Prefabricated Building Research Articles

Diversifying the early history of the prefabricated colonial house in Moreton Bay

The history of prefabrication in settler Australia is incomplete. The use of prefabricated and transportable buildings in existing Australian architectural histories focuses on colonial importation from Britain, Asia, America and New Zealand. This article, however, argues for a more diverse and local history of prefabrication — one that considers Indigenous people’s use of prefabrication and draws on archaeological research of abandoned military ventures, revealing an Australian-made, colonial prefabricated building industry that existed for over 40 years, from the 1800s to the 1840s. A more inclusive architectural history of prefabrication is considered in relation to a case study of the first European house erected in Moreton Bay at the British penal outpost of Red Cliffe Point (1824–25), a settlement established partly to contribute to British territory-marking on Australia’s distant coastlines. While existing histories prioritise transportability and ease of assembly as features of prefabricated buildings, this research has found that ease of disassembly, relocation and recycling of building components is a key feature of prefabrication in early abandoned British military garrisons.

A Knowledge-Based Approach Towards Automated Manufacturing-Centric BIM: Wood Frame Design and Modelling for Light-Frame Buildings

Building information modelling (BIM) technology has the potential to improve communication among multiple stakeholders and to streamline construction projects. In order for the BIM model to be fit for use in the construction field generally and in modular construction projects specifically, it needs to be designed with sufficient construction details. However, in current practice, this requirement necessitates substantial manual modelling efforts, which limits the use of BIM in the construction field. In this context, the objective of this research is to automate BIM of construction details for modular construction (i.e., manufacturing-centric BIM) with a focus on the wood-framing design and modelling processes. Specifically, this paper presents a portion of the research undertaken at the University of Alberta to develop FrameX, an Autodesk Revit add-on under development for the purpose of automating the framing design of light-frame wood structures. It represents a rule-based modelling approach that is capable of analyzing and designing building frames automatically in accordance with building codes, transportation regulations for modular components, and industry-wide best practices. Various best practice scenarios described in this paper represent ways the industry is seeking to reduce the material, time, and effort required to manufacture prefabricated building panels. A case study is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the rule-based modelling approach and the prototyped system, FrameX. The results reveal that the prototype system, FrameX, can automatically output manufacturing-centric BIM model and shop drawings in accordance with formalized rules, to assist field specialists from the outset of a given construction project.

BIM Applications in the ‘Forward Design’ of New Prefabricated Buildings with Exterior Shear Walls and Interior Frames

This paper reviews the construction and use of prefabricated buildings composed of an outer shear wall with an interior frame, and reviews the advantages of this structure along with its scope of application. A six-household tower-style dwelling is used as the primary example in this paper, and the modular shear-wall-and-frame structure is explored for the purpose of developing a new style of prefabricated buildings. This paper employs BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology and a forward design philosophy to examine this new type of wall-and-frame-style prefabricated building, including a review of the integrated design of modular domestic structures, collaborative professional designs, detailed design and processing of construction components, connection of key nodes, and other areas of application for BIM technology. According to the result of this study, BIM technology has a broad array of applications in the forward design of new types of prefabricated buildings, and can improve the quality of the resulting structures and their benefits to users and stakeholders, and the prospects and promotional value of these applications both seem promising.

Application of BIM Technology in the Construction of Vanke Industrial Dormitory Building

This paper systematically introduces the comprehensive application of BIM technology in the whole life cycle of pre-fabricated building. The background project is Vanke industrial dormitory building and the main application points include: BIM design, business management, technology management, progress and cost management, quality and safety inspection, personal management and BIM maintenance.

Van der Waals integration before and beyond two-dimensional materials.

Material integration strategies, such as epitaxial growth, usually involve strong chemical bonds and are typically limited to materials with strict structure matching and processing compatibility. Van der Waals integration, in which pre-fabricated building blocks are physically assembled together through weak van der Waals interactions, offers an alternative bond-free integration strategy without lattice and processing limitations, as exemplified by two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures. Here we review the development, challenges and opportunities of this emerging approach, generalizing it for flexible integration of diverse material systems beyond two dimensions, and discuss its potential for creating artificial heterostructures or superlattices beyond the reach of existing materials.

