Technology is continually evolving in all industries, and construction is no exception. Construction technology advancements help to complete construction projects faster while also keeping construction workers safer. In this article, we will look into seven construction technology advancements that are being incorporated in 2020.
Connected Hardhats
Shimabun is a Japanese-based company that has created a kit to upgrade standard construction hardhats with added safety features.
These added sensors for your hardhat are used to monitor a construction worker’s temperature, motion, and location to help ensure they are not in danger during their workday on the construction site. Along with these sensors, workers can trigger an urgent call to first-responders if the sensors perceive that a worker has taken a substantial fall.
Predictive Analytics Software
Predictive analytics is becoming increasingly popular in all industries. In construction, predictive analytic software is taking previously gathered data and using it to help construction project managers make better choices.
In the construction industry, predictive analytics is starting to be used for a variety of aspects in the planning of a construction project such as cost estimation, eliminating safety risks, and keeping track of inventory. Predictive analytic software can use data on weather and traffic sensor technology to help make the optimal schedules for the building phases of a construction project.
Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality
The use of virtual reality in construction is revolutionizing the way that people in the construction industry are creating designs and constructing plans. Project managers and designers visit a digital world where the building they are designing is finished and can make adjustments to improve the overall layout.
Virtual reality is also being used to simulate dangerous environments and helping users plan on what actions to take during these potentially stressful situations. Heavy equipment operators use virtual reality to prepare for an equipment malfunction that may arise on the worksite.
Augmented reality allows users to view virtual reality in a real-world scenario. By looking through a tablet, project managers can see what a finished flooring layout will look like in a building before it is finished.
LiDAR Technology
LiDAR or light detection and ranging sensors are typically placed on the top of heavy construction equipment to scan the surroundings on a construction site. These LiDAR senors can take high-quality 3D photos that can be viewed in real-time by project managers to monitor the progress of a worksite.
Along with tracking the progress of construction, LiDAR software allows users to edit the 3D photos to view what the changes during development will look like. Being able to input different materials in this LiDAR software will enable project managers to catch potential mistakes before they happen.
Material Advancements
Along with the advancement of things like software and sensors, construction materials are also being improved. Translucent wood is becoming more common and is used as an alternative to glass. This type of wood is more durable and more biodegradable than glass, making for a more robust construction material used for windows.
New bricks are being manufactured made of both wool and seaweed that are 37% stronger than the typical block made of clay. These new construction materials will allow for buildings and homes to be more durable and last longer.
3D Printing
3D printing is the future of construction, and some companies are using it to their advantage to build inexpensively. Construction companies are starting to 3D print homes that can be made and purchased for as little as $10,000. Along with the price cut to create these homes, the speed that the homes can be built is faster than the traditional route. A group of fifty 3D printed houses have been made in Mexico and will be housing people starting this year.
LED Road Flares
Road flares are used in construction to signal hazards that drivers typically cannot see in dark environments. Using road flares near construction sites reduces the number of accidents that occur when drivers do not see the potential dangers.
The typical road flare is starting to become obsolete, as LED alternatives are becoming popular. The average road flare will burn for 30-minutes before fading and needing to be replaced by another road flare. With these new LED road flares, they can be used for long durations and can be recharged and used again.
