones
is their limited battery capacity, restricting their flight time to around 20
minutes and requiring approximately an hour for charging. Lastly, the payload
capacity presents another limitation, as mounting additional devices on drones
necessitates improved power generation modules.
Addressing these
challenges will contribute to the effective integration and utilization of
drones in construction, allowing their maximum potential to be realized while
ensuring safety, compliance with regulations, and enhanced operational
capabilities.
Advance of Drones in the Construction Industry
The technology of
drones is continuously advancing and experiencing remarkable progress in
addressing potential drawbacks associated with current limitations [43]. Looking
ahead to the construction industry's future, a significant stride in project
efficiency and workforce safety can be achieved by maximizing task automation
through drones or a fleet of drones. Drones will assume increasingly
significant roles in the future by further developing existing drone
technologies and integrating them with emerging technologies [42].
Engaging
with self-governing equipment and vehicles
Over the past
decade, researchers and engineers have made significant advancements in autonomous
vehicles [44].
A notable example was the display of a Waymo driverless car at a Google event
in San Francisco in 2016, representing a new direction in mobility [45]. In
the construction industry, driverless construction equipment, robotics, and
electric vehicles have emerged as promising solutions to address environmental
concerns and labor shortages.
However, the
primary challenge of implementing driverless equipment and vehicles lies in
enabling them to navigate the complexities of construction sites [46]. In
the construction industry's future, drones could guide and assist autonomous
equipment and vehicles, ensuring safe and efficient operations [47].
Consequently, the collaboration between drones, autonomous equipment, and
vehicles on construction sites can lead to reduced fuel consumption, shorter
project schedules, enhanced safety measures, and more efficient supply
logistics.
Integration
with innovative systems
Engineering
researchers have been actively exploring new navigation systems to innovate
drone technologies, aiming to reduce dependence on GPS satellites in the future
[48].
This advancement will enable drones to navigate autonomously, even in challenging
environments such as deep canyons, underground areas, and other locations where
GPS signals are unavailable or unreliable. Consequently, this new technology
will facilitate more comprehensive construction quality inspections and
improved time management.
In addition,
fatigue poses a significant risk factor for accidents among construction
workers and necessitates greater attention from construction safety managers [49].
Recent developments in the construction industry have seen the exploration and
development of fatigue monitoring systems [50]. It can be anticipated that drones
equipped with fatigue-detection systems will be able to simultaneously monitor
the facial movements of multiple vehicle and equipment operators, thereby
identifying those at risk of falling asleep on a construction site.
Enhancement
of current drone technologies
The future
trajectory of drone technology is geared toward compact, lightweight, and
efficient designs [51].
Engineering researchers are committed to enhancing battery capacity and
revolutionizing drone aviation technologies, exemplified by the transformative
Tesla drone concept [52].
Utilizing an advanced lithium-ion battery, the Tesla drone extends its flight
time, allowing for up to an hour of continuous operation on a single charge.
This innovative drone incorporates dual propellers, offering the flexibility to
position them vertically or horizontally depending on the desired shot, be it a
smooth and steady capture or fast paced action footage [53].
Envisioning the
future, it is conceivable that these new drones, equipped with cutting-edge
battery and aviation technologies, will enable better monitoring of
construction sites and expedite the collection of terrain data. By attaching
methane-sniffing sensors to drones, gas leaks in hundreds of oil pipelines can
be detected, with the ability to pinpoint locations and measure the volume of
leaks. Additionally, advancements in payload capacity will enable an autonomous
fleet of drones to perform tasks such as bricklaying during construction [54].
Utilization
of cutting-edge devices in equipment.
Virtual reality
(V.R.) and wearable devices have garnered considerable attention as emerging
technologies, despite still being in their early stages of development. While
augmented reality (A.R.) technologies often rely on mobile devices like
smartphones and tablets, V.R. headsets offer a unique experience by immersing
users in fictional worlds, detached from the real world [56].
A fascinating
application of these technologies involves controlling drones and equipped
cameras through head movements [57]. Integrating V.R. headsets and these
devices allows the comprehensive visualization of simulated construction from
multiple perspectives within construction sites and building components. This
approach enables testing various factors without incurring the time and cost of
physically constructing structures. Moreover, it significantly reduces the
occurrence of errors during the construction processes.
Conclusion
Drones are a rapidly
growing technology in today's society, gaining popularity across various
disciplines. Among drones, drones stand out due to their portability and
cost-effectiveness. These drones can have multiple sensors and specified
communication devices. They can be remotely piloted using smartphones or
computers. While drones have found applications in other areas, their potential
in the construction industry is still being explored and has not yet been
extensively utilized.
Earlier studies
have investigated the use of drones in numerous aspects of construction
engineering and management over the past nine years. This study aims to broadly
examine the applications of drones in construction and their roles and analysis
functions. The review covers several areas: land surveying, logistics, onsite
construction, maintenance, and demolition. The findings highlight the
significant contributions of drones from social, economic, and environmental
perspectives. Critical functions of drones, such as flight and data collection,
can benefit construction managers.
The drone utilities
in the construction industry will continue to grow as far as drone technologies
develop and collaboration with the future construction industry occurs.
However, it is worth noting that research on drones in the construction field
is still relatively limited. The current study has made use of both scholarly
and non-scholarly publications. Future research should delve further into
specific aspects of drone technology within construction to provide a more
comprehensive understanding. The current study endeavors to increase awareness
of drones' potential applications in construction engineering management.
Conflict of Interest
The author declares
no conflict of interest.
Author Contribution
This is a singular-author
work. Hence, the author conducted all research parts, e.g., data analysis,
paper writing, and approving the final version.
Funding
This research was
funded by the Research and Initiatives Center (RIC) at Prince Sultan
University.
Acknowledgment
The author thanks
the Research and Initiatives Center (RIC)
at Prince Sultan University for
supporting and funding this research. Their unwavering commitment to advancing
knowledge and promoting research in various fields has created a dynamic and
stimulating environment for scholars and researchers like me.
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