Developing a weighted synergy network–based model for selecting prefabricated construction services

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a model considering synergy effect for prefabricated construction service combination selection.Design/methodology/approachThis research defines prefabricated construction service as a service-led construction method that meets the specific requirements of clients. Based on network theory, the multi-dimensional collaborative relationships of the prefabricated construction inter-services are formulated. The synergy effect is quantitatively calculated through the linear weighting of the strengths of collaborative relationships. Further, a weighted synergy network (WSN) is developed, from which a service composition selection model considering the synergy effect is established. Then, a genetic algorithm is employed to implement the model.FindingsThe results showed that (1) when the number of prefabricated construction services is increased, the synergy effect of combination options is enhanced; (2) The finer-grained prefabricated construction services, the stronger the synergy effect of service combination; (3) Clients have heterogeneous preferences for collaborative relationships, and there are differences in the synergy effect of service combination.Originality/valueThe contribution of this research includes proposed a method to quantify the synergy effect from the perspective of collaborative relationships, explored the specific procedure for the prefabricated construction service combination selection under the service-led construction, and provided a reference for promoting the development in construction. Besides, the model proposed could be applied to prefabricated construction service composition selection with diverse research boundaries or client preferences by executing the same procedure.

Integrated scheduling optimization of production and transportation for precast component with delivery time window

“…With factory production, fabricated construction and digitized management, the prefabricated building is considered to be an effective way to realize the intelligent operation of the whole life cycle of buildings and green development of urban and rural construction (Tam et al ., 2015; Arashpour et al ., 2018; Ji et al ., 2020; Wuni and Shen, 2020; Huang et al ., 2022). It is becoming an important trend to replace the traditional cast-in-place building in the construction industry worldwide (Tumminia et al ., 2018; El-Abidi et al ., 2019; Sabet and Chong, 2020; Aksoylu et al ., 2021; Qi et al ., 2023; Vasishta et al ., 2023). As plant production and transportation of precast components are two distinctive characteristics of prefabricated building, which is not found in traditional cast-in-situ construction, it is necessary to improve the management of component production and transportation (Fang and Ng, 2019; Kim et al ., 2020; Wang et al ., 2020; Du et al ., 2022; Xiong et al ., 2022).…”