Feasibility and Implications of the Modular Construction Approach for Rapid Post-Disaster Recovery

Authors

  • Pedram Ghannad Ph.D. Student, Bert S. Turner Department of Construction Management, Louisiana State University
  • Yong-Cheol Lee Assistant Professor, Bert S. Turner Department of Construction Management, Louisiana State University
  • Jin Ouk Choi Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29173/ijic220

Keywords:

Post-disaster Reconstruction, Modular Construction, Prefabrication, Modularization, Industrialized Construction

Abstract

The adverse social and financial impacts of catastrophic disasters are increasing as population centers grow. In recent years, destroying homes and infrastructures has resulted in a major loss of life and created countless refugees. For example, Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 damaged over 214,700 homes in New Orleans and forced over 800,000 citizens to live outside of their homes due to flooding. After disastrous events, the government agencies have to respond to post-disaster housing issues quickly and efficiently and provide sufficient resources for temporary housing for short-term disaster relief and reconstruction of destroyed and damaged housing for full rehabilitation. Modular construction is a promising solution for improving the process of post-disaster housing reconstruction because of its inherent characteristic of time-efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the potentials and feasibility of the prefabricated/modular construction approach that can be adapted to facilitate the post-disaster recovery process. An extensive literature review has been carried out to identify the features of modular construction, which can add value to the post-disaster recovery process. To investigate the suitability and practicability of implementing modular construction for post-disaster reconstruction and to identify major barriers of its implementation, a survey has been conducted among Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) experts who have experience in prefabrication/modularization, and/or involved in post-disaster reconstruction projects. The results of the study indicate that prefabricated/modular construction is a promising approach to improve time-efficiency of post-disaster reconstruction and tackle challenges of current practices by its unique benefits such as reduced demand for on-site labor (overcome local labor pool constraints impacted by the disaster) and resources (overcome the shortage of equipment and materials), shorter schedule (due to concurrent & non-seasonal), reduced site congestion, and improved labor productivity (due to assembly line-like and controlled environment).

References

Smith, K.R., Woodward, A., Campbell-Lendrum, D., Chadee, D.D. Honda, Y., Liu, Q., Olwoch, J.M., Revich, B., and Sauerborn, R. (2014). “Human health: impacts, adaptation, and co-benefits.” Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Part A: Global and Sectoral Aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA, 709-754.

Forcael, E., González, V., Orozco, F., Vargas, S., Pantoja, A., and Moscoso, P. (2014). “Ant colony optimization model for tsunamis evacuation routes.” Computer‐Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 29(10), 723-737. https://doi.org/10.1111/mice.12113

US Census Bureau. (2011). “Census bureau releases first detailed data on Katrina damage to New Orleans area housing.” https://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/housing/cb11-28.html?sec_ak_reference=18.3c0fd717.1498345291.1cd608b4 (Accessed Jan., 2020)

Ghannad, P. and Lee, Y.-C. (2020). “Prioritization of post-disaster reconstruction of transportation network using an integrated AHP and genetic algorithm.” Accepted (Sep., 2019) for publication in Proceedings, Construction Research Congress, Tempe, AZ, USA, Mar. 8–10.

FEMA. (2005). Planning for Post Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), Washington D.C., USA.

Gunawardena, T., Tuan, N., Mendis, P., Aye, L., & Crawford, R. (2014). “Time-efficient post-disaster housing reconstruction with prefabricated modular structures.” Open House International, 39(3), 59-69.

