The UK government is eager to transform the construction industry as part of the broader Digital Built Britain agenda, recognising the significant opportunities for national growth and global market advantages in a digitally enabled construction sector. However, the adoption of digital technologies and modern methods of construction (MMC), such as offsite manufacturing (OSM), remains low.

This report aims to explore the current state of OSM in the UK construction industry, identify barriers, and outline key research needed to overcome these challenges, ultimately accelerating the widespread adoption of OSM to transform the industry.

Cambridge centre for housing and planning research

UK

The Centre for Digital Built Britain commissioned this study to explore the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the UK house building industry, and to consider the opportunities and barriers to its wider uptake. The study included a review of existing evidence and literature. Telephone interviews were conducted with practitioners from the industry about the use of BIM. A round-table discussion was held with key stakeholders in the house building industry.

Cambridge centre for housing and planning research

UK

Off-site manufacturing has brought significant benefits to industries like automotive and food and beverage, but its adoption in construction, particularly in the UK, has been slower. Led by Dr. Mohamed Zaki, Deputy Director of the Cambridge Service Alliance, CDBB researchers focused on studying global business models and digital services used in construction.

CDBB

UK

Research on the quantification of value from Prefabricated, Design for Manufacture and Assembly (P-DFMA), and digital delivery methods in construction. Discusses the role of digital tools, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), in improving efficiency, quality, and collaboration within the construction sector.

CDBB

UK

An overview and recommendations on the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the reuse of steel structural components and envelopes from the single storey steel buildings (SSBs).

PROGRESS – (provisions for greater reuse of steel structures)

Regional

Outlines the use of BIM for design, construction, and maintenance of rail infrastructure, focusing on asset lifecycle management.

This Data Requirements Library documents the terminology and categories used to classify and describe Environment Agency (EA) assets. It also documents the specific data attributes that are used to describe the properties of each Asset Type and its Element Types.

BIM4Water is a non for profit Forum that consists of a cross industry group open to all organisations involved in the management and delivery of water and wastewater assets. The group is free to join and its make up is reflective of the sector, involving clients, contractors, consultants, suppliers, subcontractors and other bodies. Based on collaboration, our activities include providing guidelines and offering free events around the country covering all aspects of “Better Information Management.

Crossrail’s Information Management focused on handling the vast amount of data and documents created during the project, ensuring they were properly managed and handed over for future railway operations. This included drawings, emails, and millions of documents, all with multiple versions.

To streamline this, Crossrail was the first major project to use a Common Data Environment (CDE) and Master Data Management (MDM). The CDE linked different databases and applications for documentation, CAD models, GIS, scheduling, risk, cost control, and safety, allowing data to be integrated and visualized efficiently. MDM ensured consistency across all systems.

The Information Management learning legacy shares lessons and best practices from Crossrail’s approach to handling project data and tools.

Crossrail Learning Legacy in conjunction with APM, ICE and CIRIA

UK

The Stafford Area Improvement Programme, a collaboration between Atkins, Laing O’Rourke, Volker Rail, and Network Rail, aimed to eliminate a bottleneck on the West Coast Main Line, where high-speed trains were delayed by slower local services and goods trains. This major upgrade included the construction of 10 new bridges, designed using Building Information Modelling (BIM) from the outset. Laing O’Rourke also employed off-site construction techniques to improve efficiency.

In partnership with Network Rail, the Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction (CSIC) and Laing O’Rourke Centre at Cambridge implemented fibre-optic strain monitoring on two of the newly constructed bridges. The project led to the creation of a real-time digital twin of one of the bridges, offering valuable insights into load-bearing capacity. This digital twin technology is expected to have a significant impact on the costs of running the UK’s rail network safely and efficiently, benefiting Network Rail engineers, passengers, and freight transport alike by improving safety, reducing maintenance costs, and providing real-time monitoring of infrastructure conditions.

Centre for Digital Built Britain, JV between Atkins, Laing O’Rourke, Volker Rail and Network Rail

UK