COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MODULAR AND TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION METHODS: ENHANCING RESILIENCE AND REDUCING COSTS FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

ABSTRACT

This article provides a comparative analysis of modular and traditional construction methods in terms of their economic efficiency and sustainability. It examines how modular constructions can reduce costs by shortening construction times, decreasing material consumption, and optimizing labor resources, making them particularly advantageous for projects with limited budgets and strict time constraints. The article also explores the environmental aspects of modular constructions, including the reduction of carbon emissions, minimization of construction waste, and enhancement of energy efficiency through the use of standardized components. An analysis is provided of the conditions under which modular constructions most effectively contribute to sustainable development, along with a discussion of cases where traditional construction methods may be more preferable, such as for projects that require high flexibility and unique architectural designs.

АННОТАЦИЯ

В данной статье проводится сравнительный анализ модульных и традиционных методов строительства с точки зрения их экономической эффективности и устойчивости. Изучается, как модульные конструкции могут снижать затраты за счет сокращения сроков строительства, уменьшения расхода материалов и оптимизации трудозатрат. Обсуждается выгодность таких практик для проектов с ограниченными бюджетами и временными рамками, а также наиболее выгодные условия использования модульных конструкций. Также рассматриваются экологические аспекты модульных конструкций, включая снижение выбросов углерода, сокращение строительных отходов и повышение энергоэффективности за счет использования стандартизированных элементов.

Keywords: modular construction, traditional construction, economic efficiency, sustainability, environmental impact, energy efficiency, construction methods.

Ключевые слова: модульное строительство, традиционное строительство, экономическая эффективность, устойчивость, экологическое воздействие, энергоэффективность, методы строительства.

Introduction

The construction sector is facing mounting pressures of increased efficiency and innovative thinking. The drivers for this tendency take the shape of global requirements for sustainability, cost-efficiency, and accelerated project timelines. Even though conventional construction is widely used and has been effective, it may come with long construction time, high labor expense, and greater environmental burden. These pressures fuel the appeal for other construction methods, particularly modular construction (MC), or also known as permanent modular construction (PMC). The MC approach holds the promise of great opportunities for saving time, cost reduction, and environmental improvement.

In contemporary construction sector, MC is often called prefabrication. This process entails the production of construction elements on a regulated, off-site facility before transporting and then installing the items at the site of construction. Through the incorporation of this approach, the project is completed faster, and higher standards of assurance of quality are achieved because the standardized manufacturing processes utilized. Modern MC can substantially reduce waste, lower energy consumption, and offer increased adaptability. It makes them an appealing option for both residential and commercial projects. The long-term sustainability and adaptability of this approach, in comparison to traditional construction methods, which are widely regarded as more flexible and empirically validated, remain subjects of ongoing inquiry.

Both modular and conventional building processes exhibit unique strengths and weaknesses. Their traits can be varied depending on the particular requirements of a project. Modular construction is capable of providing cost and environmental benefits. However, conventional processes remain relevant for some uses, like complex architectural designs and alterations performed on the site. The aim of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of modular and traditional construction methods, focusing on their economic efficiency, sustainability, and applicability to residential and commercial buildings.

Methodology. Assessment of economic efficiency

Economic efficiency is one of the key factors influencing the choice of construction technologies for residential and commercial projects. Despite long history and widespread use of standard construction methods, they often require significant financial investments at all stages of a project. These costs can include labor of personnel, materials, time, and additional expenses associated with delays and inefficiencies during the building process. In contrast to traditional methods, MC offer faster completion times, reduced labor costs. This makes them an attractive choice for many types of projects. According to 2024 statistics [1], there has been an annual increase in the value of PMC projects, which underscores the growing contribution of these technologies to the overall construction sector (fig. 1).

Figure 1. Value of PMC projects in North America, billion dollars

The main advantage of MC is the significant reduction in construction time. Since building components are manufactured in factory conditions and then assembled on-site, construction work can proceed simultaneously with preparatory stages on the site, which shortens the overall project duration. This leads to reduced costs for equipment rental, labor, and other time-dependent expenses associated with prolonged construction timelines. In some cases, studies show that projects using modular technologies can be completed 20-50% faster than traditional construction, which also lowers financing costs during project execution [2].

Material and labor expenses play an essential role in determining the economic feasibility of the chosen method. The modular components use standardized components, allowing materials to be purchased in bulk. It reduces costs through wholesale pricing and minimizes waste. Resource use can be more efficiently managed, and errors that may occur in traditional construction are minimized, reducing material waste and the costs of error correction. Modular structures can also be easier to maintain and operate, further contributing to lower long-term expenses, such as those associated with energy and HVAC system maintenance. The greatest efficiency in the implementation of MC is noted by General Contractors (GC) and Construction Managers (CM). According to 2021 statistics [3], experts note a clear reduction in costs associated with the implementation of MC in their projects (fig. 2).

