{"id":41578,"date":"2018-12-30T17:46:47","date_gmt":"2018-12-30T17:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=41578"},"modified":"2022-10-19T15:11:38","modified_gmt":"2022-10-19T14:11:38","slug":"top-construction-trends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/planning-construction-news\/top-construction-trends\/41578\/","title":{"rendered":"Under the spotlight: Top construction trends"},"content":{"rendered":"

Technology is having a profound impact on the construction industry as it embraces innovative and disruptive technologies that were once thought to be science-fiction. Here we take a look at the trends shaping the industry and how companies are staying on top by adopting the latest cutting-edge techniques<\/h2>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Virtual Reality<\/h3>\n

Virtual reality was initially created as an instrument to make video games more immersive but, as the technology has developed, it\u2019s branched into several other sectors, namely that of the construction industry.<\/p>\n

\"construction\"<\/p>\n

VR is changing the way clients interact with a project<\/a>, making it easier to collaborate and communicate on all stages of a development. It can also be used to put trainee construction workers in realistic situations. VR allows the review process to become far more streamlined<\/a>, avoiding the issues related to traditional blueprint methods which can become time-consuming.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Augmented Reality<\/h3>\n

Augmented reality<\/a> is a live, duplicated view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented (or supplemented) by a computer-generated sensory input. Virtual reality replaces the real world with a simulated one, while augmented reality takes the real world and adds to it with \u2014 in the case of architecture \u2014 a 3D model of your design.<\/p>\n

AR in construction\u00a0and architecture projects involves placing a 3D model of a proposed design onto an existing space using mobile devices and 3D models.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Modular construction<\/h3>\n

Whilst modular construction<\/a> may not be entirely new to the industry, it is certainly experiencing a rise in popularity and gaining lots of media attention. This could be down to the fact that modular construction offers an affordable, sustainable and efficient construction solution<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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So, what is it? Modular buildings and modular homes are prefabricated buildings, or houses, that consist of multiple sections called modules. A modular building<\/a> is created offsite and transported to site once complete.<\/p>\n

Having already seen an impressive rise in popularity within the construction industry, it\u2019s fair to say modular construction has the potential to make a positive impact on the UK\u2019s on-going housing shortage in a timely and cost-effective way.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3D and 4D modelling<\/h3>\n

Today, building companies that wholly use 2D representations are relying on outdated methods. It\u2019s likely that 3D modelling<\/a> is the BIM we are most familiar with \u2013 3D models from BIM look like the world around us. They\u2019re transferrable. With data embedded in the model, they add a dimension present in the world that can\u2019t be achieved in 2D.<\/p>\n

\"construction\"<\/p>\n

However, 4D modelling is an upcoming term within the construction sector. In this context, 4D modelling refers to the fourth dimension of time. In simpler terms, 4D is a 3D model<\/a> that includes the construction schedule.<\/p>\n

4D adds a time dimension to a 3D CAD model, enabling teams to examine the structure of events on a timeline, to envisage the time it takes to complete tasks within the construction process.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Offsite<\/h3>\n

Offsite techniques<\/a> have been around for a while, but its ever-expanding adoption throughout the industry is creating much debate around its possibility of addressing some the housing shortage<\/a> issues.<\/p>\n

The benefits of offsite<\/a> techniques are clear, from reduced cost and time, to improved quality and health and safety standards. However, the difficulty at present is that there is no independent industry standard for assessing the benefits of offsite techniques against traditional construction practices.<\/p>\n

Perhaps in order to deliver enough homes for all, we need to fully embrace offsite methods!<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Drones\/UAVs<\/h3>\n

Drones are rapidly replacing traditional land-surveillance methods<\/a> and in turn changing the way the construction industry works. Drones offer several benefits on building sites: they allow builders an edge on their competition, help save time for land developers during site surveys, and assist the process of meeting safety standards. Not only can drones offer these advantages, but they are also now more affordable than ever!<\/p>\n

