Design in Modular Construction

Professor Mark Lawson is professor of construction systems at the University of Surrey, and consultant to the Steel Construction Institute (SCI). He is a chartered civil and structural engineer and member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). His BSc (Eng) is from Imperial College, and his PhD was obtained from the University of Sanford in the field of stressed skin design of steel-framed buildings. In 2011, he was awarded two prizes by the Institution of Civil Engineers for published papers, including the Howard Medal. He has been involved in many EU projects in the steel construction sector and has led major projects on sustainable design in steel and on modular construction systems. Professor Ray Ogden has a degree in architecture and a PhD in mechanical engineering. He has been involved in construction-related research and teaching since 1986, including work related to light steel, off-site, and modular construction, building envelope design, and low-carbon solutions. He is currently a professor and associate dean of research and knowledge exchange in the Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment at Oxford Brookes University, where he is also director of the Tata Centre for the Building Envelope. He has authored seven books and numerous technical papers and reports, and been responsible for a wide range of research and live demonstration projects. Dr. Chris Goodier is a senior lecturer in the School of Civil and Building Engineering, Loughborough University, having worked previously for BRE and Laing Civil Engineering. He is a chartered builder with 20 years’ experience in all aspects of construction, including research, contracting, and consultancy, and has published more than 130 papers, books, reports, and articles. He recently chaired the 2013 British Council’s International Conference on Sustainable Construction and leads a significant ongoing portfolio of government- and industry-funded research in the areas of concrete materials, off-site technology, sustainability, infrastructure, renewable energy, and construction futures.

Introduction to modular construction


Definitions


Applications of modular construction


Benefits of modular construction


History of modular construction in the UK


Modular construction worldwide


Background studies


Functional requirements for modular buildings


Introduction to materials


Accreditation of modular systems


References


Types of steel modules


Basic forms of light steel modules


Four-sided modules


Corner-supported modules


Open-ended modules


Hybrid modular and panel systems


Hybrid modular, panel, and primary steel frame systems


References


Precast concrete modules


Benefits of precast concrete modules


Precast concrete building forms


Modular construction in concrete


References


Other types of modules


Timber-framed modules


Reuse of shipping containers


Bathroom pods


Special forms of modular construction


Modular units in renovation


Access cores


Introduction to planning of modular buildings


General principles


Corridor-type buildings


External access buildings


Open-plan modular buildings


High-rise modular buildings


Dimensions for planning of modular buildings


Structural zones


Open building approach


References


Housing and residential buildings


Space planning in housing


Building regulations (England and Wales)


House forms in modular construction


Residential buildings in modular construction


Student residences


Hotels


Modular Layouts in Tall Buildings


Mixed modules and open-plan space


References


Hospitals and medical buildings


Features of modular medical facilities


Design requirements


Modules in hospital extensions


Dimensional requirements for medical buildings


References


Schools and educational buildings


Features of modular educational buildings


Dimensional requirements for schools


Other requirements for schools


References


Specialist buildings


Supermarkets


Retails units and petrol stations


Military accommodation


Prisons and secure accommodation


Hybrid modular construction systems


Modular and panel systems


Examples of plan forms using hybrid construction


Details of connections between modules and floor cassettes


Podium support to modules


Integrated steel frames and modules


Example of mixed use of modules and structural frames in a residential building


Groups of modules supported by structural frames


References


Acoustic insulation in modular construction


Principles of acoustic insulation


Acoustic requirements and regulations


Separating walls


Separating floors


References


Structural design of light steel modules


Loading and load combinations


Forms of construction


Connection between modules


Stabilising systems


Effect of construction tolerances on stability


Design of structural elements


Structural integrity


References


Structural design of concrete modules


Design principles in modular precast concrete


Concrete properties


Codes and standards


Layout of modules


Detailed design


Cladding, roofing, and balconies in modular construction


Cladding types for light steel modules


Thermal performance


Thermal performance of light steel modular walls


Airtightness


Roofing systems


Building in renewable energy technologies in modular construction


Balconies


References


Service interfaces in modular construction


Services in light steel modules


Services in concrete modules


Modular plant rooms


Modular cores


References


Constructional issues in modular systems


Foundation interfaces


Module tolerances and interfaces


Module-to-module connections


Modular stairs


Corridor supports


Construction issues for concrete modules


Transport of modules


Craneage and installation


References


Factory production of modules


Benefits of off-site manufacturing


Manufacture of light steel and timber modules


Automation in panel production


Field factories


Manufacture of precast concrete modules


Weather protection


References


Economics of modular construction


On-site construction versus off-site manufacture


Economics of production


Material costs and improved productivity


Proportion of on-site work in modular construction


Transport and installation costs


Economics of speed of construction


Savings in design fees


Summary of potential cost savings relative to on-site construction


References


Sustainability in modular construction


Benefits of off-site manufacture on sustainability


Code for sustainable homes (CFSH)


Background studies on sustainability


Embodied energy and embodied carbon calculations


Embodied carbon in transportation


Comparative embodied carbon study


References


Index