Modular Construction vs. Traditional Construction: Advantages and Limitations: A Comparative Study

Subramanya, Karthik; Kermanshachi, Sharareh; Rouhanizadeh, Behzad

doi:10.3311/ccc2020-012

Cited by 13 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…For example, MC projects yield higher emissions during the transportation of materials and modules as compared to on-site construction. Research also indicates that MC can emit higher amounts of GHGs when modules are transported longer distances [21]. This aspect of MC can be counter-intuitive to reducing GHG emissions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…By closing the resource loops in the CI, MC can alleviate the imbalanced resource utilization, thereby contributing to the attainment of targets set by SDG-12 [79]. Moreover, MC has the potential to foster "Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG-11)" owing to its versatility, adaptive reuse, and ability to sustain vertical expansion [21]. As SDG-11 aims to develop economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable dwellings for humankind, MC can assist by promoting resourceful land use in the CI.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Climate Change Mitigation through Modular Construction

Sajid,

Ullah,

Qayyum

et al. 2024

Smart Cities

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Modular construction (MC) is a promising concept with the potential to revolutionize the construction industry (CI). The sustainability aspects of MC, among its other encouraging facets, have garnered escalated interest and acclaim among the research community, especially in the context of climate change (CC) mitigation efforts. Despite numerous scholarly studies contributing to the understanding of MC, a holistic review of the prevailing literature that systematically documents the impact of utilizing MC on CC mitigation remains scarce. The study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) of the pertinent literature retrieved from the Scopus repository to explore the relationship between MC and CC mitigation. Employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, the SLR was conducted on 31 shortlisted articles published between 2010 and 2023. The findings of the study reveal that MC can mitigate the climate crisis by reducing GHG emissions, curtailing resource intensiveness by enabling a circular economy (CE), fomenting energy efficiency, and fostering resourceful land use and management in the CI. A conceptual framework based on the findings of the previous literature is proposed in this study, which outlines several strategies for CC mitigation that can be implemented by the adoption of MC in the CI. The current study is a humble effort to review various offerings of MC to help mitigate CC in the era of striving for global sustainability. For industry practitioners and policymakers, this study highlights the viability of leveraging MC for CC mitigation, aiming to inspire better decision making for sustainable development in the CI. Similarly, for researchers, it presents MC as a potential tool for CC mitigation that can be further explored in terms of its associated factors, and focused frameworks can be developed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change Mitigation through Modular Construction

Sajid,

Ullah,

Qayyum

et al. 2024

Smart Cities

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This finding aligns with the results of comparative studies which highlight that modular construction can lead to a 10-25% decrease in construction costs. One of the primary factors contributing to these cost savings is reduced material transportation, as components are produced off-site and then assembled on-site, leading to more efficient logistics and lower overall expenses [58].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-Agent Simulation Approach for Modular Integrated Construction Supply Chain

Attajer,

Mecheri

2024

Applied Sciences

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The shift from traditional on-site to off-site construction marks a significant evolution in the construction industry, characterized by increasing levels of prefabrication. These advancements enhance construction efficiency, reduce lead times, and mitigate environmental impacts, leading to modular integrated construction (MiC). However, MiC presents complex supply chain challenges, particularly in the transportation of prefabricated components and fully integrated modules. This study addresses these challenges by employing a multi-agent simulation using AnyLogic to optimize MiC transport logistics. The simulation models the interactions of various agents involved in the MiC process to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. Results demonstrate that using three vehicles per supplier minimizes total transport costs, effectively balancing fixed and variable expenses while eliminating penalties for project delays. The findings highlight the cost efficiency of MiC, showing potential savings due to centralized assembly and optimized logistics. These significantly reduce material transportation and related costs, contributing to the overall efficiency and sustainability of construction projects. These insights underscore the value of multi-agent simulation in addressing the complexities of MiC supply chains.

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“…These advantages make it a suitable choice for many applications, particularly ones where time, cost, quality, and sustainability are critical considerations, especially in educational buildings that feature modular and repetitive spaces. Some of the main advantages of modular buildings include: [8]  Prefabricated buildings are constructed in a controlled factory environment in conjunction with site preparation. This greatly reduces construction time compared to traditional on-site construction.…”

Section: Literature Review Of the Concept Of Modular Buildingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modular Building Units as a Rapid and Flexible Approach for Adaptable Educational Buildings With Available Sites

Ahmed

2024

Engineering Research Journal (Shoubra)

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Education was and will remain an indispensable tool for the progress of nations. Therefore, strategies must focus on ensuring that children have access to education for all. However, as the demand for education continues to rise, it has become imperative to create schools with flexible building systems that meet the evolving needs of students and teachers. Not only do these buildings accommodate a larger number of students, but they also provide learning environments appropriate to pedagogical standards, considering factors such as rapid construction, flexibility, and sustainability. The study proposes the concept of a modular building unit, which allows its implementation in different building systems, to achieve flexibility, speed, and efficiency. To clarify the advantages of modular units, an illustrative model was proposed for the flexibility of designing school buildings in patterns that keep pace with the variables of most sites, or as in cases of expansion in existing schools. The study concludes that the advantages of using this method in buildings allow for providing an educational environment suitable for standards at an appropriate time.

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Modular Construction vs. Traditional Construction: Advantages and Limitations: A Comparative Study

Cited by 13 publications

References 53 publications

Climate Change Mitigation through Modular Construction

Climate Change Mitigation through Modular Construction

Multi-Agent Simulation Approach for Modular Integrated Construction Supply Chain

Modular Building Units as a Rapid and Flexible Approach for Adaptable Educational Buildings With Available Sites

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