Integrating Building Information Modeling with Logistic Chain: A Case Study of a Material Management System for Modular Construction

Quality control is essential to a successful modular construction project and should be enhanced throughout the project from design to construction and installation. The current methods for analyzing the assembly quality of a removable floodwall heavily rely on manual inspection and contact-type measurements, which are time-consuming and costly. This study presents a systematic and practical approach to improve quality control of the prefabricated modular construction projects by integrating building information modeling (BIM) with three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning technology. The study starts with a thorough literature review of current quality control methods in modular construction. Firstly, the critical quality control procedure for the modular construction structure and components should be identified. Secondly, the dimensions of the structure and components in a BIM model is considered as quality tolerance control benchmarking. Thirdly, the point cloud data is captured with 3D laser scanning, which is used to create the as-built model for the constructed structure. Fourthly, data analysis and field validation are carried out by matching the point cloud data with the as-built model and the BIM model. Finally, the study employs the data of a removable floodwall project to validate the level of technical feasibility and accuracy of the presented methods. This method improved the efficiency and accuracy of modular construction quality control. It established a preliminary foundation for using BIM and laser scanning to conduct quality control in removable floodwall installation. The results indicated that the proposed integration of BIM and 3D laser scanning has great potential to improve the quality control of a modular construction project.

Modular construction technology and applications are rapidly evolving. Modular construction is a process in which entire rooms or sections of rooms are built in a factory setting along with electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work and then transported to a final site for assembly. With modular construction, a building is built off-site, under controlled facility conditions, with the same materials and to the same codes and standards as conventionally built facilities, but in half the time. The modular construction method is used to build various types of buildings (whether they are apartment houses, office buildings, or hotels). This construction method is used for both permanent and relocatable projects. These projects can be built with two types of modules. These are 2D panels or 3D modules. These can be combined to form a third type, hybrid modular construction. Each has its advantages. 2D panels offer easy logistics and flexibility in building design and are mounted on site. Factory productivity is increased by using 3D volumetric solutions. They only need to be installed once they are delivered. The hybrid modular structure has the advantages of the previous two. With the recent development of Building Information Modeling (BIM), the use of modular construction methods in conjunction with BIM becomes more common. As with any method, this one has advantages as well as disadvantages. Disadvantages of this method, such as a higher number of complex decisions, front-loaded design, etc., can be solved with BIM. Furthermore, the BIM platform can resolve the disadvantages of traditional construction methods, such as the difficulty of pre-project planning and coordination among members of interdisciplinary professions. With BIM and the modular construction method, physical conflicts between the structural system and its mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems can be easily identified early in the design process, and resolution can be expedited. This article includes general information about the modular construction method, future application scenarios, use, and advantages of BIM. The document analysis method, one of the qualitative methods, was used, and in the light of the data obtained, comments and scenarios were tried to be created about the future of BIM and modular construction techniques. What distinguishes this study is that the concept of quality is examined in detail by using these two methods together.

Building information modelling (BIM) adoption transforms how construction projects are delivered. Modular construction (MC) is a modern construction method that drives continuous improvement and value addition globally. BIM and MC offer enormous benefits in enhancing project delivery and attaining sustainable construction. This is a major driving force causing the drift from traditional methods to a more digitised approach anchored on technology. Despite these benefits, the level of sophistication in project delivery and the application of these innovative methodologies are low and housing construction projects are delivered with poor performance outcomes in developing countries like Nigeria. This study assessed the inhibitors to the use of BIM in driving MC and the measures for improving the adoption of BIM in MC project deliveries in Nigeria. A well-structured quantitative questionnaire was administered to construction experts using Snowball sampling techniques via electronic means to collect data. With a response rate of 70% and a reliability index of above 0.80, the collected data were analysed using frequencies, percentages and mean item scores. It was found that the level of BIM and MC was high, but BIM adoption in MC was low. The inhibitors to this low adoption level are the high cost of investment in hardware and software, the comfort with the existing methods and resistance to change, the lack of management support, the complexity of BIM software, the lack of interest in sharing information among stakeholders, the problems with collaboration and the legal issues with multiple designs and fabrication. It is recommended that collaboration between construction and technology firms be encouraged to improve BIM application in MC for better productivity and project outcomes. The government should support the use of modern methodologies in the delivery of projects to help improve infrastructure provision, value addition and citizens’ well-being.

