Seminar on modular building

Department of Civil Engineering B.Tech. Seminar Report 2016
1 Universal Engineering College
1. INTRODUCTION
Modular building and modular homes are sectional prefabricated building or houses that
consist of multiple modules or section which are manufactured in a remote facility and
the delivered to their site of use. These modules are assembled into a single residential
building using either by a crane or trucks. Modular building has a wide variety of uses.
They will either be used for long term temporary or permanent facilities. Such uses
include construction camps, schools and classroom, civilians and military housing needs
and industrial facilities. Modular buildings are a perfect solution in remote and rural areas
where conventional construction may not be reasonable or even possible. Other uses have
also been found for modular buildings include churches healthcare facilities and retail
offices, fast food restaurants etc. At this time modular home today can be built to any
specification and any size from a simple one to a complex one.
One of the big advantages of modular construction is that it
is very rapid and it tends to be less expensive than a site-build structure. Manufactures are
not limited by issues like inclement weather and because they have a great deal of
experience, they can put structure together quickly and well. And they tend to be more
earthquake and weather resistance than site build structure. Modular construction
concepts can be applied for all types of buildings such as offices, commercial, residential,
hotels and much more. Recently, modular construction was used in the high rise
buildings. As shown in the case studies, modular construction can save time in the
construction schedule and therefore may result in savings. Also, the generation of
construction waste is reduced on-site due to the off-site prefabricated modules being
transported to the site fully fitted out, hoisted and assembled.
2. ADVANTAGES OF MODULAR BUILDING
Modular buildings are very affordable because of the factory construction of these
buildings. They are cost effective compared to conventional construction. These units are
typically constructed in an enclosed facility; therefore weather is not a factor in the
construction timeline. Material delivery fees are also out of the equation because an
ample amount of material will always be available at the facility, as opposed to being

delivered in limited quantities to the job site, nearly eliminating construction delays, and
theft of building materials from the site.
Such dwellings are often priced lower than their site-built counterparts and are typically
more cost-effective to builders and consumers. Homes can be constructed in less time
than it takes to build a home "on-site."
Manufacturers cite the following reasons for the typically lower cost/price of these
dwellings:
 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 such as Australia 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.
 Low Waste: With the same plans being constantly built, the manufacturer has records
of exactly what quantities 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.
 Environmentally Friendly Construction Process: Modular construction reduces waste
and site disturbance compared to site-built structures.
 Flexibility: Conventional buildings can be difficult to extend, however with a
modular building you can simply add sections, or even entire floors.
3. CONSTRUCTIONOF MODULAR BUILDING
Modular components are typically constructed indoors on assembly lines. An assembly
line track moves the modules from one workstation to the next. Initially the panels for
floors, roofs, walls and ceilingsareall produced flat for both efficiency and safety."Flow
Line" principles are employed in the factory, the floors and bathroom pods are brought

together before moving on to have walls and ceilings erected to form a rigid box. The
module then continues along the line becoming increasingly more complete as it is flush
jointed, painted, wired, plumbed and over-clad. The completed module then emerges
from the end of the flow line for delivery to site. Independent building inspectors are on
site to supervise the construction and ensure that all building codes are adhered during
assembly.
3.1 COLLECTION OF MATERIAL
The most common construction is wooden and steel frame shown in Figure 3.1, insulated
and decorated with wooden cladding and other lightweightmaterials.This type gives less
weight which is good for transportation. We can reduce expenses of materials ordering
them directly from producing companies, avoiding premiums of construction designers.
Materials are kept under roof without any weather damage.
Fig 3.1 well-seasoned wood
(Wikipedia, Modular building)

Fig 3.2 Steel Frames
(Tomas U, Ganiron Jr (IJAST) 2014)
3.2 FABRICATION OF DIFFERENT COMPONENTS
In this stage several finish components are performed including kitchens, baths,
lighting, ducting, windows and occasionally flooring and exterior siding. Doors and
windows are assembled with foam around the edges and good quality flashing,
weather-stripping and chafing strips, ensuring proper insulation and made provision
for plumbing, wiring and electrical fittings. Once built, the modules must be tested and
most manufacturers do this on site.After this step, the interior walls of the modules are
typically primed and the modules are prepared for transportation.
Fig 3.3 Walls Attached To Floor

