LITERATURE REVIEW

Inferences / Outcomes
What is Constructability?
• As per Construction Industry Institute CII (US- research based) in (1986): “constructability
is the optimum use of construction knowledge and experience in planning, design,
procurement, and field operations to achieve overall project objectives”.

• By Australia CII Australia (1996): “the integration of construction knowledge in the

project delivery process and balancing the various project and environmental constraints
to achieve the project goals and building performance at an optimum level”.

• The idea or concept of constructability was out in the late of 1970s, to integrating
engineering, construction, and operation knowledge and experience to increase cost
efficiency, quality and to better achieve project objectives in the construction industry.

• It deals with the project management systems which optimally use construction
knowledge and experience to enhance efficiency of project delivery.
 What is Constructability?
• Constructability is one such project management technique to review construction
processes from start to finish during pre-construction phase.
• It is to identify obstacles before a project is actually built to reduce or prevent errors, delays
and cost overruns.
• Optimization of the construction process.
• Ease of Construction.
• An approach that links the design and construction processes.
• Use of Construction knowledge and experience during design phase.
• To develop a construction sensitive design.
• Employing an experienced professional from construction industry for constructability
review programs.
Traditional approach to
Constructability:
• Constructability review was part of the project management consultant’s scope. The project
management consultant also acts as the constructability coordinator and carries out
constructability orientation for the other.

• Another approach to improve constructability in the public sector projects is by setting up a

technical team to assist project managers with engineering and construction matters. project
team members. The technical team consists of experienced construction personnel. The team
acts as the constructability coordinator and is responsible for providing construction input in all
phases of the project.

• Constructability reviews is also viewed as part of the risk assessment for construction during the
planning stage.
How it is similar to the current
practice?
• Constructability as a part of Project management. Project managers can be
constructability coordinators looking after a project to achieve the project
goals and objectives.
• Project reviews does takes place.
• Cost optimization strategies and Value Engineering is done.
• It may or may not involve an experienced construction personnel or
someone from the contractor’s team leading the project for constructability
inputs?
Salient Points associated with
Constructability
• Integration can result in significant savings and better
project performance.
• Construction input in design can resolve many design
related difficulties during construction, such as those
arising from access restrictions and incompatible design
and construction schedules.
• Construction input includes knowledge of local factors
and site conditions that can influence the choice of
construction method and, in turn, the design.
• The highest ability to influence cost comes at the
conceptual phase, where the decisions at that time
could greatly affect the project plan, site layout and
accessibility, and the choice of construction methods.
• Full integration will require that the contractor or
construction representative be brought into the project
team at the same time as the designer. Thus, the choice
of the contractual approach can be critical in Various stages of Design process and the
determining early construction involvement in a cost saving potential : cost influence of
project. decisions in the early phases is very high
When should constructability be
implemented?
• Complex building structures and specialized building structures- for ease of construction.
• Underground metro, bridges, railway, airport, long span structures, etc.
• Project type as characterized by the technology required, such as synthetic fuels,
petrochemicals, nuclear power plants, etc.
• In a conventional framed building structure for cost optimization to determine the optimum
method of construction considering all project specific parameter.
• Large projects with unprecedented demands for resources such as labor supply, material
and infrastructure complexity may call for careful technological feasibility studies which is
achieved through constructability reviews.
 Constructability Principles
• Integration: Constructability must be made an integral part of the project plan.
• Construction knowledge: Project planning must actively involve construction knowledge and
experience.
• Team skills: The experience, skills and composition of the project team must be appreciated for
the project.
• Corporate objectives: Constructability is enhanced when the project team gains an understanding
of the clients corporate and project objectives. The target should be to achieve the best in the
project without delays and reworks.
• Available resources: The technology of the design solution must be matched with the skills and
resources available.
• External factors: External factors can affect the cost and program of the project. Hence special care
should be taken off for unforeseen circumstances that may hinder the construction projects.
 Constructability Principles
• Program: The overall program for the project must be realistic, construction sensitive and have the
commitment of the project team. The construction schedule should take care of all the factors like
weather conditions, availability of resources etc. and must be sensitive for all issues related to
construction process.
• Construction methodology: Project design must consider the construction methodology. The methods
of construction must be thought off at the design development stage itself, so that the project runs
smoothly. Also, the availability of equipment’s is to be enquired, before the selection of methodology.
• Accessibility: Constructability will be enhanced if construction accessibility is considered in the design
and construction stages of the project.
• Specification: Project constructability is enhanced when construction efficiency is considered in
specification formulation.
• Construction Innovation
• Feedback: Constructability can be enhanced on similar failure projects if the project team undertakes a
post construction analysis. It is very important to pressure a feedback system. Innovative techniques
during construction will enhance constructability. It is always fruitful to see innovative methods.
Constructability Barriers
• CII (1987) has classified barriers to constructability
into various categories as general barrier, owner
barrier, designer barrier, contractor barrier etc. They
can be listed as follows:
General barrier
• "This is just another programme"
• "Right people" are not available
• Discontinuity of key project team personnel
• No documentation of lessons learned
• Failure to search out problems and opportunities
Owner Barrier
• Lack of awareness of benefits, concepts, etc.
• Perception that constructability delays project
schedule
• Reluctance to invest additional money and/or effort
in early project stages
• Lack of genuine commitment
Owner Barrier
• Distinctly separate design management and construction
management operations
• Lack of construction experience
• Lack of team-building or partnering
• Disregard of constructability in selecting contractors and
consultants
• Contracting difficulties in defining constructability scope
• Misdirected design objectives and performance
measures
• Lack of financial incentive for designer
• Gold-plated standard specifications
• Limitations of lump-sum competitive contracting
• Unreceptive to contractor innovation
 Constructability Barriers
Designer Barrier O’Connor (1994) added some more barriers to
• Perception that they have considered it constructability like:
• Lack of awareness of benefits, concepts, etc. Organized Barriers
• Lack of construction experience/qualified personnel • Preassembly limitations
• Setting company goals over project goals • Other work restrictions
Vendor Barriers
• Lack of awareness of construction technologies
• Fragmentation and difficult communication
• Lack of mutual respect between designers and constructors
interfaces
• Perception of increased designer liability • Restrictions on proprietary designs
• Construction input is requested too late to be of value Code Authority Barriers
• Rigid, outdated codes and design standards
Contractor Barriers • Non rigorous approach to establishment of
• Reluctance of field personnel to offer preconstruction advice tolerances
• Poor timeliness of input Research Barriers
• Poor communication skills • Difficulty in proving the economics of
• Lack of involvement in tool and equipment development constructability
Barriers
• Song et al (2009) stated that failure of design professionals to consider how a contractor
will implement the design can result in scheduling problems, delays, and disputes during
the construction process.
• There is a lack of practical knowledge on the part of designers.
• The fragmentation of the design and construction environment discourages
implementation of constructability knowledge during design.

• Another barrier is that there is no comprehensive explicit definition for constructability

knowledge, which emphasizes its tacit nature – being accumulated mainly in the minds and
experiences of relevant professionals.
Stage of Constructability
The processes of constructability are
based on following:
• Organizing the design team,
• Collecting data,
• Identify the constraints,
• Developing program,
• Framing options evaluation,
• Developing preliminary design,
• Checking of options,
• Final design process,
• Developing bid package,
• Procedure of bidding,
• Procedure of fabrications,
• Installation process.
Purpose of Constructability
The objective of constructability is to determine the
following items:
• Fault of design either dimension or select materials
indistinct features
• The specifications of Project will be difficult or high
cost to construct based on design
• Exceeding the project features in capability of industry
to properly build
• Project properties that are difficult to understand and
also are hard to correctly bid.
Benefits of Constructability
The following are the benefits of Constructability according to CII are:

• Reduces overall project costs.

• Impacts design, procurement, construction, and operations and maintenance costs
• Reduces project schedule.
• Improves project security, safety, and environmental impact.
• Increases project quality.
• Operability, functionality, and reliability
• Improves project team relationships.
• Minimizes rework and rescheduling on the project.
• Enhances the progress of the work.
• Planning, design, construction, and startup schedules
• Results in repeat business.
Constructability Strategies
Preconstruction planning determines three important elements affecting design and plan
sequence:

• Selecting construction method and sequence so that designers can incorporate them in their
design.

• Ensuring that the design is constructible with at least one feasible way to execute the work.

