The Internet of Things
The Internet of Things or IoT is the network connecting various pieces of equipment that you normally wouldn’t think would have internet connectivity. In the home, this includes things such as refrigerators, thermostats, and even washers and dryers. In the civil engineering industry, the IoT is used with embedded sensors on various equipment and materials that allow crews to collect a large amount of data. Wearable tech can allow hands-free data collection, while cameras can let supervisors and security personnel watch the site in real-time.
VR Tech
Most people think of virtual reality or augmented reality as a fun little toy that’s only useful in video games, but it’s actually very helpful in the civil engineering industry. Instead of creating a small model of your project, you can create a virtual reality model that you and your clients can “walk” through. This gives everyone a much better feel for what the final product will actually look like. Augmented reality can be used to view measurements, wall placement, and more while on the job site. All you have to do is put on a pair of special glasses or use an augmented reality app on a phone or tablet to see these projected lines.
Drones
Drones have become a fun hobby for many, but they’re also very useful in civil engineering. Rather than send someone up a ladder or dangerous scaffold, you can simply fly a drone up to the area and inspect it via the drone’s built-in HD camera. If you have a small tunnel or other area that may be a tight fit for a human, the drone can fly in there and look around. You can even use these devices to pull cables or wiring.
3D Printing
With advances in 3D printing, creating project models is quick and easy. But it’s also possible to 3D print using many other materials than plastic. 3D concrete printing has become a major market that is expected to top the $1 billion dollar mark by 2023. One construction company has already completed the first 3D printed pedestrian bridge in the world.
These are just a few of the new technologies that have changed how civil engineers do their jobs. Of course, it won’t end there. These technologies will evolve over the coming years and be joined by new innovations.
If you have any comments or questions please contact David Marquez, Sales Account Manager at JMC² Civil + Structural Engineering at dmarquez@jmc-2.com, (310) 241-6550 x253, www.jmc-2.com.