MMC MAG
  • MMC Publications
  • Press Submission Form
  • Contact
  • Download Media Pack
  • Subscribe
  • Home
  • Search
  • Menu
  • Linkedin
  • Twitter

Archive for month: April, 2022

You are here: Home / https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwia__HPzZjgAhUQlawKHVo9D6QQFjABegQIBhAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwavcoms.co.uk%2Fmedia-packs%2Fschool-building-magazine&usg=AOvVaw0AYJpr_dlFA9Z4FJtsnCgE / 2022 / April
Latest News

3D PRINTING WITH RECYLED GLASS

Singapore researchers have developed the capability to replace the sand used in 3D-printing with environmentally friendly recycled glass.

Researchers from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed the capability to use recycled glass in 3D-printing, opening doors to a more environmentally sustainable construction industry.

Glass is one material that can be 100 per cent recycled with no reduction in quality, yet it is one of the least recycled waste types.

According to the latest data by the National Environment Agency of Singapore, only 13 per cent of the 74,000 tonnes of glass waste generated in the country was recycled in 2021. Glass is made up of silicon dioxide, or silica, which is a major component of sand and, therefore, it offers significant untapped potential to be recycled into other products.

At the same time, growing populations, urbanisation and infrastructure development have led to a sand shortage, with climate scientists calling it one of the greatest sustainability challenges of the 21st century.

Using recycled glass as a replacement for sand in 3D-printing would be a perfect solution to these challenges.

According to an article published in the Journal of Building Engineering, the NTU team set out to create a concrete mix comprising recycled glass, commercial cement products, water and additives to 3D-print a concrete bench. By figuring out the optimal concrete formulation, the research the researchers were able to successfully 3D-print a 40cm tall L-shaped bench as a proof of concept that their material could be 3D-printed into an everyday structural product.

In lab compression tests and filament quality tests, the bench showed excellent buildability, meaning the printed concrete does not deform or collapse before the concrete cures, and extrudability, which refers to the fact that the concrete mix is fluid enough to flow through the hoses and print nozzle.

While scientists elsewhere have described the use of glass in concrete mixtures, none of them has been able to successfully 3D-print a structure using a glass-based concrete mixture, until now.

Professor Tan Ming Jen, principal investigator of the study from the NTU School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) said: “Our team has come up with a feasible formula, demonstrating for the first time that glass can indeed be used to 3D-print a bench with excellent structural integrity.

“70 per cent of glass is made up of silicon dioxide, or silica. What our research does is to essentially return the silica found in glass to be reused again as sand in our 3D-printing concrete mixture.”

The NTU research team believes its development offers a new pathway to recycling glass waste and can contribute to a greener building and construction industry for Singapore and beyond.

Prof. Tan and his team at NTU’s Singapore Centre for 3D Printing (SC3DP) were also behind the 3D-printed bathroom project in 2019, where an unfurnished bathroom was printed in 12 hours in Singapore – half the time required for conventional construction of the same facility.

Andrew Ting, a researcher at the SC3DP, said: “Given that sand is being exploited at a rate much quicker than it can be replenished naturally, the prospect of using recycled glass in building and construction is becoming more attractive. We believe our development has great potential to relieve the demand on sand for this sector in the future.”

As the second most widely used substance after water, concrete relies on sand as a vital ingredient to ensure its durability. Reports by the United Nations Environment Programme have revealed aggressive sand extraction from rivers has led to pollution, flooding and other environmental consequences around the world.

Through detailed and extensive analysis and testing, the NTU research team established the optimal parameters for the recycled-glass concrete mixture that would allow it to be 3D-printed.

Components of the mixture include recycled glass crushed to different size classes (medium, fine and superfine), commercial cement product, water and other additives. To enable printing, the team adjusted the control systems of the 3D-printer to match the flow rate of the nozzle to the hardening properties of the concrete.

The printing was then carried out in a single build using a 4-axis gantry robotic printer which has a print volume of 1.2 metre x 1.2 metre x 1 metre. The specially designed concrete mixture was fed to a pump and transported to a nozzle mounted on the robotic arm, depositing the material layer by layer according to the digital blueprint.

Moving forward, the NTU research team, in collaboration with Singapore start-up company Soda Lemon, will look at 3D printing larger scale and more diverse structures using the recycled glass concrete mix, as well as optimising the printing algorithm for consistent performance.

 

Source: E & T

April 29, 2022/0 Comments/by Lyn
https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/MMC-28.04.22.png 320 800 Lyn https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MMC-ONLINE-LOGO4-small-300x62.png Lyn2022-04-29 11:21:432022-04-29 11:21:433D PRINTING WITH RECYLED GLASS
Latest News

SPACE BASED POWER STATIONS – NOT JUST SCIENCE FICTION

Power stations in space sounds like an idea from science fiction – and in fact it is an idea from science fiction: in 1941, Isaac Asimov’s story Reason described a space station that transmits energy collected from the Sun to other planets using microwave beams. Today, the technology required to do this exists, and space-based solar power (SBSP) is being taken seriously.

