300886 Construction in Practice: Modular Construction Methods Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of modular construction methods, focusing on three product options available in the Australian and worldwide markets. It delves into the advantages and disadvantages of each system, including detailed cost analyses. The report also examines potential technological improvements to enhance environmental performance. The introduction highlights the increasing popularity of modular design due to its prefabrication capabilities, time-saving benefits, and suitability for various applications like residential areas, hospitals, and mining sites. The literature review cites various studies comparing modular and conventional construction, exploring lean construction, design variations, environmental impacts, and business model innovations. The methods section analyzes three modular construction systems: education construction, portable offices, and modular housing, assessing their benefits, drawbacks, and flexibility. The conclusion summarizes the key findings, emphasizing the efficiency, time-saving, and cost-effectiveness of modular construction methods.

Civil Engg
Construction Management
Modular Construction Methods
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Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................4
Literature Review..................................................................................................................................5
Methods.................................................................................................................................................7
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................7
References.............................................................................................................................................7
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Introduction
The topic chosen is the modular construction methods. Here, 3 product options which are
present in the Australian as well as the worldwide markets have been studied. Their pros &
cons are seen in detail including the costs. The possible improvements in the technology are
considered to enhance the environmental conditions.
Now a days , the modular design is becoming popular in the market. There is always an effort
to make the project more viable commercially. The users, engineers as well as the architects
are moving to modular solutions in various fields. There are certain reasons for this rising
trend. The first and the foremost reason is that the various modules available for the complete
system or design can be fabricated beforehand ( prefabrication ) and then next step is to
transport these modules to the main site. At the main site, the various modules can be
assembled to provide the complete system. This helps to save the time for actual construction
at the site. This trend is gaining popularity in residential areas, hospitals, hostels etc. where
the same type of design needs some repetition pattern. In cases where the time needed for
construction is very much restricted or the construction site has lesser space for actual on-site
construction process, the modular method is very helpful. The time needed for the setting of
the plaster as well as the cement can be saved. The number of workers to be engaged on-site
also decreases. If the construction site is located at a remote place, then labour rates will
increase at such places and also the raw material transportation will cost a lot. Hence, the
price will go up for construction process. In Australia, the mining sector is growing faster.
The mining sites are generally located at remote places. Hence, modular designs are very
helpful at such locations if the cost is considered, the modular construction methods are very
good. The risk is reduced in this method as the number of on - site labourers is less. Also, the
quality is better.
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The modular construction has a higher level of control as well as efficiency. It helps to finish
the construction based projects faster and in a smart manner. It provides more of quality
control for the design and helps to decrease the time required for construction actually. The
risk due to weather conditions is also mitigated by using modular construction. Also, this
technique does not compromise with the building code compliance requirement in Australia.
It can be used in variety of areas like schools, homes, church, hospitals, offices, apartments
etc. If the strength of the building is considered, the modular buildings are equally strong as
the traditional buildings. The various modules are designed in such a manner that it is easy to
transport them. The fixtures used are of very high quality and the finished product obtained is
of super quality. As Australia has a very large land, this method is good for such place. A
change can be seen in real on the adoption of the modular construction. The modules can be
designed in a factory area instead of actual site of construction. The workers also face less
exploitation as when they work in a factory a workable environment is ensured for them. The
labourers are very stable due to the fixed work environment. Modular construction helps in
the design of structures which are very flexible. These can be changed and upgraded as per
the user’s requirement. The number of rooms and their area or design can be changed in
future as per the need.
In case of mining, a system can be installed when required and removed when needed. This
method will also help in the economic development of a country. The public sector can come
in this field and help to reduce the overall prices. In schools and universities, this method is
very efficient. Modern modules are being designed in such a manner that they do not provide
a monotonous structure.
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Literature Review
Kamali ( 2017 ) has done a comparison between the modular and
conventional construction methods.
Nahmens ( 2011 ) has studied the effects of lean construction on sustainability of modular
homebuilding.
Lawson ( 2014 ) has mentioned various designs in modular construction.
Quale ( 2012 ) has made a comparison between the environmental impacts of building
modular and conventional homes in the U . S. Smith ( 2010 ) has studied the prefabricated
structures in detail. Alwisy ( 2012 ) has given the BIM approach for automated drafting and
design for modular construction manufacturing. Zhang ( 2016 ) has studied the BIM-enabled
modular and industrialized construction in China. Molavi and Barral ( 2016 ) has studied a
construction procurement method for achieving the sustainability in modular construction.
Staib ( 2013 ) has made a detailed study od the componenets as well as the systems used in
the modular construction and design structures. Chen ( 2010 ) has given the sustainable
performance criteria for construction method selection in concrete buildings.
Olvera ( 2010 ) has given various systems and the methods used in modular construction of
the buildings. Lawson ( 2011 ) has mentioned the applications of modular construction in the
field of high-rise buildings. Casini ( 2015 ) has made a detailed study of the bricks and
blueprints for various methods and standards for DNA assembly. Faludi ( 2012 ) has given
a method to use the life cycle assessment methods for guiding the architectural decision-
making for sustainable prefabricated modular buildings. Hartmann ( 2012 ) has given an
aligning building information model tools and construction management methods. Liu ( 2016
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) has given a business model innovation and its drivers in the Chinese construction industry
during the shift to modular prefabrication.
Methods
The 3 types of modular construction systems are : Education construction, Portable offices
and Modular Housing.
