As an emerging technology, Artificial Intelligence is widely used in various sectors. As an important field of basic engineering, civil engineering ha
As an emerging technology, Artificial Intelligence is widely used in various sectors. As an important field of basic engineering, civil engineering has also begun to explore the application of Artificial Intelligence to it.
Artificial Intelligence has many advantages in civil engineering. Firstly, Artificial Intelligence can process large-scale data, learn and analyse data and extract useful information to help civil engineers make scientific decisions. Secondly, Artificial Intelligence can simulate and optimise complex civil engineering problems, providing more accurate and efficient solutions. Furthermore, Artificial Intelligence can also automate the civil engineering design and analysis process, improve work efficiency and reduce human error.
Design optimisation is an important task in civil engineering. Artificial Intelligence can find the best design solution through simulation and optimisation algorithms. For example, methods such as genetic algorithms and neural networks can be used to perform multi-objective optimisation based on different design requirements to achieve a design solution that not only meets structural safety requirements but also has economic benefits.
Structural analysis is an important part in civil engineering and AI technology can improve the accuracy and efficiency of analysis. For example, deep learning algorithms can be used to predict and identify structural parameters and, once potential problems and defects are identified, specific measures can be taken to repair and strengthen them.
Risk assessment is a key task in civil engineering and can help predict and prevent potential risks and disasters. Artificial Intelligence can provide accurate risk assessment results by analysing large amounts of historical data and real-time monitoring data. At the same time, based on the assessment results, risk management and related contingency plans can be formulated to help reduce risks and ensure project safety. Indeed, the construction industry is facing challenges that require fast improvements in the speed of project delivery, outsourcing costs and even carbon footprint reduction.
Fortunately, with technological advances developing quickly, the dawn of the next industrial revolution is already here with us, as machines will be driven by ideas rather than mere mechanical execution.
Just as machines have expanded vast movements on the planet since the mid-19th century, thinking machines will make many intellectual tasks easier in the 21st century.
We have long been accustomed to computers and their ability to handle tasks on our behalf. In the last half-century, the speed of communication has increased dramatically and e-mail has replaced fax and telex, which even then seemed advanced and unsurpassable. But the power of computers to transform the traditional civil construction industry has only just begun to emerge.
BIM technology has been widely used and successfully implemented in many projects and allows e-information models of new solutions to be collaboratively shared and developed, thus saving time and improving delivery. BIM stands for Building Information Modeling and indicates the digital construction information system consisting of the 3D model integrated with the physical, performance and functional data of the building.
When the full power of Artificial Intelligence begins to be harnessed effectively, the value created by today’s BIM technology can be greatly increased. Leveraging the vast BIM library built on projects, and supplemented by tens of thousands of easily accessible data from data providers such as Apple and Google and countless others, Artificial Intelligence will be a big enough wave to revolutionise the construction industry.
Once we begin to identify working patterns and paradigms and learn from these experiences and processes, computers will become more useful and the construction industry will become much more efficient.
Big data processing can unveil huge insights that we humans may suspect but are not yet able to reveal and/or demonstrate, and machines will greatly aid our decision-making process in civil engineering activities.
The various new technological revolutions occurring in the retail and financial services sector, etc., will gradually extend to the construction sector. The AI application to civil engineering has excellent advantages: a large number of routine planning and design tasks have become so simple and efficiency has been improved to the point where it can be directly linked to the construction process. The negative side will also be more dangerous and will require professional institutions to think about how these technologies will influence the future.
Artificial Intelligence will make many simple professional tasks redundant, thus potentially replacing activities for which new engineers and other professionals would need to learn many details in order to master them. Experienced engineers may have less to worry about, at least initially, but if the work of today’s young engineers is to be computerised, then decisions shall be made on how to train future professionals. Then, as expert systems replace traditional process improvement steps, the ethics of the profession shall also be reconsidered as new software is programmed to carry out much of what is now called human engineering decision-making process.
BIM, drones and autonomous vehicles are technologies and many opportunities can be foreseen for their development and implementation in tomorrow’s construction industry. Artificial Intelligence is the technology of the future that will disrupt every aspect of this sector, mainly due to the enormous benefits it will bring.
It can also play an important role in managing the construction and maintenance of projects. For example, machine learning algorithms can be used to optimise and control the construction process and improve construction efficiency and quality. In terms of maintenance management, smart sensors and monitoring systems can be used to control and warn civil engineering projects in real time, detect and solve problems in a timely manner and extend the life of the project.
Analysing the AI applications in civil engineering, we can see that AI has broad application prospects. As already seen, Artificial Intelligence can help civil engineers to process large-scale data, optimise design plans, improve the accuracy of structural analysis and risk assessment, optimise construction processes and maintenance management, thus improving the quality and efficiency of civil engineering. Although the AI application to civil engineering still faces some challenges, such as data quality and interpretability of algorithms, it is believed that – with the continuous advancement of technology and in-depth research – these problems will gradually be solved.
In the future, Artificial Intelligence will become an important tool in civil engineering, thus providing strong support for the development and progress of this sector.
a cura di Giancarlo Elia Valori
