Minimizing joist cutting waste through dynamic waste allocation in panelized floor manufacturing

Abstract

Panelized construction has proven to be a promising construction method due to its use of an offsite manufacturing environment, which provides a higher quality product with fewer site disruptions and a shorter construction cycle. This study focuses on developing an optimization model for improving the utilization of raw stock during the automatic cutting of floor components. The aim of this study is to reduce cost and waste by reallocating otherwise wasted material to less critical components of the floor structure. Using a building information modelling (BIM) export intended for a cutting machine, the proposed model accurately simulates the joist cutting process before the commencement of actual cutting. Here, simulated waste from joist cutting is allocated towards the production of lateral bracings through the generation of a modified BIM export. Three case studies from an Edmonton-based panelized manufacturer are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of implementing the proposed model.

Keywords:

• Automatic joist cutting
• panelized construction
• floor systems
• one-dimensional optimization
• waste reduction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Thanks are due to ACQBUILT, Inc., for their support of this research (Grant file no. IRCPJ 419145-15) and for providing access to their industrial plant and helping us to understand the operational aspects of their panelized construction facility.