What industry changes and trends have you implemented in 2021? How are they benefitting your business? Don’t be left behind!
This year has resulted in some significant advancements in how the construction industry is evolving, forcibly evolving in some cases due to the pandemic. What is clear is that the trajectory for innovation is a trend not likely to slow as we progress into 2022.
Construction Site Monitoring
As construction projects can be spread out geographically and involve many moving parts, site monitoring manually can become a challenge despite the need for regular inspection. This has led to many in the industry utilising technology to manage these processes. There has been a marked increase in monitoring and inspection techniques with the use of drone-based monitoring in combination with aspects like thermal sensoring.
Further, construction worker monitoring can be implemented through high-definition cameras and AI-based facial recognition techniques to improve productivity, security and safety. In the UK, there were 111 fatal injuries in the workplace between April 2019 and March 2020 that could have potentially been avoided through the use of automated technology as an alternative to avoid some tasks that are challenging and potentially unsafe (source: Socotek). Additionally, site monitoring can be managed through the use of robotics which enable the detection of faults and failures in the structures using embedded sensor technologies that can surpass the accuracy of manual inspection. All very valid reasons to consider the use of automated site monitoring.
Offsite Construction and Prefabrication
As an emerging construction industry trend, offsite construction allows design, manufacture and fabrication of building elements in a factory. The offsite construction market is expected to reach $235,467.6 million by 2030 (source: Allied Market Research)
As an example, the world watched intently as China completed construction on two emergency field hospitals in Wuhan in under two weeks to address the influx of patients from the coronavirus. Video of thousands of workers toiling around the clock was live-streamed on China Central Television. Huoshenshan Hospital, a 645,000 square foot, 2-story building on approximately 18.5 acres, was fully functional in just 10 days. (source: Insulation Outlook)
Additionally, weather conditions can also increase costs by introducing extra fees and labour costs in traditional on-site construction formats. Alternatively, offsite construction reduces the overall costs and large amounts of material waste and thereby increases sustainability, worker safety, and overall accuracy of output. By incorporating a range of innovative materials, 3D printing technology and efficient assembly, offsite construction can be game-changing for many builds.
Construction Project Management
Construction project management utilises cloud-based software to improve use of time which ultimately lowers cost and improves overall quality. Managers can also use these types of software to track expected and actual outcomes of every task and gather insights into possible bottlenecks. Also, managers can employ blockchain-based smart contracts to manage legal obligations and prevent financial fraud. Digital construction project management offers the ability to reduce waste, increase efficiency and ensures project deadlines are met.
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
Today, 3D printing is one of the best ways to turn your digital model into something real. Combined with BIM, you can create accurate scale models with a 3D printer. According to Forbes, the 3D printing industry generated over US$12 billion. (source: Archistar Academy)
Green and Sustainable Building
Given the COP26 summit this year, sustainability is going to be a key and continuing construction industry trend. Environmentally-friendly measures from pre-construction planning up to project closure, decommissioning and achieving net zero are at the forefront now. Green buildings are the future of the construction industry and start-ups are now developing new and clever solutions to support green construction in a sustainable way.
Buildings are responsible for almost 40% of global energy-related carbon emissions and 50% of all extracted materials. The building and construction sector’s demand on natural resources accelerates climate change, and inefficient buildings negatively impacts human health and wellbeing.
By 2030, efficient buildings will be an investment opportunity worth $24.7 trillion (source:buildingtocop.org).
How we are embracing innovation here at Krank
At Krank, we embrace the innovation movement – we know the value that automation can bring to the heavy equipment marketplace. Our platform allows you to utilise your network to leverage your buying or selling power. Krank offers the ability to connect and engage directly with buyers or sellers – for sales today and into the future.
So, why not try it out and see for yourself how Krank can support you.