Ghannad, P., Lee, Y. C., & Choi, J. O. (2019). “Investigating stakeholders’ perceptions of feasibility and implications of modular construction-based post-disaster reconstruction.” Proceedings, 2019 Modular and Offsite Construction Summit, Banff, AB, Canada, May 21–24, pp. 504-513. https://doi.org/10.29173/mocs132

Cronbach, L. J. (1951). “Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests.” Psychometrika, 16(3), 297-334. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02310555

Cortina, J. M. (1993). “What is coefficient alpha? An examination of theory and applications.” Journal of Applied Psychology, 78(1), 98. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.78.1.98

Tas, N., Tas, M., and Cosgun, N. (2011). “Permanent housing production process after 17 August 1999 Marmara Earthquake in Turkey.” International Journal of Strategic Property Management, 15(3), 312-328. https://doi.org/10.3846/1648715X.2011.617863

Weerakoon, D., Jayasuriya, S., Arunatilake, N., and Steele, P. (2007). Economic challenges of post-tsunami reconstruction in Sri Lanka (No. 75). Asian Development Bank Institute, Tokyo. http://www.adbi.org/discussionpaper/2007/08/31/2354.sri.lanka.post.tsunami.reconstruction/ (Accessed Jan., 2020)

Koria, M. (2009). “Managing for innovation in large and complex recovery programmes: Tsunami lessons from Sri Lanka.” International Journal of Project Management, 27(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2008.09.005

Arshad, S., & Athar, S. (2013). Rural housing reconstruction program post-2005 earthquake: Learning from the Pakistan Experience: A manual for post-disaster housing program managers. World Bank Group, Washington, D.C., USA.

Green, R., Bates, L. K., and Smyth, A. (2007). “Impediments to recovery in New Orleans’ Upper and Lower Ninth Ward: One year after Hurricane Katrina.” Disasters, 31(4), 311-335. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7717.2007.01011.x

SEAW (Structural Engineers Association, Washington) (2011). Great East Japan (Tohoku) Earthquake and Tsunami. The Japan Journal, 2011 Reconnaissance Observations.

Ghannad, P., Lee, Y. C., Friedland, C., and Yang, E. (2019). “Optimizing the socioeconomic benefit of post-disaster strategies by prioritizing reconstruction of damaged facilities.” Proceedings, Computing in Civil Engineering 2019: Smart Cities, Sustainability, and Resilience, Atlanta, Georgia, June 17–19, pp. 180-187. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784482445.023

Tas, M., Tas, N., and Cosgun, N. (2010). “Study on permanent housing production after 1999 earthquake in Kocaeli (Turkey).” Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, 19(1), 6-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/09653561011022108

Lloyd-Jones, T. (2006). “Mind the Gap! Post-disaster reconstruction and the transition from humanitarian relief.” Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). https://www.preventionweb.net/go/9080 (Accessed Jan., 2020)

Hidayat, B., and Egbu, C. O. (2010). “A literature review of the role of project management in post-disaster reconstruction.” Proceedings, 26th Annual Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM) Conference, Leeds, UK, Sept. 6–8, pp. 1269-1278. https://www.tib.eu/de/suchen/id/BLCP%3ACN077357408

Johnson, C. (2007). “Strategic planning for post-disaster temporary housing.” Disasters, 31(4), 435-459. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7717.2007.01018.x

Chang, Y., Wilkinson, S., Potangaroa, R., & Seville, E. (2010). “Resourcing challenges for post-disaster housing reconstruction: a comparative analysis.” Building Research & Information, 38(3), 247-264. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613211003693945

Boen, T. (2006). “Building a safer Aceh, reconstruction of houses, one year after the Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami.” Presented at the 40th Anniversary of Trisakti University, “Answering the Challenges in Today’s Civil Engineering”, Jan. 26, 2006.

Steinberg, F. (2007). “Housing reconstruction and rehabilitation in Aceh and Nias, Indonesia—Rebuilding lives.” Habitat International, 31(1), 150-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2006.11.002

Tambe, S., Pradhan, S., Donka, P., & Singh, P. (2018). “Post-earthquake housing reconstruction in the Sikkim Himalaya: Approaches, challenges, and lessons learnt.” Development in Practice, 28(5), 647-660. https://doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2018.1469601

Roosli, R., Vebry, M., Othuman Mydin, M. A., & Ismail, M. (2012). “Building and planning of post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction.” International Journal of Academic Research, 4(1).

