Technology That Makes Civil Engineering Easier

Technological innovations have catalyzed fascinating advancements in the way that industries utilize resources to produce and distribute their products or services.

Here is a smattering of the most innovative developments in the world of civil engineering.

3D Modeling

The days of paper blueprints printed on yards of engineering templates may be drawing to a close. 3D modeling, led by CyberCity3D, functions as an interface between the engineering, architecture, and construction sectors to streamline the production process and optimize the design for maximal energy efficiency, aesthetic appeal, and durability of newly constructed buildings.

Harvesting Energy From Pedestrian Traffic

Billions of humans walk every day. In normal circumstances, the Earth or the floor simply absorbs the energy from the impact of footfalls and it essentially drifts into the ether.

However, new technology under development by a leading tech firm called Pavogen may help render nuclear or coal-fired power plants obsolete by harnessing the energy pushed into the ground during walking.

The technology utilizes flywheel energy storage via electromagnetic induction. So far, it has undergone beta testing at a football match in Brazil and on London streets.

Self-Repairing Streets and Sidewalks

As it turns out, the concrete jungle isn’t as environmentally friendly as the name might suggest. Researchers estimate that cement production and installment makes up 7% of global carbon emissions. In an era of intense focus on reducing the carbon footprint of human activities, technology to reduce that figure is badly needed.

Civil engineers at Bath University are currently attempting to infuse cement with bacteria that will produce limestone when exposed to water, effectively filling cracks in the materials as they occur and eliminating the need for constant repair.

Collaborating in the Clouds

Cloud-based computing represents the digital future as information can be stored and transmitted instantaneously through the web without the need for expensive and bulky hardware.

Civil engineering firms increasingly rely on cloud-based systems, such as basestone, to share data in real-time on projects.

In addition to being more efficient, cloud-based computing systems in the context of civil engineering can also save significant amounts of money for firms on tight budgets. One review found that basestone’s system saved 60% on costs related to ongoing reviews during design and construction processes within the sector.

These represent just a few of the many technological advancements that have buoyed the field of civil engineering. AI will likely furnish even more in the coming years.