Exploring IoT Applications and Advantages in Construction
The IoT (Internet of Things) has gained significant attention in recent years due to the many advantages that it offers in assisting with construction projects. Let’s go over some key applications and the benefits of using this technology for construction.
For more information, check out this guide by Trackunit: IoT in Construction: Applications & Benefits.
Applications and advantages of IoT in construction
IoT has many applications in the construction industry. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones.
Site monitoring
Site monitoring is one of the most common uses of IoT in construction. Here’s how it works:
- Site managers place sensors and cameras all over the construction site.
- These sensors and cameras collect data from the site on an ongoing basis.
- The data is transmitted to cloud servers over a wireless network.
- Project managers analyze this data to make decisions about everything, from material movement and worker safety to construction progress.
IoT sensors can monitor pretty much everything, be it noise, vibration, humidity, or temperature. Meanwhile, the surveillance cameras set up can keep a 24/7 watch on the site’s security.
Construction sites can use this technology to avoid accidents and equipment theft while staying compliant.
Equipment control
Although it’s not as common yet as it’s forecasted to be, heavy equipment control via IoT technology is gaining popularity. Imagine a large construction site where multiple pieces of heavy machinery operate simultaneously. With IoT, you can adjust the equipment to automatically grade, drill, pile, or pave large expanses of land.
Machine control is currently used in construction projects in the civil engineering sector for things like roads and highways, open-cast mines, and airports. However, it could also potentially be used to construct tall buildings and skyscrapers in the future.
The main advantage of IoT is the level of unprecedented precision and accuracy that it offers. With sensors all over the equipment, you can access a detailed overview of its performance. That allows you to maximize efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.
Fleet management
Keeping a check on construction fleets is extremely imperative. Construction managers don’t only have to see where the equipment is but also what it is doing.
Who is operating it? Are they doing it correctly? Is the equipment where it is supposed to be? If it’s idle, what can be done about it?
Even if you’re managing a small fleet of a few machines, the manual work can be a nuisance. IoT eliminates this hassle by automating key tasks and enhancing visibility.
Predictive maintenance
Predictive maintenance ties in with fleet management. Prevention is better than trying to find a cure, and with predictive maintenance, you’ll be able to catch problems before they become catastrophic failures, saving time and money.
For this, construction sites use a combination of IoT and telematics. IoT devices monitor the condition of equipment and detect anomalies, whereas telematics can be used to collect data about engine health, sending them to a centralized system.
Worker safety
IoT wearables have shown much promise in improving construction worker safety. Wearables such as smart helmets, vests, and glasses have sensors that monitor heart rate, temperature, air quality, and the location of workers on-site. If there’s an accident or injury, these devices can immediately send alerts to the manager for quick response.
Construction managers can ensure the health and safety of their workers. If there’s a medical emergency, they can call for health immediately.
Takeaway
All in all, utilizing IoT is a must for modern construction sites. With its ability to monitor the job site, manage equipment, perform predictive maintenance, and facilitate worker safety, it greatly enhances most, if not all, construction operations.