Journal of Intelligent Construction: A New Platform for Sharing Multidisciplinary Research on Emerging Construction Technologies

The construction industry has traditionally been seen as a slow adopter of technology, but it is now undergoing a profound transformation, driven by advances in technology and needs for more sustainable, efficient, and intelligent infrastructures. A few key areas of innovation are as follows. First, building information modeling (BIM) is now enabling collaboration and information exchange between different parties involved in the construction process. It also allows for the creation of three-dimensional (3D) models that are both accurate and comprehensive, which can be used to simulate and analyze different scenarios and optimize the design and construction process. Second, robots and automated construction are now replacing humans in many tasks that are hazardous, repetitive, or time-consuming for humans. Robotics is widely used in welding, cutting, and drilling, while autonomous construction vehicles are also becoming more common with applications of excavation, grading, and paving. These technologies help improve the efficiency and safety of projects in complex environments, such as many mega hydraulic engineering projects in China. Third, artificial intelligence (AI) is now being used to analyze data from sensors and other sources to optimize the performance of buildings, such as energy consumption and indoor air quality. AI can also be used to analyze data from construction sites to identify safety hazards and improve productivity. In addition, AI can also be used for predictive maintenance, which helps to prevent equipment failure and reduce downtime. Fourth, additive manufacturing or 3D printing can be used to create complex shapes and structures that would be difficult or impossible to create using traditional manufacturing methods. This technology reduces waste and material costs by using only the materials that are needed, as well as cuts construction time and costs while improving quality and accuracy.