Fig 3.4 Electrical & plumbing
3.4 TRANSPORTED TO THE SITE
Typically it is not feasible to ship modules extremely far due to road size/load
restrictions. The average manufacturer typically quotes 250-400 miles as the maximum
distance on road that it is desirable to transport modules. The costal ways are also used
for transportation.
Fig 3.5 Transported by trucks to the sites

3.5 MODULAR HOUSE ASSEMBLED ON SITE
This type of module house is a prefabricated home built in an offsite factory, which is
then delivered by truck to the home site, and assembled by a construction crew. The sort
of this kind home can share some similarities to prefabricated block houses. The materials
and way its built could be very similar. The difference between this type and
prefabricated block house is that thereare more varieties of shape, the size could grow
bigger and the main issue is mounting.. This type of construction may be subject to
weather conditions – at the moment of mounting. Also the time spent on site assembling
this house lasts longer than one block house finishing. The module house assembled on
site doesn’t need to be specially reinforced for transporting.
Fig 3.6 Construction of each module by crane in the site
As long as it is delivered to site in pieces shown in Figure 3.6, the elements do not suffer
from different statistical forces that may influence block house . To assemble such a
house the crane is required. Building elements are connected piece by piece by
construction workers.
All connection holes are later insulated and prevented from thermal bridges. This type
of mounting must obey all building regulations. As the building site is arranged by
standards because there are several processes taking place on site and most of those
processes concerns work safety.

It is the developer’s responsibility to have the foundation ready and the tie-ins for
electric, plumbing, and sewer in place so that the modules can be connected to the
necessary infrastructure. Such infrastructure work occurs, weather permitting,
concurrently with the manufacturing process so that essentially, once the foundation is set
one can ship the modules, connect them and obtain occupancy permits. The modules
arrive built with walls, floors, trusses, ceilings, wiring and interior fixtures to the extent
the developer wants them. Once on site, the modules are stacked by a crane (usually
between an 80 to a 160 ton crane depending on the size of the modules and the distance
from the crane that it must travel) at an average pace of approximately four to six
modules per crane per day. The modules are bolted together along both the floor and the
ceiling joists and the marriage walls are connected with a series of steel fasteners and
strapping. They are quickly weather proofed by sealing them with building wrap that
blocks moisture and pollutants yet allows the structure to breathe and water vapor to
escape. Care needs to be taken to monitor weather conditions around the scheduling of
the set. While tarps may be used to protect the unwrapped modules from rain or snow
during a set if necessary, this is a less than perfect solution and it is better to schedule
around inclement weather if possible. Once set and connected, the structure is then ready
for subcontractors to begin the process of performing the interior and exterior finishes and
all required utility connections.
4. INSPECTION AND QUALITY CONTROL
One primary difference between site-built and modular methods is inspections. With
modular, throughout the manufacturing and installation process, there are multiple parties
monitoring the process. While a large multifamily project still requires local architects
and engineers to submit stamped permit drawings in their particular state, the physical
inspection of the modules as they are built are not handled by local building inspectors
but independent third party inspection companies who are licensed to review the work as
it is being performed in the factory to ensure code compliance. As each module is
inspected and approved it receives a seal certifying that everything within the module
conforms to the plan and the building code. Local building inspectors are only
“supposed” to review the additional work that occurs once the module is set such as
utility connections and the buttoning up and connections of modules. This is occasionally

