The early human habitation comprised of mud-and-straw sun-baked bricks. The Romans were the first to experiment with concrete, mixing lime and volcanic rock to build impressive structures. Pantheon in Rome is still the most massive concrete dome in the world. Let’s visualize some innovative construction technology trends ready to capture the building industry.
Over the centuries, architects and engineers strive to create new ways to build taller, stronger and fantastic creations using various game-changing technologies as well as materials such as steel beams, earthquake safe foundations and glass curtain walls.
But what does the future of construction technologies hold? Will there be a day when flocks of self-directing nanobots replace noisy construction crews? Will a small crack in concrete foundations miraculously heal themselves?
Keep reading the complete list of most-exciting construction technology trends coming shortly. Some are even in use today, let’s scroll down!
Self-Healing Concrete
Sounds interesting?
Well, concrete is very common construction material used across the world. In fact, it is the second most consumed construction material on Earth after water. It is cheap and readily adaptable but is responsive to cracking and deterioration under extreme heat and cold.
Earlier the only way to fix cracked concrete was to patch it, reinforce it but not anymore now. Intelligent brains created a new type of “Smart” concrete that “heals” its cracks. The concrete mix is integrated with capsules of sodium silicate. When a crack forms, the capsules rupture and release a gel-like healing element that hardens to fill the crack.
Well, this is not the only healing method of concrete. The other researchers made use of bacteria or polymer capsules to achieve similar healing results. In the current scenario, the worldwide concrete production accounts for 5% of global carbon dioxide emissions. The use of Smart Concrete would not only make our buildings safer but also are cost-effective.
Transparent Aluminum
The chemical engineers are in search of a material that combines the strength as well as durability of metal with a crisp and lucid purity of glass. Such type of pristine metal can be useful in constructing towering glass-walled buildings that need less internal support. Think of the gigantic aquarium you could build using such fantastic stuff!
Initially, scientists began experimenting with a new type of ceramic made from a gritty mix of aluminum, oxygen, and nitrogen. A ceramic is a hard, crystalline material produced by the process of heating and cooling. In this case, aluminum powder is imposed under strong heating pressure, 2000 degrees C for days and thus, a crystal-clear glass-like material is generated with the same strength of aluminum. It is known as Transparent Aluminum or ALON. The fantastic stuff is already in use by the military people for making armored windows and optical lenses.
Aerogel Insulation
Sounds bit strange right? As the name suggests, Aerogel is one of the least abundant substances on Earth. It is a foam-like solid material that maintains its shape despite being light as air. Typically, the aerogels are 15 times heavier than air.
As the name implies, you might be thinking of gel as a wet substance like a hair gel. Whereas, Aerogel is made by removing the liquid from a gel. All that is left behind is silica structure which is 90-99% air. Aerogel is weightless. It can be further diffuse into thin sheets of Aerogel fabric. These fabrics demonstrate “Super Insulating” properties. Because of its porous structure, it is difficult to pass heat. According to tests as compared to the traditional fiberglass or foam insulation, the Aerogel fabric proves to be 2-4 times better than the traditional ones.
Smart Roads
Currently, Google is grabbing all of the limelight with its self-driving car project. But what is the use such technology if they still have to drive on dumb and bumpy roads?
Researchers have developed the most-exciting roadway technology that acts as a charger for electric vehicles. A famous company has already built a large “power pad” which can wirelessly charge a parked electric car. The further step is to integrate the wireless charging technology on the roads so that the electric vehicles can recharge on the move. Thus, no more refueling stations now!
The other fascinating ideas that may come true shortly includes roadways that absorb sunlight to generate electricity. Also integrating the road with piezoelectric crystals which can capture the passing car’s vibrations and convert them into usable energy.
GFRG (Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum)
GFRG is a feasible and trusted method to construct economical homes. It is an Australian technology which saves 20-30% construction cost and can be used for all the structural elements such as walls, floors, and roofs in a building. GFRG panels are manufactured using phosphogypsum which is a waste material from fertilizer industry and glass fiber used as a reinforcement.
Advantages of using GFRG:
- Economic save up to 30% of the total construction cost
- Enhance construction quality
- NO beams or columns needed
- Eco-friendly
- Cooler up to 4 degrees
- Fire resistant up to 1000 degrees
- GFRG is Earthquake resistant
- Lightweight hence low load transferred to the foundation
- Help to save an enormous amount of cement and sand
- Reduces CO2 footprint
- Increases construction strength
- Greater life (Lasts up to 80 years, Conventional building lasts up to 50 years)
- Water resistant
- Less maintenance cost
- More carpet area (Usable area inside the house)
Certifications given for GFRG are:
- US Green Building Council
- Ministry Of Housing Development Of India
- Building Materials And Technology Council
- Indian Institute Of Technology-Madras
Conclusion
With the introduction of modern construction technologies, Indian Real Estate epitome has drastically changed over. The equation has now shifted into dynamic and self-sustaining landscapes showcasing the benefits of construction growth over a broader spectrum. Well, many of the leading Indian developers are currently engaging in the hunt of latest construction technology trends to deliver quality homes. The green building environment is gaining momentum finding and implementing latest methods of cost-effective, Eco-friendly as well as high-grade construction.