Universal Connector for Modular Construction

Dates

2017-2020

Type of project

Research Program

Status

Completed

Financial Partners

The Game-Changing Connector

The LOC system was imagined and developed by Ph.D. student, Laurence Picard, under the supervision of professors André Bégin-Drolet (Department of Mechanical Engineering) and Pierre Blanchet (Department of Wood and Forest Sciences), both affiliated with Université Laval.
Its development was carried out as part of the Industrialized Construction Initiative research program, a structuring project supported by the BOCA excellence cluster, industrial partners and publicly funded organizations.

How It Works & Key Benefits

• The connector is installed at the four corners of the modules and automatically locks into place when stacked.

• It enables the transfer of both vertical and lateral loads (gravity, wind, seismic), ensuring structural integrity.

• Fully mechanical, it requires no tools or power supply.

• It reduces on-site assembly time by up to 75%.

• It also allows for a higher degree of factory finishing (up to +25%).

Impact on the Industry

This innovation delivers significant gains in productivity and quality while lowering costs. It enhances the relevance of industrialized wood construction for multi-storey residential and commercial projects, and helps accelerate the adoption of sustainable building practices.

Laurence Picard

Partners

My 3-Minute Thesis

Three Minute Thesis is a science communication competition in which PhD students present their research topic in just three minutes, using only one slide. The goal is to make research accessible to a broad audience. Ms. Picard presented the LOC connector at this competition.

Three Minute Thesis