Prefabricated Building Construction Research Articles

A Comparative Review of Recent Research Progress in Prefabricated Buildings in China and Other Countries

Prefabricated building construction has emerged as a transformative technology in construction engineering and the building industries. However, owing to its research characteristics, the relevant literature on prefabricated buildings is diverse and fragmented. This study offers a comparative review of relevant 21st century literature on prefabricated buildings using VOSviewer1.6.18 software. The research progress and future opportunities about prefabricated buildings were comprehensively analyzed, which provides recommendations for its subsequent development. Through keyword searches on the Web of Science, 3214 documents were identified, and an overall analysis of co-citations and co-authorship was conducted. Additionally, a comparative co-occurrence analysis highlighted the differences between China and other countries. Further elaboration of research hotspots is provided, and three future research directions are proposed: (1) energy conservation and reducing the environmental impact of prefabricated buildings, (2) improving the performance of prefabricated building components, and (3) deepening the understanding of the behavior of prefabricated structures under seismic and dynamic conditions. This study provides practitioners and scholars in the field of construction engineering with a comprehensive overview of the literature on prefabricated buildings and paves the way for future advancements in the industry. The findings of this study can be used to promote prefabricated buildings in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries.

Data-Driven Dynamic Bayesian Network Model for Safety Resilience Evaluation of Prefabricated Building Construction

Due to factors such as the availability of assembly equipment, technology, and site management level, prefabricated building construction safety accidents often occur. To ensure the safety of prefabricated buildings and effectively reduce the accident rate, the concept of resilience is introduced into the safety management of prefabricated buildings. Based on the resilience absorption capacity, adaptation capacity, recovery capacity, and optimization capacity, a comprehensive evaluation index system for the safety resilience of prefabricated buildings is established. By combining prior knowledge with structural learning and parameter learning, a dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) model is constructed to dynamically evaluate the safety resilience of prefabricated buildings. Through forward causal reasoning and backward diagnostic reasoning, the dynamic safety resilience value of prefabricated buildings and the chain of maximum failure causes are obtained. Finally, by conducting a sensitivity analysis on the target nodes, the key influencing factors of the safety resilience of prefabricated construction are identified, and improvement suggestions for enhancing resilience are proposed. The results indicate that establishing a resilience safety culture, preventing unsafe behaviors of personnel, safety management, and supervision on the construction site, emergency management actions, and building a risk management information system are crucial factors influencing the safety resilience of prefabricated buildings. The enhancement of absorption capacity has the greatest impact on the safety resilience of prefabricated buildings.

Simulation and optimization of prefabricated building construction considering multiple objectives and uncertain factors

The construction of prefabricated buildings involves complex processes, which have high uncertainties and objective conflicts, hindering the improvement of construction performance. This study aims to simultaneously optimize the activity logic and multiple construction performance objectives (concerning time, cost, quality, and CO2 emissions) of prefabricated building construction under the influence of uncertain factors. The eliminate, combine, rearrange, and simplify (ECRS) technique is combined with intelligent simulation technology to develop a simulation-based optimization method for prefabricated building construction considering multiple objectives and various uncertain factors. This method is characterized by enabling activity-logic improvements, revealing mathematical relationships between uncertain factors, activity parameters and construction performance, and achieving the trade-off optimization of construction performance objectives in various uncertain environments. A typical prefabricated building project is used for demonstrating and validating the method. The results show that the proposed method reduces the construction time by 5.73% through the ECRS technique, and further achieves a 10.53% reduction in construction cost, a 10.10% improvement in construction quality, and 60.32% CO2 emission mitigation through multiobjective optimization when only resource allocation is considered. Considering the interaction between resource allocation conditions and other three uncertain factors, the construction time is mainly affected by the supply of materials and weather conditions, while the familiarity level of work affects the construction time, cost, and CO2 emissions. The proposed method and findings of this study can facilitate robust decision-making by project managers when addressing the trade-offs between cost reduction, schedule shortening, quality improvement, and CO2 reduction under various uncertain scenarios.

