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Building Information Modeling (BIM) and modular construction are regarded as important technologies that could contribute to overcoming the crisis faced by the construction industry. However, BIM uptake in current modular construction projects is limited. Moreover, there are no specific guidelines to support decision-making regarding the application of BIM in modular construction projects. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the possibility for BIM uptake in each phase of modular construction projects in Korea. Initially, the literature detailing on BIM uptake cases in modular construction projects was reviewed. The detailed work and activities for each phase of a modular project were analyzed via a questionnaire targeting domestic modular experts, to derive items requiring improvement due to errors or changes occurring in the actual project. Ten realistic BIM uptake items were derived, reflecting the results of literature review and expert interviews. Then, the BIM uptake items in each phase were analyzed in terms of necessity and efficiency via a second questionnaire using five-point Likert scales. Finally, the BIM utilization index (BIM UI) of the BIM uptake items was suggested as a priority measure. As a result, the BIM UI of “3D coordination” (U2), “design authoring and reviews for off-site fabrication” (U3), and “detailed 3D modeling for off-site fabrication” (U4), were assigned the highest priority. The results of this study can be used as guidelines to support decision-making regarding the application of BIM in modular construction projects.

This study focuses on Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA)–based construction as an innovative approach to addressing the productivity decline and safety challenges currently faced by the construction industry. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study clarifies the concept of DfMA, its design principles, and its effects on construction processes, quality, and safety. In addition, international policy cases and expert surveys were analyzed to assess the current level of domestic adoption and to identify key constraints to its implementation. The findings indicate that DfMA has substantial potential to shorten construction duration, enhance quality, and improve safety by incorporating manufacturing and assembly considerations at the design stage. However, its widespread adoption in Korea is hindered by limited manufacturing infrastructure, fragmented procurement systems, insufficient digital capabilities, and regulatory inadequacies. While the private sector has increasingly applied DfMA, primarily in small-scale modular housing projects, public-sector adoption remains constrained by institutional limitations. Based on these findings, the study proposes policy measures including the development of specialized manufacturing firms, establishment of regional production hubs, expansion of DfMA-oriented public pilot projects, introduction of integrated procurement and delivery models, revision of building standards, and enhancement of industry and public awareness. These measures are expected to facilitate a transition toward a manufacturing- and assembly-oriented construction paradigm and to contribute to the development of a more sustainable construction ecosystem.

For the past decade, South Korea had experienced catastrophic building fires, which resulted in consider-ably high number of casualties. This motivated research to develop fire-safe wall assemblies. In this study Fire Risk Analysis (FRA) is conducted as part of the project designing phase to ensure fire safety of the final product. Traditional approach was to consider fire performance at the end of the designing stage, when PASS/FAIL fire test results are required to be submitted to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). By applying a fire risk analysis to guide the designing phase, overall fire safety of a wall assembly can be achieved more systematically as conducting FRA allows designers to clearly identify elements that are more vulnerable to fire and simply replace them with other practical options. Severity of fire risk is determined by considering the fire hazards of a wall assembly such as the exterior layer, insulation, vertical connectivity, and external ignition sources (e.g., photovoltaic panels). Frequency of fire risk is assessed based on the factors affecting fire likelihood, which are air cavity and fire-stopping applied in the design, and random design changes occurring during on-site construction. Fire risk matrix is proposed based on these fire risk factors and efforts to reduce the fire risk level associated with the wall assembly are given by systematically assessing the fire risk factors identified from fire risk analysis. Current study demonstrates how fire risk analysis can be applied to develop fire-safe walls by reducing the relevant fire risks- both severity and frequency.

본 연구는 국내 현장 발굴 데이터와 국외(OSHA) 사고사례를 통합해 모듈러 건축의 제작–운송–설치 단계별 위험요인을 4M(Man, Machine, Method, Material) 체계로 분석하고, 데이터 기반 안전관리 개선안을 제시한다. 주자료는 단일 프로젝트에 서 수집된 1,238개 위험 포인트이며(점검표·회의록·사고/아차사고·위험성평가), 비교자료로 OSHA의 모듈러 관련 시공사례 를 동일 체계로 재분류하였다. 위험도는 전문가 10인의 빈도(F)·강도(I) 1–5점 평가를 통해 R=F×I로 산정하고, S/M/H 등급으 로 구분하였다. 분석은 단계·유형 간 분포 차이 검정(카이제곱/Fisher), 이항 회귀(고위험 비율 비교), 클러스터링(잠재 주제군 식별), 그리고 베이지안 네트워크(GeNIe) 민감도 분석을 적용하여 관리개입의 정량 효과(ΔP(H), OR, AME)를 추정하였다. 그 결과 단계별 우세 재해유형과 4M 기여 양상이 통계적으로 유의하게 구분되었고, 인터페이스·변경관리·양중계획·동시작업 관리 강화가 고위험 항목 비율을 유의하게 낮출 수 있음을 제시한다. 본 연구는 문헌·사고사례·현장자료를 통합해 단계별 위험 지도와 관리 우선순위를 제공함으로써, 법·제도—현장 성과 간 괴리를 줄이는 실무적 안전수준 향상에 기여한다.

