Materials And Techniques for Sustainable Modular Construction
Divya Bhatiya, Ar. Prateek Ahiwar
Department of Architecture
Soa Ips Academy
Divya.m.bhatiya2020@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: The construction industry faces a growing demand for sustainable practices. Modular construction offers a promising solution, but its full potential can only be realized through a comprehensive approach. This paper explores key aspects of a sustainable approach to modular construction, encompassing environmental, social, and economic considerations throughout a building's lifecycle. The focus will be on design for efficiency and disassembly, sustainable material selection, energy-efficient construction and operation, minimizing construction waste, and responsible supply chain management. Social sustainability will be explored through the lens of fair labor practices, healthy living environments, and minimal community disruption. Modular construction offers a promising path towards sustainable building practices. This paper explores the synergy between sustainable materials and innovative techniques in achieving this goal. We examine how the use of recycled steel, rapidly renewable resources like bamboo, and prefabricated elements like Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) can minimize embodied energy and environmental impact. Additionally, the paper discusses techniques like design for disassembly, offsite construction, and precise prefabrication to reduce construction waste and enhance resource efficiency. Furthermore, the integration of energy-efficient features and renewable energy sources is explored as a means to promote sustainable operation of modular buildings. There is an increasing demand for the construction of new buildings regarding the speed of the construction process, economy, and minimization of the negative effects on the environment, i.e. sustainability. These requirements can be met by using prefabrication for this construction. Modular construction represents one of the prefabrication technologies that is becoming increasingly popular worldwide.
Keywords: sustainable practices, modular construction, environmental, energy-efficient construction.
