SBIR-STTR Award

The problem being addressed is the rising cost, declining quality and availability of rural housing. Factors for this include: rising lumber costs, the unavailability of skilled labor, limited access, and building methods that do not optimize the potential of current wood products. The Interlocking Construction System (I.C.S.) is an innovative panelized construction system using standard, interchangeable panels, whose design integrates panel and wood connections. The I.C.S. panels function as a structural component in addition to interlocking to form a completely finished building. This design creates a stronger, longer lasting structure that can be disassembled and recycled in future construction projects, thereby maximizing the efficient utilization of existing wood resources. The I.C.S. is designed for quick on-site assembly by a few unskilled laborers, eliminating the need for cranes, heavy equipment or power tools. The objective of this project, based on an existing 1/6 scale working model, is to build and test a full-scale structural model and thirteen shear wall, floor and roof panels. Current research suggests that I.C.S. results in significant improvement over conventional building methods due to its structural strength and increased wood performances.

Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research:
Advantages of the Interlocking Construction System: I.C.S makes housing available in rural areas where construction skills and access are limited. I.C.S. needs no electricity to construct. Potential markets: permanent residential and export housing, commercial and agricultural buildings, and temporary housing for disaster and emergency relief victims. Structures can be disassembled and recycled during remodeling or rebuilding, reducing waste and increasing wood product longevity. Reduces on-site labor costs by pre-fabricating building sections in a controlled factory environment (pre-finishing each section prior to assembly) and eliminating special transport, cranes and on-site laborers. I.C.S. improves the strength and life of wood structures.

The problem being addressed is the rising costs, declining quality and overall availability of rural housing. Factors impacting this include rising lumber costs, the unavailability of skilled labor, limited access and the need for improved building technologies. The Interlocking Construction System (ICS) offers an innovative approach to improving rural housing. The ICS is a panelized construction system using standard interchangeable panels, whose design integrates panel and wood connections. ICS panels contain the structural framework that is formed when the panels interlock into a completely finished structure. The ICS panels can be easily transported, handled and quickly installed by a few unskilled laborers using only a few hand tools. Phase I research has proven the full-scale feasibility of the Interlocking Construction System. Initial testing of the ICS wall panels in Phase I indicates a significant ease of construction and an increase in strength over conventional building methods. Phase II research will include field-testing a full-scale test home and additional tests on the three-dimensional structure to determine how the full-scale components interact with and relate to the overall structural performance of the ICS test-home. Phase II testing should be useful in obtaining building code approval and quicker entrance into the housing market. ANTICIPATED RESULTS & POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS OF RESEARCH The advantages of the Interlocking Construction System: ICS makes quality housing available in rural areas where construction skills and access are limited; ICS needs no electricity to construct; Reduces on-site labor costs by pre-fabricating panels in a controlled factory environment and assembly on-site utilizing unskilled laborers; Transportation costs are minimized because smaller-sized panels eliminate special transport, cranes, etc.; ICS shows potential for rapid assembly, improved strength, flexibility of design and future expandability. Potential markets include: permanent rural and export housing, commercial and agricultural buildings, farm-worker housing, self-help housing, temporary housing for disaster and emergency relief victims.