Mainstreaming pre-manufactured offsite processes in construction – are we nearly there?

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the current state of popular modern methods of construction (MMC) and pre-manufactured construction in the construction industry and propose a framework for future implications for practice and future research. Design/methodology/approach This technical paper is based on a narrative review of the extant literature on the subject. First, the Scopus search engine was used to retrieve relevant papers on MMC, offsite and pre-manufactured construction. Second, institutional literature such as reports by industry professional and trade bodies, literature from leading technology firms and contractors with experience of MMC were extracted. These two strands of literature were synthesised and a comprehensive discussion on the topic was provided. Findings Results show that journal publications on MMC and pre-manufactured construction have increased in the past decade. The paper found significant advances in the development of premanufactured and offsite construction approaches with many benefits. Offsite and pre-manufactured construction are viable and sustainable systems currently suitable for wider adoption as the mainstream construction method. Research limitations/implications This technical paper based on an integrative review of relevant literature could have benefitted from interviews of professionals with experience of offsite and pre-manufacture techniques and from wider availability of current academic publications on the subject. Validation of the framework has not been undertaken. Originality/value Not much-published work has been undertaken on the current state of development globally and the viability of these construction approaches. This paper evaluates evidence from academic and industry sources to address this gap. A framework has been developed which can help the industry’s industrialisation drive.

Addressing Waste During the Design Phase: A Matrix Model for the Interactions Between Robotic Systems and Lean Principles

“…The construction industry is undergoing a slow transformation but with an interest that has been growing over the last decade related to technology adoption (Ofori-Kuragu & Osei-Kyei, 2021). The industry has an important challenge where one of the barriers that prevent it from adopting new technologies is not being clear about the benefits that they will obtain by doing so, which is why when proposing the visual tool, it is expected that have a clear, direct benefit that the construction project will obtain, will encourage the construction industry to start to migrate to this type of digital solutions to increase efficiency and reduce waste in their projects.…”

“…Being an industry that involves projects of such great magnitude, such as buildings or hospitals, among others, that require so much labor that the traditional way of carrying out construction is no longer enough to meet the delivery of quality projects on time (Huang et al, 2021). Causing late delivery of projects that end up exceeding both budget and waste levels (Ofori-Kuragu & Osei-Kyei, 2021). The construction industry is being pushed to modernize and become more efficient (Bogue, 2018).…”

“It's your fault!” – said a public client to modernity advocates: an exploration of UK public sector’s viewpoints on the modern methods of construction

“…Scholar critics, however, reject the modernity of MMC, suggesting that this construction philosophy is not new but as as old as the pyramids (Arif and Egbu, 2010). Generally, scholars tend to shuffle in using terms that are highly relevant to the same meaning, such as prefabrication (Darlow et al, 2022), modular (Ofori-Kuragu andOsei-Kyei, 2021a), volumetric (Zhang et al, 2021), offsite construction (OSC) (Obi et al, 2023), and industrialised construction (IC) (Goh and Loosemore, 2017). Nevertheless, within the differences of terminological applications transpires a common undertone linked to the inversely proportional relationship between the higher use of offsite methods and the vital reduction of the onsite ones.…”

A Systematic Review of the Business Contingencies Influencing Broader Adoption: Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)

“…Moreover, convenience is reported to expand to MMC project stakeholders through more minor requirements for storage spaces, fewer errors, and enhanced safety [95]. Similarly, the greater the utilisation of MMC, the less requirement for onsite labour, achieving minor inconveniences for all stakeholders [17,96]. Hence, this value means that construction would not jeopardise clients' relationships with the surroundings but also achieve considerable convenience for everyone directly and indirectly involved.…”

“…However, MMC is demonstrating engineering capabilities through the ability to configure such developments with robust connections flexibly and in line with circular procedures [123]. Moreover, Ofori-Kuragu [96] describes the ability of MMC to meet clients' requirements by appearing "less modular". Hence, including aspects that would enable clients to sense the values associated with adopting MMC could be a vital addition to the value proposition element of an effective MMC business model.…”