Using Modularity to Reduce Complexity of Industrialized Building Systems for Mass Customization

Abstract

Abstract:It is widely known that industrialized building systems can positively impact construction projects in terms of efficiency, duration, safety, and quality. Although the use of industrialized building systems can potentially simplify the production process on-site, the complexity of the overall delivery system tends to be high, especially in engineered-to-order (ETO) environments, due to factors such as uncertainty related to goals and methods, conflicts between different trades on-site, and interdependence between supply chain members. This paper explores the concept of modularity, which has proven to be useful in different industries as a way of dealing with complex systems. The aim of this paper is to illustrate how modularity can reduce the complexity of ETO industrialized building systems, in companies that adopt a mass customization strategy. This investigation is based on two descriptive case studies on the development of modular structural steel systems for buildings that have adopted innovative beam-to-column connections. The main contribution of this research is demonstrating the need to adopt an integrated product and process-oriented conceptualization of modularity in industrialized building systems. Moreover, the comparison between the two case studies pointed out that the management of tolerances plays a key role in achieving high productivity and short lead times in structural steel building systems. This investigation also illustrates how the adoption of a limited set of modular components can be used to decouple design decisions, and standardize different types of processes.

Using co-creating mass-customisation and innovation climate for enhanced value

“…Therefore, the authors of this research paper detected mixed reported findings in the previous literature, that represent a gap for the current study as well as future researches as suggested by Squire et al (2004). Second, product modularity, the modular design is one technique for the masscustomisation approach, in which products are designed in the form of modules/components that are flexibly assembled/exchanged (Karlsson, 2002;Tu et al, 2004;Abdallah and Matsui, 2008;Heizer et al, 2017;Viana et al, 2017;Stevenson, 2018). This product modularity or modular design tactic satisfies both organisational functions, production and operations management in addition to marketing, because it saves manufacturing costs better than the customisation approach and augments customer delight more than the standardisation strategy (Duray, 2002;Heizer et al, 2017;Stevenson, 2018).…”

Quantitative Review of Construction 4.0 Technology Presence in Construction Project Research

“…The construction industry is already using prefabricated building parts and modules, which enable development and testing before realisation. Efficiency during construction can potentially increase with prefabricated parts or modules produced off site [6]. Production of building parts on or off site with 3D printing of different materials (i.e., additive manufacturing) can adapt and optimise constructions for specific purposes [3].…”

“…Definition of configurations based on data from operational use can prolong building lifecycles and increase usability [5]. Automated construction methods can improve efficiency and accuracy during production [6]. In the world, the construction industry accounts for 11% of the overall emissions and 6% of the energy consumption [7].…”

Mass Customization in the House Building Industry: Literature Review and Research Directions

“…The link between construction modularity and supply chain integration can, according to Pero et al (2015), be traced back to Northern Europe's use of wooden houses and the Japanese house building industry's systematic use of non-volume and volume pre-assembled modules. In a case study of two American construction companies, Viana et al (2017) found that both case companies use a modular supply chain design to support the construction of modular buildings.…”