Guide to smarter construction: Three key trends transforming the Industry in 2021

Changing the way we work: Measures across Asia-Pacific economies to slow the spread of the pandemic meant a rapid reduction in staff working on building sites and in contractor and consultant offices, resulting in an acceleration in the rate of digital transformation.

Smart sensors are being used in building systems and infrastructure assets to enable remote monitoring of performance. These, coupled with data integration platforms, give real-time insights 24/7 from anywhere.

Drones have been used for spatial surveys and asset mapping before the pandemic; last year saw a new emphasis on remote surveying for more detailed and specific applications, such as progress reporting and workplace safety monitoring.

People with skills to manage and operate telematics, drones, digital modelling, the streams of data generated by IoT, virtual inspection tools and digitised safety reporting, are now in demand. Without them, all that information will be next to useless as builders won’t be able to apply those insights to improve performance and productivity.

Automation and AI: In Asia, the uptake and installation of process robotics have reached record levels, with two-thirds installed in factories across Asia. On commercial and residential building sites, the impact of robotics and automation will be seen more immediately in supply chains, for example, automated equipment used for manufacturing materials and components. Such robots will soon be tackling jobs like materials handling, welding and small parts assembly.

Another type of robotic technology whose role in design, delivery, compliance and asset operation will become increasingly pervasive is AI. AI can assess plans at light-speed against the hundreds of standards and compliance requirements in the building code. The computational design generated by AI can be then analysed by more AI. The resulting analysis can help generate accurate costings, procurement plans, programming and more effective management of milestones, progress payments, safety reporting and quality verification.

Digital twins: A digital twin integrates multiple technologies, such as advanced Building Information Modelling, IoT, AI, machine learning, spatial technologies, virtual reality and augmented information management, all stored in the cloud.

One company that has adopted such a technology is Gammon Construction in Hong Kong, thus offering real-time visibility of pours, curing rates and productivity. This has enabled the company to strike its pours 38% faster, and saved over 110 tons of concrete waste.

Optimising construction outcomes in terms of quality, safety, and financials is the ultimate benefit of digital transformation. Paper forms, Excel spreadsheets, cluttered email inboxes, and voicemails won’t get us there. Change and progress start from the ground up, and what’s needed is a sound toolkit of digital productivity, project management and business management systems. What’s needed is a transformation in smarter construction.

Talk to Procore today about how we can help you face the changes ahead or visit: https://proco.re/3ydkJW4 to find out more about how to build smarter.