3D Printing in Construction: Pros & Cons

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3D printing has been around since the early 1980s, but over the last few years it has ballooned into one of the fastest growing construction technologies on the market. Its versatility, efficiency, and economy make it a useful tool in every step of the construction process.

How Does It Work?

To create a 3D print, a CAD or BIM program sends the required information to the printer, which then prints the object in layers. While these layers can be many different types of materials, the most common used in construction is a mixture of concrete, sand, fiber, and geo polymers. 

SQ4D, an Australian construction company, has built an industrial sized 3D printer that they can use to build housing on any lot. You can watch a video of the building and see the finished home here. 

Why 3D Printing?

Thanks to the CAD or BIM programming we mentioned before, builders using 3D printers know the exact amount of material they need for the project. This cuts down on waste at the jobsite, as well as the cost of surplus materials and their storage, making 3D printing more sustainable and cost effective. On average, 3D printed projects generate 60% less waste. 

3D printing also saves time, with 3D printing going approximately 70% faster than traditional builds. This time saving allows companies to start and complete more projects, which increases both profits and, if building housing, the number of living spaces readily available on the market. 

Finally, since 3D printing works autonomously, it requires fewer laborers on the jobsite (most companies that switched to 3D printing saw an 80% decrease in labor costs). Since the construction industry has been hard hit by labor shortages across the country, this both saves companies recruiting money and allows them to complete projects on time with far fewer staff. The projects are also much safer for workers, with a substantial reduction in construction injuries when workers have been trained to use 3D printers.

Ongoing Challenges

While 3D printing has a wide range of benefits, there are still some disadvantages. The printers, especially those large enough to be used on construction projects, are incredibly expensive, and can be a challenging upfront cost for new companies. With so few printers being used in the industry, there’s a high need for fully-trained operators who can design the computer models, operate the printers, and provide the required maintenance. 

3D printed projects are also limited by the formula of the mixture they print. The mixture has to exit a nozzle, retain its shape, and have a ‘goldilocks’ dry time: too slow and it can’t be layered, too fast and it will hinder the building process. 

Despite the constraints, the increased flexibility, efficiency, and safety of 3D printing means it is a growing tool in the construction world and expected to be a $680 million industry by 2030. As construction professionals dedicated to both sustainability and using the most cutting-edge technology, you can count on Steadfast, LLC to keep a close eye on the evolution of this technology! 

Worker Retention

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The average person spends 90,000 hours at work, or approximately ⅓ of their lifetime, and most leaders want that time to be pleasant for our employees. 

While competitive wages and benefits are the first step in employee retention, with today’s labor shortages and changing society, it’s more important than ever to keep staff satisfied. Happier workers tend to take fewer sick days, make better teammates, and are more productive. Plus, finding, hiring, and training new employees takes valuable time and money, especially during busy seasons. 

While no employer can guarantee perfect weather, zero setbacks, and completely united crews all the time, there are several things leaders can do to make workers happier and, ultimately, keep them longer. 

1. Safety First

Safety of your employees should always be your top priority. It may be tempting to relax safety procedures and cut corners, but doing this subtly tells workers that you don’t care about their health and wellbeing. Make sure they have all of the protective equipment they need and they know how to use it. 

2. Maintain Equipment

Nothing decreases morale like having poorly-maintained equipment. Investing in quality, up-to-date tools, materials, and equipment will keep your staff safer and more comfortable, improve work speed, and give your employees the literal tools they need to take pride in their work. This also includes using new technology (drones, AI, and productivity management software, for example) that can help your team become more efficient and learn new things.

3. Cultivate the Culture

Whether you call it culture, feeling, or atmosphere, the general vibe around the workplace needs to remain positive. This doesn’t mean you have to be hyper upbeat or micro-manage; it just means making sure your values and mission are reflected in their work and attitude. Everyone, from general laborers up to the CEO, should feel respected and heard. Make sure your management is supportive, professional, and invested in creating a team atmosphere.. 

4. Be Flexible

For most employees, work isn’t their whole life. Ask staff what they want, truly listen to their responses, and promote a healthy work/life balance. This might look like working 4/10s instead of 5/8s (which has been shown to boost productivity, and gives staff an extra day to recharge), or providing more time off during the holidays for staff to spend with their families and friends. If you do have staff working nights, weekends, and/or holidays, compensate them well! 

