ANNUAL REPORT 2010 - Loughborough University

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10 ‘ We Advanced Manufacturing Areas CONSTRUCTiON need to adopt lessons from manufacturing and make construction more cost effective, with a lower carbon footprint ’ PRoF. ALISTAIR gIBB AnnuAl RepoRt 2010 Innovative solutions to design, build, maintain, adapt and ultimately recycle buildings are essential for the survival of the construction sector in the 21st Century. < From left to Right: Dr Thanh Lee; Dr Sungwoo Lim; Prof. Simon Austin; Prof. Tony Thorpe; Dr Richard Buswell; Mr John Webster
Background Construction, like other engineering sectors, is undertaken by a range of professional disciplines. However, it is unique in its project-based environment involving the creation of transient multi-disciplinary teams to deliver unique products for each client. This presents discontinuities in both the processes and product, and undermines both the quality of the final product and efficiency of delivery. The last three major UK government reports into the efficiency of the construction industry have fixed attention on the importance of new ways of working and improving the way in which project teams are assembled and operate. The recent report by Constructing Excellence shows that even after ten years of initiatives and some improvements, much remains to be done. The group The Construction Group within the IMCRC includes the following internationally recognised researchers each with a wide range of research experience and expertise: Prof. Simon Austin; Prof. Andrew Baldwin; Prof. Dino Bouchlaghem; Dr Richard Buswell; Prof. Pat Carrillo; Prof. Andrew Dainty; Prof. Alistair Gibb; Dr Christine Pasquire; Prof. Andrew Price; and Prof. Tony Thorpe. Impact Current research projects are providing innovative new construction products and processes. One such project is the development and use of pre-fabrication – moving work from the construction site into the factory. As a founder member of the industry-driven Buildoffsite initiative, the team maintains its strong application focus for the technologies themselves as well as their implications for the construction sector, such as new and emerging skill requirements, health & safety implications, and tools for improving the delivery process. The IMCRC’s research into the use of Additive Manufacturing techniques is not just limited to the traditional manufacturing industries. The Freeform Construction project is investigating how these techniques may be applied to construction by developing a new patentable ‘additive’ process capable of ‘printing’ full scale building components Apart from finding new ways to produce buildings, the researchers are looking at new building design. The Adaptable Futures project recognises that high value building assets need to be designed and constructed for adaptability over the lifetime of the product. The research team has developed protocols to support new technical and management processes together with underlying human resource solutions, to promote the cultural change necessary for their adaption. Future Research Directions The Construction Group are leading the way in exploring step change solutions to complex design challenges and the delivery of new products. This includes developing enhanced teambuilding through modelling and visualisation technologies and embracing the process change, which will place Loughborough at the forefront of research into innovation in construction procurement and economics. Current and future research will be to evaluate the energy performance of occupied buildings. Ongoing involvement with the ‘HaCIRIC’ project will also provide an opportunity for the group to embed their research findings within the healthcare sector. AnnuAl RepoRt 2010 11
Page 1 and 2: ANNUAL REPORT 2010 Innovative Manuf
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS Executive Summary 4 Advanc
Page 5 and 6: ESTABLiShEd iN 2001, the iMCRC has
Page 7 and 8: Highlights Prof. David Williams of
Page 9 and 10: Background The Additive Manufacturi
Page 11: Background Modern manufacturing is
Page 15 and 16: Background The sporting goods marke
Page 17 and 18: Background Current automation syste
Page 19 and 20: Research councils have played an im
Page 21 and 22: 185 219 214 223 263 298 AnnuAl Repo
Page 23 and 24: IMCRC Current RESEARCh ThEMES high
Page 25 and 26: 201 253 256 260 250 202 AnnuAl Annu
Page 27 and 28: IMCRC Current RESEARCh ThEMES Trans
Page 29 and 30: Steering group Membership external
Page 31 and 32: Project Title Start Date End Date T
Page 33 and 34: Name Start Date PhD Title Hannah Ed
Page 35 and 36: COLLABORATORS Industrial Collaborat

ANNUAL REPORT 2010 - Loughborough University

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