The UK construction industry is one of the leading contributors to our national economy, while output within the sector increased by a healthy 12.7% through 2021.
While this increase was largely triggered by the cessation of lockdown measures nationwide, the annual increase of 12.7% was also the largest since records began in 1997 (surpassing the 9.9% hike in 2014).
Of course, the construction industry is also flourishing thanks to its intuitive use of technology. Here are some of the ways in which modern tech is being used to the advantage of tech firms:
#1. The Recycling of Materials
One of the most noticeable changes in construction how materials are sourced, used, and subsequently reused.
More specifically, technology has evolved to develop a host of sustainable and eco-friendly materials, including carbon fibre, recycled steel, plant-based polyurethane rigid foam and pre-cast concrete.
New innovations are also helping to recycle materials such as concrete, while we’ve even seen 3D printing technology deployed to create whole buildings.
In this case, different sections of a structure are moved to the relevant site individually before being assembled.
#2. New Electronic Devices and a Changing Job Site
There have been advancements in electronics recently, with many innovations having dramatically improved the function and efficiency of how building sites are operated.
For example, the use of electronic devices like drones are able to track the materials used on construction sites, from the moment they’re delivered to the day that they need to be replenished.
Artificial intelligence (AI) also helps in this respect, while technology is even enhancing the quality and efficacy of tools used to complete individual on-site tasks.
There’s no doubt that tools such as a green laser level can make it considerably easier to level and lay specific applications, as they’re much more sensitive than standard red alternatives and can travel considerably longer distances.
#3. Health and Safety
Wearable technology is another technological advancement that has gripped the construction sector of late, while this has a wide range of applications on-site.
For example, wearable tech can process practical considerations such as tracking the precise number of hours worked on-site. It also has a number of important health and safety applications, which is crucial given that around 1.7 million working people are currently suffering from a work-related illness in the UK.
With wearable technology such as smartwatches, it’s possible to keep track of a worker’s temperate and heart rate when working on-site. This makes it easier to schedule breaks and allows people to work safely during hot or humid conditions.
Incredibly, smart boots now also utilise sensors to detect and avoid hazards, directly reducing the risk of falling and workplace injuries in the process.