Grant: Alliance Grants
University of Alberta
$106,703.00
Crane operation assisted planning and optimization
FY 2022-23
Summary
When bidding on large-scale modular projects, and specifically the scope of on-site assembly, the likelihood of success is governed by: (i) the capacity to respond rapidly to changes requested by owners; and (ii) the ability to clearly represent all the details of crane operations, including: (a) crane selection; (b) location of pick points; (c) crane path planning; and (d) a digital lift animation emphasizing proper rigging configuration, crane swing direction, and potential lift obstructions. A bidding proposal that addresses these operational details signals to the owner that the proponent's engineering team not only has thoroughly investigated and understood every aspect of the project, but is also able to integrate these elements within an animation platform to help the stakeholders (including the owner) refine their understanding of alternative assembly scenarios and thus conduct a well-informed tendering process. In this context, the key deliverable of the proposed research will be a decision-support system that can generate level-4 crane schedules for a complete project (4D), based on 3D simulation of each lift in the project, which can, in turn, form the basis of cost estimation (5D) for the purpose of bidding, comparison, and execution. The generating of various scenarios based on this 4D and 5D information will culminate in an optimization approach in the form of value engineering selection criteria (6D), based upon which the partner organization can select the best available solution that satisfies the project requirements (i.e., a scope triangle). The potential benefits of this research include increased competitiveness of Canadian crane service enterprises; reductions in the carbon footprint of construction due to increased efficiency of crane operations; improved equipment selection (preventing overdesign and thereby reducing CO2 emissions with respect to ground preparation and transportation of equipment such as crane components, rigging, and crane mats); and improved safety (through streamlined operations and improved communication between lift planners and rigging crew/operator).
Program
Alliance Grants
Recipient
Location
Alberta, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
561098-2020
Name nom
Bouferguene, Ahmed A
Department département
Campus Saint-Jean
Organization id
9
Institution établissement
University of Alberta
Province en
Alberta
Province fr
Alberta
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2022
Competition year année de concours
2020
Award amount
106703
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
603
Area of application group en
Construction, urban and rural planning
Area of application group fr
Construction, urbanisme et aménagement rural
Area of application en
Construction methods
Area of application fr
Méthodes de construction
Research subject code
1001
Research subject group en
Civil engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie civil
Research subject en
Construction engineering and management
Research subject fr
Génie et gestion du bâtiment
Installment
inst:2
Partie
1
Nb partie
2
Application title
Crane operation assisted planning and optimization
Application summary
When bidding on large-scale modular projects, and specifically the scope of on-site assembly, the likelihood of success is governed by: (i) the capacity to respond rapidly to changes requested by owners; and (ii) the ability to clearly represent all the details of crane operations, including: (a) crane selection; (b) location of pick points; (c) crane path planning; and (d) a digital lift animation emphasizing proper rigging configuration, crane swing direction, and potential lift obstructions. A bidding proposal that addresses these operational details signals to the owner that the proponent's engineering team not only has thoroughly investigated and understood every aspect of the project, but is also able to integrate these elements within an animation platform to help the stakeholders (including the owner) refine their understanding of alternative assembly scenarios and thus conduct a well-informed tendering process. In this context, the key deliverable of the proposed research will be a decision-support system that can generate level-4 crane schedules for a complete project (4D), based on 3D simulation of each lift in the project, which can, in turn, form the basis of cost estimation (5D) for the purpose of bidding, comparison, and execution. The generating of various scenarios based on this 4D and 5D information will culminate in an optimization approach in the form of value engineering selection criteria (6D), based upon which the partner organization can select the best available solution that satisfies the project requirements (i.e., a scope triangle). The potential benefits of this research include increased competitiveness of Canadian crane service enterprises; reductions in the carbon footprint of construction due to increased efficiency of crane operations; improved equipment selection (preventing overdesign and thereby reducing CO2 emissions with respect to ground preparation and transportation of equipment such as crane components, rigging, and crane mats); and improved safety (through streamlined operations and improved communication between lift planners and rigging crew/operator).
