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Tran Duong Nguyen & Pardis Pishdad-Bozorgi (2023). Overcoming the barriers toward widespread adoption of
prefabrication: An approach involving emerging technologies. Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference of the
International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC31), xx–xx. doi.org/10.24928/2023/XXXX
Modular and Off-Site Construction 1
OVERCOMING THE BARRIERS TOWARD
WIDESPREAD ADOPTION OF
PREFABRICATION: AN APPROACH
INVOLVING EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Tran Duong Nguyen1 and Pardis Pishdad-Bozorgi2
ABSTRACT
Today, prefabricated construction is rapidly expanding due to the development of factory-
prefabricated components, fast construction site assembly, and sustainability. Despite the
advantages, there are several problems, such as a lack of process standardization, poor
communication and coordination, a lack of variety and transportation logistics, and a lack of
trust and collaboration among stakeholders. Fortunately, the successful evolution of emerging
technologies has facilitated growth in the building sector. By implementing literature reviews,
this research aims to understand better the issues disrupting the widespread adoption of
prefabricated construction and integrate innovative solutions and approaches to these issues.
We will discuss prefabricated construction and its applications within the building sector by (1)
comparing it to conventional construction method; (2) investigating the advantages and barriers
toward widespread adoption of prefabricated construction; (3) developing an approach for
applying advanced technologies in prefabrication, and (4) applying an approach to demonstrate
how prefabrication overcomes conventional building issues. Our research suggests that an
integrated approach combining advanced technologies during the prefabrication process will
help solve the most significant problems that construction projects face, such as productivity,
quality, safety, and sustainability. Additionally, the integration will provide a promising
strategy to transform the construction industry from traditional to industrial.
KEYWORDS
Prefabrication, modular construction, off-site construction, Building Information Modeling,
Blockchain.
INTRODUCTION
Modular or prefabricated construction is one of the advancing breakthroughs in the construction
industry (NIST, 2015). However, the outcome could be more encouraging due to a lack of
standardization, poor communication, a lack of collaboration among stakeholders, and the
complexity of transportation logistics (Z. Zhang et al., 2022). One of the main reasons that holds
back the advancement and widespread application of modular construction is the need for more
standardization (Razkenari et al., 2020). However, most modern buildings attempt a complex
and innovative design. These designs need further preparation and customization (Eastman et
al., 2011). Due to their lack of industry experience, most modular construction companies need
assistance learning what is required on-site and how to proceed throughout the manufacturing
1 Ph. D student, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, dnguyen458@gatech.edu,
https://darch221.wixsite.com/nguyentranduong, 0000-0002-0024-4828
2 Ph. D, Associate Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States,
pardis.pishdad@design.gatech.edu, https://bc.gatech.edu/people/pardis-pishdad-bozorgi, 0000-0003-4208-
9755
Overcoming the barriers toward widespread adoption of prefabrication: An approach involving emerging
technologies.
Proceedings IGLC31, 26 June - 2 July 2023, Lille, France 2
phase. Moreover, there are several contracts because of the complexity and the many
stakeholders involved in prefabrication (Razkenari et al., 2020). Also, their complexity has
created confusion over time. The builders and suppliers keep facing their challenges and
creating coordination and trust is a new challenge.
An answer to the need for coordination and trust among stakeholders in traditional
construction practices has been the Integrated project delivery (IDP) method, along with a
single Smart contract between various stakeholders. The same approach can be applied to solve
a distinct set of problems in the modular construction approach since the foundation of these
problems still needs coordination and trust among stakeholders. Technology such as BIM is
commonly used to design projects. However, one critical approach is integrating the supplier
and design teams right from the start so the feasibility of building the prefabricated blocks can
be quickly done. The complexity of numerous contracts has limited each stakeholder's capacity
and left no space for transparency. A single contract signed by all suppliers and builders prior
to the start of the project is one solution.
