Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Architecture and Engineering of Assemblies and Connections in Industrialized Construction
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish
Teaching staff
By appointment via the corresponding professor's email address:
- Module 1 — Modular and Prefabricated Systems:
- Dr. Pedro Casariego Vales: pcasariego@uic.es
- Samuel Molist Forcada: smolist@uic.es
- Dr. Josep Ramón Solé: jrsole@uic.es
- Module 2 — Façades, Structural Fixings and Anchoring:
- fischer Ibérica technical team
Introduction
- Elective Course.
- Final years of the Bachelor's Degree in Architecture / Bachelor's Degree in Engineering.
- 2nd Semester.
- 3 ECTS credits.
- Course coordinator: Dr. Pedro Casariego Vales
- Teaching staff: Dr. Pedro Casariego Vales, Samuel Molist Forcado and Dr. Josep Ramón Solé, Fischer Teachers
The course is divided into two modules: Prefabricated Modular Systems and Structural Fixings and Anchoring.
Module 1 (5 sessions). Modular and Prefabricated Systems, focuses on the study of contemporary modular and industrialized construction typologies: lightweight cold-formed steel structures (steel framing), structural steel modules (hot-rolled) and the reuse of shipping containers, and prefabricated concrete systems.
Module 2 (5 sessions). Façades, Solar Roofing and Fixings, introduces students to ventilated façade systems, solar panel fixing systems, and the calculation and sizing of mechanical and chemical anchors.
The aim is to introduce students to prefabricated modular systems, their advantages and challenges, and to enable them to develop the skin and roof by incorporating a sustainable system. Students will be able to design modules and create their exterior skin (façade and roof), producing an industrial-creative element ready to be brought to market.
The course consists of 10 teaching sessions, 5 per module, divided into two training blocks. Additionally, the course enables participation in the fischer Final Competitive Project Awards, which grants access to a scholarship. A joint initiative between the Faculties of Architecture and Industrial Engineering, detailed in the assessment section of this guide.
1. Modular and Prefabricated Systems
This part introduces students to the modular and industrialized typologies most relevant in contemporary construction: steel framing or lightweight steel framework, structural hot-rolled steel modules and reused shipping containers, and finally, prefabricated concrete systems.
The module addresses the design criteria for each typology, the key aspects of handling, assembly and lifting on site, and the schemes of aggregation and connection between modules, drawing on real case studies and the teaching staff's professional experience in industrialized construction projects.
2. Façades, Structural Fixings and Anchoring
This part introduces students to ventilated façade systems, solar panel fixing systems and structural anchors and connections, with particular attention to regulations, product typology and the structural calculation associated with each system.
Architects and engineers, given the scope of their profession, will need to work throughout their professional lives with fixing and anchoring systems on façades, roofs and installations. To internalize the theoretical concepts, practical calculation and installation sessions for mechanical and chemical anchors are carried out.
Pre-course requirements
Students are recommended to have passed the core Structures and Construction courses corresponding to the first years of the degree, as well as basic concepts of strength of materials and constructive systems.
Objectives
The objective of this course is to introduce students to prefabricated modular systems, analyzing their advantages and disadvantages compared to conventional construction systems, and to provide them with the necessary skills to resolve the module envelope —façade and roof— through the incorporation of a sustainable system. By the end of the course, students must be able to design the module and develop its exterior skin with a level of technical definition characteristic of an industrial product, resulting in an element that is both creative in character and constructively viable, suitable for introduction to the market
- Understand the main typologies of contemporary modular and industrialized construction.
- Understand the design, manufacturing, transport and lifting criteria for steel framing, steel and shipping container modules.
- Analyze the evolution and reference case studies of modular construction in prefabricated concrete.
- Acquire the basic principles of operation, regulations and calculation of ventilated façade systems.
- Apply selection, sizing and calculation criteria for solar panel fixing systems.
- Correctly apply the typology and structural calculation of mechanical and chemical anchors.
Develop analytical-reflective capacity for selecting the most appropriate construction system according to the use, schedule and budget of the project
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 12-T - Ability to conceive, calculate, design, integrate in buildings and urban complexes and execute building structures
- 17 - Ability to apply building and technical standards
- 24 - To acquire adequate knowledge of the mechanics of solids, continuous medium and soil as well as the plastic, elasticity and resistance properties of materials for structural works
Learning outcomes of the subject
- Ability to design a prefabricated module and resolve its exterior envelope (façade and roof) incorporating a sustainable system, developing an element of industrial and creative character with a level of technical definition characteristic of a product suitable for introduction to the market.
- Ability to identify and compare the main modular and industrialized typologies: a) Steel framing, b) Steel and shipping container modules, c) Prefabricated concrete modules.
- Ability to broadly predimension a ventilated façade system and its anchoring typology.
- Ability to select and calculate solar panel fixing systems according to the roofing or façade construction system.
- Ability to size metal and chemical anchors using specialized calculation software.
Syllabus
MODULE 1. MODULAR AND PREFABRICATED SYSTEMS. 5 SESSIONS
TOPIC 1. STEEL FRAMING MODULES.
- Introduction to lightweight steel framework (steel framing).
- Cold-formed profiles: studs (C) and tracks (U).
- Bolted and welded connections. Dry assembly.
- The three-dimensional module: floor cassette, panels and roof.
- Bracing, transport and lifting on site.
- Standard module dimensions and transport limitations.
TOPIC 2. STEEL AND SHIPPING CONTAINER MODULES.
