Trending It Technologies Shaping Construction Practices Globally and in the Future
INTRODUCTION
Construction is the large industry which is of strategic importance on the regional, national and global levels. It is also an industry which has been suffering from a number of problems for many decades, including low productivity, low-profit margins, and waste and safety concerns (Pistorius,2017). Construction companies are already operating to use technology like BIM system, by providing interactive 3D models, within which most are concerned within the project, from the architects to the location managers. Development in sensible homes has enabled to check out new merchandise and concepts on sensors within the physical atmosphere that affects totally different build standards. Also, use of Augmented Reality (AR) along and analyze information on product getting used within the field-enabling to spot faults or efficiencies in their instrumentality and pinpoint however the suppliers will tailor product to be additional suited to the wants and dealing conditions. (Deep et al., 2017). Thus, the construction trade is keen to explore and adopt digital technologies to extend the potency and embrace sensors. The proliferation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is influencing today’s modern society altogether aspects of life. Despite the broader edges of the adoption of ICT altogether industries, specifically construction, it usually comes with high prices and disruption to typical management models. The wide uptake of building information modeling and therefore the application of assorted ICT systems are seen as how to reinforce the productivity of the development trade. (Redwood et. al., 2017). Intelligent buildings are buildings that integrate technology and process to form a facility that’s safer, easier and productive for its occupants, and a lot of operationally economical for its homeowners. Very recently, Kalplinski (2018) has described an summary of innovative solutions within the Construction industry (CI) between 2016 -2018. He compiled trends and events within CI and also considered directions and conditions of development of CI. Further, he emphasized and highlighted the important issues related to digitalization, integrated activities and partly augmented reality. To prepare a review on availability of comprehensive and exhaustive data based on the basis of literature, a paper on recent aspects on digitalization of CI, Construction Techniques (CT), Construction Management (CM) and Construction Project (CP) is attempted, though as mini and fragmentary information on components on digitalization available in CI. This is a first of this kind of effort.
Prefabrication
Prefabrication as the production of housing or housing components (the modular, prefab, panelized, precast, etc.) using factory mechanization World Economic Forum (WEF, 2016). The uniqueness of the construction sector poses many challenges for the direct adaptation of technologies that are employed in several different industries, as an example, those who support production or mass customization. It additionally involves intensive use of knowledge and support technologies across the enterprise and its market. (Shen et al., 2009). The automation related to the prefab construction sector, typically includes of three categories: i) prefab elements creating process, (parts, panels, precast, framework, etc.) that deal primarily with the development of the building blocks; ii) assembly method within which the construction elements (often from completely different suppliers) are put in to form buildings, houses, etc. by an array of sub-contractors, generally having conflicting workflows; iii) construction industry processes that represent each the business and support processes (project management, supply chain management, document management, workflow management, modification management, designing and programing). (Joseph, 2009).
Automated Design
Automated knowledge exchange and wide usage of BIM play major roles in achieving construction automation. BIM allows architects, engineers, contractors, owners, and facility managers to share information throughout the complete lifecycle of the building. The shared information includes the initial design data; geospatial information; monetary and legal data; mechanical, electrical, and plumbing layouts; building product specifications, environmental and energy modeling results, and alternative data, as described in McGraw-Hill Construction, 2017. Material handling and producing processes are going to be automatic to eliminate injuries, minimize workout, assure capability and boost productivity. Production documentation are going to be accurate and timely and may be accessed from remote locations. Staff can recognize the status of any order, acknowledge the constraints of any resources, and can be able to react to satisfy schedule commitments. Product process are going to be minimal and also the production flow are going to be swish and synchronous with demand (Singh et al., 2017).
Robotics Automation in Prefab Industry
An automated construction site might use artificial intelligence for supply and assembly, however will face several barriers that are technological or economical. Martinez et al., (2008) have reported on the robotization and industrialization of the construction method, with objectives on a) standard design of buildings, with robotic erection in construction; b) automatic planning and time period re-planning of the offsite manufacture, transportation, and onsite assembly; c) onsite machine-driven transportation and assembly of prefab parts. They even have developed tools for the assembly of assorted building parts and modules.
Disruption and Inflection point
Habib (2017)andBuncio (2017) described some technologies that poised to disrupt the construction industries are: AI, Virtual Reality (VR), and 3D printing, robots and drones. A number of forces are pressuring for change and these are called for a ‘reinvention of construction’.
Many technocrats and engineers agree that the CI is indeed ripe not just for a change, but for a much more serious disruption. A range of emerging technologies, including those which could enhance digitalization and automation of the industry as well as new materials, act as catalysts and accelerators for the disruption. The disruption of an industry brings huge opportunities for those who seize them. As is often the case when industries are disrupted, there will also be successful new entrants. These could leverage new technologies and typically also bring new organizational cultures and industry dynamics, new business models and new best-practices. In fact, some of the new entrants will no doubt come from other sectors – such as manufacturing; ‘Constructech’ start-ups, analogous to the fin techs and insurrections which are disrupting the financial and insurance industries. This also contributes to the disruption of construction and fills industry niches where they have competitive advantages. At the same time, the impacts of the emerging technologies also pose risks and threats for industry laggards who fumble the future,(Pistorius,2017). It is noted that new analysis shows IoT at it’s inflection point in product designing. (Wasserman, 2017) and Figure 5 shows major five big ideas those poise to disrupt construction (Mckinsey&company, 2017).
Conclusion
Similar lines on previous waves of technological progress, digitisation, as well as AI, big data, 3D printing, the internet of things, blockchain and advanced robotics brings monumental advantages to economy and society.To summarize, earlier authors have mentioned on construction engineering style, the planning quality of the complete construction project investment and progress with vital impact on quality construction.
Generally, in order to improve the overall quality of construction project, adoption of IoT, ICT, Big data, Automation, Standardization must have opted in the construction of technical and management information specifically Architecture, Engineering, Design, Technology.
Buyer (2017) analyzed various problems related to CI of India and quoted it in his article, “Construction in India, key trends and opportunities to 2021”. Hudson (2017) has predicted innovative aspects concerning to digital future for infrastructure industry. Kaplinski (2018) stressed on the importance of various issues in CM and the need for implementation of new instruments for the same.
Finally, the study in this paper is a compilation and is a part of an ongoing research, which will eventually attempt to further enhance the practices and implementations of the construction technology as one of the significant innovative construction collaboration- tools towards a greener construction industry.
Digitilization of the construction sector will considerably scale back risks and enhance bankability of construction comes, besides rising their viability and quality lifecycle. There’s a huge potential for players within the CI to spot solutions to remodel productivity and project delivery through new technologies just like the adoption of IoT, ICT, Big data, Automation and Standardization. These efforts present an overview of digitalization in CI,CT, CP, and CM. Digital technologies have huge latent to become a frontunner in promoting a secure, virtual and economically viable IT answer within the future. This can offer a stronger understanding of the digital technologies and pave the means for future research in this area. Lastly for the improvement and implementation of digitalization of construction projects both software and hardware are important, however, organization-ware and education-ware are more important.
References
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