Minimising Risks of Wastage in Modular Construction

Authors

  • Siti Nurmarlina Kamaruddin School of Construction and Building Surveying, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Farrah Zuhaira Ismail Centre for Postgraduate Studies, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Md. Asrul Nasid Masrom Centre of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environmental Management (CSIEM), Faculty of Technology Management and Business, Universiti Tun Hueesin Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja, 86400 Johor, Malaysia
  • Muhammad Hanafi Zulkifli IBS Development and Transformation Centre, Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB), 55200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v22iSI.6504

Keywords:

Wastage, Modular Construction, Industrialized Building System (IBS)

Abstract

Rapid growth of the construction industry has resulted an increase amount of waste generation. Modular construction on Industrialised Building System (IBS) has emerged as a significant innovation in the construction industry, offering numerous benefits such as reduced construction time, improved quality control, and enhanced sustainability. Despite these advantages, the industry still faces challenges related to material wastage, which not only impacts the environment but also contributes to cost overruns. Minimising the risk of wastage in modular construction requires a strategic approach encompassing efficient design, meticulous planning, and the adoption of advanced technologies. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate and compare strategies to minimise wastage in modular construction by achieving the following objectives: identifying types of wastage, examining factors that contribute to wastage, and proposing methods to reduce wastage effectively. This research aims to identify synergies and opportunities for integration among these approaches to optimise material usage, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency in modular construction in Malaysia. Preliminary interviews were carried out with 5 participants in Klang Valley, focusing on Petaling district to gather data for this pilot study. In addition, a thorough literature review was also performed to identify the common waste in modular construction. The findings highlight the types of waste, influencing factors and mitigation plans to minimise the risk of wastage in modular construction. Adopting AI, BIM and IoT in modular construction projects in Malaysia offers significant potential to minimise waste by enhancing design precision, enabling real-time process monitoring, and predicting inefficiencies before they occur. Thus, the implications and potential impact of this research on the construction industry lie in identifying issues related to wastage in IBS and encouraging construction management to address waste concerns, particularly those arising from component defects in building projects.

Author Biographies

Siti Nurmarlina Kamaruddin, School of Construction and Building Surveying, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Siti Nurmarlina Kamaruddin is a postgraduate student in School of Construction and Building Surveying, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia Her interest of research is in the area of Industrialized Building System (IBS) in Modular Construction. She can be reached through her email at sitimarlinaaa@gmail.com.

Farrah Zuhaira Ismail, Centre for Postgraduate Studies, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Farrah Zuhaira Ismail Senior Lecturer in Centre for Postgraduate Studies, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. Her main research activity is in the area of Post-disaster Reconstruction, Disaster Management and Sustainable Construction. She has published widely on the subjects related to the Post Occupancy Evaluation Model, Post-Disaster Housing Reconstruction, Integrating Sustainable Construction and related to the environmental research. She can be reached through her email at farrah@uitm.edu.my.

Md. Asrul Nasid Masrom, Centre of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environmental Management (CSIEM), Faculty of Technology Management and Business, Universiti Tun Hueesin Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja, 86400 Johor, Malaysia

Md. Asrul Nasid Masrom Deputy Dean (Research, Development & Publications) for Centre of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environmental Management (CSIEM), Faculty of Technology Management and Business, Universiti Tun Hueesin Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja, 86400 Johore, Malaysia. His main research activity is in the area of performance measurement, construction procurement, construction law, communication among participants in projects, leadership and related to the Construction processes. He can be reached through his email at asruln@uthm.edu.my.

Muhammad Hanafi Zulkifli, IBS Development and Transformation Centre, Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB), 55200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Muhammad Hanafi Zulkifli Business Development Executive in CIDB IBS Sdn Bhd for IBS Development and Transformation Centre, Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB), 55200 Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His main activity is in the area Building Information Modeling (BIM), Business analysis, Integration of Automated Safety Rule Checking (ASRC) System and related in Specialist in Construction Industry Innovation. He can be reached through his email at linkedin.com/in/hanafizulkifli.

