Material characterization of workability and process imaging for robotic concrete finishing

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss a robotic-assisted concrete finishing method for fabricating architectural panels. Concrete finishing is an important process for producing architectural elements with acceptable surface quality. It is also a challenging process conventionally relying on skillful laborers. We describe a hybrid framework incorporating both human skill and robotics in the concrete finishing process and a multi-phase sensing strategy to assist in part touch-up and to validate final surface quality. The paper discusses a general approach to finishing from three perspectives: (1) Material characterization of concrete’s workability throughout its setting process, (2) A modular system-architecture for collaborative human-robot concrete finishing, and (3) Assessment feedback of surface quality using process images.