In this presentation, the technology of MODULAR BUILDINGS has been discussed along with its Uses, Construction Process, Manufacturing Process, Design Considerations, Zoning Considerations, Strength Considerations, Advantages and Disadvantages.

1. MODULAR BUILDINGS
- Prof. Rohan Dasgupta

2. • Modular buildings and modular homes are
sectional prefabricated buildings or houses that consist of
multiple sections called modules.
• "Modular" is a method of construction differing from other
methods (e.g. "stick-built" and off-site construction).
• The modules are six sided boxes constructed in an exterior
(sometimes, remote) facility, then delivered to their intended
site of use.
• Using a crane, the modules are set onto the building's
foundation and joined together to make a single building.
• The modules can be placed side-by-side, end-to-end or
stacked, allowing a wide variety of configurations and styles in
the building layout.
MODULAR BUILDINGS

3. MODULAR BUILDINGS ARE NOT MOBILE HOMES
• Modular buildings do NOT have axle or frame
• Modular buildings SHOULD conform to all the local building
codes
• While mobile homes decrease in value over time, a well-built
modular buildings retain value similarly to site-built structures

4. MODULAR BUILDINGS: USES
• long-term, temporary or
permanent facilities
• construction camps
• schools
• civilian and military housing
• industrial facilities
• churches
• health care facilities
• sales and retail offices
• fast food restaurants
• cruise ship construction
• Modular buildings are used in remote and rural areas where
conventional construction may not be reasonable or possible.

5. MODULAR BUILDINGS: CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
Modular components are typically constructed indoors
on assembly lines.
Independent building inspectors are on site to supervise the
construction and ensure that the company adheres to all
building codes during assembly.
Modules' construction may take as little as 10 days but more
often one to 3 months.
Completed modules are transported to the building site and
assembled by a crane.
Placement of the modules may take from several hours to
several days.
Once assembled, modular buildings are essentially
indistinguishable from typical site-built structures.

6. MODULAR BUILDINGS: MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Step 1: Bulk Materials stored in Warehouse
The materials used in modular
homes are the same as site
constructed homes. Wood-
frame floors, walls and roof
are the most typical. Some
modular homes include brick
or stone exteriors, granite
counters and steeply pitched
roofs.

7. MODULAR BUILDINGS: MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Step 2: Interior Walls set up on Modular Home Floor System

8. MODULAR BUILDINGS: MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Step 3: Roof and Ceiling are Built and Dry-walled

9. MODULAR BUILDINGS: MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Step 4: Roof is set on Walls and Floors

10. MODULAR BUILDINGS: MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Step 5: Roof is shingled and Sliding is installed

11. MODULAR BUILDINGS: MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Step 7: Ready for Shipping

12. MODULAR BUILDINGS: DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
The entire process of modular construction must place great
importance on the design stage.
This is where practices such as Design for Manufacture and
Assembly (DfMA) are used to ensure that assembly tolerances
are controlled throughout manufacture and assembly on site.
It is vital that there is enough allowance in the design to
allow the assembly to take up any "slack" or miss-alignment of
components.
The use of advanced CAD systems, 3D printing and
manufacturing control systems are important for modular
construction to be successful.
This is quite unlike on-site construction where the tradesman
can often make the part to suit any particular installation.

13. MODULAR BUILDINGS: ZONING CONSIDERATIONS
Typically, modular dwellings are built to local, state or council
code, resulting in dwellings from a given manufacturing facility
having differing construction standards depending on the final
destination of the modules.
For example, homes built for final assembly in a hurricane-prone,
earthquake or flooding area may include additional bracing to
meet local building codes. Steel and/or wood framing are
common options for building a modular home.

14. MODULAR BUILDINGS: STRENGTH CONSIDERATIONS
Modular homes are designed to be stronger than traditional
homes by:
• replacing nails with screws,
• adding glue to joints and
• using 10-20% more lumber than conventional housing.
This is to help the modules maintain their structural integrity as
they are transported on trucks to the construction site;
however, it is difficult to predict the final building strength since
the modules need to endure transportation stresses that
traditional homes never experience.

15. MODULAR BUILDINGS: ADVANTAGES
• Speed of construction/faster return on investment: Modular
construction allows for the building and the site work to be
completed simultaneously, reducing the overall completion
schedule by as much as 50%.
• Indoor construction: Assembly is independent of weather,
which increases work efficiency and avoids damaged building
material.
• Favourable pricing from suppliers: Large-scale manufacturers
can effectively bargain with suppliers for discounts on materials.
• Ability to service remote locations: Particularly in countries in
which potential markets may be located far from industrial
centres, there can be much higher costs to build a site-built
house in a remote area or an area experiencing a construction
boom such as mining towns. Modular homes can be built in
major towns and sold to regional areas.

16. • Low waste: With the same plans being constantly built, the
manufacturer has records of exactly what quantity of materials
are needed for a given job. While waste from a site-built dwelling
may typically fill several large dumpsters, construction of a
modular dwelling generates much less waste.
• Economic benefits: Modular buildings contain 100% reusable
components. This means you have the ability to take the building
down and relocate it. Should a company's needs change, the
modular room can be moved and they never lose their original
investment.
• Energy benefits: When a used modular building is relocated
with minimal alterations, then the amount of energy used is
approximately 3% of the energy that is required to manufacture a
new equivalent modular building when minimal alterations are
made.
MODULAR BUILDINGS: ADVANTAGES

17. MODULAR BUILDINGS: ADVANTAGES
Flexibility: Conventional buildings can be difficult to extend,
however with a modular building you can simply add sections, or
even entire floors.
Healthier: Because modular homes are built in a factory, the
materials are stored indoors in a controlled environment,
eliminating the risk of mold, mildew, rust and sun damage that
can often lead to human respiratory problems. Traditional site-
built homes are always at risk from these threats.

18. MODULAR BUILDINGS: DISVANTAGES
Volumetric: Transporting the completed modular building
sections take up a lot of space. This is balanced with the speed of
construction once arrived on site.
Flexibility: Due to transport and sometimes manufacturing
restrictions, module size can be limited, affecting room sizes.
Panelised forms and flat pack versions can provide easier
shipment, and most manufacturers have flexibility in their
processes to cope with the majority of size requirements.
Market acceptance: Some home buyers and lending institutions
resist consideration of modular homes as equivalent in value to
site-built homes. Psychological marketplace factors may create
hurdles for buyers or builders of modular homes to sell them.

19. Thank you