Strategies for Rule-Based Generated Assembly Sequences in Large-Scale Plant Construction

To ensure high quality in the construction of industrial plants (e.g., power plants and chemical plants), precise planning and execution of logistics and assembly must be achieved. Therefore, detailed step-by-step assembly instructions are required. In some cases, the visualization of the assembly procedures is already represented with the help of digital models. Our previous work showed that a semi-automatic generation of step-by-step assembly sequences for large scale plant construction is possible. The basic information needed for this is already available in BIM models (building information modeling). This information includes information about components, connections, and construction details. On this basis, a methodology was developed that allows an assembly sequence to be created automatically using a defined set of rules that is stored in a database. The assembly sequence can then be made available to the executing staff in the form of lists and 4D animations. Currently, the developed methodology lacks of a mechanism for selecting specific construction strategies. In this paper, the previous work is extended by developing an approach for the semi-automatic generation of assembly sequences by different construction strategies. This allows the planner to select and adapt the most suitable assembly strategy for their project, so that the assembly sequence can be further optimized. The assembly sequences generated for a project can thus support the planning of the processes on the construction site (storage of construction elements, delivery to and transport on the construction site, as well as assembly).