This article is part of a blog series on Construction 4.0 technologies, exploring how they are changing the way we do business in the construction industry. The technological revolution in the construction industry is now called Construction 4.0. It is all about connectivity. The aim is to improve the way we do business in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operation (AECO) industry.
BIM allows projects to be planned and scoped adequately to appropriately avoid inefficiencies and delays. This improves your decision making process, helping to cut down on waste, save time and money by reducing error, and increase the speed and quality of output.
Process automation using digital technologies brings higher quality results, and production is more consistent and efficient.
Constructing smart assets requires the use of technology to allow better and more efficient use of resources by creating comfortable, safe, and sustainable spaces. With the Internet of Things sensors rapidly producing data, management systems powered by artificial intelligence, can analyze the weather conditions collecting real-time information to minimize energy consumption whilst optimizing lighting and air conditioning systems. Technologies can also help avoid wasting water by installing sensors to manage the piping system. If you link decentralized devices and energy sources, such as solar panels and microgrids you can reduce power sources and waste to enhance energy delivery and efficiency.
For example, you can print entire homes in 3D with all types of different materials. Maine University’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) recently shared details on what it’s calling the world’s first 3D-printed home, entirely recyclable and made of bio-based materials all-natural wood fibers and friendly resins.
Automation reduces the number of accidents for workers in your organization. By using augmented and virtual reality you can reduce the dangers of hazardous site inspections, increase collaboration, and improve communication preventing casualties.
Building a digital twin and reviewing the design progress using VR, before construction starts, make the decision process easier and reduce the risk of costly reworks, decreasing financial and reputational risks to clients and contractors. Involving facility managers during the design stage may improve the efficiency of your construction and predict future maintenance programs reducing unforeseen malfunction during the use of the building.
Some barriers should be removed before construction 4.0 is embraced more widely.
A survey in the UK found that system integration issues, out-of-date devices, platforms that are not aligning processes across a company, and outdated software, explain most of the everyday challenges of the construction industry. This is prejudicial and causing a potential loss of income. The challenges the ten mos relevant responses to the survey are as follows in a decreasing scale:
Construction 4.0 will help reduce the repetitive and hazardous tasks found in the construction industry, replacing many traditional, skilled jobs. Trade staff will have to be re-trained to concentrate their effort on more rewarding and less dangerous jobs. The performances of the architects and engineers will be enhanced, so they can focus on more advantageous offsite technologies rather than onsite construction.
Construction 4.0 requires money upfront to invest in new digital technologies. This could be a barrier to construction companies, especially for the small ones as it could impair their possibilities to compete with the larger ones. New companies offering “technologies as a service”, to smaller companies unable to afford the initial investment, will appear on the market, to offset this hurdle.
Every new technology implementation requires that your staff learn new skills. You will have to train your workforce before you introduce digital modernization in your company. When the technology is in place you will have to coach them on how to use the new software and machines. You may also have to recruit new people or provide your existing workforce with education on BIM management and modeling. Universities and training providers will have to design new programs to respond to these new requirements.
Change resistance in the construction industry is a big barrier to implementing a construction 4.0 strategy, so you will have to distinctly spell out the benefits of the new processes you want to implement. You also should describe what is in it for your employees if you want them to adapt to the new improvements as a team.
2026 appears to be a great year for construction. Embrace the change and get more opportunities addressing the main worldwide requirements that are:
Re-inventing your portfolio offering may help you to respond to the new requirements in construction 4.0. Investment can be high in your diversification and involves risks such as the burden of debt so be careful in your venture. The improvements you should expect from the implementation of construction 4.0 are:
The technology appraisal report will help you to explore what investment is required to improve your projects’ productivity and collaboration as well as the ROI you can expect.
Implementing BIM can be daunting, but Driving Vision is here to help you at the pace you are comfortable with. Get started by getting in touch now
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