Modular Construction System Research Articles

Structural performance of registration pin connection in VectorBloc modular construction system

VectorBloc modular construction system is a unique and innovative building method. In this system, the VectorBloc connector has a fundamental role and; hence, it is necessary to determine its performance in diverse structural applications. One of the components in the VectorBloc connector is the registration-pin, which is designed to be used for lifting the modules during installation. This paper presents the results of the tests conducted on 42 registration-pin connections. Three different parameters were considered, and they are loading angle, lifting-plate thickness, and the thread size of the registration-pin. Thread stripping was the primary mode of failure that occurred in these specimens. The test results show that the lifting capacity can be increased if a thicker lifting plate or a coarse thread of the registration pin is used. In contrast, an increase in the loading angle reduces the lifting capacity. Available design equations in the various standards, such as ASME B1.1 [2], ISO/TR 16224 [11], and BS 3580 [4], can be used to determine the failure load due to thread stripping when an axisymmetric axial load is applied. However, no design equations are available when the load is applied at an angle on the pin connection. This paper presents a new design equation for this purpose.

COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN CUSTOMER AND DEVELOPER ACCEPTANCE OF MODULAR CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM

There are several advantages of a modular construction system that both developers and customers of housing estates can benefit from. However, such a system has not yet been as well adopted as it should be to suit Thailand’s housing industry. This research surveyed and analyzed opinions regarding the acceptance of a modular construction system from a questionnaire survey of 100 potential customers. The acquired data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-squared analysis. The results from the questionnaire survey were then compared with the real estate developers’ opinions from a former research study, and conclusions could be drawn. The results showed that the customers give precedence to three key factors, e.g., construction duration, on-time delivery and price of residence. In addition, customers who pay higher prices for their houses are more concerned about the developers having a good reputation. However, if the developers cannot control the construction cost and it becomes too high, such a situation will lead to a higher selling price compared to conventionally constructed houses. The process of modular construction is also faster than the required house delivery rate. These troubles seem to prevent developers from adopting a modular construction system into their projects. This research’s findings highlight the obstacles and limitations to developers, as well as providing information needed for seizing the advantages of such a system in countries with labor-intensive construction industries, like Thailand.

Leveraging Building Material as Part of the In-Plane Robotic Kinematic System for Collective Construction.

Although collective robotic construction systems are beginning to showcase how multi‐robot systems can contribute to building construction by efficiently building low‐cost, sustainable structures, the majority of research utilizes non‐structural or highly customized materials. A modular collective robotic construction system based on a robotic actuator, which leverages timber struts for the assembly of architectural artifacts as well as part of the robot body for locomotion is presented. The system is co‐designed for in‐plane assembly from an architectural, robotic, and computer science perspective in order to integrate the various hardware and software constraints into a single workflow. The system is tested using five representative physical scenarios. These proof‐of‐concept demonstrations showcase three tasks required for construction assembly: the ability of the system to locomote, dynamically change the topology of connecting robotic actuators and timber struts, and collaborate to transport timber struts. As such, the groundwork for a future autonomous collective robotic construction system that could address collective construction assembly and even further increase the flexibility of on‐site construction robots through its modularity is laid.

COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN CUSTOMER AND DEVELOPER ACCEPTANCE OF MODULAR CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM

There are several advantages of a modular construction system that both developers and customers of housing estates can benefit from. However, such a system has not yet been as well adopted as it should be to suit Thailand’s housing industry. This research surveyed and analyzed opinions regarding the acceptance of a modular construction system from a questionnaire survey of 100 potential customers. The acquired data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-squared analysis. The results from the questionnaire survey were then compared with the real estate developers’ opinions from a former research study, and conclusions could be drawn. The results showed that the customers give precedence to three key factors, e.g., construction duration, on-time delivery and price of residence. In addition, customers who pay higher prices for their houses are more concerned about the developers having a good reputation. However, if the developers cannot control the construction cost and it becomes too high, such a situation will lead to a higher selling price compared to conventionally constructed houses. The process of modular construction is also faster than the required house delivery rate. These troubles seem to prevent developers from adopting a modular construction system into their projects. This research’s findings highlight the obstacles and limitations to developers, as well as providing information needed for seizing the advantages of such a system in countries with labor-intensive construction industries, like Thailand.

