A weekly round up of news relevant to digital construction professionals
A US research team is investigating the use of different soil types as an alternative to concrete for 3D printed buildings. Using local materials such as soil would reduce energy requirements to manufacture concrete, cut transport requirements and increase materials recycling, they said.
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Materials low in carbon dioxide will make attractive alternatives to traditional Portland cement. Materials from industrial waste or by-products such as coal fly ash can be used in cement without the need for Portland cement, and produce much lower levels of CO2 emissions. However, construction has been slow to adopt the use of more sustainable materials in cement, leaving it as a niche market and having minimal impact in efforts to decarbonize the industry.
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Digital technologies such as BIM and prefabrication have been integral in driving the growth of data centre construction in the Middle East and Africa, says a report. The sector, valued at $831m, is predicted to experience growth of 9.4% a year to 2030.
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The worldwide multifamily modular and prefabricated housing construction market is expected to decline in 2020 due to Covid-19. The market is expected to contract by 11%, from $21.1bn to $18.8bn. It is expected to recover to $25.4bn by 2023.
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BIM is an example of a technology that can provide benefits to differing construction stages without making a big leap, writes International Construction. At the tender stage it highlights that a contractor has the technical know-how to execute a project, and can be used to better understand the design effect of a building.
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The long-term partnership between Atkins and Cardiff University to develop the CUSP digital twin programme offers an example of how technology can become reality, writes BIM Today. Following years of evolution, digital twins are now seen as a way to improve the delivery and management of assets.
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The world’s seventh tallest building used BIM during its design in order to implement and run some of the latest technologies. Tianjin Chow Tai Fook Binhai Center in China is 530-metres tall and has 97 floors. Using BIM improved its design and saved time during planning and construction.
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