scholarly journals Benchmarking and Improving Dimensional Quality on Modular Construction Projects – A Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-21
Author(s):  
Christopher Rausch ◽  
Chloe Edwards ◽  
Carl Haas
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Improve Quality ◽  
Modular Construction ◽  
Geometric Data ◽  
Traditional Construction

Dimensional quality plays a key role in project success for modular construction. While approaches exist for reducing rework associated with dimensional variability in traditional construction (i.e., onsite resolution), more proactive approaches must be employed during offsite production of modules. Unfortunately, the stricter dimensional quality demands in modular construction are not yet completely addressed in existing guidelines or studies. As such, contractors often must resort to use of reactive measures to reduce rework. This paper bridges this gap by demonstrating how to implement continuous benchmarking and improvement of dimensional quality by comparing as-built and nominal 3D geometric data across modular construction projects. A case study is presented for two nearly identical modular construction projects, which are carried out in succession. The first project is used to quantify and benchmark key impacts on overall dimensional quality, while strategic improvements are introduced in the second project to improve quality and reduce rework. The results of this study demonstrate how contractors can achieve adequate dimensional quality and reduce rework on successive modular construction projects.

Optimizing the Prefabrication Finishing Level in Modular Construction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Almashaqbeh ◽  
Khaled El-Rayes
Keyword(s):  
Optimization Model ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Transportation Cost ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Modular Construction ◽  
Structural Wall ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Structural Frame

Prefabricated modules in modular construction projects can have a wide range of finishing levels that range from partially completed with only structural frame to fully completed with all structural, wall, mechanical, electrical, finishing and furnishing components. A higher module finishing level increases the offsite fabrication and transportation cost and decreases onsite assembly cost and duration while a lower finishing level produces the opposite results. This paper presents an optimization model that enables construction planners to identify an optimal finishing level for prefabricated modules in order to minimize the total cost of modular construction projects that includes all offsite fabrication, transportation, and onsite assembly costs. A case study of a modular construction project for a healthcare facility was analyzed to illustrate the use of the model and evaluate its performance. The results of this analysis highlight the original capabilities of the model in minimizing the total cost of modular construction projects.

Sustainable Construction Technology Based on Building Modules

2014 ◽  
Vol 1041 ◽  
pp. 231-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mária Kozlovská ◽  
Pavol Kaleja ◽  
Zuzana Struková
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Method ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Construction Technology ◽  
Modular Construction ◽  
Construction Methods ◽  
House Construction ◽  
Traditional Construction ◽  
Family House ◽  
Bearing Structure

The aim of the paper is to demonstrate the widely presented benefits of modular construction as compared with traditional construction method. A case study of family house construction by modular building method and traditional method is used to examine the structural, economic and time indicators of individual construction methods. The results are presented in tabular and graphical outputs and are compared each other in regard to different technological parts of the building. The paper provides the comparison of economic and time indicators resulting from budgets and time schedules of construction that are executed for different variants. Such comparison demonstrates exactly the benefits of modular construction. The building based on building modules consisted of steel bearing structure and enveloped by sandwich panels is adopted as the selected modular construction technology. The different variant, applied for comparison of modular and traditional construction, is represented by the building with comparable thermo-technical characteristics, constructed by traditional masonry method.

scholarly journals An ISM-Based Methodology for Interrelationships of Critical Success Factors for Construction Projects in Ecologically Fragile Regions: Take Korla, China as an Example

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 4668
Author(s):  
Zheng He ◽  
Huihua Chen
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Style ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Critical Success Factors ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Matrix Multiplication ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Hierarchical Structuring ◽  
Korla City

Construction activities taken place in ecologically fragile regions (EFRs) of China are facing a series of environmental obstacles. Studying critical success factors (CSFs) to arrive at the sustainable objectives for construction project in EFRs is needed. Understanding the interrelationships of these CSFs is one of the vital ways to achieve this. This paper identifies and analyzes 18 CSFs for construction projects in EFRs through a literature review from a multi-perspective and a case study of Korla City in China. The causal relationship between each CSF is obtained by pairwise comparisons and thereafter, an ISM (Interpretative Structural Modeling) method is employed to study the hierarchical structuring of the CSFs. As a result, we established a five-level ISM. Subsequently, an MICMAC (cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification) approach is implemented to partition and classify each CSF into four quadrants (independent, linkage, autonomous, and dependent) according to their driver and dependence powers. Through the implementation of an MICMAC approach, the degrees of relationship between each CSF is gained. The findings reveal that the studied 18 CSFs have a strong hierarchy and interrelationship. The project manager’s leadership style and economic viability are the root source of project success and has the highest influence, which is supported by the result of MICMAC analysis. CSF planning and implementation of sustainable strategies are more dependent and are influenced by others. The CSFs on the top level of ISM: conflict resolution, planning and implementation of sustainable strategies and resources of water play a significant role in arriving at the project success, and has a great potential for future study. The approaches implemented in this paper can be helpful for decision-makers and managers of construction projects in comprehending the interrelationships and the degrees of CSFs for construction projects in EFRs and for efficiently achieving the project success.

