Modern Construction Methods Sustainable Built Environment

modern-daye twist Methods sustainable Built EnvironmentThe termination Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) gen timelly refers to off- lay and prefabricated formulation. Over recent years the commit of MMC has increased inwardly the social strategy industry as Construction Companys visualise to develop quicker, cheaper and to a greater extent(prenominal) sustainable wrench techniques than that of conventional methods.Sustainable engineering science has been incorporated into whirl to preserve the surround for future generations. The term Sustainable Development was first mentioned in 1987 in The Brundtland Report as, a exploitation that playacts the needs of the present with issue compromising the ability of future generations to meet their hold needs. This got individuals thinking of shipway to reduce the carbon footprint of makes by trim down waste and increasing their energy efficiency.MMC has been influenced by the Latham Report (1994), Constructing the Team and The Egan give out (1998), Rethinking Construction. Both makeups criticised the UK executeion industrys poor performance and proposed a series of changes that were incumbent to change the performance of the manifestation industry. The Latham report looked at innovative ways to streamline the construction process and drive down construction costs. The Egan report highlighted the need to move towards sustainable construction with the emphasis on prefabrication and offsite assembly. (Ross, Cartwright, Novakovic, 2007).MMC is at present a primary method of construction for many construction companies payable to the combination of skills shortages, brisk regulations, specific building needs and affordability. This has created an surroundings where handed-down methods of construction be no longer the save suitable pickaxe to conceptualise. (Kelsey, 2005)Through this research and adding to the existing knowledge already out on that point, it is pass judgment to find o ut whether or not a sustainable environment puke be achieved through MMC by comparing the advantages it brings over traditional methods of construction.AimThe main aim of this research is to examine and deal whether or not Modern Methods of Construction achieve a sustainable environment.ObjectivesA number of objectives puzzle been set in order to meet the aim. These are as followsTo investigate how big a role MMC plays in achieving a sustainable built environmentTo investigate the different methods of modern construction currently being undertaken in the construction industryTo Identify and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of MMCTo take a shit if MMC provides better time value for money than traditional methods of constructionTo establish how the industry perceives MMCOutline Methodology of the ResearchTo achieve the aim of the research I exit be using mainly qualitative research. This volition involve researching literature regarding Modern Methods of Construction fr om various journals books and websites. I give collect data by conducting personal structured interviews with a course of different professionals inwardly the construction industry to gain an insight into how MMC is perceived. The cultivation collected everyow be give outd and be presented in tables and bar charts so it is sens easily be understood. I volition then analyse my findings and a come to a conclusion.Chapter 2 Literature Review2.1 footThis chapter will give a broad overview of the literature associated with MMC. Fundamental aspects of MMC will be researched including an insight into the current methods being employ within the UK today. This chapter will too compare MMC with traditional construction methods and how it is perceived by the construction industry, which will be reinforced through an investigation of a find out that incorporated a MMC into its build.2.2 History of MMCMMC is a term used to string a number of construction methods that differ from t raditional methods of construction. Other meanings of the term include off-site construction, grind built and prefabrication. (Ross, Cartwright, Novakovic, 2007).Off-site construction has been around for many years and can be traced back to the 19th century where it was first used in the Crimean state of war in the form of prefabricated musical note houses and huts callable to inadequate hospital provisions (Gibb, 1999). Gibb defines off-site fabrication as, self-coloured buildings that are prefabricated and pre-assembled remote from their final destination and installed in place with only the minimum of onsite survey needed before they are fit for use.(Gibb, 1999).It wasnt until later on the First World War in 1917 that the UK government introduced prefabricated trapping to meet the demand for housing. This off site approach was seen as an alternative to traditional brick and block construction to help cope with the shortage of skilled roil and materials at this time (R oss, 2002). Between 1918 and 1939 various new methods of building homes had been develop that were based on the traditional methods of brick and block. Over this 21 year compass point 4.5million homes were built however only 5% were constructed using what was considered at this time as new methods of construction (Taylor 2006).It wasnt until the end of the Second World War that prefabricated housing really took off in the UK as traditional methods of constructing could not meet the demand for emergency housing. Taylor noted in 2006 that, the emphasis was to accessory traditional building operations with methods of construction using industrial skill outside of the building industry (Taylor, 2006). This approach of industrialised building methods was aimed at addressing skills shortages, to improve takings, reduce costs and improve the spirit of the final product. The industrialisation was aimed at replacing houses destroyed by the war but overly to complete the slum clearance programme started in the 1930s. It was these influences that pushed the industry to consider off-site construction again and resulted in various types of steel, tincture and cover systems being developed. This conserved into the 1980s where prefabricated housing was dominated by timber frame systems and new technologies (Taylor, 2006).Since then there has been a steady replacement towards off-site construction as clients demand a better quality product, faster delivery and at reasonable cost (Gibb, 1999). until now there is a stigma attached with factory based construction as people generally associate this method with the post war era where homes were built as a temporary mea incontestable to ease the housing crisis. Off-site construction is not just used for building homes it is also nowadays commonly used in the residential, health and educational sectors.Since 2005 more and more key clients and construction firms are now choosing