CHANGING TRENDS IN STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

Abstract

Over the past half century the construction industry has “been slow to adopt new technologies” and “has undergone no fundamental change,” according to the World Economic Forum.

The built environment, which consists of construction plus real estate, represents almost $6 trillion in U.S. GDP per year (1). It is the largest industry in the U.S. Compared to industries such as automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing, however, construction lags significantly in productivity growth and R&D spending. Are we falling behind the innovation trajectory of other industries? What are the reasons our industry has struggled to evolve with respect to productivity? Is technology keeping pace in AEC?