Artificial Intelligence in Civil Engineering and General Planning: Opportunities and Challenges

"Since AI relies heavily on the analysis of data and images, we see the greatest potential in planning and execution preparation," says Christian Lorenz, Managing Director of Lorenz Consult. (Photo credit: © Lorenz Consult, Jürgen Skarwan)

AI applications were used by Lorenz Consult in the work on the Science Tower in Graz. (Photo credit: © Lorenz Consult ZT GmbH)

"Since AI relies heavily on the analysis of data and images, we see the greatest potential in planning and execution preparation," says Christian Lorenz, Managing Director of Lorenz Consult. (Photo credit: © Lorenz Consult, Jürgen Skarwan)

Everyone is talking about AI. A real hype has developed around artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, digitalization and the associated automation of numerous planning and construction processes are gaining further momentum in the construction industry. What role will AI play in this in the future? What are the advantages and disadvantages of its use in civil engineering and general planning, and which AI applications are already in use? Christian Lorenz, Managing Director of Lorenz Consult, explores these questions.

"Since AI relies heavily on the analysis of data and images, we see the greatest potential in planning and preparation for execution. But there is also significant potential in documenting construction progress and, derived from that, in creating as-built documentation," Christian Lorenz is convinced.

Application in Existing Buildings

One challenge with existing buildings is the often missing, incomplete, or inaccurate digital documentation of the current state. "To improve this, we have been using 3D scanning methods on existing buildings for many years. Especially in industry, this is a crucial element because many installations are visible and can thus be digitally recorded," Lorenz explains. The resulting and combined point clouds serve as the basis for creating digital 3D models of the existing structures. "And here, AI can be quite effectively used in the form of generating building components based on the point clouds. The first approaches and programs for this already exist."

Furthermore, AI can be used to generate modeling suggestions for areas that could only be partially captured during the 3D scan due to inaccessibility. These AI-generated modeling proposals could significantly accelerate the planning process and increase efficiency.

Application Areas of AI in Civil Engineering

AI can be employed during the creation of the digital building model (Building Information Modeling, BIM) to further develop clash detection of building components. Artificial intelligence could automatically suggest solutions when collisions are detected, leading to significant time savings. AI can also assist in determining the costs of structures during the planning phase by analyzing and processing cost data from numerous completed projects to make forecasts.

During execution, AI can help with quality control. For example, AI can verify and document the correct and complete installation of building elements such as reinforcement steel or pipelines. It can also evaluate the compliance with required flatness of components based on 3D scans. "This capability already exists and is being used in an ongoing project for testing purposes," Lorenz states.

Another application area is digital billing, where AI can generate the digital quantity survey and thus the invoice based on 3D scans. AI can also assist in creating as-built documentation. If a building is scanned multiple times during construction progress, an existing model can be generated using AI.

Advantages and Disadvantages of AI

AI can likely analyze probabilities and generate suggestions more quickly and better from large amounts of data. However, since it is based on probabilities, the correctness and error-free nature of the results must always be carefully checked.

AI is only as good as the data it is fed and on which it relies. In the worst case, poor input leads to poor output. Additionally, artificial intelligence also relies on probabilities. Therefore, its use for static calculations and ensuring the load-bearing capacity of structures based on probabilities should be excluded.

Generally, AI is based on information from the past and attempts to recombine it. The unknown is thus difficult to generate with it. Therefore, it is important that humans continue to play a central role, especially in creative and innovative processes.

AI lacks a fundamental human component: emotion. "The language of architecture is deeply emotional. Therefore, there is still much room for humans and architects to develop," Lorenz concludes. AI can support humans but cannot replace them when it comes to the emotional and creative design of architecture.