Whether we want to believe it or not, Construction, just like any other industry, has adopted Information technology (IT). From project management to facility management, information technology solutions are changing the way structures are planned, built and operated. Referred to as the “information technology building,” this approach encompasses the application of advanced information and communication technology (ICT) systems into the building process leading to smarter, better and greener buildings. This paper outlines how IT has transformed these operations and the construction industry at large in terms of efficiency, safety and sustainability.
1. IT In Project Planning And Designing
Of all aspects of construction that IT has managed to modify, project planning and design processes have been the most enhanced. The days when engineers had to depend on paper drawings and sketching in plans are no more. There are already advanced systems in place, for instance Building Information Modeling (BIM), where construction multidisciplinary teams embed information in every detail of the structure even before the actual site work starts.
BIM enables participants to build a detailed 3D perspective of a structure and how every part (e. g, drainage, electric wiring, and air-conditioning) works in tandem. Such design helps reduce mistakes, cut down expenses, and guarantees the beautiful integration of all the building systems. Its tools also promote collaboration among architects and engineers as well as contractors without regard to their locations.
Also, thanks to the internet, such models and drawings can be pulled up from anywhere, allowing quicker action and more flexibility. This application of IT within the design stage facilitates quick revision of the existing plans, if need be, hence saving both time and money.
During the process of building, the use of information technology has enhanced the abilities of people greatly. While drones serve many purposes on a construction site – surveying everything from the mounting of the scaffolding to the pouring of concrete – their main role in such a fresh approach is to provide regular updates on the state of the works and warn of problems that may escalate in the future. Thanks to the combination of high-resolution cameras and advanced sensors, drones have made it easier to monitor any construction over a large area in a relatively short time and even more precisely than it can be done without them.
Further, IT instruments such as project management software are useful in ensuring that construction teams do not fall behind the schedule. These systems facilitate the supervision of labour, materials, and equipment so that each section of the project is finished at the designated time. Automated scheduling systems can notify managers of delays and possible bottlenecks in order that managers can modify the workflow to meet deadlines.
Construction apparatus is starting to get smarter as well, and it-enabled machines are better at performing tasks than the previous traditional methods. Construction equipment, including bulldozers and cranes fitted with GPS and other sensors, can deliver services and lessen mistakes caused by human beings, thus increasing the safety level on the construction site.
3. Safety Management Supported by Information Technology
Work safety in construction is one of the major principles, and the construction industry is using Information Technology for the better and safer use of the workforce. There is a growing trend of using UAV (for instance smart helmets, vests) for active monitoring of workers’ safety and health on construction sites. Those possessors can register heart rates, body temperatures, and the level of tiredness, informing the bosses about the workers who are at a risk of being overworked.
Apart from wearables, site managers are also using IT systems to establish a virtual perimeter around dangerous areas (known as geofencing). In the case of entering a prohibited area, the worker and his or her supervisor are notified through the system before the situation escalates.
Drones and robots are also being used to survey parts of the construction site that are impractical or unsafe for workers, minimising the risk to the labourers. The growing dependence on IT for safety measures is resulting in fewer accidents on site and allowing the workers to carry out their activities within a safer setting.
4. Bringing Sustainability Through The Adoption IF IT Strategies
Sustainable practices have become a major component of the construction industry thanks to their contribution to the enhancement of green buildings.
With the use of IT solutions, contractors can make better energy saving and thermal efficient building designs. For instance, with smart buildings, light, heat, and air conditioning systems can be controlled and operated such that energy is not wasted.
BIM programs help architects to also assess the energy use of a structure depending on the building materials chosen. Hence, it helps in making decisions on eco-friendly building materials that can still help achieve the energy goals of the building.
Moreover, IT systems enable the analysis of a building over time to find out energy-leaking points and recommend corrective measures. By integrating IT throughout the lifecycle of a building, be it in design or operations, construction firms can be a part of a sustainable development initiative.
5. Facility Management and Maintenance
Even after construction has been completed, IT is still an important component in Facility management and maintenance.IoT devices integrated in smart buildings can control air quality, temperature, light intensity and similar other aspects. The feedback system is immediate and thus the building managers are able to take measures that enhance the pleasantness and energy conservation of the environment.
Predictive maintenance is its contribution in building management that brings an additional advantage. Through the use of IoT sensors to monitor the working condition of certain systems, such as the HVAC or elevator system, facility management practitioners are able to predict when maintenance will be required ahead of any failure or breakdown. This enables a reduction in the expensive maintenance costs and facilitates the normal running of the building.
Facility management that relies on the web enables the centralization of control of many systems, which in turn allows managers to remotely monitor and control the maintenance of the building. Hence, it ensures that any problems that come up can be dealt with promptly and with little interference to normal operations.
Conclusion
The influence of information technology on the construction of buildings is unquestionable. The building sector is also applying information technology to every aspect of the work – starting with designing and structuring of the project and ending with safety when building and managing the facilities. With the introduction of more technologies such as BIM, drones, IoT and predictive analytics, construction is turning out to be more efficient, safer, and green. In view of the explosive growth of IT, we also expect even smarter buildings which are more energy efficient and health enhancing for the occupants yet still a benign compromise for nature.