Performance Review of Prefabricated Building Systems and Future Research in Australia

Volumetric prefabricated building construction is growing in most developed countries; for example, in Sweden the market share of prefabricated building systems in the housing industry was more than 80%. However, in Australia only approximately 3–4% of new building constructions are prefabricated buildings in a year. A major hindrance to the growth of prefab construction in Australia is that systems are developed under commercial and confidential conditions. There are limited publicly-available research and case studies for certifiers, regulators, engineers and academia to provide independent information on the performance, advantages and disadvantages of prefabricated building systems. Independent designers and structural engineers are relying on the strength of the structural and non-structural element, as well as the connections of the prefabricated building systems. This strength is estimated from the “commercial-in-confidence” test of individual components by manufactures, and it might result in undesired outcomes in design. This paper provides an overview of available literature on structural performance, benefits, constraints and challenges of prefabricated building systems. This paper also highlights the research needed on the prefabricated building systems such as full-scale tests, numerical modelling, hybrid simulations, case studies and social and economic assessments. Being supported by sound academic research will increase the market demand for prefabricated building systems in Australia as well as in other countries.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT EXTERNAL WALL PANELS OF FRAME-PANEL BUILDINGS

Construction of frame-panel buildings in Russia is being developed rather rapidly. A new universal prefabricated antiseismic building system was developed at Tomsk State University of Architecture and Building, Tomsk , Russia, which provides buildings with the highest energy conservation of class A ++. The advantages of this new universal prefabricated antiseismic building system include the weight reduction of panels, significant increase in the effective thickness of heat insulation, total rejection of rigid structural connections between outer and internal layers. This type of hinged panels requires fixing of horizontal bearing construction with effective thermobreaks. Thermal analysis of facade fragments with 3D construction of temperature fields, laboratory tests in climate chambers and full-scale thermal testing of the universal prefabricated antiseismic building system shows that their heat resistance reaches 4.0 m 2 × °C/W, which is almost twice higher than wall systems currently used in construction.

Sustainability analysis of transformable low-rise buildings production and construction integration zones

One of the main issues of organizational and technological solutions progress of transformable low-rise buildings with sandwich panels walls (TLB) rapid construction is the improvement of industrial production methods based on the using of high-performance mechanization tools. The working capital efficiency improving makes pre-fabricated transformable buildings the most attractive technical solution for investor and allows you to quickly recoup investments. The traditional measures of the organization processes improvement and specific development directions of the TLB construction production organization in modern conditions are given. The technological component of sustainability has been highlighted. The specifics of its provision in the modern conditions of technical development and increasing innovation have been disclosed. The article defines the prerequisites for main components strengthening of the integration zones elements sustainability in the process of transformable low-rise buildings erection. The tendencies of sustainability concept expanding at different levels of the TLB construction production management are substantiated. Evaluation of its effectiveness determines the relevance of the study. The aim of the work is the development of scientific and methodological foundations for the formation of a regional strategy for prefabricated low-rise construction.

Environmental attitudes of Hungarian students and the prospects for environmental education

The efficiency of primary education is of fundamental importance in environmental education. The aim of this survey was to evaluate the environmental attitudes of young teenagers in Hungary, learning their preferences regarding plants and animals, their reasoning, and opinions about conservation. Therefore, a complex questionnaire containing 11 open questions and 5 closed questions were completed in 2016 for students between the age of 13 and 14 years. This age group was selected based on the curriculum suited the best to this type of investigation and the already advanced level of knowledge for the student. Printed questionnaires were provided to the student attending to primary schools personally, and they were asked to fill them in their class supervised by their teachers to minimalize external influences. There were 744 students living in 92 settlements of different sizes who have filled the questionnaires in 2017. These questionnaires were grouped according to the student’ gender, settlement sizes (six categories), and type of home (detached house, apartment building, or prefabricated panel building). Here we report the first results after assessing the questionnaires. According to their preferences toward plants or animals, the great majority of the responders (91.3%) favored animals, and there was no difference between boys and girls in this respect. The size of the settlements and the type of the students’ home did not influence animal preference. These results suggest that teachers should particularly focus on plants in their biology and environmental education programs. When students were asked about their favorite plants, almost 80 percent of them gave priority to local plant species, especially flowers (73.1%). More than three-quarters (77%) of the families of the students asked have at least one pet or domestic animal, and almost two-thirds (64.4%) of them wish to have even more - although 71.1% of them live in apartment buildings or prefabricated panel buildings. Students meet animals most often (52.8%) locally, and domestic mammals are those animals that the highest proportion (41.8%) of them encounter. More than half (54%) of the children go outdoors/make an excursion at least once in a month, but 11 percent of them have no such experiences. When asked about conservation, 77.7% of the children stated that they would save all of the living creatures, and 12.1% chose to save only the useful ones. This information may help in focusing on special areas for environmental education or developing new strategies and tools for it.

