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Robots are increasingly being used in the construction industry to perform repetitive and demanding tasks. These robots are designed to improve efficiency and safety on construction sites. Specific construction tasks, such as drywall spraying and finishing, layout printing, materials transportation, and capturing site imagery, can now be automated using purpose-built robots. Contractors are adopting these robots to address labor shortages and increase productivity. The use of robots in construction is expected to continue growing as more applications are developed. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the field of forensic engineering and the contributions of Wiss Janney Elstner Associates (WJE) in advancing engineering knowledge through problem-solving and investigations. WJE, founded in 1972, has played a significant role in informing the design and construction of various projects through decades of research and testing. The firm's laboratory facilities in Illinois, Cleveland, and Texas offer a wide range of services, including structural testing, materials evaluation, and code compliance testing. The article highlights WJE's involvement in major investigations, such as the 1981 collapse of the Hyatt Regency Hotel skywalks in Kansas City and the 1996 investigation of the crash of TWA Flight 800. Additionally, it mentions WJE's work in assessing existing conditions and providing recommendations for preservation, such as the investigation of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The article emphasizes WJE's commitment to sharing knowledge and contributing to the prevention of structural failures. [Extracted from the article]

The article lists the top 25 newsmakers, recognized for their contributions to decarbonization and overcoming structural challenges including Sean Beatty, Manager at Turner Construction, Joe Benvenuto, Chief Operating Officer at LIFTbuild, and Robert Buckley, President of Buckley & Co.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools is revolutionizing the design and construction industry. Major firms are utilizing AI for tasks such as generating new designs, design review, accounting, and legal compliance. AI is able to complete tasks in a fraction of the time it would take humans, leading to a reevaluation of resource allocation and project delivery practices. AI is also being used in the field to provide instant answers and predict problems. Companies like Populous, VIATechnik, Procore, and Autodesk are embracing AI to improve efficiency and automate repetitive tasks, with Populous using data and AI technology to enhance the design process for stadiums and other construction projects. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides an overview of the challenges and solutions in the construction industry, as well as the importance of collaboration and investment in the next generation of workers. It features insights from various leaders in the industry, emphasizing the need for honesty about the demands of the field and the significance of mutual investment between managers and employees. The article also discusses the selection process for ENR's 2024 National Top 20 Under 40 class and highlights the importance of work-life balance and flexibility in the industry. Additionally, it addresses the need for workforce development and changing perceptions of construction as a viable career path. The article also touches on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance productivity, although it acknowledges the limitations of automation. The construction industry is also adapting to the energy transition, with a focus on electric vehicles and renewable energy projects. Despite labor shortages and rising costs, the industry offers opportunities for innovation and the recruitment of diverse talent. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the Best of the Best 2023 projects recognized by ENR (Engineering News-Record), which represent the highest achievements in U.S. design and construction. The projects include the Microsoft Thermal Energy Center, which features a geothermal heating and cooling system, and the Geowell drilling project, which used drone flights for assessment. Other projects highlighted include the Kings Bay Dry Dock Recapitalization project, the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) project, the Orlando International Airport Terminal C, the Orange County Museum of Art, the 1021 O Street State Office Building, the UVA Inn at Darden - The Forum Hotel, the Mayo Clinic East Expansion, the John and Lile Gibbons Center for Arctic Studies and Barry Mills Hall at Bowdoin College, the Riverbend Meats Processing Plant, the Aston Martin Residences in Miami, the Primary Children's Hospital Hybrid Operating Room, the Martin Marietta Texas Quarry project, and the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. These projects showcase unique features, sustainability efforts, and overcoming challenges. [Extracted from the article]

The article highlights the 2023 ENR Global Best Projects Awards, showcasing 31 winning projects from 23 countries. These projects exhibit diverse challenges, innovations, and collaborations across various sectors, with a special emphasis on quality, innovation, safety and teamwork. Turkey's 1915 Çanakkale Bridge emerged as the Project of the Year among three finalists, celebrated in a virtual awards ceremony.