Automatic Quality Inspection and Intelligent Prevention of Prefabricated Building Construction Based on BIM and Fuzzy Logic

Automatic Quality Inspection and Intelligent Prevention of Prefabricated Building Construction Based on BIM and Fuzzy Logic

Accurate estimation of prefabricated building construction cost based on support vector machine regression

Accurate estimation of prefabricated building construction cost based on support vector machine regression

A Novel Risk Assessment Model for Prefabricated Building Construction Based on Combination Weight and Catastrophe Progression Method

A Novel Risk Assessment Model for Prefabricated Building Construction Based on Combination Weight and Catastrophe Progression Method

Application of BIM technology on the design and construction of prefabricated buildings

As the population and urbanization have continued to grow all over the world, the construction industry demands more efficient, and greener ways of building. In recent years, prefabricated buildings have attracted widespread attention as a new construction method. BIM technology is a crucial element in the realm of digital architectural design and construction. Its implementation can effectively enhance the support and optimization of the prefabricated building's design and construction process. This paper aims to explore the application of BIM technology in the design and construction stages of prefabricated buildings. Firstly, the utilization of BIM technology in prefabricated building design is expounded from three aspects of digital model construction, architectural collaborative design and architectural design optimization. Then, the implementation of BIM technology in prefabricated building construction is analyzed with regard to three aspects: development of construction plans, on-site management, and quality control. Subsequently, the application of BIM technology in the design of high-rise prefabricated buildings and the construction of prefabricated buildings is introduced in detail through case studies. The results show that the application of BIM technology can improve the design efficiency and construction quality of prefabricated buildings, and has a good application prospect.

Retracted: The Establishment and Evaluation Method of Prefabricated Building Construction Quality Evaluation Index System Taking into Account Multimedia Sensor Network Nodes

Retracted: The Establishment and Evaluation Method of Prefabricated Building Construction Quality Evaluation Index System Taking into Account Multimedia Sensor Network Nodes

A DPSIR Framework to Evaluate and Predict the Development of Prefabricated Buildings: A Case Study

Prefabricated building construction is an important method of enhancing construction productivity and promoting sustainable development in the construction industry. Evaluating and predicting the development performance of prefabricated buildings will contribute to identifying and implementing the most effective responses to promote prefabricated building technologies. Based on the Drives–Pressures–States–Impacts–Responses (DPSIR) framework, 14 evaluation indexes are determined to evaluate the development level of prefabricated buildings. The entropy weight method was used to determine the weight of the evaluation index, and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method with improved grey correlation was applied to comprehensively evaluate the trend of the index. The grey model (GM(1,1)) was developed to predict the development trend of prefabricated buildings. The development of prefabricated buildings in Shandong province, China, is employed as a case to apply the developed method and investigate development experiences. The results demonstrate that the case has achieved significant progress and has great potential in promoting the use of prefabricated buildings. The development recommendations include developing a policy and regulation system, strengthening a prefabricated building talent pool, and enhancing the investment in technological innovation. This study innovatively formulated the evaluation and prediction system based on the DPSIR, TOPSIS and GM(1,1) models, which could be used for evaluating development performance between social and environmental factors among various cause-effect relationships.

Retracted: Layout Simulation of Prefabricated Building Construction Based on the Markov Model

Retracted: Layout Simulation of Prefabricated Building Construction Based on the Markov Model

Graph Database and Matrix-Based Intelligent Generation of the Assembly Sequence of Prefabricated Building Components

The assembly of prefabricated components is a critical process in prefabricated building construction, influencing both progress and accuracy. However, the assembly sequence planning and optimization (ASPO) of prefabricated components have yet to receive sufficient attention from researchers, and current research has displayed limited automation and poor generalization capabilities. Therefore, this paper proposes a framework for intelligently generating assembly sequences for prefabricated components based on graph databases and matrices. The framework utilizes an adjacency matrix and interference matrix-based modeling method to comprehensively describe the connections and constraint relationships between components, enabling better evaluation of assembly difficulty during optimization. The graph database serves as the central hub for data exchange, facilitating component information storage, automatic querying, and summarization. The obtained assembly sequence and progress plan are fed back into the graph database. To accomplish assembly sequence optimization, a genetic algorithm based on the double-elite strategy is employed. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the proposed framework is validated through an actual engineering case. The results demonstrate that the framework can effectively find an optimal assembly sequence to mitigate the assembly challenge of a prefabricated building.

Research and Application of Intelligent Construction in Prefabricated Building Construction

The rapid development of emerging technologies such as BIM has greatly promoted the intelligent development of prefabricated building construction. This paper adopts a research method that combines on-site investigation, field testing, and technological development to explore quality control in prefabricated building construction and the integration of prefabricated buildings with intelligent construction. Focusing on three key technologies in prefabricated building construction - component installation, on-site layout, and steel connection—the paper examines the technical principles, operational processes, and application effects. It also studies and develops intelligent construction-related technologies such as, accurate alignment of prefabricated components, intelligent layout technology and simultaneous self-locking connection technology for multiple steel. Additionally, two types of rapid steel layout equipment are developed. These findings provide references for the further integration of prefabricated concrete construction with intelligent construction.

