Get to know the main trends in civil construction for the next year and find out how to optimize your projects and become more competitive.

Civil construction was one of the sectors that suffered most from the economic crisis in recent years. But, the scenario starts to change in 2020, the market growth is bigger and the forecasts for 2021 are optimistic.

The growth of civil construction opens the eyes of investors, engineers and construction companies to new tools and trends. In the quest to maintain and, perhaps, increase growth, there are many topics that deserve special attention. New startups appear and the solutions offered for the sector are numerous.

Discover the main trends in civil construction and discover what 2021 brings good for your business.

11 construction trends to keep an eye on in 2021

New concerns, attitudes, technologies and processes appear on the market every day. Some of them have a great impact on the quality of projects and business profitability.

The 2021 trends for civil construction can be the differential to see your projects become more profitable. Know the main ones:

1. Sustainability

The concern with the environment is growing and can no longer be left aside by companies that want to stand out from the market. Seeking sustainable alternatives in civil construction projects can be a way to reduce costs and waste without giving up quality and safety.

In addition, it is a way of gaining prominence in relation to competitors and can be the differential in the customer’s choice between you and your competitor.

2. Building automation

One of the trends in civil construction that helps to optimize buildings, reduces errors and human errors, operational costs and improves the process of scheduled maintenance.

These are technologies that improve safety and economy during construction and that can improve users’ lives. The control of lights and elevators by online applications are examples of how automation can make the project more economical and practical.

3. Renewable energy

The use of renewable energies is a focus not only for sustainability, but also for the economy. Systems that generate energy during construction or when using the project have gained a lot of prominence.

Using solar panels to produce the energy needed during construction is a way to reduce project costs. The installation of systems for when the project is delivered is a way of offering differentials to the customer.

4. Augmented reality

It is a way to visualize the structures in real size before they are ready. In addition to stimulating the creativity of the professionals involved in the project, allowing to identify possibilities that cannot be seen on paper, it ensures greater alignment and precision for the work, reducing the risk of errors.

5. New materials

Technology in civil construction works constantly in search of optimizing elements. And with materials it is no different.

The need for new low-cost and sustainable raw materials makes new materials an important trend. The use of solar tiles, wool bricks, triple glazing and paper insulation has gained prominence in the market, mainly because they are recyclable or reduce the use of non-renewable sources for production.

6. 3D printing

Whether printing beams or complete buildings, it is a way to facilitate the execution of projects and use more sustainable materials. The saving of time and resources (human, material and budget) makes investment in this technology an important differential for civil construction 2021.

7. Drones

Drones have ceased to be toys and photo and film equipment to become differentials in sectors such as civil construction. With them, the survey and surveying before the start of the work become more accurate, giving the team all the information necessary to start the work.

In addition to allowing greater efficiency in measurements and analyzes, it is a way of saving time and resources, reducing the costs of works.

8. Prefabricated structures

Modular and prefabricated structures have been gaining ground in civil construction for some time. Its ability to accelerate and optimize construction steps is an impossible to ignore differential.

In addition to sustainability and economy, the mobility of these structures is another great advantage. A modular home can be transported to a new city or land at any time with less cost than new construction, for example.

9. Virtual reality and security software

These are resources that tend to be used a lot in the coming years, allowing to simulate typical construction situations and to train workers to use equipment without risk of accidents.

In addition, they are technologies that assist in the development of inspections and audits, reducing the risk of irregularities and accidents at the construction sites and issuing alerts in case of emergency and danger situations.

10. BIM

A 3D modeling technology, BIM stands for Building Information Modeling, which can be translated as Building Information Modeling. The process of digitizing works increases the accuracy of all processes, reducing costs, improving schedules and facilitating quality auditing.

It is software that, in addition, brings the ease and practicality of monitoring everything related to the work on mobile devices. Thus, it also guarantees the engineering time savings.

11. Applications and software

We have already mentioned some trends in civil construction for 2021 related to technologies. However, it is still necessary to highlight the emergence of new software and applications that promise to make life easier for everyone involved in the projects.

Software for civil construction for assembling schedules, for example, is highlighted by the ease of monitoring the progress of the work. More complete applications, in addition to documenting each step, ensure a direct connection with suppliers.

With the right technologies your work gains many benefits. You have better control over time and resources, delivery delays are eliminated and there is greater control over budget usage. Therefore, being aware of the new technologies that emerge and the trends in civil construction is essential, allowing your business to invest in novelties capable of generating profitability and competitiveness.