Fall 2017 issue of Horizons

As safety is often on the forefront of management’s mind, smart clothing will help ensure that employees are able to work more safely than ever before. Self-Operating Vehicles Like ‘smart’ clothing, self-operating vehicles already exist in limited use. In dangerous situations and on hazardous job sites, self-operating heavy equipment can be controlled remotely from a distance to prevent workers from having to put themselves in potentially hazardous situations. Also, because one worker could theoretically control multiple self-operating vehicles or pieces of heavy equipment, the company would be able to utilize its human capital more efficiently. Those workers would still require specialized training to be able to operate multiple machines at once, but that could be a small price to pay in order to be able to deploy multiple workers on another job. Virtual Reality One way workers would be able to obtain specialized training is through the use of virtual reality, which presents numerous potential uses. Experienced workers could utilize virtual reality to show newer employees how to operate heavy machinery or perform skilled techniques in a safe environment. Simulations have been developed to help workers become comfortable working underground, in tight spaces and at extreme heights before even stepping foot on a job site.

Similar to 3-D modeling, developers and project managers will be able to see and modify jobs before the work is physically completed, potentially saving money and time from having to complete costly re-work. This would also allow companies to determine the exact placement of building materials such as piping and wiring, allowing some facets of the construction to be completed off-site and ahead of time, helping to avoid potential delays. 3-D Printing Another technology already in existence but with potentially major ramifications in the future is 3-D printing. Printing a needed part on location will be much easier than having to purchase and transport the part from off site. 3-D printing could allow companies to create building materials and even whole sections of the building itself (such as walls or flooring) much more quickly than currently possible. A company in China has already begun to print small concrete houses for low-income families. A Dutch engineering and design firm has released plans for a full steel bridge to be printed for use in Amsterdam and hopes to have the project underway within the next year. Domestically, small office buildings have been printed for use in California in their entirety. The biggest concerns with 3-D printing are related to safety and quality control. Because the technology is so new, there isn’t enough data yet to compile long-term track records for safety and quality control, making the process and materials difficult to regulate.

Technology Advances in the Construction Industry

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