CONSTRUCTION & BIM
THE FUTURE IS BUILT ON TECHNOLOGY
How is technological innovation shaping the future of UK construction, asks Andrew Kitley, Founder and CEO of structural engineering consultancy, Kitall.
Digital innovation is shaping the future of sectors across the UK, and construction is no exception.
Technologies such as artificial intelligence [AI] and Building Information Modelling [BIM] offer real opportunities for the construction sector to innovate, improve efficiency and support collaboration.
For example, by creating detailed digital representations of building structures, BIM has revolutionised project planning over the last few years and is set to continue to change the construction industry for the better, while AI has been making waves in generating time and cost savings.
According to the Construction Leadership Council, more than 65% of UK firms are implementing technologies such as BIM for project planning and execution. The efficacies savings and other benefits they bring saw construction tech investment in the UK hit £1.2bn last year.
From established tech to the latest innovations you may not have heard of, here are three technologies that are making a real difference to success of the UK construction industry.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) –
the golden ticket for safety improvements More construction firms are using BIM than ever before, and for good reason. Innovations in this area are going to be crucial as we navigate changes and new legislation coming into force.
One example is in helping establish the ‘Golden Thread’ of information for Higher Risk Buildings – a requirement introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022. This includes an Operations and Maintenance manual [O&M], which is a comprehensive document that includes detailed information on a building’s safety information throughout its lifecycle, such as methods of construction, materials and systems used, and equipment installed within the facility.
Details of anything that could have an impact on the safety of a building and those who use it must be covered and stored in an electronic format that can be transferred electronically without data being lost or corrupted.
In cases where BIM has been used in the construction process, relevant information can easily be identified and stored, providing the foundation for the Golden Thread. Without this technology, sourcing this information would be time consuming and costly, but also potentially putting the safety of those using the building at risk. For instance, having detailed safety information to hand on fire, ventilation, or security systems could save lives.
36 | TOMORROW’S FM Artificial intelligence – a helping
hand in the race to net zero AI isn’t new, but it’s going to continue to have a big impact on the shape of the construction industry for years to come. Sustainability is one area in which this is apparent as we strive to achieve net zero by 2050 in the UK.
It’s estimated that the built environment produces around 25% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions thanks to the various stages of the construction process, and artificial intelligence has a key role to play in helping to reduce these emissions.
AI-powered algorithms can predict building energy performance and recommend energy-efficient designs based on this data. For instance, arranging windows to enhance natural sunlight for solar panel use, as well as to create HVAC [Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning] systems that can ensure energy conservation depending on a building’s use.
Being able to forecast energy performance based on previous data means we can design buildings and structures with minimal energy usage and long-term environmental awareness in mind, hopefully getting us on track to reach our net-zero targets. Without AI, this would be a much more complex process.
Parametric design – a blueprint for accuracy Parametric design is a rules-based innovation in the construction space that is predicted to improve building quality, reduce errors, and speed up decision making for years to come.
This is a process in which relationships between design elements are defined using parameters and rules, allowing designers to quickly generate and modify complex forms. Instead of manually changing individual components, parameters control the geometry – when one value changes, such as a dimension or angle, the entire model updates automatically.
This method means architects and construction professionals can get more accurate results. Design defects, especially during the latter stages of construction, can jeopardise building quality and are often down to human error. The data-driven models created by parametric design address this issue, reducing inaccuracies and improving optimisation.
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