A look at the world of Construction Technology – by Arnie Gess, publisher of Construction Links Network

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Technology is transforming every aspect of the construction industry, from design and planning to project management and execution. As new tools and techniques continue to emerge, it’s more important than ever for professionals in the field to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations. This blog series offers in-depth coverage of the most important developments in construction technology. Whether you’re interested in the latest software platforms, the newest building materials, or the cutting-edge research shaping the future of the industry, you’ll find it all here.

This guide discusses in detail best practices for estimating project costs, managing budgets, tracking commitment spending, and reporting on project health from the owner’s perspective to master capital cost management. The key to successful project cost controls begins with having clearly defined systems and processes in place. Establishing clear standard operating procedures allows teams to handle changes swiftly, results in fewer disputes, and increases the likelihood of completing the project on time and under budget. Learn more and download the guide.

The construction industry in Alberta is a vital contributor to the provincial economy, employing a significant workforce and generating substantial economic activity. Recognizing the importance of this sector and the need for skilled professionals to develop critical infrastructure, affordable housing, and essential facilities, the Government of Canada, through Member of Parliament George Chahal, announced an investment of over $2.5 million. This investment supports the establishment of the Alternative Construction Technologies Centre at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). The Alternative Construction Technologies Centre is designed to foster innovation by bringing together various fields, including manufacturing, automation, robotics, material science, and construction.

Syncron has recently partnered with the Wacker Neuson Group, a construction equipment and compact machine manufacturer, to implement Syncron Price for automating spare parts pricing and interfacing with ERP systems. This move addresses the challenge of transitioning from manual to automated pricing processes. Wacker Neuson Group manually processes around 7,000 new spare parts and 210,000 price changes annually. With Syncron Price, they aim to achieve market-oriented pricing with increased automation. Syncron Price is an intelligent pricing platform that leverages historical and current data to inform pricing decisions and categorize parts as they enter the supply chain.

In this video, discover how the advanced drone technology from the VDC team at Maple Reinders Construction is revolutionizing thermal inspections. Watch as their drone effortlessly detects temperature variations, uncovering hidden issues and ensuring top-notch precision at the Zeton Plant in Oakville, Ontario.

Architects John Lin Chun-han and Lidia Ratoi, from the University of Hong Kong (HKU), initiated a project called “The Traditional House of the Future” in Nanlong village, Guizhou province, China. This project aims to revitalize the village, which has many abandoned wooden houses. The architects combined their expertise, one in rural architecture and the other in robotic fabrication and material sustainability, to create an adaptive reuse experiment. They selected a traditional house built with local timber and without steel fastenings for the experiment. They disassembled it and rebuilt it on-site with 3D-printed concrete additions. The project involved local carpenters and 3D printing using robotic arms.

A startup co-founded by Carlo Ratti aims to enhance sustainable timber architecture by reducing waste in the manufacturing of cross-laminated timber (CLT) using AI technology. Named “AI Timber,” the innovation maintains the natural shapes of trees instead of converting them into uniform straight lines during CLT production. AI Timber combines artificial intelligence and digital tools to scan raw timber logs and then saw them into irregular boards that fit their size. Software determines the best sequence to assemble them, minimizing waste. Maestro’s AI Timber can produce 1 cubic meter (35 cubic ft) of CLT from only 1.9 cubic meters (67 cubic ft) of logs, as opposed to the usual 2.75 cubic meters (97 cubic ft) required. The startup continues to optimize this process.

The construction industry in the United States is a significant contributor to the nation’s economy, constituting over 4.3% of the GDP as of 2022, with a market size of around $2.8 trillion. However, construction companies often face complex accounting challenges, including cost classification, expense tracking, and compliance with regulations. IBN Technologies, a leader in outsourcing bookkeeping and accounting services, has emerged as a strategic partner to help construction companies navigate these financial complexities. They focus on precision and adaptability, aiming to liberate companies from financial burdens. This includes accurate expense tracking, handling high transaction volumes, and maintaining compliance with laws.

