Modular and Offsite Construction (MOC) Summit Proceedings
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Enhancing Thermal Comfort and Energy Efficiency in Buildings Using Artificial Intelligence: A Systematic Literature Review
Get PDFImproving thermal comfort in buildings is essential for enhancing occupant satisfaction and well being, but it can often lead to higher energy consumption. Adjusting heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, optimizing airflow, or maintaining consistent temperatures can increase energy use.
Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer the ability to manage both thermal comfort and energy efficiency simultaneously without sacrificing one for the other. This study utilizes a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of 230 studies to explore AI\u27s potential in improving thermal comfort and energy efficiency. The findings highlight six areas where AI outperforms traditional methods: (1) thermal comfort prediction, (2) personalized thermal comfort models, (3) occupancy detection and behavior prediction, (4) building design for comfort and efficiency, (5) fault detection and system diagnostics, and (6) occupant health and integration with other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) factors. This study highlights several examples of AI\u27s potential and suggests future research directions to fully harness these opportunities
Cable-Driven Parallel Robot for Module Facade Seam Sealing in Modular Construction: Static Workspace Analysis
Get PDFTraditional seam sealing methods in module construction rely on workers approaching modules at height via lifting platforms or hanging baskets and using tools to seal the crevices between two modules, which are time-consuming and offer a limited workspace. This study explores the use of cable-driven parallel robots (CDPRs) to help workers achieve a wide range of seam sealing, and two cable configurations with different dimensions of CDPRs are investigated to optimize the static workspace. The results reveal that increasing the cables and the CDPRs’ dimensions and controlling the platform in the center of the width side can increase their static workspace. The results suggest a potential to improve the efficiency of future seam sealing work
Research Trends in Affordable Modular Housing
Get PDFThis study explores the intersection of modular construction and affordable housing, emphasizing the gap between academic research and industry practice. Using a mixed-method approach that combines descriptive analysis, topic modeling, and thematic synthesis of 43 peer-reviewed studies and influential industry reports, the paper identifies key themes: cost efficiency, sustainability, rapid construction, and customizability. While academia largely focuses on technological innovation and environmental benefits, industry sources highlight persistent barriers— namely, financial constraints, fragmented building codes, labor shortages, and public skepticism. The findings reveal a misalignment between theoretical advantages and real-world feasibility, particularly regarding large-scale adoption. By critically comparing scholarly output with industry realities, the paper underscores the urgent need for integrated policy reform, standardized regulatory frameworks, workforce development, and financing models tailored to modular construction. Practical recommendations are offered to help policymakers and stakeholders bridge the research–practice divide and unlock the full potential of modular building as a scalable solution to the affordable housing crisis
A Fuzzy-AHP and House of Quality integrated approach for Lean Construction Concepts Assessment in Off-site Construction
Get PDFLean Construction (LC) combines theoretical research and industry best practices in an off-site industrialized construction environment that adopts Lean Manufacturing (LM) concepts and the know-how to reduce waste in the end-to-end lean construction process. Off-site construction industries strive to implement lean manufacturing theory and application to maximize the allocation of their resources, reduce construction waste, and optimize processes to be economically competitive. However, decision-makers usually encounter barriers while selecting the best lean tools for successful integration. Those barriers are organizational priorities, mass customization, process limitation, and improvement consensus. As a result, lean practitioners tend to implement tools such as Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Process Activity Mapping (PAM), Root Cause Diagram (RCD), Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA), Pareto Analysis (PA) to analyze and propose improvements to a manufacturing process effectively. However, the construction industry lacks a tool that can assess the effectiveness of the lean construction concepts implementation. Thus, this paper proposes an innovative approach to select and evaluate the appropriate lean concepts implemented in an off-site industrialized factory. Firstly, the assessment matrix utilizes Fuzzy-AHP in a pairwise comparison to determine the relationships and calculate the correlations between lean concepts based on the designed hierarchy structure. Secondly, the House of Quality (HoQ) matrix will be integrated to prioritize the selection criteria based on the company\u27s strategic requirements and customer requirements. Finally, the proposed multi-criteria multi-decision ranking matrix is able to prioritize the top lean concepts and demonstrate their combinational impact by eliminating participant\u27s subjectivity, bias, and preferences. The proposed assessment matrix was implemented in an off-site panelized construction case study to prove its effectiveness and validity. The results presented the synergies between different lean concepts combinations and their importance in a lean construction environment
A systematic review of quality management of offsite construction
Get PDFOffsite Construction (OSC) continues to gain popularity for faster, safer, cheaper and more sustainable construction project delivery. An improved quality performance is a chief selling point in the advocacy for the widespread adoption of OSC. Paradoxically, quality issues that arise in OSC projects can be extremely costly. However, quality management (QM) is underexplored in the growing OSC literature. This paper critically reviews the QM of OSC literature to uncover the state-of-the-art and proffer recommendations for future research. 38 articles, selected from Scopus and Web of Science, published from 2009 to 2021 and distributed across 20 journals, were selected through a systematic literature review supplemented by a snowball search. An overview of QM of OSC research is provided based on the yearly distribution of articles, country/territory of affiliation, journal sources, OSC types, project life cycle stages and technologies utilised. The findings revealed a growing interest in the sub-domain. The articles were categorised under six topics: post-production quality assessment, rework and defect management, quality risk management, process improvement, requirements management and quality performance factors. This paper also proposes future research directions based on the prevailing knowledge gaps
