General Trends in the Development of Construction Technologies

Introduction. The construction industry depends largely in compliance with the laws of the market with no in-depth analysis of its development trends as a system. Government regulation of the industry fails to make a full use of an evidence-based predictive analysis, but rather is more frequently guided by international experience in the form of small data. The aim of the study is to bridge this gap by means of a general overview of the research related to the general patterns of the development of construction technologies. Materials and Methods . The research included the search for information from open sources, its analysis and synthesis in order to identify the general trends in the development of construction technologies. Materials from the authors’ research were employed. The analysis was conducted using the laws of the development of technical systems. Research Results. The stages of the evolution of building technologies including prefabricated, monolithic, and precastmonolithic methods are discussed. Ways of improving building materials by means of increasing their physical and mechanical properties, reducing weight, and lowering harmful emissions and costs are also identified. It is noteworthy that the improvement of these materials by their direct relationship with structures results in their dynamic development. It is found that the improvement of materials due to the direct relationship in the system with structures also leads to their dynamic development, they become more durable, lightweight, multifunctional and influence architectural and planning solutions increasing useful selling space. Issues hindering the development of digital technologies for the manufacture of structures are noted: control of early hydration of 3D-printed concrete and a relationship with rheology, ensuring interlayer adhesion, strength, introduction of automated reinforcement and generally the relationship between technology, material and performance characteristics in terms of both structural strength and durability. The basic requirements for the design of buildings and structures and their parts are designed: saving space, materials and energy through integrated design, which includes the integration of all the building systems (structural, mechanical, hydraulic, air and electrical) into a single system. The development of the technology of large-block (modular) construction is considered including the research of SUSU employees on the technology of sinking concrete. Attention is paid to the global experience of modular construction and the direction of development of modular integrated systems. Discussion and Conclusion . It is concluded that the general trends in the development of construction technologies include: acceleration of large-block (modular) and monolithic construction by improving materials (high-functional concretes, enlarged reinforced frames, fibers), use of automated efficient mechanisms, prefab elements, equipping modules with engineering networks; reducing the complexity and increasing the manageability of construction production by reducing labor costs in the proposed construction technologies, automation and digitalization of the major processes; use of information modeling technologies, neural networks, and rational layout of the interior of a building in complex design; improving the functionality and aesthetics of facade technologies.