Construction is a constantly evolving industry that has been transforming to meet the needs of an ever-changing world.
The latest wave in construction is the incorporation of smart technologies designed to make every step from design and engineering through bidding and project management as efficient as possible.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of these technologies, what they do, and how they’re changing the future of construction for contractors, engineers, architects, and building owners.
3 Technologies That Are Shaping Smart Construction Of The Future
BIM
BIM stands for Building Information Modeling, an increasingly popular technology among architects who want unprecedented levels of detail about their building plans before they’re even built.
With BIM, architects get highly accurate views inside buildings and maintenance information like how much strain a beam will take over the years and even how many people are likely to be in that building during certain seasons.
BIM is also used by contractors who want access to accurate models of every aspect of the job site, including underground utilities or other existing conditions which can’t be seen through traditional surveying techniques like lidar scanning.
With BIM, they’re able to see exactly where everything goes, so there’s no risk of accidentally damaging infrastructure already on-site before construction begins.
Industrial IoT
This technology is used in all aspects of construction, from the design and engineering phase to project management. The Industrial Internet allows engineers and designers to use cloud computing for powerful predictive analytics that can drive countless decisions throughout a building’s life cycle.
For example, an architect designing a bridge or high-rise would be able to see what traffic conditions might look like decades down the road when wear and tear take their toll on structural elements.
They could then make changes early in the process based on this information instead of wasting resources later trying out possible scenarios with trial and error methodologies which cost more time and money.
In construction management, the same concepts apply as managers can pull real-time data from existing sites worldwide to make the best decisions possible.
Industrial IoT, including other Internet-connected devices like drones and robots, is also helping building managers save money by using sensors that adjust HVAC systems based on actual occupancy rather than a schedule or guesswork.
In addition, Industrial IoT can help reduce costs through predictive maintenance, which uses machine learning algorithms to discover problems before they become significant issues.
For example, if an infrared camera spots unusual heat from a piece of machinery at three different times during the day, it might be safe to assume there’s going to be a breakdown soon after, so preventive measures could then be taken instead of waiting for that part fail and disrupting workflow with delays.
Data Analytics
Big data is being used in construction management for various purposes, from scheduling to project management and more.
The design phase allows engineers to make decisions based on real-time information about how people are using buildings. For example, if an office building’s occupancy rate is down in certain areas after hours, adjustments can be made accordingly rather than guessing or making assumptions without actual data.
In construction management, big data analytics helps managers keep track of projects while they’re happening, so there’s no risk of unexpected delays due to miscommunication between workers on site, which might happen with traditional paper documentation systems.
There’s far less chance for human error with everything digitized, which saves time and money otherwise wasted waiting around for someone else to do their part before moving on to other tasks.
Conclusion
The world is changing at a rapid pace, and the construction industry is not exempt. As we move towards more sustainable, smarter ways of building things, new technologies are emerging to help us in this process.
BIM, Industrial IoT, and Data Analytics are some of the technologies shaping how the future of construction will look.
These technologies can help you remain competitive in this marketplace where new disruptive technology is always waiting to be unleashed on the construction industry! In the construction industry, it is crucial to keep up with the latest technologies and trends.
Don’t be left behind clinging to old processes and tools such as plastic traffic cone and paper documentation.
