Material handling design
The BIM Overlay to the RIBA Outline Plan of Work, published by the RIBA in 2012 suggested that material handling design is: ‘An approach to improving logistics and packaging of elements manufactured offsite, in order to make their transportation to the site and the onsite assembly process more efficient. For example, lifting points or positioning aids can be incorporated into components to aid assembly, or more effective use can be made of containerisation.’
DfMA Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work, Mainstreaming Design for Manufacture and Assembly in Construction, 2nd Edition, published by the RIBA in 2021, defines material handling design as: ‘The detailed planning of the packaging of components and assemblies manufactured off site and the logistics of getting them to their final destination on site, with the objective of making the process as efficient as possible. It can result in incorporating physical features on the components, assemblies or their packaging, including lifting points or positioning aids to facilitate handling or assembly.’
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