The Construction 4.0 is the E&C’s version of Industry 4.0, a move towards greater digital transformation. It entails virtual reality, 3D printing, automation, prefabrication, sensors, drones, robots for dangerous and repeatable processes, and voluminous amounts of data.
Construction organizations continue to depend on heavy machinery, manual labor, and an outdated model that has remained unchanged in the last few decades.
3D printing and additive manufacturing are transforming logistics in the construction industry, influencing many areas, such as sourcing, production, and procurement strategies for vendor relationships. 3D printing has its own pain points that go beyond the equipment purchase. One key consideration is which items are well-suited for 3D printing – deciding which items are not ideal for printing and which parts are actually more affordable to purchase outright.
Another major hurdle is IP and licensing. Procurement professionals will have to spend some time negotiating IP deals with vendors, ones having the ownership to print a particular part.
Computer-aided design technologies were introduced back in the 1980s. Since then, building information modeling (BIM) has come out as a collaborative building design methodology that digitally simulates a project in real-time, integrating the relevant processes and enabling information flow between manufacturers and designers.
BIM has been critical of the digitalization of the construction industry and its transition to a 4.0 model. Examples include the simulation of energy consumption before the actual operation of the building, integration of an augmented reality model, and an efficient information flow during the construction process. Experts call for the need to use BIM for existing buildings as BIMization.
The biggest challenge BIM faces is a complete implementation in all phases – from design to operation. To learn more about it, send us a message.
Virtual reality comprises systems that rely on a computer-generated scenario for simulating interactions between a virtual environment and users in real-time. Virtual reality (VR) can minimize the risks construction professionals are exposed to, optimize procedures and detect danger zones.
Meanwhile, augmented reality is utilized in maintenance, repair work, and architecture. This technology can merge activities and enable the efficient transmission of information, so construction professionals can modify the analysis and receive instructions in real-time. This makes it well-suited for specific tasks, such as identifying elements of areas and elements in need of maintenance, related to facility management in buildings.
Here is a list of some of the emerging trends in Construction 4.0.
Are you looking to embrace these technologies for your construction firm? Get in touch with us for a state-of-the-art digital construction strategy. We provide user-friendly and effective civil construction software that can take your ROI to the next level.
