2020 marks the beginning of a new decade which most experts, academicians, scholars, researchers and scientists believe will be dominated by Industry 4.0 – an era of automation. The influx of digital technologies and modern methods of operations have disrupted all industry sectors, and construction is no exception. As we go further into this report, we will realize that transformation of processes, methods and tools will drive the realm of construction on its next trajectory of growth. Entities that fail to prepare for this evolution will constantly feel the threat of becoming irrelevant in the marketplace.
1. Wearable Technology
Integration of wearable technology in construction processes will go a long way in improving safety at the site, reducing injuries to the staff and workers, improving operational efficiencies and enhancing quality of life for construction workers.
2. IoT & AR
Advanced Internet of Things and Augmented-Reality technologies are enabling the construction professionals to digitally access the information about the surroundings and equipment of the site in an interactive way, thereby facilitation remote monitoring, operations and controllability.
3. Advanced Project Management Approach
With increased regulations as well as timeliness and cost-effectiveness becoming top priorities for the project owners, the industry is increasingly realizing the importance of onboarding Project Management experts in avoiding delays and cost-overruns.
4. Data and Analytics Based Systems
Data Analytics and Business Intelligence tools and software applications have proved to be the game-changers for contractors who have found it difficult to manage huge amount of data being collected from various sources such as design and BIM data from the planning stages of a project, jobsite data collected by wearables, mobile devices and sensors on equipment/materials, accounting and job progress data from the office, project management data, etc.
5. Cloud and Mobile Technologies
Cloud and Mobile tech will see greater adoption in the construction industry, especially by the relatively smaller construction companies, as it gives them a competitive edge, and an opportunity to be on an enterprise-level of data storage, management, access and recovery. Coordination between the site-staff with the head-office professionals becomes better, data is readily available, and the relationship with key clients can be enhanced through actionable insights based on these technologies.
6. BIM
Advanced Building information modeling (BIM) technologies supported by various tools, technologies and contracts will further involve the generation and management of Digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of places, plans and projections.
7. RPA
Robotics or Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has numerous advantages to offer to the construction industry in the coming years including but not limited to increasing accuracy, precision and efficiency in monotonous tasks, making the staff available for intellectual work, 3D printing of modules, parts and components, and promoting Lean construction practices.
8. Modular Construction
As mentioned in the previous point, modular construction practices will gain more momentum and significance as enterprises are leveraging technology integration to develop pre-engineered building units that can be delivered to site and assembled as large volumetric components forming sizeable elements of a structure. The Statue of Unity is an excellent example in which the project manager, Turner Project Management India, completed the landmark construction along with the contractor and other agencies in remarkably short-time using the Modular Construction approach.
9. Drone Technology
Real-time data from the site, aerial insights available remotely, and progress tracking and just few of the numerous benefits that application of drones can bring to any construction entity. The drone technology is well poised to gain wider adoption especially because it facilitates early identification of issues which can be mitigated promptly without having to incur huge monetary and costs.
10. Self-Healing Concrete
Over a period of time, micro-cracks tend to develop on concrete structures which reduce its service life by allowing the ingress of water, carbon dioxide and chlorine ions into the structure. Earlier, patching, reinforcement, or even knocking the structure down were the only solutions for the concrete cracks. However, since the invention of ‘smart’ concrete, structures are able to self-heal the cracks that appear on it. Use of such self-healing concrete will not only make the structures more secure, but also save on rework and maintenance.
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