tested however, by local inspectors who overreach their authority. The third party
inspection process applies in most jurisdictions but one must locally verify the
applicability Additionally, the design process involves both a factory architect and an
architect employed by the developer and licensed in the state where the development is to
occur. This dual design/review process can often eliminate any future change orders or
surprises in the field. Quality control is not just code compliance, however, and quality
assurance employees and shop foremen inspect the modules throughout the construction
process. A major difference between the site-built and the modular process is proximity
of quality control personnel to the work being inspected. Quality controls are still subject
to human error. Since the factory building method is a fast moving process, many
industry insiders recommend the practice of having the manufacturer make two or three
modules and then sending the local architect and general contractor to the factory to
inspect so that any issues, specifically those pertaining to MEP systems, can be cleared up
early on. Some common infractions that do arise either during manufacturing, or once on-
site, are minor issues: foil insulation is facing the wrong way inside an interior wall,
hairline cracks in the plaster, sixty foot long modules may be slightly off in length.
5. CHARACTERISTICSOF MODULAR BUILDINGS
5.1. BUILDING STRENGTH
According to manufacturers, modular homes are generally designed to be initially
stronger than traditional homes by, for example, replacing nails with screws and adding
glue to joints. This is supposed to help the modules maintain their structural integrity as
they are transported on trucks to the construction site. Despite manufacturer claims that
the modular home is initially built to be stronger than a traditional home, it is difficult to
predict the final building strength since it needs to endure transportation stresses that
traditional homes never experience.
When FEMA studied the destruction wrought by Hurricane Andrew in Dade County
Florida, they concluded that modular and masonry homes fared best compared to other
construction.

Typically, a modular home contains about 10 to 20 percent more lumber compared to
traditional stick-built homes. This is because modules need to be transported to the job
site and the additional lumber helps keep them stable.
5.2 DURABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE OF MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
The life cycle expectancy of modular construction is the same as conventional, and in a
world where sustainability is gaining momentum each day, there are also several basic
principles intrinsic to the modular construction process that make it more eco-friendly
than conventional construction. The module-to-module combination of the units appears
to have provided an inherently rigid system that performed much better than conventional
residential framing.
The life cycle expectancy of modular construction is the same as conventional, and in a
world where sustainability is gaining momentum each day, there are also several basic
principles intrinsic to the modular construction process that make it more eco-friendly
than conventional construction. They spend significantly less on-site time, a result of a
shortened construction cycle, (the outcome of the simultaneous activities of on-site
development and off-site building construction), notably minimizes the overall impact on
a site. And finally, modular construction methods and materials allow a building to be
more readily “deconstructed” and moved to another location should need arise, so
complete building reuse or recycling is an integral part of the design technology.
Many of the life cycle reports and research focus on the environmental life cycle of a
building rather than its economic life cycle. And while non traditional methods such as
modular construction are comparable to traditional methods in terms of economic life
cycle, modular construction provides significant advantages in terms of environmental
life cycle analysis. This advantage is a result of a combination of less materials waste on
the initial site coupled with the fact that modular structures are designed for
deconstruction at the end of their useful life much more so that traditional buildings, thus
reducing the amount of materials waste in landfills upon demolition.
After Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992, FEMA’s Mitigation Assessment Team conducted a
study of various building types and how well they weathered the storm. In their summary
the Mitigation Assessment team concluded that the masonry buildings and wood-framed

modular buildings performed relatively well.” The report went on to state that overall,
relatively minimal structural damage was noted in modular housing developments. The
module-to-module combination of the units appears to have provided an inherently rigid
system that performed much better than conventional residential framing. This is
documented research from a government agency attesting to the fact that modular
construction is a more durable and rigid building system than conventional construction.
Another example of modular construction’ durability can be seen in San Antonio. The
Hilton Palacio del Rio Hotel is a 21-storey concrete modular hotel built in 1968, still in
use today, this believed to be the tallest modularly-constructed facility in the United
States.
5.3 COST AND TIME SAVINGS
Primarily, four stages make up a modular construction project. First, design approval by
the end user and any regulating authorities; second, assembly of module components in a
controlled environment; third, transportation of modules to a final destination; and fourth,
erection of modular units to form a finished building. Modular contractors manufacture
buildings (or contract to have buildings manufactured) at off-site locations. Responding
to customer requests, they typically operate as general contractors on projects,
coordinating the delivery, installation, site work and finish of the building. Construction
primarily occurs indoors away from harsh weather conditions preventing damage to
building materials and allowing builders to work in comfortable conditions. Unique to
modular construction, while modules are being assembled in a factory, site work is
occurring at the same time or in some cases prior to construction. This allows for much
earlier building occupancy and contributes to a much shorter overall construction period,
reducing labor, financing and supervision costs. Saving even more time and money,
nearly all design and engineering disciplines are part of the manufacturing process.
Also unique to modular construction is the ability to simultaneously construct a building’s
floors, walls, ceilings, rafters, and roofs. During site-built construction, walls cannot be
set until floors are in position, and ceilings and rafters cannot be added until walls are
erected. On the other hand, with modern modular methods of construction, walls, floors,
ceilings, and rafters are all built at the same time, and then brought together in the same
factory to form a building. This process often allows modular construction times of half
that of conventional, stick-built construction. These practical time and money saving