5. Appreciate Your Crew

This one might be obvious, but a little bit of appreciation goes a long way to keeping staff. Get to know your staff, and find out what they like. Simple shout-outs, the occasional worksite meal, and holiday bonuses are fairly inexpensive ways to let your people know you appreciate them. Your workers should never feel like they’re just a number or disposable. Once they do, they’ll start thinking of their employer as replaceable, too. 

6. Provide a Path for Growth  

Careers keep people, dead-end jobs do not. Make sure your staff have a clear path for advancement. Develop in-house training programs and offer opportunities to learn new equipment and technologies. Whenever possible, promote internally and show existing staff that they can move into leadership positions if they stay with your company.

Steadfast Enterprises, LLC, prides itself on providing quality staffing and equipment to developers, project managers and general contractors across the country. We’re proud to employ expert operating engineers who are safe, productive, and efficient, and to offer modern, up-to-date equipment that uses industry leading technology. Let us help you complete your project today! Click here for staffing support or check out our equipment rentals here.

Satellite Technology

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When most people think of satellites, they think of television or maybe an object up in space, orbiting the earth. Few, however, realize how important satellite technology has become in the construction industry over the last twenty years. 

Satellite imaging allows workers to review projects in real time, allowing them to monitor material use and damage, and act before it’s too late. In turn, this keeps workers safer, uses fewer materials (because workers know exactly what is needed to fix the issue), and limits the amount of time required to make repairs.

Case Study: Texas InSar

Satellite technology is used throughout the industry in many different ways. State Highway 130 stretches between San Antonio and Austin, requiring near constant maintenance due to the high traffic volume, extreme weather changes, and predominantly clay soil (which expands and retracts quickly due to moisture levels, causing damage to asphalt). Recently, SH130 Concession Co, the group responsible for maintenance, started using remote satellite sensing technologies to evaluate the conditions of the entire roadway within millimeter accuracy. This is now allowing them to identify problems before they affect road safety or rideability, and since they can identify these issues earlier, they can plan for preventative work at times when the road is less busy, causing fewer delays and preventing accidents. 

This project uses InSar (interferometric synthetic aperture radar) technology, which uses radar signals from orbiting satellites to make high density measurements at more than 30,000 points along the roadway. This data is collected every six days, and then is compared to the last seven years of historical data. Using these comparisons, crews can determine which areas to review and in-person teams are sent out to investigate and make any needed repairs. While in-person inspections will always be needed, InSar allows crews to identify high risk areas long before they start to show any visual signs of damage.

Case Study: Chesapeake Bay InSar 

InSar technology has also been used to monitor construction projects that are affected by nearby water levels. The sea level rise in the Chesapeake Bay area is consistently monitored by satellite data, and is used by construction project managers who work on the roads and various building projects along the coast. Those working on the underwater tunnels between Portsmouth and Norfolk, VA also receive InSar data about the Elizabeth River, which flows over the tunnels. It’s important workers know about rising water levels so they can plan for increased pressure, erosion, and other potential structural issues.

Case Study: California & Florida Recovery 

Satellite technology has also been instrumental in the aftermath of disasters. One of the first times it was used in construction was in 1992, after it showed the surface damage of a California earthquake. Since then, it’s proven to be invaluable in the identification of infrastructure damage after natural disasters like earthquakes, sinkholes, and landslides. Most recently, InSar was used to examine the safety of neighboring structures in Surfside, FL, where a condominium collapsed in 2021, killing 98 people and injuring countless others.  

Case Study: Active Projects

It has also been used to monitor infrastructure improvements as they’re progressing. In Pennsylvania, InSar technology was used to monitor the extension of MSE (Mechanically Stabilized Earth) retaining walls. The state of Washington used it to keep an eye on the effects of “Bertha”, the 57.5 foot tunnel boring machine used to make a replacement tunnel under downtown Seattle. In all of these cases, managers were able to make sure citizens remained safe and secure while major projects were completed.

Whether it is monitoring the impacts on roads, buildings, levees, or other infrastructure, the use of satellite technology has become indispensable. As data management and tracking software continues to advance, we expect to see satellite technology become a key part of many building projects and continue to promote safety, sustainability and efficiency. 

