Comparison of the economics of on-site and off-site fabrication of rebar in Turkey

Most Turkish contractors prefer on-site fabrication of rebar due to several factors most of which are peculiar to developing countries. Therefore, the economics of on-site and off-site fabrication of rebar need to be compared in the project environment, which is subject to most of those factors, and it should be answered whether the strong preference for on-site fabrication is more economical than off-site fabrication in developing countries, namely in the Turkish construction industry. This study presents an economical comparison of the on-site and off-site fabrication practices of rebar by means of a simulation model that makes use of actual data obtained from a trade center project in Istanbul, Turkey. The study suggests that had the off-site fabrication practice been used in the project in Istanbul, the total cost of rebar would have been 1.2% higher than the total cost of rebar in the on-site fabrication practice. This finding also reveals the need for 'infrastructural' changes in the Turkish construction industry before its participants can enjoy the benefits of lean construction; a change that may be necessary in some degree for other developing countries as well.