A design structural matrix approach displaying structural and assembly requirements in construction:: a timber case study

A fundamental demand of construction design is human safety from structural failure. As a consequence, buildings generally tend to be structurally optimized with cost as the main target parameter. However, a cost-suboptimized structural design often leads to poor constructability decisions with subsequent waste. This paper presents initial research in the development of a design structural matrix (DSM) method able to identify constructability obstacles between structural design and assembly and thus eliminate waste. Empirical data based on a case study of long-span timber structures is used in the development and analysis of the method. The DSM was found to be a holistic too] for systematic consideration of structural design and constructability requirements by providing a standardized system view, a detailed element view, and physical and functional interactions among elements and modules. The DSM was also shown to aid in detailed design and production management through the use of simple matrix tools.