The development of Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) and Multi-trade Integrated MEP (MiMEP) has been growing rapidly in recent years. Chevalier (Construction) Company Limited dares to pioneer. They applied MiC on both residential flats and lifts in an elderly housing project, while also made good use of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) to invest in 10 applications including MiMEP Pillar Box, MiMEP Compressor Set for Freezer System and Modular Solar PV System. To further reduce on-site construction procedures, they set up an assembly site in Lau Fau Shan. Ir Thomas HO, Chairman of the CIC, paid a visit and was impressed by how DfMA enhanced speed, efficiency and productivity. He also complimented the team as they demonstrated a strong sense of safety and sustainability.
Scaffoldless MiC Lift Project Shortens Workflow by 61 days
The residential block, named Chung Yuet Lau, is the first MiC elderly housing project lead by the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) in Jat Min Chuen, Sha Tin. Its ground floor and the 1st floor will be constructed with traditional reinforced concrete structure while the 2nd to 9th floor will be built steel structure MiC residential flats. What makes the contractor and MiC supplier Chevalier intensely proud of is the innovative design of MiC lift. Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been an integral part throughout the project as it helps the project team to plan, manufacture, deliver and construct the lift shaft and the lift core.
The CIC launched the first Master Class of MiC Project Implementation (Project Managers) in August. Ivan KWAN, Assistant General Manager (MEP & BIM) of Chevalier joined the course and is glad to apply the principles learned on the Chung Yuet Lau project. MiMEP lift machine room which includes steel structure, roof, panels and MEP embedded items are manufactured and tested in factory. The machine room is then transported to the assembly workplace in Hong Kong, which allows workers to install lift machines and MEP services on flat ground safely. After all these prefabricating works, the MiMEP lift machine room will be transported to site, workers will then install CCTV system, outdoor unit of air-conditioning system and cabling etc, which ensures safety by simplifying on-site works.
Scaffoldless installation is a main goal of the project. The team therefore applied the idea of adjustable guide rail brackets on lift shaft to raise flexibility. The MiC lift shaft module will first be fabricated in factory before sending to assembly work site for electrical and lift equipment installation and packing with waterproof enclosure. Once the lift shaft module is ready, it will be delivered to site and lifted by tower crane. The team also set up working platform for the MiC module and temporary protection cover for water tightness and anti-dust measures. Gondola will be then be used to erect lift shaft for installation of ropes and car cage etc.
According to evaluations, 40% of work is carried out in factory. Workers at assembly workplace undertook 45% of the procedures. Apart from testing, over 90% of the elevator project can be done off-site, which greatly reduces the need to work at height. Thanks to BIM and MiC, the project is shortened by 61 days when compared to traditional construction methods which required 358 days, besides it reduces much construction wastage.
Implementing MiC on Lift Tower
Inspired by the Chung Yuet Lau project and other innovative works, the Chevalier team has been actively developing DfMA. Ten MiMEP items including MiC Elevator Installation, MiMEP Pillar Box, MiMEP in MiC Corridor Panel Assembly, MiMEP in MiC Bathroom Modules, MiMEP in MiC Residential Flat Modules, DfMA Elevator Machine Room for Four Elevators and MiMEP Pump Set, in which the MiC Elevator Tower, MiMEP Compressor Set for Freezer System and Modular Solar PV System were most impressive to the industry.
The innovation of MiC Elevator Tower has already been applied in Sheung Shui and Tseung Kwan O pedestrian footbridge projects respectively. Starting from the manufacturing stage, steel carcass is fabricated in factory. Most elevator equipment and temporary support for MiC delivery are also installed beforehand, hence reducing on-site installation work from 60 days to 20 days. While safety level is enhanced, the general public could also enjoy the benefits as transport disturbance, noise and air pollution are minimized. Ir Thomas HO, Chairman of the CIC is pleased to see the team’s dedication to innovation. ‘We always believe that shortening on-site workflow is effective to reduce disturbance to people and environment. This is a great step to enhance speed, efficiency and quantity, not to mention the concept of safety and sustainability,’ he said.
Develop Solar PV System and Invent New Concrete ‘NAMI’
The Chevalier team also makes effort to pursue environmental protection by inventing Modular Solar PV System for footbridges. With the adoption of assembly line production, they wish to speed up the process of fabricating solar panel and contribute to popularization of solar energy in Hong Kong.
Apart from MEP services, the Chevalier team is collaborating with NAMI to achieve Mi Inifinity. The Chung Yuet Lau project adopts a hybrid MiC assembly system and a new building material of high-strength lightweight concrete. The air porous of this new concrete are spread evenly with controlled size. It is therefore 40% lighter but has the same density ratio as ordinary concrete. Even though it is lighter in weight, its point load capacity can still reach 120kg and thus allows freedom in interior design. The CIC has taken an active role in promoting construction innovations. Ir Thomas HO hopes this project can inspire the industry stakeholders to integrate the idea of safety and livability, eventually shaping Hong Kong into a better city.