alternatives to site built buildings effectively meet the specialized needs of diverse
businesses. Customers served by modular construction include federal, state, provincial,
and local governments, school boards, corporations, non-profit organizations, retail
establishments, healthcare providers, as well as individuals, partnerships, and sole
proprietorships. Other uses include medical facilities, airport facilities,,military
installations, restaurants, churches, and remote telecommunications stations.
Fig 5.1 Advantages of a Modular Construction Schedule
(Permanent Modular Construction 2011 Annual Report)
5.4 SURFACES AND FINISHES
Modular buildings can be assembled on top of multiple foundation surfaces, such as a
crawl space, stilts (for areas that are prone to flooding), full basements or standard slab at
grade. They can also be built to multi-story heights.Motels and other multi-family
structures have been built using modular construction techniques. The height that a
modular structure can be built to depends on jurisdiction but a number of countries,
especially in Asia, allow them to be built to 24 floors and possibly even more. Exterior
wall surfaces can be finalize in the plant production process or in the case of brick/stone
veneers field applications may be the builder’s choice. Roof systems also can be a part of
separate from applied in the field after the basic installation is completed.
5.5. CE MARKING
The CE mark is a construction norm that guarantees the user of mechanical resistance and
strength of the structure. It is a label given by European community empowered
authorities for end-to-end process mastering and traceability.
All manufacturing operations are being monitored and recorded

 have to be known and certified
 Suppliers Raw materials and goods being sourced are to be recorded by batch used
 Elementary products are recorded and their quality is monitored
 Assembly quality is managed and assessed on a step by step basis
 When a modular unit is finished, a whole set of tests are performed and if quality
standards are met, a unique number and EC stamp is attached to and on the unit.
This ID and all the details are recorded in a database dedicated to quality. At any
time, the producer has to be able to answer and provide all the information from
each step of the production of a single unit, - The EC certification guaranties
standards in terms of durability, resistance against wind and earthquakes
6. APPLICATION OF MODULAR CONSTRUCTIONIN HIGH-
RISE BUILDINGS
Modular construction is widely used in Europe for multi-story residential buildings. A
review of modular technologies is presented, which shows how the basic cellular
approach in modular construction may be applied to a wide range of building forms and
heights The combination of modules with steel or concrete frames increases the range of
design opportunities, particularly for mixed-use commercial and residential buildings.
6.1 SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE MODULES
Designing with modular construction is not a barrier to creativity. Modular rooms or pairs
of rooms or room and corridor modules can be used to create varieties of apartment types.
These types can be put together to make interesting and varied buildings of many forms.
The nature of high-rise buildings is such that the modules are clustered around a core or
stabilizing system. The particular features of the chosen modular system have to be well
understood by the design team at an early stage so that the detailed design conforms to the
limits of the particular system.For modules with load-bearing walls, the side walls of the
modules should align vertically through the building, although openings of up to 2.5 m
width can be created, depending on the loading. For modules with corner posts, the walls
are non-load-bearing, but thecorner posts must align and be connected throughout the
building height. Additional intermediate posts may be required in long modules,so that
the edge beams are not excessively deep.The design of high-rise modular buildings is
strongly influencedby structural, fire, and services requirements. The optimum use of

