OFFSITE CONCRETE

Chun Wo Becomes First Construction Company to Use Concrete MiC in Construction of Buildings Up to 40 Storeys High Patented Wall Connection Technology Reduces Wall Thickness and Increases Saleable Area of Buildings

Chun Wo Construction Holdings Company Limited (“Chun Wo”) has been actively developing innovative technologies targeting the construction industry so as to enhance construction efficiency and promote the transformation of the industry. To complement the major trend towards innovative development by the construction industry, Chun Wo and The P&T Group (“P&T”) have developed an advanced “wall connection technology” that is applicable to Concrete “Modular Integrated Construction” Systems (“Concrete MiC”). This technology and the entire Concrete MiC solution have received “In-principle Acceptance” from the Buildings Department, meaning that they can be applied to building development projects in Hong Kong. The “wall connection technology” of Concrete MiC has also obtained the pertinent patent, making Chun Wo the first Hong Kong construction company to use this method in the design and construction of buildings up to 40 storeys high, hence substantially helping enhance construction efficiency.

MiC technology is a state-of-the-art construction method that transfers on-site construction procedures to the factory. Through the concept of “factory assembly followed by on-site installation”, free-standing integrated modules (including finishes, fixtures, components and fittings) are pre-fabricated in a factory before on-site installation. In this way, a building is largely completed before its components arrive at the site. Since on-site construction procedures are minimized, limitations resulting from weather, labor resources and location can be avoided. MiC therefore helps increase construction productivity, safety and sustainability and makes the construction process easier to control.

Compared with the “MiC” modules that are largely “steel structures” in Hong Kong, the “Concrete MiC” developed by Chun Wo and P&T is more cost-effective. Firstly, the patented “wall connection technology” can reduce the thickness of the wall and enlarge the saleable area of a unit. Concrete modules are durable and easy to meet the fire resistance prescribed. In terms of maintenance, concrete modules do not have to undergo initial inspection for repair and maintenance as quickly as their steel counterpart once a building is completed, and they do not require frequent repairs. Furthermore, concrete modules can be designed in a conventional and flexible manner to suit building layout plans, helping clear the misconception of MiC as being “rigid”. Concrete-built flats excel in insulating against sound and heat, hence, Chun Wo believes concrete modules meet general market expectations and demand from the private sector.

 

 

Though possessing many merits, Concrete MiC modules are not easy to design and construct as they are complex and require meticulous attention to detail. Possessing extensive construction experience and a team of experienced BIM professionals, Chun Wo is capable of providing one-stop solutions covering design to on-site construction, and can successfully apply “Concrete MiC” to different projects. Since P&T has strong engineering design capability as well as mature MiC technologies, it is able to offer strong support to the R&D of “Concrete MiC”.

Sr Stephen Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Chun Wo Construction Holdings Company Limited, said, “The Company has over the years been committed to developing innovative construction technologies. We are truly encouraged by the successful introduction of ‘Concrete MiC’ and to become the first construction company in Hong Kong to construct buildings of up to 40 storeys high with this technology. With Chun Wo’s construction experience stretching more than 50 years, the Company’s professional and mature team, and P&T’s professional design solutions, we can capitalize on these advantages to promote the use of this technology in more construction projects. Going forward, we will continue to develop more innovative construction technologies that contribute to the future of Hong Kong’s construction industry and which leads to the building of a more pleasant and advanced city.”

Chun Wo’s pioneering technology brand “Inno@ChunWo” has set up an innovative technology exhibition center “Chun Wo InnoBase” in Yuen Long, which is expected to open at the beginning of next year. The center will display show flats that adopt the two MiC methods, namely “concrete” and “steel structure”. More innovative construction technologies will be presented to the industry and public via the center in the future.

 

Source: Business News Asia

 

 

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5,000 Airspace Affordable Homes

 

Alpamint Capital, a London-based private investment, development and consulting company, has pledged to build 5,000 affordable homes in the capital over the next decade.

The company has specifically earmarked airspace development, whereby unused space on rooftops of existing buildings is converted into new properties, as a key technique in realising its ambitions. It is now looking to partner both with London councils and management associations to move forward with its plans.

