IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i10p8105-d1148357.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Unexpected Challenges in the Modular Construction Implementation: Are UK Contractors Ready?

Author

Listed:
  • Niraj Thurairajah

    (Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle NE1 8ST, UK)

  • Akila Rathnasinghe

    (Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle NE1 8ST, UK)

  • Mehvish Ali

    (Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle NE1 8ST, UK)

  • Shashwat Shashwat

    (Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle NE1 8ST, UK)

Abstract

Despite the growing attention given to modular construction in the UK, a lack of investigation into the practical challenges and limitations experienced by contractors has been noted. Hence, this study aims to critically assess the feasibility of volumetric modular construction from the perspective of contractors who have applied this method in real-world projects. The study adopted a qualitative research approach using a case study technique and selected two modular construction projects in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, as case studies. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine professionals from the contracting organisations involved in these projects in addition to project document reviews from the selected cases and data analysis using a content analysis approach. The study found that while modular construction can be costly, it is appreciated by contractors for its ability to reduce construction schedules and save costs. However, program delays, skill gaps, and reduced design flexibility pose significant challenges. This study offers unique insights into the practical challenges and limitations of volumetric modular construction and provides recommendations for improvement. Its contribution to the body of knowledge is significant as it sheds light on the trade-offs involved in using modular construction and highlights the need for further research to enhance its application in real-world projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Niraj Thurairajah & Akila Rathnasinghe & Mehvish Ali & Shashwat Shashwat, 2023. "Unexpected Challenges in the Modular Construction Implementation: Are UK Contractors Ready?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:10:p:8105-:d:1148357
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/10/8105/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/10/8105/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wei Pan & Alistair Gibb & Andrew Dainty, 2007. "Perspectives of UK housebuilders on the use of offsite modern methods of construction," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(2), pages 183-194.
    2. repec:eme:ws0000:00438020210415488 is not listed on IDEAS
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lei Jiang & Zhongfu Li & Long Li & Yunli Gao, 2018. "Constraints on the Promotion of Prefabricated Construction in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1, July.
    2. Satheeskumar Navaratnam, 2022. "Selecting a Suitable Sustainable Construction Method for Australian High-Rise Building: A Multi-Criteria Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-17, June.
    3. Pei Dang & Zhanwen Niu & Shang Gao & Lei Hou & Guomin Zhang, 2020. "Critical Factors Influencing the Sustainable Construction Capability in Prefabrication of Chinese Construction Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-21, October.
    4. Craig Langston & Weiwei Zhang, 2021. "DfMA: Towards an Integrated Strategy for a More Productive and Sustainable Construction Industry in Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-21, August.
    5. Kaicheng Shen & Chen Cheng & Xiaodong Li & Zhihui Zhang, 2019. "Environmental Cost-Benefit Analysis of Prefabricated Public Housing in Beijing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-21, January.
    6. Chatziantoniou, Ioannis & Filis, George & Floros, Christos, 2017. "Asset prices regime-switching and the role of inflation targeting monetary policy," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 97-112.
    7. Fuyi Yao & Guiwen Liu & Yingbo Ji & Wenjing Tong & Xiaoyun Du & Kaijian Li & Asheem Shrestha & Igor Martek, 2020. "Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Construction within the Industrialized Building Process: A Monetization and Building Information Modelling Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-22, November.
    8. Alasdair Reid, 2023. "Closing the Affordable Housing Gap: Identifying the Barriers Hindering the Sustainable Design and Construction of Affordable Homes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-27, May.
    9. Yu, Sisi & Liu, Yanfeng & Wang, Dengjia & Bahaj, AbuBakr S. & Wu, Yue & Liu, Jiaping, 2021. "Review of thermal and environmental performance of prefabricated buildings: Implications to emission reductions in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    10. Hui Liu & Nazirah Zainul Abidin, 2024. "A Review on Research of Prefabricated Building Costs: Exploring Collaborations, Intellectual Basis, and Research Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-30, November.
    11. Qianqian Shi & Ziyu Wang & Boya Li & Marcel Hertogh & Shuyi Wang, 2022. "Evolutionary Analysis of Prefabrication Implementation in Construction Projects under Low-Carbon Policies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, September.
    12. Seoyoung Jung & Seulki Lee & Jungho Yu, 2021. "Identification and Prioritization of Critical Success Factors for Off-Site Construction Using ISM and MICMAC Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-21, August.
    13. Andrew Agapiou, 2021. "An Exploration of the Best Value Perceptions of Small Housebuilding Developers towards Offsite Construction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-19, April.
    14. Yanjie Wang & Fucheng Wang & Peidong Sang & Huanbin Song, 2021. "Analysing factors affecting developers’ behaviour towards the adoption of prefabricated buildings in China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(10), pages 14245-14263, October.
    15. Zufeng Shang & Fenglai Wang & Xu Yang, 2022. "The Efficiency of the Chinese Prefabricated Building Industry and Its Influencing Factors: An Empirical Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-25, August.
    16. Tykkä, Saana & McCluskey, Denise & Nord, Tomas & Ollonqvist, Pekka & Hugosson, Mårten & Roos, Anders & Ukrainski, Kadri & Nyrud, Anders Q. & Bajric, Fahrudin, 2010. "Development of timber framed firms in the construction sector -- Is EU policy one source of their innovation?," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 12(3), pages 199-206, March.
    17. Yongsheng Jiang & Dong Zhao & Dedong Wang & Yudong Xing, 2019. "Sustainable Performance of Buildings through Modular Prefabrication in the Construction Phase: A Comparative Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-15, October.
    18. Janne Harkonen & Arto Tolonen & Harri Haapasalo, 2018. "Modelling of Construction Products and Services for Effective Productisation," Management, University of Primorska, Faculty of Management Koper, vol. 13(4), pages 335-353.
    19. Fred Edmond Boafo & Jin-Hee Kim & Jun-Tae Kim, 2016. "Performance of Modular Prefabricated Architecture: Case Study-Based Review and Future Pathways," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-16, June.
    20. Hong Xue & Shoujian Zhang & Yikun Su & Zezhou Wu, 2018. "Capital Cost Optimization for Prefabrication: A Factor Analysis Evaluation Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-22, January.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:10:p:8105-:d:1148357. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.