Construction industry trends to look out for in 2020

With exciting developments in technology, the construction industry is ever-evolving. Let’s take a look at some of the trends to watch out for in the construction sector in 2020.

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Robotics

Construction has traditionally been a sector that has relied on manual labour and has seen little automation; however, in addition to being used to demolish buildings, robots are now being used in the construction field to do things such as lay bricks and even lay roads. By increasing automation in the industry, construction companies have been able to achieve improvements in both build times and build quality.

Virtual reality, mixed reality and augmented reality

Virtual reality (VR) is playing an important role in helping architects and construction companies with designing structures and detecting errors in the designs. Augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality can assist with 3D modelling of structures and buildings and provide a permanent record of a structure that clients can use to explore the designs prior to construction.

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BIM

Building information modelling (BIM) involves generating and managing digital representations of construction projects. BIM involves combining information with technology, as digital representations are constructed from various data sources. The reason BIM is one of the leading trends in construction is that it can lead to higher efficiency due to enhanced communication and the easy exchange of data; what’s more, it provides a higher quality of information. Many forward-thinking companies have embraced BIM technology; for example, https://www.piggottandwhitfield.co.uk/building-services/ is one of the technologically advanced construction companies Manchester has to offer using BIM technology.

Sustainability

Sustainability has become a focus across every industry as the world acknowledges a climate crisis. Although it has been an aim for decades, the construction industry has never been under more pressure to optimise energy efficiency and strive for zero emissions in the field. Construction students will now learn about renewable energy and efficient technology as part of the drive towards sustainability. Current trends in the area of sustainability include developing insulating materials to offer improved thermal efficiency, materials to generate and store energy, and materials made from recycled construction waste.

Exoskeletons

An exoskeleton comprises a metal framework fitted with motorised muscles that can increase the strength of the wearer. These can reduce the risk of injury and increase efficiency on construction sites.