January 8, 2023
The construction industry has always been one of the most conservative industries. However, a tide of technological advances is sweeping through the construction sector and forcing companies to change and embrace new tendencies.
This stride through 2024 has the landscape of construction reforming at a go with innovative solutions promising to take its efficiency, productivity, and safety to an all-new level. Here are a few of the key trends in the construction sector to watch in the year 2024:
With the increasing environmental concerns, the construction industry is also becoming proactive in assuming sustainable practices and using eco-friendly materials. This way, construction reduces the environmental impact of any project, cuts costs in the long run, and responds to the demand for green buildings. Working with experienced environmental consultants can further enhance these benefits by providing expert guidance on sustainable practices and compliance.
Notably, the asphalt paving industry is currently high in technology usage, with technologies such as warm mix asphalt (WMA) being a sustainable alternative to the traditional hot mix asphalt. WMA is designed at a lower temperature than traditional hot mix, meaning it uses less energy and, therefore, results in lower greenhouse gas emissions during production and paving.
Likewise, paving companies Portland are out to be leading in WMA solutions and a very cost-effective solution in meeting unique needs in the commercial, industrial, retail, and multifamily residential sectors. These firms go green not only to achieve better workability and increase haul distances but also to extend the paving window.
Building Information Modeling is perhaps one of the most prominent trends currently rocking through the construction industry. It is a digital representation of a construction project where the stakeholders plan, design, and manage everything involved in the building process. BIM enables 3D visualisation, clash detection, and, hence, optimisation of workflow, affecting efficiency, cost reduction, and minimisation of errors.
With the help of BIM, construction professionals can study the project before it starts and adjust it. A proactive stance like this does not only streamline the construction process but also assures greater levels of accuracy and client satisfaction.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have offered unmatched importance in construction. Drones have become workhorses, revolutionising aerial works such as surveying sites, conducting inspections, and monitoring progress. Drones offer a bird's-eye view of a construction site, collecting real-time data and high-resolution images that would be difficult, if not impossible, to acquire otherwise.
The technology can further assist professionals in construction toward making informed decisions, increase site safety, and improve project management. In other words, drones allow for monitoring of progress, identification of potential risks, and times to adjust and keep a project on course.
The construction sector has been quick to adopt the potential of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in providing new dimensions for better visualisation and project experience. The power of such immersive technologies lies in giving stakeholders the opportunity to virtually walk the construction site for design change on the fly and foresee any possible issues before the first brick is laid.
Effective communication and a clear conception of the final product by the project teams, clients, and stakeholders are ensured with AR and VR. This collaborative approach in projects significantly reduces the risk of expensive errors, further promoting easier construction processes.
The construction industry is riding on the fast wave of robotics and automation, through which processes are being redefined and redone to improve efficiency. For example, from bricklaying to concrete pouring and material handling, robotic technologies are integrated into less labour-intensive work, bringing forth improved productivity.
Moreover, robotics and automation in construction eliminate human errors, increase safety, and lower labour costs. Advanced systems reduce labour by working with precision and consistency, which eventually leads to quality results and minimal waste.
Modular construction is an increasingly popular building method whereby building is done off-site and assembling is done on-site. Modular construction has a variety of reasons for being considered an approach for building: first, efficiency and flexibility means that modular construction can enable parallel construction tasks, compressing the overall project duration period. This will also avert environmental disturbance.
The other benefit of modular construction is in controlled manufacturing conditions that lead to uniform quality and minimal waste. This trend assures a major portion of the requirement of construction along with resource optimisation, especially with an increase in demand for housing and commercial space.
As the construction industry continues to evolve, embracing innovation and adopting new trends will be crucial for success. An agile company that adapts to these changes will not just stay in business but will be part of the change in the future of construction.
This is where the construction industry can leverage disruptive technologies like Building Information Modeling, drones, augmented reality, virtual reality, robotics, and automation to further efficiency, productivity, and safety. Additionally, the focus on sustainable and modular construction practices will pave the way for a greener and more environmentally conscious approach to building.
Beyond 2024, the construction landscape will continue to change, providing challenges and opportunities. If the trends are embraced and an innovative culture is nurtured in the industry, the challenges can be successfully overcome, leading to projects of exceptional quality.