Among construction technologies, BIM and Blockchain stand out as reliable and complete
methods in construction because it is a potential instrument that helps stakeholders understand
the advantages of prefabricated construction, allowing them to have better control. In
conducting this review, this research attempts to answer the following key questions:
RQ1: What is the current state of prefabricated construction in research-related fields?
RQ2: What are the advantages and barriers of prefabricated construction compared to
traditional building methods in terms of advanced technologies?
RQ3: What are the technological advancements or solutions in prefabricated construction from
a research perspective?
RS4: How might emerging technologies promote prefabricated construction from a research
standpoint?
The successful approach and widespread adoption of technology in prefabricated
construction are the most promising strategies for transforming the construction mode from
traditional to industrial. The purpose of this research is to examine the current barriers that are
holding the prefabricated construction approach back and to bring solutions to those challenges
using innovative technologies such as BIM and Blockchain. The authors hypothesize that
advanced technologies assist in problem resolution in prefabricated construction.
METHODOLOGY
The authors conducted a literature review to find relevant data on the uses of emerging
technologies as a solution to the barriers toward the widespread adoption of prefabrication. This
study's methodology provides a set of data analyses to present the qualitative approach through
concepts, experiences, and insight into scholarly publications. Initially, data was gathered from
a variety of sources. The original search keywords are prefabricated construction, modular
construction, off-site construction, emerging technology, Building Information Modeling, BIM,
Blockchain, etc. The initial literature review identified research gaps and emerging trends in
the construction industry's relevant modular or prefabrication topics. This step helped the
researchers become familiar with the current state of knowledge and the constraints of a
particular topic.
Additionally, the literature review attempted to answer the research questions raised below
about applying technologies in prefabrication. The study provided basic knowledge on the uses
of emerging technologies to solve the challenges in the prefabricated construction method and
developed an approach for the data analysis. The research approach was used as a filter in the
decision support framework, which will assist researchers in choosing technology for review.
Lastly, the research applied the integrated approach for the applications of advanced
technologies jointly to the prefabrication methods as a solution to the challenges that are
Tran Duong Nguyen & Pardis Pishdad-Bozorgi (2023)
Modular and Off-Site Construction 3
consequences of the traditional construction methods, including BIM and Blockchain. The
study delivered a research concept schema or a roadmap for academic researchers to analyze
and discuss technologies using the suggested approach.
`
Traditional Construction Prefabricated Construction
Challenge #1
Challenge #2
Challenge #3
Solution #1
Solution #2
Solution #3
Solution #1
Solution #2
Solution #3
Solve
Solve
Solve
Solve
Solve
Challenge #1
Challenge #2
Challenge #3
Solve
Advanced Technologies
... ... ... ...
Sovle Sovle
Figure 1: Proposed research conceptual schema
RESEARCH BACKGROUND
Several problems occur in the traditional construction method, one of them being sustainability,
as 2.2 billion tons of construction waste are generated globally, of which 600 million are in the
USA (BigRentz, 2021). Nearly 30% of all material delivered to the site ends up in the landfill.
Construction costs rise, delays occur, and 98% of all construction projects incur cost overruns
or delays (Tafesse et al., 2022). Time delays, productivity, and weather account for 60% of cost
overruns (Weatherbuild, 2018). Safety is one factor that needs to be thoroughly enhanced
regularly on the construction site, and it does not depend on physical health but on mental health.
Noise pollution is abundant; 51% of all construction workers have experienced dangerous noise
exposure, and approximately 14% of laborers have a hearing impairment (NIOSH, CDC, 2021).
Construction methods and techniques also change with the seasons, so construction relies on
clear weather; therefore, workers' livelihoods depend on weather conditions (Myers &
Swerdloff, 1967). Longevity also plays a role, as it is easier to tear down than to renovate at the
final phase of a structure's life, and it is harder to control quality (Tavares et al., 2021).
`
Waste
Noise and Air
Pollution
Seasonality
Sustainability
Factory Environment
Cost Control
So l ve
So l ve
Cost Overruns
Uncon tr olla ble
Quality
Unsafety
Quality Control
Increased
Safety
So l ve
So l ve
So l ve
So lve
PREFABRICATED
CO NS TR UCTION
Solutions
TRADITIONAL
CO NS TR UCTION
Challenges
Figure 2: Traditional methods versus Prefabrication
Overcoming the barriers toward widespread adoption of prefabrication: An approach involving emerging
technologies.