Contech: The Future of Construction

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Whether it was the wheel, the pulley system, or harnessing water power, construction workers have been turning to technology to make our lives easier and safer since the beginning of time. It’s human nature to constantly improve, and this drive allows us to expand technology, become more efficient, and build bigger and better structures. The latest change is leaving the job site and turning up on our phones and computers via Contech. 

What is it?

Definitions of Contech vary, but Angelica Donati of Forbes magazine says it’s “the technology used to innovate the way we plan, design, and build structures, as well as the manufacture and installation of their components.” 

Contech includes a wide range of tech gadgets and software, including wearable tech to improve safety, 3D printing for material supply, and computer programs that digitize workflow for efficiency. Regardless of the specific technology, two things are certain: Contech is on the rise and the market for it continues to grow.

Pandemic Solutions

As worker shortages, supply chain issues, and changing policies stalled and canceled projects across the country, many employers turned to Contech companies large and small to improve their efficiency, stay in touch with far away job sites, and keep workers safe. There’s an increase in younger, tech savvy, and eco-centered workers entering the industry, so we’re experiencing a definitive shift towards maximizing both time and resources. 

Revenue Growth

And while it’s not surprising that large, publicly-traded companies like Trimble and AutoDesk are experiencing massive growth (a 16% increase for both from 2020 to 2021), many Contech startups are raking in previously unheard of amounts of funding. Last year, RenoRun (a construction e-commerce platform) received $142 million in Series B Funding, while Diamond Age, a robotics startup, raised $50 million in Series A funding. This shows an increased interest from investors who believe that Contech will continue to grow post-pandemic and become an important part of construction projects of the future. 

Federal Funding

Another factor in Contech’s expected success? The federal focus on infrastructure. With funding and resources provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we’re seeing an increase in projects across the country. Project leaders want to get these done quickly and efficiently to combat the continuing inflation seen across the industry. Estimates suggest that the widespread use of already existing Contech would increase sector productivity by 40%, and that number will only continue to rise as more technology becomes readily available. 

At Steadfast Entities, LLC, we can’t wait to see how Contech will continue to grow and change the industry. No matter what happens, you can be sure we’ll be here to offer up-to-date, industry-proven tools and equipment for all your construction needs.

4 Big Trends in Construction Technology in 2022

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“The engineering and construction industry has made a significant recovery from the 2020 recession, but it has also experienced multiple headwinds that are expected to persist. 2022 should be another rewarding—but challenging—year, and the industry looks to be poised to capture growth opportunities.”

Deloitte 2021 analysis

According to the Deloitte analysis, 76% of engineering and construction executives are going to invest in digital technology in 2022. Other studies show that adopting proven technology can improve construction productivity by 30-45%, as well as help maintain improved material predictability and reliability. 

So what is “proven technology” and what specifically should we look at in 2022? Here are the 4 big trends in construction in 2022:

1. Drones

Drones are small, easy to use, and relatively cost-effective compared to other emerging construction technology. Their high resolution cameras can collect vital information and access all areas of a construction site. As a result, drones are extremely useful at every stage of the construction process for a variety of tasks:

  • conduct site surveys
  • collect important data 
  • take volume measurements
  • create interactive 3D or topographical maps
  • oversee workers
  • perform safety inspections
  • equipment tracking
  • job site security

Drones can access hard-to-reach and dangerous places, preventing workplace injuries or project delays. They save significant time and money while reducing workplace injuries and increasing job satisfaction. Drones are also adaptable, working with other tech like AI or machine learning to always offer the best capabilities for your needs.

2. Exoskeletons & Wearables

Exoskeletons (wearable external suits with motorized joints) are becoming more widely available every year. These suits help with bending, lifting, and grabbing. Originally for recovering patients, these exoskeletons have expanded far beyond the physical therapy room to offer an array of performance-enhancing capabilites to improve safety and productivity in construction. 

Specific wearable devices – like smart boots, smart hard hats, and power gloves – also provide an added layer of protection for workers across construction projects. These devices can predict and prevent workplace accidents through sensors, while also increasing dexterity and strength. 

Over the past couple years, these devices also made it incredibly easy to do contact tracing and to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. 

