Gravity-triggered rotational connecting method for automated segmental bridge construction

Automated construction has become urgently needed because the construction industry faces labor safety and cost challenges. However, these developments require investments in new equipment to facilitate automation in construction, resulting in even higher capital costs. Therefore, the research proposes a gravity-triggered rotational connecting (GTRC) method for automating segmental bridge construction. In this automated construction method, a segment-to-segment connector is developed to exploit an eccentric moment introduced by gravity and achieve segmental connections. For implementation, a specific rigging method is presented for a conventional telescopic crane to maintain a particular orientation. Meanwhile, crane path planning is also proposed to guide one segment toward the other segment. A combined computational and experimental verification program is established and employs a simply supported bridge as an example for the proposed method. With the designed connector and rigging assembly, the proposed method is computationally and experimentally verified to automate segmental bridge construction.