Airspace homes can be manufactured almost entirely offsite to a high specification and constructed on rooftops in a matter of days.

The group now has an asset book in excess of £30m. It has developed a total of over 100,000 sq ft of residential space, together with investors including real estate specialists, Cubhill Ltd.

Alpamint has recently collaborated with investors and housing bodies on several schemes in London and the South East. This includes the multi-million pound development of Clandon House, a 101-room site in Finchley, which is now set for residential use.

 

 

Joseph Zekaria, managing director of Alpamint Capital, said: “We’ve made substantial progress during the past decade and are determined to bring about further development. Building 5,000 new homes is an ambitious plan, and one we are intent on meeting through our strategic asset development and investment.

“We have enjoyed particular success through our airspace development model, which is an innovative solution to housebuilding and crucially doesn’t encroach on protected land. We’d encourage parties interested in partnering with us to get in touch as we have every confidence this approach can help accelerate London’s homebuilding goals.”

 

Source: Premier Construction News

 

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227 Modular Homes from Ilke

Ilke Homes Secures 14.6-Acre Site For 227 Modular

Specialist modular housing developer ilke Homes has secured their largest site area from landowner Anderson Group – which will see them deliver 227 new homes in Grantham.

The firm – who’re sponsoring the upcoming Offsite & MMC Conference – will manufacture the homes at their factory in Knaresborough before being delivered.

Tom Heathcote, Executive Director of Development at ilke Homes, said: “We’re delighted to have secured a deal with the Anderson Group and to have worked on our first deal with CBRE. As a result of this deal, we will be unlocking a site which benefits from detailed planning consent. Thanks to our modular housing technology, we will be able to deliver 227 much-needed sustainable homes for the local community in just over two years.”

Andrew Jay, Group Managing Director at Anderson Group, said: “Anderson Group are at the forefront of Innovation in the UK construction sector, so we look forward to seeing ilke Homes deliver their own innovative new homes at Dysart Road, and we feel sure there will be further opportunities for collaboration in the future.”

Register for the Offsite & MMC Conference here:

 

 

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Panelised Modular Systems see fall in Value, but may Recover Faster

The panelised modular building systems market in the UK was worth £753m in 2019. It is worth noting that due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, AMA Research are forecasting that contractors’ output is expected to be down by 20% in 2020. As a result of this downward turn, the panelised modular building systems market will also experience a decline in 2020 as the two are not mutually exclusive. This will result in a drop of 15% decreasing the market value to £636m.

Off-site manufacturing, such as panelised modular building systems may recover faster as it is more conducive to Covid-19 safety measures such as social distancing. The adaptation of the working environment has been an easier transition than a traditional construction setting, due to it being less labour intensive and requiring fewer personnel on site. With all construction work carried out on a production line, activity can be planned and monitored to ensure that social distancing is adhered to.

More importantly there is now a strong likelihood of an increase in the use of volumetric and other types of off-site construction method to help meet the chronic housing shortage, cope with the lack of traditional construction skills within the construction industry and help meet the government’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2050.

Off-site construction, with open panel timber frame systems the most widely used type, could very well be the solution to delivering much needed affordable homes and to deliver them quickly. It is anticipated there will be a significant increase in off-site production capacity with many leading housebuilders and RPRs declaring their intentions to substantially increase their use of off-site systems to build new homes.

Timber frame systems is the largest sector, with a share estimated to be 70%, due to a larger supply base and extensive usage in the Scottish housebuilding market and self-build sector. Timber frame is a natural, renewable, low carbon material and timber frame houses can be built on average eight weeks faster when compared with traditional construction methods. The end result is a more cost-effective building to live in.

A close eye will need to be kept on how quickly the economy, and the construction industry in particular recovers, however; there is now a glimmer of hope with the announcement from Pfizer of their successful initial vaccine trial. Over the next few years, the growth of this market will be greatly affected by how long the Covid-19 pandemic lasts.

