Best use of Technology: Digital Construction

This award aims to recognise outstanding performance in the use and commitment to digital construction on a project.

ALICE Technologies and Implenia

Windworks Impleina wind farm project

Implenia is helping design a serial manufacturing site of concrete foundations for floating offshore wind farms and find the most suitable location. It received support from ALICE Technologies, the provider of the world’s first AI-powered construction optioneering software, to optimise the production process and ensure maximum efficiency can be achieved. ALICE is helping answer: · What is the most efficient site layout for constructing and moving the foundations? · Is one or two launching corridors the optimum solution for increased productivity on-site? · How can on-site resilience be improved? The site will manufacture wind turbine foundations that will yield up to one gigawatt of energy generation per year once operational. Implenia has found that planning with ALICE is ten times faster than traditional methods, and by optimising with the AI software, it has been able to boost potential foundation production levels considerably and support the planning and approvals process.

Balfour Beatty

Digital by design

We’ve delivered an exceptional digital solution to manage project delivery performance as part of our DigitalByDesign Strategy. Through this innovative digital solution, we achieved unparalleled technical collaboration, successfully managing project completion and establishing the golden thread for a complex hospital project. At MMUH, we revolutionised software utilisation, unlocking opportunities for Balfour Beatty and advancing our digital transformation. Importantly, we’ve embedded this digital expertise in early stages on other projects, exemplified by AWE project, Gatwick Airport, HS2 Head Houses, UoS West Slope, setting a new standard for project delivery performance and affirming our commitment to digital excellence in the construction industry.

Facit Homes

Court House

Facit Homes have completed the construction of Court House, a residential dwelling in North London. Through the build process, Facit have pushed the boundaries of digital construction. This stems mainly from the digital first approach which it adopts on all projects that enables a fully coordinated project before construction begins. This is backed up by careful construction management meaning that although the projects are remotely managed they can be on top of the detail and respond to issues immediately. Having the on-site production facility expedites the early construction process which is around 3 months to get a watertight frame, which is a significant saving compared with traditional methods of construction. The digital twin method of working enables problem-solving capabilities from an early stage on site and makes us a deserving recipient of the Digital Construction Award. Our work exemplifies the transformative potential of digital manufacturing in creating high-quality, eco-friendly homes.

Hyperion Robotics

Automated 3D concrete printing

Hyperion Robotics offers code-compliant, low-carbon reinforced concrete products to construction companies for infrastructure projects in the energy, utilities, water and civil infrastructure sectors. Thanks to the efficiencies of its automated 3D printing process following Eurocode standards, they have helped clients significantly reduce their carbon emissions, material usage, project delivery time, and costs compared to traditional construction methods. Their latest project for Yorkshire Water’s largest water treatment facility demonstrated the benefits of concrete 3D printing. Hyperion designed, manufactured and supplied four made-to-measure drawpits. Compared to traditional methods, they were able to provide a reduction of embodied carbon by 40%, 50% material savings, 70% lead time reduction, and direct cost savings for its client. After proving the benefits of the automated production of low-carbon optimised prefabricated elements in the water sector, Hyperion has gained traction. It aims to establish a UK-based production facility in Q1 2025 and manufacture for other infrastructure sectors.

Lattice Build Technology

Street lighting installation scheme at A316

TKJV utilized Lattice for a project installing over 100 lamp posts and signage along a 1-kilometer stretch in Twickenham, UK. Leveraging Lattice’s map-based platform, the project transitioned to a fully paperless system, enhancing efficiency and productivity. By eliminating the need for daily site visits and simplifying document management, Lattice enabled remote supervision and streamlined reporting. The platform’s features allowed for quick progress reporting and provided a comprehensive project overview through an analytics dashboard. Additionally, Lattice’s digital approach reduced paper use and carbon emissions, showcasing its effectiveness for large-scale, multi-location asset management projects.

Network Rail

AVA

AVA is the largest and possibly the only footbridge on the GB rail network that consists almost entirely of stainless steel. In addition, the design for manufacturing principles and the modern methods of construction implemented mean that it is now possible to produce the parts for a large number of footbridges much quicker than if fabricating conventional footbridges and therefore the benefits from economies of scale and the decoupling of the manufacturing stage from the project critical path are much greater. The extensive use of digitalisation and technology in the materials as well as all the processes and operations during the project’s development stages can revolutionise the way footbridges are commissioned in a way similar to the one the introduction of the assembly line and the Ford Model-T achieved in the automotive industry in the early 20th century.

Qualis Flow

Decarbonising construction

Qflow's technology is designed to be user friendly, and easy to deploy across construction teams requiring minimal training. It's as simple as taking a selfie. Qflow is easily scalable which means if construction companies require us on more projects, we can happily provide this service in a matter of days. Qflow has demonstrated client satisfaction and should be considered for this award. We have several video case studies to highlight how Qflow has helped companies reach their sustainability and efficiency goals resulting in an 85% - 90% reduction in time spent collecting data and a 406% improvement in waste data quality.