Sustainability of construction based on digital and modular technologies

Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Yaroslavskoye shosse, 26, Moscow, 129337, Russia

Abstract

The XXI century has confronted humanity with a number of global environmental and social problems. Some of them depend on the construction industry. The tasks of ensuring the sustainability of construction have become relevant. The article discusses modular construction as one of the most promising ways to achieve the requirements of sustainable construction. The purpose of the study is to analyze the prospects for the implementation of modular construction technology based on modern digital technologies to achieve the objectives of sustainable construction. The analysis of modular construction materials is carried out. The main advantages of using modular technologies (efficiency, quality, speed, environmental friendliness) are determined. Increasing the degree of automation and the introduction of modern digital technologies is a promising direction for the development of modular construction. It is noted that the promising areas of production automation are robotic machines, manipulators and 3D printers. It is noted that the use of BIM technologies is necessary to automate the design process. The digital information model allows to collect all the information about a modular object and its components and to use it at all stages, including the manufacture of structures. Generative design in combination with BIM allows to automate the synthesis of design solutions according to specified requirements. As a result of the research, a scheme for integrating BIM, generative design and modern factory production facilities into a single digital production chain of modular construction is proposed. Such chain is a bundle of a virtual conveyor of information models based on generative design and a factory production system with the use of 3D printing to manufacture structures according to the specifications of the information model. The system of synthesis of design solutions on the base of the system of generative algorithms is proposed. Examples of local optimization problems of generative design for modular construction are presented. The conclusion is made about the need for a comprehensive application of the considered technologies to achieve the greatest efficiency of construction.