Improvement of Masonry Construction Site Conditions Using Lean Principles

• Author / Creator

  Keyrouz, Karl

• Construction site conditions are suboptimal and current practices generate a lot of waste in all its forms (material, equipment, resources, etc.), hindering the true potential of productivity and value generation on construction sites. Lean Construction research studies oriented toward improving site conditions are available, focusing on specific aspects of waste. Nevertheless, there is still a gap in improving construction flow research, both at the micro and macro levels.
  This study presents a framework to analyze and optimize construction site conditions. The concept developed in the framework is rooted in Lean Thinking and Theory. A case study of the masonry construction process is performed to test and validate the framework. The different types of walls using masonry construction as a construction method were compiled and presented.
  Lean tools were used in this case study, namely Value Stream Mapping and Simulation Modelling, to study the performance of the current masonry construction practices on construction sites. Bottlenecks in the current process were identified, and a base-case scenario was proposed with potential solutions; extracted and analyzed metrics included: construction lead time, daily productivity, and station utilization. Subsequently, the use of modular construction, interlocking masonry blocks and a robot platform were proposed as solutions for improving construction site conditions. These three systems were studied and analyzed using Simulation Modelling compared to the traditional masonry construction process. Each solution was shown to partially remediate some problems encountered in traditional masonry construction practices. Modular construction improved scheduling issues, whereas the interlocking blocks could solve the problematic use of mortar. The robot platform and arm would remediate the problems of waste related to material handling on site.

  In conclusion, this study analyzed the construction systems, both at the micro and macro levels. Simulation Modelling showed that combining three interventions: modular construction, interlocking blocks, and a robotic platform, could substantially decrease waste while increasing generated value. This case study sets the ground for the future adoption of automated/robotic technology in Lean Construction Engineering.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Lean
  • Masonry
  • Construction

• Graduation date

  Fall 2023

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-ajne-9y74

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.