Editing Prefabrication (section)

==Current uses==
[[Image:Precast concrete house in construction.JPG|right|thumb|A house being built with prefabricated concrete panels.]]
The most widely used form of prefabrication in building and [[civil engineering]] is the use of prefabricated [[concrete]] and prefabricated [[steel]] sections in structures where a particular part or form is repeated many times. It can be difficult to construct the [[formwork]] required to [[Molding (process)|mould]] concrete components on site, and delivering wet concrete to the site before it starts to set requires precise time management. Pouring concrete sections in a factory brings the advantages of being able to re-use moulds and the concrete can be mixed on the spot without having to be transported to and pumped wet on a congested construction site. Prefabricating steel sections reduces on-site cutting and [[welding]] costs as well as the associated hazards.

Prefabrication techniques are used in the construction of apartment blocks, and housing developments with repeated housing units. Prefabrication is an essential part of the industrialization of construction.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Goh|first1=Edward|last2=Loosemore|first2=Martin|date=2017-05-04|title=The impacts of industrialization on construction subcontractors: a resource based view|journal=Construction Management and Economics|volume=35|issue=5|pages=288–304|doi=10.1080/01446193.2016.1253856|issn=0144-6193|doi-access=free}}</ref> The quality of prefabricated housing units had increased to the point that they may not be distinguishable from traditionally built units to those that live in them. The technique is also used in office blocks, warehouses and factory buildings. Prefabricated steel and glass sections are widely used for the exterior of large buildings.

Detached houses, cottages, log cabin, saunas, etc. are also sold with prefabricated elements. Prefabrication of modular wall elements allows building of complex [[thermal insulation]], window frame components, etc. on an [[assembly line]], which tends to improve quality over on-site construction of each individual wall or frame. Wood construction in particular benefits from the improved quality. However, tradition often favors building by hand in many countries, and the image of prefab as a "cheap" method only slows its adoption. However, current practice already allows the modifying the floor plan according to the customer's requirements and selecting the surfacing material, e.g. a personalized brick facade can be masoned even if the load-supporting elements are timber.

Today, prefabrication is used in various industries and construction sectors such as healthcare, retail, hospitality, education, and public administration, due to its many advantages and benefits over traditional on-site construction, such as reduced installation time and cost savings.<ref>[https://www.hydrodiseno.com/modular-construction-market/ Details about the modular construction market.] Hydrodiseno.com. 2022-08-17. Retrieved 2023-01-05</ref> Being used in single-story buildings as well as in multi-story projects and constructions. Providing the possibility of applying it to a specific part of the project or to the whole of it.

The efficiency and speed in the execution times of these works offer that, for example, in the case of the educational sector, it is possible to execute the projects without the cessation of the operations of the educational facilities during the development of the same.

[[File:Airbus Wing.jpg|thumb|Transportation of prefabricated Airbus wing assembly]]
Prefabrication saves engineering time on the construction site in civil engineering projects. This can be vital to the success of projects such as bridges and [[avalanche gallery|avalanche galleries]], where weather conditions may only allow brief periods of construction. Prefabricated bridge elements and systems offer bridge designers and contractors significant advantages in terms of construction time, safety, environmental impact, constructibility, and cost. Prefabrication can also help minimize the impact on traffic from bridge building. Additionally, small, commonly used structures such as [[concrete pylon]]s are in most cases prefabricated.

Radio towers for mobile phone and other services often consist of multiple prefabricated sections. Modern lattice towers and guyed masts are also commonly assembled of prefabricated elements.

Prefabrication has become widely used in the assembly of [[aircraft]] and [[spacecraft]], with components such as wings and fuselage sections often being manufactured in different countries or states from the final assembly site.  However, this is sometimes for political rather than commercial reasons, such as for [[Airbus]].