Recently Ministry of National Defense is reconstructing old facilities using modular construction method for enhancing soldiers' quality of living. In the future, the use of modular construction method is expected to be increased. But in beginning stage as ROK military facilities that was built by modular was not designed and constructed efficiently, problems for pilot projects need to be analyzed by phases and construction methods should be improved. For the maximized efficiency, design should be made to minimize on-site works, factory automation in an assembly plant should be installed for the better productivity, roads that will be used for transportation should be checked, and joint and connection methods between modules in on-site assembly should be improved for a better quality.

The construction industry produces more waste than any other industry in the entire world. Modular construction has gained more attention due to it is the most efficient way to eliminate waste. However, the construction technique applied to modular system couldn't use it in high rise building in domestic yet. Therefore, Therefore, this study deduce the effect factors for application of modular system in domestic.

This study focuses on prefabricated modules as a way to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. This study aims to analyze the superiority of modular housing performance by analyzing environmental performance and carbon emissions. First, modular dry concrete construction shows better environmental performance than conventional wet construction methods. On average, modular construction contributes to the carbon neutrality goal by reducing wall thickness and carbon emissions by more than 50% compared to conventional concrete buildings. Second, the importance of material selection and proper material combination is emphasized. Third, 'unit box type' and 'panelizing type' improve efficiency, which reduces construction time by 50% and 30%, respectively. On the other hand, 'infill type' is suitable for medium-rise buildings but it faces transportation problems. Finally, modular walls have more than 50% lower carbon emissions than concrete walls. In order to increase the sustainability of modular architecture, it is essential to establish standards for energy efficiency, carbon reduction, resource recycling, and air quality. Integration with Building Information Modeling (BIM) improves the design process and optimizes the performance.

Modular house construction has many advantages as duration reduction, quality, speedy demand response. However in Korea, modular house is in initial growth phase. The objective of this study is that characteristic analysis of steel modular house construction based on QFD(quality function deployment). Consumer requirement of steel modular house construction is safety, quality, aesthetically, functionality, cost. Quality characteristics of steel is seismic structure, fire-resistant structure, eco-friendly materials, uniformity, productivity. Results showed that structural safety and overall quality requirement about consumer need is good but is slightly insufficient in terms of cost reduction.

This study evaluates a modular bathroom system for reducing construction-stage carbon emissions. Traditional wet construction often involves long construction schedules and complex site management. To address these challenges, a lightweight modular bathroom system was developed and tested in accordance with Korean Standards (KS F 2223). When applied to a 1,480-unit test bed, the modular method simplified the construction process from 22 to 15 steps and reduced the number of types from 11 to 3. Consequently, the overall construction schedule was shortened by one month. To verify its environmental benefits, construction-stage (A5) carbon emissions were quantified using actual project data. The results showed that the modular method reduced carbon emissions by approximately 37%. Based on these findings, this study demonstrates that modular bathroom systems can effectively reduce construction-stage carbon emissions and contribute to lowering embodied carbon throughout the building life cycle.

The purpose of this study is to attempt to analyze the validity of the modular-type test construction implemented in the CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test) of 2014. In order to test this, we analyzed the item difficulty and item discrimination according to different modules of the test items of Regional Coalition Academic Tests (RCAT), which is similar to CSAT. Based on the results of the analysis, topic comprehension module and detail information module have turned out to be rather easy test items with relatively high difficulty and discrimination. On the other hand, writing module, grammar/vocabulary module, and interaction module have proved as items with lower difficulty and discrimination. Based on the results of the study, we propose the possibility of applying level-differentiated test on the assumption that it would be easier to derive the complementarity of the construction of modular tests and to minimize the mutual interference between test items. Also, since a module is a group of similar test items that measure the same ability, we discussed the possibility to create a test format that corresponds to learner level, learning content, and the learning environment by adjusting the proportion of each module.

This study investigates the virtual reality (VR) simulation to train construction workers for modular construction. Recently, the construction industry has been experiencing a growing demand for modular construction due to a shortage of labors and an increasing social need for safety. While the demand for modular construction has been increasing, construction labors suffer a basic knowledge regarding modular construction. The users of the simulation, developed by Unity program and Oculus Quest 2, experience the removal of hazardous elements at the location whether the modular unit suspended by a crane is lowered, the lowering and assembly of units through crane operation, and the fall from the roof which is the most frequent accidents in modular construction. The simulation was tested by 15 subjects. The effectiveness of the education was measured through a survey on self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, usability, and presence. It was found that the VR training is suitable for educating on the modular construction activities and safety issues related to them. This study also found that perceived usefulness is the factor that has the greatest impact on self-efficacy. This study can contribute to resolving the labor education issues for the deployment of modular construction.

This research seeks to formulate integrated risk mitigation strategies by identifying inherent risk factors specific to each construction phase of Modular Construction?the cornerstone of Off-Site Construction (OSC), which is increasingly adopted to enhance productivity and site safety. While modular construction yields positive outcomes, such as a reduction in overall accident frequency compared to traditional Reinforced Concrete (RC) methods due to shortened onsite work hours, it concurrently introduces unprecedented categories of major accident risks, particularly during the lifting of heavy modules and high-altitude assembly. To address these challenges, this study structuralizes the modular construction process into four distinct stages?Delivery, Lifting, Assembly, and Finishing?and identifies critical risk factors for each stage through a dual approach involving domestic and international case analyses alongside expert Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). The findings indicate that the most critical risk factor in modular construction is the dynamic instability of modules during the lifting phase caused by center-of-gravity imbalances. Specifically, in cases of asymmetric modules where internal finishes and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) systems are concentrated on one side, a high probability of unexpected tilting was identified, which can lead to crane overturns or module falls. Furthermore, the assembly and jointing stages were found to be primary drivers of human casualties, such as falls and crushing accidents, due to frequent high-altitude tasks performed on module tops and within confined connection spaces. To fundamentally mitigate these risks, this study proposes a three-tier response framework based on the Hierarchy of Controls. First, as an Engineering Control, worker exposure to hazards must be inherently blocked by implementing BIM-based pre-lifting simulations and adopting smart equipment such as self-leveling spreader beams and auto-release hooks. Second, as an Administrative Control, the establishment of specialized and standardized lifting plans is required, incorporating Design for Safety (DfS) to integrate safety facilities from the design phase and the deployment of dedicated modular signalers. Third, as an Educational Control, workers' risk perception must be enhanced through cross-safety training between the fabrication factory and the site, as well as VR-based virtual safety experience programs for high-risk processes. This study suggests a paradigm shift in the safety management of modular construction sites?from a reactive approach to a proactive, prevention-oriented system centered on design and factory fabrication. The proposed mitigation strategies are expected to serve as foundational academic data for establishing practical occupational safety and health management guidelines for future modular projects.

본 연구의 목적은 모듈러 건설사업의 주요 참여자들간의 다양한 관계(Relationship)를 살펴보고 몇 가지 정형화된 유형을 정의하는 것이다. 사례연구를 통해 (1) 강한 통합 관계, (2) 부분 통합 관계, 그리고 (3) 약한 통합 관계로 나누고 각 관계의 특성에 대해 조사하였다. 또한 사례연구를 기반으로 다음 세가지 명제를 도출하였다. (1) 시공사와 모듈러제작사간의 직접적인 계약관계가 필요하며, 서로간의 이해가 필요하다. (2) 건축설계사는 모듈러제작사가 제공하는 모듈러시스템에 대한 충분한 이해와 경험을 가지고 있어야 한다. (3) 주요사업참여자(시공사, 모듈러제작사, 건축설계사, 발주자) 간의 관계가 좋을 수록 모듈러사업의 성과도 좋다.

The objective of this research paper is to identify through case studies the relationships that exist between the key stakeholders on modular projects as opposed to conventional projects. Through case studies, we identified three types of relationships between key project stakeholders: (1) Full Integration, (2) Partial Integration, and (3) Weak Integration. The case study findings lead us to make three claims: (1) a direct contractual relationship and familiarity must exist between the general contractor and modular fabricator; (2) engaging an architect familiar with the modular system through a direct or indirect relationship is imperative; and (3) the more familiarity and relationships between the four major stakeholders that exist on modular projects, the better the outcome of the project.