VDC management in the industrialization process using prefabricated reinforcement cages. Case Study: Ovalo Monitor Bridge
Get PDFReworks and delays in production processes are commonly found in construction projects associated with a low level of industrialization and a lack of design constructability. To promote industrialization, improve project constructability, and reduce the execution time, we implemented the Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) methodology. An industrialization strategy was established using a prefabricated reinforcement cages system (PRC) elements in an 870-meters bridge construction project in Lima, Peru. The objective was to improve the project buildability with high industrialization of the steel rebar works. We replaced the traditional on-site cutting and bending steel reinforcement processes with an industrial process that integrates construction management with the supply chain through Building Information Model (BIM). As a result, the level of industrialization of the PRC elements of the bridge substructure and superstructure reached 85% and 40%, respectively, aligned with a 16% execution time reduction of the project
Modular construction and circularity. A case study of a mass timber design studio
Get PDFThe increased use of wood-based materials such as CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) can reduce the GHG emissions of the construction sector. Likewise, offsite and modular construction methods can lead to more efficient material use, reducing construction-generated solid waste. However, it is worth noting that employing mass timber and modular construction is not automatically beneficial under all circumstances. The transition from the current linear, high-impact, and wasteful construction practices to a circular, regenerative one can offer an alternative solution to the problem. Moreover, high education institutions can play an influential role in this transition. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding education for circularity in architectural design. This paper aims to address this gap. It presents an educational approach integrating circular design principles with mass timber and modular construction in the setting of an architectural design studio. This paper analyses the pedagogical methods employed and the learning outcomes of the design studio. The results showed students successfully integrated architectural design and knowledge of modular mass timber technology with an innovative circular rationale and exceeded the learning outcomes in two cases
Affordable wall panels using sustainable waste materials: a review
Get PDFWith the enormous population growth in the last few decades, there is a demand for infrastructure development and rapid urbanization that result in the depletion of natural resources, emission of greenhouse gases, and subsequently, exacerbation of the climate crisis. Moreover, waste materials generated by different industries such as the construction industry end up by burning or dumping them in landfills further posing serious health hazards. Besides, skyrocketing prices of housing and limited income of major population groups have resulted in the housing crisis. Therefore, it is imperative to find low-cost, environment friendly and sustainable solutions to mitigate aforementioned problems. The literature indicates that the modular construction method could be a viable solution that can reduce waste generation and construction costs. This method has been extensively used in many parts of the world in different applications mostly in the construction of low-rise buildings. However, with the advent of technological advancement in the construction industry, studies have shown that modular construction can also be successfully employed for medium and high-rise buildings. This paper presents a holistic review of the existing literature on the development of modular wall panels to foster sustainability and alleviate the housing gap. To this end, a proactive approach has been undertaken to identify key research areas to study the use of waste materials in the development of modular wall panels. The results of the literature review revealed that modular wall panels have the potential to substantially reduce the construction cost and carbon footprint. The barriers to the growth of modular construction were also discussed in this paper
A principal component analysis of Organisational BIM Implementation
Get PDFBIM implementation by organisations is a bit challenging for many organisations. It has become an essential yardstick for project execution in the construction industry. However, many organisations struggle to achieve its implementation as they are still in the chaotic stage due to the BIM introduction. However, the knowledge of the inherent value and usefulness resulting from BIM implementation can help them transform from the status quo to a new status quo. The study adopted purposive sampling through a quantitative approach to identify the merits of organisational BIM adoption. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire from thirty BIM aligned construction organisations. The study identified the critical BIM benefits to construction organisations. In addition, the structure among the factors was identified through principal cluster analysis and three clusters were identified; these are achieving competitive advantage through BIM adoption, effective organisational process and enhanced work output and achieving project outcome. The results of this study provide insight, and it is instructive to stakeholders in the construction industry to aid BIM diffusion
Process evaluation of construction methods to quantify safety
Get PDFThe use of off-site construction methods is increasing within the construction industry. While this method has been captured by a variety of terms, they all refer to the process of producing project components in a manufacturing-like facility off-site and transporting completed units to site to be assembled to achieve the desired end-product. To support the quantification of safety performance in off-site construction versus conventional on-site methods, the research has developed a generalized model for capturing and evaluating construction methods. The methodology was developed in partnership with local practitioners to define, assess and compare on-site and off-site construction practices with a safety lens, and the methodology is partially validated in collaboration with various project owners to assess case study projects that employed off-site construction into their processes. The evaluation methodology takes a construction product-focused approach with emphasis on defining a complete material supply chain and capturing the data needed to support quantifiable safety evaluations of the process. As such, the approach takes a unique approach to establish an evaluation methodology for future comparisons