Off-site construction (OSC), or prefabrication, is a key factor in improving productivity in the construction industry. According to the literature, the digital shift, combined with OSC, could double productivity on the job site. Industrialized construction is revolutionizing the construction industry by improving the quality and efficiency of construction and providing a solution to the construction industry's labor shortage. However, complex challenges remain, including standardization, design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA), and the integration of new technologies.
A DfMA platform to facilitate the construction of modular prefabricated wood structures is lacking in the wood OSC industry. There is a lack of studies that link OSC to the DfMA concept, a concept that is essential to the success of a prefabrication project.
The literature review identified current trends and emerging solutions in timber OSC. It also highlighted the use of design science methodology as a promising approach to innovation in this field. We followed this methodology, including needs identification, iterative design, solution evaluation and validation, and communication of results. The validation stage includes semi-structured interviews with industry experts to improve the proposed solution as much as possible.
This research has established a conceptual framework for an innovative DfMA digital platform to address the identified challenges. This conceptual framework ensures the application of DfMA principles and to simplify data and information flows within the project ecosystem to promote the use of modular wood prefabrication in construction.
| Date | 17 Jan 2024 |
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| Original language | French |
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| Awarding Institution | - École de technologie supérieure
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| Supervisor | Ivanka Iordanova (Supervisor) |
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Rochat, M. (Author),
Iordanova (Supervisor),
17 Jan 2024Student thesis: Master's thesis › Master in Engineering: Construction Engineering