A review of recent developments in structural elements of modular steel building systems

Ahmed, F, Gkantou, M ORCID: 0000-0003-2494-405X, Nikitas, G ORCID: 0000-0002-3250-2449, Ferentinou, M ORCID: 0000-0001-6892-7919, Brás, A ORCID: 0000-0002-6292-2073 and Riley, M ORCID: 0000-0003-4104-8222 (2025) A review of recent developments in structural elements of modular steel building systems. Journal of Building Engineering, 111. p. 113087. ISSN 2352-7102

Preview

Text A review of recent developments in structural elements of modular steel building systems.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (14MB) | Preview

Abstract

Modular steel building (MSB) development provides an innovative approach to modern construction, offering enhanced construction speed, quality, cost-effectiveness and promoting sustainable development. As rapid population growth and urban land scarcity drive the need for high-rise construction, advancing MSBs is essential, but overcoming key challenges, like insufficient design guidelines, limited understanding of seismic and connection behaviour, and transportation constraints is crucial to fully realise the potential of MSBs. This paper critically examines recent research advancements and highlights future research needs. It provides an in-depth review of structural forms and lateral load-resisting systems, as well as the structural performance of modular floor beams, columns, and connection systems. Optimised novel beam sections with enhanced structural performance which can be utilised to reduce weights of modular floors are presented. The review also focusses on inter-modular connections, which play a vital role to ensure integrity of assembled MSB. Herein, these connections are categorised as bolted, grouted, self-locking, and tie-rod connections. A brief description, classification, ductility, and failure modes of these inter-modular connections are summarised in tables, including the most recent studies, to facilitate an effective comparison. While the structural performance of inter-modular connections at local level under gravity and seismic loading has been examined, their impact on global lateral stability of MSB requires further investigations. This review will act as a comprehensive reference for engineers, researchers, and technical experts in the industry.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	4005 Civil Engineering; 40 Engineering; 33 Built Environment and Design; 3302 Building; 0905 Civil Engineering; 1201 Architecture; 1202 Building; 3302 Building; 4005 Civil engineering
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Divisions:	Civil Engineering and Built Environment Public and Allied Health
Publisher:	Elsevier BV
Date of acceptance:	1 June 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	13 October 2025
Date Deposited:	13 Oct 2025 14:20
Last Modified:	13 Oct 2025 14:30
DOI or ID number:	10.1016/j.jobe.2025.113087
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/27319

View Item