The Internet of Things is currently revolutionizing how people interact and live. The most significant benefit the Internet of Things has realized is keeping people connected to the people or things that matter to them. It has become applicable in almost all industries, including the construction sector.
Below are five ways that the IoT will be used in the construction industry.
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1.Remote Construction Operations
With the IoT tech, contractors can link machines to the internet using a physical or wireless connection, then issue instructions to the device remotely. Construction workers can now send machines to construction sites that pose a dangerous threat or cannot be accessed by the workers.
Similarly, construction workers can use wearable tech such as Google Glass to access on-site manuals hands-free and conveniently.
2.Building Information Modeling (BIM)
BIM is the process used to obtain intelligent 3D building models. Building information modeling is typically used during the design and construction phases to model the systems and structures. This way, any changes made can be effortlessly updated and implemented simultaneously in the affected plans.
Moreover, BIM can be used as a catalyst in the design and construction of smart buildings.
Once a building construction is completed, the data acquired from the building sensors can be integrated into the BIM easily. This helps to gain insight into different aspects such as the movement of people, energy usage patterns, and temperature trends within the building.
Building owners can then analyze and use the data to improve possible future similar smart structures. This concept has been rapidly gaining momentum in the construction sector.
3.Tracking Construction Tools, Equipment, and Working Site
Contractors and construction workers can now tell where there machinery is and which of them may not be in use. Road construction companies use a complex system of equipment such as rubber speed bumps fitted with sensors to ensure safety around the construction site.
This tracking technology ensures that every component of a construction site is functioning optimally. With the use of GPS data and sensors installed in rubber speed bumps, fleets can be monitored in real-time.
The result is increased efficiency in tracking and managing construction equipment, reducing manpower, and increasing accountability.
4.Design and Construction of Green Buildings
In the United States alone, the construction industry is responsible for over 40% of all landfill wastes generated. It has increasingly become an uncomfortable situation, leading construction companies to seek alternative sustainable solutions.
Currently, the green building movement is not just about guaranteeing that lots of construction waste won’t fill the landfills. With the aid of innovative construction companies, the movement is at the core of the design and engineering of construction systems intended to reduce environmental impacts via efficient energy management.
Upcoming green buildings are being designed with capabilities such as shutting down resources in unoccupied building sections. Other features include automatic opening and closing of louvers to let it the required amount of light and air. IoT keeps these building processes connected, ensuring easy control and usage.
These are just a few examples of how IoT will be used in green construction. With more awareness about the need for sustainability, it is a trend that is likely to gain momentum in the coming years.
5.Intelligent Prefabricated Constructions
Prefab construction is not an entirely strange or new concept. However, with the advancement and use of IoT, there is room for significant improvement in such constructions.
The use of prefab construction is faster than traditional construction approaches. The result has and will always be the generation of less minimal construction waste.
Previously, prefab construction has always favored small construction works and not large commercial constructions. The use of IoT tech makes prefabricated construction easy on both small and large construction works.
An example is the use of RFID sensors. With the RFID sensors, you can track prefabricated parts in the supply chain to get all the necessary components where they are heavily needed in time for construction.
Such data can also be fed into the BIM systems to enable real-time rendering during the construction project.
Bottom Line
Generally, IoT will improve connectivity in the construction sector. Improved connectivity translates to saving time and costs. Moreover, IoT improves efficiencies by minimizing possible human errors. With IoT, the construction industry is set to discover new and exciting innovations that will improve productivity and building efficiency.