The global construction industry is observing a significant revolution towards faster, cost-effective, and sustainable building techniques, with modular construction at the lead. This practice comprises off-site construction of building components, leveraging factory-controlled atmospheres to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and minimize on-site labor challenges. Prefabrication in contemporary architecture and civil infrastructure has been energized by innovations in digital design tools, Building Information Modelling (BIM), robotic manufacturing, and sustainable materials. These developments address current encounters such as housing deficiencies, rapid urbanization, labor shortage, and environmental dilapidation. The significance of modular construction has been highlighted during global disorders like the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing the significance of speediness and scalability in edifice. Modular construction methods, comprising panelized (2D), volumetric (3D), hybrid, kit-of-parts, and sub-component assembly, offer benefits such as faster construction timelines, better-quality control, and reduced on-site waste likened to traditional approaches. However, challenges such as site-specific limitations, lack of technical know-how, transport logistics, upfront design complication, public observation, and controlling compliance delay the prevalent acceptance of modular construction. Integrating software engineering, such as design optimization using Python, logistics optimization through route optimization algorithms, and manufacturing automation with control systems, can improve prefabrication procedures through automation and optimization. These technologies can modernize processes, advance efficiency, and address key challenges confronted in modular construction. Overall, with the right approaches and investments, modular construction has the possible to transform building design and delivery practices globally.

Improper component management remains as a significant issue in modular construction, causing material loss, supply delays, defects from poor storage, lack of real-time monitoring and data inconsistencies. These challenges undermine the full potential of modular construction. With emerging technologies, the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) offers promising solutions. However, the extent to which RFID–BIM workflows have been studied and applied in modular construction remains unclear. To address this gap, this study conducts a systematic review using the PRISMA methodology, focusing on peer-reviewed publications up to 2025 indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, complemented by IEEE Xplore and full-text retrieval from ScienceDirect. All database searches were done and completed on 18 June 2025, to maintain consistency across data sources. Studies were selected based on predefined criteria, targeting those addressing RFID, BIM and modular construction workflows. In this study, workflow refers to the integrated process connecting both digital and physical domains. It includes the digital flow of information between RFID systems, BIM models and databases, alongside on-site tasks such as tagging, scanning, visualization, transport and assembly of prefabricated components. In accordance with these criteria, 27 articles were finalised for detailed review. A bibliometric analysis was undertaken using VOSviewer 1.6.20, encompassing keyword co-occurrence, co-authorship network, co-citation and bibliographic coupling analyses. Thematic analysis identified key themes on RFID–BIM practices, further organised across lifecycle phases to show how they unfold throughout the modular construction process. Quantitative analysis of thematic occurrences identified workflow integration (81.5%) as the most frequently addressed topic, followed by implementation requirements (40.7%), component management (37.0%), proven outcomes of BIM-RFID implementation (33.3%) and challenges of BIM-RFID implementation (14.8%).

Modular construction offers several advantages, such as safe working conditions, fast construction, and high-quality end products. The project scheduling of modular construction should consider the time involved in the factory production, transportation, and erection processes of the units given limited resources (e.g., the number of modular units, available transportation, and workers) and project restrictions (e.g., the sequences of manufacturing production and on-site installation). However, current modular construction project scheduling techniques and previous academic approaches cannot deal with the overall project processes and production/on-site installation sequences simultaneously. This is one reason few mass-production multiple projects exist in the manufacturing industry. Moreover, it can lead to inappropriate project management guidelines and fail to minimize the overall project duration. This paper suggests a model for modular construction projects scheduling using a genetic algorithm. The results show that implementing both overall project processes and project requirements is an efficient way to develop a modular construction project schedule. The proposed optimization tool will help project managers allocate resources efficiently and reduce the completion time of multiple projects.

The construction industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by digital technologies, with Building Information Modeling (BIM) emerging as a critical enabler of modular construction. BIM optimizes the design, manufacturing, and assembly of modular components, leading to improvements in efficiency, sustainability, and project delivery. This study examines the integration of BIM in modular construction, analyzing its impact on cost savings, resource optimization, and environmental performance. Case studies, including modular developments in China and the UK, reveal that BIM enhances design coordination, lifecycle cost control, and material efficiency, with observed benefits such as a 45% reduction in material waste, a 36% decrease in water consumption, and a 30% improvement in energy efficiency. Despite these advantages, challenges such as high initial costs, interoperability limitations, and workforce skill gaps continue to hinder widespread adoption. The findings underscore BIM’s role in addressing labor shortages, reducing carbon footprints, and improving overall construction efficiency. As modular construction gains global traction, BIM integration is positioned to redefine industry standards, promoting sustainable, cost-effective, and high-precision building solutions.

