6 Trends That Will Shape the Future of Construction Industry in 2022

The increasing demand for sustainability has resulted in the effort to "go green." Going green means practicing methods that are environmentally friendly and resource-efficient. Why is going green important? It is important because of the numerous benefits that can be reaped from being sustainable. These benefits include: 

- Lower operating costs 

- Improving occupant health 

- Higher occupancy rates 

There are three main stages of construction where sustainability can be practiced: 

- Building: The first stage of the construction process is building, which involves creating a structure from scratch. Green materials such as recycled metal and locally sourced materials should be used during this process because they require less energy and resources to transport. The use of green materials will also lower the carbon footprint. 

- Maintenance: During the second stage of the construction process, maintaining a structure, building owners must make sure that the infrastructure is always in good condition and up to code. To do so, building owners must manage their water, electricity, and other resources efficiently. In addition, building owners should use green cleaning products that are non-toxic and biodegradable to make sure they are being eco-friendly while keeping their structures clean. 

- Demolition: The last stage of the construction process is demolition, which involves tearing down the buildings. Green construction aims to reduce as much waste as possible during this stage. When the demolition results, wasted material should be designed and picked to be disposed of at a recycling center as much as possible. 

 

A lot has changed in the construction industry over the past few years: 

New building materials have become available — and more affordable — due to technological advances in manufacturing. 

The cost of labor has risen while the cost of materials has dropped (due to mass production and increased competition). 

Building regulations have become stringent, which is a driving force behind innovations in sustainable construction materials. 

More builders are now using new ways to maximize profits and minimize their environmental footprint with each new project: 

Recyclable materials — using recycled materials certainly is not new. However, given the issues discussed above facing construction companies, the use of recycled materials has now become common in the construction of entire structures, although only for smaller projects for now. For example, recycled plastics are now being used to create building blocks that are used for constructing walls. These blocks can be created from 100% recycled plastic and can even be colored during manufacturing. They are also resistant to water damage, rot, and insects. Recycled aluminum is another material used for building walls — this time through extrusion. It creates a panel system that is strong and durable. 

Engineered cementitious composite (ECC) concrete has been around for more than a quarter-century. Fiber-reinforced ECC concrete mimics the behavior of nacre, which lines the inside of an abalone shell. The enhanced product results in lower maintenance costs and longer lifespans. 

Precast concrete: The use of precast concrete has become more common in recent decades, as it can reduce construction time by up to 50%. Using this type of concrete also has environmental benefits, as the manufacturing process does not release CO2 into the atmosphere, and it makes efficient use of resources by reducing energy consumption during production and transportation to the site. 

Engineered timber — aka cross-laminated timber or CLT. Made from lumber glued together in layers, this product has become popular due to its sustainability as well as its strength and fire resistance. CLT is made from fast-growing softwood trees and does not use concrete or steel reinforcements — which means fewer carbon emissions in its production. It is also proven to be lighter than concrete and steel, which can help cut down costs on labor and transportation. 

 

The problem is not new. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 80% of its members are having a hard time filling hourly craft positions. It is no surprise that for these companies, finding workers has become their biggest challenge. 

A labor shortage poses significant risks to companies that want to pursue new construction projects. If a company cannot meet deadlines and execute flawless finishing touches, customer satisfaction will be difficult to achieve. For companies eager to get repeat customers crews must have the laborers needed for seamless execution.  

The pandemic has only exacerbated the labor shortage in the construction industry.  

With unemployment at historic levels, businesses are experiencing a decline in workers across industries. The construction industry is no different.   

The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that nearly 2 million construction workers have left their jobs only in the USA since the pandemic began. This labor shortage is putting a strain on companies eager to complete projects during an unprecedented time in history. 

To tackle the challenge of a declining construction workforce, companies need to do more with fewer laborers. By supplementing your team’s efforts with more construction equipment or workflow automation, you can maximize productivity. 

 

As we continue to look ahead into the future, trends in construction and technology are becoming more and more important to stay on top of. From the largest general contractor to the smallest subcontractor, everyone is looking for ways to leverage technology to gain a competitive advantage over their competition and deliver projects more efficiently. 

Collaboration between field teams, office teams, and owners is becoming more important than ever before, due to Covid-19 restrictions. 

When it comes to coordination and communication between field teams and the office, collaboration is seeing a spike in popularity as an AEC industry tool for 2022. 

In an industry where face-to-face interactions have become either impossible or much less frequent due to social distancing regulations, collaboration tools are being used as a way for them to maintain regular communications between team members working from home. In addition to these internal communications benefits, these collaboration tools also provide another layer of transparency for those interacting with project owners remotely. 

