Evaluating innovative technologies in construction industry: the case of high rise buildings

Abstract

Construction industry is associated with risks and uncertainties, due to its nature. On the other hand, those risks and uncertainties have instigated the discovery of innovative technologies to eliminate risks and uncertainties. Although technologies in construction industry is being innovated to provide solutions for potential issues on time, cost, quality, and sustainability, past researches still emphasis that the construction industry is not yet developed as other parallel industries. In the post war period, Sri Lankan construction industry became vast and advance with high rise building constructions. Land scarcity and high population growth are reasons for such tremendous development of high-rise buildings. However, the deficiency in the development of technologies in the construction industry does not fulfil modern necessities. Therefore, the purpose of this research paper is to investigate the innovative technologies adopted in high rise building construction projects in Sri Lanka, for a successful completion within the budget, on time, and with adequate quality. A comprehensive literature review survey was performed to identify innovative technologies integrated in building construction industry during the design and construction development phases. Data were collected through eight (08) ongoing high rise building projects located in urban Colombo area, and these data were categorized according to the cases and presented as percentages among the projects. The results from the study revealed that the use of innovative technologies vary, and currently, common technologies are used during the design and construction phases. Further, the study identified identical benefits the client and the contractor can gain by using innovative technologies, and the challenges faced by industry stakeholders.