Анализ и исследование методов строительства быстровозводимых зданий и сооружений для нужд ВС РК

Анализ и исследование методов строительства быстровозводимых зданий и сооружений для нужд ВС РК

Site logistics planning and control for engineer-to-order prefabricated building systems using BIM 4D modeling

Abstract There has been a growing demand for engineer-to-order (ETO) prefabricated building systems, in which a unique product must fulfill the requirements of specific clients. Although industrialized building systems can potentially simplify the production process, there is usually a high level of complexity in ETO production systems, such as uncertainty in client demands, short lead-time, overlapping between project stages, and resources that are shared among different projects. In this context, logistics management plays a key role in terms of achieving project goals related to cost, time and safety. This research work proposes the combined use of principles from the Lean Production Philosophy and Building Information Modeling (BIM), as a mechanism to cope with the complexity involved in those types of projects. Although these can be regarded as two separate approaches for improving the performance of production systems in the construction industry, there are evidences that there is much synergy between them. This paper reports the development of a logistics planning and control model for site assembly of ETO prefabricated building systems using BIM 4D modeling. The main theoretical contribution of this research work is the understanding of the synergies between Lean principles and BIM functionalities that are applicable to site logistics management, providing an example of how this body of knowledge can be expanded. This investigation also provides some practical contributions on how to carry out logistics planning and control at different hierarchical levels, with the support of BIM 4D modeling, aligning this process with the Last Planner System of production control. Design science research was the methodological approach adopted in this investigation, and the proposed model was developed and tested in empirical studies carried out in a steel fabricator company that designs, fabricates and assemblies steel structures.

BIM-Based Incremental Cost Analysis Method of Prefabricated Buildings in China

In order to achieve the sustainable growth of its urbanization and natural resources, China has been making great efforts to develop prefabricated construction technologies. However, the high incremental cost of prefabricated buildings (PRBs) is a fundamental obstacle to the latter. The current study mainly focuses on analyzing the incremental cost of the on-site construction stage. It is hard to comprehensively identify the incremental cost composition without considering the incremental cost caused by prefabricated components (PFCs) production. Moreover, the results of incremental cost calculation are not accurate enough by comparing the cost of two similar but different PRB and traditional buildings (TRB), and the case-based calculation results suffer from a lack of representation. To address these issues, we first establish a two-dimensional incremental cost index system from the dimension of cost items and prefabricated technologies to study the incremental cost composition of the whole construction stage. Additionally, based on China’s latest policies documents, the applicability of incremental cost composition items can also be improved. Then a building information modeling (BIM)-based calculation model is presented to avoid the calculation error caused by comparing the cost of two different PRBs and TRBs. To validate the proposed index system and calculation method, an actual prefabricated project in China is also conducted as a case study. The results suggest that: (1) Incremental cost is composed of band bearing and retaining walls and inner walls PFCs production, PFCs hoisting and grouting, post-pouring concrete, and full decoration. (2) The BIM-based incremental calculation result of a PRB case from Shanghai is within the range of the national average PRB incremental estimation results. The incremental cost composition items and BIM-based calculation approach can greatly help investors to identify the largest increase in cost and make effective cost optimization strategies.

Behaviors of Continuous Cooling Transformation and Microstructure Evolution of a High Strength Weathering Prefabricated Building Steel

Continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagram of a high strength weathering prefabricated building steel was determined using a DIL805L thermal dilatometer by means of the expansion method combined with metallography hardness method. Effect of cooling rate on microstructure and hardness of the steel was also studied. The results show that the austenite transformation products of the steel are ferrite and pearlite when cooling rate is lower than 3°C/s. In the cooling rate range of 3 to 20°C/s, the mixed microstructure of ferrite, pearlite and bainite can be obtained. When cooling rate is higher than 20°C/s but lower than 100°C/s, the microstructure is composed of ferrite, bainite and martensite. When cooling rate is above 100°C/s, ferrite disappeared completely, and transformation products are bainite and martensite.

Life cycle energy and environmental benefits of novel design-for-deconstruction structural systems in steel buildings

Design for Deconstruction (DfD) is a design approach that enables reuse of durable building components, including structural materials, across multiple building projects. An important DfD strategy is the use of pre-fabricated modular building assemblies and reversible connections, in contrast to cast-in-place composite systems that must be demolished at building end-of-life. In this paper we evaluate a novel DfD flooring system consisting of pre-cast concrete planks and clamped connections. Life cycle energy and environmental benefits of using this DfD system are evaluated using life cycle assessment (LCA) across four impact categories of interest to the building and construction sector including fossil fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions, respiratory effects, and photochemical smog formation. Eight different DfD building designs are tested for 0–3 reuses compared with a traditional structural design, with energy and environmental benefits accruing from substitution of avoided structural materials. Designs reflect expected loads and current code requirements, while the additional time required for deconstruction of DfD buildings is accounted for in the construction schedules. Monte Carlo simulation is used to generate 95% confidence intervals for the results. In general, DfD designs result in higher initial (original building) energy use and environmental impacts, but have statistically lower impacts than traditional designs if flooring planks are used at least once. Reusing planks three times as designed decreases impacts by a mean value of of 60–70%, depending on the building configuration and impact category. Energy use and environmental impacts from eventual recycling and/or disposal of the reusable components are significant, and emphasize the relative benefits of reuse over recycling.

