Abstract: The availability of low-cost, high performance computers that are capable of real-time 3-D graphic processing has lead to a plethora of applications in the construction industry. This technology is particularly beneficial in the design and simulation of automated construction systems. The expense of physically constructing and implementing a full-scale prototype automated construction systems has been a prohibitive factor in significant progress in this area. Computer hardware and software technologies that can perform real-time 3-D graphical simulation and visualization afford a tool that allows investigation and visual demonstration of conceptual and prototype designs, without the related expense of physical prototype construction. This paper overviews the application of 3-D graphical simulation and visualization to construction applications and presents a study to apply 3-D graphical simulation in the development of a prototype automated push-up gantry robot system for automated construction. The investigation demonstrates the use of 3-D Graphical simulation as both a communication and investigative tool for proof-of-concept studies in the development of automated construction systems to demonstrate the feasibility of the push-up gantry automated construction system concept.

Brief Biography of the Speaker: 
Dr. Gatton graduated from the University of Illinois with Master’s degrees in Architecture and Computer Science and a Ph. D. in Civil Engineering. He conducted research for ten years at the Army Corp of Engineer’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, at the University of Illinois, in the areas of computer graphics, artificial intelligence and robotics, and received an official citation for groundbreaking research and innovation in these areas. He then transferred to Academia as an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and continued his work in 3-D graphical simulation, automation and artificial intelligence applications in the construction industry, until 1997. After 4 years as President of the Construction Automation Research Company, Dr. Gatton returned to Academia, where he is a Professor in the School of Engineering and Technology at National University in San Diego, California. Since joining National University, Dr. Gatton has served as Department Chair and currently directs several construction and manufacturing engineering degree programs. Dr. Gatton has over 50 journal and conference publications and is an internationally recognized speaker in the areas of artificial intelligence, software development, automation and robotics in construction.