The convergence of BIM, AI and IoT: Reshaping the future of prefabricated construction

Abstract

Prefabricated Construction (PC) is one of the modern construction techniques where some components of a structure or an entire structure are manufactured in a controlled environment and then installed on the construction site. The Architectural Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry is gradually implementing PC by integrating with Building Information Modeling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. A three-step procedure adopted in this study comprises a bibliometric search, followed by quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis, to figure out the recent research trends in PC aided with BIM, AI and IoT applications and to draw the research trends and knowledge gap. The quantitative analysis pinpoints key research patterns, influential authors, and notable articles; the qualitative assessment spotlights five central themes, including the integration of BIM, AI, and IoT with PC design, quality improvement, performance and productivity enhancement, information and knowledge management, and the barriers to PC adoption. Crucially, future research directions such as automated design developments, robotic fabrication, applications' compatibility, strategic decision-making, and PC operation and maintenance are highlighted, underscoring the potential for refining PC adoption in the industry. This review provides a roadmap for future research to aid researchers and practitioners in optimizing PC's potential in the AEC sector.