A framework for the evaluation of the decision between onsite and offsite construction using life cycle analysis (LCA) concepts and system dynamics modeling

Table 2.

Model Parameters (Variables) - Offsite andOnsite Construction

Model parameters (Main variables)

Sub-Variables

Impacts from the transportation of completed modules

1. Energy use rate of the vehicle for transport of module and equipment

2. Impact per unit rate for the energy use for the transportation of completed modules

3. Number of trips from the offsite yard to the final site

4. Round trip distance from offsite yard to site.

Impacts from material transport

1. Number of trips during material transport

2. Roundtrip distance for material delivery to the offsite construction yard

3. Energy use rate of the vehicle for material transport

4. Impact per unit rate for the energy used in the transportation of materials.

Impacts from employee transport

1. Number of employees

2. Energy use rate by the vehicle that is used for employee transport

3. Impact per unit rate for energy that is used by employee's vehicle

4. Average round trip distance for employees to the offsite construction facility

5. Number of trips by employees to the offsite facility

Impacts of the use of equipment

1. Duration of use for the equipment at the offsite construction facility

2. Energy use rate for the equipment

3. Impact per unit rate for the energy that is used by the equipment

Impacts of building maintenance

1. Area of the building

2. Energy use per square area of the building

Impacts from the loading of modules

1. Number of loads

2. Energy used for each load of building modules or panels

3. Impact per unit rate for the energy that is used in loading operation.

Impacts for the onsite portion of work for the offsite construction project (includes foundation construction and miscellaneous onsite works)

 

 

Impacts of the construction of the foundation for the building

1.? Round trip distance for transportation of all equipment that are used during the foundation work

2.? Number of trips for transportation of equipment for the foundation work on site

3.? Energy use rate for the equipment for foundation works.

4. Impact per unit rate for the energy for the equipment that are used for foundation work.

5.? Energy use rate for the material transport for foundation works

6.? Round trip distance for material transport for foundation works

7.? Number of trips for material transport for foundation works

8.? Impact per unit rate for energy used for material transport for foundation works

9.? Energy use rate for employee transport for foundation works

10.? Roundtrip distance for employee transport for foundation works.

11. Number of trips for transportation of employees during foundation works

12. Energy use rate for employee transport for foundation works.

13. Impact per unit rate for employee transport for foundation works.

Impacts for assembly of prefabricated modules/panels onsite

1. Duration of module assembly

2. Energy use rate during the assembly process for modules onsite

3. Impact per unit rate for the energy that is used for module assembly.

Impacts from miscellaneous onsite portion of work for the offsite construction project.

1.? Roundtrip distances for material transport for all miscellaneous works

2.? Number of trips for material transport for miscellaneous works

3.? Energy use rate for material transport for miscellaneous works

4.? Impact per unit rate for material transport for miscellaneous works.

5.? Energy use rate for transportation of equipment for miscellaneous works

6.? Round trip distance for equipment transport for miscellaneous works

7.? Number of trips for equipment transport for miscellaneous construction works

8.? Impact per unit rate for energy that is used for material transport.

9.? Round trip distance for employee transport for miscellaneous construction works

10. Number of trips for employee transport for miscellaneous construction works

11. Impact per unit rate for the energy that is used for employee transport for miscellaneous construction works.

12. Energy use rate for the vehicle that is used for employee transport for miscellaneous construction activities?

Impacts from the transportation of equipment for module installation to the site

1. Round trip distance from the offsite construction yard to the site (while transporting equipment for panel/module installation)

2. Number of trips for transportation of equipment for installation of panels/modules on site.

3. Energy use rate for the vehicle to transport the equipment for module/panel installation

4. Impact per unit rate for the energy that is used by the vehicle transporting the module/panel installation equipment to the final site location

Onsite construction (Variables for the foundation works, superstructure works, and miscellaneous construction activities)

Total impacts for onsite construction

1. Round trip distance for employee transport for the foundation, superstructure, and miscellaneous finishes onsite.

2. Energy use rate for the vehicle for employee transportation for foundation, superstructure, and miscellaneous construction works

3. Number of trips for employee transport for the foundation, superstructure, and miscellaneous finishes

4. Impact per unit rate for energy that is used for employee transport for the foundation, superstructure, and miscellaneous construction works.

5. Round trip distance for equipment transport for the foundation, superstructure, and miscellaneous finishes on-site.

6. Energy use rate for the vehicle for the transportation of equipment for foundation, superstructure, and miscellaneous construction works

7. Number of trips for equipment transport for the foundation, superstructure, and miscellaneous finishes

8. Impact per unit rate for energy that is used for equipment transport for the foundation, superstructure, and miscellaneous construction works.

9. Round trip distance for material transport for the foundation, superstructure, and miscellaneous finishes on the site.

10. Energy use rate for the vehicle for the transportation of materials for the foundation, superstructure, and miscellaneous construction works

11. Number of trips for material transport for the foundation, superstructure, and miscellaneous finishes

12. Impact per unit rate for energy that is used for transportation of material for the foundation, superstructure, and miscellaneous construction works.