The Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry is buzzing with digital engineering models across the entire project lifecycle. Digital engineering models emphasizes delivering a set of an integrated set of digital technologies, geometric models, data to craft design models in a digitized environment. It is digital engineering which enables planners and designers to develop a multitude of innovative solutions and applications for the AEC industry to harness the true potential of the construction industry.
The vibrating global digital ecosystem is foreseen to be the new growth engine for the AEC industry, opening it to enormous possibilities and opportunities. Today, the key stakeholders of the AEC industry are utilizing geospatial and BIM solutions to capture, process and integrate data in a digitized environment to renovate the old and construct the new. Digital technologies, along with engineering tools, continues to enable and empower computational models to improve the planning, designing and engineering and construction phase of the AEC lifecycle.
In a study conducted by Geospatial Media, titled, Geospatial Market in the AEC Industry, it is highlighted that on imbibing digital construction technologies induces a collaborative environment for the AEC stakeholder to complete complex projects in less time frame, enabling effective communication between all stakeholders and minimize data loss and improve operational efficiency. Additionally, it is found that 88% of the surveyed companies reported a cost savings of up to 8.5% and time savings of up to 19.3% on adoption digital engineering solutions. Concurrently, investments in ‘ConTech’, are expected to boost the productivity gains by approximately US$1.6 trillion.
Increasing research spend on digital engineering solutions
Today, digital engineering solutions are driven by the convergence of increasing technological innovations, new business models, and an increasing number of innovative applications by technology giants and startups. A research study by Zinnov Research and Analysis highlights that the spend on digital engineering was US$ 159 billion in 2013 which is estimated to increase to approximately US$ 642 billion in 2023. Additionally, the percentage spend of digital engineering of the total global Engineering Research and Development is expected to account for 37% by 2023. As the AEC industry increases its overall spending on digital technologies – Internet of Things (IoT), AR/VR, Big Data, cloud, artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation; geospatial technologies and BIM, – innovative competencies are being developed across the entire construction workflow spectrum.
Solutions to renovate the old and construct the new
Digital engineering has been part of the AEC industry for quite some time now. 3D models are being designed collaboratively to renovate the existing transport, building and industrial infrastructure while simultaneously adding new and pioneering design and engineering dimensions to construct new infrastructure. Innovative digital engineering solutions has led to the creation of 3D design models and BIM for project management, drones and cloud for mapping, and surveillance of construction projects and virtual reality to provide a 360-degree and immersive view for monitoring construction projects. The implementation of digital engineering solutions improves product development at a high velocity, creates a heightened product ownership experience, creates alternative revenue streams and leads to efficient processes and quality control.
Digital engineering solutions streamlining workflow processes
Digital engineering solutions are providing impetus to the entire AEC industry by streamlining the construction workflow. The art of craftsmanship in digital engineering solutions has enabled technological innovations to be more productive by imbibing new technologies such as augmented reality or mixed reality to play a critical role in enabling the construction workflow capabilities. Across the AEC industry, digital engineering leads to the creation of applications for business and operations optimization, and asset performance management to plan, build, and maintain social and economic infrastructure. Digital engineering, thus, enables a quicker and faster approach to deliver sustainable buildings, quickly and efficiently.
If you are interested in hearing more on digital engineering and digital construction; and would like to interact with the users and technology providers alike to know more knows and how of technology in the AEC industry, make sure to attend the GEOBIM 2019 conference held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands from 11th-12th November 2019. More details HERE.