Figure 2. Survey of impact of MC on project budget performance

While initial capital expenditures may be similar or even slightly higher for MC, the long-term economic benefits become more apparent. The reduced construction time directly impacts financing costs, and the enhanced energy efficiency of buildings constructed using modular technologies can lower operational costs for heating and cooling. Thus, although the initial expenses may be higher, the savings over the extended period of operation and maintenance can result in an overall economic advantage. At the same time, for effective and rational planning of MC implementation, specialists must consider a number of factors (table 1).

Table 1.

Location determinants for MC [4]

The economic efficiency of MC lies in reducing both time and material costs, as well as improving construction quality. The reduction of the time and human resources required for construction, together with the optimization of the materials and processes involved at each stage, makes this method less costly for most kinds of projects. Based on the factors stated, it follows that MC is of great economic significance, particularly for large-scale commercial and housing constructions.

Results and discussion

Analysis of enhancing sustainability and reducing environmental impact

Sustainability is a dominant theme of the day in building and architectural practice, especially the reduction of the environmental effect and the improvement of the energy efficiency in the buildings. The environmental effects of the materials and technologies used for the construction, as well as their impacts on the natural surroundings during their whole lifecycle, became increasingly significant during the last few decades [5].

One of the main environmental advantages of MC is the significant reduction in waste and the efficient use of resources. In traditional construction, material overuse frequently occurs, particularly due to errors and rework. The integrated MC employs standardized production, which promotes more accurate calculation and use of materials. The most of the construction work is on the factory site, allowing for the control of energy, water, and the consumption of material, thus reducing the environmental footprint. Because of a high level of automation, the amount of building waste is considerably reduced. The use of recycled and renewable materials is also made possible.

In terms of energy efficiency, MC can be combined with state-of-the-art and energy-efficient insulation, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems that diminish energy use over the operational life of the building. The application of standardized elements also enables the construction of buildings with a high level of insulation and low heat loss. This system helps to lower the carbon footprint over the lifecycle of the building. Long-established building techniques often rely on complicated and energy-inefficient options. This is the reasoning behind the possibility for this factor to be responsible for increased energy usage required for keeping up warm conditions indoors.

In assessing the sustainability of building practice, carbon and other emissions that find their way into the atmosphere are of key importance. Modular construction can lower the carbon footprint considerably, especially due to the reduction of the building period. Less time spent on-site means reduced use of construction machinery, which lowers emissions during the building process. Many MC are designed using more eco-friendly materials, such as recycled components [6]. It further reduces the overall carbon footprint. Traditional construction methods require more energy for transporting materials and performing on-site work, which modular methods help minimize.

Current MC carry an innate ability to integrate renewable energy technologies like photovoltaic solar panels, energy generation via wind turbines, and geothermal heating. Their natural flexibility not only supports energy efficiency but also supports their operation independent of the conventional electrical power grid. Conventional construction methods, while amenable to integrating renewable technologies, often require high amounts of investment for integrating those systems. This detail can limit their ubiquitous use in mass building.

The building life cycle is the entire span of its life. The stages of this viability range involve design and construction, usage, and finally, disposal. Modular buildings, in this context, can promote increased earth-friendliness since they tend to be designed with the purpose of being easily dismantled with the possibility of reusing parts. Once the end of its life is reached, this type of building can be broken down, with the parts reprocessed for other purposes. It greatly reduces construction wastage and stimulate a «green» approach toward the construction of buildings. According to 2024 statistics [7], modular projects have the potential to significantly reduce waste by as much as 46%. This approach can also reduce noise from the construction site to its surroundings by 30-50% compared to conventional technologies [8].

In conventional construction, the dismantling of buildings following their use and the disposal of materials are often manual processes that lead to high levels of waste, thus making recycling even more difficult. This is especially true for materials like brick and concrete, which require special recycling processes. It should, however, be noted that conventional construction has also seen improvements in recycling technologies for materials, which are crucial in reducing environmental footprint.

Modular building demonstrates significant environmental advantages. The benefits involve less waste, increased energy efficiency, and a lower carbon footprint. MC has the ability, with a high level of process standardization and automation, to lessen the environmental footprint of the construction of buildings and their operation. While the conventional approach may have unique environmental advantages, like the usage of local materials or unique building designs, the total environmental efficiency and effectiveness of modular construction make it a strong rival for the project of achieving a better, more sustainable building process.

Conclusion

In the advent of the age of sustainability, choosing the right technologies becomes a matter of utmost importance. The comparison of MC with traditional construction approaches brings to the fore that MC comes with a range of outstanding benefits, especially in terms of the pace of project delivery, cost-effectiveness, as well as a minimization of the environmental impact. Modular technologies ensure maximum use of resources, make buildings more energy efficient, and reduce waste, thus making them an attractive alternative for constructions requiring increased standards of sustainability and economic performance.

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