Practical implementation of robotic masonry

This project aims to take the last remaining steps in order to implement robotic masonry with standard bricks at a building site. The main goal is to construct a small masonry structure at the Science Village development area in Lund using an industrial arm robot. The work is based on the research on robotic masonry conducted the last 2-3 years at the Construction Robotics Lab at LTH.

In this current project the mortar and its application will be further developed. Also, the digital information flow from design model to construction and the configuration of the building site will be further explored. Regarding the mortar, recipes will be developed with regards to pumpability, stability and controlled and precise application using a tool on the robot. The mortar should at the same time give enough adhesion between the brick and even out the unevenness of standard bricks. It should also give a strong and stable structure as a whole. These properties will be tested in a series of experiments that will be developed through the project. The digital information flow will also be even more streamlined so that the steps between the finished design model and the steering program for the robot is fully automated.

Regarding logistics and configuration of the robot at the building site, the transportation and placement of the robot at the site will be investigated, as well as safety requirements. The development in this project will in time make robotic construction available for a large group of players in the building sector, with an investment cost that is manageable also for small and medium-sized companies. It has potential for improvements in efficiency and manual workload and will give new possibilities for advanced expression and variation in the design.