The idea is that a vast satellite, miles in length, would generate electricity via thousands of photovoltaic panels. This would then be transmitted to Earth using high-frequency radio waves. On the ground, this beam of microwave energy would be intercepted by a field of ellipse-shaped radio antennae, converted into electricity, and distributed to the grid.

But is this actually a realistic prospect?

Brian Ryan, vice-president of innovation for National Grid, admits that people think he’s “mad” when he talks about it. “It is a little bit out there,” he says, “but it’s not that far out there. I think we will see space-based solar power playing a huge role in our energy ecosystem in the next 20 years… The potential is unlimited.”

A report for the UK Government published last year by the engineering consultancy Frazer-Nash described SBSP as “technically feasible” and potentially affordable, compared with other sources of clean electricity. The US also believes SBSP technology is worth investigating: a military project is under way, as is one at the world-respected California Institute of Technology. Japan’s space agency is working on a space solar farm. China reportedly aims to launch its first station by 2035, and has already started construction in the city of Chongqing.

Why is it thought to be a good idea?

SBSP could potentially solve various knotty energy problems. It is estimated that global energy demand will double by 2050, and the search is on for sources that don’t use fossil fuels or originate from objectionable regimes. There’s a lot of clean power available in space: a narrow strip around the Earth could provide more than 100 times the forecast global energy demands of humanity in 2050, the Frazer-Nash report noted.

Enjoy a different view

Unlike renewable power sources on our planet’s surface, SBSP would not be intermittent. It’s always sunny in space, and power stations would be in high geostationary orbit – i.e. remaining in a fixed position relative to the Earth – providing power near-continuously. This would mean both more energy in absolute terms, and also that SBSP would be able to provide baseload power – the minimum amount of electric power required by the electrical grid at any given time. At present, renewable sources cannot provide baseload power; only fossil fuels and nuclear power stations can do so. Finally, SBSP could be beamed to different parts of the world, as required.

How much energy could it give?

Prototype designs for SBSP stations envisage each one sending at least one gigawatt of power to Earth. One gigawatt is enough to power approximately 750,000 homes, and is comparable to the output of a nuclear power station. John Mankins, a former Nasa scientist who is a leading expert in SBSP, thinks that his design would generate three gigawatts, but that one gigawatt would be lost in the process of being beamed back to Earth.

Wouldn’t it be very expensive?

Yes, the main costs being the need for multiple rocket launches to blast the components into space, and for robotic assembly of the SBSP station in orbit. A solar power satellite would need to be “an order of magnitude larger in mass and extent than any spacecraft currently in orbit”, the Frazer-Nash report acknowledges.

Nevertheless, the cost of putting things in space has massively decreased in recent years. According to a 2018 Nasa study, it had fallen by a factor of 20 in the preceding decade. Frazer-Nash estimates that developing the technology and launching an operational solar satellite would cost about £16bn – much less than the £23bn expected cost of the planned Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.

Is everyone convinced?

No. In 2012, Elon Musk – who runs both a solar power and a space business – called SBSP “the stupidest thing ever”. And it certainly has drawbacks. The technology involved is untested at scale. Transportation to space is only part of the problem. Once built, it would be vulnerable to damage from space debris. Repairs would be exceptionally difficult to carry out. Antennae receiver stations on Earth would require large expanses of land, and would likely be controversial.

SBSP would have to compete with normal solar power, which is now the cheapest form of electricity in history. There are also concerns over safety, and, given rival superpowers’ sensitivity about control of space, it would require extensive international cooperation.

So is it going to happen?

In March, the UK’s Minister for Science George Freeman said SBSP is being “taken seriously” by the Government. “We’re up for being bold”, he said, and for “supporting it”. But in the short-term, SBSP is likely to be confined to specialist areas, such as military use.

One of the most advanced projects is the US Air Force Research Laboratory’s Arachne project, which aims to launch in 2025. It is designed to show that the technology works, and that it could be used to beam power to forward military bases (supplying power is often one of the most dangerous parts of a ground operation, involving vulnerable convoys or supply lines).

Arachne is also designed to examine the possibility of using a SBSP station to supply interplanetary spacecraft with power. The Air Force Research Laboratory points out similarities with GPS, which started life as a military asset but is now used to great effect by civilians everywhere, every day.

Source: The Week

April 25, 2022/0 Comments/by Lyn
https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/MMC-3-25.04.22.jpg 320 800 Lyn https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MMC-ONLINE-LOGO4-small-300x62.png Lyn2022-04-25 15:05:202022-04-25 15:20:58SPACE BASED POWER STATIONS - NOT JUST SCIENCE FICTION
Modular Construction

Modular Homes Setting a New Standard – VIEW VIDEO’s

Legal & General Modular Homes

Legal & General’s Modular Homes business is committed to helping tackle the UK’s property crisis by using modern methods of construction to speed up delivery and drive up quality, setting a new standard for the house building industry.

Legal & General Modular Homes makes high-quality modular homes at speed and at scale by taking a fresh approach to design, using modern manufacturing techniques and nurturing multi-talented teams. We buy and develop land, or partner with local authorities, councils and housing associations, building long-term relationships to make the housing market fairer for all.

Our team brings experience in sectors ranging from house building and land development to aerospace and engineering. Our homes are comfortable to live in and extremely energy efficient.

