Construction is an industry that is rarely affected by the economic crisis. There was a shortage of construction materials after covid-19, leading to an increase in the price for them. The war in Ukraine didn’t help either, causing materials to continue to increase, especially with the price of gas increasing.
Construction is an industry that is constantly demanded, no matter what the current economic crisis is. Furthermore, it is constantly improving with modern technology advancing and elevating efficiency on site.
Technology is more advanced than ever, including on construction sites. Let’s take a look at modern technology and how it helps the efficiency of the industry, as well as making managing workload easier.
Improving Materials and Current Methods
Science has helped us develop materials that are much more durable compared to the previous materials used. This includes adapting to modern demands of being more sustainable and using recycled concrete and other eco-friendly materials to make the industry more sustainable. Carbon fiber is one of those materials that is commonly used on a construction site.
3D printing has also been common use in the construction industry. Modern companies are using 3D printers for materials in complicated projects that can’t use natural materials.
Transforming Construction Sites
Technology is improving the efficiency of your construction by using drones. They also help improve the health and safety of the construction by precise surveying in areas that a construction worker cannot get to.
Technology has also made it easier to track the materials that are used on the construction site. Again, this improves the efficiency on-site as they understand the materials and how many materials they need to order before they run out.
Additionally, technology is improving communication on-site, especially underground construction sites. Mobile devices and laptops can use 5G networks to communicate with site and project managers.
Health and Safety Has Also Improved
Technology has improved the health and safety on construction sites as well. Again, drones are great because it makes watching drones on the construction site easier. Cameras are attached to the machinery that is used. That allows people to identify any health and safety issues and if one does occur, they can find who is at fault for the accident. Additionally, you can improve health and safety precautions using footage from drones and cameras.
PPE has also improved thanks to technology as health and safety glasses can use special lenses to protect their eyes. Furthermore, there are gloves which cannot be cut through as easily as other gloves that have been used in the past.
Technology has also improved the health and safety of construction plant hire vehicles. The more technology improves, the more health and safety improves.
Artificial Intelligence
Many industries are benefiting from the use of AI and the construction industry is one of those. For example, vehicles and machinery no longer require a driver at the wheel if not required. However, it is still common for construction workers to drive a vehicle. Nevertheless, you can get driverless cranes if the job doesn’t require a large crane to be driven.
As projects are analysed in more depth, artificial intelligence can improve the analytical side of things. Furthermore, it can also predict your analytics and what is expected to happen with the job. Some machine learning programmes can predict when you need to order more materials during the job.
Artificial intelligence doesn’t just improve your analytical side but also helps with site safety. It can also create a more accurate work plan for the project. Again, helping to improve efficiency on the job whilst reducing the overall project cost.
Although many people have issues with AI in different industries, it does seem to help construction work more efficiently and improve health and safety. However, people are worried that it could reduce the need for vehicle drivers and other areas on construction sites.
Simulations That Predict The Outcome
Another area in which technology has improved the industry is predicting the final product. 10+ years ago, architects and interior designers were required to have 2D and 3D expectations of what the project would look like. Now, we can use technology to improve these drawings and create a more realistic expectation of the project.
That doesn’t just improve the expectations of the client either. If a building is currently being developed, offering new apartments, technology can create a virtual tour of the room and then put this onto a website. That will then attract people to enquire about the newly built apartment before they have been completed.
Summary
Technology has improved the industry massively, resulting in workloads being more efficient. Despite improving the industry, there are concerns about people’s jobs. It has been a worry for many industries as technology continues to improve. Nevertheless, when one door closes, another door opens. It means construction workers will need to learn different skill sets from what they have previously been learning in their careers.
