Mon.Sep 09, 2024

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Housing Affordability Improves for Recent College Grads

The Pro Builder

Housing is gradually becoming more affordable for younger generations, particularly recent college graduates. According to housing market platform Redfin, the typical recent U.S. college graduate would now spend 20.6% of their income on renting a median-priced two-bedroom apartment with a roommate, which is down from the 22.6% of their income recorded last year.

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Contractors shine a light on industry’s suicide problem

Construction Dive

As Construction Suicide Prevention Week begins, experts urge firms to cultivate a “culture of care” to support workers.

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A Dynamic Approach to Adaptive Reuse

Civil + Structural Engineer

By Luke Carothers Recently, there has been a push within the AEC industry—particularly within the United States—to shift our focus to new ways to adapt and reuse old buildings to fit new purposes. The term Adaptive Reuse has risen to prominence over recent years, and there has been no shortage of stunning and innovative examples of its deployment. While there is certainly nothing new within human history in terms of using an old building for a new purpose, our concept of how those spaces transfo

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Dallas Fort Worth airport starts $3B overhaul on busiest terminal

Construction Dive

The Terminal C expansion is also the first phase of work on a $9 billion improvement plan at the world’s third-most-traveled airport.

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12 Reasons Specialty Contractors Need a Construction-Specific Software Platform

As a specialty contractor, your success hinges on your ability to manage complex workflows, maintain cost control, and deliver projects on time. But are you still relying on outdated systems or multiple software packages that create data silos and inefficiencies? This comprehensive eBook reveals the 12 key reasons why investing in a construction-specific software platform is the game-changer your business needs.

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Spanning throughout the Years and Across the Mon: The Smithfield Street Bridge

Civil + Structural Engineer

By Luke Carothers Steel City, the City of Bridges, Three River City—Pittsburgh has no shortage of nicknames, self-ascribed or otherwise. The city of Pittsburgh, PA is located at the meeting point of three rivers. Founded as Fort Pitt in 1758, the city and the people who live in it have developed a strong identity and rich culture. This identity and culture is writ large on the Steel City to this day.

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A Continued Push: Digitalization & Environmental Permitting

Civil + Structural Engineer

By Luke Carothers In many ways, the recent push towards AI-enabled products is part of an even longer push towards digitization throughout the AEC industry. While many parts of the AEC industry are leading the way with AI and digital technologies, others have been slower to adopt. The Environmental Regulatory industry is one area that was initially slow to begin the digital transition, but in recent years has warmed up to digitizing its processes.

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From data chaos to digital calm: The top 6 benefits of Revizto on AEC projects

Construction Dive

Construction industry news, trends and jobs for building professionals who want mobile-friendly content.

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How a Living Shoreline Is Protecting a Vital Infrastructure Asset

Civil + Structural Engineer

By giving nature a helping hand, a landmark restoration project is creating a more resilient coastline barrier for a highway along northwestern Florida’s Apalachicola Bay. For years, chronic erosion and severe storms have caused substantial damage to a key six-mile coastal stretch of US Route 98 along Florida’s panhandle. Road repairs and concrete barriers after these events only provided a temporary fix to the problem.

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Balfour Beatty adds new CIO, procurement officer

Construction Dive

The London-based builder brings in the new C-suite members amid burgeoning interest in artificial intelligence at the firm and across the industry.

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The Ultimate Checklist for Choosing the Right Construction Management Software

Managing construction projects in disparate systems and spreadsheets is difficult due to numerous moving parts and diverse stakeholder needs. A dynamic, intuitive software solution is essential for everyone involved—owners, designers, engineers, Construction Managers, and General Contractors. Companies need a secure, centralized system to manage documents, scheduling, financials, and more.

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10 Cities Where Gen Z and Millennial Veterans Are Choosing to Buy Homes

The Pro Builder

As housing markets fluctuate, young people are looking to buy homes in cities that offer both affordability and job opportunities. This holds true for Millennial and Generation Z veterans as well. According to a recent report from loan provider Veterans United Home Loans, Gen Z and Millennial homebuyers using a VA loan are choosing housing markets that are affordable yet offer a high quality of life.

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AI-driven BIM shows promise to improve clash detection at Warfel

Construction Dive

The firm’s new director of construction services talks about the MEP space, new tech and operational challenges.