Research done by AGC (the Associated General Contractors of America) in 2019 suggests that a majority of firms (51%) use file-sharing sites such as Dropbox to collaborate with partners, while 36% report they use online project collaboration software. These types of tools allow for all parties involved in a project to share files and documents securely and safely. Sharing large files via email is not as safe, and most email providers limit the size of attachments. Plus, some older computers may not be able to open certain file types sent via email. 

A McKinsey study that examined 30 technologies across 12 sectors found that digital technologies are enabling “more efficient collaboration among a wider range of stakeholders” than ever before. Whether it is BIM or VR/AR, the most prevalent technologies in construction today are those that improve communication between everyone involved in a project — from contractors and engineers to architects, subcontractors, workers, and clients. 

Safety is a huge concern in the construction industry with 20.4% of workplace fatalities taking place in the construction field. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that out of 4,764 worker fatalities in private industries, 976 or 20.4 percent were in construction. Falls, struck by objects, electrocution, and caught-in/between were the leading causes of private sector worker deaths in the construction industry. These "Fatal Four" were responsible for more than half (49.6%) of the construction worker deaths in 2021, BLS reports. 
 
To provide a safer, more sustainable, and enjoyable working environment, construction firms need to improve worker productivity and safety, increase operational efficiency, and reduce risk. Digital transformation can help in all these aspects. 

A new trend in construction technology, better safety equipment, such as wearables and IoT devices, helps reduce injuries onsite by measuring the users’ biometric conditions and environment. These wearable devices are capable of detecting any unsafe activity and transmitting data to the control center to prevent accidents. 

The use of technology in construction is an expanding market. The industry is now one of the most tech-centric in the world, with a heavy reliance on software and mobile apps to monitor every aspect of a project from start to finish. From drones to 3D printing, there are multiple ways technology is changing construction for the better. Here are five ways that technology continues to impact the construction industry:  

• Robotics and automation have been used in manufacturing for years, but as these technologies have been refined, they are becoming more accessible and less expensive. In construction, robotics like mechanical arms that perform repetitive tasks like brick-laying or 3D printers that print solid objects are being used more often. The hope is that robots will help the construction industry meet the increasing demand for skilled labor since fewer people are entering the workforce. 

• Self-driving construction vehicles, such as other construction vehicles, such as pavers (that lay asphalt), have also been modified to operate autonomously. When the level of automation increases to a certain point, humans will be able to delegate even more tasks, reducing risk to human lives and increasing efficiency. 
• The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and simulations in collaborative building design are among the most exciting technologies to have emerged in the construction industry. 

AI can be used in many ways, including to improve productivity and reduce waste on a project. It can help companies identify problems that need to be fixed. The use of predictive analytics can help owners and developers make more informed decisions. 

• Augmented reality systems to improve productivity. Augmented reality (AR) systems superimpose computer-generated images on the real world through headsets or handheld devices to improve productivity and reduce training needs for skilled trades such as welders and pipefitters who need precise instructions on how to assemble parts correctly the first time. 

• Wearable sensors to monitor worker safety. Construction workers face dangers every day from equipment operation to falls from heights. Sensors on clothing or hard hats can monitor workers' proximity to dangerous conditions and provide alerts before accidents happen. These types of sensors also can be used to monitor workers' well-being during extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves or blizzards, or even when working in the deep-sea environment of offshore oil rigs.
• Drones can be used by construction companies to survey the land before they start work on a project, but they can also inspect structures while they are being built. They can even be used once the project has been completed to assess damage or any maintenance that needs carrying out. 

Inspecting industrial equipment and bridges can be dangerous for workers. Drones have made it easier for construction companies to inspect their equipment, buildings, and bridges safely. They are also used to examine hard-to-reach areas that are difficult to access by people. 

Some companies are pairing the use of drones with thermal imaging cameras to check if there are any areas that need repairing. This reduces repair costs and decreases the risk of accidents by pinpointing areas that need attention before they become a problem. 

• Big data integration in the construction industry. One of the biggest trends in construction is the integration of Big Data into everyday business practices for improving safety compliance, scheduling, workflow efficiency, and productivity management. 

Big Data is a big deal in the construction industry. As more and more companies start to realize the incredible value that can be extracted from the data they collect and store, Big Data technologies are quickly becoming a priority for many organizations.  

While big data is not a new concept, it has only recently been applied in the construction industry, where it is often used in BIM (Building Information Modelling). BIM is the process of generating and managing digital 3D models for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) projects. It has enabled the AEC industry to better manage project information, which helps improve collaboration between various parties and ultimately shortens project cycles.  

It is clear that the construction industry is headed in a handful of directions, and technology is playing a significant role in that shift. The companies that embrace the innovative technologies available to them should stand more than ready to reap the benefits. Whether it be an opportunity to build smarter, faster, and more efficiently, or by streamlining the purchasing process and dealing with all the paperwork involved, these companies are poised to succeed.