Evaluation of Modular Construction

Griffith School of Engineering and Built Environment
7001ENG – Research Methods for Engineers
Trimester 01, 2019
Final Assignment – Research Proposal
DECLARATION: I declare that this research proposal contains no material which has been submitted for assessment in any
other subject at Griffith University or elsewhere. To the best of my knowledge and belief, this research proposal contains no mate -
rial that has been previously published by any other person, except where due acknowledgement has been made.
Student name: Student number:
Program in which student is enrolled:
Evaluation of Modular Construction
PROJECT SUMMARY
Modular construction has been a common construction method in the majority of developed countries. The term mod -
ular construction brings to mind a system of construction is which essential pieces of structures are sent to the site
when complete or partially completed for purposes of assembly. Currently, there are many contractors and developers
who have switched from conventional construction method to the modular system because it is more economical, re-
duce construction waste, and high energy efficiency, and faster construction method. This research seeks to evaluate
the modular construction method that can fit in the construction conduct and techniques of many countries through the
identification or construction methods and products. The decision to apply modular method of construction must be
made from the start of design. The design of modular buildings is normally influenced by services, fire, and structural
requirements.
Some of the types of modular construction systems discussed in this research include wood framing, steel framing,
concrete system, panel system, and modular system. The proposed modular construction techniques that should be
adopted by any contractor or builder globally include modular system, prefabricated wood wall panels, metal stud
concrete panels, and structural insulated panels. The research methodology adopted to ensure that the researcher gath -
ers suitable data or embrace assessment relating to the research topic include secondary sources and the use of ques-
tionnaires. The selected dissemination strategy for the findings of this research will be through publishing journals
and then distributing them within the institution so that they can be easily accessed by students. This research is ex-
pected to be carried out for a duration of 50 weeks with major expected deliverables including identification of stake-
holders, data collection, project preparation, literature review, proposal writing, and response comparison.
KEYWORDS
Modular construction; prefabrication; panelization; high-rise or low-rise buildings.
1. INTRODUCTION
Modular construction plays a significant role in the current construction world of construction of every structure
currently. This types of construction refer to the manufacture of components in an offsite factory or facility before in-
stallation at the site. The major reason of modular construction is to make building parts in a work environment that is
efficient with availability of specialized equipment and skills so as to minimize time and cost expenditures on the con -
struction site while promoting consistency and quality. Prefabrication or modular construction despite being a com -
mon construction method in numerous European countries, many countries in Asia are still not familiar with this ap-
proach due to different economic and social systems which favor other methods.
1.1. Background
Modular construction has been a strong part of construction in the United States for more than a century. This con-
struction method is currently gaining fame due to its affordability and speed. Modular construction became popular in
the US after World War II due to the need of homes of servicewomen and men who returned to the country after the
war hence compelled the builders to construct faster (Pasnur & Patil, 2018). More than 5 million families had either
occupying temporary shelters or moved in with other relatives in congested dwellings by 1947. Some constructors ex-
perimented new market of housing by making their own specifications and designs to assist in building faster and
more structures.
7001ENG – Research Methods for Engineers, Trimester 01, 2019 Page 1