Proceedings IGLC31, 26 June - 2 July 2023, Lille, France 4
Accordingly, the study suggests using prefabrication or modular construction to address
these problems (Figure 2). The advantages of the modular method are quality assurance and
predictable outcomes (S. Wu et al., 2022). Due to this factory environment, there is a reduction
in noise and air pollution in the surrounding community, a smaller site footprint, and less
material stored at the factory. We can work in any weather condition (Wilson, 2019). The costs
are also reduced as they decrease by combining factory and site activities. Doing that can reduce
the project duration and site assembly time. There is also a reduced labor requirement, which
improves productivity (Zadeh et al., 2018). Safety also increases as there is better control of
dangers to health and safety in an industrial environment, a 63% overall reduction in safety
accidents, and a reduced chance of fall-related injuries (Chubb North America, 2020). Finally,
wastage reduces as there is 52% less construction waste, 44% less energy consumption, and 9%
less contribution to global warming (Z. Wu et al., 2021).
LITERATURE REVIEW
While prefabricated construction has numerous benefits, this practice still needs improvement
and has some issues. They need more standardization in the process, which means more
familiarity and expertise to implement prefabrication. Prefabrication demands accurate and
trustworthy data as well as increasingly automated equipment. There needs to be better
communication and coordination than there has historically been. There needs to be more
cooperation between builders and their suppliers, and a lack of communication with vendors of
off-site prefabrication requires risks of unanticipated expenses and flaws. All supply chain
participants and companies should have (Lopez et al., 2022). Traditional construction gives us
beautiful and aesthetic buildings, and there is a lot of variety in modular construction that needs
more variety because complex designs involve more planning and custom designing.
Everything is restricted to what can fit on a truck (Eliwa et al., 2020). Transportation also
disturbs the smooth working flow of prefabrication, as difficulties arise from the movement of
prefabricated components to prevent storage issues and idle time; fabricated parts need to be
delivered only in order to prevent the supply chain from becoming more complex (Stroebele &
Kiessling, 2017). Finally, stakeholders need more trust and collaboration because supplier
companies typically carry the most risks, and factory follow-ups and performance monitoring
are often done improperly. A systematic performance measurement system and real-time
analysis are necessary to analyze and continually improve the manufacturing process due to the
complexity of prefabrication, the significant number of stakeholders engaged, and the number
and complexity of contracts (Chen & Samarasinghe, 2020).
Furthermore, Z. Zhang et al. (2022) successfully reflected the recent changes in the
Australian prefabrication industry in particular and explored the benefits and challenges of
implementing prefabrication from industrial perspectives globally.
Table 1: Benefits and challenges shared by academia and industry interviews,
adapted from Z. Zhang et al. (2022)
Benefits/ Solutions
Challenges
1
Time saving
Cost inefficiency
2
Better quality
Lack of skilled workforce
3
Energy saving
Lack of standardisation
4
Improved construction safety
Transportation & logistics issues
5
General cost benefits
Misconceptions
6
Reduce on-site work and labour
Inflexible for design change
7
Reduce on-site construction waste
Market demand
8
Addressing skills shortage
Site access
9
Lower production cost
Lifting safety
Tran Duong Nguyen & Pardis Pishdad-Bozorgi (2023)
Modular and Off-Site Construction 5
10
Less disruptive to neighbours
Protection during transportation
11
Relief housing demand
Compliance and inspection
12
Waste recyclability
Lack of automated adoption
13
Material saving
Bankability
14
Light weight of prefab. materials
Moisture control
15
Increase project certainty
Fire, thermal and acoustics testing
16
---
Payment process
Note: Table 1 showed summary results of the industry’s perspectives on the challenges of using
prefabrication. It provided a valuable reference for all parties in the prefabrication supply chain,
to update their knowledge or understanding of the barriers toward widespread adoption of using
prefabrication and their corresponding recommendations.
