Head-spinning advances in how data is collected, sorted and analysed are having a massive impact across all sectors of the economy, including building, construction and civil engineering.
This is great news for anyone who needs to commission new builds or major renovation projects. Here are just four of the ways data has transformed construction and civil engineering.
Global Planning and Collaboration
Both construction commissioners and the civil engineers they engage can now draw on an incredible depth of information to plan building projects with far more clarity and confidence.
Technology allows for data to be shared in real-time, anywhere in the world, for remote collaboration and control on a previously unimaginable scale. For instance, using satellite imagery and a host of other data collection methods, a civil engineer based in Northants can start to project manage a development in Norway before any mention of a physical site visit!
The client can also control the build from anywhere on the planet, with the ability to see detailed schematics and 3D imagery providing a more all-encompassing view than actually being there!
Field Data Collection
The ability to collate, categorise and interpret detailed information on a grand scale has also made field data collection more assured and comprehensive.
There are still companies relying on traditional methods, including paper trials. However, leading construction and civil engineering firms use management software and a diverse range of tech-based tools.
This provides opportunities to micro-manage timescales, workforces, subcontractors, materials and of course budgets. Both time and money are saved, which makes it financial common sense to use data-driven project teams.
Predictive Analytics
This is the big data development most in need of a blend of time-served expertise and technological prowess.
In the right hands, modern construction and civil engineering software offer incredible ways to model and analyse the progression of even complex building projects. Predictive analysis supports far more confident decision making, including drilling down on cost savings that won’t negatively affect the quality of the final result.
Predictive analysis techniques also make civil engineers more responsive and agile, as they can assess and amend work schedules as a major project unfolds, keeping project-critical tasks on schedule, assigning resources more accurately and anticipating and removing roadblocks or wasted resources.
Building Information Modelling
This data-reliant development underpins much of the above.
BIM technology has given civil engineers the tools needed to visualise every step of construction projects in great depth, which has made it far easier to manage projects economically and achieve sustainability and environmental agendas.
This includes opportunities to use BIM technology to manipulate the ongoing future energy efficiency and maintenance costs of buildings.
Data Driven Civil Engineering Action
This is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to data-driven improvements in building and construction. To see for yourself how technology – in the right hands – makes projects more accountable, transparent and manageable, contact the team at Lydon Contracting.
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