Technological Advancements In Construction That Everyone’s Talking About

– Contributed content –

2 August 2017. The construction industry conjures up images of numerous checkered shirt builders wearing hard hats and venturing up scaffolding day in, day out in an effort to build housing complexes and architectural delights. We rarely consider the technological advancements that have enabled the industry to become one of the fastest growing sectors, with the demand for new housing growing in line with our increasing populations. Technology has allowed construction to evolve and attract some of the best graduates into managerial positions. Take a look at the advancements making their mark in the construction sector in 2017.

(Powie, Pixabay)

Drones

Many industries have been enhanced by the rise of drones, and the construction sector is no different. With cameras attached to their frames, drones can now map out potential sites that are ripe for development as well as carrying out routine surveying work. Unlike a human that cannot venture into areas that are too cramped or deemed to be unsafe, the drone can access these areas with ease making construction plans and blueprints more accurate and detailed.

(Bored, Pixabay)

Scientifically advanced concrete

Concrete can be the bane of many a construction worker’s life with its tendency to crack, dry unevenly and absorb too much water. Researchers have come up with an ingenious way of inserting a special type of bacteria within concrete that will produce limestone if it takes on too much water, therefore, sealing a crack before it fully takes hold. This will make for stronger foundations and a more solid support to steel joists and other materials that may be inserted into the concrete.

(Billpixel, Pixabay)

Technologically advanced tools

We have all seen the robotic arms speedily constructing a car within manufacturing plants across the globe, and while the construction industry hasn’t witnessed an advancement on quite such a grand scale, it has seen many new tools come onto the market to make certain construction jobs easier and less time consuming. A CNC plasma cutter enables the user to cut through piping, steel, and metals with less effort and greater accuracy than any other cutting device. Controlled via a computer, the machine follows the instructions that are programmed into it which leads to no instances of human error.

(Psaudio, Pixabay)

New house building ideas

If you have a friend of a friend who has embarked upon a self-build, the chances are that they will have considered the new way of building a home: modular construction. This entails submitting your architectural plans to a specialist company to fully construct your home in sections off-site. These section are then transported to your site to be pieced together like a jigsaw.

The building itself, when completed, looks no different to a traditionally built property, yet it’s built with less wastage, transport costs and in a faster time, leading to huge efficiency savings. The minimized transportation requirements also lead to a reduced carbon footprint, boosting your project’s eco-credentials.

(HelloOlly, Pixabay)

Internet of things

With the emergence of smartphones and connectivity, it was only a matter of time before the construction sector spotted an opportunity to get in on the act. The potential occupier is now at the forefront of the architect, interior designer, and construction workers minds. Technology that can make lives easier is hugely appealing to any potential house buyer. By linking technologies within the home to a smartphone, control is placed firmly in the homeowner’s hands. They can control their heating, change channels on the TV, grab a recipe from an intuitive kitchen counter top and set the air con all from their handset. The emergence of intelligent homes is developing rapidly and looks set to be a key technology trend in the years to come.

3D printing

Once the realm of designers and creative folk, 3D printers are now becoming a more prominent feature in the realm of construction. Still in the embryonic stage of research, they are being utilized to construct buildings from the ground up. Specialist firms experimenting with 3D printers are using carbon-fibre based polymers to print full sized habitable buildings. While rare at the moment, 3D printers could become a permanent fixture on construction sites in the future. One day every home may be printed rather than built.

The world of construction is more dynamic than ever with technological advancements to drive industry growth becoming more enhanced year on year. The construction sector is developing rapidly, and by utilizing these innovations, costs can be kept down while, at the same time, effort and time wastage can be reduced. The future of the construction industry is bright.

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