Comparative Study between Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) and IBS 2D: A Case Study of School Extension Project in Malaysia

Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) is a modular construction system that adopts modern practices in the construction industry. It is an innovative approach introduced to increase construction productivity and reduce high reliance on on-site manpower. PPVC uses prefabricated technology whereby the production of 3-dimensional (3D) modules complete with building finishes and fittings is carried out under controlled conditions at the factory before being brought and installed at the construction site. However, lack of study has been done to see whether this system could be implemented in Malaysia. Therefore, this study is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of PPVC method in the construction industry in Malaysia. The objective of this study is to make a comparison, in terms of time and cost, between PPVC method and the conventional Industrialized Building System (IBS) 2D method. The results shows that the PPVC method was able to shorten the construction period up to 34.9% compared to when using IBS 2D. However, the construction cost per classroom using PPVC method was increases up to 10.5% higher.

Adaptable modular construction systems and multi-objective optimisation strategies for mass-customised housing: A new user-driven paradigm for high-rise living in Hong Kong

There has been a recent increase in the exploration of ‘the discrete’ in architecture, speculating on how an integrated approach to design, fabrication, assembly and inhabitation can disrupt the traditional investment- and decision-making models in the housing industry. Strategically designed part-to-whole systems allow for differentiation and reconfiguration, and the incorporation of different end-user’ requirements. This potential of ‘democratising’ housing production requires further research into how the negotiation between multiple stakeholders’ preferences can be guided through digital methods. This paper presents a research-by-design project that applies a digital and discrete material system to high-rise housing in Hong Kong, a typology which often features high degrees of standardisation. Through the development of an adaptable modular construction system and a multi-objective optimisation workflow, a system is explored that addresses the challenges of high-rise construction, and of customising high-density housing. The case study project demonstrates the ability of the workflow’s evolutionary algorithm to balance complex requirements including maximising views, daylight access and internal connectivity according to diverse user requirements.

Spatial characteristics of contemporary prefabricated modular dormitory cells

Prefabricated modular architecture brings diversified opportunities for sustainable university student accommodation. Modern and modular construction systems offer affordable and comfortable housing to students. The housing units form the core construction units of the dormitories. They are made from recycled shipping containers or prefabricated modular blocks that share common characteristics. The accommodation sections of modular dormitories are characterised by efficient sorting of prefabricated cells along horizontal communications. The paper analyses characteristic case studies and defines the predominant floor plan types of modular student accommodation cells. The difference in the layout and operational solutions also results from the specifics of the supporting structures. The aim is to categorise the prevailing floor types of modular accommodation cells and to define the spatial standard of student rooms while maintaining the right measure in the relationship: efficiency ? invention ? user comfort. Attractive interiors can increase the value of college houses. The basis of such projects is to have well-organised floor plans, which are clear and functional, even with regard to their visual effects.

A Study on the Acceptance Level of Rack Housing in Malaysia

Rack housing is one type of modular construction system which is flexible and poses a higher degree of mobility. However, the idea of rack housing is relatively new and there is no clear indication of how far is the acceptance of Malaysian citizen to this idea. Therefore, this study aims to identify the acceptance level of Malaysian towards rack housing and also serve as the basic reference for both government and private sector for the adoption fo rack house in Malaysia. In this study, the acceptance level among Malaysian factors of consumer decision to purchase rack housing and also the perspective of Malaysian especially middle income group is determined. A set of questionnaire was made by Google form which contain question about the major factor of acceptance of Malaysian citizen on rack housing with total of 208 questionnaires. The data collected from different group of Malaysian was analyzed by using Average Index (AI). The degree of importance was determined by the rating scales. The result obtained is that the acceptance level to purchase rack housing based on location, comfortability and management factors. From the result, the respondances agree to accept rack housing to implement and construct in Malaysia.

