A design for assembly method for construction

[edit] PhD thesis

The development of a design-for-assembly method for construction and infrastructure projects. Parts of this paper are based on the PhD thesis of the first author.

The development of a design-for-assembly method for construction and infrastructure projects

WIM H. VERBURG, Cornelis Muschstraat 24, Rotterdam, 3039WP, The Netherlands. JOHANNES I.M. HALMAN* HANS T. VOORDIJK*, University of Twente, School of Engineering Technology Department of Civil Engineering and Management, PO Box 217 Enschede, 7500 AE, The Netherlands.

[edit] Abstract

Building and infrastructure objects are no longer exclusively realised by processing materials at construction sites, but mostly by assembling elements on-site that are produced off-site. When designing an object whose realisation is based on the use of construction parts that are produced off-site, it is important to also consider the design for the assembly of the construction parts at the building location. Unfortunately, insufficient attention has been paid so far to the assembly of construction and infrastructure objects. This inhibits the full potential of using assembly processes. It manifests itself through issues such as deviations in dimensions between the original design and the assembled system and also disappointing aesthetic results. These considerations have led to the general conclusion that the design and realisation phases of construction processes are insufficiently aligned. More attention should be paid in the design phase to the on-site assembly of the different construction parts.

This article describes the development of a design-for-assembly method for construction and infrastructure projects. A first draft of the design-for-assembly method was applied in five construction projects and in one infrastructure project. Based on the results of the conducted case studies, further improvements were implemented leading to a final version of the design-for-assembly method. In addition, three validation workshops, including 30 experts in the field of construction and infrastructure site management were organized. The experts in large majority concluded, that the developed design-for-assembly method can be considered as a valuable addition in the design and realisation process of building and infrastructure objects. This article ends with a discussion of the scientific contributions, the managerial implications, and also addresses future directions for research.

Keywords: Design-for-Assembly; DfA; Assembly; Prefabricated construction; Geometric variations; Key characteristics; Tolerances; Infrastructure; Construction; System-to-systems.

[edit] References

[1] Parts of this paper are based on the PhD thesis of the first author [3].

https://research.utwente.nl/files/268387704/thesis_W_Verburg.pdf

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