The University of Nevada’s new Arts Building will require about 100,000 bricks to be installed in the three-story building. But for the first time in Nevada, about 60% of those bricks will be laid by SAM, a bricklaying robot.
SAM, which stands for Semi-Automated Mason, is being used on the $35.5 million project to cut construction time and costs and help with Nevada’s construction labor shortage. The device uses a robotic arm, computer programming, and a materials-feeder system to lay bricks at a rate of about one brick every eight seconds.
The robotic, metal arm spreads mortar on brick and uses a laser-guided system to lay rows. According to Q&D Construction, the project’s general contractor, SAM can accomplish the work of five masons.
See Also: Rovers set to invade construction jobsites
The robot is designed to work on large, uninterrupted walls, which means the first five feet of an area, corners, and around windows must be done by hand by a mason. Additionally, humans are still needed to set up the Hydro-Mobile scaffolding, program the design, load bricks and mortar, align the row, clean the mortar joints, and do the finishing touches to set the brick. Even with all of the human help still needed, SAM sped up the brick veneer installation process by 50%.
When completed, the Arts Building will feature a 287-seat recital hall, a new art museum, a fabrication lab, an electroacoustic lab, soundproof rehearsal spaces, music practice rooms, faculty office spaces, and a recording studio. Construction is slated to complete in the fall with the grand opening held during Spring 2019 semester.
Related Stories
| Apr 15, 2013
Advanced lighting controls and exterior tactics for better illumination - AIA/CES course
To achieve the goals of sustainability and high performance, stakeholders in new construction and renovation projects must rein in energy consumption, including lighting. This course presents detailed information about lighting control strategies that contribute to energy efficient buildings and occupant well-being, as well as tips for lighting building exteriors effectively and efficiently.
| Apr 8, 2013
Most daylight harvesting schemes fall short of performance goals, says study
Analysis of daylighting control systems in 20 office and public spaces shows that while the automatic daylighting harvesting schemes are helping to reduce lighting energy, most are not achieving optimal performance, according to a new study by the Energy Center of Wisconsin.
| Apr 1, 2013
Half of building owners use 'smart' technologies, says survey
A survey of 291 building owners by IDC Energy Insights shows that 50% of owners use smart building technologies, such as HVAC controls, lighting controls, and analytics/data management.
| Mar 27, 2013
Small but mighty: Berkeley public library’s net-zero gem
The Building Team for Berkeley, Calif.’s new 9,500-sf West Branch library aims to achieve net-zero—and possibly net-positive—energy performance with the help of clever passive design techniques.
| Feb 8, 2013
5 factors to consider when designing a shade system
Designing a shade system is more complex than picking out basic white venetian blinds. Here are five elements to consider when designing an interior shade system.
| Jan 16, 2013
Achieving Educational Excellence with Greater Comfort in Hudson, Iowa
Improving a problematic temperature control system at Hudson High School paves the way for enhanced comfort, greater energy efficiency, and significant savings.
| Jun 13, 2012
Steven L. Newman Real Estate Institute to hold energy asset conference for property owners, senior real estate managers
Top-level real estate professionals have been ignored as the industry has pushed to get sustainability measures in place.
| Jun 12, 2012
SAC Federal Credit Union selects LEO A DALY to design corporate headquarters
LEO A DALY also provided site selection, programming and master planning services for the project over the past year.
