25.10.2. Application in Civil Engineering

• Assisting in bricklaying and tile placement

Collaborative robots (cobots) are increasingly utilized in civil engineering tasks like bricklaying and tile placement. Cobots can work alongside human workers, helping them to lift and position heavy bricks or tiles. This not only speeds up the construction process but also reduces the physical strain on human workers, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks.

Imagine a construction site where a human is trying to lay bricks in a wall. Without a co-worker, they have to lift each brick manually, which can be tiring. Now, envision a robot that can carry and place those bricks exactly where needed, allowing the human to oversee and guide the process instead. This teamwork increases productivity while making work easier and safer for humans.

• Handling and transferring materials

Cobots are engineered to assist in handling and transferring various construction materials. They can lift heavy objects, transport materials to different locations on-site, and ensure that items are placed accurately at designated spots. This capability is crucial in construction, where manual handling can lead to injuries or accidents due to heavy lifting or improper handling.

Consider a scenario in a warehouse where workers are moving pallets of bricks. It can be exhausting and pose safety risks. Now, think of a small, agile robot that can come to the aid of the workers by picking up the pallets, moving them, and placing them exactly where they are needed. This allows the human workers to save energy and maintain focus on other important tasks.

• Bolt tightening in steel structures

In civil engineering, especially during the construction of steel structures, precise bolting is essential. Cobots can be programmed to perform accurate bolt tightening, ensuring that connections are secure without the risk of over-tightening, which can lead to structural failures. By utilizing cobots for this task, companies can improve efficiency and safety, while allowing human workers to focus on design and quality control.

Think of a scenario where multiple large steel beams need to be connected together using bolts. A human worker could easily get tired or make mistakes when tightening bolts repeatedly. However, if a robot is assigned this task, it can repeatedly and consistently ensure each bolt is tightened to the exact specification, much like a machine at a factory that assembles parts with precision, eliminating human error.

• Supporting formwork and scaffolding installation

Cobots are also utilized in the setup of formwork and scaffolding, which is crucial for creating the molds that hold concrete in place during pouring. They can assist in lifting and positioning heavy formwork panels and scaffolding components, reducing the physical burden on human workers and improving the speed of construction projects.

Imagine building a huge wall of concrete. Workers need to erect formwork to hold the concrete in shape until it dries. If a cobot helps lift and position the heavy panels, it not only speeds up the process but also ensures that workers aren’t risking injury by lifting these heavy materials, similar to how a crane helps lift heavy steel beams upwards in a construction site.

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