The construction industry is undergoing a profound technological shift, and one of the most promising developments is the emergence of robots that install sheetrock. Drywall installation has long been one of the most labor-intensive tasks on any job site, requiring skilled workers to lift, position, fasten, and finish heavy panels day after day. As labor […]
Snow and ice accumulation on pavements and runways presents a persistent challenge for transportation infrastructure, costing billions annually in delays, accidents, and chemical treatments. Traditional approaches such as plowing, deicing salts, and chemical sprays are labor-intensive, environmentally damaging, and often insufficient during severe weather events. Over the past decade, researchers have been developing a promising
The mass timber movement has accelerated rapidly across North America, and at the heart of this transformation stands a facility that redefines what is possible with engineered wood. When Katerra opened its 270,000-square-foot cross-laminated timber (CLT) factory in Washington state, it became the largest facility of its kind on the continent and signaled a new
Additive manufacturing has transitioned from a niche prototyping tool into a legitimate construction methodology, and few projects illustrate this shift more vividly than the work of architect Adam Kushner and his partner Enrico Dini of D-Shape. Their ambitious plan to build a 75-foot-long 3D printed swimming pool and estate in upstate New York demonstrated that
Steel is one of the most versatile and widely used materials in the construction industry, offering an exceptional combination of strength, durability, and design flexibility. From high-rise office towers to industrial warehouses and residential framing, steel provides structural integrity that few other materials can match. Understanding the properties, applications, and best practices for working with
Building Information Modeling has moved beyond the design office. With Autodesk’s PlanGrid BIM now available on Windows, contractors and field teams can access rich 3D models directly from their desktop computers and tablets, bridging the gap between office design teams and onsite construction crews. This marks a significant shift in how contractors are increasing BIM
In early 2020, Procore Technologies expanded its preconstruction software suite with the launch of Procore Prequalification, a dedicated tool designed to help general contractors streamline how they evaluate, track, and manage subcontractor risk before breaking ground on a project. The construction industry has long grappled with fragmented contractor qualification processes, relying on spreadsheets, email chains,
Winter weather poses significant challenges for infrastructure owners, property managers, and municipalities who must keep pavements, driveways, and airport runways clear of snow and ice. Traditional methods rely on chemical deicers, salt applications, and mechanical snow plowing, but these approaches carry environmental costs, cause surface deterioration over time, and demand constant labor during storm events.
In the construction industry, verifying that concrete has reached its design strength is a critical step before formwork removal, post-tensioning, or opening a structure to service loads. For decades, the industry has relied on standard cylinder break tests to make these determinations. However, traditional testing methods come with inherent uncertainties related to curing conditions, handling,
When stretched, most materials grow thinner. Auxetic materials do the opposite — they grow thicker when pulled and denser when compressed. This counterintuitive behavior, inspired by designs found in nature, opens new possibilities for protective equipment in construction. Understanding auxetic materials is essential for anyone involved in modern construction materials selection and application, as these
