Technology is
having an ever-greater impact on the construction sector. Many ideas that were
once thought of as gimmicks - or even the stuff of science-fiction - are now
being steadily incorporated into the mainstream industry, with new and
practical applications for technology being developed at a rapid pace.
Technology is enabling the wider construction industry to achieve so much; it is streamlining delivery, reducing risk and driving productivity across a project’s supply chain. GPS, BIM, virtual/augmented reality, drone, robotics and IoT (Internet of Things) are now common terms within the industry’s vocabulary, with some if not all construction sectors now using at least one of these technologies in their daily operations.
For the scaffold and temporary access sector, technology is reinventing the wheel. Drones are used for quick and accurate surveys to create interactive 3 D models on BIM. They also monitor progress on a job site .VR and AR technology in conjunction with BIM gives a clear visualisation of how a project will function in real-time. IoT helps in remote operation and monitoring the project. Use of technology in scaffolding projects improves efficiency, safety and reduces labour and project timeframes.
Creating scaffolding blueprints with BIM
BIM is similar to
CAD (computer aided design), but not exactly the same. It is software for 3D
design to digitally model what will be built. But its capabilities don’t stop
there, it doesn’t just create a visually appealing 3D model of the build—it
creates numerous layers of metadata and renders them within a collaborative
workflow. It captures things in a way that paper just can’t.
The use of BIM provides space for better collaboration because each person and expertise area can add their piece to the same model, instead of broken out onto multiple versions of a 2D paper drawing. This way, the model evolves immediately as people contribute, streamlining the process and increasing efficiency. BIM also helps with problem solving in the design and planning stages of a project, by automating clash detection and providing a more complete picture of the project. BIM also improve the levels of safety in scaffolding.
For the scaffold and temporary access industry, BIM is enabling internal and external design engineers to produce simple 3D scaffolding blueprints for complex structures. Unlike 2D CAD drawings, 3D modelling produces detailed designs in far less time and with more reliability. As BIM progresses, the scaffold and temporary access industry will see the wider adoption of 4D, 5D and 6D iterations.
Visualising the project with AR & VR
Virtual Reality
(VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology is often used in conjunction with
BIM to help better understand complex projects. On construction projects,
virtual or augmented reality (VR/AR) gives a clear visualisation of how a
project will function in real-life and more realistic idea of what the project
will look like once completed. A project’s 3D BIM model is loaded on to the AR
software to give full visibility of the components. Users can then interact and
walk through the ‘project world’ to review the work prior to construction. This
process adds another crucial layer to scaffold projects, enabling designs to be
viewed and interrogated before moving to the next stage of development.
Virtual Reality creates an immersive environment in a headset or cardboard viewer, or even an enveloping 360 pop-up tent or room – enabling contractors, designers and end users to step into their buildings in the future – either during key stages of construction, or in their completed states.
Augmented Reality provides a graphic layer to our real-world view and offering a wide array of data to site personnel – from design information and specifications, to statistics on productivity and health and safety warnings.
IoT keeps connected onsite
The Internet of Things (IoT) basically encompasses every and any object that uses the internet to connect with another ‘thing’. IoT is a network of physical devices that are embedded with sensors and network connectivity to allow those objects to connect and exchange data. The data received is collated and analysed to inform future decisions. For the construction industry, the IoT has radically changed the way projects are managed and built: it is being used in many ways such as remote operation and monitoring, supply replenishment, construction tool tracking and in equipment servicing and repair.
IoT is of particular value on scaffolding or temporary access projects on offshore oil rigs, or any programme of works that are located in hard-to-reach places. Having a device which can keep these sites connected with external supply chains is crucial, especially when it comes to deliveries and any other urgent matters. IoT is essentially allowing important decisions to be made anytime, anywhere, freeing up site-workers from the shackles of their office computers so work can be performed in any location with decent internet connection.
Monitoring scaffolds with sensors to improve safety
Even when best practices are implemented for design, materials and assembly, scaffolds may experience dangerous failures. Most are due to unexpected environmental forces and overloading. Advancements in load cell technology, particularly wireless load cells, have made continuous monitoring of these structures possible. This, and advances in IoT technology such as better communications protocols, power consumption, and applications, make smart scaffolding feasible. A well-designed smart scaffolding system can issue life-saving warnings to workers when loads exceed the structure’s capacity.
Drones (UAVs) for survey
The unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs) – often referred to as drones – are becoming a more and
more integral part of the utilities and construction industry. Drones are being
used for health and safety inspections, progress reporting and most-prominently
in site surveying; capturing accurate data on large areas of land in just a few
minutes and accessing potentially hazardous zones with ease, keeping surveyors
themselves save.
In scaffolding works, they can conduct site surveys more quickly and accurately than a crew on the ground and are cheaper than aerial imaging. Their high resolution cameras and the data collected can create interactive 3D models, and take volume measurements. Another benefit of using drones is the ability to inspect hard to reach places such as bridges or around tall buildings, and to do it safely. They can also be used to monitor progress on a job site and see how people are working. Drones can improve efficiency, reduce physical labour cost and reduce project timeframes.
