Hyundai Engineering has obtained technical certification from the Korean Society of Steel Construction for its H-beam modular joint technology, developed in collaboration with Hyundai Steel. The new structure allows for horizontal bolt fastening during on-site assembly, reducing assembly time by over 20% compared to traditional methods.
According to Hyundai Engineering, the certified technology involves a joint structure system that connects box-shaped modules manufactured in the factory when stacking them on-site. This system was developed in accordance with the revised seismic design standards for steel structures implemented in May 2024.
Previously, mid- to high-rise modular buildings primarily used built-up square steel pipes made by cutting and welding steel plates. Hyundai Engineering has replaced this with standardized H-beams to streamline the manufacturing process and enhance material supply and quality consistency.
The on-site assembly method has also been modified. A two-directional positioning guide absorbs horizontal and vertical positioning errors when cranes lower the modules, and a horizontal fastening method allows workers to tighten bolts from the front instead of above. This change is expected to reduce on-site assembly time by more than 20%.
In structural performance tests, the technology maintained its performance without structural damage or strength reduction even at a level of 4% inter-story displacement, which is double the maximum allowable displacement of 2% required by current building standards. Hyundai Engineering and Hyundai Steel have also completed verification of actual module stacking construction at the 'H-Modular Lab' established in 2024. The company plans to apply this technology in data centers and industrial construction.
Recently, the government has viewed modular construction as a means to reduce housing supply timelines and is working on regulatory improvements. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport proposed the establishment of a special law to promote modular construction methods last year and suggested expanding the market through public procurement.
A representative from Hyundai Engineering stated, “The competitiveness of modular construction depends not only on factory production precision but also on how quickly and safely it can be assembled on-site,” adding that the company plans to expand its application to data centers and industrial buildings.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.