The adoption of prefabricated building systems has grown due to the need to reduce duration and cost of construction projects, as well as to improve quality and working conditions. However, the adoption of those systems requires an intense exchange of information to integrate the production of components, logistics operations, and site assembly. This is particularly important in engineer-to-order environments, in which the level of uncertainty tends to be high. This research proposes a model for planning and controlling the delivery and assembly of ETO prefabricated building systems, emphasizing the integration between site installation and logistics operations. This model was devised in an empirical study carried out in a company that delivers and assembles prefabricated concrete structures. The main theoretical contribution is a set of approaches to implement the “pull production” and “reduce variability” principles in this particular context, exploring synergies that exist between Lean Production principles and Building Information Modeling (BIM) functionalities.

Managing industrialised construction requires an accurate synchronisation of design, manufacturing and assembly processes. Considering the high uncertainty and the interdependences between different processes on site, it is important to consider the status of the construction site in the planning and control process. Understanding the demands of site assembly in terms of components is a key step for integrating fabrication and site assembly. One possible approach is to use Building Information Modelling (BIM) for planning the logistics operations of prefabricated building systems.The aim of this paper is to describe an application of BIM 4D modelling for supporting the planning and control process of logistics operations for Engineer-toorder (ETO) concrete prefabricated structures. Design Science Research was the methodological approach adopted in this investigation, which involved an empirical study carried out in partnership with a company that design, produces and assemble prefabrication concrete structures. The main contribution of this investigation is on how to increase the reliability of information exchanges by concentrating product and process information in a BIM model. Also, some guidelines on how to plan loading and unloading operations, and how to use BIM to assess changes in production plans, considering the logistics impacts.

Resumogestão de sistemas pré-fabricados demanda uma intensa troca de informações entre a fábrica e a obra, de forma a sincronizar a fabricação, as operações logísticas e o processo de montagem, principalmente em ambientes engineer-to-order, no qual o nível de incerteza tende a ser alto. A literatura sugere o uso de Building Information Modeling (BIM) para facilitar o compartilhamento de informações e apoiar a tomada de decisões, assim como a aplicação de conceitos e princípios da Produção Enxuta. Particularmente em relação ao processo de montagem, o BIM 4D pode ser utilizado para simular algumas operações, apoiando o planejamento e controle da produção. O presente artigo propõe um conjunto de diretrizes para a utilização do BIM 4D e conceitos e princípios da Produção Enxuta para apoiar a gestão logística do processo de montagem de sistemas pré-fabricados em concreto do tipo engineer-to-order. Foi adotada a abordagem metodológica da Design Science Research, tendo por base um estudo empírico realizado em uma empresa que fornece estruturas pré-fabricadas de concreto. As principais contribuições do trabalho referem-se o uso de BIM 4D para padronizar as operações logísticas e para a gestão de informações relacionadas ao status do sistema. Palavras

Resumo Nos últimos anos, tem se observado um aumento na utilização de sistemas construtivos industrializados, entre os quais estruturas metálicas, que podem contribuir para eliminar perdas e reduzir duração dos empreendimentos. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo propor um conjunto de diretrizes para o planejamento e controle do processo de montagem de estruturas metálicas prefabricadas, utilizando conceitos e ferramentas relacionados à Produção Enxuta. A abordagem metodológica utilizada foi design science research, sendo o trabalho desenvolvido em parceria com uma empresa que projeta, fábrica e monta sistemas construtivos em aço. Foram implementadas diversas melhorias no planejamneto e controle da produção (PCP) da empresa, em duas etapas: a primeira com a participação de um pesquisador como facilitador do processo; e a segunda com a implementação conduzida por gerentes da própria empresa. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram a necessidade de adaptação dos modelos de PSP e do PCP existentes na literatura ao contexto de sistemas de estruturas metálicas. A principal contribuição do trabalho foi a proposição de um conjunto de diretrizes para conceber o processo de PCP em empresas que fornecem sistemas construtivos de aço.

Background Although slack is an asset to resilient hospitals, it is usually explicitly discussed only in terms of the quantity and quality of beds and staff. This paper expands this view by addressing slack in four infrastructures of intensive care units (ICUs) (physical space, electricity supply, oxygen supply, and air treatment) during the COVID pandemic. Methods The study occurred in a leading private hospital in Brazil, aiming at the identification of slack in four units originally designed as ICUs and two units adapted as ICUs. Data collection was based on 12 interviews with healthcare professionals, documents, and comparison between infrastructures and regulatory requirements. Results Twenty-seven instantiations of slack were identified, with several indications that the adapted ICUs did not provide infrastructure conditions as good as the designed ones. Findings gave rise to five propositions addressing: relationships intra and inter infrastructures; the need for adapted ICUs that match as closely as possible the designed ICUs; the consideration of both clinical and engineering perspectives in design; and the need for the revision of some requirements of the Brazilian regulations. Conclusions Results are relevant to both the designers of the infrastructures and to the designers of clinical activities as these must take place in fit-for-purpose workspaces. Top management might also benefit as they are the ultimate responsible for decision-making on whether or not to invest in slack. The pandemic dramatically demonstrated the value of investing in slack resources, creating momentum for this discussion in health services.