10 Innovations That Changed Construction Forever

The shelter has been one the most primitive necessity of mankind since the beginning years. Throughout the evolution period, our kind has unraveled methods to carve the best scrapers out of stones. Today our knowledge has given us the benefit of luxury such that our lifestyles are filled with comfort and royalty.

To understand how we have reached this level of creation over these years, below are the top 10 innovations that changed construction forever:

1. Establishment of the prefabrication industry of construction:
   Prefabrication or off-the-site fabrication is the process of making the necessary assembling of the elements required on the construction site beforehand which causes less effort, time, and other vital resources. This innovation has led to the possibility of saving time for activities such as time framing, concrete insulation, pumping units or compressors, and so on.
    
2. Mechanical advancements:
   The second half of the 19^th century was blessed with the creation of pneumatic and hydraulic machines that had driven us to make the equipment that had the capabilities of moving huge lands along with the devices that are now most operated in the industry. These technological leaps have made a bolder impression on their contribution to saving time and the labor efforts needed in big project works. This then towards the beginning of the 20^th century had better advancements which enhanced their functionalities. This equipment included engines that replaced manual tools that required mandatory men and animals to get the work done.
    
3. The era of Mobile Phones:
   The biggest transformation in the world is brought by the innovation of mobile phones. Amongst other industries, the construction business flared up as mobile phones help the internally working people connect better which enunciates the quality of information being shared and assures that it reaches everyone who is involved.
   Mobile phones are handy real-time devices, that also contribute to the instant work required from the construction workers. Previously the reports that were made at the end of a whole shift, can now be updated immediately within minutes. The resources can now be calculated easily through business applications. Combining such functions can resolve the time delays and increase the accuracy of the numbers.
    
4. CAD or Computer-Aided Design:
   Every industry that now excels with immense evolution, was initially in a slow progressive state. Construction in the early days had its own charm and methods of execution. The designations like architects, builders, stonemasons, and other important personnel began with basic clay models and stone carving to understand the design work.
   Over time, in the mid-20^th Century, Computer-aided designs started. This brought a drastic change in the preparation of designs for construction. The blueprints and models were then used only for perfection, the complete designs were rendered on the computers themselves.
    
5. Construction Material upgrades:
   As an era passed of acquiring knowledge and understanding what is at stake, people understood the importance of sustainability. This means that when the materials like straw bales, derrick, rammed earth, hempcrete, and so on trap carbon dioxide which in turn exhausts the long-term sustainability.  Once this concept was understood, the alternative materials were urgently looked for, resulting in us getting cross-laminated timber, recycled rubber, bamboo, etc.
   The upbringing times of these new materials turned out to be cost-efficient as well as promising for a better environment. Eco-friendly concepts of construction are highly in demand due to the awareness in people about securing their health. The construction of the green is a balance for everyone.
    
6. BIM or Building Information Management:
   The progressive nature of computer-aided design has given a boost to construction design. Similarly, Building Information Management is a system that provides the required detailing work in the design through optimum usage of the same databases and computer-rendered models. Building Information Management functions on the quality of collaboration which allows all the involved parties to analyze the designs better and make the necessary changes immediately. This effectively betters the feedback and improvisation of construction plans.
    
7. RTS or Robotic Total Stations:
   As soon as the model work and the designs were finalized earlier, there was a complete team of specialists in labor was put into action. This meant a large group of workers who would be trained to understand the design and replicate it physically. This wasn’t a very sturdy way with multiple loopholes in the system. The process completely flipped as soon as there were Robotic Total Stations that were programmed and integrated with electronic distance measurement. They could be easily controlled by a single person and could fulfill all the tasks at a rapid speed and with greater accuracy.
    
8. Cloud Computing:
   Once the construction business got onto the digital platform, there were some initial drawbacks of project data due to the confidentiality and hardware limits. Cloud computing resolved the issues and made it possible to outsource data processing work along with storage to much more efficient machines from any corner of the world.
   Cloud computing has given the power to make quicker decisions and necessary amends in the industry at a very quick pace, resulting in better ways of development for everyone.
    
9. PPE or personal protective equipment:
   The health of an on-field worker has always been a cost with which construction has been executed. Initially, this risk was very high due to limited resources and knowledge. The construction sites involve heavy machine loads, chemicals, and many other reasons that can easily affect a life if not taken with extreme care. Since the time personal protective equipment has been made for workers, the trust in the execution of work without harming a life has increased, resulting in better work ethics and promising results.
    
10. Digital As-built or Twins:
    The concept of digital twins is the virtual replication of the physical asset which calculates all the details through real-time data. This system comes in high use during the construction and maintenance phase. The purpose of this innovation was to save time in the collection of data and analysis which ultimately saved time in making physical changes to a project. The Digital As built calculates and predicts scenarios, stimulations, carbon footprints, and much more.