3. AI, Machine Learning, & Data Management

Tapping into the latest construction technology behind the scenes can have big payoffs. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability for programmed software to make decisions independent of human input. Machine learning is when a computer program can learn from repeated inputs, honing its program and improving its output. Both of these ideas have already impacted many areas of construction and are shown to have massive impacts on productivity and safety. These kinds of programs can analyze job sites, past projects, and job plans to identify safety risks, prevent violations, identify more efficient timelines or project parameters, and explore better design options for future projects. 

Like all businesses, construction is also realizing that effective data management is crucial to long-term business success. Smartphones, tablets, streamlined software, and effective data management policies reduce delays and costs, improve safety, streamline workflow, and enhance employee satisfaction. Explore your options with online forms, worksite smart devices, instant reporting, real-time safety corrections, and workflow automation. 

4. Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Virtual Reality

BIM is the process of creating a virtual replica or model of a building before building it. This can be incredibly valuable in order to see dimensions, worksite conditions, possible safety hazards, and required logistics. It’s important during every stage of construction and touches all fields: executive management, worker actions, safety compliance, legal compliance, and more.

Virtual or augmented reality (AR) is a digital layer of information that updates in real-time and improves your understanding of the real world around you. Using an AR device can allow construction professionals to scan an actual job site and learn valuable information as an overlay on the image. 

This could be through AR glasses, which can automatically measure whatever you’re looking at, or through a tablet to analyze the surrounding conditions and identify potential hazards. 

By tapping into the current technology available, the construction industry can reduce the impacts of labor and supply shortages, improve safety and worker satisfaction, and significantly enhance productivity and revenue. Explore some new technology today!

Russia, Ukraine, and Construction Costs

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The Russian invasion of Ukraine was a surprise to many in the United States. While thousands of Ukrainians continue to flee their homes, the US is among the many countries who have imposed sanctions, or bans, on businesses operating in Russia. The hope is that this sudden economic downturn will encourage Russia to vacate Ukraine and allow a return to peace. 

While these sanctions are a key step to bringing a quick end to the war, they’ve caused a significant disruption to many industries around the world, including construction. Inflation, which was already affecting companies before the conflict, is expected to continue to rise, thanks to rising gas and oil prices. 

Lost Gas Lines & Rising Prices

Prior to the Ukraine invasion, Europe expected the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline to open, which would carry natural gas from Russia under the Baltic sea and into Germany, where it would then be dispersed throughout Europe. However, movement on the pipeline has stopped since the beginning of the war and is not expected to be revived. 

It’s no surprise that these rising gas prices will increase both the cost of shipping and using gas-run machinery, but they also affect the cost of building materials themselves. Many of the materials used in construction are energy-intensive to create, and most contain petro-carbons made from petroleum products. As the price of oil (petroleum) rises, these materials costs will also skyrocket. 

Supply Chain Domino Effect

What’s more, Russia is a main producer of both copper and aluminum, which had already increased in price by 25% and 33% over the last few years. With the war and sanctions disrupting the supply chain of these common metals, both the prices and the time to get items made out of these metals are expected to rise. The cost of steel and plastic are also rising.

Construction & Heavy Equipment Impacted

So what does all of this mean for construction companies? 

It means we’ll have to make important decisions about the types of projects we accept, the deadlines, and the communication with both investors and suppliers. Companies should discuss who will shoulder the burden of increased inflation, and strongly consider what they can afford before entering into any fixed price contracts. 

When considering timelines for jobs, it’s wise to include plenty of additional buffer time due to account for unexpected supply chain disruptions – clients will be happy when it’s done earlier than you originally planned, but not the other way around! If possible, consider smaller projects that have more certainty of cost and less delay risk. This will give you fewer time constraints and allow you to complete your projects without being strangled by labor shortages, rising costs, and supply chain issues. 

We’re in This Together

If your company is struggling to find equipment, staffing, or project management in this difficult time, Steadfast Entities, LLC is here to help. We pride ourselves on our efficiency, which keeps costs low and our customers happy. Contact us to find out more about how we can assist you today.

