Construction is one of the biggest and most important business sectors globally and is universally acknowledged as underpinning economic growth and productivity in most major nations. For this reason, the industry must embrace emerging technology and the advantages to be gained from digital processes, of which blockchain is one of
A typical structural inspection averages at around £90 per hour in the UK, according to MyBuilder. Assessing buildings for damage and structural soundness is a crucial part of ensuring safety and longevity. One can say it’s just as important as controlling the dust that comes from their construction. However, building size complexity
Construction is one of the biggest and most important business sectors globally and is universally acknowledged as underpinning economic growth and productivity in most major nations. For this reason, the industry must embrace emerging technology and the advantages to be gained from digital processes, of which blockchain is one of the most immediately applicable. At the same time, however, the construction sector is inherently conservative, and some cultural obstacles need to be overcome before blockchain processes can be widely adopted. What is blockchain? In brief, blockchain is a digital, distributed ledger or database, typically used to record transactions and agreements in chronological order. This ledger is stored across a network of computers and can be viewed by all those involved in the process. Once information is recorded, it cannot be changed, removed or overwritten – and any new entries will be seen by all parties simultaneously. In this way, blockchain is both a decentralised database, stored at a multitude of locations and with all stakeholders having equal access and a single central source of information on a given project which cannot be falsified or disputed. Blockchain first emerged over a decade ago as the technology underpinning the cryptocurrency market. The transparency and speed of the blockchain process is one of the main factors attracting investors to bitcoin, using the automated trading platforms listed on this website. While the use of bitcoin for payments is one way that blockchain can benefit the construction industry, this is by no means the limit of its use. Better payment systems At the very least, automating contractual processes and payments using blockchain would simplify and speed up project management, resulting in greater cost-effectiveness and freeing up valuable resources to be utilised elsewhere. Smart contracts could automatically trigger payments when agreed milestones have been delivered. The terms and objectives of the contract would be clear to all at every stage, and this greater clarity would make it easier to ensure that all parties are meeting their obligations. Blockchain can also be used to accurately document the full track record of a contractor and so can be a valuable tool in choosing the right contractor for a project. Single source of information During design and construction, blockchain can be used to aggregate all data into a single shared database to better manage workflow and enable collaboration. This also ensures transparency at all stages and makes it easier to manage deadlines. Fragmentation and complexity are recognised as common hazards on major construction projects, but the use of blockchain can reduce the impact of these factors massively. In addition to opportunities with the block-chain, you can always be certain to take a good offer with casino free spins no deposit offers. Lifetime documentation One industry-specific use of blockchain is to create a “digital twin” of a project, in combination with Building Information Modelling (BIM) that covers all aspects of that project for the duration of its entire life cycle. This would include details of design, construction, operation and maintenance. It has been estimated that up to 95% of construction data is lost when the project is handed over to its first owner. This can be avoided with the creation of a blockchain ledger that is presented to the owner when they first take possession. This would include a full history of the project’s design and construction, complete documentation of materials used, test dates and results, plus all relevant manuals and warranties. A blockchain ledger could include a room-by-room inventory covering every detail from wall paint to light bulbs. Estimated service life could be represented by a countdown clock that the owners can monitor in real-time. All subsequent improvements and renovations can also be documented on the ledger as they occur, and this would then be passed on to any subsequent owners. Greater trust and accountability The transparency of blockchain should improve trust between contractors and clients, stakeholders and suppliers, and this, in turn, should reduce friction resulting in a greater chance of the project arriving on budget and on time. All businesses need to move towards greater accountability in the present time and none more so than the construction industry. This accountability will also help all parties to work together better, as blockchain will not only make it clear what is expected from all parties but will also record when and how targets are achieved and requirements met. Construction projects typically involve many different contributors towards a clear objective, with a wide range of standards, requirements and building codes to be satisfied along the way. These qualities make construction and blockchain a natural fit. We must ask then why has it not yet been widely adopted? The only reason must be the natural conservatism of the sector. The very complexity that blockchain could solve has led to an understandable tendency to proceed slowly and cautiously when it comes to adopting new working methods and technologies. Also, many long-standing family firms have well-established relationships with suppliers and contractors that they are loath to disrupt. Eventually, however, the obvious problem-solving potential of blockchain will be recognised, and the industry will be transformed for the better as a result.
A typical structural inspection averages at around £90 per hour in the UK, according to MyBuilder. Assessing buildings for damage and structural soundness is a crucial part of ensuring safety and longevity. One can say it’s just as important as controlling the dust that comes from their construction. However, building size complexity can present a challenge to that requirement, beyond driving up costs. Made to skip time-consuming disassemblies and ventures into cramped spaces, borescopes allow inspectors to focus on problematic sectors and diagnose issues quickly and efficiently. Here’s why borescopes play a vital role in building construction and maintenance. How Video Borescopes Compare to Mirror-Based Before fiber-optic technology, borescopes were stiff, narrow tubes that contained an angled mirror on the far end and an eyepiece on the other. Rigid borescopes could only be inserted in relatively straight holes. Nowadays borescopes are also known as videoscopes and are fitted with every available technology to assist visibility. High-definition cameras are increasingly becoming the standard with modern videoscopes. These models have the ability to capture videos and photos, just as modern cameras do. The landmark difference between videoscopes and old borescopes, however, is that most videoscopes possess a frame of flexible steel wires. This frame allows it to be articulated at will, letting it snake through meandering holes with ease. A modern borescope has the ability to provide brilliant clarity on any screen that ranges from 6 to 60 inches. It allows for detailed observation of an internal area. This articulation gives it a non-destructive way to view the insides of any machine or structure that would fit the videoscope. Guidelines For Selecting Borescopes It is often difficult to judge what length and diameter you need until you have the borescope in your hands, so it’s useful to consult borescope dealerships that offer free demos. As a rule of thumb, there are several things to remember when selecting a borescope. As the foremost example, tube diameter and length are the main qualities to pay attention to for any application of a borescope. These define the range of use of a borescope. It is also worth remembering that as borescopes get smaller and picture quality higher, the tradeoff for cost or durability often gets larger. When the pathway to the inspection area is winding, a borescope that can articulate well would be the only choice. For a cramped target area, a borescope must be able to articulate the tip just as well. This is so that the camera can focus on the target despite having little room to maneuver. Applications and Proper Use The biggest defining factor of its range of use is the diameter of the tube. However, with the steady shrinking of camera tech over the past few decades, borescope users can have both compactness and visual fidelity in the same package. Nowadays, insertion tube diameters have been reduced from 6 millimeters to 2.8mm. With this, borescopes can now visually inspect the most cramped of spaces, as well as the most minute internal components. Virtually no disassembly is required to perform such observations, speeding up the process of diagnosing mechanical and structural issues. Even small sections cut out from those could bring damage and make something that only needs a touch-up need full-on repairs. They’re also useful for inspecting instruments that need to be constantly running, such as pumps. With greater flexibility and compactness comes a touch of fragility. Borescope operators are not to let the tip collide too sharply with anything, as the camera and LED components housed in it are very prone to breaking. Operators are advised to feel for resistance being encountered by the inserting tip in order to better avoid obstacles. It is also recommended to take more documentation than is needed, to prevent repeating an inspection. Remember not to select a borescope with too much spare length. As much as possible, a borescope user must select a unit with as large a diameter as the object being inspected will allow. Larger tubes are more durable, can house more and better lighting instruments, as well as higher-definition cameras.