 

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SMALL NUCLEAR REACTORS EQUATE TO SAVINGS

NuScale Power has announced a 25% increase in power output for its NuScale Power Module small modular reactor, which it says will lead to significant cost savings. It has also announced options for smaller four-module and six-module plant sizes in addition to its flagship 12-module plant.

The NuScale Power Module is a pressurised water reactor with all the components for steam generation and heat exchange incorporated into a single integrated unit. The company said yesterday that, following value engineering efforts using advanced testing and modelling tools, it has now concluded that the unit can generate 77 MWe (gross) per module, or about 924 MWe for a 12-module power plant. The increased power output comes without any major changes to the NPM technology.

The increase in generating capacity lowers the overnight capital cost of a 12-module facility from an expected USD3600 per kilowatt to about USD2850, the company said. “Furthermore, the scalable, 12-module power plant will now approach a size that makes it a true competitor for the gigawatt-size market,” it added.

The smaller four and six-module power plant solutions will give customers more options in terms of size, power output, operational flexibility and cost, NuScale said, with a smaller footprint and a focus on simplifying construction, reducing construction duration and lowering costs. “This new solution allows NuScale to support a larger cross-section of customer needs including power for small grids such as for island nations; remote off-grid communities; industrial and government facilities; and coal power replacements that require less power and help customers meet clean air mandates,” the company said.

 

 

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in September issued a standard design approval for a 50 MWe-per-module version of NuScale’s SMR, allowing that design to be referenced in applications for construction, operating and manufacturing licences and permits in the USA. NuScale had previously indicated plans to apply for standard design approval of a 60 MWe version, requiring additional NRC review. It has now said the power uprate will be reviewed by the NRC as part of that application, which it expects to submit in 2022.

 

Source: World Nuclear News

 

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MMC 3 MODULAR – HELPING COSTA RICA MEET CARBON NEUTRAL BY 2021

Costa Rica is widely celebrated as one of the most environmentally progressive countries in the world, pledging in 2015 to become a carbon-neutral country by 2021. Naturally, in order to uphold that pledge, Úbáli Tropical Living, a Costa Rican architecture firm committed to sustainable hotel tourism, designs eco-friendly modular cabins for various terrains that have been conceived and constructed in order to decrease carbon footprints typically caused by tourism.

Úbáli, which means chameleon in Bribri, designed their first modular cabin, called Kabëk, specifically to befit mountain living. The first model for the Úbáli Tropical Living’s eco-tourism initiative dons an inclined roof, which allows the modular house to tuck right into mountainous terrains and offers travelers the chance to fully immerse themselves and their stays in the quiet of the wood. The modular cabin has a simple design layout of four walls that enclose a bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and dining room. The construction process also promotes frugality in regard to both time and money in that its modularity and simple layout caters to the prospect of easy and relatively affordable replication. Prepared for the most extreme of climates, Kabëk is assembled using industrial zinc, an extremely durable material that reforms nicks and blemishes thanks to its own hydroxyl carbonate protective layer. Additionally, industrial zinc’s levels of low toxicity are ideal for modular homes situated in natural settings. Industrial zinc is recyclable, durable, and an eco-conscious option for roofs. For example, rainwater that flows off Kabëk’s roof does not collect any hazardous waste on its way to the ground’s soil. Kabëk’s transportability is inherently green as the construction process preserves the natural settings on which Kabëk is situated. Furthermore, the materials used to build the modular home – industrial zinc, gypsum, and Densglass – form an ecologically sound structure that can withstand irregular changes in weather.

Once buyers attain land and construction permits, the building process takes just about two months to reach completion. In addition to the environmentally sustainable qualities and money-conscious design concept, Kabëk comes with installed septic tanks and the properly outfitted facilities needed for longer stays. The home is equipped with essential lifestyle products and tools in order to maintain convenience for a trip that otherwise brings you one on one with the mountain’s bare, albeit restorative, necessities.

 

Source: Yanko Design

 

 

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Shear Wall Technology – China

Mhome Group a leading Chinese real estate developer headquartered in Wuhan, was the centre of attention at the recent 19th China International Exposition of Housing Industry & Products and Equipment of Building Industrialization (“China Housing Expo”), as it unveiled its latest prefabricated construction products and services, which included a groundbreaking new Composite Shear Wall Technology system and smart factory.

