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Prefabrication is the practice of manufacturing the components of an assembly in one location and assembling them in another. Manufacturing, a branch of industry which accounts for about one-quarter of the worlds economic activity, is the application of tools and a processing medium to the transformation of raw materials into finished goods for sale. ...
This practice was widely used in the construction of prefabricated housing during the 20th and 21st centuries. In theory, using a product made in a factory would save time on-site and improve quality. However, prefabricated housing and many other items acquired a certain level of stigma because of flimsy designs and low cost [citation needed]. There has been a great improvement in prefabricated housing over the past decades and it is becoming a valid alternative to traditional housing [citation needed]. Prefabricated housing is a type of housing that consists of several factory-built units that are assembled on-site to complete the building. ...
History Prefabrication has been used since ancient times. For example, the world's oldest known engineered roadway, the Sweet Track, was prefabricated in England in the 3800s BC. [citation needed] This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...
The Sweet Track is an ancient causeway in the Somerset Levels, England. ...
Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification - by Athelstan AD 927 Area - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK) 50,346 sq mi Population - 2006 est. ...
(40th century BC - 39th century BC - 38th century BC - other centuries) (5th millennium BC - 4th millennium BC - 3rd millennium BC) // Construction in England of the Sweet Track, the Worlds first known engineered roadway. ...
New Technologies Prefabrication is not strictly reserved to Housing. Other applications vastly influenced by the engineering of "prefabrication" can be witnessed in the globally popular category of Furniture manufacturing known as RTA [Ready-To-Assemble]. While most are familiar with the "some assembly required" label that comes with all RTA furniture there has been little development done on new technologies designed to alleviate the now all too often frustrating stigma that comes with the 'some assembly required syndrome. There is an emerging technology out of Canada trademarked Qwikr™ hinges that has proven itself to be a launching pad for a whole new generation of NTR [No-Tools-Required] and RTU [Ready-To-Use] furniture. While this technology's first incarnation resides in furniture, it is demonstrating itself as a promising technology easily adaptable to Housing. Houses in Fishpool Street, St Albans, England For other meanings of the word house, see House (disambiguation). ...
Current Uses Prefabrication is used for many types of constructions because it saves engineering time on the construction site. This can be vital to the success of projects such as bridges and avalanche galleries, where weather conditions may only allow brief periods of construction. Additionally, small, commonly-used structures such as concrete pylons are in most cases prefabricated. A concrete pylon is an electricity pylon made from reinforced concrete. ...
Radio towers for mobile phone services in Germany often consist of multiple prefabricated sections.
Modern lattice towers and guyed masts are also commonly assembled of prefabricated elements.
Advantages - Self-supporting ready-made components are used, so the need for shuttering and scaffolding is greatly reduced.
- Construction time is reduced and buildings are completed sooner, allowing a earlier return of the capital invested.
- On-site construction is minimized.
- Quality can be controlled while the product is in production.
- Less waste is generated.
- Molds can be used several times.
Disadvantages - Careful handling of prefabricated components such as concrete panels is required.
- Leaks can form at joints in prefabricated components.
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