ACTIVITY 1: TECHNOLOGY APPLIED IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

Nowadays, the advancement of technology contributes a huge help and improvement to

world’s industry. Works are made easier, communications are faster, services are better and the
like. Through this kind of world we’re living where techniques and technologies dramatically
upgrade faster, construction industry is also on its verge of improvement. There lots of building
innovations and techniques being used in the field of civil engineering. One of them is the
Modular Construction.
Modular construction is a process in which buildings are manufactured off-site in
factories, under strict quality controls, but using the same building codes and standards as
conventional construction methods (Muresan, 2019). Below are lists of the intended and
unintended effects of this technology.
Intended effects Unintended effects
1. Reduced costs 1. Service is limited only to some areas
2. Shorter time of construction 2. Customization can be limited
3. Lower on-site pollution (i.e. noise 3. Payment plans difficulties
pollution) 4. Transportation risks
4. Lesser traffic or machinery required 5. Few suppliers
5. Attractive design 6. Lower resale value
6. Elimination of weather delays 7. Limited variety
7. Completely new construction 8. Building codes may hinder some
8. Lower volume of waste innovations
9. Off-site construction 9. Design changes may not be
10. Environmental disruptions are not considered during construction
practiced process
10. Needs rigorous planning
This effects may affect both the non-user and user negatively and positively.
For the users of this technology, it may affect them greatly if they are not aware of the
possible risks of their work. These effects may arise problems and may complicate things during
their work or before their work. This may also become a hindrance to have successful outputs
especially when one of their clients has sudden change of mind in the design. Also, when the
clients wants a design that complicated especially when resources are limited. This when
problem arises such as limitation of room size, limited customization and variety. This may lead
to limitations of their work and unprofitable business if they don’t resolve or mitigate this issues.
On the positive side, knowing these unintended effects, they will be more aware on what are the
possible changes that they should do in order to lessen these problems. If they can identify the
things that may limit their work, they may find solutions or steps to be made in order to mitigate
or resolve some of this effects.
For the non-users of this technology, this may give them a disappointing view of the said
technology. If they find these unintended effects to be difficult to solve then, they may conclude
that the conventional way is better and safer to use as construction technique. On the other
hand, this will also give them insights of they will adapt this kind of construction. Also, this
informs them on what are the things they will consider if they are planning to use this technique.
They will be aware about the risks of it.
Civil engineers are essential to construction. In any kind of construction it is important to
have a civil engineers supervising it because there are many duties that are required to be
performed at construction sites which area often best done by them. In the development of this
construction technique, civil engineers have responsibilities and duties like making sure that
every construction process is followed as scheduled and designed. They are the only ones to
who have the bigger knowledge to this techniques because they know that the modules
themselves require engineering as well as their interconnections and integration with the site.
Moreover, it is required for them to ensure the quality of the materials, standard norms in the
construction, safety and security aspects are followed adequately. Take note that civil engineers
play a crucial role not only in this kind of construction process but to all types.
When it comes to resolving the issues of the unintended effects of the technology
chosen, civil engineers are also part of it. They may contribute most of the solutions or steps to
be done in order to lessen or mitigate the problems. They may also work with the other
constituents for them to come up to a specific changes or solutions to the problems. For a
breakthrough, the civil engineer may proceed with efficient ways like applying the Building
Informative Modelling (BIM) technology, collaborative and effective interaction to people,
strategic use of equipment and materials. He/she may review the unintended effects and
consult the others to make the table turn by using their skills to have a strategic solutions or
approaches without going against the building codes and provisions in the field of civil
engineering.