What is IBS ?

Industrial Building System (IBS) is a construction method where components are

manufactured in factory or in-situ in a controlled and monitored environment, transported
and installed with minimun workforce. This system is widely used in developed countries.

There are 6 common types of IBS as follows :

i. Steel Frame System

ii. Timber Frame System
iii. Block Work System
iv. Precast Concreate System
v. Formwork system
vi. Innovative System

Steel Frame System.

Steel frame usually refers to a building technique with a "skeleton frame" of vertical steel columns
and horizontal I-beams, constructed in a rectangular grid to support the floors, roof and walls of a
building which are all attached to the frame. The development of this technique made the
construction of the skyscraper possible.

Timber Frame System.

Timber framing is the method of creating framed structures of heavy timber jointed together with
various joints, but most commonly originally with lap jointing, and then later pegged mortise and
tenon joints. Diagonal bracing is used to prevent "racking", or movement of structural vertical beams
or posts.
Block Work System.

Thin joint block work (thin joint masonry) is a fast, clean, accurate system for construction using
autoclaved aerated concrete blocks of close dimensional tolerance with 2mm-3mm mortar joints.

Thin layer mortar is a pre-mixed cement-based product that only requires the addition of water to
make an easily-applied mortar. It differs from general use mortar in that it sets more rapidly, thus
giving early stability to the construction. It provides an alternative to traditional sand/cement mortar
and allows the depth of the mortar to be reduced from at least 10mm to 3mm or less.

The benefits offered by thin layer mortars are provided by a system with many of the characteristics
of traditional block work construction. This means that familiarity with the build process and
flexibility are also inherent in the system. The nature of autoclaved aerated concrete blocks and the
strict control over the manufacturing process ensures that the blocks are produced to a high degree
of dimensional accuracy, ±1.5mm on bed height, making them ideal for use with thin layer mortar.
Precast Concreate System.

Precast concrete foundations are ideal for residential and commercial construction. Precast concrete
walls are energy efficient, can be constructed in one day and are reinforced with steel rods. Precast
concrete foundation wall panels are growing in popularity because of this.

Formwork System.

The term "system formwork" is to differentiate the conventional formwork, typically the
timber one. System formwork has the standard prefabricated modular components with
large casting panel. After "legoing" the modular components through different combination
with the aid of CAD design and subsequently assembly on site, the system formwork can suit
the required shape of concrete structures. Minor conventional formwork to complement the
deficiency of the system formwork is still required on site. System formwork has good
casting quality, speedier erection and more recycle times compared to the conventional
formwork. However, the initial investment of system formwork is higher than the
conventional one. Therefore, the more cycle times the system formwork is to be used, the
more economical it will be. A good example is the repeated typical floors of a high-rise
building.

System formwork is a specialised kind of job. It supports the in-situ RC contractors by

providing services of design, delivery, site support and buy-back after job completion.

Jumpform or climbform is one type of the system formwork for vertical structures which
needs the cranage to lift it up for each cycle. The slipform, on the other hand, is usually using
its own hydraulic power to lift itself up against the previously completed structures and is
suited for no-change section of the tall structure, for example, chimney an silo. The main
components of the system formwork include plywood, beam, waler, falsework, joint parts,
bracing and operation platform.
Innovative System.

The concept of the innovation system stresses that the flow of technology and information
among people, enterprises and institutions is key to an innovative process. It contains the
interaction between the actors who are needed in order to turn an idea into a process,
product or service on the market.

What is the main purpose of introducing IBS in Malaysia ?

IBS widely accepted in the developed countries , IBS in Malysia was first introduced in the
Pekeliling Flats Project in Kuala Lumpur. IBS helps to reduce foriegn labour as well as to
increase quality and shorten the completion time of construction work. In addition, the
goverment also intends to generate IBS component manufacturing industry which would be
able to contribute to the national GDP.

What are the benefits for using IBS ?

i. Higher quality products with minimum wastages due to factory-controlled

prefabrication environment.

ii. Elimination the usage of timber formwork and great reduction of props through the
usage of prefabricated elemants or formworks system for site casting.

iii. Faster completion due to the introduction of prefabricated components replacing in-
situ construction.

iv. Sturdy and safe work platforms provided by the prefabricated elemants.

v. Minimum labour usage as bricklaying and palstering work is no longer used.

vi. Less cost in overall contruction budget due to all of the above.

The cost of IBS component is slighty higher than the cost of raw materials at construction
site due the production of IBS components with standard and controlled production
procedures in the factory. Overall contruction costs of IBS are competitive if compared to
the conventional method of construction. In other words, the reductions of construction
cost have been made by early completion, raw materials and site labours. Generally, as teh
quality assured, construction project with IBS is competitive compared to conventional
method of contruction.

What type of project shall be given exemption from using IBS method ?
 i. Projects below RM10 million.

ii. Renovation or refurbishment projects

iii. Remote project site which are not accessible by heavy vehicles.
MiIE ’11 MALAYSIA IBS INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION

5-7 APRIL 2011

CIDB Convention Centre.