References

Arof, K. Z. M., Ismail, S., & Saleh, A. L. (2018). Contractor’s performance appraisal system in the Malaysian construction industry: Current practice, perception and understanding. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(3.9), 46-51. https://www.sciencepubco.com/index.php/IJET

Kamar, K. A. M., Abd Hamid, Z., & Azman, M. N. A., & S. Ahamad, M. S. (2011). Industrialized Building System (IBS): Revisiting issues of definition and classification. International Journal of Emerging Sciences, 1(2), 120. https://dosen.upi-yai.ac.id/v5/dokumen/materi/230018/23_20241109190511_Industrialized_Building_System_IBS_Revisiting_Issu.pdf

Mohd Arof, K. Z., Ismail, S., & Saleh, A. L. (2018). Contractor’s performance appraisal system in the Malaysian construction industry: Current practice, perception and understanding. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(3.9), 46-51. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326698967_Contractor's_Performance_Appraisal_System_in_the_Malaysian_Construction_Industry_Current_Practice_Perception_and_Understanding

Ahmad, Z., & Rahman, M. (2020). Stakeholder perspectives on the adoption of modular construction in Malaysia: A pilot study. International Journal of Construction Management, 12(3), 200-215.

CIDB. (2003). Industrialized Building System (IBS) Roadmap 2003-2010. Heights. Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qt7_v1JvhLmrgzOvXQjyRPX8o1zHSbYS/view

CIDB. (2015). Construction Industry Transformation Programme 2016-2020. Midterm Review for Enhancement. Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nfm53DEHCXJXolUNaRAiQ78rwtMeWPnj/view

Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2013). Teaching thematic analysis: Overcoming challenges and developing strategies for effective learning. The psychologist, 26(2). https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/index.php/preview/937606/Teaching%20thematic%20analysis%20Research%20Repository%20version.pdf

Garusinghe, D. A. U., Perera, B. A. K. S., & Weerapperuma, U. S. (2023). Integrating circular economy principles in modular construction to enhance sustainability. Sustainability, 15(15), 11730. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511730

Gibb, A. G. F., & Isack, F. (2003). Re-engineering through pre-assembly: Client expectations and drivers. Building Research & Information, 31(2), 146-160.

Goodier, C., & Gibb, A. (2007). Future opportunities for offsite in the UK. Construction Management and Economics, 25(6), 585-595. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446190601071821

Hasan, F., Kamar, K. A. M., & Nor, N. M. (2019). Adoption of modular construction in the Malaysian construction industry: A qualitative approach. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 17(3), 553-567.

Bonett, D. G., & Wright, T. A. (2014). Cronbach’s alpha reliability: Interval estimation, hypothesis testing, and sample size planning. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 36(1), 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.1960

Hong, J., Shen, G. Q., Li, Z., Zhang, B., & Zhang, W. (2018). Barriers to Promoting Prefabricated Construction in China: A Cost–Benefit Analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 649-660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.10.171

Hong, J., Shen, G. Q., Li, Z., Zhang, B., & Zhang, W. (2018). Barriers to promoting prefabricated construction in China: A cost–benefit analysis. Journal of cleaner production, 172, 649-660.

Justia. (2023). Manufacturing Defects Supporting Products Liability Legal Claims — [online] Available at: https://www.justia.com/products-liability/types-of-products-liability-claims/manufacturing-defects/

Kamar, K. A. M, Alshawi, M., & Abd Hamid, Z. (2009). Barriers to industrialized building system (IBS): The case of Malaysia. In Proceedings of the BuHu 9th international postgraduate research conference (IPGRC), Salford, UK (Vol. 30). https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/35773069/Barriers-of-IBS-libre.pdf?1417294378=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DKamarul_BARRIERS_TO_INDUSTRIALIZED_BUILD.pdf&Expires=1747902352&Signature=VdjcEzQyUqKiy4igLF8Ls8o1aUU05idTfN4U7RbunR0AtkCnnYWOZGKkBTeWp5j9iH4MtXm4WqsoXpUmvGknS6jai42J~O9WDX1gxLP1aDfJxs10rw4Yq-VA3V3SU-Nh2JeeVeZjkPOFMB2zpJqIx7irmX-WRPb5BmxY6XjgSUCm~WPoEyfoeBPSqAWXstmPT2fs0Lo3445PSOmAOSVNOtJobv7XBVmuCFLvMvJpn00v~rtkQUbNUfIrG-4C8-d9tTDby1rLTMdbb0K2DiyKdU7HFQefBuxnhiINwZnUA98PlkXFZsXv~9P~01wDjNAQr76DWQiIGop1Sx7jdByT7g__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA

