Three-level modular grid system for sustainable construction of industrialized residential buildings: A case study in China

Although industrialized residential buildings (IRBs) are a significant contribution to sustainable construction, the lack of standardized design hampers their development. This study, therefore, develops a three-level modular grid (TLMG) system to fill this gap. The paper first introduces state-of-the-art modular construction for IRBs and then comparatively analyses the bottom-up and top-down modular coordination approaches to address the complex interrelationships between the modular grid and assembled parts. Comparative analysis results show that the TLMG system based on a top-down design approach can meet the requirements of a standardized design. Finally, the proposed modular grid system is validated through an actual residential building project in Nanjing, China. Interestingly, the TLMG system applied in the case project increases the assembly rate of IRBs to 90%. Applying a TLMG system enables the overall dimensions of the building to control local sizes and obtain coordination between them. Moreover, the TLMG system is not only suitable for residential buildings but can also be implemented in other types of buildings such commercial and educational buildings. The proposed methodology can also be referred to by other researchers and practitioners to improve the sustainable construction of industrialized buildings.