Innovative Technology for Project Design and Construction

The Government has been pushing forward with “Construction 2.0” to encourage the construction industry to apply innovative technologies. This initiative has been piloted in public works projects, with three key elements, “innovation”, “professionalisation” and “revitalisation” incorporated into the works contract requirements. In support of “Construction 2.0”, the DSD adopts off-site construction methods, undertakes site management digitalisation and employs various smart and green innovative technologies during design and construction to enhance construction efficiency, quality and safety, while minimising the impact of works on the surrounding environment.

 

Off-site Construction

To overcome land use constraints, the DSD takes into consideration early in the design stage various possible applications of construction technologies, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), off-site construction, including Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) and Modular Integrated Construction (MiC). Off-site construction means manufacturing precast segments or assembled components in a factory, then transporting these precast units to the construction site for on-site installation.

The site office and temporary sewage treatment works in connection with Expansion of Sha Tau Kok Sewage Treatment Works (STW) Phase 1 are all built using off-site construction methods, such as using prefabricated steel reinforcing bars and standalone prefabricated building components. Processing pieces of rebar and manufacturing standalone prefabricated building components in a factory not only can minimise on-site works processes and facilitate construction management, but also can synchronise with works processes such as foundation works on-site to minimise impacts arising from adverse weather, labour shortage and site constraints. Compared with conventional construction methods, off-site construction has the advantage of improving work productivity, safety, quality and sustainability.

Construction of site office by off-site modular approach

Installation of equalisation tank of temporary STW, using off-site construction

 

Digitalisation of Site Management

Following the digitalisation trend, the DSD has piloted advanced technologies such as the virtual reality system, the digital works supervision system and smart safety helmets in various projects, taking steps towards site management digitalisation to enhance management efficiency and safety.

 

4D Immersive CAVE System

The team responsible for the Relocation of Sha Tin STW to Caverns Project employs the 4D Immersive CAVE System (CAVE) to provide updates on the progress of the project via 4D images. CAVE can create a virtual reality environment through a high-resolution stereoscopic projection screen, enabling multiple users to immerse themselves in the same three-dimensional space simultaneously without wearing any support hardware. The management can plan ahead for future works more conveniently and precisely, or spot potential hazards in advance. By comparing works site features at different stages and even checking monitoring data, such as those on settlement and environmental monitoring points, from different locations, they can get a clear and overall picture of the progress of the project.

The project team is also using the system to strengthen workmen's safety awareness. Collaborating with the Construction Industry Council, the project team has installed safety training software onto CAVE to allow workmen to receive safety training with a strong sense of realism in different virtual workplace settings. Those workmen who have entered the system can enjoy playing games during training, while at the same time the other workmen can observe the training process through the high-resolution three-dimensional screen to deepen their memory and increase their general safety awareness.

Stereoscopic projection screen showing details of project

Safety training through CAVE

 

Digital Works Supervision System

The DSD piloted a digital works supervision system in its first “Construction 2.0” pilot project - Expansion of Sha Tau Kok STW Phase 1. The project team used a self-developed mobile app to collect the works site's real-time data, including those related to photos and works execution, with a view to keeping abreast of the works progress and making timely and accurate decisions. In the long run, the digital works supervision system will help us enhance construction efficiency, reduce paperwork and minimise the risk of data inaccuracy.

Site supervision by mobile app

 

Smart Safety Helmet

The DSD introduced smart safety helmets into the project Expansion of Sha Tau Kok STW Phase 1. The smart safety helmets equipped with built-in sensors can be used in conjunction with BIM to monitor the real-time locations of workers so as to ensure that workers are working within the authorised site area. The sensors can also collect real-time data on workers' physical condition, such as body temperature and heart rate; if abnormalities were detected, the safety officer would be informed immediately to ensure the safety of the workers.

Smart safety helmets contribute greatly to construction site safety

 

Smart Green Devices

The DSD is very concerned about the environmental impacts of construction projects. During the year, we adopted different smart and green devices to improve energy management and reduce the environmental impacts of the project surroundings.

 

Enertainer

Generally smaller than a standard container, Enertainer can be used flexibly in works sites. It charges from the power grid and recharges automatically at night-time. The battery system of Enertainer can supply stable and reliable electricity to high-loading appliances at work sites, for instance powering a 24-tonne tower crane or powering one desander, six water pumps and two arc welders simultaneously. By lowering the demand for traditional generators, Enertainer can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 85%. It can also record energy usage data to enhance energy management and energy efficiency.

Supply of stable electricity to site appliances by Enertainer

 

Green AI Egretry Monitoring System

Working with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the DSD installed 360-degree AI cameras at Sha Tin STW on the egret flight path to identify the species of egrets and count their numbers in the light of the monitoring data so as to learn more about the impact of Relocation of Sha Tin STW to Caverns on these birds. Equipped with state-of-the-art Edge AI technology, the camera can read the contents of the incoming photons projected on the image sensors, enabling image analysis as well as immediate bird tracking and identification.

Real-time environmental monitoring device installed at Sha Tin STW

AI cameras can identify the species of egrets