Mehdipoor, A; Iordanova, I and Al-Hussein, M (2025) Enhancing the manufacturing process in light-gauge steel off-site construction using semiautomation. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 151(6): 04025055, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
This study introduces a digitalized workflow for light-gauge steel off-site construction projects to reduce task duration, enhance data flow, and improve project cost assessment. With technological advancements, digitalization and building information modeling have become crucial in off-site construction to boost productivity. This research systematically integrates these technologies within the off-site construction framework, aiming to decrease manufacturing duration and enhance the accuracy of the bill of quantities for cost assessment during the manufacturing phase. The study addresses the knowledge and practice gap by presenting a comprehensive workflow tailored for light-gauge steel off-site construction projects. The study employs a design science research approach to develop the proposed workflow. The primary objectives are to assess whether a digitalized workflow can significantly reduce task duration and improve project cost assessment and to evaluate the financial feasibility of semiautomation in light-gauge steel off-site construction projects. A real modular project with 47 modules and a total gross floor area of 2,500 m2 is used to apply and evaluate the workflow. The effectiveness of the workflow is assessed by comparing task durations and bill of quantities accuracy before and after implementation. The economic feasibility is evaluated through a cost-benefit analysis referencing the case project. Three months of data postimplementation show a 66.67% reduction in task duration and a 45.39% improvement in bill of quantities accuracy. On average, the workflow resulted in a 38.11% reduction in production and assembly duration and a 10.77% improvement in measurement accuracy. The cost-benefit analysis indicates a payback period of 10 months and 26 days for the initial investment. The results are validated within the Canadian construction industry context. This paper focuses on the design and manufacturing phases, suggesting further studies should cover the installation and operation stages.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | automation; digital fabrication; off-site construction; off-site manufacturing |
| Index terms: | building information modelling, gross floor area, manufacturing process, productivity, effectiveness, module, implementation, off-site construction, bills of quantities, duration, construction industry, automation, digitalization, design science research, off-site manufacturing, accuracy, project cost, digital fabrication, payback, workflow |
| Subjects: | digital technology, contractual arrangements, economic analysis, building construction, building performance, manufacturing engineering, architectural elements, automation and robotics, financial and cost management, project controls, industry analysis, information systems, management, design practice, performance management, economics, professional development |
| Topics: | Procurement, Engineering Principles, Quality Management, Construction Technology, Research Practice, Information Management, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Time Control, Design Practice, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here