Productivity Analysis of a Multi-task Autonomous Robot for Concrete Paving

Autonomous robots that perform specific tasks are being developed to perform repetitive operations common in conventional concrete construction, to gain benefits in safety, productivity, costs, quality control, and security of the workforce in hazardous environments. Single-task robots are capable of enhancing specific functions, though their impact on the overall productivity remains unclear. Assessing potential productivity from the use of a fully automated process is a required step for developing a full scale-system. Based on prototypical models of a robot that incorporates each task-specific piece of machinery used in the concrete paving process into one fully autonomous unit, a process workflow is presented. With the purpose of quantifying productivity outputs in an automated concrete paving operation, the autonomous process workflow is analyzed using simulation tools. Results from the simulation show that the autonomous operation is capable of yielding productivity outputs greater that in conventional construction.