SYSTEMS OF MODULAR

CONSTRUCTION & THEIR DESIGN

IMPLICATIONS

The last place you would want to build a

building is on a building site.
Presented by:
NIKHIL MITTAL
2011BARC003

Contents

Aim of the Research

Objective of the Research
Methodology
Background Study & Research question
Literature Studies
Habitat 67
Nakagin Tower

Case Study
BDA Housing, Bangalore

Inferences

Aim of the
Research
To study various systems

of volumetric
modular construction and identify the
design opportunities associated with each of
them in the context of apartment housing.

Objectives of the
Research

To identify the different systems of volumetric modular

construction based on variations in their structural details
and assembly techniques.
To document the structural details, assembly techniques and
average module sizes associated with the different systems
identified above.
To understand the structural behaviour of the building as a
whole in each case.
To do a comparative analysis with parameters based on
design opportunities relating to different module
configurations and stacking patterns.

Background Study
Prefabrication and Modularisation

Mass
Production

PREFABRICATI
ON

Integration of prefabrication and modularisation principles into the

manufacturing process has revolutionised almost all major
industries during the 19th and 20th centuries

CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY

Prefabrication is an offsite manufacturing process that takes

place at a
specialized facility in which various materials and building systems
are joined to form
a component or part of a larger final installation
2000).

(Haas et al.

TYPES OF PREFABRICATION
TECHNIQUES

Modular Construction
Modular construction is a process
in which a building is constructed
off-site, under controlled plant
conditions,
using
the
same
materials and designing to the
same codes and standards as
conventionally built facilities.
Buildings
are
produced
in
modules which are fully/partially
finished parts that enclose some
habitable space, and are hence
volumetric in nature.
Once at the site, these modules
are assembled into a complete
building.
Hence,
the
onsite
construction
is
reduced
to
foundation work and module
assembly.

CASE STUDIES

Habitat 67, Montreal, Canada

In 1967, Moshe Safdie, introduced an innovative modular system for the

high-density housing development of Habitat 67, built as part o f the
Expo 67 world housing showcase in 1967, Montreal, Canada. Habitat 67
exemplified the use of prefabricated dwelling modules with unique
three-dimensional modular configurations to form a multi-storeyed
residential building that demonstrated an alternative to the monolithic
apartment block.

GENERAL INFORMATION
No. of units built:
No. of bedrooms:
Area of each unit:
No. of Modules:

158 DUs
1 bhk to 4 bhk
600 to 1700 sq. ft
354

Size of each module: 5.8m X 11.6m

Completion time:

10 months

TYPE OF STRUCTURAL SYSTEM: LOAD BEARING +

POST TENSIONING

The Modular Units

The prefabrication process
of the 19x38x10 ft concrete
rectilinear 90-ton boxes took
place on-site.
The basic modular shape
was molded in a reinforced
steel cage,
Once cured, the concrete
box was transferred to an
assembly line for the
insertion of electrical and
mechanical systems, as well
as insulation and windows.
To finalize the production,
modular kitchens and
bathrooms were installed,
and finally a crane lifted

Casting units at the

factory yard

Erection and Assembly

at Site
the standardized 354 modules
were stacked vertically and
horizontally together.
individual modules had to bear the
weight of the units above them,
Three separate elevator cores
direct vertical circulation
throughout the complex
Every part of the building,
including units, pedestrian streets
and elevator cores,
participate as load-bearing
members;
units are connected to each other
by post-tensioning, high tension
rods, cables and welding, forming a

Casting units at the

factory yard

MODULE CONFIGURATIONS

CONFIGURATION OF MODULES INTO

15 UNIT TYPES

A DUPLEX DWELLING UNIT MADE

FROM 4 MODULES

PLAN AND SECTION OF A DWELLING

UNIT

STRUCTURAL STACKING OF
MODULES FOR VERTICAL LOADS
TRANSFER

BUILDING STRUCTURE AND ASSEMBLY

The modular prefabricated concrete units are designed to become
part of the structure of the whole building. Habitat is a threedimensional space structure in which all the parts of the building,
including the units, the pedestrian streets, and the three elevator
cores participate as load-bearing members.

POST TENSIONING DETAILS FOR MODULE ASS

INFERENCES
Combination of two loading systems, i.e. vertical load bearing and
post tensioning provide versatality and stability to structure.
Such a system provides more flexibility in the design and
configurations of modules.
It also makes it possible to have different floor layouts, thus
adding versatality to the form of the building.
Since the module acts as a structural unit in itself, it is possible to
give cantilevers.
A wide number of stacking patterns can be experimented with this
system, thus making it possible to give terraced gardens and open
spaces within the building, breaking the rigid tower typology.
However, in order to provide post tensioning, the modules must
be in close proximity to the lift core.

Nakagin Capsule Tower, Japan

The Nakagin Capsule Tower is a mixeduse residential and office tower
designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa
and located in Tokyo, Japan. Completed
in 1972, the building is a rare remaining
example of Japanese Metabolism, an
architectural movement emblematic of
Japan's postwar cultural resurgence.
It was the world's first example of
capsule architecture built for permanent
and practical use.
The module was created with the
intention of housing traveling
businessmen that worked in central
Tokyo during the week. It is a prototype
for architecture of sustainability and
recycleability, as each module can be
plugged in to the central core and
replaced or exchanged when necessary.

GENERAL INFORMATION
No. of units built:

140 UNITS

No. of bedrooms:

Studio type

Area of each unit:

No. of Modules:

10 sqm
140

Size of each module: 4m X 2.5m

Completion time:

4 months

TYPE OF STRUCTURAL SYSTEM: MODULES ATTACHED

TO RCC CORE WITH HIGH TENSION BOLTS

The Modular Units

Each capsule measures 2.3m by
3.8m by 2.1m and functions as a
small living or office space.
Capsules can be connected and
combined to create larger spaces.
Each capsule is connected to
one of the two main shafts only
by four high-tension bolts and is
designed to be replaceable.
The capsules were fitted with
utilities and interior fittings before
being shipped to the building site,
where they were attached to the
concrete towers. Each capsule is
attached independently and
cantilevered from the shaft

INTERIORS OF THE CAPSULE

UNIT

Erection and Assembly

at Site

The building is composed of two interconnected concrete towers,

respectively eleven and thirteen floors, which house 140 selfcontained prefabricated capsules.
The cores are rigid-frame, made of a steel frame and reinforced
concrete.

MODULE CONFIGURATION

Every module is independently

attached to the metal framework
on the RCC core through high
tension bolts.

INFERENCES
Such a system provides more flexibility in configurations of
modules.
It also makes it possible to have different floor layouts, thus
adding versatality to the form of the building.
Since the module acts as a structural unit in itself, it is possible to
give cantilevers.
However, in order to provide post tensioning, the modules must
be in close proximity to the lift core.
Also, Using bolts to hold the modules restricts their sizes due to
structural system.

BDA Housing, Alur, Bangalore

This is an innovative EWS housing in Bangalore and is the first of its

kind modular construction in Indias housing sector. It offers 1500
dwelling units in G+3 buildings made entirely from prefabricated
volumetric modules.
The project has been designed and executed by Moore Living, a
architecture and construction firm from New Zealand.

GENERAL INFORMATION
No. of units built:
No. of bedrooms:
Area of each unit:
No. of Modules:

1500 DUs
1 bhk
380 sqft
3000

Size of each module: 3m X 6m +

2.2 m X 4.6 m
Completion time:

18 months

TYPE OF STRUCTURAL SYSTEM: Vertical Load Transfer

through Steel Columns

The Modular Units

Dwelling unit plan made from 3

modules

The modules are composed of 4

panels of walls and 1 slab forming
the floor, binded together.
The modules are structurally
supported by 4 MS Box Sections
positioned at the 4 corners of the
modules.
These columns are welded to base
plates at their 2 ends, flushes with
the top most and lower most
exterior surface of the module
Hence, when the modules are
stacked, the base plates are bolted
together, forming a continuous
system for vertical load transfer.

THANK YOU!