More ‘Likes’ for automated technology

With the many repetitive, routine tasks associated with construction, many companies are turning to automated technology to carry out certain roles and processes.

In the past 10 years there have been significant advancements in technology used by the construction industry. Construction companies have been investing heavily in technology in recent years by adopting new processes and purchasing state-of-the-art machinery. This has enabled workers to increase efficiency, shorten the duration of projects and ultimately increase profit. For workers, these construction technology trends are bringing opportunities to develop their knowledge, acquire new skills and progress in their career, while understanding these developments will give construction workers the edge over other candidates.

As an innovative piece of construction technology, Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been acknowledged as an industry-changing process, transforming how projects are designed and built. Previously, construction companies would rely on detailed 2D drawings; now however, 3D BIM offers extensive 3D modelling combined with the use of intelligent data. Data is embedded into the model and managed, which allows workers to run multiple scenarios, change processes and input functions to view the implications of these on the project. Alongside 3D BIM modeling, which is considered an imperative level, there is also 4D and 5D BIM, depending on the types of data incorporated. 4D BIM embeds time-related information into the model, while 5D BIM incorporates schedule and costs.

Pointing out on how companies are opting automated technology, PV Rao, Managing Director, Pennar Engineered Building Systems Ltd says, “With the many repetitive, routine tasks associated with construction, many companies are turning to automated technology to carry out certain roles and processes. Prefabrication has paved the way for automated technology, as mechanical machinery, including robotics, cannot always be contained onsite. Similarly Pre-Engineered Buildings (PEB) have come in a big way in to the market in view of their advantages like economical, faster construction, easy to maintain, aesthetically appealing etc.”

Breakthrough technology of 2016 and its impact
Briefing on the breakthrough technology Rao says, “Advances in Computer-Aided Design technology, materials and manufacturing capabilities have assisted a growth in alternate forms of PEB such as the tension fabric building and more sophisticated analysis example three-dimensional is required by some building codes. Also the concept of high-rise buildings in steel has started picking up in India. In view of shortage of skilled workers like masons, a carpenter etc, steel is becoming an alternate model in high-rise construction. Significant time saving about 40 to 50 per cent can be achieved in steel compared to concrete buildings in high-rise. Also, the logistics of transporting and storage of huge quantities of cement, aggregate, sand etc in busy commercial areas is highly difficult and hence in the time to come the construction industry will shift to steel buildings in high-rise in both commercial and residential.”

The company is constructing three towers of residential (10 floors) and one tower of commercial building (17 floors) using steel structures. It has already constructed data center buildings for Reliance Jio Infocom (4 floors with heavy loading on floors).

Executing high-rise steel buildings
The company has started increasing the usage of Tekla (detailing software) for the PEB as well as engineering services business in view of its inherent benefits. Also, it started designing and executing solar module mounting structures using latest design methodologies which have significant advantages in optimising the designs to reduce weight of structure without compromising on design codes and requirements. “In the past one year, we are executing high-rise steel buildings in Hyderabad for residential and commercial projects using latest technologies like speed floor joists introduced by JSPL,” informed Rao.

14