The article reports that the Joe Biden administration's Federal Sustainability Plan requires all agencies to transition to light-duty electric vehicles by 2027 and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles by 2035, prompting a significant shift in transportation planning and construction to accommodate the growing electric vehicle market. It also mentions that the development of a national network of 500,000 publicly accessible EV charging stations by 2030 and changes in tax incentives.

The article discusses Renco USA's innovative mineral composite, fiber-reinforced (MCFR) building system, which uses interlocking blocks made of recycled glass fibers, resin, and naturally occurring calcium compounds to create various structural elements, addressing the challenges posed by labor shortages. It mentions that the CFR system offers strength, durability, and ease of assembly, exemplified by multifamily project in Palm Springs, Florida.

WHILE BIM ADOPTION STILL LAGS in both design and construction, some enterprising owners, architects and contractors are unlocking the potential of this dynamic technology. No other AEC technology initiative holds [...]

America needs more schools. Forty-five percent of the nation's elementary, middle, and high schools were built between 1950 and 1969, according market research firm ZweigWhite, Natick, Mass. Yet even as [...]

Jacob & Co. Fine Jewelry caters to star customers like singer/actress Jessica Simpson, tapper 50 Cent, Victoria's Secret model Gisele Bundchen, and soccer star David ('Bend It Like') Beckham. Founder [...]

San Jose, California's third-largest city (after Los Angeles and San Diego), enjoys a robust population of almost one million and the idyllic climate of Northern California--300 sunny days a year [...]

The University of California's 10th campus is nestled deep in the San Joaqum Valley, 40 miles south of Modesto, just outside the city of Merced (population 63,893 in 2000). Amid [...]

After being awarded the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Salt Lake City organizers needed more than 800 support buildings for a wide variety of uses, including press and communications areas, seating, [...]

If you've seen one bank branch, have you really seen them all? Not if it's a PNC Bank green branch office. Banks, retailers, chain restaurants, and other fast-growing businesses put [...]

The article provides information about the push towards electrification and autonomous operation in the construction industry and how technology providers like Moog Construction, Built Robotics, and Trimble are offering solutions to help contractors transition to these new technologies. These technologies can be costly to adopt, but options like aftermarket electrification and rental channels are allowing contractors to gradually acclimate to electric and autonomous equipment.

The article focuses on the ENR (Engineering News-Record) Best of the Best Projects of 2022. It highlights the top 20 construction projects in the U.S. that were completed between May 2021 and May 2022. It is reported that the projects were selected based on their teamwork, safety, overcoming challenges, innovation, and quality.

The U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v Raimondo has overturned the Chevron case precedent, which directed courts to defer to federal agency expertise in regulation-setting when legislative language was unclear. This ruling has significant implications for government agencies' ability to develop and enforce mandates, with potential impacts on environmental, health, workforce, and other standards. While the decision may enable challenges to perceived regulatory overreach, it also introduces uncertainty and instability into the regulatory arena. The ruling has already led to test cases in lower courts, and there are ongoing discussions about potential legislative revisions to address the consequences of the decision. [Extracted from the article]

The author discusses the struggle of contractors on managing project data, dealing with extraction policies of vendor and unlocking their project. Topics discussed include programming language Structured Query Language (SQL) for organizing data, access to data by the licensing language, and use of pricing models for project management in construction.

The article announces winners of the periodical Newsmakers, individuals who have made a significant impact on the industry and their communities with their experiences, including Kevin Antonelli, Chad J. Basinger, and Sean P. Clifton.

The article announces the winner of the 2022 annual Engineering News-Record (ENR) Global Best Project Awards, including the Google Bay View Campus in northern California, the Tianfu Agricultural Exposition center in China, and the Canal Lachine Bridge project in Quebec, Canada.

Forty-five percent of the country's elementary, middle, and high schools were built between 1950 and 1969 and will soon reach the end of their usefulness, according to the 2005-2008 K-12 [...]