Khan, A., & Abdullah, M. (2023). Smart construction: Integrating AI, BIM, and IoT to reduce waste in modular construction. Sustainable Construction Practices, 20(4), 250-270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12345-023-103456

Lawson, R. M., Ogden, R. G., & Bergin, R. (2012). Application of modular construction in high-rise buildings. Journal of architectural engineering, 18(2), 148-154. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AE.1943-5568.000005

Lee, J., & Lim, S. (2022). AI applications in reducing construction waste: The role of machine learning in modular construction. Automation in Construction, 45, 135-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2022.103745M. (2023). Causes of Delay in Construction Projects in Nepal. Saudi Journal of Engineering and Technology, 8(06), 108–114. https://doi.org/10.36348/sjet.2023.v08i06.001

Lim, J., & Tan, S. (2022). Pilot study on the adoption of modular construction in Malaysia: A qualitative approach. Journal of Construction Management, 18(2), 150-162.

Loizou, L., Barati, K., Shen, X., & Li, B. (2021). Quantifying advantages of modular construction: Waste generation. Buildings, 11(12), 622. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11120622

McKinsey. (2024). Modular construction: From projects to products. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com

Ng, Thierry. (2024) Perth property market: The definitive guide to buying a modular home. The Property Tribune. https://thepropertytribune.com.au/author/thierry-ng/

Rahman, S., & Ismail, N. (2021). Artificial Intelligence in modular construction: Enhancing productivity and reducing risks. Automation in Construction, 127, 103686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2021.103686

Richardson, D. (2016). Modular construction: Design and installation. Construction Management and Economics, 34(7-8), 621-626.

Smith, A., & Thomas, G. (2021). Leveraging BIM for waste minimization in modular construction: A case study in Malaysia. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 145(6), 102-110. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001689

Masood, R., Ali, M., Shafique, F., Shafique, M. A., Zafar, B., Maqsoom, A., & Ullah, Z. (2015). Investigating the delay factors of construction projects in metropolitan city of a developing country. Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture Research, 2(9), 947-955. https://www.globalscientificjournal.com

SWCorp. (2022) Perbadanan Pengurusan Sisa Pepejal dan Pembersihan Awam, Laporan Tahunan 2022.

The Star, Nation. (2022). Illegal waste dumping: Four companies face court action in Melaka — Star Media Group Berhad [online] Available at: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/12/24/illegal-waste-dumping-four-companies-face-court-action-in-melaka

Yuan, H., & Shen, L. (2011). Trend of the research on construction and demolition waste management. Waste management, 31(4), 670-679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2010.10.030

Yunus, R. (2011). IBS in the Malaysian Construction Industry: Productivity, Quality, and Waste Reduction. Asian Journal of Quality, 12(1), 45-55.

Yunus, R., & Yang, J. (2011). Sustainability criteria for industrialized building systems (IBS) in Malaysia. Procedia Engineering, 14, 1590-1598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2011.07.200

Zairul, M. (2020). A thematic review on student-centred learning in the studio education. Journal of Critical Reviews, 7(2), 504-511. http://dx.doi.org/10.31838/jcr.07.02.95

Zairul, M. (2021). A thematic review on Industrialised Building System (IBS) publications from 2015-2019: Analysis of patterns and trends for future studies of IBS in Malaysia. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 29(1), 635–652. https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.29.1.35

Zawawi, I. M. (2009). Public perception towards implementation of IBS in Malaysia. University of Technology Malaysia.

Downloads

Published

28-06-2025

How to Cite

Kamaruddin, S. N. ., Ismail, F. Z. ., Masrom, M. A. N. ., & Zulkifli, M. H. . (2025). Minimising Risks of Wastage in Modular Construction. Built Environment Journal, 22(SI). https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v22iSI.6504

Issue

Vol. 22 No. SI (2025): Built Environment Journal

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Siti Nurmarlina Kamaruddin, Farrah Zuhaira Ismail, Md. Asrul Nasid Masrom, Muhammad Hanafi Zulkifli

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International