As the first smart housing developer in the industry to realize prefabricated homes, Mhome Group’s ongoing achievements contribute to the industry’s progress towards high-quality, eco-friendly construction developments.

“China’s construction industry is facing rising labor costs, inefficient practices, adverse environmental effects and poor interdepartmental coordination. As a result, prefabricated buildings are growing in popularity and green construction are the main focus for future developments. Smart housing manufacturing supports sustainable practices and promotes positive development in the construction industry,” said He Fei, CEO of MHome Group.

Mhome Group’s Composite Shear Wall Technology is composed of two prefabricated reinforced concrete slabs that are connected by trusses to form a wall panel with a middle cavity, which is then formed with concrete after the panels are installed. This ‘sandwich’ style of insulation supports convenient construction, boasts excellent earthquake resistance and waterproof performance — guaranteeing high-quality, low cost, rapid construction projects that are more durable and sustainable.

The developer also exhibited a to-scale 3D smart factory display, where visitors gained an inside look at the design, production, transportation and construction of digitally driven prefabrication components.

Mhome Group’s unique integrated smart housing manufacturing model adheres to its business policy of “High Satisfaction, Low Cost, Fast Speed, Low Profit Margins, Wide-scale Operations and Diverse Services”, with the Composite Shear Wall Technology system as its core product. Mhome Group’s complete housing solution improves efficiency across the entire manufacturing chain from planning and design to check-in.

Beyond its integrated model, the developer has made significant strides in the field of digitalization. Mhome Group has built an innovative smart cloud management platform with BIM technology, which allows the developer to oversee and manage the entire prefabrication construction process. In addition, real-time information dissemination improves process transparency; realizes lean production; ensures precise procurement and optimized warehousing; provides digital support for the expansion of prefabricated construction; and ultimately realizes Mhome Group’s mission to allow more people to live a better life through beautiful, easy-to-use and affordable housing.

 

 

About Mhome Group

Established in 1989, Mhome Group is a developer of residential and urban homes properties and provider of urban and rural construction services. Headquartered in Wuhan, China, Mhome is a listed company with a prominent presence in multiple industries including smart housing manufacturing, modern agriculture and industrial revitalization of small towns.

About China Housing Expo

The 19th China Housing Expo was held between November 5 to 7 at the Chinese International Exhibition Center in Beijing. Taking place annually, China Housing Expo promotes the transformation, upgrade and sustainable development of China’s construction sector.

 

Source: PR NEWSWIRE

 

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Don’t let water be the ‘log jam’ in housing developments

Modern Methods of Construction have been highlighted by Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State as the way forward to help resolve the housing crisis and urged Housing Associations and Local Councils to embrace new technology and methods of working.  However, the log jam to completion of new build projects can be connection of the water supply.  Surface mounted meters allowing ‘plug and play’ style installation can be the solution.

The recent change in lifestyle forced upon us by the COVID 19 pandemic has identified the importance of home and local community environment. In the Secretary of State’s speech to the Chartered Institute of Housing, 10th September 2020, Robert Jenrick, highlighted the impact the period of lockdown had on those with poor housing and the homeless.
The slow-down in new home build that resulted from the COVID 19 restrictions needs to be reversed and Jenrick has made MMC ‘central to the delivery of the new Affordable Homes Programme’ and set a minimum target for the use of MMC1.  His aim is for ‘…the UK to be a leader in MMC, driving new jobs, better skills, as well as faster delivery of homes, and those homes, in turn, being better quality and more energy efficient, with all of the benefits of society and social justice that comes with that.’1
Jenrick urged rapid progress on Social and Affordable Housing.  However, utility connections can often be the weakest link in the improved efficiency the MMC provides.
Water supply is perhaps the most important item within the critical path of construction and is probably the most difficult to achieve. Imagine a situation where your services can be fully installed prior to moving on site, with surface mounted meters allowing ‘plug and play’ style installation.

