Gravity-triggered rotational connecting method for automated segmental bridge construction

Automated construction has become urgently needed because the construction industry faces labor safety and cost challenges.However,these developments require investments in new equipment to facilitate automation in construction,resulting in even higher capital costs.Therefore,the research proposes a gravity-triggered rotational connecting(GTRC)method for automating segmental bridge construction.In this automated construction method,a segment-to-segment connector is developed to exploit an eccentric moment introduced by gravity and achieve segmental connections.For implementation,a specific rigging method is presented for a conventional telescopic crane to maintain a particular orientation.Meanwhile,crane path planning is also proposed to guide one segment toward the other segment.A combined computational and experimental verification program is established and employs a simply supported bridge as an example for the proposed method.With the designed connector and rigging assembly,the proposed method is computationally and experimentally verified to automate segmental bridge construction.

ECMpy 2.0:A Python package for automated construction and analysis of enzyme-constrained models

Genome-scale metabolic models(GEMs)have been widely employed to predict microorganism behaviors.However,GEMs only consider stoichiometric constraints,leading to a linear increase in simulated growth and product yields as substrate uptake rates rise.This divergence from experimental measurements prompted the creation of enzyme-constrained models(ecModels)for various species,successfully enhancing chemical pro-duction.Building upon studies that allocate macromolecule resources,we developed a Python-based workflow(ECMpy)that constructs an enzyme-constrained model.This involves directly imposing an enzyme amount constraint in GEM and accounting for protein subunit composition in reactions.However,this procedure de-mands manual collection of enzyme kinetic parameter information and subunit composition details,making it rather user-unfriendly.In this work,we’ve enhanced the ECMpy toolbox to version 2.0,broadening its scope to automatically generate ecGEMs for a wider array of organisms.ECMpy 2.0 automates the retrieval of enzyme kinetic parameters and employs machine learning for predicting these parameters,which significantly enhances parameter coverage.Additionally,ECMpy 2.0 introduces common analytical and visualization features for ecModels,rendering computational results more user accessible.Furthermore,ECMpy 2.0 seamlessly integrates three published algorithms that exploit ecModels to uncover potential targets for metabolic engineering.ECMpy 2.0 is available at https://github.com/tibbdc/ECMpy or as a pip package(https://pypi.org/project/ECMpy/).

An integrated review of automation and robotic technologies for structural prefabrication and construction

Building construction has developed from the use of primitive tools to that of machinery,with a tendency toward automation.Automation of processes and robotics can improve efficiency,accuracy and safety in construction.On the other hand,structural prefabrication for construction is increasingly being adopted worldwide to enhance productivity and to alleviate the environmental impact of conventional construction processes.The combination and application of automation and prefabrication technologies may therefore introduce new developments to the construction industry.This paper provides a comprehensive review of the use of automation technology for structural prefabrication and construction,including recent developments,challenges and future trends.Five stages following the sequence of construction are proposed:design,construction management,robotic manufacturing,autonomous transportation and automatic structural assembly.The paper concludes that the widespread use of automation technology is preferable to structural prefabrication for construction,and that the design for robotic construction introduced through connection innovations may be beneficial as a means of avoiding complex operations and thus improving the efficiency of robotic assembly processes.

State-of-the-art of 3D printing technology of cementitious material—An emerging technique for construction

In recent few years, significant improvement has been made in developing largescale 3 D printer to accommodate the need of industrial-scale 3 D printing. Cementitious materials that are compatible with 3 D printing promote rapid application of this innovative technique in the construction field with advantages of cost effective, high efficiency, design flexibility and environmental friendly. This paper firstly reviews existing 3 D printing techniques that are currently being used in commercial3 D printers. It then summarizes three latest development of largescale 3 D printing systems and identifies their relationships and limiting factors. Thereafter, critical factors that are used to evaluate the workability and printable performance of cementitious materials are specified. Easy-extrusive, easy-flowing, well-buildable, and proper setting time are significant for cementitious material to meet the critical requirements of a freeform construction process. Finally, main advantages, potential applications and the prospects of future research of 3 D printing in construction technology are suggested. The objective of this work is to review current design methodologies and operational constraints of largescale 3 D printing system and provide references for optimizing the performance of cementitious material and promote its responsible use with largescale 3 D printing technology.

Analogical Learning and Automated Rule Constructions

This paper describes some experiments of analogical learning and automated rule construction.The present investigation focuses on knowledge acquisition,learning by analogy,and knowledge retention. The developed system initially learns from scratch,gradually acquires knowledge from,its environment through trial-and-error interaction,incrementally augments its knowledge base,and analogically solves new tasks in a more efficient and direct manner.

A critical review of preparation design and workability measurement of concrete material for largescale 3D printing

In recent few years, significant improvement has been made in developing largescale 3D printers to accommodate the need of industrial-scale 3D printing. It is of great feasibility to construct structural components and buildings by means of 3D concrete printing. The major issues of this innovative technique focus on the preparation and optimization of concrete materials which possess favourable printable properties as well as the measurement and evaluation methods of their workability. This paper firstly introduces three largescale 3D printing systems that have been successfully applied in construction industry. It then summarizes the commonly used raw materials in concrete manufacturing. Critical factors that should be particularly controlled in material preparation are specified. Easy-extrusive, easy-flowing, well-buildable, proper setting time and low shrinkage are significant for concrete mixture to meet the critical requirements of a freeform construction process. Thereafter, measuring methods that can be employed to assess the fresh and hardened properties of concrete at early stages are suggested. Finally, a few of evaluation methods are presented which may offer certain assistance for optimizing material preparation. The objective of this work is to review current design methodologies and experimental measurement and evaluation methods for 3D printable concrete materials and promote its responsible use with largescale 3D printing technology.