Through a literature review and interviews, Z. Zhang et al. (2022) classified the significant
challenges into eight aspects related to feasibility, design, manufacturing, transportation, on-
site construction, standardization, skills and knowledge, finance, and market. The authors
summarized recommendations to tackle these barriers, particularly in adopting digital
technologies in prefabricated construction. The application of cloud-based technology, the
Internet of Things (IoT), BIM, and Blockchain, has been proven effective in improving
information exchange, reducing uncertainties during logistics, and therefore improving the
schedule performance of prefabricated construction. The findings could help local industries
and governments develop roadmaps and policies promoting prefabrication. Similarly, Jin et al.
(2018) implemented a holistic review approach incorporating bibliometric search,
“scientometric” analysis, and in-depth qualitative discussion for reviewing and summarizing
off-site construction literature published between 2008 and 2018. The authors proposed a
framework to link current research areas in off-site construction to future research directions.
The study found that sustainability, standardization, safety, and productivity are the
performance measurements of prefabrication projects. Supply chain management,
standardization, automation, fragmentation, and logistics are project delivery processes for off-
site construction, considering the life cycle assessment approach. At the same time, the
inclusion of multiple stakeholders and project parties in the design stage of a modular project
is regarded as critical in some social and cultural contexts. The readiness of stakeholders to
adopt off-site construction within a specific country or cultural context is crucial, as well as
global cross-country comparisons. This review-based study provided both academic and
practical implications. Scholarly, this study added to the body of off-site construction
knowledge by focusing on developing off-site construction research in the last decade.
With the potential of applying digital technologies, the construction industry is at the point
of a transformation driven by prefabricated construction. However, based on the detailed
literature review, the authors have explored common challenges while implementing
prefabricated construction. Some of the identified barriers include (a) lack of design, (b) lack
of standardization, (c) poor communication and coordination, (d) transportation and logistics
issues, and (e) lack of trust and collaboration among stakeholders.
Generally, the current research on prefabricated construction focuses on improving
technology and addressing the barriers to the widespread adoption of prefabrication and its
opportunities. The current studies aim to solve the challenges of prefabricated construction by
applying BIM and Blockchain technology in different applications. However, combining these
two technologies to collectively solve the challenges faced in the widespread application of
modular construction is a new approach. Moreover, the values of integration and “building trust
among all the stakeholders” from integrated project delivery are enforced by involving various
suppliers, builders, architects, fabricators, engineers, and transporters right from the beginning.
In such a case, the feasibility and duration of each sub-procedure can be accurately calculated.
Overcoming the barriers toward widespread adoption of prefabrication: An approach involving emerging
technologies.
Proceedings IGLC31, 26 June - 2 July 2023, Lille, France 6
Also, allowing them to coordinate through a Blockchain setup sets the steppingstone for
developing a culture of trust and coordination.
BIM
`
Solutions
Wa ste
Noise and Air
Pollution
Seasonality
Sustainability
Factory Environment
Cost Control
Customized Design
BIM + AI
Creation of Standard
Modules
Exact Measurement &
Information
So lve
So lve
So lve
So lve
Lack o f varie ty in Desi gn
Lack o f standa rdization
Poor C ommunicat ion &
Coordination
So lve
Cost Overruns
Uncon troll able
Quality
Unsafety
Quality Control
Increased
Safety
So lve
So lve
So lve
So lve
Trans portation Logisti cs
Lack o f Trust &
Stak ehold ers Colla bora tion
Challenges
PREFABRICATED
CO NST RUCT ION
Solutions
TRADITIONAL
CO NST RUCT ION
Challenges
PREFABRICATED
CO NST RUCT ION
Dispute Resolution
Inventory
Management
Smart Contract
BLOCKCHAIN
Solutions
Sol ve
Sol ve
Sol ve
Figure 3: Proposed research conceptual schema to address the barriers toward widespread
adoption of prefabrication in literature review.
