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The development of industry and commerce thanks to the use of efficient infrastructure

Logistics centers are integral constructions where the reception and storage of any type of merchandise is carried out, to be later transported to different provinces, being an alternative widely used in Ecuadorian industry and commerce since it generates efficiency and competitiveness

During and after the pandemic, companies found themselves in need of having more than one logistics center to decentralize the distribution of their products to different regions of the country, and also to be able to meet the demand of the national market. Likewise, logistics has taken on great importance thanks to the growth of online commerce.

Ecuador is not far behind this booming construction trend and today there is a growing demand in the country for these types of buildings, which require high level of specialization and compliance of quality standards. Sedemi is a construction company with a long history that has incorporated Construction 4.0 to have greater control in the execution and planning of projects, as well as the automation of processes, achieving greater efficiency and optimization of resources.

The infrastructure of a logistics center is made mostly of steel, an optimal material for its construction, thanks to its excellent features, such as its ideal resistance for large projects, as well as contributing to the construction of large spaces compared to concrete. According to Erick Martínez: “we work with our clients from the design stage with integral and tailored solutions that provide safety and quality”.

The development of the country´s industry and commerce is gradually locating within these solutions that represent a great advantage even in construction time, which can vary according to  size.  For example, a 10.000 m² building can take 6 months long thanks to the industrialized manufacturing of its components in the plant, likewise it can go towards larger dimensions according to the company´s needs.

Undoubtedly, this construction trend is booming not only in Ecuador but throughout Latin America, where it also represents positive growth in industry and commerce, with a significant potential market. However, it is necessary to have a highly prepared and specialized construction company to build this kind of solution, with the purpose of delivering quality and durability.

“Sedemi is supported by its trajectory, with super structures of more than 300.000 m², working with large and renowned companies such as Grupo Superior, UMCO, La Provenzana, among others, using industrialized manufacturing, which makes the construction faster and more precise” said Martínez.

CategoriesSedemi Industry Sedemi Urban
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6 tendencies that will lead the construction industry this 2023

Construction is a challenging industry lead by trends that evolve and reinvent each year, guiding society towards a sustainable and digitized future, with construction methods that have been adapting to social and economic changes, as well as the market´s new demands, such as the growing concern for the environment. This 2023 is not an exception and here we want to talk about the 6 more important trends that will be present in Ecuadorian construction this year.

1.- Environmental Awareness: In a world that is more concerned about the environment, the construction industry must be aligned with the new paradigms, which is why people look for projects that are truly sustainable and careful with nature, such as using recyclable materials like structural steel, which generate little environmental impact and is 100% reusable.

Currently, construction projects are committed to a more rational management of resources such as water and electricity, which is why 2023 will promote: reuse water systems, use of rainwater, energy optimization through solar panels or wind power generation. This will reduce costs and generate a positive impact on the environmental footprint.

2.- Automation: The use of advanced technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, drones, 3D printing and nanotechnology will be part of the country and the world in 2023, and construction is the ideal sector to apply them. For years Construction 4.0 has been seen, and it will continue to constantly evolve to carry out processes as: verification of safety standards, save labor costs and guarantee that projects are built precisely meeting specifications, in addition to being durable over time.

3.- BIM Technology and Virtual Reality: BIM Methodology is a process to create a 3D model of an infrastructure, to verify its digital representation and identify the interaction between architecture and the different engineering disciplines. As the construction industry grows and evolves, this trend becomes more popular and is used in Ecuador, allowing architects and engineers to plan, design and build an structure to a simulated scale, saving time and costs. The year 2023 will not be the exception and there will undoubtedly be an improvement in digital processes, in addition to having virtual reality for construction plans.

4.- Analytics and Bid Data: Thanks to the growing need to save costs, materials and time, Big Data is an important tool for large construction companies. For example, analyzing the energy consumption data and sources can help to propose strategies to optimize its use and reduce emissions that harm the environment.

