The construction industry has a high impact on the planet; a large percentage of energy consumption and waste is generated by construction. Consequently, it produces a high percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions. This negative impact has to change. To address the environmental damage caused by the construction industry, we must rethink how we build. What and how resources are used, to optimize the recycling processes for waste reduction.
To make a real change for the environment and everyone's way of living, the construction industry must transition to sustainable practices and materials. With embedded technology in construction, a computing system designed to perform specific tasks within larger systems, it is possible to achieve better solutions without endangering the planet's ecosystem and its flora and fauna.
Embedded systems can provide a comprehensive and integrated sustainable approach to construction; potentially making the construction industry more sustainable and efficient.
Embedded technology in construction involves utilizing digital and advanced technologies to optimize the entire building process, from planning and design to construction and operation. Its objective is to enhance buildings' efficiency, sustainability, safety, and other structures like roads while reducing costs and minimizing waste.
Construction uses embedded systems (a combination of hardware and software designed to perform a specific task) and a range of advanced technologies. Examples include Building Information Modeling (BIM), which creates digital models of buildings and infrastructure, including the entire project timeline, from design to possible demolition; it also enables collaboration between architects, engineers, and construction teams. Another advanced technology used is robotics for tasks, like bricklaying, to prevent risks to workers and to leverage human resources for other assignments.
Furthermore, construction uses the Internet of Things (IoT) technology devices (like sensors and cameras) to monitor construction equipment and construction sites, to collect data on equipment usage, environmental conditions, and workforce safety.
Another example is data analytics, which provides real-time information from the data collected by the embedded IoT sensors to optimize the overall performance of operations and equipment. Additionally, AI is used for data processing and interpretation. AI algorithms can learn from the data generated and use this knowledge to identify patterns to make predictions or suggestions to help construction professionals make more informed decisions.
As we mentioned, the main benefits of embedded construction systems are improved operability, efficiency, safety, and sustainability of buildings, roads, and other structures, while reducing costs and minimizing waste. Thus, some of the main applications of embedded construction tech are the following:
Embedded systems are used in automated construction equipment to optimize their performance and reduce the need for human intervention, such as in self-driving construction vehicles, which use embedded systems to navigate and perform their tasks.
Nowadays, prefabricated components are often manufactured with embedded systems, such as sensors and controls. These can be integrated fast into the building during the construction phase.
Embedded systems are used in smart materials for self-healing concrete; to improve durability and reduce maintenance needs.
Embedded systems can monitor the quality of construction materials and components, ensuring they meet design specifications.
Embedded sensors and controls are used to monitor construction sites for potential safety hazards, such as gas leaks, vibration in scaffolding, and workforce falls.
There is currently a global commitment target to achieve zero emissions by 2050, and embedded technology in construction can help the industry to achieve it. Smart building is essential to achieving sustainability and zero-emission goals because it enables construction companies to create applications and procedures that minimize their environmental impact while improving their business operations.
The Emissions Gap Report 2022: The Closing Window, by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), indicates that the eight top emitters of greenhouse gas emissions are China, Europe Union 27 (EU27), India, Indonesia, Brazil, Russia, United States, and international transport. It also indicates that buildings were responsible for 5.7% of the global GHG emissions in 2020.
As mentioned, embedded systems incorporate advanced digital technologies and data analytics into construction processes. These embedded technologies help optimize the general performance of construction processes and equipment. But also enable the design of sustainable construction solutions to minimize waste and energy consumption and improve air quality and safety. In this way, construction companies can introduce sustainable and permanent changes in their business to become a sustainable and future-proof industry.
We have already mentioned the main current applications of embedded construction tech, but let's introduce some others that make it possible to adopt sustainable construction solutions, such as:
Helps to monitor and track the source, transportation, and disposal of construction materials to minimize waste and ensure materials are obtained sustainably.
Monitor the structural integrity for early detection and potential damage repair, minimizing critical repairs or replacements. For example, predictive maintenance uses acoustic, vibration, and infrared monitoring systems.
Manage and monitor energy usage and integrate renewable energy sources (like solar or wind power). For example, smart grids control and distribute energy more efficiently, reducing energy waste and fossil fuel usage.
Monitor and control water usage and leak detection. It also includes monitoring water-service devices such as low-flow toilets and faucets.
Automate building systems, such as HVAC, lighting, and ventilation, enabling more efficient utilities usage and minimizing energy consumption. Data analysis identifies usage patterns in the building based on occupancy and weather conditions to optimize services and reduce waste.
Having mentioned all these features, let's use an example to see how embedded construction technology works: The Shanghai Tower construction project. It is currently the second tallest building in the world, with a height of 632 meters and 128 floors, designed by the architectural firm Gensler.
First, let's mention the challenges presented by skyscrapers: the construction process, including the amount of energy required for their construction and operation; the carbon emissions generated with the production of building materials; and the need to provide adequate ventilation and natural light in the buildings. That is why skyscrapers present a problem for sustainability.
In the Shanghai Tower project, sustainability was prioritized in all project phases, from design and construction to maintenance and eventual demolition. The development team's goal was to make the tower as environmentally friendly as possible. As a result, the Shanghai Tower has been awarded the LEED Platinum certification, which is the highest level of certification available and demonstrates the building's commitment to sustainability.
To highlight a few features, they used sustainable materials and embedded technology for energy efficiency, like wind turbines and geothermal heating and cooling, waste reduction, and provided green spaces within the buildings. It was designed with a double-skin facade that helps insulate the building and reduce energy consumption; it has a rainwater harvesting system to supply water and irrigate gardens and an air conditioning system that uses waste heat to heat water for the building.
The entire project is a series of innovations, but we will focus on the construction process and the smart building applications adopted in the building for its preservation. For example, for the production process, some major embedded technologies and strategies used for the design and construction stages were Building Information Modeling (BIM), prefabrication, Virtual Reality (VR), robotics, and real-time monitoring.
BIM was used extensively throughout construction processes to optimize collaboration between architects, engineers, contractors, and everyone involved. BIM also helped to detect conflicts and coordinate building systems, minimizing the need for rework and changes.
Another technology broadly used was prefabrication, as many of the building components were made offsite and transported to the construction site for assembly. This makes it possible to reduce waste, improve quality control, and decrease construction time.
VR enhanced construction processes and helped train workers in a safe, virtual environment.
Robotic technology was used during the construction process, as robots were used to perform tasks such as welding, cutting, or lifting heavy materials, which reduced the risk of injury to workers while improving efficiency.
In addition, real-time monitoring was used to supervise construction activities and progress, detect potential problems, and optimize the construction process. Embedded sensors and control devices allowed for collecting data on the building's structural condition, energy consumption, and other parameters to make possible adjustments and improvements in real-time.
For the maintenance and functionality of the building, multiple advanced integrated technologies are used, including the following:
Achieving sustainability and zero emission targets is essential for construction companies and industries. Therefore, adopting these advanced technologies is critical to achieving sustainable goals and optimizing the business model. Eden System is the best solution to manage embedded technology in construction projects.
The Eden System is a decentralized platform that leverages blockchain technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) to provide secure and sustainable IT solutions to industries and enterprises.
The Eden System is designed to enable secure management and transparency in zero-trust environments, optimizing the management of assets and improving business processes through real-time data, data analytics, and machine learning.
It also enables collaboration between communities and organizations to make informed decisions based on valuable insights from analyzed data, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and social impact. Partner with us, and we can make positive and innovative changes in industries and the environment. We will be happy to talk about your ideas. To start the journey, please apply here.