Join, a project information and collaboration platform, has introduced Insights, an executive-level dashboard for general contractors to monitor project health during the pre-construction phase. This tool aims to provide a data-rich view into projects, helping users assess budget adherence and anticipate potential issues. Join's CEO highlights the increasing demand for transparency and collaboration among stakeholders in the construction industry. [Extracted from the article]

Autodesk announced at its annual user conference in San Diego a deepening partnership with Esri, focusing on artificial intelligence workflows and data sharing. The company outlined a future where granular data from Autodesk applications like Revit and AutoCAD will flow onto cloud platforms like Autodesk Docs and Forma, as well as from partner companies like Esri. CEO Andrew Anagnost highlighted the development of Forma as a conceptual design tool that integrates natural language prompts and sustainability analysis, aiming to merge with geospatial data and expand into digital-twin analysis roles. Anagnost reassured users that Revit will not move entirely to the cloud but will allow granular data, such as geometric data, to flow to other platforms like Forma and Docs, addressing a long-standing user request for direct access to design geometry. [Extracted from the article]

Oracle has filed a lawsuit against Procore, alleging that a former Oracle employee took trade secrets to Procore, allowing the latter to integrate popular ERP software systems into its construction payment management platform. The lawsuit claims that the employee took thousands of files, including source code and customer information, from Oracle to Procore. Oracle is seeking unspecified damages from Procore and has named the former employee as a defendant in the matter. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the increasing popularity of Matterport's reality capture tool among contractors working on large construction projects. The tool allows for 3D visualization of construction sites and integrates with platforms like Procore and Autodesk. Design firm Corgan has successfully used Matterport on airport projects to scan existing conditions, verify models, and develop punch lists efficiently. The technology's fast capture capability has significantly reduced scanning time and improved project management processes. [Extracted from the article]

Canvas, a construction robotics company, has unveiled its smaller form factor 1200CX drywall robot. The CEO, Kevin Albert, stated that the company aims to revolutionize interior construction with this new technology. The 1200CX robot is more compact and suitable for multifamily projects, addressing the feedback received from customers. The robot's ability to provide a level-four finish and perform sanding tasks was demonstrated at an event in San Francisco. The adoption of construction robotics is influenced by the desire for consistent quality and the reduction of labor strains. [Extracted from the article]

Residents of Imperial Beach, California have filed a lawsuit against Veolia Water, the engineering consultant responsible for managing the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, accusing the company of not doing enough to prevent toxic sludge flows that have caused beach closures in the area for over 1,000 days. The lawsuit claims that Veolia has caused or failed to prevent over 500 illegal discharge incidents, resulting in over one billion gallons of raw sewage being dumped into the river that flows into South San Diego. While the current action is only against Veolia Water, the lawsuit may be amended to include the International Boundary and Water Commission at a later date. Veolia acknowledges the seriousness of the transboundary pollution issue caused by population growth in Tijuana, Mexico, and hopes that the repairs and expansion of the wastewater treatment plant will bring relief to the affected communities. The repairs are estimated to take at least five years to complete according to the commission's timeline. [Extracted from the article]

Superior Masonry Unlimited, a specialty contractor, has modernized its accounting systems by implementing cloud-based Sage Intacct and Stampli, an artificial intelligence accounts payable processor. The company's CFO, Matt Andersen, wanted to unite the estimating and preconstruction departments with project management, and automate the accounts payable process to reduce the burden of paper invoices. Stampli's AI technology has significantly reduced the time and effort required for accounts payable, matching invoices to purchase orders. Superior Masonry Unlimited plans to continue connecting more systems and integrating its preconstruction processes into Procore, its construction management platform. [Extracted from the article]

Bentley Systems has acquired Cesium, a platform for creating 3D geospatial applications. Cesium's 3D Tiles standard has been adopted by Google Earth, allowing for the creation of photorealistic 3D scenes from user data. The acquisition will bring a geospatial platform and its data to Bentley's iTwin ecosystem, aligning with their open approach to data. This acquisition reflects the trend of integrating BIM and GIS data and addresses the challenge of restructuring large data sets for easier use across applications. [Extracted from the article]

Autodesk, a construction software company, has released its strong Q2 results, surpassing analysts' expectations. The company reported earnings of $2.15 per share, compared to $1.91 per share the previous year. Despite a delay in Q1 results due to accounting issues, which led to calls for a leadership change by activist investor Starboard Value, Autodesk's total revenue increased by 12% to $1.51 billion. The company attributes its success to customer demand for innovative solutions and its new transaction model that allows customers to purchase directly from the company's website or authorized partners. [Extracted from the article]

