Comparative analysis of the productivity levels achieved through the use of panelised prefabrication technology with those of traditional building system : a thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Construction, School of Engineering & Advanced Technology, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
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Date
2016
DOI
Open Access Location
Authors
Shahzad, Wajiha
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Massey University
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The Author
Abstract
Several studies have documented benefits of prefabricated building system compared to the
traditional approach. Despite the acknowledged benefits of prefabrication, its application is
generally low in the New Zealand construction industry. This low uptake is largely attributed
to the fact that the documented benefits of prefabrication technology are anecdotal, or based on
investigations of isolated case studies. This study aims to contribute to filling this knowledge
gap by analysing cost savings, time savings, and productivity improvement achievable by the
use of panelised prefabrication in place of the traditional building system. A two-phased
mixed method of research was adopted for the study. The first phase involved the use of case
study-based archival research to obtain qualitative data from records of 151 completed
building projects in three cities of New Zealand – Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. The
second phase involved the use of questionnaire survey to obtain feedback from industry
stakeholders. Results showed that the use of panelised prefabrication in place of traditional
building system contributed to 21 percent cost saving, 47 percent time saving and 10 percent
average improvement in the productivity outcomes in the building projects. Results further
showed that 17 factors could significantly influence the levels of benefits achievable with the
use of prefabrication technology. ‘Building type’ and ‘location’ were the factors having the
most significant influence on the benefits achievable by the use of panelised prefabrication in
place of the traditional building systems. Other factors that influence the benefits of
prefabrication included (in diminishing order of influence): logistics, type of prefabrication,
scale/repeatability, standardisation, contractor’s level of innovation, environmental impact,
project leadership, type of procurement, whole of life quality, site conditions, site layout and
client’s nature.
Description
Keywords
Modular construction, Prefabricated buildings, Construction industry, Industrial productivity, New Zealand, Research Subject Categories::TECHNOLOGY::Civil engineering and architecture::Building engineering, Cost, Time, Performance, Prefabrication