DISCUSSIONS
Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Blockchain are emerging technologies that have the
potential to advance prefabricated construction significantly. In combination, BIM and
blockchain have the capability to greatly enhance the efficiency, quality, and transparency of
modular construction, leading to improved outcomes for construction stakeholders. By
leveraging these technologies, prefabricated construction can become more reliable, efficient,
and cost-effective, making it a more sustainable option for a broader range of projects.
This section presents the relevant data found in the literature on the uses of BIM and
Blockchain to aid the problems commonly raised in the prefabrication method.
BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BIM)
Originally, it took a remarkably long time for BIM to displace its predecessor, which at first
started with hand-drafting, computer drafting, computer-aided design (CAD), and other
computer-based systems. BIM is technically designed to increase information integration
among project stakeholders significantly. Integrated information is the foundation and the
source of integrity and insight, which allows an integrated team to make the best decisions for
the project. By using visualization as a platform, BIM can help an integrated team create the
aesthetics of a design and interpret the values of the building's owner and end users. Simulation
is another primary use of BIM, which allows teams to evaluate alternative designs and strategic
interventions to reduce risks and negative impacts. In addition to monitoring the initial cost, the
team can now analyze energy consumption, workflow, natural light, and previously
unmeasurable values like “openness” and “connectedness” (Martin Fischer et al., 2017). The
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry continues to push forward to build
quicker, smarter, and more efficiently. As a result, using BIM has become crucial to achieving
these goals of creating structures in a shorter timeframe while maintaining safety and
sustainability. BIM is used in the world of prefabrication to make this construction more precise
and efficient. While prefabrication has its issues, such as a lack of variety, standardization, and
communication, BIM can be used as an effective method to ensure these issues are addressed
and avoided.
Tran Duong Nguyen & Pardis Pishdad-Bozorgi (2023)
Modular and Off-Site Construction 7
BIM offers the unique ability to design with the intention of prefabricated, allowing for
designs to be specified and designed around how they are to be sent directly to the shop and
then from the shop to the site (Jang & Lee, 2018). In most cases, construction projects include
errors only discovered once they are already on site due to a lack of communication between
the AEC parties. Using BIM, these errors can be discovered quickly and designed in a way that
they can visualize the building components, identify clashes, and then create shop drawings that
either compensate for or fix the issue. This saves a tremendous amount of money in the later
stages of construction when time is a crucial aspect of the project. To truly earn the benefits of
BIM in prefabrication, the total collaboration between the architects and subcontractors is
crucial to creating efficient prefabricated parts that include all the necessary mechanical,
electrical, and plumbing (MEP) for the intended prefabricated structure. In the case of the
500,000 ft2 Miami Valley Hospital, a 12-story addition was added using prefabricated modular
bathrooms, casework, headwalls, and workstations (Architecture | NBBJ, 2012). Architects
worked countless hours with different MEP contractors, nurses, managers, and more to find the
most efficient design while creating a usable and effective space. It was estimated that using
this method increased productivity by 300% and saved more than two months off the 30-month
project total. BIM helped achieve these feats by allowing the architects to find ways in which
parts of the overall model could be designed for prefabrication and fit onto the truck for
transportation.
BLOCKCHAIN
Blockchain has been around for a couple of years; however, its use within the construction
industry has yet to be fully utilized. The use of Blockchain within prefabrication offers the AEC
industry vital support in notarization-related applications to reduce the time for authenticating
documents, transaction-related applications to facilitate automated procurement and payment,
and source-related applications to improve the transparency and traceability of construction
supply chains (Li et al., 2021). These solutions greatly help reduce typical issues within
prefabrication, such as collaboration between multiple parties, shipping planning, and trust/
stakeholder collaboration. The Blockchain is a mode of Distributed ledger technology (DLT)
where all the processes of business or construction can be verified and uploaded. It acts as a
distribution network where no single authority is needed to maintain the verification of involved
parties, giving stakeholders complete access to track construction history and check the
recorded data conveniently (Li et al., 2021). Because of its highly trustworthy database, the
Blockchain allows massive construction data to be kept impartially; in other words, an extensive
range of information may be used in a traceable, secure, and sustainable manner (Li et al., 2021).
