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Modular concrete construction: The differing perspectives of designers, manufacturers, and contractors in Lebanon

Farook Hamzeh (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon)
Omar Abdul Ghani (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon)
Mohammad Bassel Saleh Bacha (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon)
Yara Abbas (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon)

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management

ISSN: 0969-9988

Article publication date: 20 November 2017

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Abstract

Purpose

This study evaluates the enablers and barriers for modular concrete construction in Lebanon. The purpose of this paper is to investigate various factors (time, cost, technical know-how, organizational, sustainability, etc.) and their influence on the choice of the construction method. The paper examines the different assessments of designers, manufacturers, and contractors regarding precast construction in comparison to traditional in-situ methods, and highlights the major differences in their views.

Design/methodology/approach

Structured face-to-face surveys were conducted with top management personnel of precast manufacturers, architectural and engineering firms, and contracting companies in Lebanon. In addition, a case study from the largest precast project in Lebanon was used to provide a deeper understanding of factors encouraging the use of precast concrete, and to highlight major onsite issues associated with its implementation.

Findings

On the one hand, the findings highlight technical, logistical, organizational, and cultural factors that inhibit the use of precast concrete as a construction method. On the other hand, results reveal that cost, time, sustainability, and flexibility factors are the main enablers for increasing the uptake of modular concrete construction.

Originality/value

The main contribution to knowledge is that this study presents different stakeholders’ perspectives on precast concrete construction. Moreover, this is the first research addressing precast concrete construction in the Middle East and Lebanon. The results of the study provide valuable global insights and recommendations that may help increase the uptake of precast concrete construction. They can also guide project stakeholders to properly match project characteristics and precast concrete as a construction method.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors are indebted to the help of all the industry professionals who have participated in this research. The study was funded by the FEA start-up at the American University of Beirut. All support is gratefully acknowledged. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of contributors to the fund.

Citation

Hamzeh, F., Abdul Ghani, O., Saleh Bacha, M.B. and Abbas, Y. (2017), "Modular concrete construction: The differing perspectives of designers, manufacturers, and contractors in Lebanon", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 24 No. 6, pp. 935-949. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-11-2014-0148

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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