Patent Publication Number: US-11649627-B2

Title: Laminated lumber constructed volumetric modular unit for modular building construction

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure relates to volumetric modular units used in modular building construction and reinforcing structures which may be integrated into such modules. More particularly, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to a laminated lumber constructed modular unit for modular building construction. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Modular building construction is used to construct single floor to multi-floor projects. Multi-floor projects often include larger rooms with unsupported spans that require special supporting structure or components for supporting floors above. For example, a pool, recreational, dinning and reception area of a hotel often include such structure. Popular designs, esthetics and brands are increasingly limiting the amount of visible structural support, wanting an open, unobstructed view and ambience while exceeding design codes and building integrity requirements. Expensive structural components, such as laminated wood and steel beams, posts, girders and trusses, are often relied on for supporting structures. Unsupported spans, especially when supporting above floors, are a significant challenge for modular building construction. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, what is needed is a reinforcing structure that increases the structural integrity and strength of a volumetric modular unit and modular unit constructed building, increases ease of module to module connections, wiring, and plumbing, and enables modules to span greater distances without support from below from non-module features, such as interior walls, columns, posts, piers, beams, girders, or trusses. 
     It is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present disclosure to improve over and address limitations in the state of the art. 
     It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a volumetric modular unit that does not require any additional or special supporting structures from beneath. 
     It is a still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a volumetric modular unit having supporting structure fabricated into a floor structure of the module for traversing unsupported spans. 
     Another object, feature, or advantage is to provide a modular constructed building that includes one or more large rooms or spaces unobstructed by structural components, such as laminated wood and steel beams, posts, girders and trusses. 
     Yet another object, feature, or advantage is to provide a modular constructed building with one or more volumetric modular units traversing unsupported spans above a large open area. 
     Still another object, feature, or advantage is to provide a wall structure of a volumetric modular unit that is attached to a floor structure through one or multiple laminated lumbers. 
     According to one exemplary aspect of the disclosure, a laminated lumber constructed volumetric modular unit constructed at a modular unit factory and shipped assembled to a modular building project site is disclosed. The laminated lumber constructed volumetric modular unit includes a floor structure and ceiling structure interconnected by opposing side wall structures and opposing end wall structures, a plurality of floor trusses disposed within the floor structure, a plurality of ceiling trusses disposed within the ceiling structure, a plurality of wall studs disposed within the opposing side wall structures and opposing end wall structures, one or more rim joists attached to the ceiling structure, and one or more multiple laminated lumbers attached to the floor structure and extending between the opposing end wall structures for carrying the load of the modular unit. 
     According to one exemplary aspect of the disclosure, a modular building constructed from laminated lumber constructed volumetric modular unit is disclosed. The modular building includes a foundation with opposing foundation walls forming an open space extending entirely between the opposing foundation walls, a plurality of volumetric modular units assembled together on top of the foundation to provide the modular building having one or more floors with one or more rooms, at least one of the plurality of volumetric modular units having a floor structure and ceiling structure interconnected by opposing side wall structures and opposing end wall structures, a plurality of floor trusses disposed within the floor structure, a plurality of ceiling trusses disposed within the ceiling structure, a plurality of wall studs disposed within the opposing side wall structures and opposing end wall structures, one or more rim joists attached to the ceiling structure, and one or more multiple laminated lumbers attached to the floor structure and extending between the opposing end wall structures for carrying the load of the modular unit. A first supported end of the one or more multiple laminated lumbers is supported atop a first one of the opposing foundation walls and a second supported end of the one or more multiple laminated lumbers is supported atop a second one of the opposing foundation walls. An unsupported portion of the one or more multiple laminated lumbers extends between the first and second supported ends above the open space. 