The repeatability and precision of automotive and manufacturing techniques helps us lead the way in setting a new standard for the house building industry.

 

 

 

 

 

April 25, 2022/0 Comments/by Lyn
https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/MMC-2-25.04.22.jpg 320 800 Lyn https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MMC-ONLINE-LOGO4-small-300x62.png Lyn2022-04-25 14:51:402022-04-25 15:22:44Modular Homes Setting a New Standard - VIEW VIDEO's
Latest News

Tidal Lagoon could Power Every Home in Wales

Henry Dixon, chairman of the North Wales Tidal Energy company, says the scheme would benefit the environment and protect the coast from flooding

The man heading a £7 billion tidal lagoon project off the Conwy and Denbighshire coast claims the project will help the environment, not damage it.

Henry Dixon is the chairman of the North Wales Tidal Energy company currently lobbying the UK and Welsh governments for £50m of funding.

Once secured, the £50m can then fund an environmental impact assessment before government funding and private investment will be sought.

The lagoon is believed to be capable of generating enough electricity to power every home in Wales – as well as £500m annual returns. The tidal lagoon could help protect the North Wales coast from storms and could generate around 22,000 jobs.

 

But Mr Dixon says the tidal lagoon’s underwater turbines won’t affect marine life and will even benefit the environment. “Everyone in the company is really keen that the environmental impact is minimised. One of the big things people talk about is fish,” he said.

“Can fish go through the turbines, or what if they go through the turbines? There are various developments. One is to look at very slow-moving turbines, so the fish can swim through the blades.

“The other is to make sure there are plenty of sluices and lock gates so the fish can swim through those instead, and there is a very interesting development by a Norwegian company with a turbine that is 99% fish friendly.” He added: “There will be 150 square kilometres of water inside the sea wall, which is protected water from big waves.

“The wall itself will provide a really good area for crustaceans and other things. We have talked to mussel farmers who would be interested in having mussel farms within the walls.

“We will do everything we can to make sure any potential damage which is identified during the environmental study is minimised.” Mr Dixon then claimed the lagoon’s 4m high sea wall would protect the coast from storms and erosion and possibly several species of nesting birds.

He also reassured businesses relying on tourism that the sea wall would not damage scenic views. “The wall would be about 4m higher than the sea, so you won’t see it (from the shore),” he said.

“At either end, you will have a sea wall coming in, like a port coming into the shore. But we’ve already got windmills, so you are not going to see it, and what you are going to see is a little line on the horizon. It will be virtually invisible.”

He also said the construction of the lagoon would be challenging but claimed the environmental impact would not be a problem. Mr Dixon added: “It is an engineering challenge. It is a big job, but at the end of the day, it’s a great big dam, but it happens to be filled with seawater, rather than freshwater.

“Talking to engineering companies, both consultants and companies, they say, ‘yes, it’s a big job but it is evidently doable’. Because you can float out these caissons, and you can float out the turbines and install them at the same time, it’s not too bad.”

Last week both Conwy and Denbighshire county councils gave the project their backing.

Andrea Winterton, Marine Services Manager for Natural Resources Wales, said: “We’re aware of the proposals for the tidal lagoon between Prestatyn and Llandudno in North Wales.

“We understand the scheme is currently at the early design stage and welcome the opportunity to continue to engage with the applicant so we can make sure all the necessary environmental and licensing requirements are considered.”

 

Source: North Wales Live

April 25, 2022/0 Comments/by Lyn
https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/MMC-25.04.22.jpg 320 800 Lyn https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MMC-ONLINE-LOGO4-small-300x62.png Lyn2022-04-25 14:25:392022-04-25 15:22:21Tidal Lagoon could Power Every Home in Wales
Latest News

SUSTAINABILITY SCHOOL HONOURED WITH QUEEN’S AWARD

SUPPLY CHAIN SUSTAINABILITY SCHOOL HONOURED WITH QUEEN’S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE IN THE CATEGORY OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

 

21 April, London, UK — Supply Chain Sustainability School (the “School”) has joined an exclusive group of companies in receiving Britain’s most coveted business prize; a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Launched in 2012, the School is an industry-wide collaboration of major companies to enable a sustainable built environment through knowledge and collaboration. The School is unique – it enables collaboration between competitor companies who share a common supply chain, and a realisation that the industry cannot develop the sustainable buildings and infrastructure society it needs without more sustainable suppliers. Its free online learning platform gives 50,000 registered users access to 3,000 learning resources, 400 virtual training sessions each year, and a range of diagnostic and benchmarking tools to support companies on focusing their sustainability strategies.

The School has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development because its approach has delivered significant environmental, social and economic benefits to its Members and Partners. The School has led pioneering work to set new standards in climate change, modern slavery, social value, sustainable supply chain management and more.

 

Ian Heptonstall, Director of Supply Chain Sustainability School said: “When we first floated the idea of an online sustainability learning platform for the built environment industry, we were told it was unlikely that competing companies would collaborate, nor would people use an online training platform. But most of all, that the supply chain were simply not interested in sustainability.

