Top 10 Construction Industry Trends You Don't Want To Miss In 2023

Top 10 Construction Industry Trends You Don’t Want To Miss In 2023

Each year, a lot of sectors undergo various changes, and the construction sector is not an exception to this trend. Some of these changes are quite minor, while others are significant and will have a long-term impact on the sector as a whole. The construction industry is beginning to adopt technology to improve site operations and manage projects efficiently.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the necessity for more modern construction techniques with a higher focus on worker safety. Here are the top 10 trends in the construction industry that we think will affect the sector in 2023 and beyond.

1. Modular Construction

In the construction sector, modular construction is gradually taking over as the preferred technique of building. A building is built off-site using a modular design, then assembled on-site. This method enables quicker construction times, greener building practices, and more clever designs.

The same regulations that apply to conventionally built structures also apply to modular buildings. Modular design is still appealing to contractors and their clients since the building time can be reduced in half. With this design approach, there is no chance of weather-related construction delays because work is done in controlled factory settings rather than on-site. An additional benefit is that since modular construction may be done concurrently with on-site work, there is no need to wait for other teams to finish their assignments.

2. Green Building

One of the current hot-button problems is climate change, and the building industry contributes significantly to fossil fuel emissions. According to a report by the UN Environmental Program (UNEP), nearly 40% of the carbon dioxide emissions related to energy use worldwide are caused by building operations and construction. However, the building industry is making significant efforts to lessen its environmental impact as global awareness of the seriousness of climate change grows.

Green building techniques are becoming more popular and for good reason. By investing in environmentally-friendly building processes, experts in the construction business stand to gain significantly. To build structures with less of an impact on the environment, homeowners, and business clients want green materials and construction techniques. So in 2023, the construction sector will most likely channel its efforts into developing and sustaining green building techniques. Industry leaders are looking for ways to reduce the amount of garbage produced during demolitions, switch to eco-friendly building materials, and select locally-sourced building items, among other things.

3. Design Technology

Almost every facet of the building construction sector is influenced by technology. Since the days of pencil and paper, design technology has advanced significantly. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is arguably the most commonly used building technology today. Before construction even starts, BIM simulates the design and construction process. With this design technology, a user can make a virtual architectural model. BIM not only increases the effectiveness of design and drafting but also saves time and money for everyone involved in the project.

Before breaking ground, builders can conceptualize and research the project using BIM design technology. Before the team arrives on site, contractors can identify any problems that could delay the construction process by doing a virtual walkthrough of the structure. This saves money since there is less room for unforeseen problems or disasters during the design and construction phases. BIM helps construction organizations to organize and plan more effectively and precisely than before.

4. Connectivity

Construction projects include a lot of moving parts, and managing them properly is essential to the project’s success. Connecting construction sites is one approach to guarantee seamless operations. Every stakeholder will have access to appropriate information, thanks to the creation of organized workflows and the integration of data at every stage of construction projects.

AI and IoT technology enable predictive logistics to raise worker safety standards during construction and manage inventories to cut down on waste and associated expenses. Computer vision makes it possible for construction sites to communicate with the main office and receive immediate support and direction. Based on real-time data, these technologies enable managers to make quicker and more informed decisions.

5. Remote Worksites

The construction sector started implementing digital tools and apps on the job site even before the pandemic. These technologies made it possible for crews to send clients, contractors, and inspectors precise photo documentation, enabling some project completion processes to take place remotely. Construction can be completed in large parts remotely, saving both the builder and the client time and money.

Since the pandemic, construction businesses have recognized that communication, paperwork, and other typical on-site job responsibilities can be done remotely without slowing down the flow of the business. In the coming year, we anticipate more tech-oriented developments that enable work to be done remotely.

6. Artificial Intelligence

The use of AI is one of the top construction industry trends that’s attracting lots of attention lately. The construction sector can benefit greatly from Artificial Intelligence (AI). Before developing machine learning algorithms to make predictions, a sizable, excellent library of past results can be built. In this manner, AI can be used to create new building schedules by considering tens of millions of potential outcomes. AI can also be applied to the construction sector via picture recognition. AI can be used to evaluate photos of the materials used on the job site and identify endangered materials, or it can be used to track employee behavior in high-risk circumstances.

7. 3D Printing

Construction with 3D printing, sometimes referred to as additive construction, is an effective and sustainable process. Construction printers can produce prefabricated building parts or full buildings. In conjunction with BIM, 3D printing is a robotic process that builds out the design layer by layer using high-tech building materials. Without the necessity for formwork, it has a high degree of design flexibility. Extrusion, power bonding, and additive welding are a few printing techniques.

Compared to conventional brick construction techniques, 3D construction printing generates less waste and uses fewer labor resources. It is a fully automated process that boosts production and eliminates human errors. Undoubtedly, the usage of 3D printing in the building business will be a major trend in 2023.

8. Advanced Building Materials

This is another top construction industry trend to watch out for in 2023. Modern building materials are supporting the transition of the construction sector to modular and green methods. Older materials are being replaced by a variety of cutting-edge and eco-friendly ones, such as basalt and concrete that can be 3D-printed.

The use of bacteria in self-healing concrete is one example of the rise in the popularity of biological materials. Additionally, sustainable materials like bioplastics, mycelium composites, and biofoam are a component of this trend in the building industry.

Aerogel, graphene, spider silk, carbon composites, hydroceramics, and nanomaterials make up the category of novel materials that are appearing in construction markets. These substances may hold more water while being lighter. Bamboo, cross-laminated wood, transparent woods, and aluminum foam are examples of modern hardwood and aluminum materials with improved strength and biodegradability.

9. Construction Monitoring

It can be challenging to manually supervise projects since they are geographically dispersed and require a lot of labor. Many sections on building sites are inaccessible to humans but yet need to be checked often. For this reason, the construction industry is embracing technology to simplify construction monitoring.

The level of the monitoring process, which ranges from a light audit function (CM1) through quality assurance, determines the value addition from monitoring (QA). Modern monitoring and inspection methods combine thermal or LIDAR sensors with drone-based monitoring.

High-definition (HD) cameras and AI-based facial recognition methods are used for construction workers monitoring to increase productivity. Robots can also more accurately identify structural flaws and failures using embedded sensor technology than humans can.

10. Robotics Technology

The construction industry is one of the industries with the highest labor requirements. It involves numerous repetitive and time-consuming tasks that, however, can be completed more quickly using robotics and automation. It is not surprising that many construction companies are turning to robotics to ease their rigorous construction processes and workloads. With construction robots, human error and fatigue-related losses are drastically decreased.

Highly precise collaborative robots automate repetitive jobs like painting, rebar tying, welding, and bricklaying. For excavation, transportation, load lifting, concrete work, and demolition, robotic technologies automate heavy equipment and fleets as well. By doing so, operating time is drastically cut down while construction worker safety is increased. Robotic construction automation helps to boost overall project efficiency, cuts down on labor costs, and offers safety for hazardous operations.

Conclusion

If you’ve read this far, you now know what to expect in the coming year and can begin to develop skills and implement internal changes that’ll keep you relevant in the ever-evolving construction industry. For construction employers, these trends will inform your budgeting decisions so that you can invest your funds in potentially productive strategies.

These decisions are not always easy but with TradeLink Solutions, you’ll have much less to worry about. We know a lot about hiring in the construction sector and can match you with the resources and talents you need to grow your business in a highly competitive environment. Reach out to us today to learn more about our services.