• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Your Membership
    • Edit Your Profile
  • Services
    • Advertising
    • Case studies
    • Design
    • Email marketing
    • Lead generation
    • Magazine
    • Press releases
    • Publishing
    • Sponsored posts
    • Webcasting
    • Webinars
    • White papers
    • Writing
  • Shop
    • My Account
    • Cart
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Terms of use
  • Events

Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

  • News
  • Features
  • Video
  • Webinars
  • White papers
  • Press releases
  • Featured companies
    • AMD Xilinx
    • BlueBotics
    • Elite Robot
    • RGo Robotics
    • SICK Sensor Intelligence
    • Vicor Power

4 Innovative construction solutions in building engineering

August 11, 2021 by Liv Leave a Comment

Construction plays an important role in modern life. All man-made structures are the result of construction work. A vast majority of buildings, homes, towers, roads, and bridges are made of concrete and steel, plus some other materials added to bind them together.

But despite the intrinsic strength of both concrete and steel, the construction industry is still beset by numerous problems such as concrete cracking and high overall costs. To solve those issues, researchers have sought to develop construction innovations.

Among the most revolutionary innovations in building construction are energy efficient fabric structures. These are tensile materials used to wrap structural frameworks in lieu of concrete and wood.

The fabrics used are able to naturally regulate the heat and energy inside the buildings. Aside from this, scientists and engineers have developed quite a number of smart solutions promising to solve fundamental problems in building engineering. Here are just some of them:

1. Programmable cement
Cement is the main component of concrete, which in turn makes up the structure of the vast majority of modern buildings. Concrete is formed by mixing cement with water, sand, and stone and letting it dry.

But concrete is porous, which means that water and chemicals can go through its surface and structure. This can result in the degradation of the concrete itself. The liquids that can go through concrete can also cause rusting of the steel bars that support the structure.

On a molecular level, the explanation for this is that concrete particles are formed at random. This leaves openings for water and other liquid compounds to go through.

Recently, however, a method for ‘programming’ the molecular structure of concrete has been discovered by a team of scientists from Rice University in Texas. This enables builders to give ‘instructions’ for the cement to form into tighter structural shapes such as spheres, cubes, or polygons.

They were able to do this by adding surfactants (both positively and negatively charged) to the cement mixture. They found out that this allowed them to control what the cement particles would form into as the cement sets in place.

As a result, they were able to produce harder concrete, which is stronger and less porous. With the use of this programmable cement, less concrete would now be needed to form stronger structures.

2. Self-healing concrete
There are numerous other innovations involving precast concrete. One that’s similar to programmable cement but a bit different is ‘self-healing’ concrete. Among the major problems encountered once construction work has been completed is the cracking of concrete. This is usually caused by exposure to water and chemicals.

A team of researchers working at Bath University are on the brink of developing a kind of concrete which is self-healing. They’re trying to do this by mixing into the cement an agent that contains bacteria and is placed in microcapsules.

This bacterial agent aids in healing cracks by germinating when water penetrates them. The germination process produces limestone, which then plugs the cracks before water and oxygen can corrode the reinforcement steel bars and thus prevents rusting.

3. Robotics construction
Another innovative construction solution is the use of robotics construction vehicles, machineries, and equipment. In recent years, more and more multinationals have invested in the development of robotics equipment to be used in construction work and building engineering.

Some of the early technological innovations are remote-controlled hauling trucks, excavators, and loaders. More recently, fully autonomous and automated robots have been deployed to construction work sites to do lifting, hauling, and transporting work.

4. BioMason bricks
Some buildings are still made of bricks. Each year, large amounts of energy are spent to produce trillions of bricks through a kiln heating process requiring extremely high temperatures.

A start-up in North Carolina has discovered a way of making concrete bricks in ambient temperatures. This removes the need for firing the bricks, thereby eliminating the consumption of large amounts of energy for the kiln firing process.

The research team was able to do this by placing sand in rectangular molds. Afterward, they injected bacteria that wrapped around the grains of sand. Nutrient-rich water was then fed into the mixture for a few days.

The result of this entire process is a hard, stone-like substance formed by calcium carbonate crystals that would ‘grow’ around each grain of sand. This innovation was inspired by the formation of corals, which are natural but hard substances.

