Technology Making Our Jobs Faster, Safer, Easier


to take time to look back at where we came from. Recently, I have had the opportunity to do just that at my own office. As it happens, the company I have had


A


the good fortune to work at for the last 25 years is also celebrating its centennial. E.L. Yeager Construction, which was purchased by Skanska in 2002, was origi- nally founded in 1919. In preparation for our celebration, I am combing through hundreds of historic photographs to create an album of our history. In doing so I have come to an interesting realization: over the last century, the process of construction has remained largely unchanged; that is, the means and methods we use to build today are much the same as they have been for decades. However, it’s also clear that over the last several years, innovation and technology have made significant advances, making our jobs faster, safer, and easier. Some technologies have been around


for so long and have become so ubiquitous that we couldn’t imagine working without them. One example is GPS. GPS has allowed machine guidance control on equipment and RTK surveying to become commonplace on jobsites. Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, are also increas- ingly frequent around jobsites, whether used simply for project progress photos or more advanced uses such as aerial mapping. Other processes that have become the norm are three-dimensional terrain modeling in the civil world and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for vertical construction. What is new and exciting about BIM is the whole world of technology that has launched upon its heels. Linking BIM models to schedules


creating four-dimensional job progress planning is becoming more prevalent, as is being able to electronically tag and identify various project components for location tracking on a project site. Te accuracy


4 September/October 2019


s I wrote earlier this year, on the occasion of approaching AGC of California’s centennial, we are going


of BIM has greatly increased the viability of prefabrication in the industry. Complicated piping systems or building interiors can be built offsite in more controlled environments and confidently fitted in the field. Using BIM along with gaming technology, developers are creating immersive virtual reality environments where clients can “walk through” a completed structure before it’s even built. Contractors are using BIM models along with augmented reality to allow workers to see proper placement of such features as blockouts, rebar, and embeds as they build. BIM has also led to improved safety


on projects. With the use of wearable technology such as smart safety vests and identifying hazardous zones on a BIM model, workers can be alerted if they enter a dangerous area. Some smart vests are also capable of monitoring a worker’s vital signs, enabling immediate notification should they suffer a medical emergency. Of course, all this technology has


placed larger demands on the IT infra- structure required on our projects. None of this comes without cost either; initial investments for much of this technology can be daunting. Contractors must consider return on their investment and equipment lifespan obsolescence when making purchase decisions. Te reality seems to be though that these technologies are here, and in order to be competitive implementing the right tools will mean the difference between being successful or falling behind the curve. Jerome Di Padova, President AGC of California


Published bi-monthly for members of the Associated General Contractors of California


3095 Beacon Boulevard West Sacramento, CA 95691 (916) 371-2422 www.agc-ca.org


Publisher


Al Rickard Association Vision (703) 402-9713 arickard@assocvision.com www.associationvision.com


Editor


Carol A. Eaton Eaton Communications (707) 789-9520 eatonc@comcast.net


Graphic Designer/Production


Carole Tieme Tieme Creative Media (410) 610-2950 carole@thiemecreativemedia.com www.thiemecreativemedia.com


Correspondence


Address editorial and circulation correspondence to: California Constructor, AGC of California, 3095 Beacon Blvd., West Sacramento, CA 95691 (916) 371-2422 or call Carol Eaton at (707) 789-9520 or eatonc@comcast.net.


Copyright 2019


California Constructor


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24