Construction 4.0
Construction 4.0
Volume 9 Issue 3, May-Jun 2025 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470
Construction 4.0
Paul A. Adekunte1, Matthew N. O. Sadiku2, Janet O. Sadiku3
1
International Institute of Professional Security, Lagos, Nigeria
2
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, USA
3
Juliana King University, Houston, TX, USA
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the first industrial revolution, it was the printing • Robotics and 3D printing now being used in
press, the second industrial revolution it was radio building components.
and television, and while in the 3IR, it is/was the • Predictive analytics and machine learning are
combined power of computing, telecommunications, applied for maintenance, scheduling, and risk
and news broadcasting [5]. assessment.
With respect to the 3IR technologies, six major high- Sustainability & Smart Cities: Construction 4.0
technology agents among others were identified, supports green building practices and smart
which are: microprocessor, computer-aided design infrastructure planning.
and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), fiber optics, THE BENEFITS/IMPACTS OF
biogenetics, lasers, and holography [6]. There was CONSTRUCTION 4.0
also the development of microelectronics technology Construction 4.0 is known to offer numerous benefits
at this historical junction [7, 8], for its importance to and impacts, as shown in Figure 5 on humanity by the
the immense impact on the affordability of computing transformation of the construction industry in various
power. ways such as [13-18]:
Furthermore, the historical development of Rendering faster project delivery: Since
Construction 4.0 is as follows [9-12]: automation reduces construction time, it will
enable projects to be completed more quickly and
1. Pre-Construction 4.0 Era (Before 2000s): efficiently.
Manual & Analog Processes: This was when the
construction industry was largely dependent on Lower costs: Resource use is optimized through
manual labour, paper-based documentation, and the use of AI and predictive analytics, reducing
traditional project management techniques. waste and minimizing costs.
Mechanization & CAD: The introduction of Enhanced safety: IoT wearables monitor worker
mechanized equipment and Computer-Aided health and risks, thereby improving site safety and
Design (CAD) in the 1980s and 1990s laid the reducing accidents.
groundwork for digitalization. Sustainable construction: Digital twins and smart
2. Transition Phase (2000-2010) systems help reduce carbon footprints, hence
BIM Emergence: It was in the early 2000s that promoting eco-friendly building practices.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) began to Better quality control: Helps in reducing errors as
gain attention, offering a 3D model-based process VR and AV enable clients and developers to
that improves collaboration and project outcomes. visualize and inspect buildings before
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) construction starts.
started mandating BIM in 2003 for federal
projects. Improved productivity: Robotics and automation
Early Automation: During this period, the use of transform construction processes,
project management software like Primavera and increasing/enhancing efficiency and precision.
MS Project became common. Reduced risks: Digital twins and VR review and
help identify potential issues before construction
3. Construction 4.0 Emergence (2011-2019)
begins, reducing costly reworks and financial
Inspired by Industry 4.0: The term “Industry 4.0”
risks.
was introduced in Germany in 2011, and the
construction sector began adapting similar Increased/enhanced collaboration: Cloud-based
principles. platforms and Building Information Modeling
Technology integration: (BIM) facilitate real-time collaboration and data
• Drones, IoT, robotics, and AI started being sharing among stakeholders.
integrated into the construction workflow. Environmental sustainability: The optimizing of
• Cloud computing enabled real-time the use of resources cum minimizing waste
collaboration on construction sites. contributes to greener building practices.
Digital Twin Concepts and Smart Construction
Innovative design: 3D printing and prefabrication
Sites started to gain traction.
enable rapid prototyping and innovative designs.
4. Construction 4.0 Expansion (2020-Present)
Improved working conditions: Automation
COVID-19 as a catalyst: The pandemic
reduces the physical burden of labor-intensive
accelerated the adoption of digital technologies
tasks, hence creating a safer working
due to remote work needs and labor shortages.
environment.
Advanced Automation: This is in areas of:
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KEY TECHNOLOGIES IN CONSTRUCTION physical worlds, simplifying construction data
4.0 gathering and reporting, and lowering risks [28,
Some of the key technologies in Construction 4.0 are: 29], through the use of actuators, sensors, IoT,
1. Building Information Modeling (BIM): This robots, cobots, and drones, as shown in Figures
facilitates the creation and management of digital 11 and 12.
representations of physical and functional aspects
10. Blockchain: Blockchain in Construction 4.0
of construction projects, enhancing collaboration
plays a transformative role via enhancing
and decision-making across the project lifecycle
transparency, traceability, trust across project
[19].
lifecycles, digital identity and access
2. Internet of Things (IoT): The IoT devices management, with its challenges of scalability
enable real-time monitoring of construction sites and performance, interoperability, regulatory
by collecting data on machinery, materials, and issues, cost and complexity [30, 31], as shown in
worker movements, thereby improving safety and Figure 13.
operational efficiency [20].
