scholarly journals Transfer Learning Enabled Process Recognition for Module Installation of High-rise Modular Buildings

Author(s):  
Zhiqian Zhang ◽  
Wei Pan ◽  
Zhen-Jie Zheng

High-rise modular buildings (HMB), based on the advanced approach of modular construction, have gained momentum in practice due to their offered benefits in accelerated construction, improved quality, reduced health and safety risks, and enhanced productivity. Modular construction with standard design of modules and repetitive processes of module installation is in favor of the development of construction automation. As module installation is one of the critical activities in the delivery of HMBs, it is important to recognize the module installation process automatically so as to facilitate automation in modular construction. However, there is no detailed phase-division of module installation process. Also, little research has been carried out on intelligent process recognition for module installation due to the limited amount of images of real-life projects. To fill in the knowledge gaps, this paper aims to build a transfer learning enabled process recognition model using convolutional neural network (CNN) for module installation of HMBs. The study first divided the module installation process into three stages: hooking, lifting and positioning, with a comprehensive literature review. Then the recognition model for module installation process was created and trained with the adoption of CNN-based transfer learning, and verified with images taken from real-life projects. The results show that the three stages of module installation process are effectively recognized with the proposed model. The transfer learning enabled image recognition model for module installation process accelerates automation in the construction of HMBs for enhanced productivity and accuracy.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (20) ◽  
pp. 7159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanhui Sun ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
Jeremy Wu ◽  
Weixiang Shi ◽  
Dazhi Ji ◽  
...  

Off-site construction has been increasingly employed due to its advantages, for instance, improved quality control, reduced skills labour, faster construction time, decreased material wastage and safe working environment. As the most cutting-edge off-site construction, modular buildings have been utilised for residential building, student accommodation, and hotel projects. However, because of existing and underlying constraints, the adoption of modular buildings is still relatively low. To reveal factors hindering the development of high-rise modular buildings, a comprehensive literature review, coupled with a focus group study, were conducted. A questionnaire survey inquiring about all stakeholders was implemented to quantify constraints. The results were further examined according to a real-life case study. This paper manifested that “Lack of coordination and communication among stakeholders”, “Higher cost”, “Lack of government support”, “Lack of experience and expertise”, “Lack of building codes and standards”, “Poor supply chain integration”, and “Complexity of connection” are the top barriers curbing the uptake of modular buildings. The findings should provide a valuable reference for stakeholders adopting modular buildings, whilst mitigating risks amid modular construction. Future research is expected to exploit building information modelling and design for manufacture and assembly to alleviate these existing constraints and promote the performance of modular construction as well.


Author(s):  
Yi Yang ◽  
Wei Pan ◽  
Mi Pan

The recent decade has seen a growing interest in applying modular construction in high-rise buildings. However, the manufacturing of modular buildings remains slow in making technical progress and the productivity in the factory is low. The production of modules is unique and complicated as it incorporates both manufacturing features and construction trades. Whereas previous studies have proposed technologies and tools associated with design, operation and optimisation of module manufacturing systems, this field of research is currently fragmented. This paper aims to provide a systematic review of existing academic perspectives and suggest future research directions to improve module manufacturing systems. The review explores critical research issues from five aspects: process and activities, organisation and people, factory configuration, technology, and information and control system. Outlined suggestions for research opportunities include (1) increased utilisation of digital manufacturing, (2) more exploration of strategies for the adoption of automated technologies, (3) development of holistic and practical approaches to supporting DfMA methodology, (4) well-defined information management systems through BIM. The findings should contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the practices, challenges and the state-of-the-art research in the manufacturing of modular buildings.


