Articles by Jeff Yoders

A different prefabrication and modular construction sector came out of the pandemic. Ambitious startups such as Skender Manufacturing and Katerra folded in the last few years, while one major health care designer lamented an industrywide pullback that saw many of the suppliers they work with cut back on custom, by-project fabrication to standardize on products like headwalls and bathroom pods.

Demands from clients and labor shortages are forcing some contractors into other methods of creating building assemblies, driving new investments in prefabrication and modular construction techniques.

Structural materials have not changed all that much over the years, but a Florida company offers a new alternative.

Firms partner to show contractors how best to take advantage of modern workflows using Synchro and digital twins. 

Nearly 20 years after beginning construction and $1.23 billion later, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Charleroi Lock and Dam in Monessen, Pa., is scheduled to be completed later this year. 

Contractors still resist changing processes and opening their wallets for factory-installed electric power and autonomous operation, but more are realizing the benefits.

Grant to Missouri S&T University will boost AI program to develop best concrete 3D printing options using alternative and sustainable materials so structures can be built away from ready-mix plants. 

The contractor, which self-performs work is standardizing its project information for better project delivery, including prefabrication.  

In a deal with state regulators, environmental groups and business leaders, the utility will spend $11 billion on solar, wind and grid storage investments and retire coal production by 2032, but the plan still is set to rely heavily on natural gas production as a supplemental resource.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as the U.K. Met Office, have introduced climate assessment mapping websites backed by government data sources.