With the advancements in digital technology, the construction industry is changing at an ever-increasing pace. Latest construction industry digital technology trends are not only proving to be beneficial to the industry but also providing effective solutions for old inefficiencies while increasing safety for the construction site workers. Yes, the challenges are still there, like coronavirus and the difficulties it brought with it, but despite the challenges, the construction industry is confident to rise and shine in 2021.
Here are the top technology trends that will help the construction industry immensely in 2021.
3-D Model-Based Planning and Design using BIM (Building Information Modeling)
3-D model-based BIM is the digital representation of the digital and functional aspects of a construction project. This 3-D model-based technology enables the data to be shared across various disciplines and businesses and forms a reliable basis for decision-making during a construction project. It became especially important during the pandemic outbreak when the project team members could not meet in person. With the BIM technology and Augmented Reality now being delivered via wearable devices, 82% of the contractors agree that BIM is the future of construction project management.
Internet of Things and Advanced Sensors
Internet of Things has been transforming industries and automating processes since the time it was first introduced. In the construction industry, IoT can increase productivity, operational efficiency, and on-site safety. With the help of advanced sensors, worksite visibility can be improved at every stage of a construction project, thus improving productivity as well as safety.
Some examples of the Internet of Things in the construction industry are:
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
- Autonomous Volvo Trucks
- IoT embedded in concrete during casting to estimate the compressive strength of concrete
- IoT wearables
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is a technology that is rapidly gaining importance in the construction industry. From the designing process to safety, it has application in every step of the construction process.
Here are some ways Augmented Reality is being implemented in the construction industry.
- Safety Training: Augmented Reality can be used to simulate tools and safety scenarios to give the workers a richly detailed, safe training environment, where there is no risk of injuries.
- Real-Time Project information: With the help of AR, workers can virtually walk a project site to monitor the progress of their work.
Robotics
As construction companies look to increase their productivity and efficiency, robotics is set to transform the construction industry in a big way. Here are some tasks that can be achieved with the help of robots.
- Construction robots for lifting heavy objects.
- Construction robots for faster street construction.
- Demolition robots for safer and faster building demolition.
Prefabrication and Modularization
Prefabrication and Modularization are two trends that are fast becoming popular in the construction industry. They produce fast results and help save a lot of money.
This can be understood by taking the example of a Dubai Office building, which was built using prefabrication technology. The entire 3-D office building was printed in 17 days, and just two days were spent on the on-site assembly of the building. This construction method is eco-friendly, fast, safer, flexible, and produces consistent quality as the construction takes place in a controlled manufacturing environment.
Drones
With drones becoming more and more advanced, many construction companies today are relying on drones for monitoring construction sites. As per a report, drone usage on the job site has increased by 239% in the past few years. Some ways drones are put to work in the construction industry include:
- To collect real-time data about construction projects. For example: In Abu Dhabi, UAE, the municipality used drones for monitoring the work on construction sites.
- They provide fast and accurate data about the projects.
Wrapping it up
The construction industry has been slower in adopting modern technology. However, as the latest trends in modern technology made their way into the industry and proved their effectiveness, many leading businesses in the industry were forced to rethink their approach and be open to embracing the latest trends. With new trends and technologies becoming more acceptable, we can expect more innovations in the construction industry in the coming few years.
