INDUSTRY REPORT
The Science Museum in Valencia , Spain . modular construction has emerged as a logical alternative to conventional methods option . Modular construction also exhibits a substantial decrease in the waste generation associated with traditional building methods .
“ Modular construction minimises the extent of disruption and closure in the existing structure . Capital-intensive sectors , such as healthcare , are increasingly using modular construction as a way of reducing the cost and shortening the construction schedules without compromising on the quality of building materials or design . The growing e-commerce industry , coupled with rising industrialisation , has resulted in an increased demand for warehouses and inventory storage buildings . As a result , the demand for modular construction in industrial applications is expected to grow ,” added the analyst .
“ The market is characterised by the presence of small- and largescale players , resulting in a moderate level of competition . Companies are focusing on R & D initiatives relating to the use of raw material , supply chain management , transportation and adoption of innovative methods to cope with rising demand from residential , commercial and industrial building applications ,” it concluded .
Key market trends
Apart from modular construction , other trends in the construction market include increased interest in 3D printing technology , sustainability innovations and robotics .
“ In Mexico , construction is underway on fifty 3D-printed homes . A specialised 3D printer can create each abode in about a day . In 2018 , a four-person team associated with the Marines used 3D printing to make a concrete barracks building in just 40 hours . Traditional methods usually require ten people working for five days to build the structure out of wood . Due to examples like these and others , 3D printing should continue to revamp the construction sector in 2021 and beyond ,” explained Linchpin .
Aluminium house system ( Kyushu , Japan ).
Requests from construction clients often include sustainability specifications , especially if customers want to receive eco-friendly designations or tax credits . The sustainable trend in construction shows no signs of slowing .
There is also potential for collaborative robots , or cobots , in construction . These mobile robots could help construction projects to stay on schedule and finish under budget , if deployed on timeconsuming or labour-intensive tasks .
“ Although a wide variety of issues and inefficiencies can make projects cost too much , industry experts have weighed in to say that technology could reduce those budgetary excesses . For example , drones can capture high-resolution photos of a site faster than other methods , and virtual reality can let clients see what new additions would look like before construction professionals start working on them . Construction firms will continue to choose technology to support their labour needs , save time and improve processes . However , while looking for options that accomplish those goals , many will also want assurance that the investments will have positive effects on project costs ,” added Linchpin .
Emerging trends which have a direct impact on the dynamics of the construction industry include increased demand for green construction to reduce the carbon footprint ; bridge lock-up device systems to enhance the life of structures ; building information systems for efficient building management and the use of fibre-reinforced polymer composites for the rehabilitation of ageing structures , according to analyst Lucintel .
However , while advances in technology such as Building Information Modelling ( BIM ) and modular construction can help , efficiency improvements of the scale required will only be achieved if the industry evolves and develops leaner , more collaborative ways of working across the supply chain . n
The trade fair exhibition grounds in Frankfurt , Germany . other trends in the construction market include increased interest in 3D printing technology , sustainability innovations and robotics
26 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR May 2021