How Automation Has Changed the Face of BTech Civil Engineering
Introduction
As we are marching towards the future, automation has taken over most of the industries where robots, enhanced technologies, and artificial intelligence will be replacing more of the repeatable tasks in the workplace. The level of complex tasks that the upcoming technologies can handle has led to several predictions related to the fourth industrial revolution. Some experts believe it will be advantageous in terms of efficiency, while others are concerned about employment losses.
However, the engineering sector has long been regarded as safe since more focus is placed on project planning through inventive design, anticipating obstacles, and maintaining uncompromising quality, all of which necessitates human attention. However, as automation and artificial intelligence become more prevalent in enterprises, they have altered the face of several areas of engineering, particularly B.Tech civil engineering. In this article, we will try to identify how automation has changed the face of B.Tech civil engineering.
Aspiring engineers interested in the construction industry opt for B.Tech in Civil Engineering for their graduation. This is a four-year programme in which students learn about numerous aspects of civil engineering, such as material science, structural design, construction materials, and construction management. Civil engineers are required in the process of planning, designing, and supervising the construction of modern infrastructure. This is one of the oldest courses in the field of engineering, which has never failed to cope with the rapid technological changes over centuries.
The scope of automation in the construction industry
The construction industry plays a major role in the development of developing countries like India, where it contributes 10 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Moreover, Under the scheme of Make in India, $1000 billion will be invested in the infrastructure industries in the upcoming years.
The automation of construction machineries has given a new era of possibilities to the construction industry. The new generation of technology has helped the construction industry resolve many of its major issues, which include intense labour work, poor working conditions, poor quality of produced goods, etc. The scope of the construction industry, accompanied by advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence, is broad as it has helped decrease the need for human interference, the cost of construction, and the time period of project completion.
Change in the Face of B. Tech Civil Engineering
The need for civil engineers is undying and will remain so until human extinction. However, as the Fourth Industrial Revolution approaches, it has become necessary to make some changes in the patterns of education in engineering courses, specifically, B.Tech Civil Engineering.
As human power is already being replaced by technology, the industry is in search of skilled individuals who can operate and function with the improved technology and provide maximum benefits. By combining the traditional courses with advanced subjects, the aim of preparing the successful civil engineers of the future can be accomplished. Introducing specialisations in cross-curricular modules, compound and complex topics, and various futuristic technologies can be a major boost to the student’s knowledge. The following are the future scopes of civil engineering that students should be prepared for:
Building Information Modelling using Computer Aided Design: Building information modelling (BIM) is a software that provides a platform for the architects, engineers, real estate developers, and other departments involved in construction to come together to plan the design of a building using CAD (Computer Aided Design). CAD helps the constructors build a 3D picture of a building, which facilitates the workflow. Proficiency in this software can allow aspiring civil engineers to develop better ideas for design.
Knowledge of drones: Drones are the future of supervising on construction sites, and knowledge of the functionality of drones can be a major asset.
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality: When used in conjunction with BIM software, VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) assist in gaining a better understanding of the construction, bringing everyone on the same page and reducing human errors.
Exoskeletons for labourintensive work: On a construction site, there are a variety of tasks that pose a risk of physical harm. Automation technologies such as robots and exoskeletons are being used to avoid them. Exoskeletons are different from robots in that they are devices that the user wears to perform tasks efficiently without the risk of injury. These exoskeletons are beneficial and widely accepted for performing a variety of dangerous tasks that necessitate human intervention.
Earth- friendly construction materials: Many industries prefer such materials that cause the least amount of harm to the environment in order to reduce waste production and promote earth healing construction. This aspect of construction should be taught to aspiring civil engineers in order for them to be able to solve future problems.
Conclusion
Engineers who can think ahead of time are the new industry requirements to keep up with technological advancements. For any aspiring civil engineer, upskilling and the ability to rethink processes and operations have become critical. Automation has already replaced the majority of physical labor, which is why future civil engineers are expected to focus more on innovating and maintaining the quality of construction designs to achieve maximum profit.
The upcoming generation of engineers requires universities that offer the programme with the aim of preparing students to adapt to the changing requirements of the industry of engineering. By implementing the subjects of AI based machine learning processes and other futuristic developments, students can become familiar with the advanced technologies. The inclusion of advanced technologies to perform repetitive tasks can help future civil engineers focus more on dealing with complex situations, innovating better designs, and promoting individual contributions to the team.
