Investigating the application of sustainable AI practices in construction

Overview

The construction industry plays a vital role in the global economy and there is a growing interest in utilising artificial intelligence (AI) to improve its productivity and efficiency. Despite the industry's significant contribution to the economy, it has faced challenges such as large cost overruns, extended schedules, and quality concerns. Nevertheless, AI is making significant strides to remove these issues by revolutionising various aspects of the construction industry. This is evident from enhancing project planning and design to improving construction site safety and optimising resource management. AI is transforming how construction projects are executed and increasing the efficiency of traditional construction practices. The long-term effectiveness depends on reducing the gap between science and policy and eliminate potential barriers by developing practical guidelines.

References

A brief background on AI in construction literature is available at the following articles:

Regona, M., Yigitcanlar, T., Xia, B., & Li, R. (2022) Opportunities and Adoption Challenges of AI in the Construction Industry: A PRISMA Review. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 8(1), 45.

Regona, M., Yigitcanlar, T., Xia, B., & Li, R. (2022). Artificial Intelligent Technologies for the Construction Industry: How Are They Perceived and Utilized in Australia? Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 8(1), 16.

Research activities

The research project will examine the current AI landscape in construction, considering the four pillars of sustainability (i.e., economic, social, environmental, governance). It will analyse the existing AI technologies employed in project planning, design, construction, and project closeout. The following tasks will be undertaken as part of the research project:

• conduct research and gather information on current AI technologies implemented in the construction industry
• explore case studies and examples of AI applications and solutions utilized in construction projects
• Investigate emerging AI technologies and innovations that have the potential to shape the future of the construction industry
• identify AI-driven solutions for project planning, design optimization, and resource management in construction
• evaluate the effectiveness and impact of existing AI technologies in enhancing construction processes and outcomes
• summarise key findings and trends related to existing and emerging AI technologies in the construction industry

Outcomes

The outcomes of this work will include:

• gain insights into the implementation and impact of AI technologies in the construction industry, with a focus on sustainable practices
• determine key AI applications and solutions that contribute to energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable material usage in construction
• assess the effectiveness and challenges of current AI technologies in enhancing construction processes and outcomes
• provide a comprehensive overview of existing and emerging AI technologies in the construction industry, highlighting their potential benefits and future implications

Skills and experience

The following are the skills and experience that will be gained by conducting the research project:

• enhanced knowledge of AI technologies and their application in sustainable construction.
• Improved understanding of successful AI implementations in project planning, design, and construction
• proficiency in evaluating the effectiveness and challenges of AI technologies in construction.
• skills in analysing the impact of AI on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable material selection
• advanced research and analysis abilities in the context of AI and sustainability in construction
• up-to-date knowledge of emerging trends and advancements in AI technologies for construction
• strengthened critical thinking and problem-solving skills in assessing the benefits and future implications of AI in construction

Keywords

• construction industry
• building 4.0
• artificial intelligence (AI)
• automation
• robotics
• safety monitoring
• resource optimisation
• digital twins
• risk management
• cost estimation
• machine learning
• deep learning
• computer vision
• big data

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.