Innovating construction
These ingenious construction solutions indeed hold great promise in solving and plugging the most fundamental gaps and problems in building engineering. Programmable cement will create cost-efficient, stronger, and harder concrete structures.

Add to that the self-healing cement, and you’ll have structures that can endure for decades and possibly even centuries. What’s more, BioMason bricks will bring down energy costs. These savings can strengthen corporate growth and result in more innovative construction projects in the long run.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Share this:

  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Skype
  • WhatsApp
  • Telegram
  • Pocket

You might also like…

Filed Under: Construction, Features Tagged With: cement, cement technology, concrete building, construction, construction technology

Join the Robotics & Automation News community

Reader Interactions

You must log in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Latest articles

  • Autonomous mobile robots market expected to expand at 22 percent a year
  • Will a robot take my job? Notre Dame researcher says this view is overly pessimistic
  • Flexiv partners with Doco Engineering to meet ‘expanding US robotics demand’
  • Addverb opens second software development centre in India
  • ABI Research gives 16 autonomous forklift system vendors competitive rankings
  • euroTECH’s Vacuum Lifter System Increases Efficiency and Ergonomics in Wood Processing
  • How to Reduce Chatter in Robotic Milling Applications
  • Otto Motors launches new ‘mid-sized’ autonomous mobile robot
  • SGS introduces ‘cutting-edge testing protocol’ for robots checking furniture drawer slides
  • Europalco buys two robots from Kuka to add ‘wow factor’ to shows

Most Read

  • Top 20 electric vehicle charging station companies
    Top 20 electric vehicle charging station companies
  • Difference Between Three-Phase and Single-Phase Power
    Difference Between Three-Phase and Single-Phase Power
  • Scientists have found more water in space than they ever knew possible
    Scientists have found more water in space than they ever knew possible
  • Top 20 programmable logic controller manufacturers
    Top 20 programmable logic controller manufacturers
  • How to Know if Your iPhone is Being Tracked? Check This!
    How to Know if Your iPhone is Being Tracked? Check This!
  • What You Need to Know About Fixing an Engine Misfire
    What You Need to Know About Fixing an Engine Misfire
  • Why is My Car Key Stuck in the Ignition?
    Why is My Car Key Stuck in the Ignition?
  • Why is Money Important in Our Lives?
    Why is Money Important in Our Lives?
  • IoT Basics: A Guide to the Internet of Things for Beginners
    IoT Basics: A Guide to the Internet of Things for Beginners
  • Otto Motors launches new ‘mid-sized’ autonomous mobile robot
    Otto Motors launches new ‘mid-sized’ autonomous mobile robot

Overused words

ai applications automated automation automotive autonomous business companies company control customers data design development digital electric global industrial industry logistics machine manufacturing market mobile operations platform process production robot robotic robotics robots safety software solution solutions system systems technologies technology time vehicle vehicles warehouse work

Secondary Sidebar

Latest news

  • Autonomous mobile robots market expected to expand at 22 percent a year
  • Will a robot take my job? Notre Dame researcher says this view is overly pessimistic
  • Flexiv partners with Doco Engineering to meet ‘expanding US robotics demand’
  • Addverb opens second software development centre in India
  • ABI Research gives 16 autonomous forklift system vendors competitive rankings
  • euroTECH’s Vacuum Lifter System Increases Efficiency and Ergonomics in Wood Processing
  • How to Reduce Chatter in Robotic Milling Applications
  • Otto Motors launches new ‘mid-sized’ autonomous mobile robot
  • SGS introduces ‘cutting-edge testing protocol’ for robots checking furniture drawer slides
  • Europalco buys two robots from Kuka to add ‘wow factor’ to shows

Footer

We are…

Robotics and Automation News was established in May, 2015, and is now one of the most widely-read websites in its category.

Please consider supporting us by becoming a paying subscriber, or through advertising and sponsorships, or by purchasing products and services through our shop – or a combination of all of the above.

Thank you.

Independent

Archivists

August 2021
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Jul   Sep »

Complex

Old-skool

This website and its associated magazine, and weekly newsletter, are all produced by a small team of experienced journalists and media professionals.

If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to contact us at any of the email addresses on our contact page.

We’d be happy to hear from you, and will always reply as soon as possible.

Future-facing

Free, fair and legal

We support the principles of net neutrality and equal opportunities.

Member of The Internet Defense League

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT