The overlooked secret of off-site fabrication - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 07:49, 22 December 2020

2020-12-22T07:49:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:49, 22 December 2020
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	* Off-site prefabrication of buildings: A guide to connection choices.		* Off-site prefabrication of buildings: A guide to connection choices.

−	[[Category:~~Research_/_Innovation~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation~~]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components~~]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge~~]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

62.189.127.36 at 13:05, 22 January 2019

2019-01-22T13:05:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:05, 22 January 2019
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	The benefits we have calculated for the modular construction of a complete building versus traditional concrete frame construction include:		The benefits we have calculated for the modular construction of a complete building versus traditional concrete frame construction include:

−	* ~~wow~~ Over 45% reduction in material use.	+	* Over 45% reduction in material use.
	* Over 50% reduction in waste generation. Over 40% reduction in HGV movements at the construction site.		* Over 50% reduction in waste generation. Over 40% reduction in HGV movements at the construction site.

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	* Off-site prefabrication of buildings: A guide to connection choices.		* Off-site prefabrication of buildings: A guide to connection choices.

−	[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]	+	[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]]

62.189.127.36 at 13:03, 22 January 2019

2019-01-22T13:03:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:03, 22 January 2019
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	The benefits we have calculated for the modular construction of a complete building versus traditional concrete frame construction include:		The benefits we have calculated for the modular construction of a complete building versus traditional concrete frame construction include:

−	* Over 45% reduction in material use.	+	* wow Over 45% reduction in material use.
	* Over 50% reduction in waste generation. Over 40% reduction in HGV movements at the construction site.		* Over 50% reduction in waste generation. Over 40% reduction in HGV movements at the construction site.

Editor at 10:29, 15 September 2017

2017-09-15T10:29:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:29, 15 September 2017
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−	Off-site manufacture, pre-fabrication, modular construction, whatever it is called it has been heralded as a win:win:win solution for construction. Through the provision of cost effective building elements and units, which require fewer deliveries to site and offers a better finish quality with less waste – what can possibly be said against the growth of this Modern Method of Construction?	+	Off-site manufacture, pre-fabrication, modular construction, whatever it is called it has been heralded as a win:win:win solution for construction.

−	~~Over~~ the ~~last couple~~ of ~~years~~, ~~KLH Sustainability has been asked~~ to ~~evaluate~~ a ~~variety of modular construction solutions, and although we largely agree~~ with the ~~rhetoric and have been able to prove significant benefits~~ of ~~modular construction over conventional concrete frame constructions, something isn’t adding up. The benefits we have calculated for the modular construction~~ of ~~a complete building versus traditional concrete frame~~ construction ~~include:~~	+	Through the provision of cost effective building elements and units, which require fewer deliveries to site and offers a better finish quality with less waste – what can possibly be said against the growth of this modern method of construction?

−	Over ~~45% reduction in material use<br />~~	+	Over the last couple of years, KLH Sustainability has been asked to evaluate a variety of modular construction solutions, and although we largely agree with the rhetoric and have been able to prove significant benefits of modular construction over conventional concrete frame constructions, something isn’t adding up.
−	~~Over 50% reduction in waste generation<br />~~	+
−	~~Over 40% reduction in HGV movements at~~ the construction ~~site~~	+

−	~~For modular buildings this magnitude of~~ benefits ~~does require~~ the modular solution to be explored and implemented at the early stages of design so that the lightweighting of the superstructure can be translated into reduced foundations. We have observed the improved finish quality and the quicker, safer site construction~~. We are also,~~ of ~~course very supportive of the potential creation of new jobs in construction away from the~~ construction ~~site, jobs that may appeal more to diverse engineers and workers who want more consistency in job location and working hours.~~	+	The benefits we have calculated for the modular construction of a complete building versus traditional concrete frame construction include:

−	~~So where is~~ the ~~issue?~~	+	* Over 45% reduction in material use.
		+	* Over 50% reduction in waste generation. Over 40% reduction in HGV movements at the construction site.

−	Carbon.	+	For modular buildings, this magnitude of benefits does require the modular solution to be explored and implemented at the early stages of design so that the lightweighting of the superstructure can be translated into reduced foundations.
		+
		+	We have observed the improved finish quality and the quicker, safer site construction. We are also, of course very supportive of the potential creation of new jobs in construction away from the construction site, jobs that may appeal more to diverse engineers and workers who want more consistency in job location and working hours.
		+
		+	So where is the issue? Carbon.