In Education construction, modular construction methods are very helpful. In the field of
education, the budget is generally less. So, if cost is compared for the modular construction
and the traditional construction methods, then modular systems are found to be cheaper. In
education field, there are constant changes in number and area of rooms. So, these systems
provide a lot of flexibility. An additional module may be added or any extra module can be
removed as per the requirement. The only drawback is that sometimes the environment
created in such a building may not offer thermal comfort in case of high temperature season.
In the field of education, every year the number of students may vary. If the number of
students increases the number of class rooms can be increased and if the number of students
decreases , then extra class rooms can be de – assembled. This provides a flexilbility as well
as comfort and efficiency in making the changes as and when required. The only thing is that
the thermal comfort of the final building designed must be ensured either by using proper
fans or air conditioning.
In portable offices , an advantage is seen for the workers who have to undergo a lot of
movement to various locations. If the workers are at a location A today and at another
location B tomorrow, then offices are needed at both the locations. Hence, here the modular
construction of a portable office is of help in such a case. So, the office also now moves along
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with the workers. The environment of the office is not lost. As per the requirement, the size
and design of the portable office can be changed. The process is fast and efficient.
A drawback is the transportation cost involved with the transportation of the modules. Also,
as the employees spend a large portion of the day in these modular buildings, the health
effects must be well studied. The long term effects of staying in modular buildings are still a
matter of concern. Another thing is that the thermal comfort of the final building designed
must be ensured either by using proper fans or air conditioning.
In modular housing, the main advantage is the cost. Around 90 % of the actual construction is
done in the factory and only 10 % of the work is left for the actual construction site. It is a
design which is a long term system. As per the requirement, the design can be altered any
time. The interiors can be changed as and when required. . Also, as the people spend a large
portion of the day in these modular houses, the health effects must be well studied. The long
term effects of staying in modular buildings are still a matter of concern. Another thing is that
the thermal comfort of the final building for home designed must be ensured either by using
proper fans or air conditioning.
The cost is more at present. But with the public sector coming in this field, the costs can be
improved upon.
Conclusion
Hence, the 3 product options which are present in the Australian as well as the worldwide
markets have been studied. Their pros and cons are seen in detail including the costs. The
possible improvements in the technology are considered to enhance the environmental
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conditions. The users, engineers as well as the architects are preferring the use of modular
solutions in various fields. There are certain reasons for such type of rising trend. The first
and the foremost reason is that the various modules available for the complete system or
design can be fabricated beforehand and then next step is the transportation of these modules
to the main site. At the main site, the various modules are assembled to provide the complete
system. This helps to save the time for actual construction at the site. This trend is gaining
popularity in residential areas, hospitals, hostels etc. where the same type of design needs
some repetition pattern. In cases where the time needed for construction is very much
restricted or the construction site has lesser space for actual on-site construction process, the
modular method is very helpful. These methods make the system good in quality, efficient,
time saving as well as cost – effective.
References
Kamali, M. and Hewage, K., 2017. Development of performance
criteria for sustainability evaluation of modular versus conventional
construction methods. Journal of cleaner production, 142, pp.3592-
3606.
Nahmens, I. and Ikuma, L.H., 2011. Effects of lean construction on sustainability of modular
homebuilding. Journal of Architectural Engineering, 18(2), pp.155-163.
Lawson, M., Ogden, R. and Goodier, C., 2014. Design in modular construction. CRC Press.
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Quale, J., Eckelman, M.J., Williams, K.W., Sloditskie, G. and Zimmerman, J.B., 2012.
Construction matters: Comparing environmental impacts of building modular and
conventional homes in the United States. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 16(2), pp.243-253.
Smith, R.E., 2010. Prefab architecture: A guide to modular design and construction. John
Wiley & Sons.
Alwisy, A., Al-Hussein, M. and Al-Jibouri, S.H., 2012. BIM approach for automated drafting
and design for modular construction manufacturing. In Computing in civil engineering
(2012) (pp. 221-228).
Zhang, J., Long, Y., Lv, S. and Xiang, Y., 2016. BIM-enabled modular and industrialized
construction in China. Procedia engineering, 145, pp.1456-1461.
Molavi, J. and Barral, D.L., 2016. A construction procurement method to achieve
sustainability in modular construction. Procedia engineering, 145, pp.1362-1369.
Staib, G., Dörrhöfer, A. and Rosenthal, M., 2013. Components and Systems: Modular
Construction–Design, Structure, New Technologies. Walter de Gruyter.
Chen, Y., Okudan, G.E. and Riley, D.R., 2010. Sustainable performance criteria for
construction method selection in concrete buildings. Automation in construction, 19(2),
pp.235-244.
Olvera, R.E., Olvera Robert E, 2010. Systems and Methods for Modular Building
Construction with Integrated Utility Service. U.S. Patent Application 12/426,945.
Lawson, R.M., Ogden, R.G. and Bergin, R., 2011. Application of modular construction in
high-rise buildings. Journal of architectural engineering, 18(2), pp.148-154.
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Casini, A., Storch, M., Baldwin, G.S. and Ellis, T., 2015. Bricks and blueprints: methods and
standards for DNA assembly. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 16(9), p.568.
Faludi, J., Lepech, M.D. and Loisos, G., 2012. Using life cycle assessment methods to guide
architectural decision-making for sustainable prefabricated modular buildings. Journal of
Green Building, 7(3), pp.151-170.
Hartmann, T., Van Meerveld, H., Vossebeld, N. and Adriaanse, A., 2012. Aligning building
information model tools and construction management methods. Automation in
construction, 22, pp.605-613.
Liu, G., Li, K., Zhao, D. and Mao, C., 2016. Business model innovation and its drivers in the
Chinese construction industry during the shift to modular prefabrication. Journal of
management in engineering, 33(3), p.04016051.
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