Off-Site Prefabrication - Benefits And Considerations | Value Engineering Essay

a. You have been asked by your construction company to investigate the introduction of a project management information system on all the sites to provide the most effective way to manage the resourcing required to install the off-site prefabricated panel system into the retail shops. Produce a briefing paper for a meeting that critically appraises a particular project management information system derived from your research, and which raises issues for the construction management teams to consider when introducing the off-site prefabricated panels to the various projects.

b. The construction director has been asked by the client to conduct a Value Engineering exercise for the various retail shops that will be adopting the off-site prefabricated panels. Prepare a report for the director that both critically evaluates the benefits of conducting a Value Engineering exercise and provides guidance for the various construction management teams.

c. Critically appraise and evaluate methods for the construction management teams to ensure the required quality for the various retail shops using the off-site prefabricated
panels. 

Definition of off-site construction

According to Smith (2014, p.3), offsite construction may be defined as either the components or the structures which primarily built and constructed at a different locality and thereafter, they are transported to the actual site for the installation. Off-site prefabrication is a vital and critical aspect in tackling all the issues related to the various constructions across the world. In fact, many countries tend to resolve and adopt the technique as the fundamental solution as far as the development is concerned. For instance, the United Kingdom has often taken the method to solve the construction-related issues such as clients’satisfaction, safety record, delays, profitability, national economy as well as the availability of the trained workforce (Smith, 2014).

Reasons for Choosing Off-site Prefabricated Modern Methods

There are some benefits which make most construction companies prefer the prefabricated method over other traditional constructions techniques and these factors mainly discussed as follows

1. Quality: the method often offers higher-quality finishes while at the same time minimizes all the related defects. In fact, all the defects eliminated in the process before these materials used for work-form completions in the construction site.
2. Safety: this method is environmentally friendly and thus, offers safer working area as far as the factory conditions are concerned.

• Cost: this method is cost efficient as the repeated processes in line with moulds are carried out in a standardized manner and thus, reduces all the preliminaries, site storage, formwork materials alongside on-site facilities.

1. Waste: the method has minimal residues associated with it as technique produces reduced off-cuts from the introduced prefabricated reinforcements and formwork bars.
2. Programme: the method has increased overall predictability, and this is because it has little external factors which may include weather.
3. Local disruption: off-site prefabricated modern methods have minimal effects on the environment. For instance, the technique has little dust as well as noise pollution as compared to other traditional construction methods.

• Accuracy: since the off-site prefabricated modern methods utilize the computer-aided designs, all the formwork produced as accurate and thus, offers the best finishes as compared to other methods.

Issues to Consider when Introducing Off-site Prefabricated Modern Methods

Various factors need to be considered by the panel as far as the Off-site Prefabricated Modern Methods introduction is concerned, and these factors mainly discussed as follows

Capital is often used for purchasing the production equipment, and the initial investment amount is not an essential element but also a crucial factor to consider. In essence, the equipment, plant, as well as the skilled workers, needs to be obtained before the production exercise commences. However, the material, plant, as well as the specialized workers, requires a considerable amount of investments and this should only be done if the overall production will be beneficial and sufficient in the long run. Contrary, the output of the materials can also be done at the construction site and thus, it will save on the transportation costs. Therefore, the aspect is important and need to be appraised by the panel before they embark on the process.

Secondly, prefabricated panels require different equipment for the construction and the installation of the kits. The kits are often used for the location as well as for the positioning of the prefabricated panels. Therefore, this is an essential factor which needs to be incorporated in the appraisal including all the operating costs which they might have in the long run.  

Time is an essential factor to be considered when introducing this modern method, and it is believed that the technique shortens the overall timeframe which is required to complete the construction exercise. The reduced time duration is posed to the fact that prefabricated method requires a little amount of workforce at the makeable building site.

Reasons for choosing off-site prefabricated modern methods

This is a method which has been unified in line with the component and sizing space management. In fact, the technique ensures that all the elements join and fits on one another without having additional modifications on the items. Hence, it is a critical parameter which must be considered when introducing the off-site prefabricated modern construction method. Some of the changes which are associated with the norm and must be taken into account mainly include trimming alongside lengthening and these needs to be done irrespective of the manufacturers (Mesároš, &Mandi?ák, 2015). 

It can reduce production costs by up to 30%. However, this saving is partially offset by shipping costs. Transport of large panels is also subject to certain restrictions. These limitations should be taken into account even for a friend that method of construction.

Task 2: Report to Directors on Value Engineering and Importance  

Value engineering is an exercise which involves the use of project teams in the development of a project. It is generally both team and function-oriented activity which focuses mainly on the reduction of cost. Apart from cost reduction function, it also focuses on the provision of quality performance to the customers. The above methodology aids in solving problems and improving quality and performance requirements. Value engineering identifies the fact that a good value usually attained when a variety of performances are clearly defined and carried out at low life-cycle cost. Value engineering typically results in numerous benefits that are both to an organization and an individual (Mao, Xie, Hou, Wu, Wang, & Wang, 2016).

