Improvement of Concrete Construction Work Performance Through Employment of Lean Logistics Principles

ABSTRACT In logistics systems, the use of methods, approaches, and management procedures with the aim of optimizing all activities has increasingly been promoted. In the case studies, the logistics of the concrete construction work during the implementation of concrete frame structures of residential building projects is analyzed. The examination of the logistics of concrete construction work was carried out using a combination of monitoring, measurement, comparison, and modeling methods. In addition to obtaining real data on the mentioned logistics of concrete construction work, by applying the Just in Time method, as one of the methods of lean logistics, the optimal logistics of ready‐mix concrete transport to construction sites was simulated. In order to reveal the most significant wastages during concrete construction work, the essential parameters of real logistics were compared with the parameters of simulated optimal logistics of ready‐mix concrete transport. The goal of the research is to evaluate the intensity of the application of logistics and its elements in the implementation of construction and to point out the importance of the involvement of lean production methods and thus also lean logistics in the construction industry. Based on this study results from construction projects in Slovakia and also based on the experience of the authors of this work, it can be concluded that the use of logistic management in the supply of the main construction material in the production of monolithic concrete structures is poor, and this causes a lot of unnecessary waste, having an adverse effect not only on the construction time, but also on the management of individual construction resources. It has been proven that investment in planning and management of logistics can lead to increased overall efficiency of the construction and can bring profit in the form of system, synchronization of construction process resources.