The application of green building concept through fabrication modular construction system in special house construction

The cost of housing construction tends to continue to increase and various efforts have been made to reduce the cost of building special houses. One of the technologies chosen in the construction of special houses with a fast process is to use a fabricated modular construction system. The purpose of this research is to produce a technical design for the Special House as a reference in the optimal and efficient physical construction of the Special House. Research and development research methods by way of assessing and testing a product. Product assessment and testing were carried out on 11 manufacturers who fit the criteria and have produced prefabricated / precast houses. After the implementation of primary data collection, it was concluded that there were 8 Manufacturing Modular Construction systems that were likely to be optimally applied to special home products. The conclusion of the research is based on an assessment matrix from the aspects of the work system, time to work, the number of workers, financial, social and cultural as well as zoning, which get the highest score, namely Steel as the main structure. Steel has been tested for its structural strength and can produce quite a number of building material components.

Plug and Play Modular Façade Construction System for Renovation for Residential Buildings

The present paper focuses on the architectural and constructional features required to ensure that building envelope renovation are safe, functional, and adaptable to the building stock, with particular focus on “plug and play” modular facade construction systems. It presents the design of one such system and how it addresses these issues. The outcome of early-stage functional test with a full-scale mock-up system, as well as its applicability to a real construction project is presented. It is found crucial to obtain high quality information about the status of the existing façade with the use of modern technologies such as topographic surveys or 3D scans and point cloud. Detailed design processes are required to ensure the compatibility of manufacture and installation tolerances, along with anchor systems that deliver flexibility for adjustment, and construction processes adapting standard installation methods to the architectural particularities of each case that may hinder its use or require some modification in each situation. This prefabricated plug and play modular system has been tested by reproducing the holistic methodology and new technologies in the market by means of real demonstrators. When compared to more conventional construction methods, this system achieves savings in a real case of 50% (time), 30% (materials) and 25% (waste), thus achieving significant economic savings.

Innovative 3D joint for steel modular construction

AbstractIn recent years, the modular construction has been used in multi‐story and even high‐rise construction. Pre‐fabrication by off‐site manufacture leads to faster construction, improved quality and reduced resources and waste.The research work presented in this paper is carried out in the scope of the European project INNO3DJOINTS and it aims to develop innovative plug‐and‐play joints which enable modularity. The developed modular construction system is hybrid, whereby tubular columns are combined with cold‐formed lightweight steel profiles to provide a highly efficient structural system. The innovative connection is a device that connects the lightweight truss girder with the tubular column. It consists of a socket welded to the column and a T‐plug which is connected to the truss girder with a lap‐joint. Upon assembly, the T‐plug is simply fitted into the socket. Moreover, the newly developed innovative hybrid plug‐and‐play joints are also suitable for other specific situations such as retrofitting of existing buildings.This paper presents the developed structural system and the characterization of the plug‐and‐play joints based on experimental tests.

Production of cement slabs using sugarcane bagasse ash associated with expanded polystyrene

Civil construction is considered a major generator of urban solid waste and one way to mitigate this problem is to invest in modular construction systems, making room for lean and sustainable models. This paper evaluated the potential of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SCBA) as composites, combined with the inclusion of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in the production of cement slabs applied to civil construction. For the partial substitution of Portland Cement (PC) the chemical characterization of SCBA by fluorescence and X-ray diffraction was carried out and its production used concentrations from 6.8% to 25.5% of SCBA. In the cementitious plate, tensile strength tests were performed for flexure tensile strength, water absorption and permeability, in accordance to Brazilian guidelines. The results demonstrated the use of SCBA in partial substitution of PC in the proportion of 6.8% and 13.6% with absence of fine sand and 17% with addition of fine sand, allowing its use in a clean, modular and dry construction technology. It is possible to conclude, therefore, that the industrial residue of SCBA can be used in substitution of PC and that the inclusion of EPS in the studied product’s formula increases its volume and decreases its apparent density.

Performance of modular hybrid cold-formed/tubular structural system

In recent years, modular construction has been used in low-to medium rise multi-story and even high-rise buildings. Pre-fabrication by off-site manufacture leads to faster and safer construction, improved quality, reduced resources and waste. The research activity summarized in this paper is carried out within the European project INNO3DJOINTS and it aims at developing innovative plug-and-play joints which enable modularity, faster construction and deconstruction. The developed modular construction system is hybrid, whereby tubular columns are combined with cold-formed lightweight steel profiles using plug-and-play connections to provide an efficient structural system. The influence of the type of floor system, the horizontal and vertical load-bearing systems and the type of truss on the structural performance are investigated. The results obtained from numerical analyses allowed optimizing the geometry of the examined hybrid modular system. To highlight its effectiveness and versatility, a case study building was used to compare the proposed hybrid system with other conventional structural solutions.

