Environmental awareness in construction is critical from the beginning of projects to occupancy. Technological advancements have helped industry professionals in numerous areas, allowing supervisors to be mindful of their carbon footprint. How can construction teams establish energy efficiency in project mapping? Here is a guide for taking a comprehensive approach to optimizing building processes.
Growing Technology in the Construction Industry
Heightening efficiency has become more manageable in construction due to technological evolution. Stakeholders have access to numerous software, enabling them to visualize structures in real time. Viewing projects and signing contracts are more efficient with digitization and less time consumed with paper. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are significant reasons why project mapping is safer and more efficient.
Modern construction trends include techniques like offsite prefabrication and advanced building software. A 2022 study shows about 33% of industry professionals use offsite construction and will grow about 4.3 times in the next decade. This shift creates more energy-efficient buildings by increasing accuracy and using less energy in material transportation.
6 High-Tech Tools
Building Information Modeling
Building information modeling (BIM) has become more critical as construction processes digitize. This software gives stakeholders a comprehensive view of building plans and lets them see design intricacies.
Architects can see the structure’s energy usage and simulate consumption under varying circumstances. Gathering data helps project managers determine necessary adjustments to advance energy efficiency. Designers may evaluate a project’s building materials to reduce power consumption and increase resiliency against the local climate.
BIM has grown in the construction industry, with about 73% of professionals saying they use it for their projects. This growth has demonstrated a stark change in the last decade when about 10% were BIM users. While this technology aids energy efficiency, BIM improves project mapping by finding clashing areas on-site. This advantage helps builders save time and use fewer resources, thus reducing waste.
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Heat gain and loss are among the most significant indicators of energy efficiency for buildings. The Department of Energy says homes lose 30% of their energy through windows, so keeping buildings comfortable is essential. While R and U-values are critical, how can industry professionals use advanced technology to control heat transfer? One option is to use computational fluid dynamics.
This modeling strategy lets architects see how air moves within a given space and how the temperature changes. Simulating the energy flow lets designers see where losses occur, helping identify leaks or other issues within the HVAC. Therefore, they can find opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint.
Computational fluid dynamics also helps with 3D printing concrete production. This method lets 3D printer operators determine how the machine will affect the concrete through heat generation. They use this information to determine what changes are necessary for the printer, such as printing speed. These adjustments reduce the risk of warping and wasted energy.
A 2020 Cement and Concrete Research study examines how computational fluid dynamics predict 3D-printed segments in printing simulations. Using constitutive law, the researchers can better predict outcomes for the cement-based mortar. The study concludes computational fluid dynamics is a valuable approach for 3D printing due to positive numerical results.
Smart Sensors
Experts project the Internet of Things (IoT) will grow to a $1.38 billion market size in 2024, demonstrating its use across industries. Construction managers benefit because IoT sensors help stakeholders track each project aspect. These devices increase visibility by alerting the team where materials are in the supply chain and where delays have occurred. The visibility helps project managers adjust and find alternative solutions.
IoT sensors also demonstrate their value by providing real-time data to construction managers. Builders can use these devices to see temperature, humidity, energy and water consumption and gas levels for specific areas of the structure. This information lets them perform targeted adjustments, increase energy efficiency and maximize comfort for occupants.
Leveraging IoT sensors for efficient project mapping could also pair them with BIM. For instance, the BIM could predict how much energy the structure will consume over a given period, and the sensors will gauge the accuracy. This validation ensures the project meets efficiency standards and reduces the amount of reworking.
Drone Technology
Project planning becomes a more manageable task with drones. This technology quickly captures images from aerial views, providing key details to architects on the project’s progress. Drones are most helpful in collecting data in places where human laborers are less safe, such as confined spaces and heights. These crewless aircraft produce 3D renderings of the job site, making project schematics easier.
Efficiency improves with drone technology because of its ability to analyze. The aircraft hovers around job sites and maps out solar radiation, land-use patterns and energy resources. This information lets project managers determine how the buildings impact the environment and improve power consumption. Drones also allow for remote viewing, increasing the project’s visibility for all stakeholders.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Another way to assist energy-efficient project mapping is by offering virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). VR has become valuable in construction because it generates replicas of buildings and lets architects walk through them for an inspection. The technology can produce numerous simulations by altering the windows, energy systems and other infrastructure, thus helping professionals better understand their buildings.
AR takes the immersion a step further by using more authentic settings. With AR equipped, construction managers can see energy consumption in real time, whether at their job site or in a 3D model. Professionals can change elements they don’t like and receive nearly instant verification to ensure their alterations work. Ultimately, AR technology shortens project timelines and increases energy efficiency during and after construction.
Another benefit of AR is maintenance — a critical task for post-construction metrics. Construction companies can wield AR overlays to view maintenance needs for energy systems and ensure the project satisfies all requirements.
Predictive Analytics
Preventing problems before they occur is crucial in project planning, so modern professionals use predictive analytics to project energy usage. While this approach is standard in the automotive industry, predictive analytics has a role in construction by optimizing design for efficiency. For instance, the modeling tool tells architects where windows should be and the level of insulation necessary for maximized comfort.
Predictive analytics gives project managers a critical edge by showing historical data. Models incorporate information from similar buildings to show what works and what obstacles may arise. Stakeholders can see what equipment may malfunction or reduce efficiency, thus allowing for proactive maintenance. Finding these problems ahead of time means less energy wasted in the future.
Predictive analytics has become integral in construction thanks to the rise of AI and ML. Industry professionals have incorporated these technologies to improve building efficiency and overall workflow. A 2020 report shows construction companies leading in data are seven times more likely to use AI and ML in their operations.
Leveraging Advanced Tech in Project Mapping
Efficiency has become integral to modern construction demands, prompting industry professionals to find high-tech solutions. How can project managers establish energy-efficient tools for each building? AI and ML have a significant role in the present and will be critical for the sector’s future
