Planning for Efficiency at Karlatornet

Abstract

Construction of high-rise constructions has during past decades seen an incremental increase, which is now also evident in the Swedish market with the forthcoming construction of Karlatornet at Lindholmen in Gothenburg. When constructing high-rise constructions new constraints are imposed, connected to height and limited space at each floor, which calls for planning methods adapted for the challenges that emerges. However, present planning methods do not contribute sufficiently to value adding processes in regards to both production and logistics. Thereby, this master’s thesis has been conducted to investigate how Lean Construction (LC) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) should be incorporated when planning for production and logistics, and further how to synchronise production and logistics at Karlatornet to attain a higher efficiency. Research on LC and BIM is widespread, however commonly separated. This thesis aims to contribute in closing the gap between LC and BIM research in high-rise constructions. Further, the thesis intent to provide underlying barriers from both a theoretical and practical view to evaluate why implementation is lingering. In order to answer the research questions of this thesis, a qualitative research methodology was chosen, including a literature review followed by interviews from the industry regarding different planning methods. Focus has been directed towards planning methods within LC and how these can be combined with BIM, where Location-based Scheduling (LBS) and Location-based Management System (LBMS) has been applied to production. In regards to logistics, focus has been aimed towards Just In Time (JIT) which together with the LBS results in Location-based Planning (LBP). It has been concluded that to incorporate LBP in the production planning at Karlatornet, focus must first and foremost be shifted towards creating organisational and technical alignment within the own organisation. This will in turn provide means for creating further alignment throughout the production chain. JIT should be incorporated in logistics planning to support production, as failure can lead to downtime and obstruction for production resulting in major costs. Therefore, risk is entailed due to the repetitive characteristics of high-rise construction, which can be found at Karlatornet, where the whole production chain can be affected. There is much to do regarding synchronised planning for production and logistics at Karlatornet. Alignment is yet to be reached within the perspectives separately, giving that it cannot be reached when combined. Workshops and meetings are required to create systems which can be used from subcontractor to supplier in all parts of construction.