1 of 22

�Construction Technology

Dr Adewale Abimbola, FHEA, GMICE.

www.edulibrary.co.uk

2 of 22

Aim: �Modular Construction

Explain the principles and benefits of modular construction.

Differentiate between traditional and modern methods of construction.

Analyse case studies of modular construction projects.

Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

3 of 22

Modular Construction

3

4 of 22

Intro.

  • What makes a method of construction modern?

5 of 22

Why the Construction Industry is Changing its Processes?������

​

​

​

 

    • To meet government’s target of ‘’Zero Carbon Emissions’’
    • Lower Cost
    • Faster Delivery
    • Improvement in exports (of products and materials)
    • To bridge the skill gap in the industry
    • To tackle shortage in housing supply

Refer to UK government report ‘’ Industrial Strategy: government and industry in partnership’’.

6 of 22

- A variety of construction methods are available for low-rise dwellings and structures.�- Method selection influences cost, speed, durability, and sustainability of the project.

Forms of Low-rise Construction

Table 1. The three main construction methods for low-rise structures

Framed Structures

Traditional Construction

Modular Construction

Incorporate a skeletal framework, typically using steel, timber, or reinforced concrete

Utilises load-bearing walls, masonry, and in-situ methods

Relies on prefabricated components manufactured off-site

Allow larger, open interior spaces and flexibility in layout

Valued for robustness, thermal mass, and brick or block aesthetics

Enables rapid assembly, reduced site waste, and greater quality control

  • Each construction method presents distinct advantages and considerations in project design
  • Choice of method can impact energy efficiency, maintenance needs, and adaptability of the building.

7 of 22

Definition & Difference - Traditional and Modern Methods of Construction

  • Modern method of construction (MMC) follows a less linear process, where offsite or modular construction techniques are used. It uses cutting edge technology: use of innovative materials, precision manufacturing techniques and digital working.
  • Modern method of construction is a way of working more effectively, to achieve more, while using less.
  • The desire to deliver new housing quickly after the Second World War by using off-site construction techniques.

​

​

8 of 22

MMC – Modular Construction

Types of Modules

  • 4-sided modules with load-bearing walls: mainly used for cellular-type spaces.

​

  • Open-sided modules with corner posts: mainly used for large open plan spaces.

9 of 22

MMC – Modular Construction

Types of Modules

  • Stair modules

​

​

  • Non-load bearing modules: bathroom modules, specialist modules such as balconies.
  • Lift shaft modules

​

10 of 22

Timber Framing – Composite Components

Timber Frame Modules

  • Description: Prefabricated structural 3D complete rooms/ open-sided parts of rooms that are combined to make larger spaces
  • Key materials: Modules manufactured from standard timber components. Entire module covered in a waterproof membrane
  • Dimensions: Module sizes limited by ease of transportation. 4.3m wide x 18.3m long is possible by road with police notice
  • Prefabrication/labour-saving techniques: Fully fitted-out prefabricated units complete with bathroom, kitchen, flooring and interior finishes. External finishes fitted on site

Figure 1. Modular timber construction (Blumer Lehmann, 2021)

11 of 22

Timber Framing – Composite Components

Timber Frame Modules

  • Building types and heights: Typically achieves the same height as timber frame panels, however, in hybrid construction taller buildings are being developed.
  • Summary: Volumetric technology provides high quality, energy efficient accommodation that can be built faster than if traditional methods were used. Finished structure is also demountable.

Figure 2. Modular timber framing system (Wood, 2021)

12 of 22

Group-assessment Task

Using the construction case study video below,

(51) 30-Story Building Built In 15 Days (Time Lapse) - YouTube

  • Identify any three modern construction processes and sequences used for the superstructure.
  • Explain any three advantages and three disadvantages of modular construction.

