Sung-Keun Kim

Framework for an intelligent earthwork system: Part II. Task identification/scheduling and resource allocation methodology

This paper is focused on developing (1) automated task identification and scheduling method and (2) resource allocation method for intelligent earthwork system (IES) described in Part I. The task identification and planning in IES involve the translation of input data to tasks for earthwork operations and explanation of what will happen with the scheduled time zone, where it will happen, and how it will happen. After scheduling earthwork tasks, the available resources, which refer to construction equipment, are allocated for task execution. Resource allocation is essential to achieve successful earthwork operations and is carried out using the resource allocation policy, which is based on the contract net algorithm proposed by Smith and Davis.

Framework for an intelligent earthwork system: Part I. System architecture

Recently, there has been an increase in the demand to enhance the intelligence of construction equipment and systems. Especially for semiautonomous and autonomous systems that have great potential for impact on the construction industry, artificial intelligence approaches are required to generate instructions and plans necessary to perform tasks in dynamically changing environments on their own. The framework for an intelligent earthwork system (IES) is suggested by the authors. It generates a plan automatically for construction equipment, provides a means of cooperation between construction equipment seamlessly, and improves worker safety. This paper describes some factors that can affect earthwork operation performance, five emerging technologies that can be adapted to implement an IES, the system architecture, and the system control strategy for IES.

Agent-Based Approach for Intelligent Automated Landfill Operation System

Workers and operators in sanitary landfill sites face the health risk due to the constant exposure to the toxic solid, liquid, and gaseous by-products of the waste materials. One solution to this problem is automation technology that can increase productivity and quality as well as safety. But, developing an automated system for landfill operations is usually a complex task due to the dynamic aspect of the environment and the uncertainty in task planning. Cooperation is another fundamental concern that is fundamental for a collection of automated equipment to achieve more than the sum of what each can achieve individually. To reduce the above complexity to some extent, a new approach is required for developing an automated landfill system. This paper describes an agent-based cooperative system for an automated landfill system that is to perform landfill compaction operations effectively, and to provide a means of cooperation between landfill equipment. Three kinds of landfill agents are defined and a methodology for simple task allocation among them is suggested. The critical factors for task allocation are identified, and then, based on these factors, a cost model for calculating the execution cost of each piece of equipment is established. For effective cooperation, all agents in the proposed system should have autonomy and interact with each other in a partially centralized and partially decentralized way.