We can then use Blockchain to create and automate various parts of the prefabrication process.
An event completion, whether that be material arrival at the fabrication facility or completion
of the fabricated item, would then trigger the next step within the automated contract to begin
quality checks, time recording, payments, and so on. Within the supply chain, prefabrication
can be difficult in terms of tracking regarding the status of the condition or location of the
designated object. Blockchain offers the ability to track smart construction objects (SCOs)
through their sensing, processing, and communicating capacities to facilitate information
exchange among various construction resources (Lu et al., 2021). By attaching a Radio-
frequency identification (RFID) or Quick response (QR) code to these SCOs, we can create
checkpoints along the supply chain that automatically track these objects and update the
Blockchain contracts with relevant and accurate data regarding the positioning and status of
prefabricated items. Figure 4 shows a detailed SCO plan for construction processes with two
types of models (Lu et al., 2021), which are model 1: a low-energy, single GPS sensor for
location-based service in off-site logistics and model 2: high-frequency multiple motions and
environmental sensors for off-site production and on-site assembly.
Overcoming the barriers toward widespread adoption of prefabrication: An approach involving emerging
technologies.
Proceedings IGLC31, 26 June - 2 July 2023, Lille, France 8
`
Match data
Flexible
SCOs Plan
ID
Geometry
Schedule
ID
Time
IoT Data
`
Match data
Status
Author
Quality
Matched data
ID
Time
IoT Data
`
Matched data
Driver
...
ID
Time
`
Histor y
Producer
Contractor
Matched data
...
GPS
ID
Time
`
Sub-Contractor
...
3D Motion
IoT Data
Matched data
Safety
IoT Data
Matched data
Desig n Production Storage Logistics On-Site
Assembly Facility Management
Client, De signer
Production Factory, Supplier
Cross-border Logistics
Sub-Con & Main Contractor
Operation & Maintenance
Figure 4: An SCO plan for construction processes: Off-site production, logistics, and on-site
assembly services, adapted from Lu et al. (2021)
RESULTS & FINDINGS
The challenges or barriers mentioned earlier still exist in the prefabricated construction
method. Figure 5 below illustrates how each of those five issues could be solved by
implementing an integrated approach using BIM and Blockchain technologies during the
prefabrication process.
First, the lack of variety is caused by complex designs requiring more planning and custom
design with size restrictions so that the prefabricated fragments can fit in the truck for
transportation (Eliwa et al., 2020).
Second, the lack of standardization in the prefabrication process demands more precise and
trustworthy data, as well as more automated machinery (Rose Morrison, 2021). There is also a
need for more familiarity and expertise in implementing prefabrication because workers need
to be able to create documents accurately and efficiently. Using BIM helps analyze constraints
to give maximum efficiency in designing project fragments that can be prefabricated and fit on
a truck. It allows for the prefabrication of sophisticated systems such as irregular exterior
paneling and MEP modules (Jang & Lee, 2018). BIM helps analyze the exact data, providing
the exact measurements of the fragments the subcontractor requires for module prefabrication.
Third, poor communication and coordination are common among builders and their
suppliers. BIM reduces discrepancies in a final model among both designers and manufacturers,
shrinking the procurement schedule as an embedded BIM execution plan can facilitate design
cooperation from the start of a project and any required adjustments or modifications on a model
that can be incorporated before the proper production phase without adversely affecting the
project and product duration and quality (Mostafa et al., 2020). Also, to aid the poor
communication and coordination among stakeholders, Blockchain technology allows multiple
shareholders to obtain smart connected product (SCP) status data in real-time while linking
various stages, responding quickly to worrying occurrences, and reducing energy consumption
(Li et al., 2021). Furthermore, by combining Physical asset tracking (PAT), Digital asset
management (DAM), and Distributed ledger technology (DLT) contracts through apps,
industry partners may leverage a variety of (current or unique) asset tracking and management
Tran Duong Nguyen & Pardis Pishdad-Bozorgi (2023)
Modular and Off-Site Construction 9
systems and link them to smart contracts and Blockchain technology (van Groesen & Pauwels,
2022). Organizations are able to pre-set prerequisites on the Blockchain that allow customers
to effortlessly engage in the Smart product-service systems (SPSS) chains for (1) notarization-
related implementations to shorten the amount of time required for document authentication;
(2) money transfer applications to support automated sourcing and payment; and (3)
authenticity applications to enhance the traceability and transparency of construction supply
chains (Li et al., 2021).
