Why is there a lack of integration in the construction industry even for its very well-known advantages?

Executive Summary

This report will evaluate the application of the increasingly slow integration of prefabrication into the construction industry, particularly in Australia regardless of the benefits, and the importance to put into this use for the good of carbon zero footprint in Australia.

This report will aim to the differences, and comparisons between two methods and the extent to these differences.

This report will also conclude in determining what is needed to change.

Marketing prefabrication is imperative. Education of prefabrication is imperative. Generalizing prefabrication is imperative.

 

Objective

The objective of this report is to evaluate the reasons behind the decisions why the construction industry have been slow in its progression to integrate prefabrication and its recommendations in advancing its development to be come the leading process in building.

 

Specific Objectives

Prefabrication unlike other innovative technologies has evolved slow in this industry. (Jallion, 2010).

Prefabrication is one of the very first parts of the construction processes, in preparing the structure and its components, ordered all beforehand, prepared in the factory, leaving little if no waste behind.

Upon preparing all materials, it will then be assembled where all components come together to then be moved onsite for installation. (Arbulu, 2004)

 

Research Question

Why is there a lack of integration in the construction industry even for its very well-known advantages? (Gibb 2006) There are discrepancies between the traditional methods of construction and prefabrication must be looked at and evaluation in order to consider and implement prefabrication in the industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Challenges in Implementing Prefabrication

Traditional methods and prefabrication are significantly different. Procurement methods and delivery play a significant role in those differences.

Changes from traditional construction in prefabrication as ‘Gann in 1996 mentioned will involve certain construction materials, similar to car parts to be automated through the manufacturing process.

This report will aim to report and evaluate the popular method used, the design and construction method throughout the construction industry. An individual or developer is the primary user of this method and is mainly used due to the time taken to design plan in prefabrication rather apposed to the shorter period taken for the (construct) period, or the time to construction. This design is favoured due to the most efficient method in the eyes of developers of project delivery. It is also considered as the traditional method and considered as the only method by many due to the lack of knowledge of other methods such as prefabrication.

Builders, developers, construction companies, are all familiarized with the construction phases of a project, where changes or amendments can usually be made throughout the process. Variations are due to arise as were not foreseen or considered in its initial design phase (Chan, 1997), and seems to be lacking motivation in improving these design processes in the ‘traditional method’ as this method gives builders time to make changes throughout the project.

As there is no room for variations in prefabrication, most of the time planning must be demanded in the design phase much rather than the construct phase as this will be too little too late.

There are many advantages and benefits to this process of prefabrication. A clear advantage would consist of the less time used in the construct period which therefore reduces the use of development practices on the work site.

The design and its procedures while using the prefabrication method uses extensive measures and are meticulously articulate. Therefore, once this process is successfully completed, logistical methods and set up will be the next order of process and can be a more effective process than the construct period.

Furthermore, prefabrication method allows for the project to be minimally affected by weather conditions, as this is a huge cause of major sub-contractor issues, along with having too many workers and material on site, play a huge advantage for prefabrication.

 

Implementation Challenges for Prefabrication

There are many reasons that have resulted in the slow progression of prefabrication into the construction industry and is shown in many articles and research papers.

Issues arise when comes to integrating the assessment of how prefabrication can be implemented.