Full prefabricated modular construction systems are gradually emerging against the global backdrop of advancing green building and sustainable development. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the background, development history, key technologies, and successful practices of this emerging construction technology. Additionally, it will explore the important role of modular construction in the field of green and low-carbon buildings in the future, and how technological innovation and standardization can enhance the overall efficiency and environmental performance of the construction industry.
1. Background and Significance of Modular Construction
As global attention to the environmental impact of the construction industry increases, many countries are placing more emphasis on the green transformation of the sector. Against this backdrop, modular construction, as a new type of building method, is gradually becoming an innovative direction for the construction industry due to its high level of industrial standardization and prefabrication. Modular construction refers to breaking down a building into multiple standardized modules, which are prefabricated in a factory and then transported to the construction site for rapid assembly using mechanical equipment. It has the advantages of shorter construction cycles, high precision, and reduced resource waste.
2. Development History of Modular Construction
Modular construction is not a completely new concept; its origins can be traced back to the early 20th century. In 1921, the famous architect Le Corbusier first proposed “building houses like cars” in his writings. After years of technological accumulation and market trials, modular construction entered the public eye in the 1960s with the construction of the “Habitat 67” project at the Montreal World Expo. In the 1980s, modular construction was widely used in residential buildings in Japan, significantly driving the advancement and application of the technology.
In the 21st century, modular construction technology has been rapidly promoted in regions such as Singapore, the United States, and Europe. Singapore’s introduction of the PPVC (Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction) standard provided strong policy support for the promotion of modular construction. In recent years, the Chinese government has also actively promoted the development of prefabricated buildings, particularly in large-scale projects and public housing, where the application of modular construction has seen significant growth.
3. Types and Applications of Modular Construction
Modular construction can be classified into concrete modular construction, steel structure modular construction, and wood structure modular construction, based on different structural materials. In actual projects, different types of modular buildings have unique application scenarios and technical requirements.
3.1 Concrete Modular Construction
Concrete modular construction typically uses prefabricated concrete units. These concrete units are pre-manufactured in a factory and are common components like beams, slabs, columns, and finishing accessories. After being fabricated in the factory, these units are transported to the construction site using gantry cranes and assembled using various connection methods (such as grouting connections or anchoring connections). For example, the Clement Canopy apartment in Singapore is the first concrete modular building over 40 stories high, demonstrating the potential of concrete modular construction in high-rise buildings and significantly improving construction efficiency through prefabrication.
3.2 Steel Structure Modular Construction
Steel structure modular construction primarily uses metal materials, offering higher strength and flexibility. These buildings mainly consist of light steel modules, container-style modules, and other structural forms, making them particularly suitable for temporary buildings and public infrastructure projects. For example, the “Leishenshan” and “Huoshenshan” hospitals in China showcased the rapid response and efficiency of steel structure modular construction.
3.3 Wood Structure Modular Construction
Wood structure modular construction is widely used for residential and small public buildings. Due to its excellent environmental properties and flexible processing capabilities, it has gradually gained popularity in North America and Europe. Wood structure prefabricated components are manufactured in the factory, where the wood components undergo processing, assembly, and inspection before being transported to the construction site using bridge cranes. Wood structure prefabricated components typically include beams, purlins, and facing panels, which are selected based on strength and stiffness to ensure structural stability and safety. New technologies, such as cross-laminated timber, also enhance the structural performance and design flexibility of these buildings.
4. Technological Features of Modular Construction
The technological features of modular construction are reflected in several aspects, including:
- High Prefabrication: Most of the construction tasks are completed in the factory, significantly reducing the amount of work required on-site.
- Fast Construction: Modular construction enables “building block” style rapid assembly, reducing construction time by 30%-50% compared to traditional methods.
- Standardized Design: The design of modular buildings follows standardized principles, ensuring the stability and consistency of building quality.
- Environmental Friendliness: Modular construction results in less resource waste and lower carbon emissions, making it an important solution for green building.
- Smart Integration: The integration of BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology enables the intelligent integration of various building systems, improving design and construction coordination.
Several successful case studies have proven the effectiveness and feasibility of modular construction. For example:
- The Jia Guang Middle School dormitory project in Xiong’an New Area, China, used embedded steel structure modules, fully leveraging the advantages of modular construction in large-scale projects.
- Singapore’s PPVC projects mandate the use of modular construction for public buildings, effectively reducing construction costs and improving living quality.
Looking forward, modular construction will continue to play a key role in the field of green buildings. With the development of intelligent technologies and the deepening digital transformation of the construction industry, the design and production efficiency of modular construction will continue to improve. It is expected to be widely applied in more commercial and private residential sectors. Additionally, the recycling and life cycle management of modular buildings will gradually become an industry standard, providing strong support for the sustainable development of the construction industry.
Conclusion
As an innovative paradigm of modern construction, the full prefabricated modular construction system, with its high efficiency and low-carbon environmental features, holds unlimited potential in the future construction market. Through continuous technological innovation and practical promotion, modular construction will undoubtedly become an important path toward achieving the dream of green buildings. We look forward to seeing more countries and regions explore the vast potential of modular construction, contributing new forces to global sustainable development.
