In the construction industry, it helps to develop modern devices to ensure top quality projects. For instance, every road, bridge, or buildings built must be sturdy enough to prevent collapse that may cause accidents. Moreover, a poorly constructed building or infrastructure will cost any company even more money due to its repair. Thus, it is much better to make any project perfectly to avoid any problem eventually. Technology brings us new inventions that make construction projects rather sturdy and reliable. Here are a few of the newest technologies in the construction industry.
Plasma Arc
The invention of plasma arc technology is the great solution to stabilize the weak foundations where buildings, roads and bridges are to be built. In this procedure, the soil is heated to increase its strength and stability and to decrease compressibility. This thermal system in treating the soil improves the quality of the foundation soils, thus preventing landslides. Although this method has already existed in the past, there are limitations because of the expensive treatment methods, complex procedures and the limited construction equipment and applications.
Hence, the plasma arc technology was invented to create a powerful ionized gas called plasma. The plasma torch is used on the soil, heating it at a substantial great amount of temperature. Hence, continuous heating can cause the soil to become more solid and stable. With an intense amount of heat, the swelling of the soil is reduced. The soil begins to melt and later on fuses and become harder like some brick or rock.
This technology produces a more intense heating capability than electric heating sources and fossil fuels. Thus, the immense temperature creates a better result in hardening and compressing the soil. In effect, this makes the soil more solid and stable. However, more studies and research are made to determine the effectiveness of plasma in the construction industry. Research programs are done in Japan, Switzerland, South Africa and Australia, among many other countries.
Fiber Optic Sensors for Sturdy Structures
Every year, roads and bridges require maintenance because some deteriorate easily. The rehabilitation of these structures cost a lot of money and effort, which can be a problem for the government and federal sectors. Thus, researchers have proposed the use smart structures to strengthen and prevent quick deterioration of construction projects. This technology is analyzed and studied at the University of Toronto, in the Institute for Aerospace Studies. The researchers propose the use of fiber optic sensors to line the columns of the bridges. After applying these sensors, these are covered with some lightweight synthetic to prevent the deterioration and damage of the structure. Hence, this will hopefully preserve infrastructures and cause less need for road maintenance.
Although fiber optic sensors are ideal in strengthening the structures, thus preventing deterioration, these materials are quite expensive. Moreover, there is still an extensive research done to prove its effectiveness in maintaining roads and many other structures. Some good feedbacks are still partial when it comes to deciding whether the material is indeed effective or not. Thus, researchers continue to find out the value and practicality in using fiber optics in the construction projects.
These are only a few among the many other inventions in the construction industry. The modern technologies promote greater improvement in the infrastructure and construction projects. However, these inventions face challenges in terms of total application in construction projects. The high cost and insufficient research are among some of the reasons why the use of these new technologies is not fully implemented. Nevertheless, there are great possibilities of the total use of the technology in the near future.