Development of a Modular Steel Structure for Multi-Storey Buildings

• Author / Creator

  Zain, Akram M

• Modularization of buildings comes in several types, from prefabricated members to full volumetric models. Recently, the introduction of modular construction methods brought numerous benefits to the construction industry. Reducing construction time and costs together with improving quality and safety helped in growing the interest of designers and contractors toward modularization. Although there is wide agreement on modularization benefits to the construction industry, the transition to these new building techniques requires research and understanding of the structural behaviour of modular structures. Furthermore, despite a relatively vast body of research proposing innovative modular steel systems and connections, their application is still limited and they lack a sufficient design requirements in particular in seismic regions. Finally, it is felt that there is a need to develop a new and innovative modular steel lateral load resisting system (LLRS) that can be integrated with the modular system to help in improving construction efficiency, while offering a safe and satisfactory structural performance.

  A new modular steel system for multi-storey buildings is proposed in this research project. Two types of modules, gravity and braced, were introduced to carry gravity and lateral loads, respectively. The members and connections were selected based on availability in the market, structural performance, transportation constraints, and fabrication and erection benefits. The proposed braced module consists of steel concentrically braced frames (CBFs) and can be used to carry lateral seismic or wind loads. A six-storey prototype building was then selected to evaluate the construction efficiency and structural response of the proposed modular system under gravity and seismic loads. The building was designed as per the Canadian loading code (NBCC) and steel design standard (CSA S16). A braced frame sub-assembly consisting of the first- and second-storey modules was simulated using Abaqus program. A nonlinear static (pushover) analysis was then performed to examine the lateral response of the sub-assembly focusing on the member forces and storey drift. The resulting member forces were compared to those predicted by CSA S16. The results confirmed the potential benefits in improving construction efficiency without increasing the construction cost. Furthermore, the results of the evolution of the structural response of the braced module showed satisfactory lateral behaviour without instability or connection failure when braces experience nonlinear response. Finally, the CSA S16 seismic provisions implicit for steel braced concentrically braced frames can be used to design the proposed braced module.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • FEA
  • Seismic
  • Structures
  • Multi-Storey
  • Steel
  • Buildings
  • Design
  • Modular

• Graduation date

  Fall 2020

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-vay8-3019

• License

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