“A decade on and 50,000 people have trained through the School – last year alone we had over 100,000 e-learning downloads. We’re thrilled to receive a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. I see it as thank you to all those people who have joined us to collaborate and drive real sustainable change across our industry.”

 

Co-funded by over 180 collaborating companies (Partners), the School is delivered by an independent third-party consultancy, Action Sustainability. Leadership is provided by a School Board comprising elected representatives of Partners, responsible for fiscal governance and strategic direction. A Code of Ethics is signed by all Partners as part of the School Constitution and Partners lead the direction of the School content and activities through leadership groups.

Her Majesty The Queen personally approves the winners and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy publicly announced the winners on Thursday 21 April 2022. Now in its 56th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the country, only awarded for outstanding achievements, entitling winning businesses to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.

 

Shaun McCarthy OBE, Chair of Supply Chain Sustainability School said: “I was honoured by Her Majesty in 2013 with an OBE for services to sustainability and London 2012. This is different, it’s not about me, it’s for everybody involved in the School over the past 10 years and so, we dedicate this award to you! Thank you, all.”

 

The School’s 10-year anniversary will take place on Tuesday 21 June 2022. Its vision is of a built environment industry where everyone has the skills and knowledge to deliver a sustainable future.

VISIT THE WEBSITE

April 21, 2022/0 Comments/by Lyn
https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/mmc-21.04.22.jpg 320 800 Lyn https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MMC-ONLINE-LOGO4-small-300x62.png Lyn2022-04-21 11:07:012022-04-21 11:07:01SUSTAINABILITY SCHOOL HONOURED WITH QUEEN’S AWARD
Latest News

Converting non-recyclable waste to renewable fuels

Last year, GIDARA Energy announced Advanced Methanol Amsterdam, a state-of-the-art renewable fuels facility that will serve as a blueprint for AMR. The two facilities will be identical, utilizing GIDARA’s patented High-Temperature Winkler (HTW®) technology, which converts non-recyclable waste to renewable fuels. This technology has been used commercially in four other waste to clean syngas production facilities

Advanced Methanol Rotterdam will achieve a reduction of 350,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2eq) of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per year, producing approximately 90,000 tons of renewable methanol yearly by converting 180,000 tons of local non-recyclable waste that is currently being incinerated.

All side streams of the conversion process at the AMR facility will be put to use so that the CO2 will be captured and led to local greenhouses; bottom product residue will be used for cement production; and other streams like ammonia and salts will be sold and put to use as feed stock for other industries and road salt respectively, creating a fully circular concept.

The facility is scheduled to start detail engineering and construction in the first half of 2023, when a permit is received, and start production of renewable methanol in 2025.

Wim van der Zande, CEO at GIDARA Energy:

“In order to meet the demand for cleaner fuels, GIDARA Energy needs to grow aggressively. This announcement of our Rotterdam facility demonstrates how dedicated we are to taking on the environmental and waste challenges we are all facing. As we have standardized our design and modularised our application, we are able to directly replicate the Amsterdam facility. The location, quality of infrastructure, and access to a broad network of partners were leading factors in deciding the location of our second facility.  The cooperation with the Port of Rotterdam makes it possible to develop the integrated product value chain from waste to fuel and other valuable by-products.”

Port of Rotterdam CO2 neutral in 2050

The AMR 8,5 ha site is strategically located at the Torontostraat within the Botlek area of the Port of Rotterdam and is connected to feedstock providers, storage terminals and other companies. The location of the facility is chosen to have an integrated product value chain within short distance.

The Port of Rotterdam’s strategy is to facilitate its existing industries in reducing their carbon footprint and attracting new businesses that fit in the Port Authority’s ambition to be a CO2 neutral port and industrial complex in 2050.

Allard Castelein, CEO at Port of Rotterdam:

“We welcome GIDARA Energy’s decision to set up this state-of-the-art facility to produce sustainable methanol in our Port. The Advanced Methanol Rotterdam plant matches very well with our long-term vision for the transition of the industry in the Port. This development also shows the importance of clear and reliable governmental policies regarding the energy transition. In this case, regulations regarding the use of sustainable transport fuels make companies confident they can invest in plants like this.”

Advanced Methanol

Advanced methanol is a versatile renewable transportation fuel that, amongst others, can be used in the road transport, marine and aviation sectors, helping these sectors to reduce their carbon emissions and become more sustainable.

One of the main off-takers of the AMR facility will be FinCo Fuel Group, a widespread network of sales companies, including Gulf Bunkering, GoodFuels, Licorne Fuel, Dalergy Group and Gulf Netherlands. Based in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, FinCo is a major player in delivering various low-carbon energy carriers to road and marine clients.

Bart-Willem ten Cate, Renewables Strategy & Development at FinCo Fuel Group:

“At FinCo we aim to rapidly increase the share of sustainable, renewable fuels by adding new and innovative products to our portfolio. The bio-methanol that GIDARA Energy is going to produce at the Advanced Methanol Rotterdam facility converts waste stream into a renewable fuel that we can offer to our clients to displace diesel and fuel oil in shipping, both at sea as well as on our rivers. An added benefit of bio-methanol is that it not only reduces CO2 emissions but also improves local air quality.”

