Modular coordination
RK Tharun, Shivansh, Yatharth and Varenya
MODULAR COORDINATION
● Modular coordination is a concept of coordination of dimensions and space, in which buildings and
components are dimensioned and positioned in a term of a basic unit or module, known as ‘1 M’
which is equivalent to 100 mm.
● It is internationally accepted by the International Organization for standardization (ISO) and many
other countries.
● Modular Coordination is a useful design tool that provides useful design principles and rules which
combine freedom in architectural planning and free choice of construction method, with the
possibility of incorporating standardized modular components in the project.
BENEFITS
● Better coordination and cooperation between various r in construction.
● Reduction in design time, especially with the use of standard details and dimensional coordination.
● Reduction in manufacturing and installation cost.
● Reduction in wastage of materials, time and manpower in cutting and trimming on site.
● Facilitating prefabrication
AIMS OF MODULAR COORDINATOR
● The principle object is to assist rationalization and industrialization within the building industry, by
standardization in such a way that components may be manufactured on an industrial scale and
erected efficiently on site, thereby improving economics of building.
● Facilitates cooperation between building designers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and
authorities.
● To permit the use of building components of standard sizes to construct any building
● In design work, to simplify the preparation of building drawings
● Optimizes the number of standard sizes of building components.
● Encourages as far as possible the interchangeability components, in whatever materials, forms or
method manufacture.
● Simplifies site operations by rationalizing setting out, positioning and assembly of building
components.
● Ensures dimensional coordination between installation (equipment, storage units, other fitted
furniture, etc.) as well as with the rest of the building.
BASIS OF MODULAR COORDINATION
● The use of modules (basic modules and multi-modules).
● A reference system to define coordinating spaces and zones for building elements and
for components which form them.
● Rules for locating building elements within the reference system
● Rules for sizing building components in order to determine their work sizes
● Rules for defining preferred sizes for building components and coordinating dimensions
for buildings.
MODULES
■Modules- Standard unit size used to coordinate the
dimensions of building and components
MODULES ■Basic module M = 100 mAm The basic module is
the fundamental unit of size in modular
coordination).The coordinating sizes of building
components, of the parts of buildings they form and
of buildings themselves
■Submodules-shall be multiples of the basic module.
BASIC MODULE M = 100mm
■ Multi-Module 2M, 3M
Multi Modules are selected multiples of the basic
module; different multi modules will suit particular
applications.
■ Sub-Module M/2, M/4
MODULES
For sizing of components requiring increment
smaller than M
■ Horizontal planning module
Mh = 3M (300mm)
The horizontal planning module for structural
framework is based on the functional
requirements of the building and the
components to be used for economic design.
■ Vertical Planning Module
Mv = 1M (100mm)
TOLERANCES
● The permissible deviation from a specified value of a structural dimension, often expressed as a
percent.
● Amount of variation permitted or "tolerated" in the size of a machine part.
● Manufacturing variables make it impossible to produce a part of exact dimensions; hence the
designer must be satisfied with manufactured parts that are between a maximum size and a
minimum size.
● Tolerance is the difference between maximum and minimum limits of a basic dimension.
● For instance, in a shaft and hole fit, when the hole is a minimum size and the shaft is a maximum,
the clearance will be the smallest, and when the hole is the maximum size and the shaft the
minimum, the clearance will be the largest.
REFERENCE SYSTEM
The reference system is a system of points, lines and planes to which the sizes and positions of
building components or assemblies relate.
A reference system should be used during the design stage, and may also form the basis of the
system of lines from which measurements on site are set out.
MODULAR SPACE-GRID
■ A modular space-grid is a
three-dimensional system of planes
within which a building and its
components are located. The
distance between the planes in
such a system is equal to the basic
module, or to a multimodule.
MULTI MODULAR GRIDS
BASIC MODULAR GRID
■ The fundamental modular grid
is that in which the spacing of
consecutive parallel lines is
equal to the basic module.
■1M x 1Μ.
INTERRUPTIONS AND
DISPLACEMENTS OF MODULAR
GRID
It may be necessary to interrupt a
modular grid (for example, in order
to accommodate dividing
elements). The width of the zone of
interruption of the modular grid may
be modular or non-modular (neutral
zone).
THE BUILDING REFERENCE SYSTEM
REFERENCE SYSTEM
A system of points, lines and planes to
which sizes and positions of a building
component or assembly may be related.
REFERENCE PLANE
A plane of a reference system.
REFERENCE ZONE
A space bounded by reference planes in a
building to receive a component, assembly
or element including, where appropriate,
allowances for tolerances and joint
clearances.
1. MODULAR LINE 5. PLANNING GRID
A line of a modular reference system. A reference grid for the plan of a building.
