Vibration Performance of Intermodule Composite Floors for Modular Buildings

Presented By: Tae-Sung Eom, Dankook University Description: After the Covid-19 pandemic, modular construction has been attracting attention in Korea as a promising solution to reduce construction time and labor demand. In this study, a new dry and half-wet composite floor system for modular homes was investigated with an emphasis on vibration performance under service loading. The composite floors of 2 m wide and 6 m long, consisting of precast concrete panels, steel beams and cast-in-place mortar topping, were fabricated. Ultra-high performance concrete connectors were used to facilitate the assemblage of the perimeter steel beam frame, the main structural element carrying gravity loads. To improve vibration performance, the steel beams of adjacent modular units were connected by bolting and such intermodule connection details were considered as the main test parameter. The vibration periods and acceleration responses of the composite floors were measured from laboratory tests such as impact, heel drop and walking loads. The vibration characteristics of the composite floors were investigated further through finite element analysis. The measured and predicted vibration performances were compared with the acceptance criteria in AISC Design Guide 11.