April 20, 2022/0 Comments/by Lyn
https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/MMC2-20.04.22.jpg 320 800 Lyn https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MMC-ONLINE-LOGO4-small-300x62.png Lyn2022-04-20 12:34:052022-04-20 12:34:05Converting non-recyclable waste to renewable fuels
Latest News, Technology

Can Technology Solve Construction Challenges

The construction industry faces many challenges. New technologies from augmented reality and digitisation to exoskeletons and robotics can help solve them.

by Matthew Partridge

The construction industry is booming. From houses to motorways, demand has never been higher. But while demand has increased, productivity hasn’t. The productivity of workers in the two decades up until 2017 increased by just 1% per year, compared with 2.8% for the global economy and 3.6% for manufacturing, according to consultancy McKinsey.

With long-term labour shortages looming, there are big opportunities to improve the way the industry works. Construction is facing four major challenges, says Russell Haworth, chief executive of construction technology platform NBS.

First, there is an increased emphasis on safety. Second, there has been a big jump in the quality of building that people expect. Environmental sustainability is also a hot topic as governments talk of trying to cut net carbon emissions to zero. Finally, the industry is facing staff shortages and attempts to recruit a new generation of workers are running into construction’s reputation for the “three Ds”: dirty, dull and dangerous. Many of these issues can be tackled through better use of technology.

Cutting out the paperwork

The first major innovation is digitisation. Almost every construction project goes through several stages: coming up with the original idea; drawing up the designs; preparing the construction; execution and building; operation and maintenance; and finally demolition and recycling. Manufacturers are also involved in building everything from windows to fireretardant systems. Up until recently plans for each stage of the project were drawn up with pen and paper, and the process still largely involves people in various parts of the supply chain sending separate files to each other.

This creates a huge amount of paperwork, which makes it hard to make changes if problems emerge and slows down communication between different parts of the supply chain. Having all the data on a single digital platform reduces the amount of paperwork, compared with pen and paper, or even individual digital files, and also allows those at various stages of construction to communicate more efficiently, says Haworth.

For example, designers “can specify a building that meets safety codes at an early stage of development”, with manufactures “immediately starting to build components that meet these requirements”. The benefits of digitisation don’t stop there, says Jonathan Hunter, chief executive of software company Eleco.

Software such as that made by his company – which has been used in projects ranging from the Shard to the London Eye and the redevelopment of the V&A Museum in London – can help speed up the pace of construction.

This is because sharing of data between contractors on a project allows firms to monitor progress in real time, “adjusting their schedules according to how it is developing”, so if there is a delay in the project “the manager can add extra resources”. What’s more, digitisation can also help designers to create more efficient and sustainable buildings, by allowing them to make better estimates of a building’s costs over its lifespan, says Hunter. Both factors are “increasingly important these days”: not only do buildings with green credentials “attract higher rents”, but there is also now a general recognition that operational costs, rather than upfront expenses, are the most important factor in determining the viability of a project. Studies show that when you look at the total cost over a building’s lifespan, 85% “is in the operation, with construction accounting for only 15%”, he says.

With digital technology reaching the point “where an entire project-management platform can be put on an app”, digitisation is about to reach a tipping point where it begins to be widely adopted, say Ibrahim Imam and Sander van de Rijdt, the founders of construction project-management software company PlanRadar.

They already have 16,000 clients using their software, but they think that this is just a “drop on a hot stone” compared with the huge potential demand for digital technology. “Up to 2.5 million companies around the world could benefit from this technology.”

Improving accuracy with augmented reality

Digital project management may be just the first step in the construction technology revolution. The use of augmented reality (AR) “is still in its pilot phase”, but has long-term potential, say Imam and van de Rijdt. AR is similar to virtual reality, in that it involves immersing people in computer-generated reality via special goggles or a headset. However, rather than completely replacing the physical reality, augmented reality combines the two, “so you can overlay the real-world plans with computer graphics and compare the two”. XYZ Reality is already developing tools for applying AR technology to construction. Its system allows those working on construction sites essentially to “view holograms of the building to millimetre accuracy”, says XYZ’s founder David Mitchell.

This allows engineers and builders to visualise where buildings, structures and fittings should be placed, and to check if they have been built correctly. Crucially, AR also ensures builders “build things right the first time” – something existing technologies, such as laser tools, are unable to facilitate. This last point is important since inaccuracy and waste is an Achilles heel for the construction industry, says Mitchell.

He notes that 80% of construction works are built to a degree of inaccuracy that is out of engineering tolerance, with 10% built so badly that they have to be redone. This reworking is environmentally unfriendly – in terms of waste and carbon emissions – costly and time consuming. He claims that his customers have been able to cut the amount of reworking required from 10% to 1%, saving them around nine times the cost of the system.

Changing data, changing plans

Digitisation and AR can help ensure that all parts of the construction supply chain follow the plan, but what if the plan itself needs to be changed? At the moment most building plans “are quite static, in that it’s hard to change them”, says Juan de Dios Hermosín Ramos of technology and engineering firm Ayesa.

However, even the best plans and designs could always do with some tweaking in light of an unexpected development or feedback. As a result, the next major area of innovation will be in “dynamic modelling”, he says. In essence, this is where the plans are adjusted in light of the new data. Until now, this has been very difficult to do.

