A lot of construction experts are wondering what the future holds regarding technological innovations. Will it help the construction industry to progress, or would it just cause more problems later? Is it possible to produce properties with the help of 3D printing? Will it be possible to embed sensors in orange safety cones? To give you a better idea, allow us to talk about the 5 construction technologies that are no longer science fiction.
1. Concrete with Self Healing Properties
In the construction industry, one of the commonly used material is no other than self-healing concrete. However, over time, it faces some issues such as cracking, deterioration, and many more. Most of which are usually caused by sudden changes in weather conditions and other natural factors.
Thankfully, with technology, self-healing concrete has been developed, and it works in a way where bacteria feed on water and forms patches on cracks. Thus, the term “self-healing concrete.”
After a series of experiments, this process has been proven to be quite useful and could even be added to a liquid which could be sprayed onto buildings. There’s one bit of a problem though– since it’s relatively new in the market, it can be quite pricey as it costs twice than regular concrete.
Though experts claim that the price has something to do with the rate of calcium lactate, if only they would be able to find an alternative, then the price would dramatically go down.
Hopefully, as this technology continues to be popular, experts would soon develop some ways on how to make that happen and everyone will surely benefit from this.
2. Aerogel Insulation
Originally thought as a wet substance, aerogel is made by taking out all the liquid from the material and leaving it on silica structure, which means it’s 99{9e572212040a30c6213e84a4e07d4e46a673b9b99a0898f7c38e6c0cf1fe60d6} air. It can be spun out into thin sheets of fabric, and what makes it quite ideal is the insulating properties it possesses. That’s one of the few reasons that it was quite futuristic when it first entered the construction industry.
It’s also worth noting that as compared to fiberglass, aerogel insulation is way better. Although fiberglass is the most common form of insulation, it’s considered to be hazardous to handle. Fiberglass is made of glass powder and tiny shards of glass which could damage the eyes.
That’s why for those who are feeling this type of material, it’s very important to wear the proper safety equipment to avoid injuries– which is not an issue with aerogel insulation. Aside from that, aerogel is also considered to be four times more efficient than fiberglass, and just recently, an event its prices are going down.
3. Transparent Aluminum
For years, developers have been looking for ways on how to create thin metal with properties that are stronger than glass-walled skyscrapers. Back in the 1980s, scientists tried to use a combination of nitrogen, aluminum, and oxygen to produce a powerful glass-like ceramic.
This is widely known as “transparent aluminum” which used to be a futuristic construction material but is now being used in the construction industry.
4. Temperature Reactive Tiles
These are usually glass tiles that have thermo-chromatic pain that can change colors whenever the tiles heat up or cool down. For example, at room temperature, these tiles are usually black, but when they meet warm water, or even direct lighting, they change into another shade. This color shifting property is impressive, making it seem quite futuristic.
5. 3D Printed Houses
Another futuristic form of construction technique are the 3D printed houses where the materials used to build them are produced using a 3D printer— the same device that can be used to print toys, jewelry, and the like. Since it’s easier to reproduce materials, it has become possible to save time and budget with this kind of technology.
Furthermore, those who are interested in sustainable construction methods should consider 3D printing. Homes can now be constructed in just a matter of days, and just like what has been mentioned earlier, this would reduce labor costs and wastage of materials. Hopefully, this would also resolve some of the most common issues the construction industry face, including the shortage of workers, and how long it usually takes to complete a project.