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Experts estimate that the digital construction industry has a global market size of $ 101.2 billion in 2023 which is expected to grow to $ 546.70 billion by 2031 registering a CAGR of 23.50%. Digital construction is being increasingly used to automate systems and processes in major construction fields like architecture and engineering. Powered by cloud technology, data analytics, AI, and IoT (Internet of Things), new-age tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) have unified diverse aspects of construction.
In this latest podcast, Ehab Etman, Ambassador – Constructiontech, PropTechBuzz discusses the common queries and lesser-known aspects of digital construction with Mohamed Hassan, a digital construction expert working in Egypt (Middle East).
Mohamed Hassan has wide-ranging experience in utilizing technology in the construction industry with a focus on BIM, digital project management, and sustainable building practices. According to Mohamed Hassan, digital construction is impacting the construction sector globally, but this is just the beginning. Exciting opportunities and possibilities are waiting to be discovered.
• The digital construction industry has a global market size of $ 101.2 billion in 2023 which is expected to grow to $ 546.70 billion by 2031 registering a CAGR of 23.50%.
• Cloud technology, data analytics, AI, and IoT (Internet of Things) are powering new-age tools like building information modeling (BIM), predictive analytics, and risk-mitigation solutions in the construction sector.
• In this podcast, Ehab Etman, Ambassador – Constructiontech, PropTechBuzz discusses the common queries and lesser-known aspects of digital construction with Mohamed Hassan, a digital construction expert working in Egypt (Middle East).
• Construction companies considering shifting into digital environments must appoint a ‘champion’ from within their organization who possesses technological skills and can facilitate the entire process of transition in partnership with external agencies.
• Digitization can help organizations achieve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and most importantly, scale up their operations.
Every business leader and construction professional today wants to know how digitization can transform their organization. We need digitization in every aspect of construction today. It alone has the potential to solve the problems associated with traditional ways of managing construction processes. Mohamed Hassan says, “Problems associated with traditional methods are overwhelming our sector today. Owners, general contractors, and sub-contractors, each of these stakeholders use different platforms, software, and technologies which result in huge data loss and misinterpretation leading to missed chances of collaboration. This makes integrations and communications a lot harder and it limits our projects and data usage. That’s why we must pivot into digital construction and create connected workflows”.
The relatively slower digitization of the construction sector is an oft-discussed topic. Mohamed Hassan agrees the construction industry has a history of low level of digital adoption. His insights illuminate the reasons behind this trend. According to Mohamed Hassan, the construction sector is a ground-up activity. It is the scores of sub-contractors who bring a project to life. Most sub-contractors operate smaller business units which are often a part of their family businesses. They are used to the traditional ways of handling construction activities and it is much harder to convert these family-based sub-contractor businesses into full-scale digitization.
With global companies entering the construction sector, we can expect an accelerated digital transformation in the future. How can construction businesses fully transition into these cloud data and control data environments? What are the tools and technologies that drive digital construction? In this section of the podcast, Ehab Etman and Mohamed Hassan dive deeper into the specifics of various technologies that make digital transformation possible.
Cloud-based solutions have fundamentally transformed every industry and construction is no exception. Global players like AWS Amazon and Google provide cloud solutions that are tailored to the needs of the construction sector. The cloud-based transformation of the construction industry happens at three levels. First, old data is digitized, restored, and uploaded to the cloud. Moving paper-based information to the cloud makes it accessible and collaborative. Collaboration between different persons and teams is ensured through workflow integrations. Everything is happening on the cloud, so instead of manually sending messages to various sub-contractors separately, all the sub-contractors and general contractors are in the same common data environment. Each of them can have their own version control and specific details of documents they submit. Any changes or updates in the digital documents will automatically alert the concerned sub-contractors in real time. The next important milestone that cloud-based solutions achieve is the automation of tasks like document reviews and document generation. Apart from making the entire process easier and more collaborative, the most critical feature of cloud-based solutions is that they are readily available at any given moment on-site. This provides construction professionals more control over unpredictable on-site environments.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a term that we hear a lot in recent years. Mohamed Hassan explains that BIM uses 3D models instead of 2D CAD drawings in the construction process. The main advantage of BIM over 2D CAD is that even minor revisions to the existing design automatically reflect across the main design eliminating the need to modify every element separately. This is made possible by the information or attributes registered in every figure, object, block, or line in BIM.
The foundation of successful data analytics is the accurate and comprehensive collection of data. Data collection can happen through normal nodes, IoT sensors, laser scanning, and even through simple checklist forms. Advanced methods of data collection can include plotting 3D models in C-graph, and normal to station method can be used instead of scanning. One of The most important functions that data analytics serves in the construction sector is risk mitigation. Risk is an inherent part of every construction project. Data analytics helps companies maintain the highest safety standards and address all compliance issues efficiently. The collection of historical data maintains consistent workflows throughout the construction journey. Predictive analysis fosters forward-thinking at every level of the organization. Visualization of complex data on dashboards helps decision-makers maintain greater control over their projects.
Integration of AI and machine learning can have astounding effects on construction projects. Machine learning can be used to automate the entire process of predictive analysis and generate reports and designs. Advanced machine learning solutions today are programmed to predict not only future events but point out the exact time and location of their occurrence. In the near future, we can expect automated robots to execute dangerous tasks and reduce human vulnerability in construction projects.
In the initial stages, digital transformation can be a daunting process. In terms of BIM and data ecosystems, there might be complex compliance issues that must be addressed before implementation. Construction companies considering shifting into digital environments must appoint a ‘champion’ from within their organization who possesses technological skills and can facilitate the entire process of transition in partnership with external agencies. Following international safety standards like ISO and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) can significantly reduce risks associated with compliance and data privacy. Organizations must keep in mind that the first stage of digitization is the most important one. This is where the foundations of a successful digital model are established. Once the initial stages are executed successfully, digitization can help organizations achieve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and most importantly, scale up their operations.
Digital construction is indispensable in today’s global economy. With the advent of technologies like cloud, data analytics, IoT, AI, etc., we are witnessing unparalleled connectivity of construction equipment and collaborative workspaces. A thoroughly unified ecosystem powered by predictive analytics is enabling informed decision-making in real time. Responsive designs using BIM are helping organizations meet compliance issues in complex regulatory environments. Digital construction is finally making the dream of large-scale global projects an imminent reality.
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By Proptechbuzz
By Ravi Kumar
