Journal of Information Technology in Construction
Journal of Information Technology in Construction
ITcon Vol. 19, pg. 169-184, http://www.itcon.org/2014/9
Automated productivity assessment of earthmoving operations
| submitted: | March 2014 | |
| revised: | July 2014 | |
| published: | July 2014 | |
| editor(s): | Turk Z | |
| authors: | Magdy Ibrahim, PhD Candidate, P.Eng Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University magdy.omar@yahoo.com Osama Moselhi, Professor, Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University moselhi@encs.concordia.ca | |
| summary: | This paper presents an automated system for actual productivity assessment of earthmoving operations in near real-time. Several research attempts had been made to calculate productivity, but a number limitations had been found in literature such as, assuming the hauling unit is loaded to its full capacity and the need for manual user entry of efficiency factors (For example: bucket fill factor). The proposed system addresses some of the limitations found in previous research. The system consists of hardware and software developments. The hardware consists of three main units: (1) Truck mounted unit, (2) Loader mounted unit and (3) Fixed unit at the construction site. The software development consists of three main algorithms: (1) Data processing algorithm, (2) Productivity calculation algorithm and (3) Operating conditions analysis. Using sensor-aided GPS, site data is collected, organized and saved in the systems database, which is housed on a central server. Equipment location is tracked using the GPS, while the hauling unit load weight is measured using strain gauges mounted on its suspension and wired to a micro-controller. The loading and dumping activities are monitored by a number of sensors mounted on both the loader and trucks. The site weather condition is recorded and correlated with measured productivity in each recorded interval for later use in future estimates. A simulated case study is presented to demonstrate the usage and capabilities of the system. The case study demonstrated how the proposed system can assist project managers in measuring actual projects. | |
| keywords: | Automated Productivity Assessment, Progress Tracking, Earthmoving Operations | |
| full text: | (PDF file, 1.08 MB) | |
| citation: | Ibrahim M, Moselhi O (2014). Automated productivity assessment of earthmoving operations, ITcon Vol. 19, pg. 169-184, https://www.itcon.org/2014/9 |