Davidson, C. H., Johnson, C., Lizarralde, G., Dikmen, N., and Sliwinski, A. (2007). “Truths and myths about community participation in post-disaster housing projects.” Habitat International, 31(1), 100-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2006.08.003

Modular Building Institute (2010). Improving Construction Efficiency & Productivity with Modular Construction. Modular Building Institute, Charlottesville, VA, USA.

Pons, O., and Wadel, G. (2011). “Environmental impacts of prefabricated school buildings in Catalonia.” Habitat International, 35(4), 553-563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2011.03.005

CII (2002). Implementing the prefabrication, preassembly, modularization, and offsite fabrication decision framework: Guide and tool. Construction Industry Institute, Austin, TX.

CII (2012). Industrial modularization: How to optimize; How to maximize. The University of Texas at Austin, Construction Industry Institute, Austin, TX, USA.

CII (1987). Constructability improvement using prefabrication, preassembly, and modularization. The University of Texas at Austin, Construction Industry Institute, Austin, TX, USA.

Lawson, R. M., Ogden, R. G., and Bergin, R. (2011). “Application of modular construction in high-rise buildings.” Journal of Architectural Engineering, 18(2), 148-154. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AE.1943-5568.0000057

Nadim, W., and Goulding, J. S. (2010). “Offsite production in the UK: the way forward? A UK construction industry perspective.” Construction Innovation, 10(2), 181-202. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14714171011037183

Won, I., Na, Y., Kim, J. T., and Kim, S. (2013). “Energy-efficient algorithms of the steam curing for the in situ production of precast concrete members.” Energy and Buildings, 64, 275-284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.05.019

Choi, J. O. (2014). Links between modularization critical success factors and project performance. Doctoral dissertation, The University of Texas at Austin, UT Electronic These and Dissertations, Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering. http://hdl.handle.net/2152/25030

Choi, J., Chen, X., and Kim, T. (2017). “Opportunities and challenges of modular methods in dense urban environment.” International Journal of Construction Management, 19(2), 93-105. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2017.1382093

Rogan, A. L., Lawson, R. M., and Bates-Brkljac, N. (2000). Value and benefits assessment of modular construction. Steel Construction Institute, Ascot, UK.

Fagerlund, W. R. (2001). Decision framework for prefabrication, pre-assembly and modularization in industrial construction. Doctoral dissertation, University of Texas at Austin.

Yan, C. et al. (2011). “Identifying factors affecting resource availability for post-disaster reconstruction: A case study in China”. Construction Management and Economics, 29(1), 37-48. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2010.521761

Gotlieb, J., Stringfellow, T., and Rice, R. (2001). “Power plant design taking full advantage of modularization.” Power Engineering, 6(105). https://www.power-eng.com/2001/06/01/power-plant-design-taking-full-advantage-of-modularization/

Lapp, C. W., and Golay, M. W. (1997). “Modular design and construction techniques for nuclear power plants.” Nuclear Engineering and Design, 172(3), 327-349.

Gan, X., Chang, R., Zuo, J., Wen, T., and Zillante, G. (2018). “Barriers to the transition towards off-site construction in China: An interpretive structural modeling approach.” Journal of Cleaner Production, 197, 8-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.06.184

APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) (2009). Guidelines and best practices for post-disaster damage and loss assessment; Report from APEC workshop on damage assessment techniques. APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group in Asia, Hong Kong.

Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator (1979). Natural disasters and vulnerability analysis. UNDRO (United Nations Disaster Relief Organization), Geneva, CH.

Downloads

Published

2020-08-20

How to Cite

Ghannad, P., Lee, Y.-C., & Choi, J. O. (2020). Feasibility and Implications of the Modular Construction Approach for Rapid Post-Disaster Recovery. International Journal of Industrialized Construction, 1(1), 64–75. https://doi.org/10.29173/ijic220

Issue

Section

Articles