A Review of Optimised Additively Manufactured Steel Connections for Modular Building Systems
This paper is presenting various types of innovative material technology that can be achieved by 3D printing and their potential to advance the connection design in modular building systems (MBSs). Connections can embrace flexibility, adaptability and res
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School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK [email protected] 2 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
Abstract. This paper is presenting various types of innovative material technology that can be achieved by 3D printing and their potential to advance the connection design in modular building systems (MBSs). Connections can embrace flexibility, adaptability and resilience in the design of modular systems enabling dismantling, repair and reuse – towards faster transition to autonomous construction (e.g., with robotics). Rapid developments in additive manufacturing methods play a key role in the design such innovative mechanical systems. Connections in modular buildings are the most critical parts of the system performance and integrity, but are currently receiving less attention compared with other structural elements (e.g., joists and studs). Optimised 3D printed connections can substantially improve the design of modular building systems with the ability to connect complex geometries and components that would be time and cost-prohibitive or even impossible to produce with traditional manufacturing methods. Therefore, this study reviews the latest connection designs of MBS units which can be replaced with 3D printed elements. In addition, advancements in additive manufacturing (AM) materials are included in this paper, exploring how AM can improve connection design in terms of both material properties and geometry. Keywords: Structural topology optimisation Additive manufacturing Structural connections 3D printing Modular building systems Flexible connections Adaptable connections Material composition
1 Introduction Modular construction has become increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional construction, because it is highly efficient with less input of time and labour, and less on-site construction waste production. While many studies have focused on the structural system of modular buildings, connections have been poorly investigated. As one of the main contributors to carbon emissions, the construction sector is now focusing on reducing the environmental impact of building designs and the connection © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021 M. Meboldt and C. Klahn (Eds.): AMPA 2020, Industrializing Additive Manufacturing, pp. 357–373, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54334-1_25
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design is a key challenge in the realisation of flexible and adaptable modular structures, featuring flat-pack systems, composite systems, or hybrid systems. The application of ‘plug & play’ modules, which are manufactured and tested off-site and then slotted into position on-site, is fast gaining favour in the building sector, offering shorter construction times, improved safety, reduced waste and higher performance. During the construction stage, lifting and handling of modular units are still challenging tasks, thus reducing module weight via a sophist
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