Insights and Advice for Enabling More Efficient and Sustainable Construction

Understanding The Power Of Digital Construction

29 July, 2024
14 mins read
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The human race is currently experiencing the greatest period of transformation since the introduction of machine manufacturing in the 18th century. Driven by disruptive technologies and trends, this new era—known as the fourth industrial revolution—is impacting every aspect of the world. As a result, many industries have begun to harness digital solutions designed to give them a competitive edge.

Although the adoption of digital technology in construction has been slower when compared to industries like manufacturing and logistics, the amount invested between 2020 and 2022 was still 85% higher than in the preceding three years. The reasons for this lag in investment include cost, complexity, and effort, but—in an industry notorious for running over time and budget—industry leaders are now realizing the benefits of digital transformation in a big way.

Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about digital construction!

What is Digital Construction?

Digital construction involves applying digital technology to the design, planning, construction, and management processes. It incorporates a wide range of tools to automate tasks, improve communication, and enhance construction quality.

Digital construction takes on many forms, including:

  • Simple messaging, collaboration, and document management systems
  • Cloud-based construction enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions
  • Leading-edge software like 5D BIM (Building Information Modeling)
  • Robotics and 3D printing technology
  • Artificial intelligence (AI), drones, and digital twins

With project complexity and competition for work increasing hand in hand, adopting digital technology in construction provides a competitive advantage. It streamlines many design and construction processes that impact project schedules, budgets, and compliance while also improving communication and collaboration between clients, engineers, architects, and contractors.

The Key to Implementing Effective Digital Change

By collating data into one environment and making it accessible to all stakeholders across a project and business, digital construction empowers organizations with software designed to simulate events and test scenarios that will, and could, occur over the duration of a build. Digitizing and modelling a project in tandem with its physical construction not only enables transparent construction project collaboration but also improves decision-making and proactive change management.

For example, if a client decides to alter the design of a facade midway through a project, digital construction analysis allows you to anticipate the impact this change will have on the overall design, cost, and timing of the build. This provides you and your client with invaluable insights, in real time.

Benefits of Digital Construction

Benefits Of Digital Construction
Benefits Of Digital Construction

The shift towards construction digitization is owed to the many improvements in computer software and technology over the past two decades, and their direct applicability to the construction industry. Let’s explore some other benefits below!

Increased business efficiency at a lower cost

Construction costs have increased by over 40% since 2020, with everything from labor and materials to machinery and equipment experiencing ongoing cost increases. Digital construction methods help to offset these costs by improving productivity, automating resource planning, and reducing costly errors and waste. These efficiencies also allow construction project teams and contractors to take on more business in the same time span.

Better communication and collaboration

Most contractors, designers, and clients have already experienced how collaboration can lead directly to innovation, reduced confusion, and improved teamwork and morale. It should come as no surprise that the latest digital construction trends have steered the industry toward cloud based construction software that makes it easier for cross-functional teams to communicate and exchange information in real time. These digital capabilities are especially useful for virtual design teams spread out over multiple cities or countries.

Enhanced productivity thanks to automation

Like many other industries, gains in construction productivity often come from automating repetitive tasks so that human workers can focus on more challenging or creative issues. Digital construction tools continue to leverage automation to reduce wasted time and effort on processes such as scheduling, materials management, and quality control. As artificial intelligence and robotics improve, more automation will be applied to physical tasks like material and site inspections, concrete pouring, welding, and painting.

Improved construction safety and risk management

Improving job site safety and reducing risks are always top construction industry objectives. Wearable technology and equipment sensors are among the new digital construction technologies that provide early warnings for both workers and their team leaders. Improved construction communication tools, such as mobile apps and real-time messaging platforms, make it easier to report and correct safety issues quickly. Digital tools also improve risk management by enabling better identification, assessment, and mitigation of potential hazards before they impact the project.

Digital Construction Technology Examples

Digital Construction Technologies
Digital Construction Technologies

Centralized construction management software that brings together data from many sources throughout the project lifecycle is the most obvious example of construction digitization. However, many additional innovations are now making their presence felt in the construction industry.

Building Information Modeling

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a collaborative, software-based process that uses computer modeling to create digital representations of construction projects. BIM is used to support operations from the planning and design stages through construction project completion and forward into the operations phase in support of facilities management. Architects, engineers, and other stakeholders in different locations use BIM management software to work from a common platform in real-time while sharing new design ideas and modeling concepts digitally to minimize costly real-world testing.