Numerous developed states have invested in more research modular construction due to their economies that is
fast-growing have compelled builders to construct more economical and faster structures. Developed states in Asia
like South Korea and Japan have also invested in their own building conduct and techniques which is appropriate for
their population, geographies, and economies. The major research gap in the modular construction is that no research
has evaluated the modular construction method that can fit in the construction conduct and techniques globally by tak -
ing into considerations all the design and specifications required in numerous countries (Suk, 2018)
1.2. Aims and Objectives
The overarching aim and objective of this research is to evaluate the modular construction method that can fit in
the construction conduct and techniques through the identification or construction methods and products of modular
construction that are compatible with many states. Other objectives an aims of this research are:
 To illustrates the modular method of construction
 To review modular construction in terms of ability to adapt, performance and availability
 To review designs and specifications in modular construction
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
The common terms used to refer to the modular construction include prefab homes, prefabricated homes, modular
homes, manufactured homes, and factory-constructed homes. The term modular construction brings to mind a system
of construction is which essential pieces of structures are sent to the site when complete or partially completed for
purposes of assembly. Modular construction not only minimizes the cost of construction but also makes a fairly remu -
nerated and more stable construction industry with improved product development, design creativity, greater invest-
ment research, good working conditions and safety (Tsymbalova, 2016)..
2.1. 1. Modular system
This type of modular system is majorly completed prefabricated system. The term module is used to denote an en -
tire section or largely completed building built at a facility and then transported to a site for faster installation. The
modular system provided the entire exterior skin such as floors, roofs, doors, walls, and windows, and also comes
with mechanical system, interior finishes, and fixtures. Normally, the units and built in the manufacturing facility and
then conveyed to the site of construction. At the site, the workers use massive cranes for lifting the units and then tag
them on each other (Gunawardena, et al., 2016).
2.1.2. Panel system
This types of modular construction are the most commonly used method during construction. Panels are elements
of planer used in the construction of structural interior partitions, roofs, floors, and walls. Steel penalization and wood
penalization are used for framing walls and are much faster than onsite framing. This system is normally used during
the construction of a small commercial building or house and is quicker to install (NIKOLAEV, 2019).
Figure 1: Panel system (NIKOLAEV, 2019)
2.1.3. Concrete system
7001ENG – Research Methods for Engineers, Trimester 01, 2019 Page 2

Concrete is the most commonly used material for construction purposes globally. Precast construction is one of
the most common construction methods of prefabricated concrete and involves casting of the concrete component in
the facility and then conveyed to the site (Gjorv, 2013).
2.1.4. Steel framing
Steel is a material that is flexible and can be modified into various shapes and it is normally used to build struc -
tural parts from small parts like beams and columns. The light structure steel is normally assembled at the site of con -
struction or assembled at the factory. Light-gauge-steel framing for the interior building can be used as interior wall
structure.
2.1.5. Wood framing
Wood is an extremely environmentally friendly and versatile material that can be used as a building material. Tim -
ber frames or wood frames are the most commonly used material in construction. An off-site wood pan are normally
assembled in the factory and then combined to create wood panel that is transported eventually to the site for con -
struction. Wood frames are normally used in producing wall, attaching slab and installed with other elements like
trim, siding, windows, or doors (Loss & Davison, 2017).
2.2. Modular Construction Considerations
The modular construction system is designed to build more economical and faster structures. Some of the types of
modular construction that can be implemented by any state include multi-family residential and single-family residen-
tial. Single-family residential exists in two different forms, namely single-family detached and single-family attached
(Grogan, 2014). Single-family residential involves detached or attached prefabricated homes which vary in area and
size. The attached homes may be fourplexes, triplex, and duplexes. Multi-family residential comes in different forms,
namely high-rise, mid-rise, and townhomes. Multi-family residential is majorly designed to have numerous repetitive
components like exterior façade.
Figure 2: Modular home (Mikušková, 2014)
2.2.1. Modular Design Considerations
The decision to apply modular method of construction must be made from the start of design. The design of mod -
ular buildings is normally influenced by services, fire, and structural requirements. The strategies implemented to en-
sure enough stability of modular assemblies include lateral bracing elements integrated into the building core, rein-
forced steel or concrete core, and separate braced structure by the use of hot rolled steel members, and diaphragm ac-
tion of bracing or boards within the wall (Boafo, et al., 2016). Modules are combined together to transfer wind loads
and to provide for alternative paths of load in case a single module is severely damaged. With steel modular units, the
wall and roof frames are generally constructed using stud and track method of connection, while sections are joined
together using rivets and bolts, or self-drill fasteners.
Plumbing, electrical and mechanical considerations must be addressed consistently and early in the entire con -
struction and design process. Plumbing and electrical systems can be configured to almost any specifications, how -
ever, the physical possibility and capability of these systems are viable since the majority of the projects have not used
system that cut edge. Sustainability design is taken care of by the modular construction system. The construction
waste is significantly minimized to 15% from 10% in an ordinary building site to less than 5% in an environment
within the factory (Faludi & Lepech, 2012). Acoustic and insulation benefits of a modular construction method are
major due to the extra materials used in the construction. Approximately 10 to 25% more structural materials are used
in modular buildings which benefits the structure compared to wastage and landfill.
2.2.2. Variables Considered
7001ENG – Research Methods for Engineers, Trimester 01, 2019 Page 3