But the combination of cheap sensors with digitisation means that it should become increasingly common for all those involved in a project to receive a huge amount of data, giving them an indication of emerging problems. Consider the example of a building that starts to vibrate because of a flaw, or something that the architects didn’t anticipate, such as wind, says Hermosín.

This might only be detected years after the building was constructed, by which point fixing it could become extremely expensive. With sensor technology “such vibrations could be picked up at an early stage of the project, alerting those involved that the design needs to be changed”.

The idea of information flowing from the building or infrastructure “is still in its early stages, and expensive to implement”. However, with the industry as a whole “much more open to using technology”, we can expect “some quite radical changes in this direction over the next two to three years”, creating “big opportunities” for companies in this area.

Robots and humans working together

One reason why construction has failed to keep pace with the gains in productivity experienced by manufacturing is because it is “one of the least roboticised industries”, says Kevin Albert of robotics firms Canvas. It is no coincidence that productivity took off in manufacturing and logistics during the 1980s, “the same period when industrial robots started to enter the mainstream”, he argues. Implementing robotics in these sectors was simpler: “while industrial environments are standardised and certain, every building is different”.

But developments in sensors mean that it is increasingly possible to automate “dynamic and uncertain” environments, such as building sites. A case in point is Canvas’s own robots, which focus on drywall finishing in buildings. While this may seem a niche area, it is very labour intensive, “incredibly physically tough” on workers who have to prepare the paint and then apply and sand it, and has a tendency to “create bottlenecks” in the building process.

By automating parts of the process, the robots can “cut the time needed from five to seven days to just two”, while allowing humans to focus on directing the robots and fine-tuning the application of paint. This makes the job safer and more interesting, especially to younger workers who feel that the “tools, skills and career path in construction doesn’t speak to them”.

The idea of robots and humans working together will transform construction, says Kim Povlsen of Universal Robots. Traditionally, robots have been seen as “something dangerous” that “needs be locked away in cages or behind glass screens”. In the not so distant future they are likely to be smaller, run from batteries and mounted on wheels, making them much more mobile than their cousins in factories.

Combined with making them easier to program, this should allow them to be brought on site and adapted to specific conditions.

This approach is reflected in how Universal Robots operates. Rather than build dedicated robots for each task, it has designed the basic hardware in a way that individual companies – such as Canvas, which uses its robots – can modify and customise as efficiently as possible. This is “still relatively new”, but Povlsen is optimistic. With the construction industry “becoming much more open to using robots”, we have “only seen the tip of the iceberg in terms of what robots can do”, he says.

Adding support with exoskeletons

We can also improve what humans can do by using exoskeletons – wearable machines that support and protect the user. By reducing the pressure on the body, they “can play a huge role to improve the health and safety of site workers”, says Graeme Larsen, associate dean of sustainability at University College of Estate Management and a visiting professor at RMIT University. They have the potential to enable construction workers to “work longer, be less fatigued, have less sick days, avoid injury, and be able to do manual work into later life without adversely affecting their body”.

There is a growing amount of evidence to back this up, says Michiel de Looze of TNO Netherlands, which focuses on applied scientific research. A study last year looked at a group of plasterers who were offered the use of exoskeletons to help with their job. Far from being resistant to the devices, the plasterers, who spent a large part of their job working with their hands above their head, found the exoskeletons useful.

Over 90% of those who took part in the study felt that the exoskeletons provided additional support and half of them reported feeling less tired at the end of the day. The industry is fast approaching a “turning point” in the adoption of exoskeletons, with a “definite increase” in the numbers used, says de Looze. This is particularly noticeable in some of the most physically demanding and repetitive jobs – they are “less useful in more dynamic jobs that involve a greater degree of movement and flexibility”.

Exoskeletons are now starting to move from very basic ones based around springs to those that use motors (known as actuators) to adjust the level of support that they provide. “There is both a greater awareness and a higher level of acceptance of assistive technologies in the construction industry,” agree Jason Jones of exoskeleton firm Ekso Bionics and William Shaw, a senior adviser to the firm.

For example, firms are increasingly turning to exoskeletons to help them broaden the construction workforce to include workers who are older, smaller, or less physically strong. The type of devices are also becoming more sophisticated and may soon be able to be used to stack and pick up materials, tasks they were previously unsuitable for. Ultimately, the benefits of exoskeletons may be so great that in the long run they could become a form of personal protective equipment, says Larsen. This is unlikely to happen quickly – adoption “is a complex process involving a range of stakeholders” – but they could eventually be mandatory for certain tasks, just like the now-ubiquitous hard hat.

Source: Money Week

April 20, 2022/0 Comments/by Lyn
https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/mmc-20.04.22.jpg 320 800 Lyn https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MMC-ONLINE-LOGO4-small-300x62.png Lyn2022-04-20 07:40:212022-04-20 07:40:21Can Technology Solve Construction Challenges
Latest News

Glidevale Protect gets on board with the Offsite Alliance

Leading UK building materials manufacturer Glidevale Protect is collaborating with leading offsite construction partners and reinforcing its expertise within the sector by becoming a member of the Offsite Alliance, the not-for-profit Community Interest Company that aims to promote and prioritise the use of modern methods of construction.