Dubai Municipality’s key entity, Dubai Central Laboratory, has introduced AI robots for testing construction materials in Dubai. These robots utilize X-ray technology to conduct chemical analyses of construction materials and cement products. The services are integrated into a smart platform, allowing customers to quickly access inspection reports through smartphones and other devices, thereby enhancing the quality of construction testing services according to international standards. Hind Mahmoud Ahmed, Acting Director of the Dubai Central Laboratory Department, mentioned that these AI robots have dramatically reduced testing time from 4 days to just 8 minutes and increased the sample examination rate by 650% compared to previous methods. This efficiency will aid in expediting laboratory results for consulting and contracting sectors, ensuring projects stay on schedule.

The BioMatters team at the University of Michigan has created a groundbreaking, environmentally friendly solution for the construction industry by developing a fully biodegradable, reusable, and recyclable material to replace traditional concrete formwork. This innovative material is derived from upcycled sawdust, effectively repurposing millions of tons of sawdust waste generated annually from tree cutting, which would typically contribute to environmental pollution when burned or discarded in landfills. Unlike other sawdust-based alternatives that use petroleum-based polymers, this solution employs biopolymers that are entirely decomposable. The process involves robotic 3D printing of the wood-based material, combined with incremental set-on-demand concrete casting, creating zero-waste freeform concrete structures. Once the concrete sets, the formwork is removed and fully recycled by grinding and rehydrating the material with water, resulting in an almost zero-waste formwork solution.

Breheny Civil Engineering is embracing digitalization with the FlowForma Process Automation tool, provided by FlowForma®, a leading enterprise-class process automation tool for Microsoft 365®. As a prominent civil engineering firm handling diverse projects in highly regulated sectors like highways, marine, utilities, and environmental, they sought an end-to-end automation solution. Leveraging their existing SharePoint environment, they chose FlowForma for its ease of integration and no-code capabilities. The tool streamlines forms, workflows, and document generation, making it favored among construction firms. Breheny has already automated processes like ‘Site Checklists,’ ‘Site Audits,’ and ‘Plant Inspections,’ with plans for more. Additionally, they utilize FlowForma’s Construction Process Accelerator for ready-to-use templates. The mobile app enhances collaboration, aiding offsite work. This strategic move aims to enhance efficiency, visibility, and compliance, aligning with the construction industry’s drive for innovation and resilience.

FARO, a leading provider of 3D measurement and imaging solutions, is excited to introduce its inaugural Signals Conference, scheduled for October 12-13, 2023, at the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort in Chicago. This event aims to educate attendees on the transformative potential of reality capture technology in enhancing construction and facilities management processes. The conference offers hands-on experiences in the Oracle Innovation Lab, opportunities for networking and workshops, and a platform for industry leaders to explore digital management of building lifecycles.

Archer Western and E.R. Snell’s joint venture has signed an agreement to integrate CLUE, a prominent equipment management software provider, into their $686 million I-285/I-20 East Interchange Project in Georgia. This initiative aims to alleviate one of the country’s most notorious traffic bottlenecks, enhancing overall regional travel efficiency. By leveraging CLUE’s advanced capabilities, the joint venture intends to set new standards for efficiency and sustainability in large-scale infrastructure projects. Greg Munna, the Project Manager, emphasizes CLUE’s indispensable role in managing this complex project, highlighting its real-time tracking and resource management functions. Beyond asset management, CLUE offers comprehensive solutions for strategic decision-making, further enhancing the project’s efficiency and addressing potential challenges. This strategic utilization of technology underscores Archer Western and E.R. Snell’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and value generation for Georgia’s residents and taxpayers.

necoTECH, a sustainable infrastructure startup, was recognized as one of the World’s Top 50 Startups at the WorldFestival event in Silicon Valley. They specialize in sustainable infrastructure solutions for the Department of Defense, focusing on decarbonization, waste reduction, and automation. This accolade, part of the WorldFestival Startup Awards Program, acknowledges their commitment to innovation. The firm, led by Founder & CEO Steve Flaherty, leverages automation and data-driven decision-making for pavement maintenance, aiming to create a more efficient, sustainable future. Their influential collaborators include the Department of Defense, NASA, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Air Force Research Laboratory.