• Assuring that all necessary resources will be available when required, including accessibility,
construction space, and information.

• Constructability Reviews during the design phase of the project.

Measures to improve constructability- Examples
where constructability can be incorporated.
• Formwork
• Staging, centering and scaffolding
• Installation procedure
• Skill availability
• Innovation and technology
• Material and Specification
• Construction input includes knowledge of local factors and site conditions that can influence the
choice of construction method and the design.
• Sequence of assembly of a structure

• The focus is on maximizing simplicity, economy, and speed of construction, etc. while
considering such project-specific factors as site conditions, code restrictions and owner
requirements.
Constructability Strategies
• The method of constructability input is determined by the project owners’ selection of project
delivery approaches.
• Design Build. (design and construction services are contracted by a single entity - design–
build contractor)
• Design and Construction as an Integrated System.
• Design Methodology
• Industrialized Construction and Pre-fabrication
• Construction Planning
• Value Engineering
• Innovation and Economic Feasibility
• Innovation and Technological Feasibility
• Computer-Aided Engineering (BIM)
Value Engineering
• Value engineering may be broadly defined as an organized approach in identifying
unnecessary costs in design and construction and in soliciting or proposing
alternative design or construction technology to reduce costs without sacrificing
quality or performance requirements.

• Value Engineering = reduces the total life cycle cost.

• Constructability = Optimization of the entire construction process.

 BIM
• BIM, in general, have multiple benefits for the planning
aspect of a construction project:
• Visual representation and communication
• Simulation and development
• Clash detection (and resolution)

• The 3D BIM model adds value to the project in the form of

better visualization, clash detection, constructability analysis
and more. Apart from being well coordinated, the model
gives an added dimension and more clarity to the contractor
and other stakeholders during execution. (Techture) Information flow between actors
in a traditional project and by use
• Bechtel Corporation, Gurgaon: Perform constructability of Building Information Model
reviews. Construction Professionals are typically Responsible
for Reviewing drawings for constructability and providing
interpretation to craft and/or installation subcontractors.
Project Delivery Methods – How and
when to incorporate
constructability?
• Design-bid-build:

• DBB with Construction Management:

• Design-Build:

• Integrated Project Delivery (IPD):

A project delivery method in which the interests of the primary team
members are aligned in such a way that the members can be
integrated for optimal project performance resulting in a collaborative,
value-based process delivering high-outcome results to the entire
building team.
IPD: Integrated Project Delivery 
• For example, if the sequence of assembly of a structure and the critical loadings on the
partially assembled structure during construction are carefully considered as a part of
the overall structural design, the impacts of the design on construction falsework and
on assembly details can be anticipated.
• However, if the design professionals are expected to assume such responsibilities, they
must be rewarded for sharing the risks as well as for undertaking these additional tasks.
• Similarly, when construction contractors are expected to take over the responsibilities of
engineers, such as devising a very elaborate scheme to erect an unconventional
structure,
Constructability team
• Personnel can include project
constructability coordinator, project
constructability team:
• Construction project management,
• Owner's representatives, project
engineers, discipline engineers,
construction superintendents,
construction engineers, procurement
specialists, vendors, subcontractors,
quality-control personnel, and ad hoc
specialists).
• Ad hoc specialists include rigging,
heating, ventilating, an air
conditioning (HVAC), piping, concrete,
instrumentation, electrical, structural,
welding, transportation, and
equipment, among others. Personnel
may be involved over multiple phases
of the facility delivery process.
Constructability Strategies
• Reduction in engineering can occur through the use of standardized building components and
design details.
• Construction costs can be reduced by using labor more efficiently through prefabrication,
preassembly, and modular techniques, and efficient use of construction materials, mechanized
equipment, and hand tools.
• Several key factors must be considered in order to impact design and construction costs, and
scheduled duration.
• Such factors include contract strategy, construction methods and techniques, and construction
sequencing.
• Direct savings can stem from less material, fewer number of workers (i.e., reduced labor effort-
hours), and a reduced amount of fixed equipment used in construction.
Constructability Process
The Roadmap highlights six milestones to the constructability process:
• Commit to Implementing Constructability
• Establish Corporate Constructability Program
• Obtain Constructability Capabilities
• Plan Constructability Implementation
• Implement Constructability
• Update Corporate Program.
Constructability in Indian Codes:
NBC
• Adoption of innovative technologies giving due consideration to constructability and quality
aspects. (NBC 2016 Vol-1)

• SECTION 2 CONSTRUCTION PLANNING AND SITE MANAGEMENT

• 5.1.4 The constructability aspects of the proposed construction methods needs to be carefully
evaluated at the planning stage to ensure ease of construction besides optimizing the
construction schedule and achieving quality, reliability and maintainability of the constructed
facilities.
• Multiple and similar-in-size equipment makes standardization a construction feature. (NBC 2016
Vol-2)
 Constructability implementation -
Case Study Examples
• Optimising Site logistics of a high-rise building.
• Innovative use of structural frames for buildings
• Use of prefabricated units.
• Use of modular units for speedy construction.
• large-scale and complex infrastructure projects –
Railway. Bridges, Metro lines
• Reducing the cost of construction of Nagpur Metro
Project: The length of the metro stations, size of the
depots and the size of the viaduct (elevated track
structure) were reduced. The viaduct size was being
reduced by 15% which alone lead to cost saving of
10%.
• Aurecon – Constructability to analyze Temporary
structure to assemble long span roof structure on
site. Erecting roof structure: To resolve the complex
interface between the temporary works, the
permanent roof and the supporting substructures.
 Constructability Challenges faced
• Faulty, ambiguous or defective working drawings
• Incomplete or ambiguous specifications
• Non-standardized designs
• Adversarial relationships between designer and contractor
• Resistance of owner to formal constructability program
• Budget limitations
• Lack of construction experience and technologies on the part of designers
• Contractors lack of knowledge of design philosophy
• Limitation of lump-sum competitive contracting
• Tight timeframe for designing and tendering
• Non participation of all discipline design teams during preliminary design stage of project
• Separation of design and construction processes in traditional contractual procedure
 Constructability
Concepts
Project constructability enhancement during Conceptual Project constructability enhancement during design and
Planning phase. procurement phases.
Concept C1 Project constructability programme to be
Concept C8 Dictated by construction sequence
established.
Concept C2 Project team with owner, engineer and contractor Concept C9 Advanced information technologies. BIM
representatives to check constructability issues. To overcome the problem of fragmentation into
Concept C3 Individuals with current construction knowledge specialized roles in this field.
and experience should be involved early in the
project. Concept C10 Design review by qualified construction personnel
Concept C4 Construction method to be considered while
selecting the type of contract Concept C11 Standardized elements
Concept C5 Project schedule should be construction sensitive.
Concept C6 Major construction methods should be analyzed and Concept C12 Technical specifications should be simplified.
selected early to direct the design according to these
methods. To facilitate the construction process. Concept C13 Modularization and preassembly. To facilitate
Concept C7 Site layout to allow efficient construction. fabrication, transportation and installation.

Concept C14 Accessibility of construction personnel, materials and

equipment
Concept C15 Facilitate construction during adverse weather
conditions
Constructability Concepts
Project constructability enhancement during field operations phases.
Concept C16 Field tasks sequencing, minimize damages or rework.

Concept C17 Innovation in temporary construction materials/systems.

Concept C18 Incorporating innovation that reduce labour intensity.

Concept C19 Modification of the available equipment to increase their

productivity.
Concept C20 Increase the productivity, reduce the need for scaffolding.

Concept C21 Innovation of temporary facilities. Eg. Scaffolding, etc.

Concept C22 Contractors to be documented, contracts for future construction

works would not be awarded based on low bids only.

Concept C23 Documentation and feedback of the issues of the constructability -

Lessons Learned program.
Constructability Challenges
• Faulty, ambiguous or defective working drawings
• Incomplete or ambiguous specifications
• Non-standardized designs
• Adversarial relationships between designer and contractor
• Resistance of owner to formal constructability program
• Budget limitations
• Lack of construction experience and technologies on the part of
designers
• Contractors lack of knowledge of design philosophy
• Limitation of lump-sum competitive contracting
• Tight timeframe for designing and tendering
• Non participation of all discipline design teams during
preliminary design stage of project
• Separation of design and construction processes in traditional
contractual procedure