Using Global Positioning System to Improve Materials-Locating Processes on Industrial Projects

On-site materials-handling operations are error prone and the errors that occur significantly decrease construction productivity. New technologies and sensing devices can enhance materials-handling management practices on construction job sites. This paper describes a study that aimed to determine the potential benefits of the deployment of global positioning system (GPS) technology within the materials-locating processes on industrial projects. Its main goals were (1) to evaluate the technical feasibility and (2) to quantify the direct benefits in terms of process duration derived from the integration of GPS devices within pipe-locating processes. A field trial was conducted and its results indicated significant time savings. This study also analyzed additional potential benefits derived from the use of GPS in this scenario.

[1]  J. D. Borcherding,et al.  Major factors influencing craft productivity in nuclear power plant construction , 1980 .

[2]  Lansford C. Bell,et al.  ATTRIBUTES OF MATERIALS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS , 1986 .

[3]  Lansford C. Bell,et al.  Costs and benefits of materials management systems , 1987 .

[4]  T Chamberlain,et al.  THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY INSTITUTE , 1990 .

[5]  Bob G. McCullouch.  AUTOMATED CONSTRUCTION FIELD DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM , 1992 .

[6]  Charles T. Jahren,et al.  RADIO-FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION APPLICATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY , 1995 .

[7]  W. Stone.  Real-Time GPS and Non-Line-of-Sight Metrology , 1996 .

[8]  William C. Stone,et al.  Non-Intrusive Scanning Technology for Construction Assessment , 1999 .

[9]  Tatsuya Wakisaka,et al.  Automated construction system for high-rise reinforced concrete buildings , 1997 .

[10]  Geraldine S. Cheok,et al.  Object Identification Using Bar Codes Based of LADAR Intensity , 2001 .

[11]  Zhen Chen,et al.  An application of bar-code system for reducing construction wastes , 2002 .

[12]  Naief Turki Ibn-Homaid,et al.  A comparative evaluation of construction and manufacturing materials management , 2002 .

[13]  Burcu Akinci,et al.  Utilizing Radio-Frequency Identification on Precast Concrete Components - Supplier's Perspective , 2002 .

[14]  Min-Yuan Cheng,et al.  Integrating barcode and GIS for monitoring construction progress , 2002 .

[15]  Alan M. Lytle,et al.  Report of the NIST Workshop on Data Exchange Standards at the Construction Job Site , 2003 .

[16]  Tatsuo Arai,et al.  Automated Handling of Construction Components Based on Parts and Packets Unification , 2003 .

[17]  Liang Y Liu,et al.  Needs and Trends of IT-Based Construction Field Data Collection , 2003 .

[18]  Leonhard E. Bernold,et al.  EQUIPMENT MOUNTED MULTI-SENSORY SYSTEM TO LOCATE PIPES , 2003 .

[19]  Alison K. Brown.  TEST RESULTS OF A GPS/INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM USING A LOW COST MEMS IMU , 2004 .

[20]  S. Christian Albright,et al.  Data Analysis and Decision Making , 2004 .

[21]  James H. Garrett,et al.  Information Technology in Civil Engineering—Future Trends , 2004 .

[22]  Sherman Karp,et al.  Optical Communications , 1976 .