Building “with the Systems” vs. Building “in the System” of IMS Open Technology of Prefabricated Construction: Challenges for New “Infill” Industry for Massive Housing Retrofitting

Post-war industrialized housing between 1955 and 1985 in Belgrade and its special form of integrated prefabrication has been analyzed with a strong interest in transformation capacity of industrialized building model (IBM) on different technical levels. Research field is massive housing up to 23 floors, 400 dwellings per building and different housing layouts—to be evaluated for potential retrofitting at the dwelling level. IBM for massive housing built with IMS construction technology represents an integration of systems’ components into hierarchy assemblies by simple joints. IMS Building Technology by IMS Institute is the system for high-rise structures with prefabricated elements of the skeleton. In order to assess the current situation regarding the selection and implementation of energy savings measures and the role of industrialized technology in supporting the rehabilitation of post-war housing in Belgrade—building configuration model and IMS construction technology has been analyzed, providing in-depth information on the way building components and systems are put together into IBM. In which way retrofit may be approached? IBM is represented with graph model (GM) diagram to describe a number of value-added processes according to independent systems/components and flexible connections. This paper highlights the technological aspects of “open” prefabrication industry and building with the systems that should be assessed in the future retrofitting of massive housing based on industrialization and energy efficiency. The paper proposes an IBM that provides concrete description of massive housing buildings, the requirements for information to be provided to approving refurbishment processes. The research also addresses both: challenges as well as opportunities for advancing Building Information Modeling (BIM) standards in off-site re-construction of massive housing with new “infill” industry.

Effective polyurethane compositions filled with industrial wastes

Formulations are developed and optimized for of rigid polyurethane foams filled with converter slag. The optimum content of the filler is 30%. Polyurethane compositions have the following characteristics: average density – 42.59 kg/m3, compressive strength at 10% deformation – 0.293 MPa, water absorption by volume 1.71%, coefficient of thermal conductivity – 0.028 W/m·0C. Polyurethane foams are applied in sandwich panels, multi-layer roof constructions and for the manufacture of fixing systems for metal rolled.Sandwich panels with polyurethane foam insulation and sheathing of specialized panels are designed for the construction of pre-fabricated residential buildings. The forecasting of polyurethane durability in building structures as thermal insulation in sandwich panels the foam lifespan is about 75 years, which is approximately two times greater than that of the unreinforced foam.Layered roof structures with modified rigid polyurethane foam are used for buildings and structures for various purposes. Their use makes it possible to solve several tasks: creating a complete architectural image, ensuring high strength and deformation characteristics with good noise and heat insulation, minimization when mounting. The use of lightweight, transportable and technologically advanced roofing elements in conditions of mass production creates significant opportunities for industrial construction. The proposed foam fixing systems during shipping rolled metal in containers makes it possible to exclude the possibility of the longitudinal and transverse shift of pallets with rolls, to protect metal from damage, to simplify the design of the foxing elements, reduce the production cost, and minimize the amount of time for fixing metal rolls in the container.

Planning and controlling design in engineered-to-order prefabricated building systems

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a model for planning and controlling the design process in companies that design, manufacture and assemble prefabricated engineer-to-order (ETO) building systems. This model was devised as an adaptation of the Last Planner® System for ETO multiple-project environments.Design/methodology/approachDesign science research, also known as prescriptive research, was the methodological approach adopted in this research. An empirical study was carried out at the design department of a leading steel fabricator from Brazil, in which the proposed model was implemented in six different design teams.FindingsThe main benefits of the proposed model were shielding design work from variability, encouraging collaborative planning, creating opportunities for learning, increasing process transparency, and flexibility according to project status. Two main factors affected the effectiveness of the implementation process commitment and leadership of design managers, and training on design management and project planning and control core concepts and practices.Research limitations/implicationsSome limitations were identified in the implementation process: similarly to some previous studies (Ballard, 2002; Codinhoto and Formoso, 2005), the success of constraint analysis was still limited; some of the metrics produced (e.g. ABI, causes of planning failures) have not been fully used for process improvement; and systematic feedback about project status was not properly implemented and tested.Originality/valueThe main contributions of this study in relation to traditional design planning and control practices are related to the use of two levels of look-ahead planning, the introduction of a decoupling point between conceptual and detail design, the proposition of new metrics for the Last Planner® System, and understanding the potential role of visual management to support planning and control.

