Disrupting Construction – Top Digital Trends 2018

The construction industry has a significant impact on the economy; yet it has been slow to embrace digital tools and real time data in time past. This is over. It is digitalizing at breakneck speed and this will soon revolutionize the traditional methods of carrying out construction operations.

Here are three technologies that will define the landscape of Digital Transformation in the Construction Industry in 2018.

BECOMING MAINSTREAM: DRONES

It is very important to have an aerial view of a construction site. Thanks to drone technology, this has become much easier and faster. Drones are used to collect photos, take videos and acquire data that is essential when carrying out the project.

Getting a brief detail of the aerial view can be of great importance. Drones are not only used to take pictures of the land but also to take accurate measurements that are essential to finishing a project on time. It is very easy to get a drone into the air. Frequent visits of the drone ensure regular updates on the project progress. This makes it easy to note a problem on time and correct it at early stage.

Drones are used in a number of ways across a construction project. Bidding and investigation, aerial surveys to give information used in briefing the client and also to show how the project will look like after completion. The design of drone can be determined by the existing site conditions. Where clarity is a problem it is easy to add survey data or expand the scope of previous data sets.

On the onsite construction of drones, the data acquired helps to keep tabs on materials and also observe hazard points. If any problem arises at this stage they can be quickly dealt with. Data acquired such as photos can be used to market and also to manage the facilities.

Laws are being drafted concerning drones and fly impositions. They are most likely to establish no fly zones in places such as airports and give authority to security personnel to bring them down if need be.

FIRST REALISATIONS AT SCALE: 3D PRINTING

3D printing is one of the latest manufacturing processes. It is a computer aided program that enables users to create realistic and complex object in a three dimension. It uses less material as compared to the traditional manufacturing methods. Until 2009, 3D printing was only applicable in industries. However, users’ patents started expiring and hence, it has gained market up to the construction industry. The software is used to create projects ranging from small houses to bridges, to vast engineering structures aided by a 3D printer.

The 3D digital model of the structure is created, mostly by the use of Computer Aided Design. The structure is then read and printed by a 3D printer. The medium for construction is laid down into successive layers and then joined together to the desired shape. Even though the process is slower, it is very accurate and any shape can be designed from it. Other than printing the components for construction, the model can also be used to print entire buildings.

Cost control, time management, user friendliness, less waste and accuracy in construction have made 3D printing common and most preferred method in construction. Even though the use of 3D printing in construction started a few years ago, there is a rapid improvement of the feature with faster and more durable structures. For instance, in less than 45 days, a Chinese organization had built an entire concrete mansion with the help of the 3D.

3D printing is not widely used because of the initial cost to install; it is very expensive. They consume a lot of power especially for mass construction and has a limited choice of material.

However, 3D printing is still new and there is still room for its improvement. Despite its few disadvantages, there is an increasing number of people opting to use it. Working bridges and houses exist in most parts of the world. With the technological advancement, 3D printing and Building Information Models will digitize the construction industry.

INITIAL TESTS: BLOCK CHAIN

In the past, most firms and people relied on paperwork to sign contracts and agreements in the presence of an intermediary. Nowadays, with the presence of a block chain, all this is predominant and unnecessary since the digital ledger works as a smart contract. A block chain is a database on the internet that displays the information of transactions on cryptocurrency such as bitcoin. It ensures transparency in transactions such that any user is able to view the records without an intermediary. The construction industry is one of the most regulated industries in a nation. Because of such strict regulations, a block chain is necessary to ensure transparency in construction and trust between the contractors and building users. All the activities in construction can easily be monitored and payment made when the service is fully delivered.

Block chains work like smart contracts by minimizing disputes with clients. It eliminates all possible risks thus making sure that the construction industry develops. Also, continuous updates to the client are frequently made via the platform insisting on transparency. The digital ledger is able to create, validate and authenticate contracts in real time without intervention by an intermediary. Block chains are advantageous because the processes are immutable, once a transaction has been made or an agreement has been recorded it becomes hard to reverse. The process even becomes harder with time factor.

Even though the use of block chains in construction may be termed slow, construction industry needs to grow rapidly. The block chain holds much potential to contributing towards a ‘Circular Construction Industry’. With the merging of internet of things, BIM and block chain, the future of the construction industry is positive.