Modular construction involves prefabricating building units or modules in a factory setting and transporting them to the construction site for assembly. Modules are built using standardized dimensions for compatibility and can be assembled quickly. Modular construction offers advantages like reduced construction timelines and material waste while promoting industrialization and standardization. However, it also has disadvantages like higher transportation costs and limited design customization options compared to traditional construction methods. The goal of modular coordination is to improve construction productivity through industrialization using standardized sizing and positioning of building components.
2. DEFINITION: MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
‘Modular construction’ is a term used to
describe the use of factory-produced
pre-engineered building units that are
delivered to site and assembled as
large volumetric components or as
substantial elements of a building.
What does modular mean?
They are built in sections or “modules” in a factory. The three-
dimensional modules are then transported to the site. Once
at the site, the modules are lifted by crane onto a poured
foundation and assembled.
They’re green
Modulars are eco- friendly. Many mods use recycled
materials, or materials that can be eventually recycled, such
as steel, glass and durable metal roofing.
3. CHARACTERISTICS OF MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
1. INDUSTRIALISATION FRIENDLY:
Requirement of standardized material in bulk leads to
development of more industries.
2. SIMPLIFICATION:
Complexity in units leads to more need of skilled labor and
machinery, thus simpler modules are constructed .
3. INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED:
All the modules are made according to the international
standards, thus the modules can be transported
internationally.
4.ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY:
Many mods use recycled materials, or materials that can be
eventually recycled, such as steel, glass and durable metal
roofing.
4. ADVANTAGES OF MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
1. FAST CONSTRUCTION:
Construction of modular building components can occur
simultaneously with the site and foundation work .
Thus saves the time of completion of project upto 30 %.
2. STANDARD DIMENSIONS :
Modular buildings are build with standard building codes that
can be internationally accepted.
3. GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND REUSE:
The modular components can be de assembled and relocated
to new location for re use.
4. LESS MATERIAL WASTAGE:
As the modules are build in factory the wastage of material is
minimum and eliminates excessive wastage.
5. REDUCE SITE DISTURBANCE AND WEATHER DELAYS:
Onsite traffic is greatly minimized as the modules are created
in factories.
5. DISADVANTAGES OF MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
1. LIMITED DESIGN OPTIONS:
The shape and size of each module is limited and also
constructed with standards dimensions and material. Thus ,
the customization is difficult.
2. INCREASE TRAVEL COST:
The units are transported from factory to the site , thus the
cost of transportation increases depending upon the distance
between both.
3. CUSTOMIZATION REQUIRES MORE INVENTMENT:
If an individual needs to customize the module / unit , it
requires more money .
4. UNEMPLOYMENT INCREASES:
Due to more dependency on machinery and factory based
products the requirement on unskilled labor decreases, thus
unemployment will increase.
6. AIM FOR MODULAR COORDINATION
It provides a practical and coherent: method for coordinating- the
position and dimension of elements, components and spaces in the
planning and design of buildings.
To improve productivity in the building industry through
industrialization.
Provide guide to building component sizing: this can reduce as
much as possible the needs to further trim and shape the materials
to fit together in construction; thus, reducing wastage of labour and
material.
Mass production of building components factories.
To ensure dimensional coordination between installation as well as
with the rest of the building.
To encourage open systems
CONCEPT OF MODULAR COORDINATION
MODULAR COORDINATION
IMPROVES PRODUCTIVITY
THROUGH STANDARDIZATION
PROMOTE INDUSTRIALIZATION
LESS WET WORK ON SITE NON DEPENDENCE ON
UNSKILLED LABOUR LESS MODIFICATION ON SITE
7. BASIC MODULAR COORDINATION
The use of modular
A. Basic module M = 100mm
B. Multi modules 3M, 6M, 9M, 12M…
C. Sub modules M/2 , M/4
A reference system to define coordinating spaces and zones for
building elements and assemblies.
Basic modular grid~ for small scale drawings to clarity relationship
between components.
Superimposed grids~ used in key plans, showing layouts and
positioning of main building components.
Displacement of grids~ band of interruption are regularly spaced in
both directions.
Interrupted grids
~ to accommodate certain element
~ non modular interrupted zone
Rules for locating building elements within the reference system
Types of references~ modular reference systems enable designer
to relate sensibly elements of construction envelope, horizontal
and vertical elements.
Rules for sizing of building components in order to determine their
sizes
Coordinating size = work size + one joint
Work size~ manufactured size
Joints~ components joints
8. MODULAR REFERENCE SYSTEMS
It is the three-dimensional system of orthogonal space co-
ordinates within the
positions and sizes of components, elements and installations
can be related by references to points, lines, or planes.
1. Within this references system, dimensional increments are
in terms of the basic module (100mm) or some multiple
there of.
2. Reference planes can be identified which locate the main
vertical and horizontal elements of construction, e.g. floor,
walls, and columns.