The construction industry is one of the most ancient parts of human civilization. It has evolved gradually to become a US $ 358.9 billion, according to CAGR in 2018. Also, this industry prides itself with a 13% share of the world’s GDP. The rise in technology has given the industry a significant boost. The digital revolution has given the construction industry a whole new life. It’s increasingly becoming easier to complete new buildings with limited resources (labour, capital, time & materials).
Current trends in the construction industry
While there are many trends in the construction industry to look out for, the following are some of the key trends to utilize as you plan your next construction project.
3D printing has come a long way and deserves the top spot, dating back in the 1980s. Initially, it was used to print objects. However, incorporating technologies such as sprayed materials and micro casting has triggered things in the construction segment.
It’s now possible to 3D print a whole house in one day. After that, workers join prefabricated materials to form the complete unit (can be onsite or offsite). This method allows you to reduce waste, cut down costs, and reduces work-shifts disruptions. It’s evident why this trend is gaining momentum day by day.
Robotics technology is being used to automate almost every field in the world. It’s being used in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and now in construction. Despite their low uptake, robotics has all that it takes to disrupt the industry. It’s possible to automate roughly 50 % of all the construction works.
Notable players in this field are the exoskeletons, which help workers to carry heavier loads effortlessly. As mentioned above, prefabricated building materials have had a broad uptake and robotics play a critical role in automating such systems. As you increase efficiency, you reduce costs and improve worker’s safety.
This technology improves (VR) or replaces (AR) the viewer’s experience; it shuts down the external environment. Gaming enthusiasts have used VR and know what it adds. This technology helps workers in various ways, such as refining designs, improvising their plans, or identifying any process errors. This technology has such a massive impact on engineers on the construction sites.
As the climate change debate is trending, sustainable design has emerged as an excellent alternative to reduce the builder’s environmental impact. Many builders are turning to sustainable construction as the world seeks to reverse climate change. Low carbon emission is expected to continue driving innovation and design in years to come through energy efficiency.
Worthy mentions
Conclusion
Embracing technology in construction projects creates a win-win situation. The owners save costs and time, the workers operate in safe environments while the engineers have it easy while designing and implementing designs. The environment wins too, less pollution is realized. If utilized to their full potential, the above trends will push the construction industry to a top-level.
