Construction companies understand the value of software and data but need to utilise the benefits of artificial intelligence. The ability of technology to anticipate and predict events before they occur can improve the construction industry’s decision value chain. AI’s multi-dimensional analysis feature can benefit the industry.
“Construction is one of the world’s most under-digitised industries, and it is slow to adopt new technologies,”
Research by McKinsey
AI solutions for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry collaborate with humans to make all critical decisions to improve the outcomes and performance of the companies.
AI is advancing in the AEC industry in terms of new applications and enhanced features. However, the pace of innovation and adoption is one of the most challenging concerns in the construction industry. Companies are hesitant to implement new digitised methods that could increase workplace efficiency. This apprehension stems from a need for awareness and limited budgets for new software platforms and gadgets.
AI in AEC
Artificial intelligence, specifically machine learning, Machine learning, in particular, improves current and future applications in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Emerging technology can have a positive impact on the built environment and on the individuals who use it.
AI uses the following techniques: machine learning and deep learning. The primary task of artificial intelligence is to teach computers to perform tasks that would typically necessitate human intelligence, such as object detection, problem-solving, and decision-making. Deep learning is a more sophisticated machine learning technique that enables computers to learn from data without being explicitly programmed.
Construction AI is currently present in the following seven categories of construction tasks:
- Planning and Design
- Site Monitoring for safety
- Progress monitoring
- Autonomous Equipment
- Quality and Cost Management
- Sustainability
AI Impact on the AEC industry
Here are some ways Construction AI detects problems at the sites, reports to the manager for correction, and enhances the work processes at construction site.
Planning and Design
Problem: The construction industry has an intractable low performance and productivity problem. The inadequate planning of the work during the project development phase and the execution phase can lead to delays and poor performance.
AI solution: Construction AI provides the following features for this stage
- Fast and effective visualisations with 3d and 2d models, useful in the early stages of design and planning
- Land Survey – Drones convert the aerial dataset into CAD site plans fully autonomously
- Creates Generative Design helpful in MEP Systems, site feasibility study and building configuration, and Structural engineering.
Site Monitoring
With an increase in construction activity, there is an increase in the rate of worker fatalities. Workers on the job site are at risk of severe injuries if adequate precautions are not taken to ensure the safety of construction workers.
AI solution: Technology provides the perfect solution for these serious problems.
- Detect Personal Protective Equipment such as helmets, safety vests etc
- Detect unsafe Behavior
- Helps with Risk Mitigation, predicts and prioritises high-risk issues or project subcontractor risk
Quality and Cost Management
Several reasons at the construction sites make financial returns for contractors relatively low and volatile. The reasons could be poor productivity, Poor quality of work, material wastage and so on.
AI solution: A contractor can correct quality and cost management issues using technology. Construction AI provides features such as:
- It can detect damage at the site, like spalls, cracks, vegetation growth, etc.
- It can bridge the gap between 3D digital blueprints (BIM models) and real-life construction field work.
- AI can help contractors estimate the budget for the project.
Progress monitoring
Progress monitoring is crucial for construction teams to take corrective action. But monitoring congested and quickly changing construction sites is a massively complex problem.
AI solution: Automated progress monitoring provides the perfect solution with features like
- Simulate different construction scenarios quickly and see the impact on cost and schedule.
- Accurately plan and establish forecasts of the workforce and project duration
- Site documentation feature automatically maps images to project plans
Autonomous Equipment
One of the most difficult challenges construction industries face is keeping track of the material and diverse range of equipment used on construction sites.
AI solution: Artificial Intelligence helps with tracking equipment
- Tracks material arrival and departure insights for project cost controls.
- It also tracks equipment uptime to manage schedule dependencies better.
Sustainability
The significant challenges that project management teams face when implementing sustainable building processes are insufficient awareness and education, inexperience with green technologies, and comparatively higher costs of green construction practices and materials.
AI solutions: AI provides effective mitigation strategies for the project, such as:
- Sets sustainable priorities and goals for the project, like lower energy use
- Reduce carbon emissions of Equipment.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can assist in addressing these shortcomings and revolutionising the AEC industry. The construction industry is gradually adopting new technologies, becoming digitised, automated, and connected. However, we must exercise caution because low Construction AI awareness and low investment in high-level cyber security make the construction industry vulnerable and open to malicious hackers. An AEC project’s lifecycle is divided into stages, each with its own data set and analytical tools. The pressing need of the hour is to have a single trusted platform for project management, collaboration, and delivery.
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