Optimizing Bespoke Concrete Plant Layouts for Sustainable Offsite Construction: A Lean-BIM Integrated Framework (SF24/EE/ABE/SULIMAN)

Northumbria University is seeking a researcher for a project focused on optimizing bespoke concrete plant layouts for sustainable offsite construction. The role aims to develop a framework integrating lean principles and Building Information Modelling (BIM) to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and quality in the construction industry. The project addresses current inefficiencies in plant layout planning and aims to support the UK's sustainability goals by promoting offsite construction practices.
As highlighted in the 2022 UK Guidance Note on Carbon Net Zero and sustainability in construction, the construction industry generates over 60% of the waste produced in the UK. Additionally, it is responsible for approximately 50 million tonnes of the UK's total carbon emissions. Offsite construction (OSC) has emerged as a promising solution to address the challenges faced by the construction industry, including efficiency, sustainability, and quality. The OSC methods are capable of significantly reducing this industry waste and contribute to the UK's sustainability goals, especially the target of 78% reduction of carbon emissions by 2035.

As part of OSC, bespoke concrete plants play a crucial role. These plants are custom-designed facilities tailored to specific project needs in offsite construction. They produce high-quality concrete elements for prefabrication, accommodating various applications like precast products and ready-mixed concrete. These plants offer flexibility in design, capacity, and integration within existing layouts. However, current plant layout planning for bespoke concrete plants often relies on traditional methods, resulting in inefficiencies, waste, and environmental impacts. The lack of a systematic approach to plant layout planning hinders the adoption of OSC, limiting its potential to transform the industry.

The widespread adoption of OSC practices is crucial to achieving the UK's sustainability goals, and an effective plant layout optimization is an essential step towards realizing these benefits. The integration of lean principles, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and computational technologies (AI, Machine learning, 3D Simulation) can revolutionize plant layout planning, leading to enhanced efficiency, reduced waste and emissions, and improved sustainability.

The goal of this project is to develop a framework that integrates lean principles and BIM to enhance systematic plant layout planning for bespoke concrete plants in OSC. This framework aims to promote efficiency, sustainability, and quality in offsite construction, ultimately contributing to a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective construction industry. To achieve this aim, the project objectives include (1) Identifying and address the challenges and limitations of current plant layout planning methods, (2) Developing a comprehensive framework for integrating lean principles, BIM, and computational technologies in plant layout planning for bespoke concrete plants, and (3) Designing a systematic approach to plant layout planning, enhancing the adoption of offsite construction.

The expected outcome of this project is a novel framework for integrating lean principles in a decision support system (DSS), for plant layout planning for bespoke concrete plants. The impact of this output includes improved efficiency, sustainability, and quality in bespoke concrete plants. This should promote an enhanced adoption of OSC practices, leading to a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective construction industry. Ultimately, a significant contribution to the development of a more sustainable and efficient construction sector.

Join this exciting research project and be part of the transformation of the construction industry. Contribute to the development of a more sustainable, efficient, and quality-focused sector by integrating lean principles and modern technologies in facility layout planning for bespoke concrete plants in offsite construction.

Academic Enquiries

This project is supervised by Ala Suliman. For informal queries, please contact Ala.Suliman@northumbria.ac.uk. For all other enquiries relating to eligibility or application process please contact Admissions at pgr.admissions@northumbria.ac.uk.

Eligibility Requirements:
• Academic excellence i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities with preference for 1st class honours); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply if they are already a PhD or Professional Doctorate holder or if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.

To be classed as a Home student, candidates must:
• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• have settled status, or
• have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student. The following additional costs that may be incurred, as these are not covered by the University.

· Immigration Health Surcharge https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application

· If you need to apply for a Student Visa to enter the UK, please refer to https://www.gov.uk/student-visa. It is important that you read this information carefully as it is your responsibility to ensure that you hold the correct funds required for your visa application, otherwise your visa may be refused.

· Costs associated with English Language requirements which may be required for students not having completed a first degree in English, will not be paid by the University.

APPLY HERE:

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

In your application, please include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words and the advert reference (e.g. SF24/…).

Deadline for applications: all year round

Start date of course: Standard cohort dates are 1st March and 1st October

Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our postgraduate research students. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Leader, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers.