Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications
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ItemAn optimum construction strategy for multi-story residential prefabricated modular buildings(ZEMCH Network, 2018-01-29)Prefabrication is recognised as the way forward in building construction by the industry as it delivers quality yet affordable mass customisable houses faster than traditional on-site construction. The prefabrication of multi-story buildings transforms traditional construction into off-site manufacturing of repetitive components. Currently there are three main structural systems being adopted for modular multi-story buildings; 1) Building with a rigid in-situ central core to which the modules are connected, 2) A podium structure which acts as a base where modules are placed on top of it, 3) Fully modular structure with strategically placed load bearing modules. Current investigations on these systems focus on improving their benefits such as construction time, cost, safety and quality based on one variable at a time. However, there is a lack of studies with a holistic approach to identify the optimum structural system. This paper aims to define an Optimum Modular System Index (OMI) which will be based upon three main indices; Assembly cost penalty Index (ACPI), Onsite handling cost penalty Index (HCPI) and Concrete cost penalty Index (CCPI). Determination of OMI is expected to provide a framework to identify the optimum construction system for multi-story residential prefabricated modular buildings.
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ItemAn optimisation method for MEP plant room modularization(ZEMCH Network, 2018-01-29)Modularisation in mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) in construction has become more prevalent along with mass customisation of buildings during the last decade. However, it is currently accomplished only for smaller systems where integrated packaged units are used in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and other building services installations. The term ‘optimum modularity’ is rarely used in the field due to extensive use of packaged systems. Packaged units are limited to external plant room installations and hardly used in building internal installations such as in basements due to difficulties in assembly and job-site delivery. In this study, an efficient method is developed which leads to the minimum total assembly and installation cost of building services systems. The method identifies the optimum sets of modules and module division points based on assembly cost and capacity weight of lifting equipment. It is shown that the optimum modularity for a system is highly dependent on the module weight and the module division point.
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ItemBIM and modular MEP systems for super-tall and mega-tall buildings(University of Peradeniya, 2017-12-07)Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) work in high-rise construction can be very challenging due to the different crews involved during installation. Conflicts between the crews generally cause delays in project schedule and result in additional cost due to rework. This study will identify the MEP conflicts in high-rise construction through observations made by the author during the time spent in case study projects. This study focuses on the use of Modular MEP systems in high-rise construction to eliminate the current conflicts. Traditional MEP construction process was reviewed to identify changes to the process when using modular MEP systems. Challenges in implementing modular MEP in high- rise construction is discussed and an implementation strategy is proposed. Role of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in modular MEP construction is highlighted in the study and its involvement during different stages of the modularisation process is discussed.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableApplications of design for excellence in prefabricated building services systems(Nethwin Printers, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka., 2016-12-16)Prefabrication is a sought after area in the AEC industry for manufacture of building components in an off-site controlled environment. Although, most of the structural element such as panels and modules are efficiently prefabricated and assembled onsite, prefabrication of complete mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems is not achieved in many cases. This is mainly due to the limitations during assembly of different systems, poor implementation of building information modelling (BIM) and lack of standards for offsite manufacturing. The research will introduce the concept of Design for Excellence (DFX) which is currently used efficiently in the automotive, aerospace and shipbuilding industries. Applications of the DFX concept for building services in residential buildings were studied. This paper presents the overall concept of holistic approach to arrive at an optimum solution for design integrated building services systems for prefabricated buildings.