Print this page Prefabrication: An Unfulfilled Promise
Ruben A. Gomez, P.E.
Course Outline
Modular prefabrication is an activity which can be best described as “construction in the shade”. The necessary technology is hereby told in practical terms from the module conception to the production plant operation. Practical applications are discussed and photographs shown in detail of the actual construction sites. The lessons learned after ten years of hand-on applications are covered and told with simplicity and candor.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
On completion of the study material, the reader will achieve practical knowledge of:
- The principles which made modular prefabrication a valid and logical solution for a systematic mass produced housing system;
- Becoming fully aware of the potentials locked in the principles discussed;
- How to set and select the proper criteria to conclude on the correct module to use;
- How to zero on the right cluster mix and general building configuration; and
- The determinants directed to optimize on modular plant production.
Intended Audience
The material included in this course is intended for architects, engineers (especially civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and geotechnical) and general contractors.
Benefit for Attendee
Those attending and completing this course will have a full understanding of what it takes to start and operate a prefabricated modular housing business.
Course Introduction
Because engineers, architects and builders are such a dispersed and un-cohesive group of practitioners, their industry has lagged behind all others. While the regular consumer can go shopping for a car, refrigerator, stove or washing machine as a prefabricated item, and once found the one fitting his needs, he can take it home as wished. Nothing of the kind happens when that same consumer is in need of a house or building of any size, because that proposition may take months or perhaps years to materialize. Construction is an archaic industry, not much better than the “stone over stone” practice of the past.
Course Content
The course content is contained in the following PDF file:
Prefabrication: An Unfulfilled Promise
Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.
You may need to download Acrobat Reader to view and print the document.
Course Summary
It describes the design parameters and explains where they came from. General principles of design are explained in simple language and plenty of graphics. Covers a summary of accumulated experiences in production plant operation and the lessons learned towards a more beneficial and successful operation.
Related Links and References
For additional related technical information on this subject we recommend the latest edition of:
Habitat Expo ‘67
Moshe Safdie’s Habitat
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