Author(s):  
Dalia H. Dorrah ◽  
Tamer E. El-Diraby

Due to the inherent inefficiencies in conventional approaches followed in the construction industry and the global demand for lean and sustainable construction techniques, modular construction has witnessed a resurge especially in high-rise buildings. As such, much efforts have been put in studying the use of mass timber for the main structure of high-rise buildings in order to ensure more sustainable developments with high levels of adaptability. In this regard, previous research efforts have primarily focused on the added benefits of mass timber, its structural design and performance, and associated safety requirements. However, owing to the novelty in combining modular processes with timber materials and associated lack of data, several regulatory barriers and contractual issues still exist. To mitigate these issues, this paper studies the specifics of permit approvals and contracting issues in timber high-rise modular buildings. The objective is to develop a comprehensive up-to-date review and analysis of the relevant practices and to conduct interviews with industry experts to analyze their concerns, given the insufficient number of guides and building codes that dealt with these issues. Hence, our study investigates the process of obtaining permit approvals from local jurisdictions in Ontario in addition to the requirements for submission of additional documentation, engineering analysis, and testing. Moreover, it analyzes the initial stage of contractual agreement of stakeholders under the uncertainties imposed on these buildings and evaluates the suitability of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) contracting method. Presenting detailed analysis of the initial planning stages for timber high-rise modular buildings can in turn suggest the best practices to be taken into consideration for the successful implementation of these buildings under the current building code.


Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Hosang Hyun ◽  
Moonseo Park ◽  
Dowan Lee ◽  
Jeonghoon Lee

Modular construction, which involves unit production in factories and on-site work, has benefits such as low cost, high quality, and short duration, resulting from the controlled factory environment utilized. An efficient tower crane lifting plan ensures successful high-rise modular project completion. For improved efficiency, the lifting plan should minimize the reaching distance of the tower crane, because this distance directly affects the tower crane capacity, which is directly related to crane operation cost. In situations where units are lifted from trailers, the trailer-to-tower crane distance can have a significant impact on the tower crane operation efficiency. However, optimization of this distance to improve efficiency has not been sufficiently considered. This research proposes a genetic algorithm optimization model that suggests optimized tower crane and trailer locations. The case study results show that through the proposed model, the project manager can reflect the optimal location selection and optimal tower crane selection options with minimal cost.


Author(s):  
Md. Erfan ◽  
◽  
Bohnishikhan Halder ◽  
Sathi Rani Pal ◽  
Md. Shariful Islam ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
pp. 82-91
Author(s):  
V. Zhelykh ◽  
◽  
Yu. Furdas ◽  
S. Shapoval ◽  
M. Rebman ◽  
...  

Today modular construction is gaining popularity in the arrangement of production facilities. The purpose of the research is the theoretical substantiation of the choice of the optimal thickness of thermal insulation for external protections of modular buildings taking into account the evaluation criteria based on the method of hierarchy analysis. The article reflects the possibility of using modular buildings for residential and public needs. Given the peculiarities of the use of thermal insulation materials, such structures are erected in a short period of time due to the use of ready-made modules. It is also proposed to use multicriteria analysis to compare different thicknesses of thermal insulation of a modular building. The obtained results are presented in the form of petal diagrams and diagrams of global priorities, which made it possible to make an in-depth assessment of several thicknesses of thermal insulation. When conducting theoretical research, it should be noted that the importance of each of the criteria was taken into account for the selection of thermal insulation. An expert assessment was performed to determine the thickness of thermal insulation, which can be used for lightweight prefabricated structures of modular buildings. As a result of research, it was found that the most suitable thermal insulation material is polyurethane.


Author(s):  
Tim Höltke ◽  
Achim Bleicher

<p>Timber is one of the few renewable materials that improves its structural properties when combined with concrete. The composite of timber and concrete increase stiffness and fire protection, unlike timber when used alone. In contrast to concrete structures, timber-concrete composite (TCC) structures reduce the carbon footprint and the specific weight of a building. At the Chair of Hybrid Structures - Structural Concrete of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg a moment-resistant TCC joint was developed for multi-story frames, which can be used as a structural system for high-rise buildings. Facts like a modular construction, a fast assembly and a plug-in connection were aspects that shaped the development. A high rotational stiffness and load-bearing at the composite joint was also achieved using high strength beech laminated veneer lumber (LVL).</p><p>The TCC frame works on its own and in combination with other bracing systems. Initial investigations on the load-bearing behavior were carried out using numerical analysis followed by experiments on real-sized joints in further studies. First results will be presented in this paper. The developed TCC joint as part of structural systems offers a high variability and can thus contribute to tomorrow’s sustainable vertical growth of cities.</p>


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