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Workers Are Moving to These 5 Cities

The Pro Builder

More people are returning to the office, with office foot traffic reaching 72.2% of pre-pandemic levels. With most companies opting for hybrid work models, workers are reconsidering where to live and buy homes. According to real estate marketing platform Realtor.com, the top five cities with the highest percentage of workers going into the office are Miami, Fla. at 90.6%; followed by New York City, at 89.6%; Dallas, at 76.9%; Atlanta, at 76.7%; and Washington, D.C. at 73.9%.

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Reshaping Transit in Washington DC

Civil + Structural Engineer

By Luke Carothers Opened to the public in November 2022, the Silver Line Rail Extension in Washington DC is one of the largest capital construction projects in the United States—including 11.4 miles of new track, six new Metrorail stations, and a 9-acre railyard with storage capacity for 168 railcars and maintenance facilities. Through May 2023, six months into its existence, more than 1.1 million trips were recorded on the new extension.

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How ERPs Are Reshaping Efficiency in the Construction Industry

Construction companies face daily challenges, from project delays to cost overruns. But with the right ERP software, these hurdles become opportunities for growth. This in-depth study covers how companies like Bartlett-Cocke General Contractors saw an 83% reduction in cost analysis time and a 62% decrease in vendor payment processing time by adopting a Construction ERP system.

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Homeowners Say They Are Unprepared for Potential Costs of Extreme Weather

The Pro Builder

As extreme weather events become more frequent, many U.S. homeowners say they are financially unprepared for the costs they bring. According to financial services company Bankrate's 2024 Extreme Weather Survey, 26% of homeowners feel unready for these expenses, with 14% being somewhat unprepared and 12% very unprepared. Although 39% have reviewed their insurance coverage, only 9% have taken steps to weather-proof their homes in the last five years.

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Sustainability and the Port of Virginia

Civil + Structural Engineer

By Brent Hunt, Project Executive, Skanska The American Association of Port Authorities forecasts a 15 percent increase in US freight movement by 2045 and by 2037, US seaports are anticipated to export more than 52 million shipping containers annually. As 90 percent of global goods are conveyed via ship, port disruptions can reverberate through the global economy.

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As Mortgage Rates Drop, Refinancing Activity Doubles

The Pro Builder

Mortgage refinance activity is expected to increase as interest rates drop, with a federal rate cut anticipated by mid-September. This decline is encouraging many homeowners, who borrowed during high-interest periods, to consider refinancing for lower payments. According to CoreLogic, an information services provider of financial, property, and consumer data, refinance applications more than doubled in August 2024 compared with the same time last year.

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Time Tells All: Shifting our Understanding of ROI

Civil + Structural Engineer

By Chad Clinehens, President and CEO, Zweig Group The Summer of 2024 is drawing to a close, and the stirrings of Autumn can be felt on the breeze and seen on the trees. 2024 has been another historic year, and the past few months of summer have been hotter than ever for the AEC industry. This marks another year of growth, as we continue a decade-plus of the AEC industry soaring past financial metrics and benchmarks.

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The Art of Contingency Planning: Dealing with Unforeseen Costs

Contingency planning is a strategic plan to allocate resources, time, and money if “all hell breaks loose” on a project. It considers risk mitigation and planning for a worst-case scenario.  Contingency planning in construction is necessary. You're expected to throw in a percentage to cover a contingency plan in your estimates but is it enough? There is an art to this type of planning and, if project leaders aren’t careful, a contingency plan could cost the company a lot more than lapsed deadlin

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These Cities Have the Most Competitive Housing Markets

The Pro Builder

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing market has seen many changes. From remote workers fleeing cities in search of larger homes to rising mortgage rates, markets across the U.S. have seen dramatic shifts. However, some housing markets continue to attract competition from buyers. According to GoBankingRates, the most competitive housing markets in the U.S. are San Jose, Calif., Anchorage, Ala., and Richmond, Va.

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Proactive Water Management: Best Practices for Buildings of the Future

Civil + Structural Engineer

By Yaron Dycian, Chief Product and Strategy Officer, WINT Water Intelligence Building and operating a modern commercial property or industrial facility requires a major ongoing investment of resources. Unfortunately, inefficiency and mismanagement of water resources remain among the most significant threats to a building’s performance. In the United States alone, water treatment and delivery accounts for 13 percent of the country’s total electricity consumption , releasing up to 290 million metr

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Government considering scrapping Wylfa plans and 24GW nuclear capacity target

New Civil Engineer

Energy secretary Ed Miliband is considering scrapping plans to use the Wylfa site in North Wales for a new large-scale nuclear power plant as well as the UK’s target of developing 24GW of nuclear capacity by 2050. The post Government considering scrapping Wylfa plans and 24GW nuclear capacity target appeared first on New Civil Engineer.

