The new digital and virtual age for construction

1 Introduction
2 Digitalisation is here to stay
3 New toys to play with
4 Drivers of digital adoption
5 A future of better communicators
6 A light at the end of the tunnel
7 Related articles on Designing Buildings

[edit] Introduction

Despite the strong start in 2022, the construction industry faced strong and persistent headwinds last year. Labour shortages, unprecedented material prices and crippling supply chain issues, all underpinned by rising inflation, led to the industry experiencing the highest level of insolvencies across all UK industry sectors (17%), with so far a similar story in 2023.

The outlook for the sector continues to cause concern, at least in the short- term, but there are also reasons to be optimistic. Innovation, in particular the uptake of advanced digital technologies, continues to offer a light at the end of the tunnel, offering solutions to many of the challenges facing the construction sector. As such, the digitalisation of construction continues to be a major trend in 2023, and will continue beyond.

Innovations like computer aided designs (CAD) and building information modelling (BIM) are becoming the norm across a range of verticals within the construction industry, from residential properties to large infrastructure and mission-critical projects. Construction is going digital, and to support it, designers, engineers and construction workers are routinely using technologies like augmented reality (AR) and LiDAR to manage projects and build more efficiently. There continues to be greater integration of digital solutions into contemporary construction methods and growing adoption of budding technologies.

[edit] Digitalisation is here to stay

The growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of things (IoT) have taken building methods to new heights. Stemming from the backbone of BIM, an expanding web of computerised surveying techniques and design methods is allowing construction professionals to streamline project workflows and collaborate like never before.

In fact, according to figures from a survey by Dodge Construction Network, half of the respondents now use BIM on 50% or more of their projects. BIM is one of the most influential trends in construction today and is working alongside newer technologies like computer vision (CV) that can process visual data and use AI to monitor construction progress, inform planning decisions and even analyse productivity.

The point here is that we are seeing increasingly innovative ways of embedding digital technology into modern building methods. The synergy between software in the office and tools used by construction workers onsite is set to flourish in years to come. Thanks to the growing power of AI and IoT, smart devices in the field are being seamlessly linked to cloud platforms and CAD software to improve collaboration.

We are in the heart of the ‘fourth industrial revolution’, and digital technologies will equip construction professionals to protect a brittle industry from the far- reaching impacts of issues like rising energy prices.

[edit] New toys to play with

Looking at some newer digital innovations, digital twins are a state-of-the-art technology that have continued to expand in 2023. Syncing up with powerful AI, smart sensors can now generate virtual models in real time that learn from real- world sources and automatically update to register any changes in physical structures. These digital copies are supercharging BIM and CAD, creating a living, breathing model that keeps different teams working on projects informed and in sync. We are even seeing this technology used in collaborative projects across Ukraine to build digital twins of entire cities.

In parallel, construction is adopting telematics to monitor and report on assets, ensuring they operate at maximum efficiency. Similarly, improved 3D scanning technology and CV are automating tasks like quality control and process optimisation, lightening the load on workers and reducing instances of human error.

AR is another stand-out innovation I think we will see more of in years to come as it allows field engineers to build with greater accuracy and agility. Construction AR lets workers prevent mistakes by visualising holograms of 3D design models and comparing them against physical structures in real time to identify inaccuracies. Using the latest engineering grade AR, which only XYZ Reality can provide, field engineers can perform inspections to build within 3-5 millimetre precision.

To support the uptake in digital adoption, advanced robotics are also stepping into the spotlight, utilising the array of AI-driven software now available. Drones with high-powered RBG and infrared cameras are being used for surveying, while other programmable robots are autonomously carrying out repetitive tasks. As the industry becomes more automated, the adoption of robotics in 2023 and beyond will help to minimise the effects of the troubling labour shortage.

[edit] Drivers of digital adoption

The growing pool of digital technologies in construction creates greater visibility across projects and reduces instances of reactive, energy-intensive rework (redoing work due to errors). Tools like AR-enabled headsets are boosting productivity on construction sites, by as much as 40% in some cases.

In construction, profit margins are tight and carbon emissions are high. It is crucial contractors utilise emerging digital technologies to increase efficiency and bridge communication gaps between workers in the field and office to eliminate miscommunication, errors and costly delays. This link between teams is a huge step in revolutionising construction. It allows teams to tackle issues in the moment by drawing on valuable information and data available at the tap of a screen.

According to the World Built Environment Forum, over 70% of construction specialists agree digital transformation in construction is a top priority. ConTech’s evolution is gaining momentum, and even relatively advanced monitoring methods, such as laser scanning, are being trumped by new technologies like digital twins and AR.

[edit] A future of better communicators

The ability to digitise information has transformed construction. Computerised information is more accurate, easier to readily distribute, and can be kept safely in data clouds. Big data is proving more and more valuable as information, such as material and operational energy costs, has become crucial to identify inefficiencies and improving building methods.

Ultimately, greater transparency across projects helps deliver high-quality builds with greater accuracy and lower risks by eliminating rework, and these benefits will be a core focus in developing current and new technology in the near future. Using AI-supported software and IoT-enabled devices, construction professionals can now produce a digital red thread throughout projects, helping facilitate a joined-up approach to work between designers, contractors, engineers and even clients.

To give a real-world example that will continue to provide value in 2023, cloud-based platforms working in tandem with AR create a direct link to BIM software so design updates can be mapped to holographic renders in real-time.

[edit] A light at the end of the tunnel

The latest digital technologies and advances in robotics empower contractors to build more accurately and sustainably with superhuman efficiency for lower costs, and further enhancements keep coming.

Investment in construction technology more than doubled from 2009 to 2019, and I anticipate there will be more to come down the track. The trend for growth in ConTech across the industry is clear as day and the potential of emerging digital innovations is erupting.

We live in a digital age where contemporary construction’s most valuable asset is data, and digital innovations are helping to create more transparency whilst making it more accessible. It is an exciting time for the sector, and top contractors must keep an eye out for the latest tech coming down the track if they want to go for gold as we race through towards the end of 2023.

This article appears in the AT Journal Spring issue 145 as "A new digital age for construction: what to expect in 2023" and as written by David Mitchell, Chief Executive, XYZ Reality.

--CIAT