For an organization, there are numerous benefits associated with value engineering and such include; the methodology is cost saving since little cost is used during construction. Moreover, it enables an organization attain some of the required functions (Hashemi, 2015).

Also, value engineering helps in enhancing stakeholder engagement, and this is because it involves a group of individuals who work together as a team to achieve the goals of a particular project. Another benefit is that it clearly defines and measures a variety of values related to the production of predicated panels and this enables the organization to comprehend the values of the project. Furthermore, value engineering helps in improving the comprehension of the output of prefabricated panels and hence validate the costs incurred for the activity undertaken for the project (Hergunsel, 2011).

The other benefit to an organization is that it improves the corporate culture by enhancing creativity and innovation. Also, it attains the improvement of corporate culture through the introduction of a variety of new approaches and ideas (Arashpour, Wakefield, Lee, Chan, & Hosseini, 2016).

Issues to consider when introducing off-site prefabricated modern methods

The other benefit of value engineering is that it helps in improving the quality of performances during construction of the prefabricated panels and this result to production of valuable products. Additionally, value engineering typically provides a return on investment that usually ranges from 20.1 to 100.1, and this generates high profits to the organization.

 Value engineering also helps in reducing paperwork, and this is because the exercise is more digitalized and typically involves storing information in the databases in a computer. Another benefit of value engineering is that it enables a particular organization to achieve the set objectives during the construction of the prefabricated panels within the schedules of the project and hence it is cost effective (Xue, Zhang, Su, Wu, & Yang, 2018).

Furthermore, the procedure aids in increasing the efficiency of some procedures involved in the production of the prefabricated panels in the organization and this typically leads to the production of high-quality panels. Additionally, value engineering helps in the enhancing  valuable attitudes among the team members and the staff at large resulting in the production of quality prefabricated panels.

 Another benefit of value engineering to an organization is that it aids in the improvement of resource allocation efficiency and this involves proper allocation of resources for adequate and quality production of prefabricated panels. The value engineering procedure also helps in accommodating a variety of customers’ requirements and hence satisfies the demands of clients (Musa, Yusof, Mohammad, & Mahbub, 2014).

With the application of value engineering, group technology is made possible to apply, and this usually leads to quality of performances during the production of the prefabricated panels. There are also very minimal cases of being rejected by a variety of customers when value engineering is used for construction purposes since it offers value to the clients. Value engineering is also associated with higher market share, and this is valuable to a particular organization since it will primarily lead to the generation of higher profits drawn from such a more significant market share (Alazzaz, & Whyte, 2015).

Another benefit is that it reduces the downtime of processes involved during the production activity of prefabricated panels and hence less time is often used, and the cost is therefore lowered in regards to time (Miles, 2015). 

Value engineering also leads to higher productivity of a variety of prefabricated panels, and this is due to the simplified manufacturing processes used during the production. The benefits mentioned above are qualitative; however, there are quantitative benefits often associated with value engineering. For instance, it helps improve systems, communication, and procedures used in an organization resulting in the production of quality prefabricated panels. The other qualitative benefit is that it results in job satisfaction and this is due to the professional autonomy which enables an organization to face and thus overcome a variety of technical challenges which may inhibit production activities (Kolo, Rahimian, & Goulding, 2014).

Task 2: Report to Directors on Value Engineering and Importance

Apart from the benefits which are created by an organization, there are specific benefits to an individual. Value engineering, for example, assists individuals by improving on their abilities and knowledge and this is because of the workshop team members who are from a variety of backgrounds and hence share different expertise in the course of the workshop (Arashpour, Wakefield, Abbasi, Lee, & Minas, 2016).

 It is also a systematic process which enables different individuals to develop skills that allow them to solve both simple and complex problems. It also provides an opportunity to various individuals to exercise and thus prove their creativity, skills and ingenuity thus the individuals will produce high-quality prefabricated panels in particular organization (Council, 2013).

Value engineering usually involves the participation of individuals in making a variety of decisions, and this leads to an increase in the commitment and morale of the particular individuals. Furthermore, it enables the development of preparedness and capability to withstand a variety of changes which revolves around quality and demand of different clients. While applying the value engineering procedure in the construction of prefabricated panels, the participation process is often transparent and this result in a more informative decision by individuals. Additionally, it acts as a motivator to various individuals in an organization, and this often leads to higher productivity of prefabricated panels in an organization (Castillo, 2012). 

Value engineering further creates an atmosphere which allows for creativity in particular organizations and hence various individuals get encouraged to provide a variety of suggestions those results in better functioning and ultimately cost reduction. Another benefit of value engineering is that it enables a joint decision making and this is attributed to working on different projects as a team which leads to division of workload among all the team members. The other benefit is that it offers a better comprehensive understanding among the individuals in different departments and hence ensures that there are control and coordination (Boyd, Khalfan, & Maqsood, 2012).

