Cloud asset-enabled integrated IoT platform for lean prefabricated construction

Gangyan Xu, Ming Li, Chun Hsien Chen, Yongchang Wei

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

158 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Prefabricated construction has become increasingly popular over the recent years, given its benefits including higher construction speed, lower cost, and improved quality. To facilitate the operations of prefabricated construction, various technologies have in parallel been introduced. However, due to its project-based feature and the involvement of numerous Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the adoption of information technologies is insufficient and varies between SMEs, thereby hindering the improvement of the efficiency of prefabricated construction. Considering these issues and aiming at realizing lean prefabricated construction, this paper proposes an integrated cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) platform through exploiting the concept of cloud asset. Its operation model has also been worked out to enable SMEs to adopt IoT technologies economically and flexibly. Besides, to make the platform compatible and scalable on managing diverse physical assets in different companies and scenarios, a unified cloud asset data model is proposed. Furthermore, an IoT service-sharing module is developed to support different levels of service-sharing on the platform. Finally, a real-life prefabricated construction project in Hong Kong and several lab-based LEGO construction models are adopted to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed platform.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)123-134
Number of pages12
JournalAutomation in Construction
Volume93
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cloud asset
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Lean construction
  • Prefabricated construction
  • Sharing economy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction

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