The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is expected to change how we live, work, and communicate. It is also likely to change the things we value and the way we value them in the future. Currently, we can already see changing business models and employment trends [1]. The term Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) has been introduced by the German Federal Government in 2011 as one of the key initiatives of its high-tech strategy that has been proposed as a new, emerging structure and integrated communications network for a widely automated exchange of information between production and processes [2]. This revolution marks the emergence of a physical cyber system that will change the future in civil engineering industry especially in construction process. There are nine pillars of IR 4.0 which are:
- Augmented reality
- System integration
- Cloud computing
- Big data
- IOT
- 3D printing
- Cyber Security
- Autonomous robots
- Simulation
Out of these nine pillars, three of them are being implemented in civil engineering sectors which are system integration, cloud computing, and 3D printing. In the construction industry, it involves many departments from different specialization where an integration system is required so all the team members can communicate among them on the same page. To make this happen, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is introduced into this industry. It is the foundation of digital transformation in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry [3]. Across the world, BIM is a crucial and even mandated process to ensure the planning, design, and construction of building is highly efficient and collaborative. It allows architects, engineers, real estate developers, contractors, manufacturers, and other construction professionals to plan, design, and construct a structure or building within one 3D model. The data imported to BIM can be accessed by many parties which can allow them to make informed decisions based on information derived from the model – even after the building is constructed.
In the era of Internet of Things, Cloud
and Real-time collaboration become important tools to increase the efficiency
of working in a team or group. The ease in sharing documents, files,
drawings, etc has made it simple across borders and seas. All the files are 24 hours
ready for accessed, compared to few years back where files are shared through
email or hardcopy. Things get more difficult if the owner of the files is
absent on that day, where works might get delayed. There are several Cloud and
Realtime tools provider and subscription is necessary in order to upgrade the
capacity of the storage.
Another implementation of IR 4.0 in the civil
engineering industry is 3D printing and additive manufacturing. It is a method
for manufacturing construction elements or entire buildings by means of a 3D
printer printing concrete, polymer, metal, or other materials, layer by layer. The
first residential building in Europe and the CIS was constructed using the 3D
printing construction technology, was the home in Yaroslavl (Russia) with the
area of 298.5 sq. Meters in 2015 by the company SPECAVIA. Instead of using labour
workers, a residential house can be built by using 24-hours operation machines
which can shorten the period of construction and also numbers of human
resources required.
In conclusion, the world has changed to a fast pace working
environment and civil engineering sector is not excluded from this. Maybe
in near future, the civil engineering sector will increase the efficiency of
working and productivity by implementing another pillar to the IR 4.0.
References:
1) https://www.studymalaysia.com/education/top-stories/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-ir-4.0-and-what-it-means-for-students-like-you
2) https://www.mosti.gov.my/fokus/revolusi-industri-keempat-ir-4-0/ Bruno Daniotti, Alberto Pavan, Cecilia Bolognesi, Claudio Mirarchi and Martina Signorini. (2022). Digital Transformation in the Construction Sector: From BIM to Digital Twin. Digital Transformation - Towards New Frontiers and Business Opportunities. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.103726