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Offsite Construction and Logistics

Word Count [1603]

Osama Dawood
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................3
1. SPATIAL COORDINATION............................................................................................4
1.1 ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES.......................................................................................4
2. TECHNICAL DESIGN.....................................................................................................5
2.1 DESIGN FOR LOGISTICS..............................................................................................5
2.2 ROUTE SIMULATION AND PROTOTYPING...................................................................7
2.3 TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY....................................................................................7
3. MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION...............................................................7
3.1 LOADING AND UNLOADING........................................................................................8
3.1.1 Case Study of Brock Commons Project.................................................................8
3.2 INSPECTION THROUGH FACTORY ACCEPTANCE TEST................................................9
3.3 DELIVERY...................................................................................................................9
3.4 STRATEGY...................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................10
REFERENCE...........................................................................................................................11

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Introduction
According to Zeng et.al., (2017), the domain of offsite logistics involves various operations
such as planning, procurement, manufacturing, assembly, distribution, and delivery of
products. These activities encompass the entire process, from the production of raw materials
to the final delivery of finished goods. According to Figure 1, offsite logistics can be broadly
categorized into two parts: offsite production and offsite transportation (Zeng et.al., 2017).

Figure 1 Offsite construction logistics domain (Zeng et.al., 2017)

The report is centered around the logistics needs of the ATI-ADIS project, particularly
regarding transporting the final products to the designated site. The report covers the
following categories of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).

Category 5 is used for the

cladding, partition cassettes,
Category 2 is mainly used for
M&E distribution assemblies
the beams, floors and roofs.
and lightweight pods for
bathrooms.

Yang et al., (2021) suggest that there are potential risks associated with offsite logistics
processes due to uncertainty, such as delays in supply, changes, increased costs, defects, and
additional expenses. The interdependence between on- and offsite logistics can result in a
disorderly and error-prone process. To overcome these uncertainties, Pan et.al., (2020)
propose that it is essential to have extensive coordination, communication, and technological
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advancements. Therefore, to achieve these, strategies for coordination and technological
advancement are discussed for an effective logistic plan.

1. Spatial Coordination
Coordination with MMC suppliers, consultants, and stakeholders at this stage is essential to
integrate their systems and requirements into the design, considering transportation and
installation logistics of the CLT panels, cladding components, and lightweight pods (Doherty,
2020).
1.1Advanced Technologies
Yang et al. (2019) suggest the importance of incorporating advanced technologies, such as
automation and robotics. Moreover, Fallahi et al. (2017) propose using BIM for Design for
Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) to enhance constructability reviews by identifying
unfavourable and impractical logistical situations as shown in Figure 2 (Building and
Construction Authority, 2016).

Figure 2 Potential benefits of using BIM with DfMA (Building and Construction Authority, 2016)

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2. Technical Design
The importance of giving special consideration to the logistics of the CLT panels and
bathroom pods during the design process should be taken into account, which according to
Build Offsite, (2021), involves making sure that the design can accommodate transportation
and lifting restrictions.
2.1Design for Logistics
The team responsible for designing and manufacturing will take great care in planning the
logistics of lifting and positioning the CLT panels and pods. They will also ensure that the
bathroom pods and CLT panels are strong enough to withstand the dynamic loads associated
with transportation, as shown in Figure 3a (Ryan E., 2016). Additionally, they will carefully
analyse the pick point for lifting the CLT panels from the truck trailer using a crane, as shown
in Figure 3b. According to Zadeh et al., (2018), to assist in this process, BIM technology will
be utilized to simulate the lifting and perform a centre of gravity analysis, with special
attention given to the timber panels. Moreover, at this point, it is important to focus on
transportation rules and limitations on shipping. Therefore, the technical logistic design
inputs for the ATI-ADIS block are tabulated in Table 1.

(a) (b)

Figure 3 (a) Stability of the structure while unloading (Ryan E., 2016) (b) Lifting of the CLT panels (Storaenso, 2023)

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Table 1 Technical information regarding ATD-ATIS site logistics

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2.2Route Simulation and Prototyping
The BIM model should be used in conjunction with software like Autoturn as the design
develops to confirm crucial details like swept routes and determine delivery timelines as
shown in Figure 4 (Build Offsite, 2021). According to Wang et al., (2020), considering
offsite construction logistics mobile cloud point scanners and GPS are the technologies that
are readily available. Moreover, to streamline the design and construction process, BIM will
be utilised to coordinate with Fabrication Information Modeling (FIM) to generate
component fabrication data and manage their assembly on-site (Brydon Wood, 2021).