Individual watch (Extra):

Modulek LTD - Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Training Pavilion - YouTube

13 of 22

Case Study: �MMC – Modular Construction

Ten Degrees

  • The two connected towers of 38 and 44 storeys deliver 546 high-quality homes on brownfield land in Croydon is at 135m high.
  • Volumetric delivery saved 24,229 tonnes of embodied carbon on the project – through less waste, fewer vehicle movements, and the highly efficient, bespoke structural units
  • From site excavation to completion took just 26 months – a programme saving of 42% on traditional construction.
  • More than 1,500 volumetric units were delivered fully fitted to the site and installed using two cranes stationed on top of each concrete core, minimising disruption to the busy central location

14 of 22

Case Study:�MMC – Modular Construction

College Road

  • The Croydon twin tower development called College Road has been erected near East Croydon train station.
  • Europe’s tallest volumetric modular tower. 163 m tall.
  • It consists of a 50-storey tower of 817 one-bed and studio apartments, and a 35-storey building providing 120 affordable homes.
  • Offsite technology resulted in 73% of the entire developments floor plate being installed in 32% of the programme, helping to achieve the 28-month schedule.
  • Completion of construction comes two months ahead of schedule.
  • This technique with its efficient construction logistics enabled the delivery of 937 homes on the constrained 2000m2 site.

(Morby, 2023)

15 of 22

Case Study: MMC – Modular Construction

Yr Hafan Estate

  • Yr Hafan, which means ‘The Haven’ in Welsh, a pioneering social housing scheme.
  • It provides temporary accommodation for homeless families in Cardiff.
  • It is on a former gasworks site.
  • Problems with the private rental sector and cost-of-living pressures have led to a rise in the number of families becoming homeless.

​

(Fergusson, 2025)

  • Made up of homes of one to three beds for families with complex needs who are waiting for permanent accommodation.
  • They are made from modular units which can be easily dismantled and relocated according to housing need.
  • They will remain in Grangetown for five more years.

16 of 22

Benefit- Modern Methods of Construction.

Cost on site

  • A smaller workforce is required to construct a building in a factory setting. Less workers means less wage costs; keeping building prices more affordable.
  • Human cost: onsite construction’s most dangerous hazards like fall from height and equipment accidents, are not an issue in the factory.

17 of 22

Benefit - Modular Construction.

Environmental Impact

  • Offsite construction doesn’t require as much heavy machinery and uses up much less energy than traditional methods of construction.
  • Transportation to onsite is greatly reduced, as fewer vehicles are required as the building materials have already been built offsite.
  • Waste reduction, especially as the required building materials can be more accurately calculated offsite.

18 of 22

Benefit – Modular Construction.

Productivity on Site

  • Design complexity and testing can be worked out and solved offsite before getting to the site.
  • Productivity is slowed when variables such as adverse weather conditions are introduced into the mix.
  • Faster construction

​

19 of 22

Benefit – Modular Construction.

Efficiency

  • Precision assembly tracked by BIM and dynamic database through design, specification, procurement, construction/assembly, quality control & finishing, handover, letting/selling, occupation & management, depreciation, and replacement and recycling and renewal.
  • Lifecycle performance monitoring/tracking through BIM, Prop Tech, big data, AI and the internet of things.

​

​

20 of 22

Risk/limitation - Modular Construction.

  • Supply chain: since limited suppliers are used, this may pose adverse effect on the construction if one business becomes insolvent/bankrupt.
  • Lack of skilled workers in the construction industry.
  • Difficulty installing in high winds.
  • Possible issues with resale value.

21 of 22

Self-assessment Task

Most houses in the UK have been built using a) construction methods.

Loadbearing elements such as b) walls are constructed using materials like brickwork and timber c) roofs with tile or slate covering.

d) floors are often made of timber construction using joists and tongue and groove boarding to form a flat level surface.

e) ,which are homes not connected to another structure are usually of low-rise f) height, although many g) properties in large towns frequently are h) or more storeys high. Some i) bungalows also exist.

Modern construction methods have been developed which include j) construction which has improved k) and allowed the l) of many items such as wall panels, staircases and windows.

Window frames are m) elements. Roofs are usually of pitched design although some properties and smaller extensions are known to have flat roof.

Flat roofs are usually short- to n) and are cheaper

to build than pitched roofs.

​

traditional

​

pitched

​

detached houses

​

two-storey

​

Terraced

​

Three

​

single-storey

​

non-loadbearing

​

energy efficiency

​

prefabrication

​

medium-span

​

external

​

timber-framed

​

short span

  • The following passage has been drafted to explain the main forms of domestic construction found in the UK.
  • Complete the passage by filling in the missing words from the list below.

22 of 22

Reference/Bibliography

​

​

​