ACTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TECHNOLOGY MODULAR CONSTRUCTION IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

АКТИВНОЕ ВНЕДРЕНИЕ ТЕХНОЛОГИИ МОДУЛЬНОГО СТРОИТЕЛЬСТВА В КИТАЙСКОЙ НАРОДНОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКЕ

Островной Никита Сергеевич

студент, Национальный Исследовательский Московский Государственный Строительный Университет,

РФ, г. Москва

Рассказов Максим Константинович

студент, Национальный Исследовательский Московский Государственный Строительный Университет,

РФ, г. Москва

Юдина Ирина Ивановна

старший преподаватель, Национальный Исследовательский Московский Государственный Строительный Университет,

РФ, г. Москва

ABSTRACT

This article is devoted to the issue of active implementation of modular construction in the world community and, in particular, in the PRC. The article describes the impact of modular technology on the economic situation, environmental situation and quality of life of the population, it lists the advantages and disadvantages of modular technology, and it also indicates the possibilities of using this technology in the future.

АННОТАЦИЯ

Данная статья посвящена вопросу активного внедрения модульного строительства в мировом сообществе и, в частности, в КНР. В статье описывается влияние модульной технологии на экономическую ситуацию, экологическую обстановку и качество жизни населения, перечисляются преимущества и недостатки модульной технологии, а также указываются возможности использования данной технологии в будущем.

Keywords: modular construction, China, sustainable development, economic efficiency, environmental sustainability, prefabricated structures.

Ключевые слова: модульное строительство, Китай, устойчивое развитие, экономическая эффективность, экологическая устойчивость, сборные конструкции.

In many countries around the world, people pay a lot of attention to the development of building construction technology. This is due to the fact that people in many countries do not have enough living space and social tensions are developing. People want to reduce labor intensity, consumption of construction materials and also to reduce construction time. Modular construction can be a solution to all these problems.

Construction is quite a large sector of the economy nowadays. People are facing such problems as reducing the monetary costs of construction, reducing the impact on the environment and speeding up construction. All these problems can be solved by using modular construction technology, which is divided into: steel thin-walled structures (LSTK), wooden panels (CLT - panels) and volume-block construction (VBC).

Modules for the assembly of buildings using modular construction technology are assembled at a specialized factory and then transported to the construction site.

Let us move on to the description of modular technology.

There is a flexible and rigid scheme of building modular houses. The flexible construction method is suitable for the construction of buildings in areas where the ground subsides. However, it is important for builders to ensure that neighboring modules are not displaced if there are openings between them. Engineers take into account geological, climatic conditions and the number of floors in the house. When using the flexible scheme, the builders install bearing blocks on top of each other and visually they look like "columns". And the column blocks are reinforced with horizontal weaves of rod reinforcement.

In the rigid method of building construction, the builders either completely or partially fill the gaps between the load-bearing elements with concrete. This creates joints that can withstand strong shear forces between the columns.

The modules are manufactured at the factory and then transported to the construction site. The units are manufactured in compliance with the surface treatment technology agreed in advance with the customer, which reduces the commissioning time. The level of comfort is not inferior to a capital building. Blocks lifted from the building foundation or already installed and finally assembled on site with the help of a crane are connected to each other, and a whole building is obtained. Additional sections can be easily added to it without disturbing the structure of the building or inconveniencing people. There is virtually no waste in this type of construction, as all parts are manufactured in the factory.

Transportation is carried out on special trailers equipped with a shock absorption system. The trailers are covered with synthetic film to protect them from rain. Once the blocks arrive on site as planned, they are collected directly from the transporter using traverses and carefully stacked where they are needed.

Blocks perform load-bearing and enclosing functions. There are three types of blocks: "cap" (1), "glass" (2), "lying glass" (3) (See Picture 1).

Picture 1. Three types of blocks

Modules also come in several types and differ in the way they are supported. Contoured on end walls; cantilevered on two end walls, on one wall and on 4 corners.

This construction technology has both advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages include the fact that such modular construction is energy efficient and environmentally friendly, as the modules can be made from recycled materials and solar panels can be used for construction.

In addition, the price per square meter of a modular building is usually lower than that of a conventional building and this is due to several factors.

Firstly, mass production of modules reduces waste because bulk purchasing lowers the cost of materials and maximizes their use.

Secondly, fewer workers are required to produce modules in factories than in conventional building construction, which reduces costs. Standard modules simplify the assembly process, thereby reducing the number of workers required, which also affects the price.

Thirdly, factory production of modules optimizes the logistics process and reduces the cost of transporting materials and equipment. As the prefabricated modules are delivered to the construction site, the delivery process is simplified and the risk of damage is reduced.