The article examines the essence of “inventory” and “goods and material inventory”. It is established that inventories include raw materials and materials, semi-finished products, finished products, spare parts, energy sources, and other material values. The dynamics of sown areas and production volumes of crops in Ukraine, which have been decreasing annually since the beginning of martial law, are presented and analyzed. This creates additional risks for agricultural enterprises since they must increase the volume of inventories to ensure uninterrupted production and sales of products, which is possible due to the effective management of these inventories. The essence of “goods and material inventory management” and its management features are considered. A sequential list of stages of goods and material inventory management of agricultural enterprises is given. It has been established that with effective inventory management, it is possible to reduce the duration of the production and entire operational cycle, reduce current costs for their storage, release part of the financial resources from the current economic turnover, and reinvest them in other assets. The list of external environmental factors that have the most significant impact on the choice of agricultural enterprises’ goods and material inventory management system is characterized, and additional factors of influence that arise in martial law conditions are also identified. Under martial law, approaches to the formation and management of goods and material inventory of agricultural enterprises are systematized. A list of measures is proposed to increase the efficiency of agricultural enterprises’ goods and material inventory management under martial law. It is established that agricultural enterprises should implement measures to increase the efficiency of goods and material inventory management to ensure uninterrupted operation and minimize the risks of financial losses. Keywords: management, inventory, goods and material inventory, agricultural sector, agricultural enterprises, martial state, goods and material inventory management, external environment, logistics chains.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a pedagogical practice in the project-based assessment of architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) students’ interdisciplinary building design work adopting BIM. This pedagogical practice emphasizes the impacts of BIM, as the digital collaboration platform, on the cross-disciplinary teamwork design through information sharing. This study also focuses on collecting students’ perceptions of building information modeling (BIM) effects in integrated project design. Challenges in BIM adoption from AEC students’ perspective were identified and discussed, and could spark further research needs.Design/methodology/approachBased on a thorough review of previous pedagogical practices of applying BIM in multiple AEC disciplines, this study adopted a case study of the Solar Decathlon (SD) residential building design as the group project for AEC students to deliver the design work and construction planning. In total 13 different teams within the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, each group consisting of final year undergraduate students with backgrounds in architecture, civil engineering, and architectural environmental engineering, worked to deliver the detailed design of the solar-powered residential house meeting pre-specified project objectives in terms of architectural esthetics, structural integrity, energy efficiency, prefabrication construction techniques and other issues such as budget and scheduling. Each team presented the cross-disciplinary design plan with cost estimate and construction scheduling together within group reports. This pedagogical study collected students’ reflective thinking on how BIM affected their design work, and compared their feedback on BIM to that from AEC industry professionals in previous studies.FindingsThe case study of the SD building project showed the capacity of BIM in enabling interdisciplinary collaboration through information exchange and in enhancing communication across different AEC fields. More sustainable design options were considered in the early architectural design stages through the cross-disciplinary cooperation between architecture and building services engineering. BIM motivated AEC student teams to have a more comprehensive design and construction plan by considering multiple criteria including energy efficiency, budget, and construction activities. Students’ reflections indicated both positive effects of BIM (e.g. facilitating information sharing) as well as challenges for further BIM implementation, for example, such as some architecture students’ resistance to BIM, and the lack of existing family types in the BIM library, etc.Research limitations/implicationsSome limitations of the current BIM pedagogy were identified through the student group work. For example, students revealed the problem of interoperability between BIM (i.e. Autodesk Revit) and building energy simulation tools. To further integrate the university education and AEC industry practice, future BIM pedagogical work could recruit professionals and project stakeholders in the adopted case studies, for the purpose of providing professional advice on improving the constructability of the BIM-based design from student work.Practical implicationsTo further integrate the university education and AEC industry practice, future BIM pedagogical work could recruit professionals and project stakeholders in the adopted case study, for the purpose of providing professional advice in improving the constructability of the BIM-based design from student work.Originality/valueThis work provides insights into the information technology applied in the AEC interdisciplinary pedagogy. Students gained the experience of a project-based collaboration and were equipped with BIM capabilities for future employment within the AEC job market. The integrated design approach was embedded throughout the team project process. Overall, this BIM pedagogical practice emphasized the link between academic activities and real-world industrial practice. The pedagogical experience gained in this BIM course could be expanded to future BIM education and research in other themes such as interoperability of building information exchange among different digital tools.