	In the assessments we have undertaken to date the carbon impact for the modular solution does not balance, even if the reduced site deliveries, reduced waste and reduced construction programme are taken into account.		In the assessments we have undertaken to date the carbon impact for the modular solution does not balance, even if the reduced site deliveries, reduced waste and reduced construction programme are taken into account.
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	The carbon impact does not, and should not be a show-stopper for modular construction. However, it is an aspect that should not be forgotten by those developing modular construction solutions. At KLH we know that sustainability is about more than just carbon, but equally carbon is not a factor that can be ignored.		The carbon impact does not, and should not be a show-stopper for modular construction. However, it is an aspect that should not be forgotten by those developing modular construction solutions. At KLH we know that sustainability is about more than just carbon, but equally carbon is not a factor that can be ignored.
		+
		+	--[[User:KLH_Sustainability\|KLH Sustainability]]
		+
		+	= Find out more =
		+
		+	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===
		+
		+	* Advanced manufacturing.
		+	* Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).
		+	* Flying factory for construction works.
		+	* Modern methods of construction.
		+	* Modular buildings.
		+	* Prefabrication.
		+	* Offsite manufacturing.
		+	* Off-site prefabrication of buildings: A guide to connection choices.

	[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]		[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Editor: moved The Overlooked Secret of Off-Site Fabrication to The overlooked secret of off-site fabrication

2017-09-12T15:09:23Z

moved The Overlooked Secret of Off-Site Fabrication to The overlooked secret of off-site fabrication

← Older revision

Revision as of 15:09, 12 September 2017

KLH Sustainability: Created page with "Off-site manufacture, pre-fabrication, modular construction, whatever it is called it has been heralded as a win:win:win solution for construction. Through the provision of cost ..."

2017-07-28T11:17:40Z

Created page with "Off-site manufacture, pre-fabrication, modular construction, whatever it is called it has been heralded as a win:win:win solution for construction. Through the provision of cost ..."

New page

Off-site manufacture, pre-fabrication, modular construction, whatever it is called it has been heralded as a win:win:win solution for construction. Through the provision of cost effective building elements and units, which require fewer deliveries to site and offers a better finish quality with less waste – what can possibly be said against the growth of this Modern Method of Construction?

Over the last couple of years, KLH Sustainability has been asked to evaluate a variety of modular construction solutions, and although we largely agree with the rhetoric and have been able to prove significant benefits of modular construction over conventional concrete frame constructions, something isn’t adding up. The benefits we have calculated for the modular construction of a complete building versus traditional concrete frame construction include:

Over 45% reduction in material use<br />
Over 50% reduction in waste generation<br />
Over 40% reduction in HGV movements at the construction site

For modular buildings this magnitude of benefits does require the modular solution to be explored and implemented at the early stages of design so that the lightweighting of the superstructure can be translated into reduced foundations. We have observed the improved finish quality and the quicker, safer site construction. We are also, of course very supportive of the potential creation of new jobs in construction away from the construction site, jobs that may appeal more to diverse engineers and workers who want more consistency in job location and working hours.

So where is the issue?

Carbon.

In the assessments we have undertaken to date the carbon impact for the modular solution does not balance, even if the reduced site deliveries, reduced waste and reduced construction programme are taken into account.

We have calculated the additional carbon impact of modular construction of buildings to be around 20%, although for some individual building elements it may be over 100%.

So, where is all this carbon coming from?

We have found that there is significantly more structural support within modular units to cope with the stresses of transportation and lifting into position on site than is required for the structural stability of the building. This additional structural support is often integral to the units, and is fabricated from that carbon hungry material--steel.

There are some interesting solutions out there. One we observed in central London, took the form of a bespoke, reusable lifting frame for double height mansard thereby allowing the units themselves to be constructed without excess bracing.

Perhaps lightweight fibre reinforced plastic can provide some of the additional structural integrity required in pre-fabricated units? Or low-carbon timber solutions exist?

The carbon balance for modular construction may be found in the improved operational performance of modular buildings. Factory facilities should enable units to be constructed with better U-values and air-tightness and potentially reduce the energy performance gap of our buildings. However, until this is accurately assessed and quantified it is difficult to claim modular buildings can deliver a better life-cycle carbon than conventional construction techniques.

The carbon impact does not, and should not be a show-stopper for modular construction. However, it is an aspect that should not be forgotten by those developing modular construction solutions. At KLH we know that sustainability is about more than just carbon, but equally carbon is not a factor that can be ignored.

[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]