A Novel Optimised Inter‐Locking Connection for Steel Modular Building Systems to Enable Reuse

A new inter‐module connection was developed, adopting structural topology optimisation (STO) and the inter‐locking method of joining. The structural performance of the connection was assessed through a series of monotonic and cyclic FE analyses. Results revealed that the structural behaviour of the new connection was comparable to that of other inter‐module joints in the literature, while managing to tackle their limitations by introducing both an easy‐to‐install and easy‐to‐disassemble configuration with promising opportunities for reuse, demonstrating that inter‐locking joints can be worthy competitors for traditional means of attachment in the future of modular construction.