Print this page The Experimental Aluminum House Story
Ruben A. Gomez, P.E.
Course Outline
Conventional house construction is a process where the builder starts with a clear empty lot and starts by setting the foundations, in whatever form it was conceived by the architect, engineer or designer, and then he adds stick by stick, nail by nail and sheet by sheet until that tedious process is complete and the house is ready for human habitation.
On the other hand, modular prefabrication makes an effort to better organize the project by creating a discipline and an order where the process is broken down into standardized, precut and pre-assembled panels that get installed in a sequential manner. Such an idea has two basic and fundamental purposes: a) to save installation time, and b) to improve the quality of the final product.
In this course we will see how to achieve all those purposes when the application is based on the intensive use of aluminum as the base material.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the participant will:
- Have a clear understanding of the modular concept;
- Become familiar with the principles of space generation with the orderly use of modules;
- Be able to understand the technology of aluminum extrusions;
- Learn how to replace composite rolled parts by extruded shapes; and
- Develop the ability to conceive practical plumbing walls.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for architects and design engineers.
Benefit for Attendee
Upon completion of this course the attendee will be able to convert conventional house designs into systemic lay-outs as the first step towards modularity.
Course Introduction
Although written from the perspective and vision of an engineer, the contents of this course have been assembled not only for design engineers, but also and very particularly directed to design architects. In most instances engineers concentrate in their area of expertise and give little consideration to the other trades other than their own. In this case however, the author has made an effort to “wear the shoes of an architect” and kept his focus and consideration on all the different trades that came together in the design and conception of a dwelling, so it worked as a complete and self sustaining housing unit.
Course Content
The course content is contained in the following PDF file:
The Experimental Aluminum House Story
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Course Summary
For the benefit of the busy professional, the author has made an effort to summarize in a compressed two-hour session the entire compendium of concepts and principles that took 8,400 men-hours of testing and trial-and-error to uncover.
The concepts of the module and modularity have been explained first, followed by the principles of the extrusion technology. Then, the typical panels and components were explained and how they were assembled together to shape up the typical modular house; and that is the end of the story.
Related Links and References
For additional related technical information on this subject we recommend the latest edition of:
2000 ALCOA Structural Handbook, as issued by the Aluminum Company of America.
Beyond Habitat, Arch. Moshe Safdie, 1970.
Modular Housing: The New Frontier, Ruben A. Gomez, 1972.
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.
