Engineers from a leading university structural research lab have conducted experimental testing evaluating the fire resistance and earthquake resilience of Canadian prefabricator Lida Group’s proprietary light steel framed modular building system targeted for affordable housing projects.

Their latest prefabricated building assembles column-free floor and wall panels utilizing cold-formed galvanized steel trusses and studs with insulation sandwiched between sheeting. Panels incorporate floor joists, mechanical cores and exterior finishing in a fully integrated “building-in-a-box” concept.

Full-scale mockups subjecting completed panel assemblies to controlled simulations more accurately analyze structural performance versus theoretical models alone. Fire tests apply flame jets exceeding code requirements across four hours gauging load-bearing capacity retention through extreme 1,650°C heat exposures.

In seismic tests, instrumented samples endure cyclic shake table displacements replicating maximum probable earthquake forces across multiple failure thresholds. Accelerometers record panel response and identify vulnerabilities informing optimized designs.

Preliminary findings report assemblies far exceeding code minimums. Fire testing proved panels’ loadbearing capacity and integrity holding across four continuous hours at 1,000°C with negligible distortions post-test. Such resilience surpasses code by 300%.

Seismically, assemblies absorb up to 40% beyond code-prescribed earthquake forces through ductile steel performance. No fractures or collapse occurred as observed with certain wood framing prone to brittle failures under seismic stresses.

Researchers conclude Lida’s modular light steel platform supports feasibility designing taller, larger and affordable multi-unit buildings through robust fire, earthquake and structural performance. Their findings influence adopting such noncombustible framing systems across expanding urban wildland fire and seismic zones.

If proven through field installations, the innovative lightweight structural panel system aims transforming mass housing by reducing construction timelines and costs while boosting safety and resilience compared to heavier traditional materials. Developers foresee broader appeal incentivizing affordability via cost and insurance savings.

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