2. MODULAR PLANE 6. MODULAR GRID
A plane of a modular reference system. A reference grid in which the distance between
consecutive parallel lines is the basic module or a multiple
3. MODULAR ZONE thereof.
A zone between modular planes. 7. SPACE GRID
4. MODULAR SIZE A three-dimensional network of reference lines.
The size of a modular dimension. 8. MODULAR SPACE GRID
A space grid in which the distance between consecutive
parallel lines is the basic module or a multiple thereof.
ZONES
ZONE
A space between reference planes within or in relation to which a building component is arranged. The space
may be left unfilled.
WALL ZONE
The zone where the wall is accommodated and i t includes the wall finishes.
FLOOR ZONE
The space in section where the floor assembly is accommodated, it extends fro m the top of the floor finish
to the bottom of the ceiling of the floor below.
ROOF ZONE
The zone stretching from the bottom of the ceiling of the top floor to the top of the roof of the building.
THE CONTROLLING REFERENCE SYSTEM
CONTROLLING PLANE MODULAR FLOOR PLANE
A plane in a planning grid by reference to A horizontal modular plane spreading continuously over the whole of
which the theoretical positions of structural each storey of a building and coinciding with the upper surface of
elements are determined. floor finish.
CONTROLLING ZONE FLOOR-TO-FLOOR HEIGHT
A zone between controlling planes, The dimension between the upper controlling plane of one floor zone
provided for a floor, roof, load bearing wall and the upper controlling plane of the floor zone immediately above.
or column.
FLOOR-TO-CEILING HEIGHT
CONTROLLING DIMENSION
The dimension between the upper controlling plane of one floor zone
A dimension between controlling planes, and the lower controlling plane of the floor or roof zone immediately
such as floor-to-floor height, distance above.
between axes of columns, thickness of
controlling zone.
HEIGHT OF FLOOR ZONE
The dimension between the controlling plane of a ceiling and the upper controlling plane of the floor immediately above.
FLOOR-TO-ROOF HEIGHT
The height between the upper controlling plane of one floor and the upper controlling plane of the roof immediately
above.
HEIGHT OF ROOF ZONE
The dimension between the controlling plane of a ceiling and the uper controlling plane of the roof immediately above.
THE COMPONENT REFERENCE SYSTEM
COORDINATING LINE
Line bounding the zones where elements or components are fitted.
COORDINATING PLANE
A plane by reference to which a building component or assembly is coordinated with another.
COORDINATING SPACE
A space bounded by coordinating planes, allocated to a building component or assembly, including allowance
for joints and tolerances.
COORDINATING DIMENSION
(1) A dimension of a coordinating space.
(2) A dimension which is common to two or more building components to permit their assembly.
COORDINATING SIZE
The size of a coordinating dimension.
GRIDS
STRUCTURAL GRID
used to locate structural components such as beams and columns.
PLANNING GRID
based on any convenient modular multiple for regulating space requirements such as rooms.
CONTROLLING GRID
based on any convenient modular multiple for location of internal walls, partitions dc.
BASIC MODULE GRID
used for detail location of components and fittings.
DIMENSIONAL GRID
The modular grid network defines the space into which dimensionally coordinated components must fit. An
important factor is that the component must always be undersized to allow for the joint which is sized by the
obtainable degree of tolerance and site assembly.
• All the above grids, being based on a basic module, are contained one within the other and are therefore interrelated.
• These grids can be used in both the horizontal and vertical planes thus forming a three dimensional grid system.
• If a first preference numerical value is given to M dimensional coordination is established.
DIMENSIONING
Recommended Modular Dimensions
● Basic Module : 1M, 100mm
● Structural Grid : 3M (1M as the second preference)
● Horizontal Multi-Module : 3M (1M as the second preference)
● Vertical Multi-Module : 1M (0.5M as the second preference)
● Doors : Multiples of 1M (width and height)
● Windows : Multiples of 1M (width and height)
● Sub-modular increment : 0.5M and 0.25M
PLANNING APPROACH
FACE PLANNING
● It is used to position components of construction in relation to the grid.
● It is represented by a pair of parallel lines.
● The component is placed with the faces on the lines.
● The distance between the sets of parallel lines is always modular.
AXIAL PLANNING
● It normally determines the position of major components. Example:
columns, cross walls.
● The grid lines in this plan will run along the centre lines of the
components.
● The distance between the grid lines is always modular.
PLANNING APPROACH
COMBINATION OF FACE AND AXIAL PLANNING
● In the planning process, it is easier to begin with the modular grid
and determine the positions of the major elements using the axial
planning.
● The face planning will then be introduced for the positioning and
sizing of various components and also to design the joints.
CONCLUSION
MODULAR COORDINATION requires considerable effort and
discipline and the process may not be pleasant, atleast initially.
However, in the long term, it is likely to pay off when the tool is
understood and used effectively; more so if implemented throughout
the industry.