- Modular construction with steel structure: design keys.
- Methods of module addition: horizontal and vertical.
- Keys to handling and assembly: weight and rigidity.
- Characteristic assemblies and joints.
- Reuse of ISO shipping containers in building construction.
- Case studies: blast-resistant modules and singular uses.
TOPIC 3. CONCRETE MODULES.
- The industrialization of the 3D concrete element: historical background.
- Reference case: Habitat 67, Montreal (1967).
- Temporary success stories: Compact Habit and the 2007 Construmat Award.
- Evolution towards the structurally industrialized module.
- Transport widths and their influence on module design.
- Case study: University Residence of Pau (France).
MODULE 2. FAÇADES, STRUCTURAL FIXINGS AND ANCHORING. 5 SESSIONS
TOPIC 4. VENTILATED FAÇADES.
- Operation and explanation of the ventilated façade system.
- Types of anchor bases and anchors.
- Support systems.
- Applicable regulatory framework.
- Anchor typology and structural calculation.
TOPIC 5. SOLAR PANEL FIXING SYSTEMS.
- Explanation of the product and fixing systems.
- Solar system. Fixings
- Calculation systems applied to photovoltaic fixing.
- Practical cases: common installation errors and their consequences.
TOPIC 6. STRUCTURAL ANCHORS AND CONNECTIONS.
- Introduction to anchors: product and regulations.
- Variables in fixing technology.
- Anchor sizing: calculation basis.
- Analytical calculation: CC Method and C-Fix calculation software.
- Metal anchor typologies: bolts, sleeve, threaded and direct anchoring.
- Chemical anchor typologies: polyester, vinyl ester and epoxy.
- Pull-out tests for chemical anchors.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
|
TEACHING ACTIVITY |
COMPETENCIES |
ECTS CREDITS |
|
Lecture |
12 17 24 |
1 |
|
Participatory class |
12 17 24 |
0.5 |
|
Practical class |
12 17 24 |
1 |
|
Individual or group study |
12 17 24 |
0.5 |
Classes are held in sessions of 3 hours per week, divided into two blocks of 5 sessions each.
Module 1: Lectures are given interspersed with the analysis of real case studies (site photographs, lifting and assembly processes). The syllabus and corresponding graphic material are posted on the UIC Moodle after each session is taught.
Module 2: Theoretical sessions on product and regulations are combined with practical sessions in class and at the Fischer Experience center, in which students carry out calculation exercises using the company's software (C-Fix) and hands-on installation practice with mechanical and chemical anchors.
This methodology allows students to access all materials on Moodle: a) Theoretical classes (syllabus), b) Graphic material and case studies, c) Calculation exercise statements and solutions.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Final course grade:
Course assessment is structured around the submission of a Project Work which is mandatory for all enrolled students. This work provides the final course grade, and among all submissions, the best projects are selected to represent UIC in the fischer Final Competitive Project Awards which grants the winners access to the scholarship.
a) Mandatory submission: Project Work
- All students enrolled in the course must submit the Project Work at the end of Module 2, consisting of resolving an individual or team project applying Fischer solutions and products (ventilated façade, solar fixing and/or structural anchors).
- The grade for this work constitutes 100% of the final course grade.
- A Not Submitted grade for the fischer Project results in a fail for the entire course.
- The minimum passing grade for the course is a 5.
b) Selection for the fischer Final Competitive Project Awards
From the submitted projects, a technical jury made up of representatives from Fischer and the teaching staff of each participating university will select the best projects among the participating faculties (ETSEIB, LaSalle, EUSS and UIC), from which 3 prizes will be awarded among the 4 faculties.
- Selection for the competition is independent of the course's numerical grade.
- The First Prize consists of an all-inclusive scholarship (salary, travel, accommodation and work at the fischer-Germany branch) lasting 6 months at Fischer's headquarters in Germany, with the possibility of subsequent employment at the company.
- Fischer guarantees the anonymity of all participants before the jury members during the selection process.
- Selected students also gain direct access to Fischer's connection calculation software (C-FIX, INSTALL-FIX) and to the company's technical office during the development of the project.
Considerations regarding course assessment
- Mandatory attendance at 80% of the course sessions (8 of the 10 total sessions) as an essential requirement for sitting the assessment.
- Students who do not reach 80% attendance without justified cause will NOT be allowed to submit the Project Work or opt for course-based assessment.
- The Project Work must be submitted on the date and in the format indicated by the teaching staff; submissions made after the deadline without justified cause will be graded as Not Submitted.
- Repeating students must likewise meet the attendance and Project Work submission requirements in order to pass the course.
- Participation in the fischer Final Competitive Project Awards is voluntary for students selected by the jury; non-participation does not affect the final grade already obtained in the course.
Bibliography and resources
- Fischer technical documentation and product catalogues (fixing systems, anchors and ventilated façade).
- SteelConstruction.info — Modular construction. The Steel Construction Institute (SCI).
- European anchor regulations: EOTA — European Technical Assessment (ETA).
- Smith, Ryan E. Prefab Architecture: A Guide to Modular Design and Construction. John Wiley & Sons, 2010.
- Kieran, Stephen; Timberlake, James. Refabricating Architecture. McGraw-Hill, 2004.
- CTE DB-HE — Basic Document on Energy Saving. 2019.
- Staib, Gerald; Dörrhöfer, Andreas; Rosenthal, Markus. Components and Systems: Modular Construction. Birkhäuser, 2008.