 

With Groundbreaker water management system, you have exactly that ‘plug and play’ option – no need to imagine.
The only system of its type, it is designed to be installed at any time during the construction period.  Fully compliant with Water Regulations, it provides an accessible, safe and secure location for the water meter and controls to a specific property.
The concept is simple.  Water services are connected to an externally mounted, pre-installed water service control.  The pre-installation and certification of plumbing can facilitate early approval of water services to a plot.  This allows flexibility in the management and scheduling of a connection to the water mains supply.
There is no need for boundary boxes or meter housings in the footpath, and this simplification of the connection allows for improved efficiency and reduces the time required for highway closures.  An added benefit of removing meter housing from the footpath is that there is no disruption to the footpath, so no reinstatement costs.
Using Technology to Future Proof Housing stock
It is good to see that Jenrick has recognised the need to embrace new technology, to future proof housing stock. Utility companies have not been slow in recognising the benefits of a ‘Smart Home’.  The ability to interrogate and manage energy usage at any given time of day or night has been recognised as an effective way for householders to reduce usage and manage costs
Gas and electricity meters located on external building walls have enabled easy upgrades and introduction of countrywide ‘Smart Meter’ programmes.  However, the traditional location of a water meter in a metal-covered hole in the public highway is not conducive to this new way of thinking. A ‘Smart Water Meter’ located in such a situation is exceedingly poor in transmitting a signal even to a local pick up. With Groundbreaker water management system, ‘Smart Water Meter’ technology can be easily installed, as it is introduced across the UK.  Recent field trials of Groundbreaker have proven that the range of such meters can be over 3Km (2 miles) allowing for remote access and the ability to mange the carbon footprint.

www.groundbreaker.co.uk

1.  www.gov.uk/government/speeches/robert-jenricks-speech-to-chartered-institute-of-housing-cih-2020

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COMBI-SC A GREAT INVESTMENT FOR MODULAR COMPANIES

The Combi-SC – a good move for Autovol

Increasing space availability, improving safety and speeding up the transportation of products onsite can be a challenge for modular construction companies, particularly in light of the extremely oversized and bulky loads that the sector typically deals with.

A new US company has solved this issue by using a Combi-SC Straddle Carrier from the Irish handling specialist Combilift. Idaho-based Autovol Inc. is breaking new ground as the first fully automated volumetric modular factory in the USA, and the most advanced of its kind across the globe.

Merrick Macomber, EA to CEO and Co-Founder of Autovol says: “For decades, our industry has traditionally used a combination of a tractor unit and a custom built lifting chassis to move modules,” said Merrick, “but we decided to take an updated approach to handling procedures. Since we started production a few months ago, the Combi-SC has proved to do everything the manufacturers promised. Out of all of the new equipment we bought for our new factory, it was by far our best investment. It has substantially cut loading times, reduced the risk of product damage and improved the deployment of the labour force.”

 

Autovol’s Combi-SC is diesel powered with a lift capacity of 45 tonnes, with a 1.8m telescopic facility and .5m side shift. Compared to the tractor/chassis method the time savings are impressive: navigating a modular from the factory to trailer previously involved four to six personnel and took up to two hours. This can now be done in a maximum of 20 minutes and requires just one operative to steer the Combi-SC using the wireless remote-control facility. Various lift points on each side of the fixed frame attachment enable drop chains to be fixed in the most suitable position for each individual load, allowing easy configuration for the different sizes of modules that Autovol produce – which can be up to 30.5m long and almost 5m wide.

“Our Combi-SC has made a significant contribution to enabling our breakthroughs in construction cost, productivity, and quality”, said Merrick.

www.combilft.com

https://autovol.com

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Modular construction is the future – but is it missing something?

Nick Gander, founder of Energy Carbon, explains why low-carbon far-infrared heating perfectly complements sustainable modular construction.

When it comes to housing, the UK has its work cut out.