modular construction can achieved by designing the highly serviced and hence more
expensive parts of the building in modular form and the more open-plan space as part of a
regular structural frame in steel or concrete. This requires careful consideration of the
architecture and spatial planning of the building.
6.1.2 STRUCTURAL ACTION OF TALL MODULAR BUILDINGS
The structural behavior of an assembly of modules is complex because of the influence of
the tolerances in the installation procedure, the multiple inter connections between the
modules, In modular systems with load-bearing walls, axial load is transferred via direct
wall-to-wall bearing, taking into account eccentricities in manufacture and installation of
the modules, which causes additional buildup of moments and accentuates the local
bearing stresses at the base of the wall.The ability of an assembly of modules to resist
applied loads inthe event of serious damage to a module at a lower level is dependent on
the development of tie forces at the corners of the modules. The loading at this so-called
accidental limit state is generally taken as the self-weight plus one-third of the imposed
load, reflecting the average loading on all floors in this rare event. To satisfy “robustness”
in the event of accidental damage to one of the modules, the tie forces between the
adjacent modules may be established on the basis of a simplified model in which the
module is suspended from its neighbors. For design purposes, it is recommended that the
minimum horizontal force in any tie between the modules is taken as not less than 30% of
the total load acting on the module and not less than 30 kN (3 tons).
6.2 CASE STUDIES
6.2.1 Victoria Hall, Wolverhampton, UK
A 25-story modular construction project in Wolverhampton in the midlands of England
was studied to obtain data on the construction process. It has three blocks of 8 to 25
stories and in total consists of 824 modules. The tallest building is Block A, which is
shown in Fig 6.1 during construction. The total floor area in these three buildings is
20;730 m2 (223;000 ft2), including a podium level. The floor area of the modules
represents 79% of the total floor area. The average module size was 21 m2 (226 ft2) but
the maximum size was as large as 37 m2 (398 ft2).

Fig 6.1 StoryModular Building in Wolverhampton
(Sri Velamati, 2012 (MIT))
The project started on site in July 2008 and was handed over to the client in August 2009
(a total of 59 weeks). Installation of the modules started in October 2008 after completion
of the podium slab, and construction of the concrete core to Block A was carried out in
parallel with the module installation on Blocks C and B. Importantly, the use of offsite
technologies meant that the site activities and storage of materials were much less than in
traditionalconstruction, which was crucial to the planning of this project.The tallest
building, Block A, has various set-back levels using cantileveredmodules to reduce its
apparent size. Lightweight claddingwas used on all buildings and comprises a mixture of
insulatedrender and composite panels.
6.2.2 Phoenix Court, Bristol, UK
As is the case in the Phoenix, modular construction may be combined with steel or
concrete frames to extend the flexibility in space planning in applications where the
dimensional constraints of modular systems would otherwise be too restrictive. An

adaptation of modular technology is to design a ‘podium’ or platform structure on which
the modules are placed. In this way, open space can be provided for retail or commercial
use or below ground car parking. Support beams should align with the walls of the
modules and columns are typically arranged on a 20 to 26 ft grid. A column grid of 24 ft
was considered optimum for parking in the UK at ground floor or basement levels as it
provides for 3 parking spaces.
Fig 6.2 Phoenix Court, Bristol, UK
The 12 story dormitory and commercial building in Bristol in the west of England in
which 6 to 10 stories of modules sit on a 2 story steel framed podium. The 400 bedroom
modules are a 9ft external width, and approximately 100 modules are combined in pairs
to form larger studios consisting of 2 rooms. The kitchen modules are 12 ft external
width. Stability is provided by four braced steel cores, into which some modules are
placed. The floor plan form is illustrated in Fig 6.2. A double corridor is provided so that
a cluster of 5 rooms forms one compartment for life safety purposes. Stability is provided
by the braced steel cores and the maximum number of 5 modules is placed between the
cores in order to limit the forces in the connections to the core. The building used a
lightweight cladding system consisting of a ‘rain screen’ in which the self weight of the
cladding is supported by the modules. The air- and weather-tight layers and the majority of
insulation are provided within the module as delivered

6.2.3 Atlantic Yards, Brooklyn, New York
Fig 6.3 Atlantic Yards, Brooklyn, New York
The $4.9 billion Atlantic Yards project is the redevelopment of 22 acres in downtown
Brooklyn by Forest City Ratner Companies that will include approximately 6 million
square feet of residential space (6,430 units of affordable and market-rate housing), a
state of the art sports and entertainment arena, the Barclays Center, 247,000 square feet of
retail use, approximately 336,000 square feet of office space and 8 acres of publicly
accessible open space. All 6,430 residential units are scheduled to be constructed utilizing
modular manufacturing, which make it the tallest and largest modular project in the
world. The project also includes major transportation improvements, including a new
storage and maintenance facility for the LIRR and a new subway entrance to the Atlantic
Terminal Transit Hub, the third largest hub in the City. The project’s Master Plan was
designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. The first residential building is B2 and
comprised 363 units in a 32 story tower and will utilize approximately 930 modules.
(New York City Housing Development Corporation, 2012) The project has been delayed
due to economic market conditions and local politics; however, Forest City must begin