New modular factory-built methodologies implemented in the construction and industrial plant industries may bring down costs for modular reactors. A factory-built environment brings about benefits such as; improved equipment, tools, quality, shift patterns, training, continuous improvement learning, environmental control, standardisation, parallel working, the use of commercial off shelf equipment and much of the commissioning can be completed before leaving the factory. All these benefits combine to reduce build schedules, increase certainty, reduce risk and make financing easier and cheaper.Currently, the construction and industrial chemical plant industries have implemented successful modular design and construction techniques. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are to understand and analyse the state of the art research in these industries through a systematic literature review. The research can then be assessed and applied to modular reactors.The literature review highlighted analysis methods that may prove to be useful. These include; modularisation decision tools, stakeholder analysis, schedule, supply chain, logistics, module design tools and construction site planning. Applicable research was highlighted for further work exploration for designers to assess, develop and efficiently design their modular reactors.

This paper presents the construction results and design of the UNIST Reactor Innovation platform for small modular reactors as a versatile testbed for exploring innovative technologies. The platform uses simulant fluids to simulate the thermal-hydraulic behavior of a reference small modular reactor design, allowing for cost-effective design modifications. Scaling analysis results for single and two-phase natural circulation flows are outlined based on the three-level scaling methodology. The platform's capability to simulate natural circulation behavior was validated through performance calculations using the 1-D system thermal-hydraulic code-based calculation. The strategies for evaluating cutting-edge technologies, such as the integration of a solid oxide electrolysis cell for hydrogen production into a small modular reactor, are presented. To overcome experimental limitations, the hardware-in-the-loop technique is proposed as an alternative, enabling real-time simulation of physical phenomena that cannot be implemented within the experimental facility's hardware. Overall, the proposed versatile innovation platform is expected to provide valuable insights for advancing research in the field of small modular reactors and nuclear-based hydrogen production.

In accordance with changes in the domestic construction environment, interest in off-site construction methods (factory-manufactured construction methods) including modular construction methods is rapidly increasing. Among various off-site (OSC) construction methods, the front runner is the steel-based box-type modular construction method. Compared to the existing wet construction method, the steel modular construction method is increasing in terms of securing economic feasibility by shortening the construction period and increasing the prefabrication rate. However, due to the recent rise in raw materials and a sharp rise in the exchange rate, the economic feasibility of the wet method is deteriorating compared to the wet method. Therefore, a hybrid between 9-Matrix-based OSC construction methods is considered as a solution, away from the steel-box type combination, and a comparative study of the construction process between each construction method is being conducted. It was analyzed that the PC modular construction method shortened the construction period by 9% compared to the existing steel modular construction method. On the other hand, when comparing the construction period of the Gayang-dong demonstration complex calculated assuming that all modules are applied, it is estimated that there will be a 12% reduction in construction period compared to the steel modular method and a whopping 43% compared to the RC method.

BIM과 모듈러 공법은 건설 산업의 위기를 극복하는데 도움이 되는 중요한 기술로 인식되고 있다. 그러나 현재 국내 모듈러 건축 프로젝트에서 BIM의 활용은 미미한 수준이며 구체적인 활용지침이 제시되지 못하고 있다. 이에 따라 본 연구에서는 모듈러 건축공사의 현장시공계획단계를 위한 BIM 활용성 분석을 목적으로 하였다. 첫째, 기존문헌 고찰과 전문가 인터뷰를 통해 적용 가능한 BIM 업무를 선정하였으며, 모듈러 건축공사의 시공계획서를 분석하여 BIM 활용 업무를 5가지로 분류하였다. 이후 설문을 통해 각 항목에 대한 BIM 활용성을 필요성과 효율성으로 분석하였으며 이를 BIM utilization Index(BIM UI)를 통해 제시하였다. 설문 결과 모듈간 접합부 시공상세도 구축, 양중계획 검토, 기타공사 주요 시공부위의 상세도 구축, 현장공정 계획 검토, 그리고 현장배치계획 검토가 0.811, 0.787, 0.770, 0.729, 0.699 순으로 분석되었다. 이후 사례연구를 통해 BIM을 적용한 BIM 기반 시공계획서를 도출하여 전문가 자문을 실시하고 논의하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 향후 모듈러 프로젝트에서 BIM의 적정한 활용 방안을 제시하는데 활용될 수 있을 것이다.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and modular construction are regarded as important technologies that have contributed to advancements in the construction industry. However, the utilization of BIM in current modular construction projects is limited; moreover, there are no specific guidelines pertaining the applications of BIM in modular construction projects. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the utilization of BIM for onsite construction planning in modular construction projects. First, a realistic BIM application was selected through literature review and expert interviews. Then, the construction plan of the modular projects was analyzed to classify the BIM application items into five different categories. The utilization of BIM in each category was then analyzed in terms of necessity and efficiency using a questionnaire. Finally, the BIM Utilization Index (BIM UI) was suggested based on the findings of the survey. As a results, the BIM UI for module point details, lifting plan, other installation details, site layout plan, and schedule plan was 0.811, 0.787, 0.770, 0.729, and 0.699, in the descending order of usability. In addition, through the findings of the study and interviews with experts, a case study for implementation of BIM in modular construction plan was conducted. The results of this study can be used as application guidelines for BIM in future modular construction projects.