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Are You Ready to Take on Ownership?

Civil + Structural Engineer

By Ezequiel Tovar, Ownership Transition Analyst, Zweig Group We serve a phenomenal industry. An industry we can be proud of. Each firm, no matter how big or small, impacts our built environment by improving lives. Now what if I told you that you could be at the helm of leading your firm in this crucial industry? Would you take it? Most importantly, are you ready for it?

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Expert Guide to Making the Best Construction ERP Decision for Your Firm

Choosing the right ERP system is a pivotal decision for any construction company. Our buyer’s guide is crafted to provide leaders with the essential knowledge needed to make informed choices. This guide delves into the critical aspects of selecting a construction ERP, including making the right decision, building internal support, and identifying the best software for your organization.

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Homebuilding targets risk piling pressure on workers’ mental health

Construction News

Georgina Jones is deputy chief executive of charity SOS Silence of Suicide The new Labour government’s target of building 1.5 million homes over five years has been welcomed in many quarters, but what does this really mean for the welfare of construction workers in an… The post Homebuilding targets risk piling pressure on workers’ mental health appeared first on Construction News.

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The Future of AI—Now

Civil + Structural Engineer

By Luke Carothers While the adoption of AI is still growing, the innovation and efficiency afforded by new AI-powered products is causing a significant transformation within the overall AEC industry landscape. One of the experts at the forefront of this radically transforming landscape is Yves Antioine Brun, Vice President of Wipro Engineering Edge.

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Warning sent about tension piles and tower crane construction at excavation sites

New Civil Engineer

The importance of careful design considerations when constructing tower cranes near excavation sites has been underlined by a recent Cross safety report. The post Warning sent about tension piles and tower crane construction at excavation sites appeared first on New Civil Engineer.

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Safety Training: Investing in your team’s wellbeing

Civil + Structural Engineer

By Dan Clapper, Market Director, Commercial HVAC and Facilities Maintenance, Interplay Learning Investing in effective on-the-job safety training is crucial for today’s workers. When you prioritize safety, you’re not only protecting your employees from workplace accidents, but you’re also fostering a culture of responsibility and care. It can be tempting to view time spent away from revenue-generating tasks as time wasted.

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From Plan to Reality: Unlocking the Power of Aerial Imagery for AEC

Aerial imagery has emerged as a necessary tool for architecture, engineering, and construction firms seeking to improve pre-construction site analysis, make more informed planning decisions, and ensure all stakeholders have access to an accurate visualization of the site to keep the project moving forward. Download our guide and take a deeper look at how aerial imagery can be leveraged to drive project efficiency by reducing unnecessary site visits and providing the accurate details required to

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Expert ‘massively disputes’ National Highways’ claim that M25 runoff ponds aren’t overdue maintenance

New Civil Engineer

National Highways has told NCE that none of its road runoff ponds around the M25 are overdue for maintenance, despite many featuring visible sediment at the top of the water level. The post Expert ‘massively disputes’ National Highways’ claim that M25 runoff ponds aren’t overdue maintenance appeared first on New Civil Engineer.

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The Adoption of Digital Twin Technology Comes with Cybersecurity Concerns 

Civil + Structural Engineer

By Jeff Schwartzentruber, PhD, CISSP , Sr. Machine Learning Scientist, eSentire The global digital twin market is expected to grow to $110 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of nearly 61 percent, showing immense interest in this sector. While the technology itself isn’t new (the concept of a digital twin has been used for years, mostly for product design and simulation by utilizing a data-driven 3D digital companion), most recently, data and advanced analytics have enabled digital twin technology to do

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Half-built Ilke houses to be demolished

Construction News

More than 130 homes left half-finished by collapsed modular housebuilder Ilke Homes are to be part-demolished before construction can restart. Work at the Meadow Grange development in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, stopped last June after the housebuilder collapsed into administration. More than a year later, a replacement… The post Half-built Ilke houses to be demolished appeared first on Construction News.