Ediphi, a new platform created by Dustin DeVan, aims to modernize preconstruction estimating in the construction industry by moving it to the cloud. Currently, the majority of estimators still use manual spreadsheets or on-premise software. Ediphi provides a proprietary set of estimation capabilities, integrating data sheets and unit mixes, and allows estimators to create assemblies for different scales of projects. The platform also brings transparency and allows users to track the steps and learn how estimates were derived. Several construction companies, including Hensel Phelps and DPR Construction, have participated in pilot programs to test Ediphi's capabilities. [Extracted from the article]

The article informs startups and more established suppliers of products that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete are developing systems to capture and sequester carbon dioxide. Mentions CarbonCure Technologies, that has the oldest system on the market, which injects captured CO2 into a concrete mix; and two carbon-capture startups, Blue Planet and Fortera, that are attempting a mineralization technology that uses a natural process that mimics coral reef limestone growth.

The article reports that the Detroit Red Wings hockey great Gordie Howe was beloved in his native Canada and in his adopted U.S. home. Topics include considered a new international bridge connecting both places try to create similar goodwill for border traffic, but the project's public-private partnership team and the Canadian government authority it is working for will have to join together to shift lines and mount a comeback in the third period of its construction.

The article explores how contractors in the U.S. are using a tight labor market and booming construction to examine the changing role of the equipment operator as new technologies upend traditional construction processes. Topics covered include indicators for how many operators and people are pursuing the required certifications to run equipment, and the offer of virtual reality training for mobile elevated work platforms (MEWP) in response to the labor shortage.

Jeff Yoders San Rafael, Calif.-based software manufacturer Autodesk has produced a 'BIM Deployment Plan' that provides guidance on using building information modeling at both the project and organization level. The [...]

By Jeff Yoders, Senior Associate Editor While BIM can unlock process efficiencies on any project, its benefits are most pronounced in large projects. The $339-million, 695,000-sf Maricopa County Court Tower [...]

Jeff Yoders The American Institute of Architects and the AIA California Council have released the results of 'Integrated Project Delivery: Case Studies,' a collection of six studies that showcases the [...]

By Jeff Yoders, Senior Associate Editor Jeff Griffiths, director of business development at San Francisco-based SAFTI FIRST , represents the manufacturer of fire-rated glazing on numerous industry technical committees and [...]

By Jeff Yoders, Senior Associate Editor How Project Information Management supports BIM projects Building information modeling is a game-changing technology that saves time and money and reduces construction errors. But [...]

By Jeff Yoders, Senior Associate Editor Introduced last fall, the Motion J3400 mobile tablet PC is a sleek yet rugged machine that combines the latest in wireless technology with the [...]

By Jeff Yoders, Senior Associate Editor Renzo Piano and engineers from Arup team up to bring daylight into the new Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago without risk [...]

By Jeff Yoders, Senior Associate Editor ArchiCAD 13, the latest release of Graphisoft's flagship building information modeling application, includes the first client server-based BIM collaboration utility of any of the [...]

By Jeff Yoders, Senior Associate Editor NVIDIA released its 10th generation of professional graphics cards earlier this year. I was given a test NVIDIA Quadro FX1800 with the HP Z600 [...]

By Jeff Yoders, Senior Associate Editor Three years ago, Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro announced plans to build a 286-bed hospital to replace its 80-year-old facility and greatly expand [...]

By Jeff Yoders, Senior Associate Editor One judge called the restoration of Milwaukee City Hall 'a staggering work of preservation and historical accuracy.' All in a day's work for this [...]

By Jeff Yoders, Senior Associate Editor The new public library in Champaign, Ill., is drawing 2,100 patrons a day, up from 1,600 in 2007. The 122,600-sf facility, which opened in [...]

By Robert Cassidy, Editor-in-Chief; Jay W. Schneider, Senior Editor; Dave Barista, Managing Editor; and Jeff Yoders, Senior Associate Editor 19. Hybrid Geothermal Technology The team at Stantec saved $800,000 in [...]