[AZO BUILD] Modular Timber Construction: Innovations, Challenges, and Opportunities - ASIA CONCRETE EXPO KOREA 2024

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[AZO BUILD] Modular Timber Construction: Innovations, Challenges, and Opportunities
[AZO BUILD] Modular Timber Construction: Innovations, Challenges, and Opportunities
Post Code : 48 Writer : 아시아 콘크리트 엑스포 Date : Mon, 22 April 2024, 1:20 PM
In a paper published in the journal *Applied Sciences, the pioneering methodology of modular timber construction is highlighted to showcase its eco-friendly approach and structural advancements. Timber is emerging as a sustainable alternative to traditional materials like concrete and steel. Its lightweight, environmentally friendly nature, combined with advancements in manufacturing, accelerates modular construction processes. Study: Modular Timber Construction: Innovations, Challenges, and Opportunities. Image Credit: laurello/Shutterstock.com* The paper delves into various aspects, from modularity fundamentals to layout design, structural systems, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components integration. It emphasizes timber's adaptability and efficiency in factory-based production. Despite the focus on modularization, on-site linear assembly remains prevalent. Recent trends show a shift towards post-and-beam structures, reflecting taller building designs. However, timber structures often maintain rectilinear, symmetric plans, favoring centrally located cores. The paper aims to bridge gaps in modular timber construction, guiding future advancements to exploit the benefits of prefabrication and modularity fully. Advancing Modular Timber This state-of-the-art review employed a systematic approach to compile and analyze relevant literature on modular timber construction by focusing on geographical, temporal, and thematic boundaries to map the current landscape and identify knowledge gaps. The screening process categorized selected works thematically, leading to critical analysis and synthesis of trends, challenges, and innovations in modular timber construction. The resulting article structure provided a cohesive narrative reflecting historical evolution, recent developments, and future projections. The significant role of wood in tall buildings has garnered attention globally due to its sustainability and structural properties, stimulating interest in multi-story timber structures. Researchers highlighted wood's structural strength and fire safety, supporting its viability for tall buildings. Pioneering projects like the Limnologen Tower in Växjö and the Stadthaus in London showcased confidence in this typology despite regulatory barriers influenced by historical large-scale fires. Government incentives have further propelled tall timber construction in leading European countries like France, Canada, and Sweden. Adopting multi-story wood construction owes much to collaboration between industries, research institutes, and governments, positive marketing, and increased customer interest in sustainable buildings. Notable examples include the e3 building in Berlin, Brock Commons Tallwood house in Vancouver, and the HoHo development in Vienna. Countries with a tradition of wood usage, like Sweden and Canada, have rapidly embraced new technologies for tall building construction. In contrast, others like the United Kingdom (UK) and Germany have grown in wood usage, albeit with concerns about fire safety and material durability. However, comprehensive studies on the practical implementation of wood in multi-story buildings still need to be completed. Timber Modularity: Efficiency Unleashed The principles of modularity in timber buildings emphasize efficiency and adaptability through standardized, repeatable components. This approach, ranging from one-dimensional frame structures to three-dimensional volumetric modules, allows for versatile and customizable solutions in construction. Hybrid systems combine structural approaches to optimize performance and address specific project needs. Manufacturing, transportation, and installation dimensions are crucial in prefabricated wood construction, influencing design considerations and logistical planning. Integrating modular timber products reflects a holistic approach to modern construction, emphasizing sustainability, efficiency, and flexibility in the built environment. Timber Building Design The layout design of timber buildings encompasses many factors, including structural considerations, architectural expressions, and spatial arrangements. The design process navigates through various challenges and opportunities, from the geometric description of buildings to the utilization of modular systems. Timber construction embraces a spectrum of structural solutions, often integrating timber with other materials like concrete and steel to optimize performance, durability, and design flexibility. This approach addresses technical requirements and contributes to the evolution of modern construction practices towards sustainability and innovation. Structural Systems in Modular Buildings The design of structural systems for modular buildings in the context of high-rise constructions is crucial for ensuring stability, safety, and efficiency. Various approaches are employed to address the unique challenges posed by vertical expansion. Typically, these approaches involve utilizing prefabricated modular units with different structural systems. One common method consists of stacking modules vertically to establish multi-story structures, optimizing space utilization without compromising ground space. However, ensuring load resistance in high-rise constructions may require additional stability technologies such as steel braces, concrete cores, or moment frames. Another approach incorporates a superstructure of beams and columns, providing stability and support for prefabricated modules. Alternatively, modular units can be anchored directly to the central core of the building, enhancing structural cohesion. Despite timber's lower compression strength compared to materials like concrete and steel, it offers notable structural efficiency in gravity load-resisting systems of tall buildings. However, challenges arise in seismic regions due to timber's non-ductile nature, necessitating the combination of wood with other materials like steel and concrete to enhance structural integrity. In practice, timber construction often involves hybrid structures, combining timber with concrete or steel elements to optimize performance. Concrete cores and podiums have increased over time by contributing to lateral stiffness, fire resistance, and simplified construction processes, while timber elements provide structural protection, thermal insulation, and design flexibility advantages. Integrating timber with other materials, such as timber-concrete or steel-timber composite components, further expands design possibilities and enhances structural robustness. Conclusion In conclusion, designing structural systems for modular buildings in high-rise constructions was a critical endeavor that required careful consideration of various factors. Different approaches, such as vertical stacking, superstructures, and core anchoring, offered solutions for optimizing space and ensuring stability. Challenges persisted, particularly in seismic regions. Combining timber's structural efficiency with materials such as concrete and steel has presented opportunities for enhanced performance and innovation. Hybrid structures that incorporate timber with other materials always offer a balance of strength, flexibility, and sustainability. Pursuing efficient and safe structural systems in modular buildings necessitated a holistic approach that integrated material selection, construction methods, and performance requirements. Journal Reference Tenório, M., Fet al. (2024). Contemporary Strategies for the Structural Design of Multi-story Modular Timber Buildings: A Comprehensive Review. Applied Sciences, 14:8, 3194–3194. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14083194, https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/8/3194
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