[Asia Economy Reporter Onyu Lim] Construction sites are becoming the arenas for the Fourth Industrial Revolution's technological competition. DL E&C (formerly Daelim Industrial) unveiled its smart construction strategy on the 8th. With a flexible approach that overcomes business barriers, the company plans to actively utilize the latest digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Building Information Modeling (BIM), drones, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in its operations to meet customer expectations. For a single project, thousands of design proposals will be created to derive the optimal design, showcasing advanced quality management technologies. Along with quality improvement, zero safety accidents and a 20% increase in productivity are expected.
First, AI technology will be applied from the business planning stage. To this end, generative design using machine learning technology has been introduced to derive optimal designs based on site conditions. This technology can generate over 1,000 apartment building layout designs within a few hours that meet conditions such as floor area ratio, views, and sunlight, and select the best option among them. At multi-family housing construction sites, a smart system will be introduced where AI reviews photos taken by drones to manage construction quality. Additionally, computer vision combining AI-type CCTV and IoT technology will be introduced, which learns from recorded footage and selectively delivers information when unusual situations occur, aiming to simultaneously achieve quality and safety.
DL E&C, boasting the industry's most advanced BIM technology, plans to perfect the quality of design documents before construction through BIM. It is expected to shorten the time required for drawing design plans and simultaneously solve DL E&C’s unique standard costs, optimal construction periods, and risk factor elimination. Since last year, DL E&C has been applying BIM in the planning and detailed design stages of all multi-family housing projects. BIM is a digital technology that represents all information about a building?design, materials, construction?in three-dimensional data that can be integrated and utilized comprehensively.
The drone technology introduced in 2018 aims for internalization. By next year, drones will be able to fly automatically according to pre-input schedules without operators, including battery charging and photo uploading. DL E&C uses drones to capture high-resolution photos during earthwork operations and derives 3D data results for use. Partner company employees can also intuitively and easily check site conditions implemented on 3D maps, improving work efficiency.
IoT technology is utilized to enhance work efficiency and safety management. DL E&C has introduced machine control technology that detects the movement of construction heavy equipment and provides operators with information such as work volume and work section status. Additionally, devices transmitting location and height information are attached to workers’ safety helmets to protect their safety. Furthermore, DL E&C is developing the industry's first autonomous multipurpose robot in collaboration with partner companies. This robot will perform tasks such as patrolling safety blind spots, detecting worker abnormalities, and monitoring fires.
To further advance smart construction technology, specialized personnel have also been expanded. In addition to BIM, cost, and construction period data, data experts were hired last year to analyze and utilize IoT data related to labor, heavy equipment, and materials generated during construction. Through these experts, a data-driven decision-making system will be established.
Choi Young-rak, Executive Specialist of DL E&C’s Housing Business Division, said, “The scope of management in various fields such as quality and safety has greatly expanded compared to the past thanks to digital technology,” adding, “To satisfy customers, we will complete smart construction through open innovation involving active technological exchanges not only with our own capabilities but also with external partner companies.”
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