October 12, 2021 – DCI Engineers, a structural and civil engineering services company based out of Seattle, Washington, since 1988 partnered with Guerdon on several modular construction projects. Troy Bean, Principal/Director at DCI, spoke with Mainstream Modular on some of the engineering considerations for modular construction.

Bean said traditional and modular building construction are similar from an engineering standpoint. Still, modular offers speed-to-market due to the controlled environment of modular construction building practices.

Bean noted that at DCI, they strive to be the change leaders in the industry and advance new methods and technologies. “We’re spending our R&D time trying to make it easier for the contractor to construct it, for the inspectors to inspect it, and to get a better-completed structure.” 

Although DCI is no stranger to modular construction, each project provides learnings that Bean takes with him for future builds. 

“A lot of it has to do with the supporting structure that gets site built before the modules are brought in,” Bean explained. “And the construction tolerances that need to be followed, the design criteria that need to be in those members; they can present a challenge. The boxes are stacked so fast the buildings don’t have an opportunity to shim and straighten, so everything needs to be really tight once you start.” 

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The Engineering Specifics of Modular Construction

About Guerdon
Guerdon is the leading manufacturer of large-scale, commercial modular construction projects in the Western US and Canada. Guerdon’s modern, innovative modular technology combines on-site construction with precise off-site factory assembly line production. Traditional schedules are shortened substantially because modular units are constructed in our factory-controlled environment while site work and foundation construction are completed concurrently. Guerdon helps developers, architects and general contractors gain greater control over project quality, schedule, and the bottom line. Guerdon’s factory and corporate office are in Boise, Idaho serving 12 western states including California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Arizona and Wyoming as well as Canada.