It might seem daunting, time consuming & prohibitive for smaller practices, to implement BIM. Not with Driving Vision!
Prefabrication and modular construction change the way structures are built. This article is part of a series in which we explore how methods address the following issues: eliminate waste, reduce transportation, diminish carbon emissions, streamline processes, speed up the construction cycle, and improve efficiency
The global modular and prefabrication construction market will grow from $91 billion in 2022 to $120.4 billion by 2027. Let us explore the advantages of using prefab and modular construction, the differences between prefab and modular, and why you should use these techniques.
Prefabrication is part of modular construction, as components of a structure are assembled or manufactured off-site and the prefabricated parts are affixed on the construction site to the building.
In the construction industry prefabrication and modular constructions should be combined with BIM to generate huge cost savings, and enable teams to track, manage, and collaborate.
These methodologies help integrate automated processes, lean manufacturing, and fabrication best practices.
Innovation and investment in modular and prefabrication construction facilitate the delivery of project goals by improving efficiencies and exploring new ways of working.
Prefab and modular construction make businesses more competitive they allow them to overperform in the labor shortage crisis, mitigate extreme weather risks, and avoid government restraints like the one imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below we explore the main advantages of using these techniques.
Activities on traditional construction sites can be chaotic and risky. Managing safety in these conditions can be a nightmare.
Construction accident rates are quite high as many workers are on-site at the same time as delivery vehicles near heavy machinery, especially in bad weather conditions.
In a prefabrication and modular environment, you have greater control over these risks, making the work environment much safer.
The safety benefits reduce the physical impact on workers, as most of the work is performed in a manufacturing environment preventing lassitude and related accidents, and it mitigates risk associated with lifting heavy materials.
The structural integrity and durability of a building are safe as joints are cut in the factory environment reducing fall risks and other dangers induced by rough weather.
Working with prefab and modular construction allows you to meet deadlines, with certainty and reliability. It helps mitigate the risks of high penalty costs associated with project delays.
Lean manufacturing best practices in automated, streamlined, controlled processes, avoid delays and eliminate the risk of overtime, and adverse weather conditions issues.
In a manufacturing environment, you can monitor easily your supply chain and avoid running out of materials on site, reducing RFI, and easing the search for highly skilled tradespeople on short notice.
Lean manufacturing may improve the quality of your projects by limiting unplanned installation and workers not being on-site when needed. A reliable schedule results in manageable organization, material delivered to the site in less time, and higher profitability.
Cost predictability is one of the top advantages of prefab & modular construction. Companies offering these construction methods report a site logistics cost reduction.
Pre-planning using Building Information Modeling (BIM), modular construction, and prefabrication, helps save money by finding design errors at the design phase before starting construction, avoiding costly reworks, improving efficiency with automated processes in the factory shop environment, and reducing waste to less than 5% in the manufacturing phase.
The technologies in prefab and modular construction connected to BIM improve communication.
Lean manufacturing best practices used in the fabrication shop, coordinated with on-site activities, help to reduce weather risks by limiting delays and slippage.
Lean is also helpful in creating new jobs in the industry by increasing productivity and quality using automated equipment integrated into the manufacturing and logistics systems and the construction processes.
Lean manufacturing methods and advanced technologies reduce the project time cycle. It improves and reduces the overall project schedule, increases safety, enhances quality, delivers efficiency, and increases accuracy in estimating and planning productions and on-site assemblies.
The main benefits of prefabrication and modular construction methods in managing a project are running fabrication machines nonstop 24/7, easing the customization of materials, - sizing and cutting prefabricated modules before delivery to the site, and assembling modules, quickly and easily.
All modular buildings are prefabricated buildings.
Prefabricated structures are modular, panel-built, and manufactured.
Modular construction requires rules: a committed design team, a meticulous manufacturing process, an excellent collaboration between designers, manufacturers, and contractors, and more eco-friendly structures.
Now, let us explore the differences between prefab and modular:
The modules In modular construction, are built in the factory and transported to the construction site.
Prefabricated panels are shipped to the site and contractors assemble them on-site.
Manufactured homes and other prefabs only need to meet public housing occupancy guidelines.
Modular buildings must pass the same building codes as traditionally built structures.
