Anna M. McCrea

London South Bank University, University College London

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Total Citations

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About

Anna M. McCrea is a pioneering researcher in construction robotics and automation, with a focused expertise in applying genetic algorithms (GA) to optimize robotic systems for infrastructure maintenance. Her most significant contribution lies in the development of computational methods for selecting optimal construction robots, particularly for the challenging domain of steel bridge restoration. Her seminal 1997 paper, "Selection of Optimal Construction Robot Using Genetic Algorithm" (14 citations), established a framework for simultaneously optimizing multiple robot parameters using GA, directly addressing the complex trade-offs in automated bridge repair. This work was further refined in her 2004 study on GA-based robot selection for bridge restoration (10 citations), demonstrating sustained impact in the field. McCrea's foundational research began with her 1993 paper "Towards the Development of a Bridge Inspecting Automated Device" (2 citations), co-authored with Denis A. Chamberlain, which laid the groundwork for robotic inspection solutions in civil infrastructure. Despite the relatively modest citation counts typical of early-stage construction robotics research, McCrea's work represents an important early integration of evolutionary computation with construction automation, influencing subsequent developments in intelligent robot selection for hazardous infrastructure tasks. Her contributions remain relevant for researchers exploring automated solutions in bridge maintenance and restoration.