Prefabricated construction, or “prefab,” is a method of construction that uses components made off-site in a factory, which are then transported put together on-site to create a structure. Prefabricated is a general term for anything that is assembled in a factory rather than on-site. Precast ...
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
ARCHITECTURE KNOWLEDGE
MUMBAI UNIVERSITY
PREFAB SYSTEM IN CONSTRUCTION
What is prefabrication?
Prefabricated construction, or “prefab,” is a method of construction that uses components made off-site in a
factory, which are then transported put together on-site to create a structure.
The method controls construction costs by economizing on time, wages, and materials.
Aim of prefabrication
To speed up the construction time
To lower the labor cost
To allow the year round construction
To ensure precise conformity to standards
To ensure greater quality
To allow less wastage of materials
To ensure higher worker safety and comfort level then in site – built construction
Difference between prefab and precast
Prefab Structures: The main difference between precast and prefabricated structures is the way their
individual components are made.
Precast Structures: A precast structure is built by casting concrete into a mould and then curing it in
a controlled factory environment.
Prefabricated is a general term for anything that is assembled in a factory rather than on-site.
Precast would be specifically applicable to anything that could be formed in a mold.
Benefits of prefabrication
Prefabrication setup
1. Mitigating the labor shortage:
It is already difficult for contractors to find labor, but construction still needs to take place.
Therefore, prefabrication helps businesses speed up timelines, make the most of their on-site labor,
improve efficiency, and succeed in the marketplace.
, 2. Cost-effectiveness:
It also costs less to transport partial assemblies from a factory than to move pre-production resources
to each site.
Plus, as labor efficiency increases, personnel-related costs decline.
Alongside saving up on construction time, it saves a lot on your costs as well. In most of the pre-
fabricated construction scenarios, it involves the design service as well. This eliminates these
expenses which you would have to incur with building expenses otherwise.
3. Time savings:
Time is the essence of the rainy season, and prefabrication will help you manage tighter timelines.
Compared to the traditional construction processes, pre-fabricated construction can be quicker. They
can be completed approximately 40% faster. Also, it involves indoor construction process which
eliminates any weather-related delays. Also, site and foundation works are executed alongside.
4. Quality control:
Factory tools can provide added quality assurance as opposed to repetitive construction on-site.
Indoor manufacturing of components ensures and guarantees quality and safety. Also, it prevents the
components from being affected by moisture or weather during construction as opposed to
traditional construction practices.
5. Lower environmental impact:
Accelerated offsite production of parts results in reduced emissions and work disruption.
This preserves wetlands or protected areas nearby and minimizes local flora and fauna disturbance.
The controlled, dry environment of modular construction saves water consumption and allows scrap
and other materials to be recycled.
6. Good for the environment
A significant benefit of prefabricated construction is that it is eco-friendly. The components are built
with eco-friendly material as well as recycled material. Also, they result in very less waste as they are
manufactured separately.
7. Better safety and security:
By reducing a construction site’s timeframe, you simultaneously decrease the amount of time that the
site is vulnerable to robbery.
8. Flexibility:
It is easy to disassemble and move modular construction to various sites.
This greatly decreases the demand for raw materials, minimizes the resources spent and overall
reduces time.
Since prefabricated building units can be used in various spaces, their neutral aesthetics can be
combined with almost any form of construction.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller ardarshana603. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $6.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
