Preface to the special issue on Intelligent Construction and Automation

Abstract

We are delighted to present you the special issue on Intelligent Construction and Automation as part of the Architecture, Structures and Construction journal. This issue covers a diverse range of topics related to the design, conception, and realisation of architectural structures and components, showcasing some of the latest developments in the broad field of Construction and Automation. The 10 papers collected over the past year focus on additive manufacturing (AM), robotic fabrication and assembly, computational design, and large-scale printing technologies. Process automation and 3D printing have been used to explore material and functional behaviour, design paradigms for AM, fabrication processes, and lightweight composite systems. Although Construction and Automation goes beyond 3D printing, these publications clearly demonstrate that additive manufacturing techniques currently hold a prominent place in the field. Moreover, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) gaining interest in the AEC industry, we expect it to appear prominently in future special issues of the Architecture, Structures and Construction journal.