COMPARISON BETWEEN CONVENTIONAL SYSTEM AND INDUSTRIALIZED

BUILDING SYSTEM (IBS)

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

The Malaysian construction industry is undergoing a transitional change from an industry

employing conventional technology to a more systematic and mechanized system. This new
system is now known as the Industrialized Building System (IBS). This new method of
construction can increase productivity and quality of work through the use of better
construction machinery, equipment, materials and extensive pre-project planning. This study
becomes very necessary since there is yet no organized body, which can provide the
necessary information on the building cost comparison between the conventional system and
industrialized building system in Malaysia's construction industry. This study also addresses
the building cost comparison of the conventional system and industrialized building system
of formwork system. It provides the details building cost between the conventional system
and the formwork system and indicates which of the two is cheaper. The data were collected
through questionnaire survey and case study, which consisting of institutional buildings.
Through the statistical test’t-test' it is shown that there is a significant difference in cost
saving for the conventional system as compared to the formwork system (industrialized
building system).
1.2 Objectives

The following are two main objectives:

i. To identify the comparison between conventional system and IBS.

ii. To identify which one better between conventional system and IBS.

1.3 Problem Statement

In the Malaysian context, the government’s policy on housing is that, the traditional
building practices must be replaced by Industrialized Building System (IBS), which could save
on labor, cost and time of construction and confers quality and durability (Elias, 2000) In so far
there is yet no organized body, which can provide information readily on a guideline or
benchmark for building cost comparison especially between conventional and fully prefabricated
system in Malaysia’s construction industry.

Based on problem statement above, some question had been occur such as what
advantages and disadvantages from both? Which one system is better? Therefore this research
needs to do to see a problem so the problem can be assess and improve.
1.4 Scope of works

This study will identify the comparison between conventional system and IBS and to
identify which one better between conventional system and IBS.

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

The Malaysian construction industry is undergoing a transitional change from an industry

employing conventional technologies to a more systematic and mechanized system employing
the latest computer and communication technologies. This is vital for the future health of the
industry, given the trend towards global competition and the advent of the k-economy.

The Industrialized Building System (IBS) has been introduced in Malaysia since the 60's by the
use of precast concrete beam-column elements. Since the demand of building construction has
increased rapidly, it is necessary to innovate a construction method, which speeds up the building
construction process. Abdullah et ad.has listed the various types of building systems currently
available in Malaysia. Few definitions of industrialized building system are also given by various
authors. To sum-up, in general, the IBS is a methodology whereby a local construction industry
is driven towards the adoption of an integrated and encouraging key players in the construction
industry to produce and utilize pre-fabricated and mass production of the building at their work
sites. This will help to enhance the efficiency of construction process, allowing a higher
productivity, and quality, time and cost saving.

The construction cost of a building using precast components should be assessed in its overall
context. The traditional method of costing by material quantities with a fixed factor for labor cost
can lead to incorrect estimation. For example, if labor usage is halved, this will more than
compensate for a 10% material increase. More importantly, there is saving in time. Also, if
properly designed and executed, precast can lead to much better quality of work. The overall cost
impact of precast has therefore to take all these factors into consideration. With the rising costs
of labor and less assurance of dependable skilled manpower, the trend is that precast construction
will become increasingly competitive compared to cast-in-place construction.

Classification of Industrialized Building System Industrialization: The Oxford English

Dictionary (1991) defines industrialization as "the process of industrializing or fact of being
industrialized; also, the conversion of an organization into an industry". However,
industrialization in this study means industrial methods employed, referring to especially,
prefabrication, mechanization and standardization. The meaning of prefabricated, according to
the same dictionary, is, "to manufacture sections of building or similar structure, in a factory or
yard prior to their assembly on a site". However, prefabrication in this study is the assembly of
buildings or their components at a location other than the building site.

Conventional building method is defined as components of the building that are pre-fabricated
on site through the processes or timber or plywood formwork installation, steel reinforcement
and cast in-situ. Conventional buildings are, mostly built of reinforced concrete frames. The
traditional construction method uses wooden formwork. It is much more costly for construction,
which includes labor, raw material, transportation and low speed of construction time

3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction

The flow of this study is summarized in the following in figure 3.2. Concisely, this study
begins with the selection of appropriate problem statement. It will be followed by
objectives determination and proper scope of study. After that, collecting of data using
questionnaire will take place. Lastly, before summarizing the outcome, all data will go
through the analyzing processes.

Exploration of Sources

Problem Identification

Discussion with
Supervisor

Title

Objective and Scope

 Data Collection

Secondary Data
Primary Data
- Journal
- Records
- Proceeding
- Interview
- Books
- Questionnaire
- Newspaper
- Internet

Compile and Organize

Analyze
- Using average mean
index

Figure 1: Flow Chat of the Research Methodology

Conclusion and
Recommendation
4.0 DISCUSSION

Data was collected by using questionnaire. To strengthen the finding of the survey and to
assist in providing the information about building cost comparison study, a case study was
also conducted. However the major approach was using questionnaire, considering such
factors on sample size, time, cost and efforts. Questionnaire method was chosen as the
appropriate approach for this study. Questionnaire can reach a large number of respondents
in different locations of the country at a relatively lower cost, shorter time and less effort as
compared to other data collection methods.
 Industrialized Building System is an alternative approach of construction that will
definitely change the scenario of the current local construction industry towards a
systematically approach of mass production of construction materials. Prefabricated
components of buildings which are conceived, planned, fabricated from factories will be
transported and erected on site. With this method, the process would involve planning;
management and sustained improvement of the production process to eliminate waste and
ensure the right components are produced and delivered at the right time, in the right order
and without defect. In this respect, the construction industry has a great deal to learn from the
manufacturing sectors that have long been emphasizing on quality and minimising defects.
IBS will definitely among others reduce unskilled workers in the country, less wastage, less
volume of building materials, increased site cleanliness and better quality control.

5.0 REFERENCES
 i. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Building+cost+comparison+between+conventional+a
nd+formwork+system:+a...-a0145683282

ii. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7109/is_4_2/ai_n28319106/pg_5/?
tag=content;col1

iii. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journal

iv. http://ibsmodular.blogspot.com/2007/01/industrialised-building-systems.html
 FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

BARCHELOR OF ENGINEERING (HONS.) CIVIL

(EC 220)

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

(ECW 503)

TITLE OF PROPOSAL:

COMPARISON BETWEEN CONVENTIONAL SYSTEM AND

INDUSTRIALIZED BULDING SYSTEM (IBS)

NAME : NUR EFFARIHA BT MOHD NAWI

MATRIX NO. : 2009877592

GROUP : ECB6F

LECTURER’S NAME` : DR. ISMAIL ATAN

DUE DATE : 19th SEPTEMBER 2010

Table of Content
No. Content Page
1 Introduction 1
2 Objective 2
3 Problem statement 2
4 Scope of Work 2
5 Literature Review 3
6 Methodology 4
7 Discussion 6
8 References 7