Evaluating Risk in Prefabricated Building Construction under EPC Contracting Using Structural Equation Modeling: A Case Study of Shaanxi Province, China

Prefabricated buildings have the advantages of high efficiency and saving resources. However, China’s prefabricated buildings were built relatively late, and there are problems in terms of their low standardization, integration, and industrialization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of constructing prefabricated buildings under the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) general contracting mode from the perspective of general contractors and to propose countermeasures for the key risks. Firstly, a risk evaluation index system was established via a literature analysis, and a questionnaire survey was used to collect the data. SPSS was used to conduct the data factor analysis to finally identify 4 first-level indicators and 14 second-level indicators. Then, a structural equation model (SEM) was developed to further evaluate the impact of each indicator on the risk of constructing prefabricated buildings under the EPC general contracting mode. The results showed that the construction and design risk had the greatest impact. Among them, the technical level of the construction personnel while conducting the hoisting, stacking, and protection of on-site materials and the lack of integrated design experience among the designers were the key points for risk control. On the one hand, this study explored the whole life cycle of a project, which makes up for the lack of risk analyses and the control being limited to a single engineering stage that has been presented in previous studies. On the other hand, in terms of the design, procurement, and construction as a whole research object, we found that the fuzzy evaluation method and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) used in previous risk analyses and evaluation methods have defects. They cannot verify the rationality of the logical relationship between the evaluation indices. In contrast, this study used the SEM method to fill this research gap. This ensures the scientific nature of our research to the greatest extent. Additionally, we also found some problems with this type of research: the selection of the evaluation indicators and data collection vary with the region, project characteristics, project contracting mode, and risk management subject, which influence the results of studies. Overall, the SEM method established in this study provides a reference and can help us conduct similar research and model evaluations in other regions. This method can guide project implementers to make the best risk-management decisions, so it is of great significance for practitioners in this field.

Stochastic Project Scheduling Optimization for Multi-stage Prefabricated Building Construction with Reliability Application

This study investigates a project scheduling problem of prefabricated building (PB) construction in an uncertain environment. Different from the traditional scheduling models in PB construction, we consider a complex multi-stage cooperation system including the production, transportation and assembly (PTA) phases. In this system, both activity durations and resource amounts are stochastic variables. By applying the reliability theory to the stochastic scheduling model innovatively, we formulate a duration reliability model to maximize the probability of non-delayed project completion, within the resource constraints. As the proposed model is a non-deterministic polynomial hard (NP-hard) problem, a hybrid meta-heuristic differential evolution particle swarm optimization (DEPSO) algorithm is developed, which is utilized the mutation factor of the differential evolution (DE) algorithm in the framework of the particle swarm optimization (PSO). Finally, a real-life example of a PB construction project is used to explore the performance of the proposed DEPSO algorithm. The result shows that the hybrid algorithm DEPSO can better find the global optimal solution in the multi-dimensional optimization problem.

Flexural Behaviour of GFRP-Softwood Sandwich Panels for Prefabricated Building Construction.

Studies have shown that the proper selection of core materials in sandwich structures improves the overall structural performance in terms of bending stiffness and strength. The core materials used in such systems, such as foam, corrugated, and honeycomb, are frequently applied in aerospace engineering. However, they are a costly option for civil engineering applications. This paper investigates the bending performance of the proposed GFRP softwood sandwich beams assembled using pultruded GFRP with adhesive connection methods for potential applications in prefabricated building construction. The ultimate load capacity, load-deflection responses, failure modes, bending stiffness, load-axial-strain behaviour, and degree of composite action were experimentally evaluated. The effects of varying shear-span-to-depth ratios a/d between 2 and 6.5, as well as different timber fibre directions of the softwood core, on the overall structural performance were clarified. The results showed that changing the timber fibres' orientation from vertical to longitudinal shifted the failure mode from a brittle to progressive process. Moreover, the adhesive bonding was able to provide full composite action until the failure occurred. Finally, numerical modelling was developed to understand failure loads, deformation, failure modes, and strain responses, and to evaluate bending stiffness and composite action. The results showed satisfactory agreement with the experiments.

Dynamic human systems risk prognosis and control of lifting operations during prefabricated building construction

Prefabricated building construction (PBC) involves tedious lifting operations that require multiple cranes to work simultaneously in dynamic workspaces. Such operations involve frequent interactions among human, cyber, and physical environments, creating challenges for risk prognosis and control in dynamic contexts. Unfortunately, human errors pose challenges for achieving resilient lifting operation control. A dynamic human systems risk prognosis and control (DHS RP & C) approach is thus necessary for 1) capturing human errors and 2) controlling risks of human anomalies proactively. This study critically reviews opportunities and challenges for establishing the proposed approach. Challenges exist as 1) how to collect human/team behavior data during lifting operations, 2) how to analyze these data for comprehending the impacts of human factors, and 3) how to respond to operational contingencies with risk control measures. In the end, the authors established a research roadmap for guiding future research activities toward automated lifting operations in PBC.

Teaching Effect Analysis of the ‘Prefabricated Concrete Structure’ Course Based on Building Information Modeling

The prefabricated building course is a highly theoretical and practical specialized course with strong professionalism and extensive teaching contents. The teaching of prefabricated concrete structures is a significant link in prefabricated building construction and an important direction of cultivating talents applied to prefabricated building construction. Previous teaching features single teaching models, focuses on teaching materials, and highlights theoretical teaching, resulting in students’ low learning initiatives and poor practical ability. In order to improve the teaching effect and students' practical ability, Building Information Modeling (BIM) simulation technology was integrated into the teaching and practice of the prefabricated building courses. Then, the three-stage (guidance of real-scene cases, practical operation based on division of project work, and drawing cross-review) course teaching approach was proposed. With the construction of a prefabricated concrete structure in Hefei Metro of China as an example, students were asked to perform component modeling, assembly, and construction simulation via BIM. Results show that the teaching contents are completed, and the teaching effect is evidently strengthened. Students’ abilities to understand, analyze and practice actual engineering problems are evidently improved, and their problem-solving and practical ability in the aspect of prefabricated buildings is cultivated.

Analysis on construction practice of intelligent prefabricated building based on BIM technology

In the rapid development of Chinese construction industry, intelligent assembly building construction based on low cost, high efficiency and other advantages, in the practice of inquiry has been widely paid attention to. Although scholars around the world have strengthened the research on the theory of intelligent prefabricated building construction technology, with the vigorous development of the construction industry, a large number of safety problems have emerged in existing construction projects. Therefore, some scholars have proposed to scientifically solve the problems faced by intelligent prefabricated building construction management with the help of information integrated BIM technology, so as to build a highly efficient and normative safety management system. On the basis of understanding the construction management of intelligent prefabricated building and the research status of BIM technology, this paper deeply discusses how to apply BIM technology in intelligent prefabricated building construction and give full play to the unique advantages of BIM technology according to the main characteristics and construction requirements of intelligent prefabricated building construction in the new era.

Integrated application of prefabricated building construction information based on BIM and RFID technology

Purpose: To solve the problems of low integration accuracy and long integration time of traditional prefabricated construction information integration methods. Method: A method of assembling building information integration based on BIM and RFID technology was proposed. By analyzing the information integration principle of BIM RFID (Building Information Modeling Radio Frequency Identification) technology, starting with rfid technology, we use rfid technology to collect the information of prefabricated building components and obtain the coding information of component data. Experiment: Combining Markov model and fuzzy algorithm, the obtained coding information is preprocessed. According to the processing results, statistical feature clustering algorithm is introduced to integrate the construction information of prefabricated buildings. Result: The precision polyline of the prefabricated building construction information integration method based on BIM and RFID technology showed a steady increase, and it was close to 100% in the later stage. At the same time, the time consumed by this method was within 0.41 s, with high accuracy, high efficiency and high practicability.

Application of Wood Structure in Prefabricated Building Construction

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, China's industrialization has made comprehensive development. While brilliant achievements have been made in industrialization, China's environmental problems have become more and more prominent. Therefore, under the current trend of building transformation, prefabricated construction will become an important way for the civil engineering industry to achieve high-quality development. Wood structure has a long history in China. As one of the application forms of prefabricated buildings, wood structure has been widely used in developed countries. In recent years, the application of wood structure in prefabricated structure has also been widely concerned in scientific research and application fields in China. This paper mainly focuses on the research of wood structure, namely, the performance and processing of new materials, the performance and innovation of components, the research and development of system, and the connection performance and progress. Through these studies, the research trend of wood structure for the application of prefabricated buildings in the future is explored, which can provide reference for future research work and prospect the application progress of wood structure in prefabricated buildings.