Productivity increase in the design and construction of bridges

The construction industry is behind other industries in productivity. With more large infrastructure projects to be built, it is essential that design and construction could be performed with high productivity. This paper focuses on how standardisation of bridges can result in higher productivity. A quantitative study was performed to examine essential parameters that have potential to increase productivity in the Swedish bridge construction industry; it also examines how standardisation could increase productivity; and how specific incentives of the three significant actors (contractor, client and design engineer) could be obstacles to productivity. The main findings are that the actors believe in standardisation as a way to increase productivity. Reinforcement layout was one important parameter to increase productivity. Contractor’s view on profit could be an obstacle to productivity. Increased productivity would be more sustainable infrastructure delivery and here the client has an important role to play.