Traditionally, building something can be a long and tedious process that involves plenty of planning, preparation and effort from numerous parties involved.
In this age of technology, the construction industry is still playing catch-up. It used to be a luxury for general contractors, until today where it has become a necessity.
The UK construction industry has long faced the challenge of poor connectivity. The lack of access to reliable internet services is one reason why so many businesses across Great Britain still can't fully embrace ‘digital adoption.
This applies not only to machinery and equipment but also to communication networks. Construction site wifi solutions are now considered an important part of the construction process because of some major network issues faced by companies.
The ongoing market competition between construction industries is playing an important role in influencing trends that would shape the future of the construction industry. Here are 7 top ongoing construction market trends of 2021 that would bring advancement soon to construction industries.
Industrial dominance through Augmented reality, 3D printing and robotics
Industrial robots have been around for decades, but advances in technology and software allow manufacturers to perform more complicated work than ever before. The next generation of intelligent robots will be able to better sense, perceive and interact with their environment.
Advances in rapid prototyping and 3D printing technology will allow for mass customization of building components, which would cut down the need for off-site construction or stockpiles of materials.
In addition to that, having a full-scale replica of a component's shape and size might help construction workers visualize projects before they start.
Building an Internet of construction
The construction industry is already very much reliant on the internet, but it's not always easy to connect all the different players. Smartphone technology will be integrated into building components and services through the "Internet of Things".
This means that infrastructure could communicate directly with people who need them or with other connected devices. The technology will allow for faster creation of a real-time, 3D map of a building site, as well as the ability to visualize potential problems and find solutions before going ahead with a project.
Reuse and regeneration
Rather than build from scratch or demolish buildings that are in disrepair, there could be a third option. 3D printing technology is allowing for the creation of new materials that can be used to make pieces similar to those already existing on-site.
It's easy to imagine how this would work with buildings constructed out of wood or masonry, but fabricated steel structures might benefit from using recycled material to print components.
Revolutionary construction methodologies
How products are manufactured is changing. Rather than mass-producing identical items, manufacturers will be able to use software to customize products to suit their buyer's needs exactly.
This will take the form of "mass customization" in which workers at a construction site will be able to download and use a design file that would allow them to manufacture building components or infrastructure, such as roads or sidewalks.
Alternative building materials
Instead of using concrete, wood or steel, builders might look for alternative ways of constructing buildings. Some companies are already experimenting with material that can be made to create living spaces in remote areas where no other type of shelter exists. Another revolutionary idea is to use drones that can print buildings in the sky.
Virtual reality and augmented reality
3D printing and advanced planning could also make building components and infrastructure easier to manipulate. Currently, construction companies rely on 2D drawings and other types of plans that make it difficult for them to visualize projects before they start.
The use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will allow builders to interact with full-scale models: They can see what a finished project will look like before the first piece of the steel beam is put into place.
Use of Robotics
Robots are already used in the building industry, but they're mainly limited to very specific tasks. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation will allow robots to do activities such as delivering materials to sites, bricklaying and masonry, and controlling autonomous vehicles.
Conclusion
The world has gone digital and society increasingly depends on online platforms that allow each individual within a project team to manage their tasks in real-time. This is one of the many trends of 2021 in the construction industry.
The construction industry is changing rapidly, and there are so many advances on the horizon. As you’ve read about here, these changes will affect everything from how we live to our sources of energy. So, it's important to stay up to date on the latest trends and innovations.
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