Cloud Software

Digital construction management and construction estimating software are among the many construction solutions that are taken to the next level by cloud computing. The cloud provides a centralized data location with nearly limitless storage that is easily accessible by all stakeholders. Cloud computing is also a key enabler for new technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) that let contractors, architects, and clients tour a construction site without ever leaving their desks. If you want to learn more about this topic, check out our cloud computing challenges blog post.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is grabbing headlines as it develops to complete human tasks and interactions in remarkable ways. Applications for AI in construction range from design and bidding practices to transportation and asset management. Incorporating AI into BIM software platforms allows designers to generate unlimited options while instantly evaluating their design benefits and constraints. In addition, AI-powered robots are gradually moving from mundane inspection and monitoring to complex tasks and conditions that are too hazardous or physically taxing for human workers.

3D Printing

3D printing has become an important tool for designers in many fields as they quickly turn 3D models into real parts or prototypes. The 3D printing of materials like concrete and cinder blocks is one of the promising digital trends in construction that can also reduce costs and improve sustainability. Complex or customized parts can be fabricated more quickly with less wasted raw material and more design freedom. As technology improves, even materials like wood and metal can be 3D printed efficiently.

Drones

Drones are often used on construction projects to collect overhead images and create topographical maps. Along with energy, security, and agriculture, the construction industry stands to benefit immensely from drone technology as new applications continue to emerge. Drones can be used to monitor equipment positions and project status, ensure worker safety in remote or inaccessible parts of the job site, and complete inspections of large structures like towers and bridges.

Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things uses real-time sensors on (or within) everyday objects like equipment, tools, buildings, and even people to gather and analyze data sent back from any location. IoT is considered one of the foundational digital construction technologies, with uses like heavy equipment condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, embedded stress, strain, and temperature sensors in structures, and worker health and safety monitoring. Automated analysis of this data is the key to better decisions and productivity.

Digital Twins

Digital twins are complex digital replicas of physical things. They show us what is happening with a physical asset now while predicting what can or might happen to that asset in the future. Infrastructure like buildings, bridges, and highways are ideal candidates for digital twin technology. The twin integrates real-time data from IoT sensors and cameras to provide more insight into the construction project and allows construction managers, contractors, and clients in different locations to review a real-time replica of the project at any time.

Tips for Efficient Digital Construction Management

No matter how powerful digital construction technologies are, their benefits are limited when they are not deployed or managed properly. Each digital tool has its own set of rules and best practices for safe and cost-effective use. Plotting your own digital construction course to success involves a methodical, step-by-step process.

Assess your current situation

Finding the right digital platforms for your situation means assessing the available technologies and deciding which will bring the highest return on investment (ROI) based on your gaps and opportunities. When evaluating digital construction tools, consider factors such as project size, complexity, and specific needs. Additionally, involving key stakeholders and technology experts in the decision-making process ensures that the selected technologies align with overall project goals and workflows.

Focus on one area at a time

There is something to be said for eating an elephant one bite at a time. Your organization’s future of digital construction can be a wholesale transformation that begins with tentative steps. For example, starting with construction management software will help your organization reduce inefficiencies, enhance communication, and ensure that all team members are on the same page. You can then expand on these benefits by investing in BIM software as you streamline the design process and explore other interactive IoT tools, drones, and robotics.

Provide appropriate training

All digital construction solutions require training for correct and optimized use. Every stakeholder should be trained to use software tools like BIM so they can fully benefit from the technology and collaborate effectively with other users. Physical assets like drones also require appropriate training, sometimes through a skilled third party, to ensure they are being deployed safely and in compliance with laws and regulations.

Invest in software to support your efforts

No matter what digital platforms you choose to use, software will form the hub of your modern digital operation, and your investment should reflect this importance. High-quality construction software can streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and provide valuable construction analytics features and insight. It is also important to choose solutions that are scalable and adaptable to your projects’ evolving needs.

Don’t forget about data security

The digital platforms that are moving the construction industry into a new era are all about connectivity, but new endpoints, devices, and communication channels also increase hackers’ attack surface. Regular software updates, access controls, network monitoring, and antivirus are some of the IT tools that should be considered standard fare as construction moves into the digital realm. These solutions can prevent hacks, intercepts, and data breaches that can undermine digital technology benefits.

The Power of Digital Construction

When digital construction is implemented, even in its most basic form, it allows all parties involved to communicate and share data more proficiently for more efficient and cost-effective construction projects while enabling them to speak a common ‘digital language.’

With the economy in a potential downcycle, it may seem counterintuitive to invest in new technology now, but with the capacity available to focus on improving business processes, this may be the perfect opportunity to prepare for the future of the construction industry.

RIB Software provides a range of digital tools to establish a foundation for centralized data, automated processes, collaboration, and compliance management, which form the future of digital construction. A portfolio of innovative solutions, including RIB CostX for BIM takeoff, RIB BuildSmart for cost management, and RIB Candy for estimating, among many others, weaves a digital thread throughout every stage of the construction project lifecycle.

If you are ready to experience the power of digital construction for yourself, book a demo and try RIB Software Solutions today!