Depending on how you define construction, it may be older than modern humans. The oldest evidence of a hominin structure is 1.8 million years old. Construction as we know it, producing large buildings and roads, dates to Mesopotamia 6,000 years ago, where bricks were the primary building material.
The Industrial Revolution completely transformed construction. It gained massive popularity as a profession as well as scientific breakthroughs led to expansive alternatives of building materials. Almost a century later, the Bessemer Process revolutionized steel production, making materials more affordable. Steel, combined with advancements in equipment, allowed engineers to design taller buildings than ever before.
Until recently, many job sites looked the same as in the 1980s. Though materials used in the construction industry has evolved quickly, it has been much slower to adopt technology.
Benefits of Technology in Construction
More recently, the construction industry has been plagued by labor shortages, worksite injuries, and project delays. Technology has been introduced into projects to alleviate these pressures. As technology has been added in, the industry has seen greater efficiency, quality, cost savings, and worker safety.
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Increased Job Site Efficiency
Thanks to technology, we’re seeing a massive increase in job site efficiency by optimizing labor usage and performing basic tasks. With technology, land is surveyed faster, problems are detected earlier, and scheduling is easier. This leads to smoother operations and greatly reduces the chance of delays, ultimately speeding up project timelines.
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Increased Quality
Another area that has seen improvement is the quality of construction. Robots and 3D printing both offer greater precision and consistency with construction tasks, while laser-based tools ensure accurate measurements. These technologies work together to reduce errors, enhance the durability of structures, and elevate overall construction standards.
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Cost Savings
While the initial investment to upgrade your systems may seem costly, integrating technology into your processes leads to significant cost savings over time. Running virtual tests instead of building and rebuilding physical models saves valuable time and money. Additionally, improved material tracking systems help prevent over-ordering and reduce the likelihood of materials being lost or wasted, leading to more efficient use of resources and lower overall expenses.
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Worker Safety
Worker safety has been brought to the forefront through technology. Wearables monitor the health of workers and can detect early warning signs of health issues. Sensors offer early detection of hazards, such as building instability. Safety training and procedures have also been the subject of more focus, as technology can test procedures for effectiveness.
Types of Technology Used in Construction
Industry 4.0 technology, characterized by connectivity, automation, and real-time data, is becoming more common in the construction industry. These technologies are not exclusive to construction; however, industries may use software differently to best fulfill their product needs.
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AI and Machine Learning
AI and machine learning give engineers greater autonomy when designing buildings. Augmented reality and virtual reality bring 3D renderings of construction sites to life. Digital twins are virtual replicas of a physical object or system. With AI and digital twins, engineers can run tests to detect issues such as FDA compliance, safety hazards, and whether a building is structurally sound.
Machine learning can power construction robots to perform labor-intensive or monotonous tasks, improving worker safety and filling roles left open by worker shortages.
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Robots
Currently, most construction robots perform demolition. However, the role of robots in construction is rapidly evolving, with an increasing number of robots being utilized for building tasks. These robots can now perform functions such as lifting and placing heavy materials and assisting in bricklaying.
3D printing is not just used to create models and parts—in some cases, it makes entire buildings. 3D construction printing robots extrude materials like concrete, metal, or polymers based on digital models, methodically building structures layer by layer. This technology greatly enhances the speed and precision of construction and creates new possibilities for innovative designs and sustainable building practices.
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Blockchain Technology
Though this word is now commonly associated with cryptocurrency, a blockchain is a digital, public ledger. In businesses, blockchain is used to track materials across supply chains. Construction sites may also use blockchain to track worker safety violations and improve worksite safety.
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Drones
Before designing and building a project, it is vital to survey the land it will be built on. In some cases, a survey is required to get a construction permit, as they provide important information that must be considered when planning the foundation of your building so that it’s structurally sound.
Drones can survey land more efficiently and at a lower cost than humans physically covering a large area. They can fly over an area and take images in a fraction of the time, providing land and site analysis information. As the project progresses, drones can also track equipment and act as surveillance.
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Sensor Technology
Drones are not the only valuable tool for surveying. Advanced sensor technology, including 3D sensors and lasers, plays a crucial role in efficiently measuring and mapping sites. These sensors can capture data and monitor environmental conditions in real time. By tracking factors like humidity, air quality, and vibrations, sensors enable remote monitoring of sites, allowing for early detection of potential issues and more proactive management of resources.
Technology That Can Withstand Harsh Environments
When designing electronics for construction sites, it is important that they are suited for the environment they will be used in. High-voltage systems must be safe and monitorable. Airborne and down-hole tools must be designed to withstand high temperatures and pressure. If working in potentially explosive environments, it is essential to have ATEX-certified systems.
Management Software
Construction companies use management software to centralize personnel information, like scheduling. Labor shortages are currently a problem in the construction industry, so using management software helps companies balance schedules and optimize available workers.
Project management software helps project managers keep projects on time and on budget. This software also provides transparency to stakeholders, as anyone with access can see data on how the project is progressing.
Implementing Technology into Construction
Integrating new technology into your construction project will make it safer, faster, and more cost-effective. Developing a system tailored to your needs keeps things running as smoothly as possible, from surveying to freeing up staff from basic tasks to work on more advanced assignments to finishing a job on time. The best way to ensure successful implementation is to have expertise in these new technologies. If that doesn’t apply to you but you still want to add technology to your team, partnering with an experienced engineering firm is a perfect solution.
Pivot International has over 50 years of experience designing and developing products for our partners in various industries, including construction. We have global teams of designers and developers that are experts in embedded systems, software design, IoT and sensor technology. To learn how we can find the solution to your needs, contact our team today.
