Okpala, I U (2022) Robotics and automation in construction: Developing foundational insight and tools to support safe implementation. PhD thesis, University of Alabama, USA.
Abstract
The construction industry is bedeviled by a high rate of worker attrition, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), injuries, fatalities, and flat or declining productivity rates. This is a major concern of practitioners and researchers in the construction industry prompting the need for the adoption, implementation, and acceptance of emerging technologies such as robotics and automation (RA) tools that have the potential to improve construction workers’ safety, health, and productivity. Among current developments in RA, wearable robots or exoskeletons have gained traction as a viable tool and ergonomic solution which could reduce the impact of the daily repetitive, high-risk tasks and work conditions requiring overexertion. While researchers have reported the utility of exoskeletons in other industries, limited studies have provided foundational insight on the effective and safe use of exoskeletons in the construction domain. The overarching research goal of this dissertation is to advance the body of knowledge and practice at the nexus of robotics and construction operations. This research utilizes a range of research methodologies and data analysis techniques to develop and evaluate novel tools and methods for enhancing the safe and effective integration of wearable robots into construction operations. Specifically, this dissertation develops (1) a conceptual model to investigate the acceptance of wearable robots in the construction industry, (2) a method to assess the impact of environmental factors on the performance of wearable robots when used for specific construction activities, and (3) systematic processes and tools to identify and evaluate the safety risks associated with the use of wearable robots in the construction industry. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing researchers with means to assess the acceptance of wearable robots, a method to evaluate the effectiveness of wearable robots within construction context, and the quantification of wearable robot safety risk. The dissertation also contributes to construction practice by developing critical insight, tools, and strategies that support the application of wearable robots in the construction industry.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Nnaji, C A |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction activities; effectiveness; automation; integration; productivity; robotics; safety; construction worker; quantification |
| Index terms: | effectiveness, research methodology, robotics, emerging technology, implementation, construction industry, dissertation, automation, construction worker, fatalities, quantification, construction operation, productivity, construction activity, practitioner, integration, traction, body of knowledge, environmental factor, injury, data analysis, strategy |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, organizational analysis, measurement and scaling, health conditions and diseases, management, health risk and incident analysis, performance management, data analysis and analytics, research design and methodology, transportation engineering, automation and robotics, environmental science, construction operations, contractual arrangements, knowledge management, innovation and technology management, practitioner, research dissemination and communication |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Site Management, Digital Applications, Roles and Professions, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Information Management, Quality Management, Procurement, Sustainability, Health and Safety, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here