A Few Aspects of UAV-based Construction

This paper presents some results of a research project about the construction of real scale structures assembled with flying robots also called UAV, UAS or drones, with an emphasis on timber structures. First studies, presented in previous IASS congresses [1,2], focused on general concepts, first experimental tests with a big UAV, guiding systems and “UAV-compatible†masonry units. This paper this time focuses on “UAV-compatible†timber elements, and especially their connections. The adjective “UAV-compatible†defines structural elements with a mass lower than 100 kg, which can be assembled thanks to connections that allow a position inaccuracy of a few centimeters. Wood is particularly interesting for the UAV-based construction because its self-weight and its resistance over self-weight ratio are competitive. Furthermore, the existence of plenty of traditional connections is a source of inspiration for this new construction technique.