Offsite Prefabrication and its benefits and implementation within the Construction Industry

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I certify that the work presented in the dissertation is my own unless referenced

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I would like to express my thanks to my advisor, for his suggestions, comments, patience and understanding. Very special thanks to my parents, my father, my mother, my brother and my sister who were continuously supporting me throughout my life and leaving me free in all my decisions. I would also like to thank my colleagues for his technical support whenever I needed. I would like to thank to Department, all the university managers, teachers and students with whom I have worked.

DECLARATION

I declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. I further declare that this work has not previously been presented in whole or part, for any other award, or published in whole or in part elsewhere, including this university. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

Prefabrication is a method of assembling and organising components of a building structure. It refers to the structure of building to any kind of manufacturing or residential or commercial sites. The research considers the process of the pre fabrication taking account of the supply chain process. The word prefabrication is also applied to the production and manufacturing of various things besides the structuring at a fixed premises for construction. It is in continuous use when the fabrication of any material, machinery or section is shifted or transferred from one manufacturing location to another site. The section, material or machinery is supplied, assembled and made ready to fit. The construction is a major industry, both for its economic weight and its impact on the environment. The construction sector has one of the highest accident rates in Europe. The supply chain of pre-fabricated construction is an important task that needs to be performed properly by the management. The purpose of this study is to discuss the concept of prefabrication in the construction industry and supply chain of pre-fabricated construction. This literature review section of this research will discuss concept of pre-fabrication in the construction industry and the strategies of the supply chain which are applied to the pre-fabricated construction sites. Factors that affect the process supply chain of pre-fabrication are also discussed in this section. The literature review section will also discuss different steps that are involved in the process of supply chain in the pre-fabricated construction and factors restricting the use of off-site prefabrication in construction industry. The discussion and analysis section will discuss findings from both literature review and interview survey.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1Research Aims and Objectives1

1.2Background of the Research1

1.2.1Construction Industry2

1.2.2Construction Industry of the United Kingdom2

1.2.3Prefabrication3

1.2.4The Process of Prefabrication3

1.2.5Offsite Construction5

1.2.6Conventional and Prefabricated Residential Construction6

1.2.7Supply Chain Management (SCM)6

1.3Structure of the thesis7

1.3.1Chapter I: Introduction7

1.3.2Chapter II: Literature Review7

1.3.3Chapter III: Methodology7

1.3.4Chapter IV: Data analysis and Discussion8

1.3.5Chapter V: Conclusion8

1.4Summary of the Chapter8

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE ...