using automated solutions, such as horizontal steering control. The two-month study quantified the impact of horizontal steering control on compaction overlap and its relationship to overall CO2 emissions. Two randomly selected compactor operators performed a manual and assisted steering operation 20 times, using the same machine and area to perform the compaction for both manual and assisted steering to insure statistical relevance. The results reflected an average time reduc - tion of 29.4 percent, an average reduction of fuel consumption of 26.46 percent and a potential carbon savings up to 35.38 percent when using horizontal steering control. Although phase one of the Trimble study is focused on quantifying productivity and sustainability of horizontal steering control for soil compaction, future labs are planned to validate similar sustainability benefits for machine control for excavators, dozers, and motor graders. Tracking GHG, using environmentally friendlier materials (e.g., lower carbon concrete) and creating higher-performing assets are one slice of the sustainability pie, but there’s so much more. Construction processes themselves need to be more efficient to cut down on un - necessary waste and emissions throughout the asset’s lifecycle. We firmly believe that maximizing technology for sustainability starts Lower carbon materials, thoughtful design, and more efficient opera - tions are essential elements to more sustainable built assets—larger im- provements will come by rethinking the entire design-to-construction process. Because so much construction waste and inefficiency is caused by poor collaboration, being “good” at construction sustainability re- quires breaking down walls between traditionally siloed teams. Patrick Thibaudeau, Principal Sustainability Officer, JLG Architects put it perfectly from a design perspective. He said “Instead of design - ing a building like a stack of pancakes and then pouring sustainability syrup on after the fact, we’re mixing sustainability into the design ‘bat- ter’ from the beginning on every project.” with connected construction. The Breakfast Analogy To make the required improvements for a more sustainable workflow, stakeholders must commit to addressing the inefficiencies, rework, and waste, beginning with design, the build phase, and continuing through operations and maintenance. Maximizing technology for sustainability and operational efficiency starts with connected construction. It requires a shift in mindset, where sustainability is integrated into day-to-day workflows as well as broad - er initiatives aimed at achieving long-term goals. The right technology can help facilitate that change. For instance, Clark Pacific relied on constructible modeling workflows to improve precast workflows on a 13-story, 310,000-square-foot mixed-use building. The technology enabled solution provided opera- tional efficiency and sustainability through the more efficient use of materials and prefabrication techniques. Trimble Constructible Mod- eling (Tekla Structures) software enabled teams to produce machine- ready designs with lower material requirements. More detail with less
material (~10 percent less concrete) equaled lower cost production, easier transportation and less onsite support for approximately 38 per- cent less carbon production. Achieving the most ambitious sustainability goals requires the construc- tion industry to push traditional boundaries and incorporate out-of-the- box solutions that likely include digital twins, robots, IoT sensors, and generative design and autonomous (not just automated) equipment. Advanced technologies allow construction professionals to completely transform antiquated processes and unlock new capabilities. Today’s solutions enable industry professionals to improve operating margins while enhancing sustainability. It’s not an either or scenario. These tools can be used to support larger objectives that help construction teams and the industry as a whole set benchmarks, analyze solutions, and track progress – if they work together. A connected construction approach offers a means of designing, build- ing, and even operating more sustainable assets. Our expanding rela- tionships with transportation agencies such as the California Depart- ment of Transportation (DOT) and the Minnesota DOT are working to resolve disconnects across asset ownership, not just in the design and construction phases. By providing the technology and interconnectiv- ity, connected construction gives the right people the right data at the right time. When everyone involved in the project has access to the information they need to detect problems earlier and make better and faster decisions, waste and rework are minimized. Collaboration is essential to using technology to improve construction sustainability. With better collaboration, projects are executed more efficiently, and construction stakeholders can work together to identify sustainable solutions and monitor their effectiveness. That’s why con- nected construction is so important to the future of construction and protecting our planet. Connected construction may seem like a lofty goal. But it’s best thought of as an ongoing practice rather than a final state. By gaining a more holistic understanding of sustainability and the technologies you can use to address age-old construction problems, you’re already ahead of the game. Start where you are, with the tools that set you up to break down silos between teams, and continue to build from there.
DIETMAR GRIMM is Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Sustainability Solu - tions at Trimble. His responsibilities include leading global systems change strategies in commercializing sustainability and carbon through the efficiency and productivity gains delivered by Trimble products across natural resources, construction, transportation and logistics, and related sectors.
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April 2023 csengineermag.com
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