It’s estimated the country needs to be building nearly 350,000 homes every year to meet rising demand – which is a huge step up from where we are at the moment.
We need more housing, more quickly – and that requires the construction sector to become a lot more productive.  But if that wasn’t challenging enough, we have to achieve all that while drastically reducing the built environment’s ecological impact too – both in terms of the construction process, and buildings’ carbon footprints over their lifetime.  That might sound like an impossible square to circle, especially given the rapidly shortening time we have to do it in. It’s only thirty years until 2050, by which time the UK’s committed to reaching net zero.  But it’s possible we’ve been looking the solution in the face for decades and not realised it.

Modular construction
Modular construction is nothing new. Millions of British people, in fact, grew up in prefabricated housing built after the Second World War.
But thanks to enormous advances in technology, modern modular buildings are a world away from the flimsy prefabs of the past – and offer a quicker, cheaper and much more sustainable alternative to conventional brick-built construction.
Modular construction is green because it tends to produce much less waste, and also because whole buildings can be disassembled and used again if necessary.
However, many modular buildings still aren’t as green as they could be – and that’s because very often how they’re heated gets overlooked.
How green are the green alternatives?
If you take a sustainably-constructed building, then fit it with a heating system that’s not environmentally friendly, you’ve not got a sustainable building any more.
In the decade ahead, we’re likely to see a drastic reduction in the use of worst-offending power sources like coal, oil and gas, and the old-fashioned heating systems that use them.
However, some alternatives that look very green on the surface aren’t anywhere near as sustainable as they seem once you start digging a little deeper.
Air-source heat pump technology is often presented as the future of heating, but it’s got significant downsides – they’re very expensive, require specialist technicians to install and maintain, have short lifespans, and in some cases the refrigerant they use can itself contribute to global warming.

 

Far-infrared
A much better solution – and one that’s very in keeping with the speed and ease of modular construction – is far-infrared.
Infrared radiation is produced by the sun. It’s measured in microns, with ‘near’ infrared sitting between 0.76 and 1.56 microns, ‘mid’ infrared measuring between 1.5 and 4 microns, and anything above 4 microns classed as far-infrared.
Between 8 and 10 microns, to be precise, is the most beneficial to the human body – and it’s exactly this sort of infra-red radiation that the products we supply at Energy Carbon provide.
Fit it … Forget it
Traditional heating systems work on a convection system. Radiators or electric storage heaters draw cold air from the floor, and heat it so that it rises to the ceiling, where it cools, falls to the floor and the process continues in a loop – which can result in poor air quality, as dust particles rise.
Convection can be slow, expensive, and, often, totally ineffective – all you have to do is open the front door, and the heat escapes, taking you right back to square one.  This mix of hot and cold air can also create moisture that causes mould and mildew, and, more importantly, health issues for occupants.
Far-infrared heating is different. Far-infrared does not create moisture as it is not heating the air. The radiant heat warms objects in the room instead of the air itself.
The objects in turn release their own heat, and the room is kept at a far more even, comfortable temperature. With no convection roll, you get a dramatic drop in the amount of dust particles and or mould, which can alleviate allergen-induced asthma.
Additionally, occupants ‘feel’ the energy themselves, much the same as they feel the warmth from the sun. This feeling of warmth allows the heating to run at around 1-2 degrees lower than conventional heating, thus saving further energy.
The far-infrared solution Energy Carbon provides was originally developed by students at the University of Stuttgart.
They had worked for six years trying to create an energy-efficient heating system which was effective, easy to install, and completely safe.
Using industry waste materials, the students engineered a far-infrared heating system which is sustainable, had great carbon-reducing credentials, and produced radiant heat which could travel up to three and a half metres.
The technology is now widely used across Germany, and over 100,000 linear metres of it have been fitted to date.

What’s more, where alternatives need extra skilled trades and engineers to install and maintain, our heating products are incredibly simple to install into the walls or ceilings of a room, using existing trades and requiring no ongoing yearly maintenance.
Fit it … Forget it.

In short, we think far-infrared is the future of heating in modular construction – and if you’d like to learn more, get in touch with Energy Carbon today.

Call 0203 507 1659,

or email hello@energycarbon.co.uk

www.energycarbon.co.uk

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