Precast versus In Situ Concrete: Developing an Initial Feasibility Study for Early Decision-Making in the Australian Construction Industry

Abstract

Prefabrication is recognized as a key driver for enhancing efficiency in construction projects, encompassing goals related to schedule, cost, quality, and sustainability. Despite the global surge in interest and growth of the modular construction industry, Australia lags behind in the adoption of prefabrication methods. The decision-making process in the construction sector is characterized by subjectivity, dependence on experience and intuition, and a lack of documented decision-support approaches. Additionally, early project decisions are frequently made without a comprehensive understanding of available options and without the direct involvement of relevant parties. This research, following an exhaustive literature review and pilot study, employs a survey distributed among Australian construction experts to gather their perspectives on the decision-making process and preferences concerning traditional and contemporary concrete construction systems. Statistical methods are employed to analyze the collected data, including ranking methods, factor analysis, and ANOVA. The results of the study highlight that schedule control emerges as the most significant factor influencing the choice between in situ and precast concrete in construction projects, emphasizing the importance of adhering to project timelines. Moreover, Australian construction professionals demonstrate a notable preference for precast concrete in diverse building types, a trend supported by factor analysis results indicating a shift toward prioritizing environmental considerations over cost. The comprehensive objectives include highlighting key stakeholders in the decision-making process, identifying preferred precast building types, prioritizing concrete construction systems, and examining potential outcome variations across the public and private sectors, project contractual parties, and Australian states as perceived by construction industry professionals. This study aims to provide valuable insights, specifically targeting the Australian construction industry, with the ultimate goal of improving the informed and structured decision-making process. It seeks to offer decision makers a preliminary feasibility analysis for adopting an optimal level of modularization in construction projects, incorporating expert knowledge accumulated during the early design stage.