Building materials are an essential part of our economies. However, the industry remains one of the most fragmented and least digitized industries.
New construction technology digitalizes field and office operations. This reduces on-site travel and enables on-call guidance, diagnosis, and resolution.
Advanced building materials have enhanced properties to fit modern construction methods like modular and sustainable construction. These include self-healing concrete and mycelium composites.
Living Building Materials
One of the most intriguing trends in building material industry is living building materials. Those developing these materials aim to cut down on carbon emissions and pollution from the environment while also providing building materials that are equal or better than those currently in use.
The people working on this type of material have used a variety of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi to develop bricks that can heal cracks, sense and respond to pressure and temperature and even glow on command. They also incorporated them into materials that can sequester surplus atmospheric carbon dioxide gas or absorb harmful toxins in the air.
In addition, living construction materials can grow and reproduce, allowing them to be produced exponentially. However, this technology has its challenges. For instance, these materials require humid conditions to survive and cannot multiply in an arid climate. This is an area where further research will be needed. Additionally, they have not yet been tested in a real-world setting.
Cyber-Technologies
After a rough few years, the building and industrial materials sector is looking up. Input cost inflation trends appear to have peaked, waning demand in new residential and home repair and remodel markets has troughed, positive regulatory catalysts for infrastructure spending should become a tailwind, and building materials suppliers are getting some relief from the soaring effects of tariffs.
Tech has disrupted almost every industry, and it’s no surprise that the construction industry is also embracing new technologies. These include digital collaboration software that helps teams stay connected even when they’re far apart. Construction management software that allows companies to track project budgets and schedules more effectively.
Another technology that’s becoming more popular in the industry is green building. The concept of green building is based on environmentally sustainable design and construction processes. Green buildings have many benefits, including reduced environmental impact and improved energy efficiency. As regulations get stricter, more construction and design firms are incorporating green building into their processes.
Eco-Friendly Building Materials
With eco-friendly materials like sustainable timber, recycled steel, and energy-efficient windows becoming popular in construction projects, the industry is making a commitment to environmental responsibility. These sustainable materials reduce the impact on natural resources, reducing carbon emissions and waste. Some also offer improved energy efficiency, and help create healthy indoor environments for occupants.
These green materials can be used for both structural and decorative purposes. For example, builders can use bamboo for flooring or counters in the kitchen, and reclaimed wood to make walls and countertops. In addition to being eco-friendly, these materials are durable and can be used for years.
Other sustainable construction materials include straw bales and aerated concrete. These are both highly insulated, which helps with energy-efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Fiberglass insulation is another option for green construction, as it is free of harmful chemicals such as phenol/formaldehyde and made from recycled glass bottles and sand. Additionally, green charcoal bio-bricks are an alternative to conventional building materials and are made from charcoal, soil, organic luffa fiber, and air. It absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, which helps reduce the ambient temperature and cleans the air.
Drone Technology
Drone technology is transforming the building materials industry and revolutionizing the way projects are managed. By providing real-time visual data and enhancing safety, drones can optimize workflow and improve project coordination. They can also help ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget.
During the design phase, drones are used to inspect and document construction sites. The use of surveying drones equipped with LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors facilitates site planning, 3D modeling, and topographical analysis [1, 2]. This allows architects and engineers to optimize their designs and reduce costs.
Drones can be configured with a variety of sensors for various applications. They can be equipped with visual sensors to capture still and video images, thermal sensors to detect hot spots and other anomalies, and multispectral sensors that collect standard visual red, green, and blue wavelengths as well as nonvisible ones. They can also be equipped with accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, barometers, and GPS.
Drones can be powered by batteries or internal combustion engines. Compared to rotor-based drones, fixed-wing drones are more energy efficient and can fly for longer periods of time.
Polyethylene Terephthalate Foam Cores
PET foam cores are being used to fabricate insulated shells for framed and frameless building structures, as well as to insulate refrigerators and other equipment. Their light weight, high free span, lower installation and structural costs make them popular in construction. They also offer a higher thermal performance than conventional construction materials.
Armacell is a leading manufacturer of PET foam cores that are made from post-consumer recycled plastic. These foams are called GR foams, or green foams, and meet the stringent technical requirements of composites while following the guidelines for a circular economy.
These foams are also being used to protect permafrost floors in northern regions from thawing. The foam’s low thermal conductivity and water vapor permeability reduces the risk of methane release from the thawing soil.
In the coming years, new trends in construction materials will change the way builders and GCs approach their projects. These trends could help them save money, increase energy efficiency and create environmentally friendly buildings. In addition, they may lead to a boost in customer loyalty and brand recognition.