Explore the vast range of titles available.

PurposeThis study aimed to identify and assess the barriers to implementing modular construction systems (MCS) in developing country's architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, targeting built environment professionals from Nigeria and South Africa.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a quantitative research method, using a structured questionnaire to seek the opinions of the professionals on the identified categories of barriers.FindingsResults indicated that all identified categories of barriers were statistically significant using a one-sample t-test at p = 0.05 significance level which indicates they are critical towards the implementation of MCS in developing countries. Assessment of the opinion of the professionals using the Kruskal–Wallis scale showed that they hold similar views on the barriers to the adoption of MCS. Pearson correlation shows a high correlation coefficient amongst the barrier categories and an acceptable level of significance (p = 0.05).Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to two significant African countries (Nigeria and South Africa) selected based on the gross domestic product (GDP). Further studies can consider developing countries outside Africa and investigate broader respondents.Practical implicationsThe study provides implications on the barriers affecting MCS in developing countries for the academia, industry and government to have an insight into the barriers and make informed decisions and policies.Originality/valueThe research satisfies the need to study the barriers affecting the MCS in developing countries that can mitigate housing deficits. This innovative construction method has been adopted and implemented in developed countries, and the result has been positive.

Modular systems have been mostly researched in relatively low-rise structures but, lately, their applications to mid- to high-rise structures began to be reviewed, and research interest in new modularization subjects has increased. The application of modular systems to mid- to high-rise structures requires the structural stability of the frame and connections that consist of units, and the evaluation of the stiffness of structures that are combined in units. However, the combination of general units causes loss of the cross-section of columns or beams, resulting in low seismic performance and hindering installation works in the field. In addition, the evaluation of a frame considering such a cross-sectional loss is not easy. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a joint that is stable and easy to install. In the study, a rigidly connected modular system was proposed as a moment-resisting frame for a unit modular system, and their joints were developed and their performances were compared. The proposed system changed the ceiling beam into a bracket type to fasten bolts. It can be merged with other seismic force-resisting systems. To verify the seismic performance of the proposed system, a cyclic loading test was conducted, and the rigidly connected joint performance and integrated behavior at the joint of modular units were investigated. From the experimental results, the maximum resisting force of the proposed connection exceeded the theoretical parameters, indicating that a rigid joint structural performance could be secured.

The modular system is a very efficient construction method with various strengths and advantages that is expected to replace Reinforced Concrete (RC) or steel (S) structures. It is appreciated as a faster, more efficient, cheaper, and eco-friendly method capable of solving labor problems in the construction industry. However, the modular system has in fact failed to meet expectations in the Korean construction market, mainly due to higher construction costs as compared to RC structures. This study, therefore, sought to derive the construction cost-increasing factors for each phase of a modular project in Korea then analyzed what improvements should be made to secure economic feasibility. For the purpose of this study, the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method was employed to find critical factors responsible for causing cost increases throughout the modular construction life-cycle from the perspective of the modular construction company. A total of 35 types are evaluated, which increased to 49 factors when overlapping is allowed over the phases. The result of the FMEA shows that there is a higher risk of a construction cost increase at the beginning of the design phase, highlighting the importance of initial planning and direction setting. It also demonstrates that workforce-related problems take up about half of the risk factors, indicating that the Korean modular construction industry needs well trained and experienced specialists. The results further imply that many of the serious risks of cost increases come from factors relating to market size and the maturity of modular construction, which the modular construction companies can’t control on their own. More publicity detailing the advantages and superiority of the system, its technical improvement and innovation in terms of quality and performance, could change customer interest in the system. These efforts should run parallel with the effort to lower costs.

Manufacturing environments, characterized by dynamic changes and uncertainties, demand effective strategies to minimize disruptions. This study introduces an innovative approach that integrates engineering management principles with modular design to prioritize risk mitigation and enhance robustness in manufacturing processes. From a systems engineering perspective, all manufacturing activities are perceived as interconnected components within a unified system. Leveraging the Axiomatic Design (AD) theory and the Design Structure Matrix (DSM) method, the study modularizes manufacturing process architecture to effectively curb risk propagation and manage system complexity. This study identifies the most optimal design as a pivotal architectural configuration, significantly improving the structural robustness and stability of the System of Interest (SOI). Empirical evidence supports this design’s capability to reduce complexities, thereby enhancing robustness within the broader system architecture. Notably, the proposed approach results in a substantial reduction in complexity, with the most optimal design exhibiting an approximately 82.79 percent reduction in work volume compared to the original design. Our research underscores the critical relationship between manufacturing and engineering management. Effective collaboration between these domains optimizes resource allocation, decision-making processes, and overall organizational strategy, leading to improved production processes and increased efficiency. Importantly, the study demonstrates a significant enhancement in modularization, resulting in elevated overall robustness in manufacturing processes. This highlights the proactive involvement of engineering management in the design phase to address production challenges, ultimately optimizing system performance. Thus, this research contributes to both practical applications and academic discourse by offering a novel approach to enhancing the robustness in manufacturing processes. By integrating engineering management principles and modular design strategies, organizations can fortify their processes against disruptions and effectively adapt to evolving circumstances.

