Study level

  • PhD
  • Master of Philosophy
  • Honours

Faculty/School

Faculty of Engineering

School of Architecture and Built Environment

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

QUT Resilience Centre

Supervisors

Professor Glenda Caldwell
Position
Professor in Design
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
Adjunct Professor Tim Schork
Position
Adjunct Professor
Division / Faculty
Faculty of CI, Education & Social Justice
Dr Tatheer Zahra
Position
Senior Lecturer
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Engineering

External supervisors

  • Lloyd Gainey
  • Maja Caballero

Overview

This project addresses Queensland's critical housing shortage by exploring the productivity benefits of human-robot collaboration (HRC) in masonry construction. The research is conducted within the Building 4.0 CRC framework and leverages advanced facilities at QUT alongside industry partners such as Brickworks and the ARM Hub.

By integrating collaborative robots (cobots), augmented reality (AR), parametric design tools (e.g. Grasshopper 3D), and AI algorithms, we aim to develop innovative workflows that enhance construction efficiency and material performance through the use of novel binders.

Research activities

In this project you will join a multidisciplinary team spanning architecture, civil engineering, interior and industrial design. Your tasks will include:

  • participating in ethnographic field studiesand data collection at active construction sites
  • assisting in the analysis of cobot trials and testing of innovative binders
  • social media outreach, documenting findings and contributing to literature reviews on construction robotics and HRC
  • supporting the development and presentation of a public demonstration highlighting the practical outcomes of the research.

This hands-on experience will provide exposure to cutting-edge construction technologies and real-world industry collaboration, offering strong preparation for future research or industry careers.

Outcomes

This project aims to:

  • understand labourers - this will give insight into the way the bricklayers work in construction sites to develop more efficient and user-friendly collaboration pathways
  • develop a digital design to manufacturing platform. This platform optimises parametric designs for stacking bricks through human robot collaboration. The digital platform will optimise stacking parameters to achieve efficient and consistent stacking of most resistant structures with minimum waste. The platform will also create a feedback loop for human robot collaboration. Our aim is to fine-tune human-robot collaborative stacking parameters such as speed of robot, end effector gripper grabbing the material, physics, and communication between humans and robot
  • investigate alternative binders of high bonding characteristics to join the bricks for faster and stronger building walls that enhance structural performance and speed in construction
  • develop and test a prototype. Using QUT's cobots, we aim to develop prototypes of brick wall designs that are constructed in collaboration with humans and robots. The prototypes will undergo rigorous testing at QUT's Banyo Facilities under realistic loading conditions that simulate real-world environments
  • disseminate the research - exhibit and present developed prototypes to disseminate knowledge and share the project outcomes.

Skills and experience

You should have a background in architectural disciplines, civil engineering or mechatronics.

Knowledge on Rhino/Grasshopper is preferred.

Keywords

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.