BUILDING STRUCTURES-ARC 652

A Review on Modular Construction for High-Rise Buildings

INTRODUCTION:
This paper speaks about the recent innovations in modular construction in high-rise buildings
showing structural systems, joining technology, progressive collapse and structural robustness. It
also speaks about design codes and technical challenges that hinder the adoption of modular
construction and solutions for the future.
PAPER REVIEW:
It speaks about prefabrication construction where building components are fabricated in a factory
and transported to the construction site for installation. It is faster & Safer manufacturing , has
better quality control & has low environmental impacts Modular construction technology
reduces 50% construction time and saves cost by 20% . There are 3 classes of prefabricated
construction (i.e) 1D single element, 2D panelised system a
20 volumetric system. Panelised and volumetric system construction is the most efficient &
allows for 70 to 95% of building to be prefabricated in a factory before its been transported to the
site.
This paper will also be focusing on Modular construction / Module Integrated construction
(Mic) in Hongkong, Permanent modular construction (PMC) in US and prefabricated prefinished
volumetric construction (PPVC) in Singapore.
3 main construction approaches for stacking modular units is based on core, podium & infilled
frame system , whereas in core based approach, all models are clustered one or more stability
cores and this modular unit resists vertical gravity loads over the full height of the building. &
the lateral forces from wind & earthquake are resisted by the core. This method of construction
will be suitable for mixed use of buildings.
Modular construction is preferred for repeated units such as apartments, schools offices,
dormitories, hotels & hospitals. Due to repeated modules, it can also be used for high rise
construction.Its construction is limited for high rise compared to low-rise as the constructor
industry is not confident and unfamiliar with implementing modular construction technology due
to a certain reasons (lack of design guidelines , strong inter module pointing techniques and
sufficient understanding of structural behaviour & structural robustness of modular buildings). If
these technical problems are solved, high rise building can be constructed with full confidence.
This paper will also speak about the recent innovations innovations in high-rise buildings and
will focus on recent applications of modular technologies in high rise buildings, structural system
of high-rise building, inter-module joining techniques, progressive collapse & structural
robustness of modular buildings, structural design guidelines for modular buildings.
This paper speaks about modular technologies ,applications, and also specifies the countries
where it is mostly used. It is mostly used in low-rise buildings world wide particularly in the UK,
North America, China, Singapore, Australia . Several high rise buildings are constructed based
on the advancement of technology and material used.
Modular high-rise buildings built with 3D volumetric modules are based on steel, while
concrete is commonly used in modular high-rise buildings that are built by a combination of
panelised and volumetric methods. This system integrates core, shear walls & facade of
buildings into structure and this system consists of various precast panelised modules (i.e load
bearing wall, elevator, stais cases & light weight concrete floors.) done on-site. This reduces 30
to 50% of construction time compared to conventional construction and minimes material and
energy, maximising quality and safety.
Example:Collins House project was conducted wing podium-based built with concrete by
conventional method upto level 14 & remaining the storeys constructed using ABS method,
second tallest modular building in Atira student accomodation and both the mentioned buildings
and were constructed 30% faster .The other tallest building also includes SOHO in Australia
built using volumetric method
This application of modular construction was pioneered in China by BSB (Broad sustainable
Building) where more than 90% of the components of steel buildings have set the world record
for the fastest built buildings. In this paper, they also have mentioned examples of the high-rise
buildings constructed using the specified techniques.
Then this paper speaks about modular as high-rise buildings in Singapore, that encourages the
use of modular construction for residential housing. Clement Canopy tower was one project built
up to 40 storeys & is the tallest in singapore constructed using PPVC method that saved 30% of
construction time & also reduced environmental impact
This paper speaks about modular construction technology in Uk The Croydon Tower project
was constructed using the PPVC method. This was built using combined core and podium-based
method with twin cores and podium structure constructed in concrete. This is also used in
traditional construction methods, saving 30% of construction, and 80% of construction waste.
Then it speaks about modular high-rise building in US, where only 2 modular buildings
exceeding 20 storeys were completed, including 32-storey B2 tower in New york. B2 lower
project consists of 360 apartments stacked into 32 storey building is the world's tallest
volumetric modular building and was constructed with podium-based method with 930 steel
modular units along with conventional concrete basement slabs, concrete perimeter walls & steel