     According to one exemplary aspect of the disclosure, a method for constructing a volumetric modular unit with laminated lumber at a modular unit factory for shipping assembled to a modular building project site and building a modular constructed building is disclosed. The method includes fabricating a floor structure from a plurality of floor trusses, fabricating a ceiling structure from a plurality of ceiling trusses, fabricating opposing side wall structures and opposing end wall structures from a plurality of wall studs, attaching one or more rim joists to the ceiling structure, and attaching one or more multiple laminated lumbers to the floor structure between the opposing end wall structures for carrying the load of the volumetric modular unit. In at least one aspect, the method includes, providing a foundation with opposing foundation walls forming an open space extending entirely between the opposing foundation walls at the modular building project site, assembling a plurality of volumetric modular units together on top of the foundation to provide the modular constructed building having one or more floors with one or more rooms, and supporting a first supported end of the one or more multiple laminated lumbers atop a first one of the opposing foundation walls and supporting a second supported end of the one or more multiple laminated lumbers atop a second one of the opposing foundation walls so that an unsupported portion of the one or more multiple laminated lumbers extends between the first and second supported ends above the open space. 
     One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow. No single aspect need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. Different aspects may have different objects, features, or advantages. Therefore, the disclosure is not to be limited to or by any objects, features, or advantages stated herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrated embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein. 
         FIG.  1    is an isometric view of a volumetric modular unit in accordance with an illustrative aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a side elevation view of the volumetric modular unit shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is an isometric view of the volumetric modular unit shown in  FIG.  1    with sheathing shown exploded for one side and removed from the other sides in accordance with an illustrative aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-section view of the volumetric modular unit taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG.  3    illustrating reinforcing structure in the floor according to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is an isometric view of a modular constructed building with sheathing removed for illustrating in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a section view of the modular constructed building taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG.  5    illustrating mating and connection between modular units in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-section view of the modular constructed building taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG.  5    illustrating a span of the volumetric unit above an open space within the modular constructed building in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosure provides volumetric modular units or modules used in modular building construction and reinforcing structures which may be integrated into the units/modules used in modular building construction. The reinforcing structures may be used to increase the structural integrity and strength of a volumetric modular unit and enable it to span greater distances without building framing and structural support from below, such as walls, columns, posts, piers, beams, girders, or trusses. 
     The modular building construction method utilizes “volumetric modular units,” “modular units,” “modulars,” or “modules,” as they are typically referred to within the industry, produced in a factory environment, transported to a project site, and together with other modular units and constructions materials are assembled into a final building configuration at a project or construction site. Each modular unit may include one or more habitable rooms in which the floor, walls, and ceiling are preassembled at a production facility for modular units, transported to the construction site, and then moved into their final position and fastened together before the exterior, facade or finishing touches of the modular constructed building are applied to the exterior, the adjoining interior spaces and the roof. The degree to which the modular units are finished at the production facility may vary, but can include installation, texturing, and painting of walls and ceilings; installation and finishing of doors, windows, and decorative trim; installation of carpet, tile, and other flooring; installation of lights, switches, outlets, plumbing, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems; and installation of cabinets, counters and countertops, and even certain furniture and furnishings. In contrast, traditional site-built or stick-built construction requires delivering all of the necessary materials to the construction site where individual components and materials are fabricated and assembled into the final structure at the site, and specialized crews are hired to complete the installation of the aforementioned items and systems. Significant advantages of modular construction include performing the work in an enclosed facility protected from weather and the elements; efficiencies and improved quality arising from working in a factory setting with the assistance of tools and machinery that is not practical at an outdoor work site; and lower costs, shorter time to occupancy, and improved cash flow for the building owner resulting from these efficiencies and avoiding the need to hire skilled trade crews to work at the construction site. 
     Proper support for the individual modular units is vital to ensuring the assembled modular constructed building maintains its structural integrity over time and provides a safe and pleasant environment for its occupants. This support may be provided in various ways, including a slab on grade in which the modular units rest directly on a concrete slab at ground level, a below-grade basement or crawl space in which the modular units are supported by a foundation and vertical walls, or a “podium” in which the first floor is constructed using traditional non-modular building techniques and the modular units are placed on top of the first floor podium. Buildings constructed or assembled from modular units may include a single story or may be stacked on top of one another and side-by-side to create a structure several stories tall. In certain building designs, it may be desirable to create large open spaces. Examples from residential construction include living or recreational spaces in a single-family home or multi-family apartment building or condominium. In commercial construction, examples include areas such as lobbies, conference rooms, ballrooms, fitness areas, dinning areas, recreational areas, and indoor swimming pools where support structures including walls, columns, and piers would interfere with the activity taking place in the space, run array of architectural plans or detract from the aesthetics and visual appeal of the facility. Alternatives to walls, columns, and piers exist and may include structural elements like laminated wood beams or steel beams, girders, and trusses over the open space to provide support for the building structure above the open space. These alternatives are very expensive, require structural analysis to ensure their adequacy, and require costly crews, equipment, and time to install them properly while the building is being constructed. 
