Günay, G (2025) Development of standards for modular construction: Learning from the freight container. PhD thesis, Middle East Technical University, Turkey.
Abstract
It is widely acknowledged that the construction industry has a productivity problem. Although the construction industry has a huge economic impact as one of the most important industry sectors in many countries, it is amongst the lowest R&D intensity sectors. There is an extensive gap regarding new technologies in the context of construction projects, and the value of digital processes, automation and industrialized construction are still essentially unexplored.Modular construction is proposed as a solution to this problem. However, there is usually a case-based approach in current research without any attempt at standardization. No definitive work could be found for the architects to build their projects on. In addition, there are certain drawbacks that slow down the adoption and implementation of modular construction.This research investigates the potential of standardization for modular buildings with an attempt to formulate the framework of a standardized design language. To that end, the standard ISO freight container was examined as an exemplary material, and a number of interviews were conducted with industry professionals to understand their perception of standardization in modular buildings. A qualitative analysis was made on the transcripts of these interviews, and the results were reported including categories, common themes, advantages-disadvantages, major barriers, drivers and potential consequences.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Pekeriçli, M K |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | economic impact; standards; automation; learning; modular construction; standardization; productivity; qualitative analysis; architect; professional; interview |
| Index terms: | new technology, modular building, productivity, architect, standardization, construction industry, implementation, automation, industry sector, ISO, interview, economic impact, qualitative analysis, modular construction, construction project, industrialized construction |
| Subjects: | standards development, data collection methods, profession, research design and methodology, industry analysis, management, performance measurement, innovation and technology management, contractual arrangements, construction type, building construction, financial analysis, production management, automation and robotics |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Procurement, Digital Applications, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Construction Technology, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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