5.- Modular Construction: Without a doubt, if there is something that is setting a trend in 2023 is modular construction, an effective alternative that uses prefabricated components that are later assembled in the construction site. This type of construction is friendly with the environment because it does not require water and generates a minimum amount of waste. In addition, construction time is shorter, which favor costs and quality control processes.

6.- Bright and multifunctional spaces: In both homes and offices, multifunctional spaces have become a trend, where, bright and flexible building designs manage to convey a feeling of spaciousness, integrating different environments into one.

Sedemi has been in the Ecuadorian industry for 45 years and is a leader in construction processes nationwide, aligned with the trends that favor the industry and contribute to the development of the country and the region. “We are always at the forefront of processes in accordance with new paradigms, and above all to the needs of the country and the planet, promoting sustainability in each of our projects”. Commented Esteban Proaño, president of Grupo Corporativo Sedemi.

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Key benefits of steel in construction, an avant-garde trend in today’s world

Today, the trends in construction have changed significantly, with the advancement of technology there are great alternatives for the design of buildings such as construction 4.0 and BIM methodology; and for this it is important to have a resistant material that meets expectations, with steel being the element chosen globally. This compound is the most versatile used by the construction industry, thanks to the fact that it allows the building of taller, slimmer, avant-garde structures, with better aesthetics, quick construction and 100% recyclable and reusable; which is why it is present in the big cities of the world.

According to the experts, steel expresses resistance, cleanliness and modernism, and by its nature it has the particular characteristic of offering freedom to designers and builders in projects, positioning itself as the preferred option compared to the rigidity that other materials previously used like concrete.

Within this framework, the company SEDEMI, at the forefront of construction processes, uses steel for its great creations and recommends its use thanks to all the benefits it provides, highlighting the following:

1.- Efficiency: Steel allows the design of optimal and functional structures that are prefabricated in the plant under strict quality controls, where the installation time on site is reduced and therefore there is a saving in project costs in general.

2.- Reliability: Steel structures are characterized by being very reliable thanks to the consistency and uniformity of their properties, their construction with pre-qualified and regulated procedures under international standards that guarantee the quality of the work.

3.- Light weight: Steel is a much lighter material than concrete and highly resistant, resulting in light infrastructures, allowing the construction of tall buildings, with large spans and better use of space.

4.- Sustainability: The environmental impact of steel is less than any other material since it is 100% recyclable and degradable, making it possible to reuse or relocate it once any structure is dismantled. After being recycled, it does not lose its resistance and physical properties, which is why buildings can be certified as eco-efficient or sustainable.

5.- Used in BIM methodology: Virtual models created under BIM technology allow the planning of projects in more detail, improving decision-making and avoiding inefficiencies. Once the metallic structure model has been integrated and validated in BIM, through an engineering process, the manufacturing plans and files with defined industrial standards are generated.

 

6.- Resistance: Steel is very resistant, ideal for projects in the urban, industrial, energy, telecommunications and oil sectors. It is also perfect for working in areas of high seismic risk.

“In conclusion, steel construction has shown to have a highly satisfactory behavior in the face of natural phenomena due to the ductility that characterizes the material and it is profitable for large constructions, which is why it is the favorite for all types of structures. At SEDEMI we work with this element under the necessary rigorous quality standards and a team of expert professionals in order to provide efficient and qualified work,” commented Esteban Proaño, executive president of Grupo Corporativo SEDEMI.

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10 Reasons to opt for galvanizing and ensure long-lasting structure

The SEDEMI construction company, with 45 years of experience in the national market, meets the requirements of public and private projects with high quality standards and recommends hot-dip galvanizing to protect the metal structures used in construction, thus guaranteeing the lifespan of steel, one of the essential elements of today’s urbanization.

To have control over these processes, the company works within its own state-of-the-art plant that allows it to comply with rigorous norms and quality standards that are approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials for its acronym in English ASTM, for the correct use of each type of steel.