     The present disclosure concerns structures and methods to provide support contained within the buildout of a modular unit for spanning over large open spaces in a modular constructed building. While individual modular units used in modular building construction must be robustly constructed to withstand the rigors of being transported from the production facility to the construction site, the integration of a reinforcing structure during the building of a modular unit can further increase the rigidity and structural integrity and strength of the modular unit to the point where it no longer requires support from below and can span such large open spaces without disruptive walls, columns or piers or costly beams, girders, or trusses disposed beneath. 
     By building a reinforcing structure within the floor of an individual modular unit, the entire modular unit becomes a structural truss capable of spanning large open spaces without interior support elements from below. The reinforcing structure may take the form of single or multiple laminated lumbers, such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL) or parallel strand lumber (PSL), integrated into the floor structure of a modular unit. In one aspect, traditional bottom rim joists attached to floor trusses are configured with single or multiple laminated lumbers, depending on the structural rigidity needed in each modular unit. This structure withstands the tensile and compressive forces necessary to prevent the module from sagging downward, thereby eliminating the need for the aforementioned underlying supports such as walls, columns, piers, beams, girders, and trusses. 
       FIGS.  1 - 7    disclose exemplary aspects of a laminated lumber constructed modular unit  100  for modular building construction, where reinforcing structure takes the form of single or multiple laminated lumbers integrated into structural elements of the modular unit. The reinforcing structure may be integrated into the floor, walls, and roof In a preferred aspect, the reinforcing structure may be integrated into the floor. In a preferred aspect, the reinforcing structure may be integrated into the floor and wall. In one aspect, the reinforcing structure may be integrated into the roof. In another aspect, the reinforcing structure may be integrated into the roof and wall. 
     Modular unit  100  includes opposing walls  110  and  112  connected to an opposing floor  114 , ceiling  116 , and end walls  162 ,  164 . Walls  110 ,  112  are framed from dimensional lumber such as 2×4s (e.g., for interior walls) or 2×6s (e.g., exterior walls) and include wall studs  118  connected between a top plate  120  and a bottom plate  122 . Walls  110 ,  112  may include a single or double top plate  120 , wall studs  118  and a single or double bottom plate  122  or sole plate. The interior side of walls  110  typically include an interior wall  124  of sheetrock and the exterior side of walls  110 ,  112  typically include an exterior wall  126 , of one or more reinforcing structures, such as sheathing  168  with chipboard/particle board or oriented strand board (OSB). Walls  110 ,  112  may be framed to include one or more windows  127 . Any suitable mechanism for constructing walls  110 ,  112  along with other features may be used, including bolts and nuts, lag bolts, screws, nails, and/or structural adhesives. 
     The ceiling  116  includes ceiling trusses  128  with a top chord  130  and bottom chord  132  connected by webs, such as a post  134  and diagonal  136 . The interior side of ceiling  116  typically includes an interior ceiling  138  of sheetrock. Opposing top rim joists  140 ,  142  are connected to opposing ends of the ceiling trusses  128  and the top plate  120  of walls  110 ,  112  providing a reinforcing structure to the modular unit  100 . Top rim joists  140 ,  142  can be constructed from dimensional lumber, such as doubled-up 2×10s or 2×12s. Any suitable mechanism for assembling ceiling  116 , ceiling trusses  128 , top rim joists  140 ,  142  and walls  110 ,  122  along with other features may be used, including bolts and nuts, lag bolts, screws, nails, and/or structural adhesives. 
