| Author: | Wuni, Ibrahim Yahaya |
| Title: | A best practice framework for implementing residential modular integrated construction projects in Hong Kong |
| Advisors: | Shen, Geoffrey (BRE) |
| Degree: | Ph.D. |
| Year: | 2022 |
| Subject: | Modular construction -- China -- Hong Kong Prefabricated houses -- China -- Hong Kong Construction projects -- China -- Hong Kong Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Department of Building and Real Estate |
| Pages: | xxx, 384 pages : color illustrations |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Modular integrated construction (MiC) is a modern construction method whereby free-standing volumetric modules or building components (usually completed with fixtures, fittings, and finishes) are manufactured and assembled in a factory and transported to a construction site for installation in their final position. The Hong Kong Government started promoting the MiC method in 2017 to address the structural, technical, and engineering limitations of prefabrications and conventional modular construction for high-rise building construction. Outcomes of completed overseas and local pilot projects have demonstrated that the MiC method offers enormous opportunities to enhance residential project performance at multiple levels. However, the pilot residential MiC projects in Hong Kong have encountered tremendous challenges and uncertainties. Notable reasons include the incompatibility of the MiC method with some project types, the unfamiliarity of many construction organizations and practitioners with the MiC method, lack of standardized practices and guidelines for implementing the various stages of residential MiC projects, and the difficulty of quantifying the performance improvements attributable to the MiC method. Against this backdrop, this research aims to develop a best practice framework for implementing residential MiC projects in Hong Kong effectively and successfully. The study derived six specific complementary objectives: (i) to develop a decision support system that enables project teams to assess the compatibility and suitability of the MiC method for a residential building project; (ii) to assess, simulate and model the critical risk factors for residential MiC projects; (iii) to assess and model the critical success factors for residential MiC projects; (iv) to critically examine representative local and international residential MiC cases to identify challenges encountered and lessons learned; (v) to develop a performance measurement system that enables project teams to assess the outcomes of residential MiC projects; and (vi) to consolidate the findings to develop a best practice framework for implementing residential MiC projects in Hong Kong. The study achieved the six complementary objectives using mixed methods, including in-depth analysis of high-profile local and overseas residential MiC projects, structured questionnaire surveys, and semi-structured interviews. The research data were analysed using thematic content analysis, mean score ranking, risk significance index, factor analysis, Monte Carlo simulation, fuzzy synthetic evaluation, and partial least squares structural equation modelling. The results showed that twenty-one factors significantly determine the compatibility and suitability of the MiC method for residential building projects in Hong Kong. The top five significant determinants include: (i) presence of repetitive layout in design; (ii) suitability of the design for MiC; (iii) accessibility and availability of temporary storage areas at the site location; (iv) structural integrity of modules; and (v) width of the transport network to site and traffic conditions in the vicinity. The significant suitability and compatibility determinants were categorized into four: project characteristics; project objectives and requirements; location and site attributes; and organizational and industry readiness. A Monte Carlo simulation revealed twenty-six significant critical risk factors for residential MiC projects in Hong Kong. The top five significant critical risk factors include: (i) late design completion and freezing; (ii) unsuitable sites with restrictive space constraints; (iii) inadequate planning and scheduling; (iv) heavy reliance on overseas factories; and (v) inaccurate MiC design information. The simulation further revealed nine significant critical risk factors at 95% and 97.5% risk tolerance levels within the high-risk exposure zone and 82.5% and 85% risk tolerance levels within the medium-risk exposure zones of the risk matrix. Factor analysis derived five components of the significant critical risk factors: (i) design risks, (ii) factory production risks, (iii) transportation and storage risks, (iv) supply chain risks, and (v) onsite assembly risks. A structural equation modelling showed that design risks and supply chain risks generate the most profound impact on the performance of residential MiC projects in Hong Kong. The results further revealed twenty-one significant critical success factors for residential MiC projects in Hong Kong. The top five significant success ingredients include: (i) early design completion and freezing, (ii) early understanding and commitment of the client, (iii) effective leadership and support of specialist contractors, (iv) adequate knowledge and experience of the project team, and (v) collaborative working and information sharing among project teams. Factor analysis and fuzzy synthetic evaluation revealed five significant components of the success ingredients: (i) supply chain management, (ii) early commitment, (iii) enabling environment, (iv) suitable project characteristics, and (v) competency. The case studies identified eighty-five (85) challenges encountered and fifty-five (55) lessons learned from the six local and international residential MiC projects. Within-case and cross-case analyses revealed the five most persistent and problematic challenges encountered at the predesign, design, factory production, transportation, storage, and onsite assembly stages of residential MiC projects. The dominant challenges encountered in the Hong Kong cases were associated with logistics, site constraints, and immaturity of the local supply chain. The results also revealed fourteen key performance indicators for quantifying the performance of residential MiC projects in Hong Kong: (i) cost, (ii) time, (iii) premanufactured value, (iv) quality, (v) productivity, (vi) health and safety, (vii) predictability, (viii) flexibility, (ix) material waste, (x) resource consumption, (xi) environmental footprint, (xii) local disruption, (xiii) community impact, and (xiv) industry impact. The findings of the first five objectives were triangulated and consolidated to develop and validate a best practice framework for implementing residential MiC projects. The framework contains three complementary components: (i) a suitability decision support system, (ii) best practices, and (iii) a performance measurement system. The decision support system derived from Objective 1 enables project teams to assess the suitability and compatibility of the MiC method with a proposed residential project. The best practices derived from objectives 2 – 4 constitute specific processes, delivery strategies, and technical guidelines for implementing the various stages of residential MiC projects. The performance measurement system derived from objective 5 enables project teams to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the MiC method in residential building projects. Therefore, the five objectives collectively generated complementary findings to develop the best practice framework. The study findings have several theoretical, practical, managerial, pedagogical, and policy implications. The study's originality lies in developing and unifying the complementary functions of a decision support system, best practices, and a performance measurement system for implementing residential MiC projects. These three components can enable project teams and construction organizations to align a proposed project to the requirements of the MiC method at the outset, effectively implement the various stages, and measure the performance of residential MiC projects to facilitate futureproofing, experiential learning, benchmarking, and continuous improvements. The study further codified and established a comprehensive set of standardized practices, specific processes, delivery strategies, and technical guidelines for successfully implementing the various stages of residential MiC projects. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | open access |
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