A researcher trained at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has earned international recognition for research that could significantly improve safety, efficiency and sustainability in modern building construction.
Mr. Sulemana Fatoama Abdulai, an alumnus of KNUST’s Department of Construction Technology and Management, has led a major study on modular integrated construction (MiC) that was selected as an Editors’ Choice publication by the American Society of Civil Engineers, one of the world’s most respected engineering institutions.
The study, published in the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, identifies the condition of rigging equipment as the single most consistent factor affecting the precise alignment of prefabricated building modules during installation, a long-standing challenge in modular construction.
Abdulai, who is currently based at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, completed both his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Technology and Management and his Master of Science in Construction Management at KNUST. He also served as a teaching assistant in the department after his undergraduate studies.
“Module alignment precision is critical for structural stability and safety,” Abdulai said. “Even minor misalignment can lead to gaps, uneven load distribution and long-term risks for buildings.”
Modular construction involves manufacturing large building components off-site and assembling them on location. While the approach offers major benefits in speed, cost efficiency and environmental sustainability, achieving alignment accuracy within tolerances of just one to three millimetres remains difficult.
Using expert consultations, an extensive literature review and advanced statistical analysis, the research team examined 18 factors influencing module alignment. These were grouped into four areas: module design features, worker-related factors, equipment condition and weather conditions.
Across different project contexts, rigging equipment condition emerged as the most stable and decisive factor for successful alignment.
The findings are particularly significant as governments and developers increasingly turn to modular construction to address housing shortages and climate change. The construction sector accounts for about 39 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“Modular construction can help reduce waste and emissions, but only if assembly on site is reliable and precise,” said Dr. Ridwan Taiwo, a co-author of the study.
The researchers estimate that applying the study’s recommendations could cut construction costs by up to 30 percent by reducing rework, delays and material waste.
The research has already attracted interest from construction firms and research institutions in Asia and Europe, where modular construction is expanding rapidly.
The study was conducted in collaboration with Professor Tarek Zayed, Abdulai’s doctoral supervisor, and Ali Hassan Ali, both of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Abdulai said future work will explore the use of digital technologies, including sensors and artificial intelligence, to monitor alignment in real time during module installation.
“This research is practical,” he said. “It is designed to solve real problems faced by construction professionals on site.”