모듈러 건축은 공장 생산 과정을 토해서 품질과 정확도를 향상 시킬 수 있고 같은 유닛을 반복적으로 만들어내기 때문에 대규모 생산과 비용 절감이 가능하다. 특히, 현장 작업과 공장 생산을 동시에 진행 할 수 있기 때문에 공기 단축이 가능하다. 그러나 실제 모듈러 건축 프로젝트 조사 보고서에 따르면 모듈러 건축과 기존 건축의 평균 공사 기간에서는 큰 차이를 보이고 있지 못하다. 이는 모듈러 건축 프로젝트의 실제 시공 시 발생하는 공기 지연 문제 때문이다. 따라서 실제 시공 시 공기 지연 방지를 위한 대안 선택이 필요하며, 특히 대규모 모듈러 건축 프로젝트 현장 시공의 경우 현장에서의 모듈 양중 및 조립 과정이 공장 생산과 동시에 진행되기 때문에 대안 파악이 공장과 현장을 동시에 고려하여 수행되어야 한다. 본 연구에서는 규모에 따른 모듈러 건축의 실제 시공 시 프로세스의 차이를 토대로 IDEF0 모델링을 통하여 대규모 모듈러 건축의 관리 요소를 파악하였고 이를 이용하여 공기 지연을 판단할 수 있는 공장 생산량과 현장 시공량 관리 모델을 개발하였다. 이를 이용하여 대규모 모듈러 건축 실제 시공 시 발생하는 공기 지연 문제를 감소시킬 수 있을 것이다.

Modular construction can improve construction quality and accuracy through manufacturing process, and it allow massive production and cost savings by repeatedly producing the same unit. In particular, it is possible to reduce the time because the on-site work and the manufacturing process can be carried out at simultaneously. However, according to the modular construction project survey report, there is no significant difference regarding the average construction period between modular construction and conventional construction. This is due to schedule delay problems that occur during construction phase. Therefore, it is necessary to select alternatives to prevent schedule delay during on-site construction progressing. Especially, in case of large-scale modular construction project, on-site module assembly and manufacturing process are performed concurrently. Hence, identification of alternatives should be done at the co-occurrence by taking both manufacturing and on-site work process in to account. In this research, the management factors of large-scale modular construction project were identified through the IDEF0 modeling, and the quantity management model for manufacturing and assembly is developed. This will reduce the schedule delay problem that occurs in the progression on-site work of a large scale modular construction.

최근 우리 군은 장병들의 삶의 질 향상과 군 구조 개편에 따른 이동성능 향상을 위해 모듈러 공법으로 노후시설 개선사업을 추진하고 있고 향후에도 본 공법에 대한 수요는 점차 증가할 것으로 예상된다. 그러나 2005년부터 본 공법을 적용하여 우리군에 시공한 시설들은 아직 초기단계로서 설계도서에 모듈러 건축특성을 충분히 반영하지 못하고 일부 공사를 습식공법으로 시공하였으며 또한 현장제작 비율이 높아 공기가 지연되고 품질이 저하되는 사례가 발생하였으므로 단계별로 문제점을 분석하고 개선방안을 제시하고자 한다. 본 연구에서 그동안 준공된 시설을 분석한 결과, 현장작업과 습식공법을 최소화할 수 있도록 설계하여야 하며 생산성향상을 위해 자동화 설비를 구축하여야 하고 단위모듈 이송 전 이동경로에 대해 주행시험을 실시하여 도로조건을 확인해야 하며 현장조립 시에는 모듈간 접합 및 연결방법을 개선하여 품질을 향상시켜야 할 것이다.

Recently Ministry of National Defense is reconstructing old facilities using modular construction method for enhancing soldiers' quality of living. In the future, the use of modular construction method is expected to be increased. But in beginning stage as ROK military facilities that was built by modular was not designed and constructed efficiently, problems for pilot projects need to be analyzed by phases and construction methods should be improved. For the maximized efficiency, design should be made to minimize on-site works, factory automation in an assembly plant should be installed for the better productivity, roads that will be used for transportation should be checked, and joint and connection methods between modules in on-site assembly should be improved for a better quality.