to use MMC on their projects with it now ac counting for 10% of the construction market. Ric fractious Odgen chairman of BuildOffsite believes offsite will continue to grow within the construction industry and predicts that by 2020 it will pay off gained 20% of the construction market (Wright, 2010). This is partly due to Private and in the public eye(predicate) sector clients and major(ip) construction firms starting to see the benefits of MMC at retention costs down and delivering projects within shorter timescales.According to Nadim, Goulding (2008) off-site construction aims, to improve business efficiency, quality, customer satisfaction, environmental performance, sustainability and the predictability of delivery timescales.2.3 Types of Off-Site Construction at that place are many different types of MMC currently being used within the UK however MMC only accounts for a small percentage of the overall value of the UK construction sector. This is due to the industries reluctance to adopt new innovative building techniqu es as new technologies usually require new ways of on the job(p) and thinking (Nadim, Goulding, 2008). Many people who are currently involved in the off-site sector believe the time is right for the clients, designers and contractors who have ignored it in the past to now accept off-site construction and fancy its benefits (OSM, JUL 2010).Ogden has spent the last 10 years campaigning to change the industries recognition of offsite and he now believes the UK is on the cusp of change he says, We have been here many times before in a motorbike where offsite has come up higher on the agenda, been discussed and then gone onward again, Ogden says. But I think this time will be different. In fact, I dont just think, I know. Change needs to be choose in order to meet the fierce housing targets and lessons can be learned from other countries like Japan where offsite construction is a mainstream construction method (wright, 2010).Ogden believes, the pressure to meet sustainability and c arbon efficient/ neutral codes, will force firms to take offsite seriously. These new codes introduced around the world are aimed at preserving resources and achieving a more sustainable built environment. Ogden goes onto to say, I am sure that carbon efficiency codes will soon become law. It is not hard to see that using products that have been made in a controlled environment will do a better job at face-off standards. (Wright, 2010).The government is planning to spend vast amounts of money on new schooltimes and hospitals in the forthcoming years. Peter Bonfield, Managing Director of BREs Construction Division, says Off-site construction is ideal for the health and education sectors because you can fully fit out an operating theatre or school room in the factory. Then, during the school holidays, you could add new classrooms without affecting the operation of the school, or extend a hospital wing without disrupting the existing wards. (OSM JUL, 2010) this demonstrates the benef its of off-site construction on delivering major construction projects.The different methods of construction include2.3.1 volumetric Constructionvolumetrical construction is also known as modular construction and involves the production of three dimensional units within a factory (Figure 2). Once end the units are transported to site and stacked onto the foundation to form the structure (Figure 3). on the whole internal finishes, service and furnishings are finished in the factory hence only a small amount of work has to be completed on site (Gibb 1999). Depending on the design specifications of the units some remote finishes can also be installed in the factory and the small amount of work that is required on site is to make good joints between units (Ross, 2005).Volumetric construction is considered to be most effective when used to construct hotels, savant accommodation, fast food restaurants and hospitals where the construction of each floor is continually restate as the NHBC states, Volumetric construction is most efficient when used for intumescent numbers of identical units (NHBC, 2007). Gibb (1999) also notes it can be used to construct extremely serviced areas in buildings such as toilets/ washrooms, kitchens, plant rooms, building services and lifts (Gibb, 1999). The method has only recently been adopted by house builders where a typical house consists of four units and a cap.Units can be constructed by almost any material however the most commonly used materials are steel, timber and concrete. Units are generally the same size due to transport limitations as noted by Ross (2005), usually less than 4m in width and, although unit lengths of 16m are possible, lengths within range of 8-12m are more typical. This is to ensure the safe transportation of units to site without being damaged.2.3.2 Panellised SystemsThis method of construction involves building flat panel units within a factory and compendium them on site to create the buildings str ucture. The two main types of panel that are used are open or disagreeable. An open panel system generally comprises of a metal or timber frame that is constructed in the factory then delivered to site where the insulation, services, windows and internal finishes are installed (Figure 4). A closed panel system differs from an open panel system as it can also be made from concrete and normally has windows, services, internal finishes and external finishes fitted in the factory before delivery to site (Figure 5) (NHBC, 2006).2.3.3 Hybrid ConstructionThis method of construction combines panellised and volumetric methods that are constructed in a factory and transported to site. Hybrid can also be referred to as pods and used for highly serviced areas such as kitchens and bathrooms within offices, hotels and student accommodation (Gibb, Pendlebury, 2006). The pods are delivered to site with all services and fittings in place ready to be installed (Figure 5). This reduces the aim of tr ades needed compared with other components of the building. The Hybrid approach brings flexibility to the development and reduces the symmetry of design (Taylor, Fisher, Wamuziri, 2009).2.3.4 Sub-assemblies and componentsThis method covers items that are not commonly considered as off-site manufacturing but appliesSub-assemblies or components that have been innovatively factory fabricated. Ross (2005) defines this method as, items that are not full systems, but which use factory made components either within manufactured structures or within otherwise traditionally built structures. However traditional components such as windows and doors do not constitute modern methods of construction as they are usually used in all types of construction (NHBC, 2007). The main categories sub-assemblies and components fall under are floor and roof construction, pre-fabricated foundations, wiring looms and prefabricated plumbing (Figure 6).