CHALLENGES FACING CONSTRUCTION 4.0
3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine AND SOLUTIONS
Learning (ML): These technologies support There are several challenges facing Construction 4.0
predictive analytics, risk management, and that hinder its adoption and implementation. Some of
optimization in project planning and execution the key challenges and potential solutions are [2, 18,
[21], as shown in Figure 6. 32-37]:
4. Robotics and Automation: Robotics are The challenges include:
increasingly being used for repetitive or 1. Lack of knowledge and expertise: Insufficient
hazardous tasks such as bricklaying, welding, or technical knowledge and expertise in digital
concrete printing, to help in improving precision technologies, as well as the lack of skilled
and reducing labor demands [22]. workforce (i.e. skills gap) to operate advanced
5. Drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles digital tools like BIM, AI systems, or robotics
(UAVs): They are used for site surveys, progress pose significant challenge.
monitoring, and safety inspections, offering high- 2. Lack of digital strategies and supporting
resolution aerial imagery and real-time data [23]. leadership: The lack of effective synergies in
working relationships and poor long-term
6. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality strategic planning can hinder the successful
(AR): Both AR and VR enhance visualization implementation of Construction 4.0.
and training, allowing stakeholders to engage
with designs interactively and identify potential 3. Cybersecurity and data protection: Data and
issues before construction begins [24], as shown cybersecurity concerns must be properly
in Figures 7 and 8. addressed, and stringent security standards must
be put in place to protect sensitive information
7. Additive Manufacturing (AM) or 3D Printing: from cyber-attacks and data breaches.
AM helps to minimize the supply chain in the
construction industry through autonomous 4. Data fragmentation: Lack of collaboration and
production of building components directly from data fragmentation prevent the optimal use of
digital models without human intervention and smart technologies.
complicated formworks. 3D Printing also known 5. Unsuitable framework: Existing frameworks may
as additive manufacturing, offers a cost-effective not be suitable for adopting digital technologies,
and rapid solution for producing components or hence hindering the transition to Construction 4.0.
even entire buildings [25, 26], as shown in 6. Interoperability and integration issues: Different
Figures 9 and 10. technologies and systems may not be compatible,
8. Cloud Computing: This enables centralized data leading to data silos and inefficiencies. The lack
storage, improved collaboration, and efficient of common standards exacerbates this issue.
project management [27]. 7. Resistance to change: Organizational and cultural
resistance to change is very common, particularly
9. Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS): CPS is an
application to meet the objective of escalating in traditional construction firms that are wary of
productivity in construction projects, and as well adopting disruptive technologies.
as to address the recurrent problems in the 8. Regulatory and legal uncertainties: The legal
construction industry. It also links the virtual and framework for digital tools, data ownership,
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liability in automated decision-making, and cross- industry,”
border data usage is still evolving. https://www.buildingtransformations.org/constr
Some of the solutions would include: uction-4.0-the-next-revolution-in-the-
1. Develop digital literacy: This is by providing construction-industry
training and education to construction [2] A. Sawhney, M. Riley and J. Irizarry (2020),
professionals to develop the necessary skills and “Construction 4.0: An innovation platform for
knowledge to adopt Construction 4.0 built environment.” Routledge.
technologies, as shown in Figure 14.
[3] B. H. Roberts, “The third industrial revolution:
2. Strategic planning and leadership: Encourage
Implications for planning cities and regions,”
leaders to develop and implement digital
Work. Pap. Urban Front 2015, vol. 1, no. 1.
strategies that support the adoption of
Construction 4.0 technologies. [4] J. Fitzsimmons, “Information technology and
3. Implement robust cybersecurity measures: Need the third industrial revolution,” Electron. Libr.
to develop and implement robust cybersecurity 1994, vol. 12, pp. 295-297.
measures to protect sensitive information and [5] P. Troxler, “Making the third industrial
prevent data breaches, as shown in Figure 15. revolution – the struggle for polycentric
4. Improve data management: Implement data structures and a new peer-production commons
management systems that enable seamless data in the FabLab community,” In FabLabs: Of
sharing and collaboration among stakeholders. Machines, Makers and Inventors; J. Walter-
5. Develop suitable frameworks: Develop and adopt Herrman, C. Buching (eds.), Transcript Verlag:
frameworks that support the adoption of digital Bielefield, Germany, 2013, pp. 181-198.
technologies and Construction 4.0 principles.
[6] J. Finkelstein, D. Newman, “The third
Some of the key Construction 4.0 technologies that industrial revolution: A special challenge to
can be used to address these challenges and as earlier managers,” Organ. Dyn. 1984, vol. 13, pp. 53-
discussed in the paper would include: 65.
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Artificial intelligence (AI) [7] R. Kaplinsky, “Technological revolution and
Internet of Things (IoT) the international division of labour in
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality manufacturing: A place for the Third World?
(AV) Eur. J. Dev. Res. 1989, vol. 1, pp. 5-37.
3D Printing and Prefabrication [8] H. Begic, M. Galic, “A systematic review of
CONCLUSION construction 4.0 in the context of the BIM 4.0
Construction 4.0 is paradigm shift towards smarter, premise,” Buildings, 2021, vol. 11, no. 8, p
more sustainable, and highly efficient construction 337.https://www.mdpi.com/
practices. By embracing and leveraging automation, [9] World Economic Forum 2016, “Shaping the
digital tools/technologies, and data analytics, the future of construction: A breakthrough in
industry can improve safety, reduce costs, accelerate mindset and technology.”
timeliness, and minimize environmental impact.
However, it also presents challenges/limitations such [10] M. Bilal et al. (2016), “Big data in the
as the need for workforce re-skilling, high initial construction industry: A review of present
investments in technology, cybersecurity issues, and status, opportunities, and future trends,”
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among others. Overcoming these challenges and 3, pp. 500-521.
limitations can position and revolutionize the industry [11] F. Khosrowshahi & Y. Arayici (2012),
for long-term growth and transformation. “Roadmap for implementation of BIM in the
More information on Construction 4.0 can be UK construction industry,” Engineering,
obtained from books in [38-40] and in the following Construction and Architectural Management.
journals: [12] A. Q. Gbadamosi et al. (2020), “Offsite
Journal on Construction Innovation construction: Sustainable or disruptive? Journal
Journal on Automation in Construction of Cleaner Production, p. 245, 118583.
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