Guide

Digital transformation and technology in the construction industry

A key sector in the economy, the construction industry is often described as less innovative. However, this situation seems to have changed in recent years. Many companies recognize the need to innovate to remain competitive.

"In Quebec, many large companies have already invested in new technologies to improve their operations. But their implementation remains minimal, especially among small companies. The use of technology must be encouraged in order to create a true digital transformation of construction in Quebec."

To drive the necessary changes in terms of collaboration processes, business model and information ecosystem, only a successful digitalization of these companies, through the introduction of process innovations, will give them a competitive advantage in their market.

This blog post highlights the digital transformations and technological innovations in the construction sector.

How can digital technology meet the challenges and needs of the construction industry?

Digital integration is an important issue for the construction world. It is often associated with many other challenges such as:

The energy performance of buildings,
The optimization of the global cost,

It must offer innovative technological solutions, optimizing information exchange, analysis or project management.

One of the biggest challenges in the industry is information management. A project has many documents, regulatory texts, multiple exchanges between each actor and more.

Exchanges between companies related to projects form a complex communication network where the flow of technical information must be clearly communicated between all stakeholders. The efficiency of the project depends to a large extent on the decision-making choices and on the quality of the data collected and transmitted.

The future of the construction sector will involve new tools such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and BIM (Building Information Modeling). Digitization must bring a fluidity of communication in information management."

Examples of technological innovations:

Work automation and collaborative robotics are used to guide workers' gestures or perform repetitive manual tasks on construction sites (Example: masonry robots) ;
Drones are used to fly over sites and collect data. (Example: site surveillance, monitoring the progress of work as well as the quality and safety of operations, analysis of potential execution and performance problems during a project).
RFID tags simplify the location and recognition of materials on a construction site;

Virtual reality offers to visualize a building design idea in 3D before the project is designed;
Augmented reality. Data analysis and decision support through augmented reality can help companies understand and predict what is derailing their projects.
Scanning (3D laser scanner) reproduces the shape of a site by capturing the necessary data in the field to create a point cloud image that is then integrated into BIM software;
Mobile apps perform a variety of tasks on the job site: managing deficiency lists, site visits, commissioning, automatic reporting, real-time collaboration.

How is BIM revolutionizing on-site project management?

Among the many digital transformations underway in the construction world, the adoption of BIM represents the keystone of this revolution.

The concept of BIM can be summarized as follows: generate and exchange information about a project in a single database shared by all players.

Its application brings the planning functions closer to the actual execution sequence of a building or a structure, by making it possible to visualize the projected realization of a digital model and the expected costs.

BIM serves as a platform for sharing knowledge and data throughout the construction value chain, in addition to being a decision support tool during the life cycle of a project.

The use of this technological tool allows for greater productivity in the sector with:

A better quality of the built goods;
An increased capacity to adapt the built environment to the challenges of sustainable development and climate change;
A built environment that supports the need for a circular economy;
An increase in the transparency of the construction business network and its performance ;

Thus, we see that the benefits of BIM go beyond data sharing in the construction value chain. They extend over the entire lifecycle of the built asset and can be broken down into 3 different benefits:

Economically: reduced construction costs, reduced project duration, reduced rework, and reduced maintenance and operating costs.
Environmentally: reduction of waste on site, optimization of energy use in operation mode and the possibility to evaluate the complete life cycle of the asset in operation.
Socially: higher health and safety standards, improved public engagement and consultation, etc.

These new technologies have great potential not only to improve productivity, collaboration and information management, but also to reduce project delays, increase the quality of built deliverables, improve health and safety on site, and help achieve environmental targets.

Such technological innovations are increasingly making their way onto Quebec construction sites. Drones equipped with cameras can take images in sometimes dangerous areas in order to monitor the progress of a construction site.

Digital technology offers many opportunities for companies to develop thanks to all its innovations.