BIM
Solutions
Customized Design
BIM + AI
Creation of Standard
Modules
Exact Measurement &
Information
So l ve
So l ve
Lack o f varie ty in Design
Lack o f standardi zati on
Poor Communicat ion &
Coordination
So l ve
Transpo rtation Logi stics
Lack o f Trust &
Stakeholder s Collaborati on
Challenges
PREFABRICATED
CO NS TR UCT ION
Dispute Resolution
Inventory
Management
Smart Contract
BLOCKCHAIN
Solutions
Solve
Solve
Solve
Figure 5: BIM and Blockchain technologies to aid Prefabrication challenges.
Fourth, transportation logistics in the prefabrication process are essential given the
difficulties of transporting prefabricated components, such as reduced waiting time and
warehousing concerns since the fabricated parts must be shipped just-in-time to prevent further
difficulty within the actual supply chain (Stroebele & Kiessling, 2017). The transportation
logistics of modular components from manufacturing facilities to construction sites require
careful planning and coordination. Issues such as limited transportation capacity and delivery
schedules can impact project costs and time. Blockchain can help to overcome this challenge
in modular construction by providing shared-platform, immutable records of all project
transactions and activities, like design changes, construction progress, and material orders. This
makes sure that everyone is on the same page. Each document is time-stamped and digitally
signed, so all adjustments and decisions can be seen and cannot be changed.
In addition, inventory management for modular components is complex, with inaccurate
forecasting and supply delays causing production bottlenecks and project delays. Blockchain
can gather and store transparent demand data from sources like project designs, specs, and buy
orders. The system can predict the future demand for certain products in the Modular project
by using algorithms to analyze the historical demand data that is stored on the Blockchain. For
example, when a supplier ships a set of components in the construction supply chain, a unique
identifier for each part is recorded on the Blockchain. It makes a record immutable and
transparent. It includes important details such as the location, status, and estimated arrival time
Overcoming the barriers toward widespread adoption of prefabrication: An approach involving emerging
technologies.
Proceedings IGLC31, 26 June - 2 July 2023, Lille, France 10
of materials. As the components are transported and delivered, their progress is updated on the
Blockchain, providing real-time traceability to the construction company. With this information,
the construction company can plan the production and assembly processes to align with the
expected arrival of materials, ensuring just-in-time delivery.
Lastly, the lack of trust and collaboration between stakeholders is quite common in the
prefabrication construction method. Prefabrication projects require collaboration with new or
unfamiliar partners, such as modular manufacturers or suppliers. Establishing trust and effective
collaboration with these new stakeholders can take time and effort, especially if there is limited
prior experience or shared understanding. Additionally, in modular construction, where projects
often involve multiple parties across different locations, coordinating communication and
sharing information promptly and transparently can be challenging; manual verification is
required; and there is the potential for disputes leading to misunderstandings and a lack of trust.
Blockchain can enhance trust and collaboration in modular construction. For example, with a
smart contract on Blockchain, the payment process for modular building projects can be done
automatically. It can send payment milestones based on conditions already set, such as when a
job is finished or when quality standards are met. Once payments have been verified, they are
sent out instantly. It also cuts down on manual checks and arguments. In the study of van
Groesen & Pauwels (2022), a precise performance evaluation and real-time analysis system are
required to monitor and constantly improve the manufacturing process. In a register run by a
group of people working together, blockchain technology creates transparency and traceability.