Prefab buildings have less strength and durability than modular structures. They are more problematic, less energy efficient, and better for the environment during development and assembly, but less convenient during building in-use.
Modular constructions are more robust solutions. They are durable, resist rough weather conditions, and have fewer fluctuations impacting their developments, and deterioration during construction.
Manufactured homes and other prefab buildings are not considered true real estate, they are private property, the same as your vehicle. They depreciate more rapidly.
Modular buildings are considered real estate.
The estimated AI Global Modular Construction Market was valued between US $ 104,65 billion and 214.76 billion in 2034.
Modular buildings provide more design and style freedom, they look identical to frame-built structures.
Prefabricated buildings have modern appearances and styles thanks to their fixtures and fittings.
Modularized and prefabricated constructions are a way to minimize inefficiencies in the construction industry.
The biggest issue in the AEC industry is the amount of waste generated. Modular construction and prefabrication allow you to recycle leftover materials and reduce waste.
Shifting from traditional sites into factories with off-site manufacturing-style production, whenever possible, will improve your bottom line.
Designers predict that the overall number of future prefabrication and modular construction usage will not increase. The percentage of projects using panelized modular in construction will grow according to contractors.
Architects mainly use panels and modules, like walls. Contractors use structural insulated panels. Both design practices and general contractors use modular roof panels. Designers moderately use modular floor panels, but they may generate an uptick among contractors when implementing design solutions involving modular floors.
Full volumetric is a project type used less than panelized modular construction but future predictions are strong.
The three types of full volumetric modules currently in use are:
Companies report usage of factory-made turnkey buildings like bathroom pods, utility rooms, etc. over the last few years. Trade contractors believe the use will grow significantly.
Most company types will be implementing factory-made turnkey building units on their projects.
The Modular Building Institute defines modular structures as:
Structures are designed to be reused or repurposed multiple times and transported to different building sites.
Design companies report some usage but predict growth in the next three years
Contractors are using relocatable modular, and believe they will do so for the foreseeable future.
Trade contractors are the least active now, we do not envisage it will improve soon.
Once considered a second-class solution, for cheap properties, modular construction is no longer considered a second-class solution.
With the development of modern technologies, economic demands, and owners changing their views, the interest in modular construction is increasing worldwide. Here are some examples are:
Using prefabrication and modular construction will help you to:
Speed up the construction process. With modular construction, the foundation, and the building can be built at the same time. The average reduction in the entire process in factory-based prefabrication is 20 to 30 percent compared with traditional construction. The Chinese city of Wuhan built a hospital in just a few days, using these techniques, to treat patients suspected of contracting the coronavirus.
Improve return on investment. In prefab and modular construction, costs are predictable, allowing you to plan your budget appropriately at the beginning of the project, rather than just having a rough estimate. The prefabricated structures allow your buildings to be constructed sooner than on-site construction projects, so you can open your business's doors early and begin making profits earlier.
Cut costs. A shorter build time will save money. Another factor is that the labor costs are cheaper, as in prefabrication you use factory workers rather than individual tradesmen like plumbers and electricians. Limited interruptions, due to weather-related issues as the teams work inside, enable them to work even in inhospitable weather conditions. Building materials are stored inside and stay cleaner as they are protected from the elements.
Decrease site disruption. With modular construction you can keep your site open longer when constructing, keeping your client's business running or their activity flowing. When a factory, in Wales realized that a traditional site-built project could block its only shipping entrance for nine months, they decided to go modular. They completed delivery and installation in a few weeks and the entrance was out of service for less than a day.
Reduce pollution. In modular construction, materials are delivered to a factory, lessening the number of vehicles going to the site, and reducing air and noise pollution.
Minimize waste. Using lean manufacturing methods in modular factories, you reduce waste making it easier to recycle construction material and use environmental principles during construction.
Facilitate quality control. The modular method of “in-house” design and production reduces clashes and helps designers, engineers, and builders to spot and correct problems at the design stage, avoiding costly reworks.
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Of practices using BIM made positive ROI
Of practices using BIM improved health and safety
Of practices using BIM decreased errors and omission
Of practices using BIM enhanced their practice image
Of practices using BIM claimed less litigations
Of practices using BIM reduced rework
It might seem daunting, time consuming & prohibitive for smaller practices, to implement BIM. Not with Driving Vision!
