SAIE 2020 – INDEXLAB

CONSTRUCTION 4.0 @ SAIE 2020

BIM, Off-Site, Digital Twin

A project by: INDEXLAB, SENAF, and PARTNER COMPANIES*

In recent years the construction industry has faced a number of challenges: climate change, sustainability, lagging productivity, and financial pressure. Different construction professionals have proposed individual solutions or insights, but they are still looking for a comprehensive response to these trends. Meanwhile, universities, research centers, start-ups, and forward-looking companies, have proposed various solutions to address critical issues that could simultaneously create significant business opportunities for the construction industry.

INDEXLAB, in the context of SAIE 2020, presents its research in collaboration with partner companies, coordinating the "CONSTRUCTION 4.0" demonstration area. The projects presented contribute to define new paradigms of "digital construction" from an industry 4.0 perspective, through prototypes that promote cloud-based integrated architectural design, prefabrication processes, monitoring and maintenance of buildings.

Trends that shape the construction industry

Cloud Data Management

Cloud-based solutions for collecting and sharing information; digital testing and validation processes; data analysis and processing using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms; blockchain technology implementation for payment processing and validation, through traceability and "smart" contracts.

Cloud-based integration

AI/ML data processing

Blockchain-based solutions

Design +
Planning

Software and methodologies for multi-dimensional design, ranging from parametric three-dimensional modeling to production planning; virtual and augmented reality technologies for new design methods and representation systems; computational design methodologies for product optimization in advanced production settings.

CAD + BIM modeling
3D - 4D - 5D - 6D - 7D

SaaS, 3D visualization +
VR-enabled collaborative design

Computational design

Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA)

Off-Site +
Supply Chain

“Off-site” digital manufacturing systems and innovative solutions developed for a flexible supply chain management. Lean production systems: from raw to composite materials, from semi-finished products to high-tech sub-components. Modular prefabrication systems, automated assembly, additive manufacturing and robotic processing and machining.

Flexible supply chain
and leaner production

Advanced materials +
additive manufacturing

Innovative sub-components + semi-finished products

Prefabrication +
modular construction

On-Site Digital Construction

Prototypes of innovative construction solutions with high technological and performance standards. Construction site support systems, managing building components, from their installation planning to their assembly. Monitoring of on-site activities and progress validation through “mixed reality” systems, robots, drones and digital platforms for remote interaction.

Robotics + remote control for digital manufacturing

Site integration platforms

360° photo capture + MR + 3D scan for site monitoring

Smart sensing technology + IoT

Operation + Maintenance

Technological solutions for automated building maintenance, from cable-robots for façades cleaning to service robots for interior space maintenance and management. Solutions for product life cycle analysis. Digital tools for the security and operational management of buildings, that meet users’ needs.