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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

MECHCORE: rationalizing the design and construction installation of the single family dwelling's mechanical systems

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This thesis develops a transitional approach for moving the design and construction installation of the mechanical systems of the single family dwelling from its custom construction to industrialized products and construction. The approach is referred to as the MECHCORE Approach. Research of the past attempts to industrialize mechanical systems showed that the primary reasons for failures were high production and product coats, lack of flexibility, and demands for changes too rapid for the housing industry to bear. A review of physical, technical, economic, and business factors of the industry shows that there is a need for industrialized mechanical systems that the industry can take steps toward this end if the steps are transitional enough to cushion the shock of change. The objectives industrialized mechanical systems must reach for to succeed are formulated from research data and used to guide the MECHCORE Approach. Examins.tion of conventional house framing revealed no real attempt to coordinate it with the physical requirements of medical systems. Ways are suggested to alleviate the problem. A study of distribution and intensity of mechanical systems in the home indicate that there is a great potential for integrating components and coordinating their installation. This can be capitalized on by dividing mechanical components into three functional areas (core, transport, and service) and dealing with them in terms of these areas. This thesis organizes the home’s mechanical system on this three element basis and proposees component integration and levels of rationalization that evolve to industrialize systems.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Architecture
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Environmental Systems Studies
Department dc:contributor.department
Environmental Systems Studies
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Year dc:date.issued
1973

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Lisee, Edward J.

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en_US

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/10919/76384
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/76384

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Lisee, Edward J.. MECHCORE: rationalizing the design and construction installation of the single family dwelling's mechanical systems. masters thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1973. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/76384