New Year, New Trends in Construction

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2021 was full of growth for many construction companies, but it wasn’t always easy. Bottlenecks in production and delayed shipping increased material costs, and a shortage of labor slowed down projects. Necessity is the mother of invention, though, and these struggles have led to the creation of many new and creative solutions in the industry. The following trends are expected to become commonplace in 2022 as crews work toward faster build speeds, efficient use of quality materials, and finding ways to keep their crews happy and safe.

  • Digitalization. Last month we told you all about exosuits, wearables to keep workers injury free on the job site. They are just one example of technology that keeps projects running smoothly and workers safe. Technology like cloud-based collaboration software, drones, and robots are also becoming standard and will shape the industry through the coming years. 
  • Happy Workers. You can have all the robots in the industry, but without enough people on your crew, your job will be at a standstill. The “great resignation” of 2021 has left a serious skills gap throughout the construction world, and companies are having to incentivise workers in new and thoughtful ways. These methods include better pay and benefits, regular training and opportunities for upward momentum, and innovative tools to maximize safety. 
  • New Materials. Transparent aluminum. Self-healing concrete. These are just a few of the newly engineered materials on the market created to reduce construction costs. Many utilize recycled base components, which save money and reduce waste. 
  • 3D Printing. Similarly, 3D printing is quickly becoming a rising star in the industry. Whether printing a replacement part for a machine or creating a highly detailed construction model, 3D printing is becoming popular as a quick and efficient way to keep jobs on schedule.
  • Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Twins. Both built using IOT technology, BIM and Digital Twins allow better communication between workers, management and customers. BIM provides information throughout all the construction phases, including project schedule, cost, and materials. A Digital Twin is a virtual model of a building site or building. It captures thousands of data points that can then be viewed, monitored, and even changed in real time. This allows crews to text new ideas or try new designs, saving both time and materials. 

We can’t wait to see all the ways you and your crew put modern tech to real use in your projects. In the meantime, have a safe and happy new year! We at Steadfast look forward to meeting all of your staffing and equipment needs in 2022.

Stability and Industry Growth in 2022

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After the uncertainty of the last two years, many in the heavy equipment and construction agencies are looking towards 2022 with hope for stability and profits. 

Thanks in part to the federal funding provided by the American Jobs Plan (AJP), a sharp uptick of work on the country’s roads, bridges, and railways is expected to start in 2022. This, combined with the continued need for single family homes that began in 2021, has model simulations expecting a growth of 3.5% for the construction industry as a whole through the end of 2023.

What the numbers show.

Mostly due to influx in funding from the AJP, the private, local, state and federal sectors are all expected to experience double-digit growth through at least 2023. While this is promising for those who work in the infrastructure and residential sectors, the outlook is more mixed for those whose construction focuses on business and commerce. Some businesses, like health care facilities and schools, received federal funding during the pandemic and have grown. Warehouses and transportation facilities have benefitted from private funding as home shipping has increased. And others, like office buildings, have seen a steep decrease in funding as many workers have shifted to remote work. 

According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, these shifts flatlined growth in the business and commerce sectors in 2021, but experts are cautiously optimistic that a resurgence of those returning to work post Covid will see a 2.9% growth in 2022. 

While growth is usually great for an economy, there can be downsides.

This has been seen in the current housing crisis, where the urgent need for affordable housing has led to a shortage of materials and labor and, ultimately, inflation. This is expected to continue through 2022 and beyond, with the US now ranking 4th globally for year-over-year home price increases behind Sweden, Denmark, and Russia. 

Inflation is not just limited to the housing market. 

Supply chain issues and labor shortages have led to inflation in manufacturing, which then ripples outward toward both construction companies and their clients. However, experts expect that this will level out in 2022. The extra work has also led to an increase in heavy equipment purchases, which has now passed pre-pandemic levels. This is expected to result in a 4% increase in construction machinery sales for 2022, and further growth beyond. 

A more positive future is coming soon! 

In 2022, Steadfast hopes to see all our partners gain renewed profits and growth. 

Whether back in the saddle and ramping up projects or still experiencing tight budgets, Steadfast is here to help you maximize cost and efficiency with the right equipment and staffing. We ourselves are very familiar with the hurdles of the past years, and our goal is to partner with other organizations in success and forward momentum. Contact us today to help you get your project – and your new year! – off to a great start.