The application of value engineering in the construction of prefabricated results to the production of an enhanced value of products produced and hence it is considered as a valid procedure. It also helps in the improvement of appearances of products that is the prefabricated panels obtained using the system. The application of value engineering also enables particular organizations to compete successfully in the marketplace since its results are usually efficient when compared to the other approaches (Hashemi, 2013).

Task 3: Construction Management Methods used in Off-site Prefabricated Panels

There are various construction management methods associated with the off-site prefabricated designs for the retail shops and these methods mainly discussed as follows

In this method, the concrete is reinforced in-situ and thus, the techniques employ various lend in line with the construction. The techniques mainly rely on the layouts, the overall sequences as well as differential technologies applied. These are discussed as follows

Deck and Frame Construction 

The structural components used in this category mainly comprises of the columns and the precast beams. Often, the method is suitable for the construction of the car parking as it offers ample spacing which results from the span of about 16m concerning the column positioning (Marzia, 2013). The various connections which are utilized in the formation and installation of the deck and frame construction mainly include

• Column-to-column connection
• Column-to- base connection
• Beam-to-column connection
• Beam-to –base connection

It is a modern method which employs the technique of load bearing. In fact, the load bearing in the process mainly utilized to provide the overall vertical support as well as assisting in the provision of the lateral stability along the precast floors. Moreover, in the technique, the external panel walls will assist in providing the longitudinal stability for both the staircase and the lift cores. In designing the bridging components, it will be utilized both the façade walls and the load bearings will support the floors, beams as well as roofs.

Mesároš &Mandi?ák (2015) believes that "that the system is ideal and viable for the construction of both the orthogonal and cellular grids more so, for the rooms with at most 4m by 9m."  Therefore, the technique helps in the creation of an efficient building regarding structural components which can have high standard levels for the installation of fire and sound insulators concerning the adjacent rooms. The below connection can be used in Crosswall construction

• Wall-to-wall vertical joints
• Wall-to-wall for the horizontal joints
• Wall-to- base and wall-to- the foundation

Notably, all the precast elements should be the construction site at the appropriate time. Hidden ties and fittings in addition to the vertical and horizontal works need to be grouted so as to reduce instances of progressive collapse during or after the completion of the construction. All the electrical and mechanical works and finishes need to carried out and completed before the commencement of precast structure works (Steinhardt, & Manley, 2016).

These are all the factory modules which are decisively installed to form the cellular systems on the site but, can also be used as self-contained cell independently. These modules are often cast as either panels or a room and thereafter be joined successively in the company before being delivered to the construction site. However, for the cellular technique, all the ground floor cells need to be laid in a pre-prepared manner such that the individual floor slabs modules are lowered and thus, forming the roofing units (Alazzaz, & Whyte, 2015, April).  

It is important to note that cellular systems are often used in developing repetitive designs. Thus, they are commonly used in prisons, student halls, hotels, as well as for residential buildings. On the other hand, self-contained cells are broadly applied in the scenarios which require specialized purposes and services, and these include bathrooms pods, wet room, and utility service rooms. The constructed mainly commences with the lifting of the modules and aligning them in position, then doweled and the bolted techniques applied to finish the process (Hashemi, & Hadjri, 2013).

The method applies the precast elements principle of providing an in-situ concrete permanent formwork. Thus, the process helps in removing all the in-situ concrete and formwork and thereby, eliminating time waste on site. It also creates ample and safer working environment and platforms as the accidents are also reduced progressively due to the permanent installations. Moreover, all the necessary large spans are often achieved using this method. This is because of the existences of the cast structure and the composite formwork behaviors. Subsequently, the hybrid method also helps in overcoming the shear stresses at the various component precast reinforcement and shear studs interfaces (Rahimian, Goulding, Akintoye, & Kolo, 2017).

It is an important aspect which should be appraised in the construction management methods in line with the off-site prefabricated technique. The various classifications mainly discussed in the process are as follows

There are different ranges of the precast connections and these anonymous primarily include

1. Rigid Connection: the connection technique is capable of accommodating and sustaining bending moments, horizontal and vertical actions. In this method, all the stiffness is maintained, and this is due to existences of the relative angle at the various connection points (Hashemi, 2014).
2. Pinned Connection – Although the connection can successfully accommodate as well as sustain both the horizontal and the vertical angles, it cannot work for the bending moments. Therefore, there is a freedom of movement for the connected members, and thus, they can rotate towards one direction. This is because the pinned connection does not have stiffness (Sousa, Jones, Mirzaei, & Robinson, 2017).

• Semi-rigid Connection – it is classified as an intermediate between the pinned and the rigid classes.  Semi-rigid connection has the capability of sustaining both the horizontal and the vertical actions alongside some elements of moments in the process.

References

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