Development of a Building Information Modelling Asset (BIMAsset) value realisation model

Automated component delivery management under uncertainty for prefabricated buildings to minimize cost and harmful emissions

- Building Information Modelling (BIM) has emerged as a transformative enabler for modular steel construction by providing parametric modelling, coordinated detailing, digital fabrication integration, and 4D construction sequencing. Modular steel systems require high accuracy in design, fabrication, logistics, and assembly, making BIM indispensable for reducing rework, improving coordination, and enabling just-in-time production. This paper examines the integration of BIM within modular steel construction, focusing on prefabrication accuracy, clash-free detailing, sequencing simulation, and digital manufacture. The study includes a comprehensive literature review, a methodology grounded in BIM-enabled workflows, and analysis of two major case studies Chennai International Airport Terminal T2 and Shanghai Tower. Findings indicate that BIM significantly improves productivity, reduces site conflicts, minimizes waste, and enhances assembly predictability, particularly in the Indian context where BIM adoption faces challenges such as limited skills, high costs, and low SME readiness. The paper concludes with strategic recommendations for India’s modular steel industry and outlines future research directions. Key Words: Building Information Modelling (BIM), Modular Steel Construction, Prefabrication, Digital Fabrication, 4D BIM, Clash Detection, SMEs, Coordination, Steel Structures

High initial costs, mainly due to inefficient construction processes, remains the greatest barrier for residential adoption of solar+storage (SPS) system. Modular construction, having a factory-controlled environment and control over the home design, is well suited to address these issues (e.g., efficiencies, waste, inventory control, quality). Furthermore, these areas have great potential in modular construction to address the high initial cost issue. This study focuses on the integration of SPS installation upstream in modular housing. Although moving the SPS installation process into the factory has many barriers (e.g., including change of scope of work at some workstations without affecting the whole production line, change of quality control, warehousing of SPS in correct conditions, change in the supply chain and required certification of workers), the great potential presented by modular construction methods warrants the study. In this study barriers for industry adoption of integrating SPS installation upstream in modular construction are identified. Furthermore, analyses of on-site installation cost and in-factory installation cost through factory information modeling are performed, as well as a job safety analysis. Results reveal that by integrating SPS installation into the production line of modular construction, a 37% reduction in installation time is achieved, compared with onsite installation. Overall, a 21% reduction of total cost could be achieved if SPS is installed in-factory. Furthermore, with the in-factory approach, 28% of safety hazards related to SPS installation activities are removed. Such approach could increase SPS installation productivity, reduce inspection time, reduce costly on-site rework, and overall address the SPS system affordability issue.

Building information modeling (BIM) is an innovative concept for construction management, which can benefit all stakeholders in several aspects, including project risk management. However, there have been limited studies about the relations between risk and BIM, as well as the implementation of BIM for construction risk management, particularly in design-build (DB) projects where most risks are transferred to the DB contractors. This research proposes BIM uses that are appropriate for managing different construction risks. A total of 20 DB project risks were compiled from past literature and verified through in-depth interviews with BIM and DB project experts, and 30 BIM uses were identified and reviewed thoroughly. A risk-BIM use framework was created based on the common attributes of risks and BIM uses, including risk factors, BIM use purposes, project lifecycle, facility elements, and responsible parties. The proposed framework consists of five main steps: (1) detail setting, (2) BIM use purpose analysis, (3) risk investigation, (4) BIM use filtering, and (5) matrix update. An important result is a risk-BIM use relation matrix, which provides all potential BIM uses to manage critical project risks. A guideline on utilizing BIM uses for risk management is elaborated. The proposed framework was verified through three case studies of BIM-adopted DB projects in the Philippines. The important factors considered in selecting the optimal BIM uses for risk management are analyzed based on the BIM uses each case study actually implements as compared with those suggested by the proposed framework. Such factors are educational background and capability of contractors, project size, upfront cost, pilot projects, learning curve and eagerness to adopt, internet, client demand, government support, and governing body. The results can be used to establish a comprehensive BIM-based system for managing construction risks.

Prefabrication and modularization helps to reduce cost and schedule time for on-site activities. The use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) helps to improve collaboration and improve the construction process. The improved installation precision provided by BIM Model-Driven Prefabrication can decrease on-site labor time and increase productivity. Prefabrication, Modularization, and off-site construction transfers activities that would have been performed on site to earlier stages of the supply chain. The implementation of Just-In-Time (JIT) delivery transfers the costs and risks associated with inventory to the supplier. Construction Supply Chain Integration can help reduce cost and waste across the supply chain particularly for large and complex buildings. This paper presents a methodology that utilizes a BIM based construction supply chain integration to reduce cost and waste in the construction and offsite manufacturing processes. It utilizes the integration of BIM with the on-site schedule and the manufacturing or fabrication schedule of the different supply chain members. The methodology utilizes the onsite schedule, lead times of prefabricated elements or modules and the transportation logistics to help reduce cost across the supply chain. The information, material and cash flows as well as the transportation logistics is utilized in generating an optimized just-in-time delivery schedule for large and complex buildings. The optimized delivery schedule takes into account the variations in the on-site and off-site schedules to forecast delivery dates of precast elements or fabricated modules.