Fourthly, modular buildings often use standardized designs, which reduce the cost of project documentation. Modules can be modified and customized to meet the specific needs of the project, simplifying the design process and reducing costs. Even though the cost of constructing a modular building depends on the complexity and size of the building itself, the materials to be used, and the geographic location of the site, in most cases, the construction of a modular building is a more cost-effective solution than capital construction.

Fifthly, modular designs open up a wide range of possibilities for architects. Due to modular technology, architects can make very beautiful designs with little money. For example, to build a window or a porch, it is only necessary by extending a few blocks from the plane of the facade, crossing the longitudinal axis of the blocks. And to change the type of apartments in some part of the modular house, you just need to move a few blocks in the longitudinal direction. Example in the picture below: "Habitat 67 in Canada, designed by Moshe Safdiey (See Picture 2).

Picture 2. Habitat 67 in Canada, designed by Moshe Safdie

However, modular construction has its disadvantages as well. There are cases when modular building starts to crack and deform prematurely due to non-compliance with all technical norms during the assembly process. Such construction does not use such durable materials as in the traditional construction of capital structures. Modular buildings are usually of simpler construction than capital buildings and therefore have poorer resistance to external influences. It is important to note that not all modular buildings have a short lifespan.

The modular construction technology is inferior to the traditional technology of construction of capital buildings because modular buildings are destroyed faster due to the simpler construction. Nevertheless, some modular buildings can last quite a long time, even several decades, if you follow the rules of their operation and construction, as well as use the right materials in the manufacture of the modules themselves.

Another disadvantage of modular construction is the need to transport modules on special platforms, which creates certain difficulties and limitations. Transportation of modules requires the use of special vehicles, such as low-frame trailers capable of withstanding large weights and dimensions, which increases logistics costs and excludes the use of traditional modes of transport.

The size of the modules may limit their transportation on narrow roads or under bridges and other utility structures, which may require alternative routes or special transportation solutions. The greater the distance over which you transport the modules, the greater risk of deformation or breakage of the modules you have, which may be a reason for replacing them. Since special vehicles are used to transport the modules, this increases air emissions and creates traffic congestion.

Despite these limitations, modular construction continues to evolve, and engineers are looking for ways to minimize these disadvantages. For example, lighter and more compact modules are being developed that can be transported on simpler vehicles. Better methods of packaging and securing modules are also being introduced to reduce the risk of damage during transportation.

Let us move on to describing the experience of applying modular technology in house building in China.

The People's Republic of China has been able to reduce construction time, improve the quality of buildings, solve the problem of overcrowding and reduce the country's construction budget due to modular construction technology. But this doesn't automatically translate to the possibility of constructing on a large scale while maintaining affordability. The time spent on the construction site is transferred to factory conditions, so to fully realize the advantages of this method of construction requires a strong material and technical base and appropriate infrastructure. The application of this technology requires rapid and large-scale construction. An effective example of the implementation of modular construction is the construction of a hotel and a house in record time (136 and 28 hours, respectively) [6, 7].

For example, modular construction can be attributed to the production of house kits for low-rise housing construction, which was put on an industrial basis by Chinese manufacturers. At the same time, the thoughtfulness of the project and the development of technologies have also accelerated the pace of housing construction. A house with an area of about 300 square meters, from the stage of laying the foundation, to the installation of household appliances and finishing, a team of 12 people can build in 3 weeks.

In addition, China is actively building roads and railroads, which speed up and facilitate the delivery of building materials from the factory to the construction site.

In addition, BIM technology is used to support modular construction. In recent years, Chinese companies have realized the many benefits of designing in a software environment. Chinese companies have introduced the advanced equipment such as 3D laser scanners to collect data and create point cloud models for better system coordination, as well as robotic total stations.

In conclusion we would like to say that, with the current state of the art in facilities, computer modeling, logistics and project management techniques, the use of streamlined construction methods combined with full factory preparation of the structure can achieve outstanding results, as exemplified by the construction of buildings in China.

Particular attention is required in the production of construction products, as it is the product that determines the final result. Further integration of construction management tools and methods for time and resource management in the modeling phase of construction production will undoubtedly help to find a better solution for more active use of modular technology in house building.

References:

1. "Innovative Science" No. 12/2017 ISSN 2410-6070, 212-213 pp.
2. Saukov D.A., Ginzberg L.A. Modern modular construction //Security of Critical Infrastructures and Territories. Problems safety of building critical infrastructures, SAFETY2018. Yekaterinburg, 2018. - 2018. - С. 69-82.
3. Belozersky A.M. Volume-block house-building in Russia // Science and technology of transportation. 2012. № 3. С. 55-59.
4. Bronnikov P. I. Volume-block house-building. Moscow: Stroyizdat, 1979. 160 с.
5. Book - Building from volumetric blocks, Moscow Stroyizdat, 1974, Authors: Y.B. Monfred, N.A. Nikolaev, E.M. Altshuller et al., 22 p.