Enhanced robotic cross-laminated timber panel assembly process

The use of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels in construction is often constrained by their weight, making handling and installation challenging. These limitations frequently result in on-site planning and manual assembly, increasing risks and inefficiencies. This study proposes an integrated frame...

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Main Authors: Eric Forcael, Ramón Mata, Bryan González, Alexander Opazo-Vega, Rodrigo García-Alvarado, Marcelo González, Eduardo Núñez, Javiera Padilla
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Developments in the Built Environment
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666165925000675
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author Eric Forcael
Ramón Mata
Bryan González
Alexander Opazo-Vega
Rodrigo García-Alvarado
Marcelo González
Eduardo Núñez
Javiera Padilla
author_facet Eric Forcael
Ramón Mata
Bryan González
Alexander Opazo-Vega
Rodrigo García-Alvarado
Marcelo González
Eduardo Núñez
Javiera Padilla
author_sort Eric Forcael
collection DOAJ
description The use of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels in construction is often constrained by their weight, making handling and installation challenging. These limitations frequently result in on-site planning and manual assembly, increasing risks and inefficiencies. This study proposes an integrated framework that combines Building Information Modeling (BIM), discrete event simulation, and robotic assembly to optimize the installation of CLT structures within the built environment. By leveraging these technologies, the methodology addresses material handling challenges while enhancing construction efficiency and adaptability to urban and prefabricated settings. Numerical simulations and robotic assembly experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the framework’s performance. Results demonstrate an improvement in assembly efficiency, reducing both accident risks and installation time compared to manual methods. Strong agreement between numerical and experimental findings underscores the potential of computational tools in advancing automated construction practices. This research provides actionable recommendations to promote the broader adoption of automated processes in CLT construction, contributing to safer, more efficient, and sustainable building practices within the evolving built environment.
format Article
id doaj-art-854daaee2c014028921d22be64a71daa
institution DOAJ
issn 2666-1659
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Developments in the Built Environment
spelling doaj-art-854daaee2c014028921d22be64a71daa2025-08-20T03:14:59ZengElsevierDevelopments in the Built Environment2666-16592025-04-012210066710.1016/j.dibe.2025.100667Enhanced robotic cross-laminated timber panel assembly processEric Forcael0Ramón Mata1Bryan González2Alexander Opazo-Vega3Rodrigo García-Alvarado4Marcelo González5Eduardo Núñez6Javiera Padilla7Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, ChileFacultad de Ingeniería, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile; Corresponding author.College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Concepción, ChileCollege of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Concepción, ChileCollege of Architecture, Construction and Design, Department of Theory of Architecture, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Concepción, ChileFacultad de Arquitectura, Artes y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, ChileDepartment of Civil Engineering, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, ChileFacultad de Ingeniería, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile; Department of Civil Engineering, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, ChileThe use of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels in construction is often constrained by their weight, making handling and installation challenging. These limitations frequently result in on-site planning and manual assembly, increasing risks and inefficiencies. This study proposes an integrated framework that combines Building Information Modeling (BIM), discrete event simulation, and robotic assembly to optimize the installation of CLT structures within the built environment. By leveraging these technologies, the methodology addresses material handling challenges while enhancing construction efficiency and adaptability to urban and prefabricated settings. Numerical simulations and robotic assembly experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the framework’s performance. Results demonstrate an improvement in assembly efficiency, reducing both accident risks and installation time compared to manual methods. Strong agreement between numerical and experimental findings underscores the potential of computational tools in advancing automated construction practices. This research provides actionable recommendations to promote the broader adoption of automated processes in CLT construction, contributing to safer, more efficient, and sustainable building practices within the evolving built environment.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666165925000675Built environment constructionRobotic timber constructionRobotic fabricationNon-standard timber structuresComputational design
spellingShingle Eric Forcael
Ramón Mata
Bryan González
Alexander Opazo-Vega
Rodrigo García-Alvarado
Marcelo González
Eduardo Núñez
Javiera Padilla
Enhanced robotic cross-laminated timber panel assembly process
Developments in the Built Environment
Built environment construction
Robotic timber construction
Robotic fabrication
Non-standard timber structures
Computational design
title Enhanced robotic cross-laminated timber panel assembly process
title_full Enhanced robotic cross-laminated timber panel assembly process
title_fullStr Enhanced robotic cross-laminated timber panel assembly process
title_full_unstemmed Enhanced robotic cross-laminated timber panel assembly process
title_short Enhanced robotic cross-laminated timber panel assembly process
title_sort enhanced robotic cross laminated timber panel assembly process
topic Built environment construction
Robotic timber construction
Robotic fabrication
Non-standard timber structures
Computational design
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666165925000675
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AT alexanderopazovega enhancedroboticcrosslaminatedtimberpanelassemblyprocess
AT rodrigogarciaalvarado enhancedroboticcrosslaminatedtimberpanelassemblyprocess
AT marcelogonzalez enhancedroboticcrosslaminatedtimberpanelassemblyprocess
AT eduardonunez enhancedroboticcrosslaminatedtimberpanelassemblyprocess
AT javierapadilla enhancedroboticcrosslaminatedtimberpanelassemblyprocess