Vernikos, V K; Goodier, C I; Gibb, A G F; Robery, P C and Broyd, T W (2011) Offsite innovation in UK infrastructure: The role of the approvals process in box jacking projects. In: Egbu, C and Lou, E C W (eds.) Proceedings of 27th Annual ARCOM Conference, 5-7 September 2011, Bristol, UK.
Abstract
In the UK civil engineering major roads and rail sectors, novel uses of offsite methods of construction have commonly "required special approval" by governmental body approval processes and Codes of Practice. Understanding the ways that such organisations influence the sector s confidence regarding innovative construction methods and materials could help accelerate their development in the design and construction process, and hence also help maximise the possibilities of modernisation in the sector. By comparing two case studies of offsite precast concrete underbridge box-jacking, one as part of a government authority responsible for motorway contracts and one with a government authority responsible for railways, the differences regarding prioritisation of acceptable risk are explored. The main drivers and constraints for offsite adoption and implementation are investigated and presented. Key challenges during the design and construction period of the projects are identified. These focus on establishing effective communication between clients, designers, contractors and offsite suppliers/sub-contractors when implementing offsite, as well as understanding aspects of the physical integrity of assets that are dependent on the limitations of essential availability, disruption of usage or closure. By considering the differences in approach towards innovation and approval systems for the Governmental approval agencies responsible for motorways and railways, the parties involved can align their programmes of work and methods to help capacitate their clients needs, facilitating more lean working processes throughout the procurement, design and construction stages.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | box-jacking; civil engineering; innovation; lean; offsite |
| Index terms: | design and construction, approval, innovative construction method, designer, implementation, agency, precast concrete, programme, sub-contractor, codes of practice, case study, integrity |
| Subjects: | practitioner, contractual arrangements, project controls, sociology, regulatory law, health safety and environment, building construction, profession, contractual role, building materials, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Contract Administration, Procurement, Construction Technology, Roles and Professions, Time Control, Health and Safety, Research Practice, Construction Materials, Legal Issues |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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