Revealing Safety Risks of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Construction

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812110171
Author(s):  
Mostafa Namian ◽  
Mohammad Khalid ◽  
George Wang ◽  
Yelda Turkan
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
The United States ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Aerial Vehicles ◽  
Safety Risks ◽  
Potential Safety ◽  
Post Hoc

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have gained their prevalent recognition in construction because of their exceptional advantages. Despite the increasing use of UAVs in the industry and their remarkable benefits, there are serious potential safety risks associated that have been overlooked. Construction is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. In addition to the ordinary hazards normally present in dynamic construction workplaces, UAVs can expose workers to a wider range of never-before-seen safety risks that must be recognized and controlled. The industry is not equipped with safety measures to prevent potential accidents, because of scarce research on drone-associated hazards and risks. The aim of this research was to (1) identify the UAV-associated hazards in construction that may expose personnel and property to potential harms, and (2) study the relative impact of each hazard and the associated safety risks. In Phase I, the researchers conducted an extensive literature review and consulted with a construction UAV expert. In Phase II, the researchers obtained data from 54 construction experts validating and evaluating the identified hazards and risks. The results revealed that adopting UAVs can expose construction projects to a variety of hazards that the industry is not familiar with. “Collision with properties,”“collision with humans,” and “distraction” were identified as the top three safety risks. Moreover, the study introduces effective strategies, such as having qualified crew members, proper drone model selection, and drone maintenance, to mitigate the safety risks. Finally, a post-hoc case study was investigated and presented in this article.

scholarly journals Building and Rebuilding Buddhist Monasteries in Tang China: The Reconstruction of the Kaiyuan Monastery in Sizhou

Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 253
Author(s):  
Anna Sokolova
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Tang Dynasty ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Jiangsu Province ◽  
Pivotal Role ◽  
Bai Juyi ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social And Economic Development ◽  
Its Regions

This article explores regional Buddhist monasteries in Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) China, including their arrangement, functions, and sources for their study. Specifically, as a case study, it considers the reconstruction of the Kaiyuan monastery 開元寺 in Sizhou 泗州 (present-day Jiangsu Province) with reference to the works of three prominent state officials and scholars: Bai Juyi 白居易 (772–846), Li Ao 李翱 (772–841), and Han Yu 韓愈 (768–824). The writings of these literati allow us to trace the various phases of the monastery’s reconstruction, fundraising activities, and the network of individuals who participated in the project. We learn that the rebuilt multi-compound complex not only provided living areas for masses of pilgrims, traders, and workers but also functioned as a barrier that protected the populations of Sizhou and neighboring prefectures from flooding. Moreover, when viewed from a broader perspective, the renovation of the Kaiyuan monastery demonstrates that Buddhist construction projects played a pivotal role in the social and economic development of Tang China’s major metropolises as well as its regions.

scholarly journals Scheduling Optimization of Prefabricated Construction Projects by Genetic Algorithm

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 5531
Author(s):  
Linlin Xie ◽  
Yajiao Chen ◽  
Ruidong Chang
Keyword(s):  
Project Scheduling ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Engineering Application ◽  
Project Schedule ◽  
Scheduling Optimization ◽  
Implementation Method ◽  
Traditional Construction ◽  
Construction Project Scheduling

Prefabricated buildings are the direction of the future development of the construction industry and have received widespread attention. The effective execution of prefabricated construction project scheduling should consider resource constraints and the supply arrangement of prefabricated components. However, the traditional construction resource-constrained project scheduling implementation method cannot simultaneously consider the characteristics of the linkage between component production and on-site assembly construction. It cannot also fully adapt to the scheduling implementation method of the prefabricated construction projects. It is difficult to work out a reasonable project schedule and resource allocation table. In order to determine the relevant schedule parameters that can reflect the actual construction situation of the prefabricated building and meet the scheduling requirements of the prefabricated project, this study proposes a prefabricated construction project scheduling model that considers project resource constraints and prefabricated component supply constraints. Additionally, it improves the design of traditional genetic algorithms (GAs). Research results of the experimental calculation and engineering application show that the proposed project scheduling optimization model and GA are effective and practical, which can help project managers in effectively formulating prefabricated construction project scheduling plans, reasonably allocating resources, reducing completion time, and improving project performance.

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