construction by May 2013 or pay $5 million in penalties for every year the project is
behind schedule .( 2011)
The modules would be constructed with most interior finishes, mechanical electrical and
exterior finishes completed at the factory. The current module design utilizes corner post
steel construction with lateral bracing. Kitchen and bathroom subassemblies are then
attached to the steel superstructure. Then MEP and interior/exterior finishes are attached
to the module prior to onsite delivery. Although the building utilizes central cores the
height of the building dictated additional use of steel bracing that allow the modules to
attach and transfer loads downwards without directly attaching to the central core. More
detailed information on the project is not available due to Forest City’s desire to maintain
proprietary data in house.
The modular manufacturing would be produced by union labor in New York City and
was pitched to unions and the community as a way to expand manufacturing export
opportunities from NYC. Modular was also touted as having the potential to introduce
union labor into affordable housing development at scale for the first time in New York
City.
Modular buildings built in NYC must meet the NYC Building Code as well as all fire and
life safety codes. The construction is non-combustible and is subject to the same
requirements and provisions as conventional construction. Manufacturing is six times
safer than on-site construction. (HAPREST Research Project, 2004). Conventional on-site
workers are also safer as they are primarily working within finished, enclosed portions of
the building away from the typical risks of an open construction site. When building a
modular project compared to an equivalently traditionally built project there is reduced
energy consumption of up to 67% (ARUP Research & Development). It is further
anticipated that modular construction could save 20% of construction cost and at least
60% of the total construction would be done in the factory. (Kastenbaum, 2011) The
financial and schedule savings are higher at Atlantic Yards due to the vast economies of
scale of the 6,430 units.
7. ENVIRONMENTALBENEFITS
7.1 DURING THE CONSTRUCTION

The main environmental benefits during the construction operation are derived from the
shorter construction period, which lessens the impact on the local environments. Waste is
drastically reduced because of efficient factory production, and the reduced damage or
use of packaging materials on-site. There are other local environmental benefits of the
construction operation, which are identified as follows:
Site installation of the modular units is a rapid and quiet operation that can be done ‘just
in time’, with no requirement for site storage or additional noisy equipment.
 The delivery and installation of the modular units can be timed to observe any site
working or road traffic constraints.
 The delivery of a large number of relatively small amounts of site materials is much
reduced.
 Less waste is created so dumping of material waste from site is much reduced to less
than 30% of a conventional project. Foundation excavation is minimised and there
are fewer potentially wasteful site activities.
 Materials are used more efficiently, with considerable economy of use in production
than is achievable on site.
 The main construction operations are less disruptive to adjacent or connected
properties in terms of pollution and associated nuisance, etc.
7.2 ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS IN USE
The environmental benefits in use concern the high level of performance that can be
achieved economically, as follows:
 Good acoustic insulation is provided due to the separation between the modules.
 Good thermal insulation can be provided easily in light steel framing by creating a
‘warm frame’. These buildings are very efficient thermally, leading to reductions in
energy use and consequent CO2 emission.
 Modular units are very stiff and strong, due largely to requirements for lifting and
transportation, and therefore have a solid ‘feel’.
 All light steel framed structures require minimal maintenance and no call-backs for
shrinkage, etc.

7.3 ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS IN REUSE
The benefits in terms of re-use are:
 Modular buildings can be extended easily (or reduced in size) as demand changes.
 Modular units are fully relocatable at modest cost, with consequent reduced energy
cost in dismantling, and no wastage of materials.
 Long-term use of scarce resources is reduced
8. DISADVANTAGES
 TRANSPORTATION COST
 Need of modular shipment to the project site for permanent installation.
 Increased shipping cost for the project.
 Requirement of double handling as equipment and materials are shipped
to the site.
 MODULE SIZE LIMITATION
 Different restriction for each mode of transport trucks, train.
 Design must consider dividing modules according to transportation
constrains.
 TRANSPORTATION ACCESSIBILITY
 Modules must be shipped to the site
 Access site constrains should be carefully considered, especially in dense
urban areas.
9. CONCLUSION
The module-to-module combination of the units appears to have provided an inherently
rigid system that performed much better than conventional buildings. Modular
construction is a construction method in which all of the pieces of a building, known as
modules, are manufactured in a factory and then delivered to a job site to be put in place
by a crane. Modular construction incorporates skilled labor, assembly line production,
high efficiency, consistent quality, and speed. Modular construction is not a new building
method. It has been used to manufacture prefabricated homes, temporary offices, and

