Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

Modular construction is a relatively new concept of constructing buildings and other infrastructures. It is similar to building a toy house using LEGO-style building blocks. Using the modular construction method, the blocks of a real building are built offsite (in a factory) and shipped to a construction site to be put together. The modular construction method is a much cheaper and faster alternative to traditional onsite construction methods. It ensures better quality control on constructions since a significant amount of the construction work is completed in the factory under strict supervision and quality control. When the building's blocks reach the construction site, they are put together using easy-to-use but strong and durable connectors. Such connectors, namely Vectorbloc and Megabloc connectors, are being developed by VectorBloc Corp. These connectors and the connection method are being developed for constructing various buildings and other structures using hollow structural steel (HSS) members, often known as steel tubes. Steel tubular members are not commonly used in current constructions even though they have many advantages over commonly used hot-rolled steel members. In the proposed research project, beam-to-column connections using such connectors will be tested in a lab and simulated using a computer modeling technique. Upon successful completion of the research project, a concept design of an innovative modular steel construction method will be validated through sound research at the University of Windsor under the supervision of Professor Sreekanta Das. This modular construction technique will be a cheaper and faster alternative to other construction methods. It is believed that the new modular construction method will revolutionise the construction industry through the use of steel tubular members. The industry partner of this research project, VectorBloc Corp., will be able to implement and expand their construction business rapidly, and will thus be able to create new job opportunities at various skill levels, ranging from construction personnel to engineers, boosting Ontario and Canada's economy.