Here are 10 important reasons why hot-dip galvanizing is so essential:

1.- The duration is extremely high. The duration of these coatings is very high. More than 100 years of experience in the use of galvanized steel throughout the world have allowed us to know quite accurately the duration of the protection provided by the hot-dip galvanized coating. For example, it has been widely specified in petrochemical, industrial, power/utility, and bridging/highway projects for its unparalleled durability in these harsh environments, weathering many years without a trace of rust.

2.- It is cheaper. When life cycle costs are taken into account, hot-dip galvanizing is the most economical system for long-term corrosion protection. Although the initial cost of a corrosion protection system cannot be lowered, the life cycle cost should be a key determining factor in the selection process to achieve true sustainability, structures must be financially responsible for future generations.

 

3.- Triple protection. Galvanized coatings protect steel in three different ways:

  • Barrier Protection: The first line of defense against corrosion is barrier protection. Barrier protection has two fundamental properties: metallurgical adhesion to the base metal and resistance to abrasion.
  • Cathodic protection, (zinc rusts, iron doesn’t) even in small areas that may be left bare (edges of cuts or holes, scratches, etc.), as long as there is zinc, the iron will not rust.
  • Protection from zinc oxidation products, the formation of zinc corrosion by-products: zinc oxide, zinc hydroxide and zinc carbonate; which are compact, homogeneous, hard, impermeable and inert slow down the rate of corrosion up to 1/30 of the rate of steel in the same environment.

4.- Versatility. Hot-dip galvanizing is a process that serves both for the protection of steel products such as profiles, wire, tubes, etc., as well as for the protection of all kinds of articles. They have a great versatility of use in service, since they protect steel both from atmospheric corrosion and from corrosion caused by water or soil. In addition, it can be painted in both liquid and powder form, obtaining Duplex protection systems that enhance its durability and provide different aesthetic finishes.

5.- Reliability. Hot-dip galvanizing is a controlled industrial process that allows obtaining zinc coatings of regulated quality and thickness on practically any article, piece of iron or steel. Hot-dip galvanized coatings are one of the few steel protection systems that are perfectly specified by national and international standards.

6.- Sustainability. The maintenance-free longevity of hot-dip galvanized steel provides positive and economic benefits for future generations. In addition to being natural, both zinc and steel can be recycled indefinitely without losing any physical or chemical properties. Approximately 30% of the world’s zinc supply comes from recycled sources each year and more would be recycled if there were more.

7.- Integral coating. Hot dip galvanizing is a total immersion process, meaning the steel is completely submerged in cleaning solutions and molten zinc is coated on all interior and exterior surfaces. This complete coverage guarantees even the interior of hollow or tubular structures. As corrosion tends to occur at a higher rate inside hollow structures, where moisture and condensation occur, interior coating is highly beneficial.

8.- Uniform Protection. Another aspect of the durability of hot dip galvanizing is its uniform protection. During the metallurgical diffusion reaction in the galvanizing kettle, the galvanized coating grows perpendicular to all surfaces. This is why the coating is naturally as thick in the corners and edges as it is on flat surfaces. The uniform protection of hot-dip galvanized steel leaves no weak spots for accelerated corrosion.

9.- Resistance to abrasion. A unique feature of hot dip galvanized coating is the development of highly bonded abrasion resistant intermetallic layers. There are three intermetallic layers (gamma, delta and zeta) and the top layer of pure zinc (eta). The abrasion resistance of hot-dip galvanizing provides protection against damage caused by hostile handling during shipping, installation, and also in service.

10.- Manageable. The different galvanized elements can be easily assembled using screws or welding. Welding procedures commonly used for ungalvanized steel are equally applicable to galvanized steel: electric arc welding, flame welding, resistance welding, etc. The areas of the coating affected by the effect of the heat of welding can be easily restored by means of zinc metallization or zinc-rich paint.

SEDEMI at the forefront of construction trends, has qualified personnel in all types of processes, guaranteeing safe buildings thanks to the quality of its materials and the certification of its processes under high world-class standards, contributing to the development of the Ecuadorian industry and building the future of the country.