mobile homes. Manufacturing takes place in a large factory where each module is sent
down an assembly line. Work is completed at each station along the assembly line by
skilled professionals. Division of labor amongst skilled laborers ensures that all work is
done quickly and with great precision. Modular construction generates a lot less waste
than stick-built construction. Because modular construction is completed inside a
controlled environment, there is no risk of having materials damaged by moisture
penetration. This gives modularly built projects an interior air quality that is greatly
superior to stick-built construction. Because of all of these things, modular construction is
considered much “greener”.

REFERENCES
 R. Mark Lawson, Ray G. Ogden and Rory Bergin( 2012)ASCE. Application of Modular
Constructionin High-Rise Buildings
 Said, H., Ali, A., and Alshehri, M. (2014) Analysis of the Growth Dynamics and
Structure of the Modular Building Construction Industry. Construction Research
Congress 2014: pp. 1977-1986.(ASCE)
 Tomas U. GanironJr and Mohammed Almarwae(2014)IJAST. Prefabricated
Technology in a Modular HouseVol.73 , pp.51-74
 HyungKeun Park and Jong-Ho (2015) KSCEJournal OfCivil Engineering Unit
modular in fill construction in high rise building
 In Hong Kong: A review of the public and the private sector.” Automation in
Construction, vol. 18, no.3, (2009), pp. 239-248.
 Park, H. and Ock, J. (2015). "Unit modular in-fill construction method for high-rise
buildings." KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering,
 Memari, A., Huelman, P., Iulo, L., Laquatra, J., Martin, C., McCoy, A., Nahmens, I.,
and Williamson, T. (2014). "Residential Building Construction: State-of-the-Art
Review." Journal of Architectural Engineering, 10.1061/(ASCE)

Contents
1. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................................................1
2. ADVANTAGES OF MODULAR BUILDING ...................................................................................................................1
3. CONSTRUCTION OF MODULAR BUILDING ...............................................................................................................2
3.1 COLLECTION OF MATERIAL.................................................................................................................................3
3.2 FABRICATION OF DIFFERENT COMPONENTS ..................................................................................................4
3.4 TRANSPORTED TO THE SITE............................................................................................................................5
3.5 MODULAR HOUSE ASSEMBLED ON SITE............................................................................................................6
4. INSPECTION AND QUALITY CONTROL .......................................................................................................................7
5. CHARACTERISTICS OF MODULAR BUILDINGS ..........................................................................................................8
5.1. BUILDING STRENGTH ...........................................................................................................................................8
5.2 DURABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE OF MODULAR CONSTRUCTION ......................................................................9
5.3 COST AND TIME SAVINGS ................................................................................................................................10
5.4 SURFACES AND FINISHES ...................................................................................................................................11
5.5. CE MARKING ......................................................................................................................................................11
6. APPLICATION OF MODULAR CONSTRUCTION IN HIGH- RISE BUILDINGS......................................................12
6.1 SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE MODULES..................................................................................................12
6.1.2 STRUCTURAL ACTION OF TALL MODULAR BUILDINGS .............................................................................13
6.2 CASE STUDIES.......................................................................................................................................................13
6.2.1 Victoria Hall, Wolverhampton, UK...........................................................................................................13
6.2.2 Phoenix Court, Bristol, UK........................................................................................................................14
6.2.3 Atlantic Yards, Brooklyn, New York ........................................................................................................16
7. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS ....................................................................................................................................17
7.1 DURING THE CONSTRUCTION ...............................................................................................................................17
7.2 ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS IN USE ...............................................................................................................18
7.3 ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS IN REUSE............................................................................................................19
8. DISADVANTAGES ......................................................................................................................................................19
9. CONCLUSION ..............................................................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................................................21

Seminar on modular building

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