The construction industry is evolving rapidly, and new technologies are being introduced now and then to support the process. The need for timely completion of construction and engineering projects has elevated the innovation of cutting-edge technologies that modern and efficient.
Discover below some of the contemporary technologies that are rapidly changing the construction and engineering industry.
1. “Smart” Materials
Some materials used for construction and engineering differ heavily from the standard ones equipped with the basic functionality. These new-age materials are equipped with extra features that make them stand out and ensure efficiency.
Concrete, for example, has evolved from the basic features to being self-healing. Concrete is the most widely used material in the construction industry. It is cheap and broadly acceptable. However, it is susceptible to cracking and deterioration under pressure or stress like extreme cold and heat.
Previously, the only way to fix damaged concrete was to reinforce it, patch it, destroy it, and start from scratch. Fortunately, a new type of smart concrete is self-healing, has been introduced, thus eliminating the extreme measures taken to repair cracked concrete. The concrete mix is fixed with small capsules of sodium silicate if there is any damage, the capsules rupture and releases a healing agent that hardens to occupy the void.
Another cool technology that hit the construction industry is transparent aluminum. For a long time, chemical engineers tried to develop a material that infuses the durability and strength of metal with the crystal-clear feature of glass.
Transparent aluminum is already under application by the military for engineering armored optical lenses and windows.
2. “Smart” Tech
Technologies such as AI, digital twins, and 3D printing help human beings find efficient solutions to new challenges every day. Technology has become an essential part of the growth in the engineering and construction area.
Digital twins allow you to design and engineer something virtually to assess how everything comes together before using real-life resources to develop a final setup. The Internet of Things has made the concept of digital twins more affordable.
It uses algorithms and data to engineer a replica of the object to allow engineers to check for flaws. A digital twin provides engineering teams real-time data about how their project will perform under various circumstances.
Secondly, there is the Artificial Intelligence, which continues to be the fastest evolving technologies. Engineers will have to collaborate with AI to produce more efficient products. AI will change how engineers work, from natural language processing, automation, robotics, and much more.
Thirdly, Generative Design uses the AI software and cloud computing power to generate design solutions that are not as easy to come by as expected. Engineers can partner with generative design to come up with several high-tech products.
To start the generative design process, the engineer gives the algorithm design parameters. The software then explores all possible combinations and generates multiple design options.
Then the engineer picks the possibilities and explores the design solutions’ feasibility. Collaboration between a human mind and generative design helped redesign the inner partitions of the Airbus A320 Aircraft.
3. Safety Measures
Construction companies are implementing safety features for their workers while on site. The Internet of Things integrates various elements of the workplace, which ensure everyone is receiving real-time data. This means, with the aid of wearables, if one person is under distress or is about to encounter a hazardous situation, then other parties are alerted immediately. Safety gear is a precaution to maintain safety and health.
More practical safety measures inventions include traffic cones, road flares, and warning signs, among others. Traffic cones are functional devices placed around a workplace to alert oncoming people that there is a work in progress. They are also used on roads for the same purpose and more.
Road flares are critical parts of emergency kits that help is signaling oncoming drivers of a situation by the road. It is designed to withstand any weather, which makes it even perfect for night use.
Engineers conducting road instruction can use a road flare to mark the road, especially where construction is underway. Drivers who get stranded by the roadside use road flares to warn others, just as a precaution to avoid any accidents.
Bottom Line
The future of construction and engineering is almost inevitable with these cutting edge technology. Autonomous machines, IoT, among many other technological inventions, influences more growth in these sectors.
