Prefabrication

Prefabrication Structures

Definition:

Prefabrication is the practice of assembling the components of a structure in a factory or manufacturing site and transporting complete assembly to the construction site where the structure is to be located. It is the new technique and is desirable for large scale housing practices.

Principle of Prefabrication:

To improve quality of work, as it is manufactured under improved and controlled conditions

To speed up the construction, since no curing is necessary

To achieve a good quality of construction with minimal cost

To use materials which possess innate characteristics such as light weight, sound insulation, thermal conductivity etc…,

To use locally available materials with required characteristics

Use of reusable materials in construction

Design for flexibility and adaptability

Simplify and standardize building systems

To provide safety working platform during deconstruction

To minimize complexities in building design

Disadvantages of prefabrication construction

Careful handling of prefabricated panels are required

If the joints are not properly sealed there may be problem of leakages

Cost of transportation may be high

Transport of high voluminous materials requires larger road width

Traffic congestion is the big issue during mass transportation

Large prefabricated structure requires heavy duty crane, high precision measurement and proper placing of components

Attention has to be paid towards strength and corrosion resistance of sections while joining in order to avoid failures

Local jobs may be lost

Advantages of prefabrication construction

Self supporting readymade components are used, hence use of scaffolding and shuttering is greatly reduced.

Speeder construction than normal one.

Quality control can be easier in factory than in construction site.

Quality obtained in prefabrication process is higher than normal one.

Prefabricated construction is independent of bad weather conditions in the construction site.

Onsite construction and congestion is eliminated.

Provides safer working platform for labourers.

There is minimization of noise and dust in the construction site.

Prefabrication mode is economical than conventional methods.

Lesser expansion joints are required.