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Defects in offsite construction: timber module prefabrication

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Listed:
  • Helena Johnsson
  • John Henrik Meiling

Abstract

The construction industry is based on craftsmanship. Quality control and assurance procedures applied in manufacturing cannot usually be readily applied in construction, where there are higher degrees of uniqueness in each project. One category of companies, industrialized housebuilders, is attempting to bridge some of the gaps between construction and manufacturing. These companies prefabricate building modules for later assembly at the building site. Since they are wholly responsible for large parts of the building process, these companies have greater opportunities to control and improve quality in a more consistent way than ordinary construction companies. Thus, it could be hypothesized that the frequency and severity of defects should be lower in industrialized housing than in ordinary construction. The aim of the study presented here is to examine this hypothesis by measuring and characterizing defects in industrialized housing. The design and manufacturing processes at two Swedish timber module prefabrication firms has been analysed through interviews, site visits and document reviews. Quality audits from three phases of the building process were compiled, analysed and categorized to provide statistical measures of defects in industrialized housing. The results show that the case study companies are better in terms of product quality than conventional housing.

Suggested Citation

  • Helena Johnsson & John Henrik Meiling, 2009. "Defects in offsite construction: timber module prefabrication," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(7), pages 667-681.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:conmgt:v:27:y:2009:i:7:p:667-681
    DOI: 10.1080/01446190903002797
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Hosang Hyun & Hyung-Geun Kim & Jin-Sung Kim, 2022. "Integrated Off-Site Construction Design Process including DfMA Considerations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Xiaer Xiahou & Jingfeng Yuan & Yan Liu & Yuchun Tang & Qiming Li, 2018. "Exploring the Driving Factors of Construction Industrialization Development in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Antiopi Koronaki & Aurimas Bukauskas & Aftab Jalia & Darshil U. Shah & Michael H. Ramage, 2021. "Prefabricated Engineered Timber Schools in the United Kingdom: Challenges and Opportunities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-15, November.
    4. Petri Uusitalo & Rita Lavikka, 2021. "Technology transfer in the construction industry," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(5), pages 1291-1320, October.
    5. Gustav Jansson & Helena Johnsson & Dan Engstr�m, 2014. "Platform use in systems building," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(1-2), pages 70-82, February.
    6. Lei Jiang & Zhongfu Li & Long Li & Tiankun Li & Yunli Gao, 2018. "A Framework of Industrialized Building Assessment in China Based on the Structural Equation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-20, August.
    7. Jozef Švajlenka & Mária Kozlovská, 2021. "Factors Influencing the Sustainability of Wood-Based Constructions’ Use from the Perspective of Users," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-16, November.

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