The building and construction industry is making leaps and bounds when it comes to the technology and best practices it has begun to introduce over the years. It’s still the leading producer of pollution worldwide, but green building practices and green building materials are helping mitigate those effects on the surrounding environment.

Another technology that has been taking over is the introduction of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to help streamline processes and bring safety and efficiency to the forefront of every construction project now and into the future.

The staff at Structr Group is here to help you implement these emerging technologies into your next project!

What is AI?

Besides the thing that is taking the building and construction industry by storm, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology that enables computers and other “smart” machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity, and autonomy – all thing necessary for a successful construction project. AI is an excellent tool to help automate processes, predict outcomes, and execute complex directions or problems faster than a human can.

AI in Construction

The construction industry is beginning to embrace cutting-edge technologies like AI and machine learning (ML), implementing it at every stage of the construction process, from beginning to end, and even in facility management after the build is complete. By using AI throughout the entire process, a construction company can better predict the success of a specific project, as well as plan for the inevitable bumps in the road. There are a number of ways AI is being utilized in the construction industry, including:

Automating Job Sites

With the help of AI and ML, the more dangerous tasks as well as the more tedious tasks are handed off to the machines, resulting in creased productivity on the site as a whole. There’s the benefit of increased safety as well – AI keeps humans out of harm’s way by utilizing the robot for dangerous tasks or locations. The pre-programmed robots can often work with more speed and precision than a human, and frees up the human worker for more complex construction activities on the site. Many construction sites are utlizing AI and ML for tasks like:

– Pouring concrete

– Welding

– Bricklaying

– Demolition

– Excavation and site prep

Enhanced Design

While we don’t want to think about the aspect of AI taking over our jobs, they do help speed up certain details that can take a human hours or days to complete, only to be revised and reworked when found to be ineffective. By using AI algorithms, designers, clients, and stakeholders can explore a vastly larger array of design possibilities, while simultaneously evaluating materials, costs, and regulations.

Without AI, each of those steps would need to be done by either multiple individuals or a single individual over multiple hours or days. With AI, architects, designers, and engineers can generate a number of innovated designs that will undoubtedly meet project goals.

Additionally, AI can be used too generate alternative design options for specific performance criteria, including energy efficiency and/or structural integrity in order to deliver the perfect design to the client.

Enhanced Planning

Consider the time and effort it takes to gather and analyze important historical data. That data is important, as it will paint a picture of potential construction process challenges including weather delays and/or material shortages. AI speeds up that search, and provides detailed data to help construction crews plan mitigation strategies to (hopefully) avoid such setbacks.

However, it’s not just about shortages, but you can check out our article on How AI Predicts Construction Materials Shortages to learn how AI can help with that specific worry. AI can automatically identify and flag potential clashes with different building elements, including MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) systems and the building’s structural components. Combined, these enhanced planning tactics aid in earlier detection, issue correction, and the avoidance of costly changes and rework in the future.

Project Management

There are a lot of moving parts to any construction project. AI helps save time and money while keeping everyone in the loop by using Natural Language Processing (NLP) to interpret and replicate human language. This process allows AI-powered communication tools to translate documents, transcribe meeting, and generate reports that are easily readable across a large projectt team or group of stakeholders with varying backgrounds and native languages.

In addition, there are a number of collaboration platforms that use AI tools for construction management. These platforms centralize all the necessities of the job, including project documents, and schedules, as well as group communication to ensure everyone is up-to-date – avoiding costly miscommunication. Additionally, such platforms can also analyze project requirements in order to optimize the allocation of labor, equipment, and materials in order to efficiently and effectively use resources throughout the project, resulting in less waste and fewer cost overruns – and happier clients.

Safety First

Construction sites are dangerous places. Using AI on your construction job site helps you lead any project with safety first. AI can analyze data from building systems including HVAC and electrical in order to predict maintenance needs to prevent equipment failure – and the inevitable disruption and costly downtime that results from that failure.

Consider making additions like AI-powered cameras, sensors, and even workwear tech worn by each worker part of each of your construction projects. These automated tools are extra vigilant eyes that monitor the safety of the entire construction site searching for hazards and subsequently altering workers and managers to dangers, helping prevent accidents.

Data-driven & Accurate Decision Making

Using AI on your construction site can help with things like real-time progress monitoring, identify any deviations from the original plan, as well as detect potential safety hazards early and throughout the construction process. AI can analyze data from your site monitoring system, including drone footage, sensors, and security cameras, using image recognition to analyze the resulting images for quality control and predictive maintenance, all handy information to minimize rework and other associated costs, keeping your project as close to on-time and on-budget as possible.

Implement AI on Your Next Construction Project

The decision to implement AI on your next construction project isn’t something to take lightly. You may want to jump at the change, but you have to do your own analysis (without AI) . Take into consideration how AI will help you with:

Data & Quality Management

Believe it or not, AI does have limitations. One such limitation is AI’s compromised efficiency due to data silos and disorganized information. Mitigate this problem before implementing AI by improving your data integration practices to provide comprehensive, high-quality data for the AI to use.

Existing System Integration

A major hurdle to implementing AI is figuring out how to integrate it with your established systems and processes, but it doesn’t have to be difficult! There are a number of AI tools available that can adapt to existing processes with ease.

Upfront Cost

Likely the biggest hurdle of all, especially for smaller construction companies, is the upfront cost. AI systems, like other new technologies, come with a large price tag in the beginning. While there is no solution to this from the start, it’s best to look beyond the initial costs to the long-term advantages. You’ll enjoy:

– Enhanced efficiency

– Potential increased market capitalization

– Decreased costs from fewer on-the-job accidents

– Less construction waste (including unused material)

– A smaller carbon footprint due to decreased construction time and environmental impact

– and more!

Final Thoughts

These are just some of the ways AI and ML can help make your next construction project a success. The staff at Structr Group can help you evaluate your construction needs and whether AI is right for you.

Contact us today!