https://doi.org/10.24928/2024/0146

A BIM-Lean Approach to Implement Lean Principles in Offsite Construction Projects: A Cable-Stayed Bridge Case Study

Mohamed Assaf¹, Otto Hedges², Zeyu Mao³, Hamidreza Golabchi⁴, Xinming Li⁵, Vicente A. Gonzalez⁶ & Farook Hamzeh⁷

¹P.h.D Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, [email protected]
²P.h.D Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, [email protected]
³P.h.D Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, [email protected]
⁴P.h.D Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, [email protected]
⁵Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, [email protected]
⁶Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Digital Lean Construction, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, [email protected]
⁷Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, [email protected]

Abstract

Recently, the attention to offsite construction (OSC) has grown due to its potential for waste minimization, higher quality, and speedy construction. However, OSC projects are sometimes adopted at a slow pace due to inefficient workflow. Further, OSC adoption requires a high level of information sharing to integrate the manufacturing of components, onsite assembly, and logistics processes. Previous research on the integration of Lean principles with advanced technologies, i.e., BIM and blockchain, in OSC was limited to improving the onsite operations only. To this end, this research aims to bridge this gap by providing a BIM-blockchain system to apply lean principles in enhancing the workflow of the OSC projects considering offsite, onsite, and logistics operations. Lean principles, namely Kaizen, Heijunka, Just-in-Time, One-piece flow, and Poke a yoke, form the focus of this study. Further, the study presents a secure information-sharing system based on blockchain technology to update the status of the process, i.e., pulling material from the inventory. A case study is introduced to validate the developed system. The proposed system is expected to improve the efficiency of the OSC operations and enhance the integration of stakeholders.

Keywords

Lean Construction, Offsite Construction, BIM, Smart Contract, Blockchain.

Files

Reference

Assaf, M. , Hedges, O. , Mao, Z. , Golabchi, H. , Li, X. , Gonzalez, V. A. & Hamzeh, F. 2024. A BIM-Lean Approach to Implement Lean Principles in Offsite Construction Projects: A Cable-Stayed Bridge Case Study, Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 32) , 684-696. doi.org/10.24928/2024/0146

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