Innovative Modular Building Manufactured Using Structural Black Poplar Plywood Panels

Abstract

This article presents a small prefabricated building with constructive systems not usually utilized in Spain, together with the structural checking needed before its construction. The principal material is the black poplar plywood panel. These wood-derived panels may enhance building sustainability and lighten their weight, showing new business opportunities because of the possibility of mass production. This also allows companies to respond to large orders in shorter periods of time, such as critical situations after some recent catastrophes. The construction has to table with the worst environmental conditions in Spain, which are defined by the Spanish Building Technical Code (CTE). For that reason, the national standard mentioned and other recommendations from the American Engineered Wood Association were used in design and structural checking processes. Another important requirement is that the construction has also to be easy to set up by non-qualified workers. Its constructive solution consisted of a bearing wall that supports a roof with two slopes. A wide inner bearing wall supports the weight of the tile roof. Maximum moments and displacements generated were obtained using the Navier and Levy models based on plate’s theory. These calculations allowed us to demonstrate the significant resistance of the construction proposed.