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Innovative Construction Methods to Watch Out for in 2021

One of the largest sectors in the world today is the construction industry, and it directly affects lives. Since the setting in of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has made some drastic changes to adapt. The pandemic has impacted the construction sector in the following ways:

  • Improved employee health and safety
  • Delayed material deliveries
  • Caused jittery clients and lenders
  • Offered working shifts

While the pandemic brought so many difficulties, it also presented the perfect opportunity for improvements in the construction industry. Meaning that, if something similar were to occur again in the future, the hit wouldn’t be as hard.

Furthermore, the industry is slowly adopting technology to improve efficiency and production. Below is a comprehensive list of some technological trends you should expect in 2021 and the years beyond.

Light Gauge Steel Frame Load Bearing Walls

Light gauge steel construction is very beneficial. Besides the fast construction and ease of handling, light gauge steel also provides sustainability in construction. Steel production is energy-efficient. Over its lifecycle, steel saves you energy owing to its 100% durability, recyclability and lightweight potential.

Expert opinion supports the fact that lightweight structures make for less extensive footings. Therefore, obtaining steel too is the practical option as there are several steel frame solutions including panelized and boarded frame fabrication systems.
Many construction companies have adopted light gauge steel frames and load-bearing walls in modular construction and light steel-framed buildings. Load-bearing walls support the forces and loads on the floors and those from the walls above; they also resist lateral wind loads.

Read more about the pros and cons of using LGSF for load-bearing stud walls here.

Construction Wearables

Wearable technology is slowly becoming a trend in the construction industry. You can find the tech in personal protective equipment like work boots, gloves, and safety vests.
Wearable tech may have:

  • Biometrics
  • GPS and location trackers
  • Environmental sensors
  • Voltage detectors
  • Wi-Fi

These and several other sensors monitor workers’ repetitive motions, movements, slips, falls, and posture. With the help of biometrics, wearable tech assists in tracking workers’ body temperature, heart rate, and several other signs for optimum safety.

Collaborative Software Solutions

Last year, the pandemic made it impossible for physical interactions. However, it also proved that parties need to communicate and share information in real-time to succeed in any construction project. Luckily for the construction industry, collaborative software is already in place.

The software makes communications between the field office and main office possible. With collaborative software solutions, the construction project parties can access up-to-date information, keeping projects within budget and on schedule.

Drones and Robots

Task automation with drones and robotics is a huge step for the construction industry for improved productivity and safety on construction sites. In the years to come, construction companies will use robots to perform repetitive but straightforward labor-intensive tasks such as installing drywall, tying rebars, and laying bricks.

Instead of making workers obsolete, construction robots will help improve their performance by boosting efficiency. On the other hand, drones can survey sites and inspect structures to ensure safety. These advancements will make it possible to perform construction tasks remotely.

To sum it up, the construction industry is among the first sectors to fully embrace change and adopt sustainable technology. The above trends will enable the industry to better prepare for any changes in the future.

Want To Learn About the Pros and Cons Associated with Load Bearing? Take A Look at Our Practical Guide Here.

Discover the pros and cons of using light gauge steel frame load bearing on your construction project by checking out our guide here. Alternatively, you can contact a member of our team by using our quick and easy contact form below. You can also get in touch with a member of the Frameclad team today on 01384 401 114 or by emailing us at enquiries@frameclad.com. We look forward to hearing from you.