Optimum Assembly Planning for Modular Construction Using BIM and 3D Point Clouds

Abstract

Geometric and dimensional deviations often create challenges for component aggregation in the assembly of interchangeable components in modular construction. Although the components are designed interchangeably, once they are fabricated, there are inevitable discrepancies between the designed and built states. Such discrepancies create problems for fitting interchangeable modular components. This paper presents a framework for optimally planning the assembly of interchangeable components based on their as-built state. A 3D point cloud model is captured and the critical interfaces between modules are compared to the original state, integrated in the building information models (BIM), as 3D drawings. The optimization framework is implemented based on two different approaches: (1) minimization of the total deviation for minimizing rework, and (2) intervention of rework by finding the best matching component for each investigated slot. Results show that the method can be effectively used for reducing rework in modular construction by optimum assembly planning.