 With a proven track record of supplying a variety of offsite projects, ranging from private and social housing to education builds, Glidevale Protect is a specialist in energy efficiency, ventilation, condensation control and damp proofing across the built environment. The manufacturer’s comprehensive range of solutions support a ‘fabric first’ approach to creating better buildings and healthier homes, including both innovative roofing and specialist construction products.

By joining the Offsite Alliance, Glidevale Protect is helping to provide input and support the future growth and development of offsite technologies, product innovation and best practice. With supply chain collaboration playing a key role in the ongoing development of the offsite market, Glidevale Protect is also proud to work closely with a number of modular partners including manufacturers of structural timber, CLT, SIPS, light gauge steel and hybrid frame systems.

Gaynor Tennant, co-founder and chair of the Offsite Alliance, commented: “The whole supply chain has a key part to play in the development and implementation of offsite construction methods, which is why is it so important to have manufacturers such as Glidevale Protect on board. Through collaboration, we can look to make valuable improvements to the way that the industry develops and specifies technically proven products to improve efficiency and transform the way we build our homes.”

 Glidevale Protect’s membership of the Offsite Alliance demonstrates the manufacturer’s commitment to affiliations with organisations who can help shape the future of the construction industry. The company is a member of other industry leading bodies such as the Structural Timber Association (STA), Modular & Portable Building Association (MPBA) and Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers’ Association (ITFMA).

This is in addition to a suite of already impressive credentials, including international quality standards ISO 45001, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 as well as being STA Assure Gold accredited through the STA with products that are independently third party certified by BM TRADA.

CLICK HERE For more information on Glidevale Protect

or email info@glidevaleprotect.com

or call +44 (0)161 905 5700, quoting ‘Offsite Alliance’

Keep up to date with our latest news by following us on LinkedIn

April 14, 2022/0 Comments/by Lyn
https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/glidevale.jpg 320 800 Lyn https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MMC-ONLINE-LOGO4-small-300x62.png Lyn2022-04-14 15:10:552022-04-14 15:10:55Glidevale Protect gets on board with the Offsite Alliance
Latest News

‘GAP HOUSE’ CONCEPT MOVES TO PLANNING STAGE

Plans have been submitted for Bristol’s innovative new concept in affordable housing – the Gap House – to be built on a council-owned disused garage plot in the city.

The eco-homes have been commissioned and funded by Bristol City Council and designed by global design practice BDP’s Bristol studio in partnership with the Bristol Housing Festival, for a site in Horfield in the north of the city. If the project is a success the council will potentially be identifying further sites for Gap Houses in the future.

The plans propose a row of nine affordable, one-bedroom, two-storey, modularly constructed homes. The site sits between two rows of back gardens of existing homes and will include green space and outdoor seating in front of each home to encourage social interaction and community cohesion.

The Gap Houses will be contemporary, cost effective, eco-friendly homes, largely factory-built using modern methods of construction (MMC), in order to minimise disruption in the existing neighbourhood.

Designed to fit into small garage sites that are often disused in many cities and neighbourhoods, the homes will be super-insulated to support minimal heating requirements. They will also use renewable energy generated by solar PV panels and air source heat pumps, resulting in minimal environmental impact and low running costs.

The homes will include an open-plan kitchen-living area and bathroom on the ground floor, with a bedroom and storage on the first floor. Large windows allow for maximum natural light. The houses generously meet national space standards for a single-occupancy, one-bedroom unit.

This new concept is the latest in a series of innovations being explored by Bristol City Council and the Bristol Housing Festival to tackle the city’s housing crisis.  The Gap House is part of a wider research, development and innovation programme, funded by Innovate UK, which looked at the potential for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to increase the scale and pace of the delivery of beautiful, quality, sustainable affordable homes in the city. 

Martin Jones, landscape architect director in BDP’s Bristol studio, hopes that the ‘Gap House’ concept could be replicated in cities and towns across the UK. He said:

“There are many disused garage plots across the country that have fallen into disrepair. The Gap House concept has been designed to intelligently repurpose these urban plots, providing much-needed new affordable homes and revitalising neighbourhoods. Low energy lighting, solar panels and air source heat pumps will ensure these eco-homes are both highly sustainable and cost effective.  The entrance to each property has been carefully designed to promote a front porch culture encouraging residents to connect and bring the community together.”

Jez Sweetland, Director, Bristol Housing Festival said:

“Tackling the housing crisis requires innovative approaches. The Gap House is a shining example of this; helping unlock brownfield land to deliver quality, sustainable and affordable housing. I am excited about the potential of this concept not just for this site but to help unlock and revive other small sites in the city and beyond.”

April 13, 2022/0 Comments/by Lyn
https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bsc-4-13.04.22.jpg 320 800 Lyn https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MMC-ONLINE-LOGO4-small-300x62.png Lyn2022-04-13 11:42:022022-04-13 11:42:02'GAP HOUSE' CONCEPT MOVES TO PLANNING STAGE
Latest News

SHOWCASING SMART VIEWER

R for 3D BIM – GenieVision premieres smARt Viewer for construction at Digital Construction Week London

 Benchmarking the on-site reality against the 3D BIM with one app

Charleroi, Belgium – GenieVision, a leading developer of AR construction technology, will showcase its smARt Viewer at the upcoming Digital Construction Week, 18-19 May 2022 at ExCeL, London. The GenieVision solution brings the BIM digital twin to life on site by means of an AR app on a mobile device, allowing users to detect, report, and fix construction flaws before they become major failures. On May 18th, 2022 at 12.30pm, François Snoeck, Product Manager at GenieVision, will host a presentation on the Tech Stage entitled “Can one smARt 3D BIM visualiser really get you those smart savings?”, during which he will illustrate how this innovative solution will save time and money for everyone involved in the construction process. Visitors who are not able to make it to his session will still have the opportunity to get a live demo in the GenieVision stand DC70 throughout the London Digital Construction Week.

 

App the BIM digital twin, build better buildings

In early 2018, GenieVision launched its smARt Viewer, an AR technology that visualises the 3D BIM on a portable screen in a way that goes well beyond just viewing plans. A 3D BIM brings together different dimensions of the BIM, creating a “digital twin” of the construction project. In the smARt Viewer app, users can compare the 3D model with the reality on site and spot, report, and correct errors, resulting in a drastic reduction of overall costs.

GenieVision’s multi-disciplinary team included experts in BIM, data, artificial intelligence, and gaming. This diverse group joined with construction partners, such as STRABAG, and Zublin collaborating on the application, resulting in real-world success as Frits Bonte, Digital Process Manager at STRABAG, indeed validates: “With the GenieVision smARt Viewer our site operators can verify the implementation and spot possible deviations quickly and easily. AR also lets users locate and visualise non-conformities more rapidly and communicate that visual information with other operators faster than previously possible. So far, we have successfully deployed AR in demolition work, structural works, and techniques. We are also planning to use it in renovations and maintenance as soon as we get the chance. It works.”

“By breaking down silos of information and connecting users across the entire project, our smARt Viewer improves quality assurance, streamlines building procedures, and delivers up to 50 percent savings on costs associated with construction failures,” says Philippe Carême, CEO of GenieVision. “We are looking forward to showing attendees of Digital Construction Week how our user-friendly, affordable, and best-in-class technology gets projects completed on time, on budget, and with fewer errors,” concludes Carême.

 

The proof of the app is in the demo

The GenieVision Product Manager, François Snoeck, will discuss how leveraging the 3D BIM digital twin will optimise overall construction operations for all parties involved.

Attendees of his presentation on May 18th at 12h30pm on the Tech Stage will learn:

  • Why using AR for construction is the best way to benchmark your 3D BIM against the on-site reality and leverage it as a critical medium for quality inspection and technical due diligence on the worksite.
  • How AR and a smARt Viewer turn data into a visual interface that prevents errors, improves collaboration, and saves everyone time and money.
  • New ways of visualising the worksite environment so users can consult the data, spot the errors, report the comments, and fix the problems.

Visitors who would like to join his presentation can download a calendar invite by

CLICKING HERE:

 

April 13, 2022/0 Comments/by Lyn
https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/MMC-13.04.22.jpg 320 800 Lyn https://mmcmag.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MMC-ONLINE-LOGO4-small-300x62.png Lyn2022-04-13 09:37:312022-04-13 09:37:31SHOWCASING SMART VIEWER
Page 1 of 212

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Gilberts top of the class with new eco solution
  • Family Hub Choses Style Again for Folding Partitioning Wall
  • A CLEAR UPGRADE FOR AMC HOSPITAL WITH PYROGUARD’S FIRE SAFETY GLASS
  • Getting the specification right with thermal break installations
  • Next level manufacturing with MiTek

MMC is published by Waverley Publications Limited

Registered office Sibrwd Y Dwr, Station Road, Llwyngwril, Gwynedd, LL37 2JS

Reg. No. 13018966

Pages

  • Contact
  • Download Media Pack
  • Home Ads
  • Issue November 2018
  • MMC 12 Spring 2019 issue
  • MMC Publications
  • New homepage
  • Press Submission Form
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • Which Publication

Categories

  • Article
  • Bathrooms
  • Building Envelope
  • Cladding
  • Concrete
  • Construction
  • Doors
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Environment
  • Events
  • External Works
  • Fire Safety
  • Heating
  • Insulation
  • Interior Fittings
  • Latest News
  • Lighting
  • Modular Construction
  • News
  • Offsite Manufacturing
  • Solar Energy
  • Technology
  • Timber
  • Ventilation and Air Quality
  • Windows

Archive

  • September 2025
  • July 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
© Copyright MMCMAG |MMC is published by Waverley Publications Limited Registered office Sibrwd Y Dwr, Station Road, Llwyngwril, Gwynedd, LL37 2JS Reg. No. 13018966| powered by Blue Sky Hosts Ltd | You may read our privacy policy *here*
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OKLearn more

Cookie and Privacy Settings

How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, you cannot refuse them without impacting how our site functions. You can block or delete them by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website.

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Privacy Policy

You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

Privacy Policy