Could The Sustainability Of Construction Projects Be Improved By Industry 4.0 : Dissertation Proposal, Ireland

Context of the study

Industry 4.0 refers to the integration of advanced technologies such as IoT, blockchain and automation for the transformation of traditional industries through the help of digitization (de Almeida Barbosa Franco et al. 2022). Within the construction industry, Industry 4.0 technologies can be used for optimization of processes, enhancement of productivity as well as improvement of sustainability outcomes. The context of the current study is grounded within the construction industry and its increasing need for implementing sustainable practices to keep up with regulatory pressures as well as environmental concerns which are associated with resource consumption, emissions and waste production. Through the focus on the application of Industry 4.0 technologies, the current study will align with existing trends as well as future trends of the construction industry that are highly relatable to the growing attention of digital transformation. Industry 4.0 technologies are considered to help in the reduction of energy usage in construction projects as well as the improvement of resource management (Statsenko et al. 2023). However, there are various challenges or barriers which affect the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies within the industry to be smooth including high expenses and lack of sufficient expertise (Newman et al. 2021). Hence through the study a reflection on the global demand for the reduction of the carbon footprint of construction activities as well as supporting the transition toward net zero carbon construction projects is presented.

Aim

The aim of the research is to determine if sustainability can be maintained within construction projects and further improved with the help of Industry 4.0 technologies.

Objectives

To evaluate the impact that Industry 4.0 technologies have on the sustainability of construction projects
Toidentify and explore the barriers and challenges which are faced by the construction industry during the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies for sustainability of projects.
To evaluate the relationship between Industry 4.0 technologies and sustainability within construction management by reviewing relevant case studies and industry reports
To set recommendations of Industry 4.0 tools and methods to improve sustainability within construction projects and address existing challenges.