Cutting-edge solutions in piling, foundation works and demolition — aimed at making construction faster, safer and more cost-effective for urban developments — were spotlighted during the Advanced Construction Technology Exchange on March 20.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) brought together construction technology firms and industry experts at its Built Environment Innovation Hub for the event.
It comes as Singapore's built environment sector faces tightening resource constraints, global economic uncertainty, and labour pressures.
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Against this backdrop, the sector is pivoting towards high tech solutions to boost safety and productivity, particularly for large and complex developments.
Following opening remarks by Tan Chun Yong, BCA group director for building engineering, a series of presentations covered how advances are transforming local job sites.
For instance, rapid load testing was among the techniques highlighted. This innovative way of testing the strength of foundation piles is five times faster than traditional testing methods. This is equivalent to saving about 100 man-days per test, while lowering the risk of testing equipment collapsing, BCA noted.
Advanced pile monitoring instruments such as fibre optic sensors and thermal integrity profilers were also showcased during the presentations. These allow real-time monitoring of the structural integrity of piles, saving around two man-days per pile and about 15 man-days per pile, respectively, as compared to conventional methods.
Speakers at the session included:
- Asia Piling's chief operating officer, Chan Soon Kong, sharing about modern load testing methodologies.
- Soil and material testing firm Geonamics general manager Gilbert Chuah, and Assistant Professor Chew Soon Hoe from the National University of Singapore’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, presenting on technically sound pile-testing approaches.
- Xpanner vice-president, Asia, Owen Williams, speaking on the firm’s physical AI solution that can halve excavation time and labour, and cut pile-to-pile installation time by 57% while enhancing piling location accuracy.
- PERI, on the latest formwork technologies, including its “UP” access scaffolding and its “DUO” panel system formwork.
- Chian Teck’s general manager, Liu Jian Zhong, sharing about the best practices and benefits of using system formwork for building projects.
The afternoon included live demonstrations in two areas at the BCA Academy.
In the Triple Volume Space, attendees learnt how the PERI UP scaffolding, which has a connection technology that is fast and safe, allows for fast assembly, minimal labour and uses lightweight components.
It is also economically sustainable, requiring minimal storage space and can be used as access scaffolding and as a shoring system.
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The PERI DUO panel system formwork can be universally applied for the flexible forming of walls, columns and foundations using only one system.
It also enables easy and fast installation, uses technopolymer which weighs lighter than steel or wood, and can be assembled quietly.
Meanwhile, at the Excavator Yard, Biscuit Robotics demonstrated its controlled demolition robot, designed for confined spaces.
The robot can demolish structures twice as fast as manual methods. Traditional methods can handle one to two cubic metres per hour, while this robot does four to six cubic metres per hour.
Additionally, as it is remotely operated, it reduces worker exposure to hazardous vibrations and falling debris, thus making it significantly safer for workers.
Biscuit Robotics has also developed specialised robots that can handle other labour-intensive jobs such as concrete pouring, smoothing and finishing.
An exhibition area allowed attendees to view technologies from Bachy Solentanche, Biscuit Robotics, Doka, Geonamics, PERI, and Xpanner.
Formwork and scaffolding firm Doka’s booth spotlighted its Ringlock modular scaffolding system which has numerous construction applications. Ringlock is suitable for high-rise commercial buildings, residential properties and infrastructure such as bridges and tunnels.
The Doka team also shared about the Lubeca Jumpform self-climbing platform, which is used in the construction of concrete cores of high-rise buildings. The entire platform is lifted hydraulically in a few operational steps at the push of a button.
Geotechnical specialist Bachy Solentanche exhibited its electrical hydrofraise solutions for deep foundation works. The firm developed the Hydrofraise drilling machine for boring diaphragm walls, which are structural concrete walls built underground to provide deep excavation support.
One of the equipment that Bachy Solentanche showcased was a more powerful and versatile version of the original Hydrofraise, which now comes with grippers. The patented equipment can drill deeper diaphragm walls into very hard rock formations.
Meanwhile, Geonamics exhibited its services in testing, monitoring and analysing. These included foundation, material and soil laboratory testing, as well as advanced geotechnical testing for offshore wind or oil and gas.
Xpanner’s booth highlighted its automated machine guidance software for civil works, including automated piling rigs. The firm aims to transform the construction landscape by turning legacy fleets into intelligent assets, with its physical AI module, digital twin module, and field service module.
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