Putting the Pieces Together: Using Panelized Construction to Expedite Home Building

The "Advanced Panelized Construction" Technology Roadmap sets forth a vision to develop common building panels able to perform multiple tasks; deliver consistent levels of quality; are easy to order, deliver, and assemble; and easily integrate with the building process. The Roadmap suggests that such a system of panels will result in lower costs, increased energy efficiency and durability, and a safer way to construct the building envelope.

Panelized construction is a method where the building is subdivided into basic planar elements - floors, walls, and roof - that are typically constructed under some form of mass production then shipped directly to the construction site and placed in the structure during the finishing stage. Advantages to this type of construction include cost reductions possible through mass production, ease of assembly, lower skill sets required for field construction, improved quality control, and increased worker safety. However, the Roadmap recognizes that some disadvantages remain, such as high shipping costs, site equipment requirements, and connection complexity.

Integrate Materials

The Advanced Panelized Construction working group identified the primary objective for this Roadmap as to design, engineer, and develop adaptable, standardized, multiple-use panels that achieve multiple functions for the basic planar elements of a building envelope. While this strategy will require the use and integration of multiple materials according to functional needs, it may also be possible to develop a homogenous material usable for multiple purposes. Based on discussions to determine opportunities for further incorporation of panelized construction into the building process, the Roadmapping group identified the following possible projects:

• Roof panel systems with high insulation levels and finished exterior surfaces.
  
• Higher insulation wall panels that are designed to take the utility construction out of the critical path of construction.
  
• Floor panels that provide structure and sheathing, and possibly finished floor surface that allows utilities to easily pass through.

Establish Common Standards

Research in several areas is needed to develop the performance requirements and engineering methods used to analyze, design, and specify panel systems. The goal of the strategy is to make panel systems easier to use by making the production and delivery process more uniform. The Roadmap suggests the following steps as the basis for the development of standards:

• Define expected performance requirements.
  
• Perform connections testing and analysis.
  
• Conduct whole system testing.
  
• Develop full panelized model.
  
• Perform panel testing and analysis.

Improve Production, Delivery Systems, and Site Assembly

More efficient production, delivery, and site assembly processes are necessary to bring advances in panel technology to building sites. Improvement in this area is based on making models and information available to people in the industry. The Roadmap suggests developing a center of excellence for showcasing breakthroughs in production, delivery, design, and site assembly as well as a demonstration project. Supplementing these best practice examples with training and better equipment will improve the end of the house building process.

Taking it to the Next Step

Enhancing today's products is a promising opportunity for market development in the panelized sector, but it is not the only route to growth. Strategies presented in the report will be the subject of continued working sessions to further refine the Advanced Panelized Construction vision for industry and government. Future Roadmaps will explore technology that will lower construction costs and increase panel usage.