Chauhan, Krishna (2024) Prefabrication in construction: A systemic approach to impact and implementation. DScTech thesis, Aalto University, Finland.
Abstract
Compared to other industries, the construction industry is widely recognised as complex, fragmented and non-innovative. To address this issue, prefabrication, as a potential solution offering disruptive innovations, can drive the construction industry towards greater industrialisation. Numerous studies have extensively examined the impact of prefabrication and presented its advantages over traditional methods. However, the implementation of prefabricated solutions remains limited in construction projects. One of the primary causes of this issue is the lack of consensus about the benefits of prefabrication among all parties involved. Previous research has overlooked systemic viewpoint to analyse the impacts of prefabrication implementation in construction projects. The objective of this study is to enhance the understanding of prefabrication adoption through a systemic approach, enabling a comprehensive analysis of its impacts and implementation. This study employs mixed methods consisting of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Qualitative data are collected through the analysis of multiple case studies, interviews, workshops, and documents. Quantitative data is gathered through a questionnaire survey. To achieve the desired objectives, the research is conducted in two parts: first on impact analysis and second on implementation approaches. The impact analysis includes the development of a comprehensive method which adopts a systemic, multi-stakeholder perspective for evaluating the direct and indirect monetary and nonmonetary impacts of prefabrication. Using this method, the impacts of four prefabrication products are examined. The subsequent analysis of this research focuses on identifying benefits of prefabrication for each stakeholder without compromising the interests of the other parties involved. The study is carried out in both new building and renovation projects. The research findings indicate a direct relationship between the extent of product modularity and monetary and non-monetary benefits. Despite the possibility of higher direct expenses for prefabricated products, the cost may be less than traditional construction due to indirect benefits. The study further highlights the key benefits and challenges of implementing prefabricated products. The benefits include shorter project schedules, enhanced quality, and improved workflow, while the challenges include the immutability of heritage buildings, old building tolerances and limited construction spaces. This study makes significant contribution in two key areas. First, it proposes a method for evaluating the impact of prefabrication considering systemic perspective and analyses both monetary and non-monetary effects which holds potential in decision-making processes for the choice between prefabrication and onsite construction. Second, it provides empirical evidence of the advantages that each project party can gain from implementing prefabrication.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Seppänen, Olli; Peltokorpi, Antti and Lavikka, Rita |
| Index terms: | impact analysis, workflow, documents, questionnaire, evidence, heritage building, construction project, survey, project party, industrialization, modularity, interview, construction industry, prefabrication, implementation, renovation, decision-making process, case study, traditional construction, mixed method, workshop, onsite |
| Subjects: | construction type, evaluation and assessment methods, contractual arrangements, production management, economic development, heritage and conservation, building construction, data collection methods, data analysis and analytics, professional development, management, renovation and retrofit, industry analysis, design flexibility, sociology, decision analysis |
| Topics: | Information Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Construction Technology, Stakeholder Management, Design Practice, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Sustainability, Procurement, Risk Management |
| 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