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frame plinth, and consists of SHS columns, RHS floor beans, RHS ceiling beams and this makes
the module quite lighter compared to conventional concrete.
Then this paper heater speaks about structural systems for modular high-rise buildings. Here,
modular unit is the primary load bearing component. It's categorised into 2 types (2D panelised
systems & 3D volumetric systems). 2D panelised systems require more assembly on-site and 3D
volumetrice systems are more prefinished off-site. 2D panelised system assembly work is more
complex than 3D volumetric system as it requires more internal finishing, however this system
offers greater flexibility than 3D volumetric system (hybrid system) that can be used in modular
buildings. It's also used in this Australia through HBS System 3D system is most suitable for
high level of repeatability projects. 3D systems could save 24% cost compared with traditional
construction methods while the hybrid a 2D systems for 20% and 17% respectively.
Then this paper speaks about panelised systems where 2D panelised system systems are used in
China & Australia for modular high-rise building. In China , 2D panelised systems were used by
BSD with steel floor cassettes and steel frames.
Then it speaks about volumetric system (2D volumetric structural system done using either
steel or concrete. Steel modules are used for high-rise buildings that are sustainable, have simple
connections, design flexibility and high strength to weight natio. But in concrete, it is 25 to 30%
heavier than steel.
This also speaks about module types, wherein a 3D module is load bearing wall and corner
supported frame. In 3D modules, gravity loads are transferred to base via four side walls and in a
corner supported frame, the module transfers gravity load to base through its edge beams and
four corner parts. Wind and earthquake loads are transferred to shear walls cores, bracing
systems via ceilings & floors as well as side walls load bearing wall modules. Corner supported
used in high-rise buildings due to its high load carrying capacity.
Lateral stability systems such as bracing truss and shear walls core resists lateral loads such as
wind and earthquakes. This system can be constructed using steel, concrete, hybrid steel-
concrete structures using traditional construction or modular construction methods,
Speed core - shear wall core is the composite steel-concrete-steel sandwich system, this is
revolutionary steel-plate composite core that eliminates the need for formwork & reinforcing
bars used in reinforced core construction.
This also speaks about the Inter-module joining technique used in steel buildings, where the
connection between modular units ensures structural integrity, overall stability and robustness of
the entire building. There are 3 different types of connection techniques used here, such as 1)
inter - module connection using tie rod, 2) center - module connection using connector, 3) inter
module connections using bolts. This is done onsite and reduces construction speed. In
inter-module connection using tie rod , it vertically connects the columns of lower modules to the

