Investigating the impact of prefabrication of floor structures on construction waste minimization

Abstract

Construction and Demolition waste is a phenomenon that is a global challenge and the Construction Industry has been classified as one of the largest waste producers worldwide. This waste in South Africa is negatively affecting the economy and environment. The literature study reveals the negative impacts of poor construction waste management but however, the prefabrication method of construction as the means to minimize waste is regarded by researchers as the most efficient and effective method to reduce waste generation in the construction industry. For the first part of this study, it focuses only on material construction waste rather than including time and cost waste. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate whether prefabricated materials can reduce the generation of construction waste as compared to traditional method of construction. For the second part of the study, a quantitative research method, using an online survey, sub-factors of main origins of waste are evaluated. Their contribution to construction waste generation will be rated for both sectors; traditional construction and prefabrication method of construction. The results consequently demonstrate “by how much prefabricated materials can reduce waste generation” and which factors are mainly responsible for the production of waste in construction projects