It’s important to stay ahead of the curve regarding how to use technology for construction projects. There is lots of tech out there, some better than others, depending on the size and scope of a construction project. As you become technology experts, many discover how it helps construction managers, contractors, and subcontractors build better, faster, safer, and greener.
Here is how to use technology for construction projects.
Detect Design Conflicts Early
Use building information modelling, or BIM, to create a comprehensive digital representation of your construction. Granting access improves coordination and communication between multiple disciplines. Detecting early conflicts and resolving these issues before you start the physical construction can also help.
Minimize Project Risks with AI
AI can detect patterns in data and observe job performance. It can analyze software, drawings, models, approvals, and other documents to identify cost risks, schedule risks and overall risks to a project.
Manage Your Construction Project
Construction software enables a project manager to oversee a construction project with real-time communications, automatically available progress updates, and a constant flow of information to analyze and examine.
Walk Through a Project with VR
Virtual reality is an upgrade over simple visualization. With VR, you can walk through the entirety of a construction project. This gives clients, designers, and builders a chance to see how progress is coming along. These stakeholders can offer input or request changes if something needs to be corrected.
3D Print Your Materials and Components
3D printing machinery parts, tools, materials, and replacement components for heavy equipment saves time and money. Materials can be printed on-site or off-site and transported to where they are required for fast, accurate assembly.
Green Design and Technology
More companies are examining tech as a possible answer to how to erect greener buildings and how to operate more cleanly. New equipment, materials, and processes are implemented almost annually to reduce carbon emissions and on-site waste production.
Automate with AI
AI can automate so much in construction: detect and manage safety risks, monitor construction schedules and flag delays, interpret data from sensors and automated processes, and more. AI can also manage much of the admin involved in construction management software, helping to evaluate and predict project needs related to costs, materials, and schedules.
Track Costs with Accounting Software
Monitor the costs and expenditures of a construction project with accounting software at the helm. As projects shift and spending either has to be cut or adjusted, this software may be your best asset for understanding where pivots can occur in your budget.
Exploring the Multi-Purpose Dynamics of Robotics
Construction robots can complete site mapping, inspection, material delivery, certain component installation, and more. Especially with site inspections, robotics can detect fire and smoke levels, recognize faces, issue slip and fall alerts, and more. As this tech area is still developing and most robotics are uni-task, expect more development in this category.
Monitor and Document Progress
Monitor and document progress on a construction project in real-time with drones, video cameras, and AI-captured work. Receive comprehensive visual data that promotes transparency while detecting safety issues, quality control alerts, and more.
Using AR for Site Safety Assessments
Augmented reality in construction overlays 3D models on top of real-world images. This works wonders in safety inspections and quality control as it allows you to detect errors and hazards in construction automatically. This reduces mistakes on-site and ensures corrections are made quickly.
Seamless Communication On-Site
More companies are outfitting workers with smartphones and team collaboration apps linked to equipment, machinery, and management to communicate as needed about site progress. It’s never been easier to delegate tasks, check in on tasks remotely, and manage all aspects of construction work.
Tap Into Cloud Storage Services
Store data in cloud storage. This ensures collaboration is always accessible. Share documents and ensure all stakeholders can work cohesively with data regardless of where they access it.
Use IoT For Predictive Analysis of Equipment
IoT, or the Internet of Things, uses sensors and software to create a network that gathers and exchanges data. In construction, IoT is often used on equipment, i.e. detecting and flagging equipment requiring maintenance, inspections, and repairs. It can predict when servicing is needed before a breakdown occurs.
Dig Deep Into Your Analytics
With so much data produced in a construction project, you can dig into the data and see an accurate representation of how construction is going. Identify strengths and weaknesses, what needs to be improved, and what opportunities exist to complete tasks more safely and efficiently. Especially with cloud storage, you can pull data from multiple data sources and use software to organize, analyze, and produce reports and recommendations.
