Digital technology
|
In very broad terms, 'digital' refers to signals or data that are expressed by the digits 0 and 1.
Digital technology refers to the systems, hardware and processes that use digital data or signals to achieve a particular set of user-defined results. It pervades most walks of modern life and is the basis for telecommunications, computer systems, navigation and photography, but also manufacturing and finance, to name but a few.
In construction, digital technology has caused a cultural shift and comprises the set of tools that use and manipulate digital data to help improve, deliver and operate the built environment. These tools include:
- Use of drones to facilitate site surveys and other robotic systems.
- Communications such as email and remote meetings (eg Zoom).
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
- Software such as computer aided design, computer aided manufacture, geographical information systems, digital twins and building information modelling.
- Internet of things.
- Cloud-based computing.
- Virtual reality, augmented reality and computer-generated imagery (CGI).
- Digital procurement and digital contracts.
- Building management systems and Computer aided facilities management CAFM.
- Smart buildings.
- Computer aided manufacturing, computer numerical control and 3D printing.
Digital technology has brought about improved collaboration within the building team, and between it and other stakeholders. It has also resulted in new materials and processes, greater innovation and buildings that would have been either very difficult or impossible to design and construct before the advent of the digital revolution. Digital technology is not only achieving better results at every level, but is also helping to make construction safer, more collaborative and more efficient.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- A vision for digital highways.
- BIM.
- BIM articles.
- Centre for Digital Built Britain.
- Construction Accelerator.
- Digital Built Britain v BIM.
- Digital Construction Week 2021.
- Digital information.
- Digital infrastructure.
- Digitisation.
- How to make the digital revolution a success.
- Immersive Hybrid Reality IHR.
- Internet of things.
- Internet of things in commercial buildings.
- Interview with Su Butcher, Director, Just Practising Limited.
- Smart buildings.
- Smart contracts.
- Smart technology.
- UK BIM Alliance and CIOB join forces.
- UK digital strategy.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Bridging the gap between clients and contractors
Concerns remain around contractor quality, capability, and delivery.
Construction Management, 10 June.
Heat pumps beat boilers in new home tests.
Building Safety Act implementation in Wales
CIAT to host industry panel on 26 June.
New and updated CLC building safety guidance.
New UK National Buildings Database.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief explanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.