Reducing building life cycle carbon emissions through prefabrication: Evidence from and gaps in empirical studies

The use of prefabrication for building has many benefits, including improved construction process efficiency and reduced waste and environmental effects over a building's life cycle. Studies have investigated building life cycle carbon (LCCa), but the extent of reported carbon reductions achieved through prefabrication remains inconsistent, and it is still unclear how different variables influence a prefabricated building's LCCa. This paper aims to systematically examine the evidence for reducing building LCCa through prefabrication, and to identify gaps in existing knowledge for future research. The relevant published empirical studies were examined using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method, based on a systems framework of 12 variables influencing prefabricated building LCCa. In total, 27 cases of prefabricated buildings, carefully identified through an onerous process, were examined. The results show that the embodied and operational carbon emissions of these cases varied significantly from 105 to 864 kg CO2/m2, and from 11 to 76 kg CO2/m2/yr, respectively. The results also indicate that, on average, 15.6% of embodied and 3.2% of operational carbon reductions were achieved through prefabrication, as compared with their traditional base cases. However, five and three cases, respectively, actually had increased embodied and operational carbon as a result of prefabrication compared with their traditional counterparts. These results suggest an inconsistent influence of different variables on prefabricated building LCCa, and provide a clearer and more critical understanding of prefabricated building LCCa. A systems framework is developed to identify seven gaps in existing knowledge and recommend directions for future research.

Indoor Environment in Residential Prefabricated Buildings

The contribution presents results of the experimental measurement of indoor air quality in residential prefabricated buildings. People spend about 90% of their life in the indoor environment of buildings. Hygrothermal parameters and indoor air quality are the essential component that define the quality of the indoor environment. The results of case study characterize the quality of the indoor environment of the ordinary occupants in housing unit of residential prefabricated building. A current problem of revitalized prefabricated buildings is inadequate air exchange and related thereto to poor indoor air quality. The experimental measurements were carried out just before and at the beginning of the heating season (from 1st October to 30th November 2016). Heating season was launched in the middle of experimental measurement. The wireless indoor sensor Elgato Eve Room was used for measurements. The obtained values of indoor air temperature [°C], relative humidity [%] and indoor air quality [ppm] are describe and analysis in this study. The results of the study indicate that the values of temperature and indoor air quality meet optimal levels during the experiment with nuances. The mean air temperature in the indoor environment is 22.43 °C. The temperature of the indoor environment is held at the optimum level (18-24 °C) for 94.50% time of the experimental measurements. In addition, the indoor air quality in the context of the content of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been excellent for almost 91% time of the total experiment. However, the values of relative humidity were less than the optimum value nearly 40% of the total observed time. The mean 10-minutes values of relative humidity during the heating season is about 10% lower than the mean 10-minutes relative humidity before the heating season.

Hygrothermal Analysis of Indoor Environment of Residential Prefabricated Buildings

Recent studies show that the relative humidity and the indoor air temperature constitute an important determinant of the quality of indoor air. Hygrothermal microclimate has a significant impact on occupant’s health and their comfort. The study presents the results of experimental measurement of indoor air temperature and relative humidity in selected apartment in prefabricated panel house situated in Ostrava, Czechia. The contribution describes and analysis the relation between indoor air temperature [°C] and relative humidity [%] in this apartment. The experimental object is selected with respect to the housing stock in the Czech Republic. A third of the housing stock in the Czech Republic is composed of prefabricated panel houses. Regeneration and revitalization of these buildings were in the focus of interest during recent years. Building modifications, such as thermal insulation of building envelope or window replacement, lead to a significantly higher level of airtightness of these objects. Humidity and indoor air temperature are measured in 10-minute cycles for two periods. The values of temperature and humidity are measured for the non-heating and the heating season. The length of each experimental period is 30 days. The mean value of indoor air temperature is 22.21 °C and average relative humidity is 45.87% in the non-heating period. The values of 22.62 °C and 35.20% represent average values for the heating period. A slight increase of the average temperature of the indoor environment (+1.85%) is observed. The decrease of the relative humidity is evident at first glance. The relative humidity of the internal environment is approximately 10% lower in the heating period. Long-term decline of relative humidity below 30% brings many problems. It is necessary to take measures to increase of relative humidity in residential prefabricated building. The aquarium appears to be ineffective. The solution may be forced artificial ventilation or humidifiers.