Modern construction techniques sometimes referred to as “smart construction” or MMC, maximize the use of human and material resources to quickly produce new buildings.
Construction, like other industries, has experienced a number of developments in recent years. New techniques are always being created, enhanced, and adjusted to satisfy the efficiency and sustainability requirements of the twenty-first century.
In this post, we’re going to look more closely at this approach to working and examine how it differs from conventional “bricks and mortar” construction techniques.
Types of Modern Construction Techniques
Construction experts employ modern methods of construction (MMC), which are creative building strategies that expedite the construction process. Modern construction techniques, which promote sustainability, assist cut costs and shorten construction times by utilizing prefabricated building components and comprehensive digital design.
Both onsite and offsite techniques are employed in modern construction methods, and the particular MMCs that a construction company uses will depend on the specifics of the project. You should be aware of the many cutting-edge contemporary construction approaches that are currently being employed by experts in the field.
Pre-engineered/Precast Flat Panel System
Floor and wall units of a precast flat panel system are manufactured off-site in a dedicated facility. After that, the pre-engineered panels are put in place on the construction site to quickly construct structures. This approach works particularly well for projects with cellular designs that repeat.
Insulating Concrete Formwork (ICF)
Building walls are constructed from double-walled polystyrene panels using an insulating concrete formwork (ICF) method. To provide a sturdy, long-lasting structure, construction-grade ready-mixed concrete is poured into the vacant panels. In addition to offering superior sound and heat insulation, airtight ICF systems support buildings in maintaining a constant thermal mass energy within.
Augmented Reality-Assisted Building
For good reason, augmented reality (AR) has been hailed as one of the most cutting-edge technologies utilized in the building sector. With the use of wearable augmented reality (AR) technology and building information modelling (BIM), developers can examine fully rendered and perfectly accurate 3D models of specific constructions. This is quite helpful for pre-construction planning and for figuring out which particular resources are needed to develop a new building system.
Raised Access Flooring
Installing modular floor panels over an existing floor surface is a modular building technique known as raised access flooring. Rather than installing elevated floor panels in ceiling space, they are suspended above the existing floor to create vacant space that can be used to channel HVAC, electrical, or plumbing wiring. Compared to overhead systems, raised access floor panels make repairs and maintenance considerably easier.
3D Volumetric Construction
Three-dimensional units are created in a specialist facility and then transferred to appropriate job sites for assembly in 3D volumetric construction. You may create 3D modules with different levels of complexity. While some units might only have the basic framework, others might have interior and external elements already installed.
Hybrid Concrete Construction
Hybrid concrete construction combines many construction techniques, as the term implies. Cast-in-place concrete is specifically combined with other precast elements, such as steel or concrete units, in hybrid concrete construction. A hybrid approach that combines precast and in-situ building techniques speeds up facility construction, reduces project costs, and maintains overall building quality control.
Thin Joint Masonry
By utilizing less mortar to make structural walls, the thin joint masonry building technology contributes to shorter build timeframes. Large-format concrete blocks may be stacked considerably more quickly with the use of a unique adhesive mortar, which also reduces waste and the cost of necessary building supplies.
Precast Concrete Foundation
Precast concrete, also referred to as precast foundations, are manufactured off-site in a factory using reusable molds. They can be joined with additional panels to form a building.
This technique is most frequently applied to walls, although it can also be applied to floors, stairs, and beams. Precast foundations are a very practical, affordable, and effective way to build, and they come in handy especially in bad weather.
Twin-Wall Technology
Twin wall technology is a technique that improves the speed and strength of the structure by combining pre-made and in-situ concrete. Twin wall technology is the process of joining and reinforcing two prefabricated walls before filling the spaces with concrete. This fast and low-cost approach is also used to connect concrete floors and walls together.
Timber Frames
In order to create a composite structure that may be covered in another material, like brick, on-site, timber frame building combines a variety of structural frames that have been manufactured off-site in a factory, such as external and internal walls, floors and roofs.
With its use of renewable resources, timber frame construction is a sustainable building technique that gives architects and designers a great lot of creative freedom for the design and look of the building.
Flat Slab Construction
Concrete slabs that are flat and braced by concrete columns are used in this manner. Because there are no height limitations between levels, flat slab design avoids the requirement for support beams and allows for greater structural flexibility. Flat slab construction, like many other contemporary building methods, shortens the whole installation and construction time.
Challenges of Modern Methods of Construction
Using more contemporary construction techniques presents a number of difficulties. Although this needs to be weighed against the project’s total lifecycle cost, the immediate expense is substantial. People believe that because MMC projects are quicker and less expensive than more traditional ones, they are of worse quality. Dispelling this unfavourable impression is necessary to guarantee public support for MMC projects. The MMC practice can negatively affect the project’s social value because it primarily occurs in a factory setting.
Fewer opportunities are created for local employment and apprenticeship programs. The scarcity of competent personnel required to execute the specialised production procedures associated with MMC processes may act as a disincentive to employ these more contemporary approaches.
Benefits of Modern Construction Techniques
The aforementioned examples demonstrate how contemporary building methods shorten project durations and lower construction costs. However, there are more concrete advantages to building using current techniques.
Eco-friendly — Compared to conventional construction techniques, MMCs often have a smaller environmental impact. When compared to the manufacturing, assembly, and installation of conventional materials, the MMC production process produces fewer pollutants. Not to add, many MMCs’ energy-efficient insulation might contribute to a decrease in carbon footprints.
Energy-efficient: Modern building methods make use of incredibly effective insulation, which means that less energy is needed to heat or cool interior spaces. MMCs offer more sustainable energy solutions integrated into every building project, a response to the global increase in energy costs.
Less risk: The construction process carries significantly less danger when MMCs are created in a controlled manufacturing environment and are pre-planned using sophisticated software. Since they typically don’t have to operate from heights, builders have a far lower chance of falling and getting hurt. Additionally, risks such as moving construction vehicles are removed.
Improved quality: Unexpected problems and delays might occur in traditional buildings. Construction projects can be completed more quickly and with higher quality thanks to the standardization and consistency of MMC products produced in off-site factories.
Comfort – Most importantly, MMC-built buildings are both structurally sound and comfortable. Indoor temperatures remain warmer in the winter and colder in the summer when airtight insulation is present.
Conclusion
Future construction projects utilizing contemporary techniques should be able to create up to four times as many homes using the same amount of labour on-site, which might result in a more than 50% reduction in the amount of time needed for construction.
Modern construction techniques, when used with careful planning, can help address the skills deficit in the UK construction industry and improve the environmental performance of buildings both during and after construction. Modern building techniques are rapidly making it possible to construct homes of higher quality than those constructed using more conventional ways, all thanks to the development of new, sustainable technologies.
FAQ
What is the modern approach to construction?
Modern methods of construction sometimes referred to as “smart construction” or MMC, maximize the efficiency of both human and material resources to quickly provide new buildings.
What is the meaning of modern methods of construction?
The focus of modern construction methods is on off-site construction processes as alternatives to traditional building, such as factory assembly and mass production. It has been said that the method allows for the production of “more, better quality homes in less time.”
What are the traditional and modern construction methods?
Labor needs. Because trained labor is so heavily relied upon in traditional building, labor expenses are greater. By utilising automation, prefabrication, and specialised training, modern construction minimises labour demands and has the ability to reduce overall project expenses.
What is modern construction material?
Steel, glass, and concrete.These are materials that need to be processed very extensively, thus it’s important to come up with environmentally acceptable secondary processing and degradation techniques.
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