Experimental evaluation of a modular timber unit filled with insulated corkboard

Due to fast delivery and convenience on site, prefabricated modular structures are increasingly present in the context of civil construction. Regarding the advantages of these systems, it has been addressed in the literature the potential of wood for the design of prefabricated houses with modular characteristics, resulting in optimization of costs, product quality and sustainability. When a new construction system is proposed, it is of extremely importance to understand its mechanical behavior and structural performance before its implementation. Therefore, this research aims to contribute, based on an experimental campaign, to the characterization of a new modular wall construction system made of Cryptomeria wood (Cryptomeria japonica). The experimental campaign comprehended the evaluation of the glued connection between wood elements of the unit and the load carrying capacity of a single and connected modular units. Besides, since the proposed system is constituted of an interior layer of insulated corkboard, the effect of its presence in mechanical terms was evaluated. The results showed the potential of this prefabricated modular systems in terms of resistance and identified the critical parameters to a safety design.

Supply chain performance analysis on modular construction shipbuilding

The Implementation of modular construction shipbuilding aims to accelerate ship production so that delivery time can be shortened. However, in its implementation, delay for completing and delivery the ship can still be found. The delay in delivery is influenced by the supply chain performance of the shipyard due to delays in design, material, and financial payments. This delay occurred due to the large number of sub-module and module construction works carried out in parallel. The works include hull construction, painting, outfitting and installation of equipments. This study aims to analyze the performance of the supply chain in shipyard that implementing modular construction system. In the initial stage, the study is conducted by defining the factors and parameters that affect supply chain performance in shipbuilding and determining factors that have the potential to cause delivery delays. The conceptual and technical approach is carried out by analyzing the causal relationship of the factors that have identified in the previous stage. Dominant factors that cause delays that occur in ship building are expected to find and observe using system dynamics approach.

A novel floor-isolated re-centering system for prefabricated modular mass timber construction – Concept development and preliminary evaluation

Prefabricated modular mass timber (MT) construction provides a resource-efficient, consistent-quality, and eco-friendly solution for the building industry. Connections that facilitate the assembly of prefabricated modules to form the final structure usually do not possess the characteristics needed for performance of these systems in high seismic zones. In this study, a novel seismic force resisting system called FIRMOCS that incorporates floor-isolation and re-centering techniques, is proposed for the prefabricated modular MT construction. Finite element models of the Floor Isolated Re-entering Modular Construction System (FIRMOCS) and of regular modular construction Seismic Force Resisting Systems (SFRS) were developed in ABAQUS, a general-purpose finite element program. The seismic performance of the regular prefabricated modular MT SFRS and that of FIRMOC systems was evaluated using nonlinear dynamic time-history analysis along the principles of the National Building Code of Canada. The preliminary results showed that FIRMOC Systems significantly reduced the seismic demand on the prefabricated modular MT construction, thus leading to improved seismic response. Using the proposed novel SFRS, an efficient and resilient prefabricated modular MT construction solutions can be achieved in high seismic zones.

Evaluation of triangle´s triple restriction on conventional construction and modular construction-Example: New building of the University of the Coast

This document evaluates and compares the modular construction system against the conventional construction system, analyzing it from the triangle of the triple restriction of the PMBOK guide (5th edition), which corresponds to the analysis of the scope, time and cost that can be achieve in the execution, which is focused directly on a real building of higher education, as a case study was used the university corporation of the CUC coast located in the city of Barranquilla. The main purpose of the research is to demonstrate the strengths, advantages and disadvantages of each construction system and once the real results were obtained to be able to make the application in professional practice for the management of the works and the execution of higher education projects, in this way the new construction processes are potentialized as a contribution to the development of architecture and innovation in Colombia, which is a country that is seeking to enter new methodologies and construction systems which must be aligned with the management issues that are being applied in the construction guild.

