Interactions between volumetric units in modular buildings
This project, which is funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) as a Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA), develop in-depth understanding of the interactions between volumetric units in modular buildings and specific criteria in relation to the considerations and expectations for the design of modular buildings’ interconnections and fasteners.
Modular construction is one solution for the housing sector that has long been criticised for shortcomings in efficiency, quality, affordability, sustainability and socio-environmental responsiveness. However, the uptake has been hindered by some technical complexities of the design process for manufacture and assembly. At present, there are no specific design criteria or exact design model for these fast-growing systems.
The project is an important step towards simplifying and standardising the design of modular buildings’ interconnections for manufacture and assembly that can pave the way for widespread use of these efficient systems in building construction. The results will also be of great use for evaluating the applicability of existing regulations for the design of modular buildings’ interconnections. By addressing significant gaps in the current research on the design of modular interconnections and their integration strategies, this project enhances the industry’s capacity to adopt safe, economical and standardised designs of modular systems. It therefore, significantly reduces the risk in decision making in modular construction, and transformation to advanced building manufacturing technologies in Australia and beyond.
Associate Professor Pejman Sharafi
Associate Professor
Principal Research Support Program Fellow
Advanced Building Technologies
Research interests include: Design for manufacture and assembly, Modular buildings, Prefabricated construction.
Email: p.sharafi@westernsydney.edu.au
