Title: Use of offsite construction techniques in Pakistan

Authors: Wajahat Sammer Ansari; Muhammad Jamaluddin Thaheem; Malik M.A. Khalfan

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Technology, Southern Bypass, Multan, 60000, Pakistan ' Department of Civil Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan ' Department of Civil Infrastructure and Environmental Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Abstract: This study examines the benefits and challenges of offsite construction techniques (OCT) in Pakistani construction industry. It presents the view of consultants and contractors regarding offsite construction techniques by conducting a questionnaire survey. This study concludes that duration compression is the single most important factor that is driving the use of OCT in Pakistan. Moreover, the possible benefits of OCT include decrease in project duration; decreased need for skilled workers; increase in labour productivity; increase in site safety; increased design and management efficiency; and overall savings in cost. On the other hand, poor transportation facilities and logistics, and limited design options are challenges of offsite construction in Pakistani context. This study additionally analysed statistically the relationship between consultants and contractors in residential, commercial, infrastructure and industrial sectors for offsite construction techniques. A case study is also presented in this paper to compare the duration and cost of traditional onsite construction verses offsite construction.

Keywords: offsite construction; construction industry; Pakistan; time compression; skilled workers; labour productivity; site safety; design efficiency; management efficiency; overall savings; transport; facilities; logistics; consultants; contractors.

DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2016.079745

Middle East Journal of Management, 2016 Vol.3 No.3, pp.218 - 229

Received: 13 May 2016
Accepted: 16 May 2016
Published online: 13 Oct 2016 *

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