Optimizing Interfaces of Construction Processes by Digitalization Using the Example of Hospital Construction in Germany

Buildings, vol. 13, pp. 1421

Abstract

In hospital construction, additional challenges must be considered, such as an increased number of stakeholders and building trades, such as medical and laboratory technology. Due to the increasing requirements and challenges, associated construction processes are becoming more intricate. Especially for complex building types, the effects of this development are clearly noticeable and cause considerable disruptions to the construction process. A main difficulty constitutes the missing definition of the interfaces of building trades and participants. In the present study, interfaces in hospital construction were identified and analyzed by guided interviews with experts from the health sector. The qualitative content analysis, according to Mayring, was used for the evaluation to derive appropriate solution approaches. This paper presents the interfaces using the example of hospital construction in Germany and general approaches of optimization. Hereby, the digital method Building Information Modeling (BIM) plays a decisive role in the optimization of interfaces, especially in complex buildings. Furthermore, a task and building trade control matrix is required to better coordinate the interfaces. The identified approach intends to alleviate potential disputes and misunderstandings among stakeholders, as well as to improve time and financial predictability, which are particularly valuable during inflationary periods.

Authors 4

1. Sabine Hartmann corresponding Aachen Institute for Construction Management

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Construction Management, Digital Engineering and Robotics in Construction, RWTH Aachen University, 52070 Aachen, Germany

2. Dirk Goßmann Aachen Faculty of Civil Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Civil Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany

3. Suzan Kalmuk Aachen Faculty of Civil Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Civil Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany

4. Katharina Klemt‐Albert Aachen Institute for Construction Management

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Construction Management, Digital Engineering and Robotics in Construction, RWTH Aachen University, 52070 Aachen, Germany