Modular Construction System (MCS) in Malaysia: Mass Customization Through Combinatorial

Combinatorial is another sub-topic and sub ordinate of Golden Mean theory. This paper is part of on-going research of modular construction system (MCS) in Malaysia. Objectives of the research were to propose an appropriate scheme and concept for sustainable design for modular home based on research findings.The researcher conducted case study (Personnel Expert Interviews) to collect data of MCS in Malaysia. Proposed combinatorial design for spatial planning of home design has been carried out by the researcher at the end of analysis as design experimental yet need validation from computer science experts. Combinatorial in modular architecture is the theory of conceptual design for future building design process of MCS. The researcher discuss in details and to clarify the proportion combinatorial for MCS in aspect of building forms and arrangements through proposed combinatorial formula. In Malaysia, design technique should relate to local culture, weather, and available materials sources as mentioned by the experts. Combinatorial design of modular architecture is an alternative design for compact affordable home. This combinatorial geometry (3D module) repeated, duplicate and can be oriented in a few ways to forming combinatorial models of building design. Pattern A and B are considered to be the best in economic aspects and practicality in term of shape of green. Proposed concept possibly can improve user decision making (digital design process) e.g. building players to plan their building lifecycle projects in term of economical design, green shape, reduced construction time and cost. Thus, it may be able to promote user friendly design, fast track construction, and quality based product, less wastage and varied of design selection can be chosen of the user.

Mobile Tiny Houses – Sustainable and Affordable?

The topic of “affordable accommodations” has affected the construction industry and the politics for many years, not least due to sharply rising real estate prices. Building plots in good locations are just as prohibitively expensive for young people as larger apartments in urban areas, especially in big cities. This raises the question: How much does a person need to live? Energy efficiency, sustainability and regionality are as equally important as coziness, which decisively defines the quality of life of the residents. As part of the “klimaaktiv” regional partnership, the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences has carried out several research projects concerning the topic of small sustainable homes. In cooperation with an Upper Austrian prefabricated house company, a building technology concept for an innovative modular construction system was devised. The aim here was the development of an innovative, high-quality and inexpensive modular system that does not exclude increased ecological standards. As part of an interdisciplinary project, a group of students developed an energy self-sufficient cabin for almost every kind of application. Based on extensive research on existing building systems, a variety of topics were examined. The focus here was on mobility, modular assembly, ecological materials, self-sufficiency, energy efficiency and the water cycle. In the end, a single-family house, which considers most of the aforementioned aspects, was built.

THERMAL PERFORMANCE UNDER WINTER CONDITIONS OF A REFLECTIVE INSULATION BASED WALL PANEL FOR EMERGENCY HOUSES IN CHILE

Casa FÉNIX solution for the emergency is a modular and progressive construction system based on a prefabricated timber structure that provides a great variety of growing possibilities. This initiative, originally conceived to take part in the 2014 Solar Decathlon Europe Competition, is central to many research activities carried out by the Department of Architecture of the Santa María Technical University of Valparaíso, Chile, the most recent of which is the FONDEF IDeA project “Systematization of non-structural components for an emergency house” Within the framework of this research, a lightweight, easy-to-assemble, low-cost wall solution has been developed. It consists on a sandwich panel composed of an expanded polystyrene (EPS) core and a cardboard honeycomb reinforcement on both sides, which constitutes air chambers. The inclusion of reflective layers on each of the sides of the air chambers significantly increases the thermal resistance of the element with no significant weight increase. The work addresses the winter performance of the aforementioned wall element variations, characterized by their thermal transmittances, U. The study has been carried out with analytical (UNE-EN-ISO 6946) and computational (THERM) models, which have been compared and validated by means of experimental tests. Transmittance tests carried out for different variations of the solution show compliance with the regulatory requirements for the three climatic zones of central Chile that gather 60% of the country's population. From these data a complete set of alternatives have been developed in order to respond to the different thermal demands of nine climatic zones of the country, that range from the aridity of the Atacama Desert to the cold Patagonian regions. Keywords: Vivienda de emergencia, Panel de fachada, Aislamiento reflectivo, Simulación térmica. Transmisión de calor.