Its use reduces misunderstandings and disagreements between the people who need to know,
and it automates the evaluation of progress and compliance with contractual responsibilities
when arranging individually made parts using geographic data tracking technologies (van
Groesen & Pauwels, 2022). Additionally, QR Codes may be used to track the status of
manufactured elements utilizing a mechanism of “fabricated,” “delivered,” “ready for
assembly,” “assembled,” “ready for verification,” and “verified” (van Groesen & Pauwels,
2022).
Apparently, the widespread adoption of BIM has been considered a strategy to accelerate
the growth of prefabricated construction following decades of slow advancement in the
industrialization of construction (Bimal Patwari and Scott Pittman, 2022). The findings reveal
potential solutions when applied to construction projects. BIM can address these challenges and
provide technical support for the growth of prefabricated construction. Using Blockchain and
Smart contracts in prefabrication improves supply chain transparency and traceability in
automated procurement, payment, and document authentication. Thus, the construction
industry has benefited from advanced digital technology, and the combination of BIM and
Blockchain technology within the construction context will discover more benefits of
prefabricated construction presently. It is suggested that BIM will help solve the most
significant problems that prefabricated construction projects confront now, such as lack of
design and standardization, poor communication and coordination, transportation and logistics,
and lack of trust and stakeholders’ collaboration.
FUTURE RESEARCH
This paper presents the investigations and literature review findings in the prefabrication field
of the construction industry. Even though there have been few implementations of Blockchain
in the construction sector, the study predicted that there would be significant benefits for
latecomers. The many advantages of combining Blockchain with BIM were emphasized. Future
research is needed to expand and enhance the application of innovative technologies in
prefabrication, such as construction 3D printing (C3DP), Virtual reality (VR), Augmented
reality (AR), and the Digital twin (DT). In addition, several current techniques or approaches
are being considered for the integration of advanced technologies into prefabricated
Tran Duong Nguyen & Pardis Pishdad-Bozorgi (2023)
Modular and Off-Site Construction 11
construction, such as Cloud-based computing, which stores data generated by BIM; integration
platforms like BIM360; collaborative workflows as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD); Machine
learning, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) which are being used to automate and optimize
processes. Developing and implementing new technologies in the prefabrication industry that
address supply-chain issues, safety concerns, and management challenges is necessary. There
should be a need for suitable research methodologies to integrate various other technologies to
ease the use of prefabrication in the construction industry, keeping the industry's traditional
approaches in mind. In general, using advanced technologies in prefabricated construction
offers many potential solutions but presents significant challenges that must be overcome to
realize its potential fully.
CONCLUSIONS
This research contributes to the body of knowledge by addressing the barriers to the widespread
adoption of prefabricated construction projects and developing an integrated approach for
applying advanced technologies to the prefabrication process. Our research suggests that an
integrated approach combining BIM and Blockchain technologies during the prefabrication
process will help solve the most significant problems that prefabrication projects face, such as
a lack of design, a lack of standardization, poor communication and coordination, transportation
and logistics issues, and a lack of trust and collaboration among stakeholders’ collaboration.
Together, BIM and Blockchain can help to streamline the prefabricated construction process in
terms of design up to date, the creation of standard modules, exact measurements, and
information, updated real-time data, different stage connections, transparency, and traceability.
Most significantly, the approach proposed in our research advanced the prior works by
proposing a conceptual schema for addressing each problem highlighted in previous studies. In
addition, this research demonstrates how prefabrication addresses challenges associated with
traditional construction and how the challenges associated with prefabrication can be addressed
through our proposed integrated approach involving technologies. This study benefits
professionals and academics by providing a framework for comparative analysis and
investigation into the benefits and drawbacks of various approaches. Although modular or
prefabricated construction has a long history, adoption remains remarkably slow. After decades
of limited development in the industrialization of construction, the widespread adoption of
innovative approaches and emerging advanced technologies is now seen as a viable approach
to accelerating the growth of modular construction in the near future.
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