Figure 4 Swept path analysis using Autoturn Transoft solutions (Transoft, 2023)

2.3Transportation Strategy
The modules will be designed in a way that enables them to be moved straight from the
factory to the construction site without the need for an additional intermediate construction
consolidation centre (CCC) area. According to Build Offsite, (2021), to synchronize the
factory production speed with the on-site installation schedule, Just in Time (JIT) logistics is
recommended. Because this method helps reduce inventory expenses by minimizing the
number of excess supplies on hand, which in turn reduces the amount of material that needs
to be stored and handled (Designing Buildings, 2021). It should be noted that a laydown area
has been taken into account and presented on-site, as shown in Appendix C. Therefore, JIT
delivery without CCC is considered for the delivery of the CLT and bathroom pods.
Moreover, first, the CLT will be transported to the site for erection, and then after that pods
will be transported.

3. Manufacturing and Construction

At this stage, it is to ensure the efficient movement of CLT panels and bathroom pods
between the manufacturing facility and the construction site. This includes planning and
coordinating transportation, handling, and storage of components to minimize waste, delays,
and costs while maintaining quality standards. The logistics team also ensures that the right
components arrive on-site at the right time, and in the right sequence to support the assembly
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process. Therefore, by implementing effective logistics strategies, DfMA projects can
improve productivity, reduce lead times, and enhance project predictability and control.
3.1Loading and Unloading
Zadeh et al., (2018) suggest utilizing BIM owing to its facilitation of the coordination
between the manufacturer and installer to determine the precise position of CLT panels in the
truck and to plan delivery and unloading cycles. This process ensures that the panels are
loaded according to the assembly plan.
3.1.1 Case Study of Brock Commons Project
Brock Commons project employed BIM to schedule the delivery and unloading of the timber
elements as shown in Figure 5a, and each timber element was assigned a specific location in
the delivery truck, as illustrated in Figure 5b. This approach helps to prevent element
misplacement and allows for just-in-time delivery scheduling in cases where storage space is
restricted at the construction site (Zadeh et al., 2018).

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Figure 5 (a) Sequencing of the panels including delivery and unloading (b) CLT panels mass structure loading plan (Zadeh
et al., 2018)

3.2Inspection Through Factory Acceptance Test

Eurban & Offsite Solutions being the suppliers of CLT panels and bathroom pods should
assist in creating an opportunity for the client (UWE) and MMC advisor (Group-17) to
inspect the CLT panels and pods before they are transported to the site (Build Offsite, 2021).
This can be done through a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), which can minimize the need for
on-site inspection and site acceptance, consequently saving time (Yang et al., 2021). Yang et
al., (2021) also noted that a FAT can help reduce the required site acceptance procedures.
3.3Delivery
Sutrisna et.al., (2019) emphasized the importance of adhering to the agreed timeline by
ensuring a predictable delivery plan and on-site arrival. Delivery planning and considerations
for ATI-ADIS are outlined in Table 2. Moreover, the delivery of the large components might
be restricted to Sundays by the local authority which requires a road closure for the
positioning of the crane; thus, coordination will be made well in advance (CLP, 2021).
3.4Strategy
Considering the delivery of CLT to the ATI-ADIS site, it is considered to have the truck
leave the factory at 12 midnight and reach the site at 4 am owing to almost no traffic at night-
time and ensuring smooth delivery. The supplier is 118 miles away from the ATI-ADIS site.

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Considering the sequence of the delivery, CLT will be the first to be delivered just after
completing the construction of on-site foundations. According to CLP, (2021), the
components which are going to be installed first on-site will be the last ones to be put on the
truck. After the CLT erection, bathroom pods will be delivered for their installation.
The offsite solution, which is the supplier of bathroom pods, is almost 35 miles from the ATI-
ADIS site. The delivery timings of the consignment will be 4 am to 5 am. The frequency of
the deliveries will be kept weekly i-e on Sundays because of the reason discussed in the
previous section. Moreover, BIM tracking using QR codes and RFID tags will be used to
track the deliveries reaching the ATD-ATIS site and ensure that the right components are
loaded in the right trailer (Li et al., 2019).
Moreover, mostly M4 motorway will be used for the logistics of the CLT while M5 will be
used till Cribbs Causeway and then the Cribbs Causeway Road will be followed to carry
bathroom pods to the ATI-ADIS site. Considering the transportation obstacles, low bridges
will be avoided as discussed in Table 1.

Conclusion
Understanding logistical constraints such as size, weight, shape, and factory location is
crucial at the start of a project as it can greatly affect design and modularization. Making
design changes, later on, can have negative effects on the offsite process. To avoid this, it is
important to involve logistics early in the design development process. Research has shown
that Building Information Modeling (BIM) can help to address many of the logistical
challenges involved in offsite construction. Therefore, for the ATI-ADIS construction M4
will be used for the CLT transportation while M5 will be used for the bathroom pods and no
escort vehicles and police notification are required because the load is not an abnormal load
while the transportation falls under the STGO CAT-1, that does not require a police
certificate.

Reference
Brydon Wood (2021) Delivery Platforms for Government Assets

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