Autonomous driving technology is advancing rapidly, driven by integrating advanced intelligent systems. Autonomous vehicles typically follow a modular structure, organized into perception, planning, and control components. Unlike previous surveys, which often focus on specific modular system components or single driving environments, our review uniquely compares both settings, highlighting how deep learning and reinforcement learning methods address the challenges specific to each. We present an in-depth analysis of local and global planning methods, including the integration of benchmarks, simulations, and real-time platforms. Additionally, we compare various evaluation metrics and performance outcomes for current methodologies. Finally, we offer insights into emerging research directions based on the latest advancements, providing a roadmap for future innovation in autonomous driving.

In a resource-constrained world, raising awareness about the development of eco-friendly alternative materials is critical for ensuring a more sustainable future. Mycelium-based composites (MBC) and their diverse applications are gaining popularity as regenerative, biodegradable, and lightweight alternatives. This research aims to broaden the design potentials of MBC in order to construct advanced systems towards a novel material culture in architecture. The proposed design method intends to explore the design and fabrication of small-scale components of MBC to be applied in modular systems. Mycelium-based modular components are being developed to fulfill the geometrical requirements that allow for the creation of a lightweight system without additional reinforcement. The modules are linked together using an interlocking system. Through computational design and form-finding methods, various arrangements of the modules are achieved. An initial prototype of five modules is created to demonstrate the ability of the system to form various geometrical configurations as a result of the used workflow. The proposed application aims to expand the scope of the use of mycelium-based composites in modular systems and to promote architectural applications using bio-based composite materials.

A modular system of cascaded converters based on model predictive control (MPC) is proposed to meet the application requirements of multiple voltage levels and electrical isolation in renewable energy generation systems. The system consists of a Buck/Boost + CLLLC cascaded converter as a submodule, which is combined in series and parallel on the input and output sides to achieve direct-current (DC) voltage transformation, bidirectional energy flow, and electrical isolation. The CLLLC converter operates in DC transformer mode in the submodule, while the Buck/Boost converter participates in voltage regulation. This article establishes a suitable mathematical model for the proposed system topology, and uses MPC to control the system based on this mathematical model. Module parameters are designed and calculated, and simulation is built in MATLAB/Simulink to complete the simulation comparison experiment between MPC and traditional proportional integral (PI) control. Finally, a physical experimental platform is built to complete the physical comparison experiment. The simulation and physical experimental results prove that the control accuracy and response speed of MPC are better than traditional PI control strategy.

Concrete structures in marine environments are prone to deterioration and damage due to chloride ion penetration, freezing and thawing, and chemical erosion. Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) mixed with steel fibers has been proposed as a solution to enhance the durability and mechanical properties of concrete in marine environments. Although several studies have been conducted in this regard, they have yet to focus on addressing errors that may be caused during the construction of offshore piers. Therefore, this study proposes a modular system to control horizontal and vertical errors during construction using a new connecting core type. UHPC with a fiber content of 0.75% was considered the optimum mix proportion because this met the tensile and compressive strength requirements and the chloride attack resistibility requirements of marine structures. The structural performance of a specimen constructed using modular technology was evaluated. The results of the lateral load resistance experiments showed minimal deformation in the girder and pier. Additionally, both the precast and cast-in-place types met the criterion of load resistance. This study contributes to the advancement of construction technology in marine environments by considering both material performance and construction conditions.

Pectin production by processing renewable feedstocks is an appealing and sustainable approach. However, microbial valorization of pectin remains underdeveloped and necessitates efficient expression of key enzymes. In this study, we developed a novel two-stage microbial consortium for pectin valorization through modular utilization of engineered Kluyveromyces marxianus strains. CRISPR-mediated integration of PGU1 in strain YKM1013 significantly increased endoPG production, enabling efficient pectin hydrolysis and achieving a 65% improvement in hydrolysis degree. Meanwhile, strain YKM1015, engineered with a synthetic D-galacturonic acid (D-galUA) metabolic pathway, demonstrated efficient utilization of available D-galUA components. The established bioprocess achieved remarkable lipids productivity, yielding 19-fold and 6-fold increases in medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) and long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) production, respectively, thereby establishing the microbial platform for direct pectin-to-lipids bioconversion. Collectively, these advances provided a feasible bioconversion route for valorizing pectin-rich biomass into high-value chemicals via microbial cell factory platform construction. Graphical Abstract

Vertical greenery modular systems (VGMSs) are an increasingly widespread building envelope solution aimed at improving the aesthetical quality of both new and existing façades, contemporarily achieving high energy efficiency performance. Within a research project, a new prototype of VGMS was developed, designed and tested. An experimental monitoring campaign was carried out on a test cell located in Turin (northern Italy), aimed at assessing both biometric parameters and energy-related issues. Two different types of growing media and two plant species, Lonicera nitida L. and Bergenia cordifolia L., have been tested on a south-facing lightweight wall. Results have been compared to the same wall without VGMS and plaster finished, in order to characterise the thermal insulation effectiveness in the winter period and the heat gain reduction in the summer period. Measured equivalent thermal transmittance values of the green modular system showed a 40 % reduction, when compared to the plastered wall, thus noticeably impacting on the energy crossing the façade during the heating season. Benefits of the VGMS are measured also during the summer season, when the presence of vegetation lowers the outdoor surface temperatures of the wall up to 23 °C compared to the plastered finishing, with a positive effect on outdoor comfort and urban heat island mitigation. Nevertheless, as far as the entering energies are concerned, not significant reduction was observed for VGMS, compared to the reference plastered wall, since the green coverage acts as a thermal buffer and solar radiation is stored and slowly released to the indoor environment.