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Drones can also work exclusively with 3D modelling, reducing the amount of time taken to design, analyse and maintain a structure or implement changes.<\/p>\n

Whilst the potential for drones is vast, there are still some factors making people cautious about their imminent adoption. Despite this, drones are expected to be a major disruptor<\/a> within the sector and it is thought that early implementation of the technology will give forward-thinking companies a significant edge in a very competitive market.<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Green\/Sustainable construction<\/h3>\n

Sustainable construction<\/a> encompasses almost all levels of construction, from the design of buildings to the materials and technologies utilised, right down to the energy and resource efficiency of a building.<\/p>\n

\"construction\"<\/p>\n

An organisation that can truly consider all of these factors during construction and throughout a buildings entire life cycle not only becomes recognised as considerate<\/a> and forward-thinking but can also help benefit social and environmental challenges.<\/p>\n

The UK\u2019s zero carbon pledge by 2020 has meant sustainable homes<\/a> are growing in popularity. That being said, it\u2019s pretty obvious why so many more companies are considering and adopting a sustainable approach.<\/p>\n

8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3D printing<\/h3>\n

3D printing can play a massive role in reducing construction waste. It also increases efficiencies during the building process and allows materials to be reused at the end of the building\u2019s life, rather than ending up as landfill.<\/p>\n

\"construction\"<\/p>\n

Engineers at Arup CLS Architects created a concrete 3D printed house<\/a>, the first of its kind within the EU, which can be taken apart and reassembled elsewhere. A robot from\u00a0Cybe Construction<\/a>\u00a0was used to print the walls, while the roof, windows and doors were completed afterwards.\u00a0\u00a0A team from US architect\u00a0WATG Urban\u00a0also showcased the reach of this technology when they created a design for the world\u2019s first freeform 3D printed family home<\/a>.<\/p>\n

9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 BIM<\/h3>\n

BIM<\/a> is the process of creating and managing information digitally across a construction projects life-cycle. It is the digital description of absolutely every aspect of the built asset. BIM can offer so many advantages from smoother collaboration to a constant supply chain of information that can help assess the risks and vulnerabilities of a project.<\/p>\n

Despite the abundance of benefits BIM can bring to a project, its uptake is still somewhat stagnant with many in the industry failing to fully understand and appreciate its full range. Many critics have championed the need for a more collaborative construction industry and hailed BIM as the way forward.<\/p>\n

10.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Graphene<\/h3>\n

Graphene has a number of desirable elements that when combined help it become a ‘material of the future’. It’s the strongest, thinnest, lightest, conductive material ever discovered and it’s set to transform the world in which we live. But how is graphene making moves in construction<\/a>?\u00a0\"construction\"<\/p>\n

The potential applications of Graphene are heavily varied, though early research has suggested most rewards will be reaped within the electronics industry. From protective paints to spray-on-solar panels, self-cleaning concrete<\/a> and more durable steel<\/a>, the applications appear to be endless.<\/p>\n

Only time will tell with Graphene, but we expect the future is extremely bright for this wonder material!<\/p>\n

11.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Blockchain<\/h3>\n

A\u00a0blockchain is a continuously growing list of\u00a0records, called\u00a0blocks, which are linked and secured using\u00a0cryptography.\u00a0The discussion about the potential effect of the Blockchain<\/a> on the construction industry is becoming more intense as time goes by.\u00a0In some ways, it could greatly help construction and add more transparency throughout the supply chain.<\/p>\n

Blockchain could assist the resolution of construction disputes with the use of smart contracts<\/a>, it could also significantly optimise the BIM workflow<\/a> and promote collaboration, we also mustn’t forget the advantage of Bitcoin<\/a>, which could again boost collaboration and transparency.<\/p>\n

But the question remains as to whether the construction industry is ready for the Blockchain<\/a>…\u00a0It\u2019s no secret that the construction industry is somewhat hesitant when it comes to change.<\/p>\n