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upper module. This is done using vertical rods, and the shear force between columns is resisted
by shear keys. This connection is done outside the modules hence prevents damages to internal
finishes. This type is not good for high use buildings because of limited moment resistance and
has weak semi-rigid connection. and this leads to weak framing system action and lateral
resistance of the whole building. A new tie rod connection was developed for modular steel
buildings, where the shear key consists of hollow sections welded offside that are connected to
columns of lower & upper modules via threaded rod and a plate that is welded to the columns
offsite. An access openings created in the module column to allow for installation of threaded
rod from inside the modules and this can be classified as semi rigid.
Under inter module connection using a connector, the installation is quite simple & flexible
because it can be easily welded to beam a column of the module offsite with different shapes of
cross-section. There are various types under which vector block connector is a standardised,
structural, scalable, modular connection to facilitate efficient design and assemble modular
building self-lock connector was used for inter-module joints of modular steel building. Rotary
connector technique was applied to a modules dormitory building in China.
Under the Bracket connector system, the horizontal connection between adjacent modules &
the vertical connection between the lower and upper modules are achieved by means of bolting.
Under inter module connection using bolt, bolted connection is an alternative solution to onsite
welding, its fast & easy to install and has a better quality control.
A bolted connection with a plugin device illustrates a bolted connection with a plugin device
for inter-module connection of modular steel buildings. Here a high-strength bolting system is
used to establish the horizontal connection between lower and upper modules , while a cast
plugin device is adopted to establish the horizontal connection between adjacent modules. Under
bolted connection it is done using a welded cover plate as a gusset plate. In this connection , a
cruciform gusset plate used to vertically & horizontally connect the module by means of
bolting
Bolted connection with a connection plate is used for perimeter joints of modular steel
buildings. Here, an external connection plate is used to vertically and horizontally connect the
modules by means of normal bolt & blind bolt systems.
In a bolted connection with extended end plate- here the extended end plate will be offsite
welded to the column ends of modules. This assembly will then be connected onsite using
bolting techniques.
The robustness of buildings against progressive collapse can be designed using 4 approaches.
(1.Tying force prescriptive rules, 2. alternative load path, 3. key element design methods , 4.
risk-based method. Tying force a prescriptive rule - resistance to progressive collapse by
prescribing minimum tie force requirements in terms of strength, continuity and ductility.

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Key element method ( enhanced local resistance approach) is a direct design approach where key
elements are designed to resist accidental loads to avoid local failure.
In the ALP method, different levels of analysis including linear static analysis, non-linear static
analysis, non-linear dynamic analysis are accepted.
Risk based method is an industact method (approach which implicitly considers the risk of
collapse by means of building classification & design methods recommended for each risk
category.
There significant efforts made to develop design guidelines for modular buildings based on
conventional codes. Structural design guidelines of modular buildings should account for effects
of construction tolerances and structural robustness as well as short term loading generated
during hoisting and transportation,
To design structural components of modular units , it was done based on limited state design
principles. The modular members (beans, columns, load bearing walls and floors were done
according to Austrian codes for conventional buildings.
To design inter-module connections , currently in steel buildings it is done based on the
provision given by Eurocode maxed on 3 parameters. (1) initial rotational stiffness
(2) moment resistance, (3)rotation capacity.
To design a modular building structurally robust is basically the ability of a structure to resist
it's progressive collapse due to extreme events such as fire, explosion & impacts.
The design guidelines for structural robustness were incorporated in international codes. In
recent days, - tying force method and ALP methods are commonly used for this.
Most of the modular construction are now low-rise more than high-suse and less than 1% of
modular high-rise buildings are constructed using panelised method volumetric method based on
wet joining techniques and the future research has to be done for faster, safer and more efficient
modular construction.
Currently modular buildings are constructed using steel / concrete , where steel is 20 to 30%
lighter than concrete modules and fire resistant, sound, thermal and lower insulation.
to construct lighten than concrete. It is also faster to construct and lighter than concrete. High
strength concrete can be used to reduce the size of composite columns at lower levels of
high-rise buildings that are subjected to maximum gravity loods.
Future smart joining techniques should be found as these inter -module connections play a vital
role however the current technique is limited to strength and stiffness. Proper modelling of
modular high-rise buildings also plays an important role as it should predict the lateral stability
of progressive collapse for the robust design of modular buildings.
There is also a need for new design codes for modular buildings to be built safer, that will

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enable the construction Industry to implement advanced modules technologies high-rise
buildings.
CONCLUSION:
This paper explains a comprehensive review of recent developments of modular technologies
with an emphasis on structural aspects of modular buildings and also explains about structural
systems, inter module connection, structural analysis and structural design. This modular
construction is most commonly used in low-rise buildings but still limited in high rise. This
paper explains in detail about the challenges faced in high rise compared to low-rise in modular
construction with examples, applications and the technical challenges in high-rise buildings are
also highlighted here. And also at last, how future research is yet to be done to tackle these
technical and structural challenges in high-rise buildings are also mentioned here.