     The floor  114  includes a floor truss  144  with a top chord  146  and bottom chord  148  connected by webs, such as a post  150  and diagonal  152 . The interior side of floor  114  typically includes a subfloor  154  and finished floor  156 . Other suitable sizes, arrangements and construction of floor trusses  144  are contemplated. For example, floor truss  144  may be constructed from two-by solid lumber, such as 2 inches by 8 inches, 2 inches by 10 inches, 2 inches by 12 inches, with various spacing. Other suitable sizes, arrangements and construction of the floor trusses  144  are also contemplated, such as, for example, a truss joist, I-joist, and a metal web system (e.g., Posi-Struts by MiTek). Opposing bottom one or multiple laminated lumbers  158 ,  160  are connected to opposing ends of the floor truss  144  and the bottom plate  122  of walls  110 ,  112  providing a reinforcing structure to the modular unit  100 . One or multiple laminated lumbers  158 ,  160  can be constructed from laminated veneer lumber (LVL), such as, for example, 5¼ inch by 20 inches by 16 foot pieces of LVL staggered and offset across a full length (e.g., 65 feet) of the modular unit  100 . Other suitable sizes, arrangements and construction of the LVL are contemplated), such as, for example, 1¾ inch by 11⅞ inches by 16 foot pieces of LVL stacked multiples together, staggered and offset across a full length of the modular unit  100  and 1¾ inch by 7¼ inches by 16 foot pieces of LVL stacked multiples together, staggered and offset across a full length of the modular unit  100 . One or multiple laminated lumbers  158 ,  160  can be constructed from parallel strand lumber (PSL), such as, for example, 5½ inch by 22 inches by 16 foot pieces of PSL staggered and offset across a full length of the modular unit  100 . Other suitable sizes, arrangements and construction of the PSL are contemplated. Although the one or multiple laminated lumbers  158 ,  160  are contemplated as being constructed from LVL and PSL. The present disclosure also contemplates construction from Glue Laminated Timber (Glulam), Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Nail Laminated Timber (NLT), Dowel Laminated Timber (DLT), and the like. The present disclosure also contemplates using solid lumber in place of the one or more laminated lumbers  158 ,  160 . Any suitable mechanism for assembling floor  114 , one or multiple laminated lumbers  158 ,  160  and walls  110 ,  112  along with other features may be used, including bolts and nuts, lag bolts, screws, nails, and/or structural adhesives. 
     The end walls  162 ,  164  are framed from dimensional lumber such as 2×4s or 2×6s and include wall studs  118  connected between a top plate  120  and a bottom plate  122 . The interior side of walls  110  of end walls  162 ,  164  typically includes an interior wall  124  of sheetrock and the exterior side of end walls  162 ,  164  includes an exterior wall  126 , of one or more reinforcing structures, such as sheathing  168  with chipboard/particle board or oriented strand board (OSB). End walls  162 ,  164  may be framed to include one or more windows  166 . Any suitable mechanism for constructing walls  110 ,  112  and other features may be used, including bolts and nuts, lag bolts, screws, nails, and/or structural adhesives. 
     An assembled modular unit  100  includes, for example, opposing walls  110 ,  112  spaced apart by the ceiling  116  and floor  114  and enclosed by opposing end walls  162 ,  164 . The one or more multiple laminated lumbers  158 ,  160  are configured as part of floor  114 , are disposed parallel of each other on opposing sides of the modular unit  100  and run the entire length of the modular unit  100  between opposing end walls  162 ,  164 . Thus, for example, opposing end walls  162 ,  164  can be mounted atop a foundation  204  and vertical walls  206 , or a “podium”  202  in which the first floor is constructed using traditional non-modular building techniques creating a large open space beneath the unsupported span  161  of the modular unit that is unobstructed from and can span such large open spaces without disruptive walls, columns or piers or costly beams, girders, or trusses. The unsupported span  161  includes an unsupported portion  172  and a supported portion  174 . The unsupported portion  172  extends between opposing supported portions  174 . For example, vertical walls  206  of podium  202  provide the supported portion  174  underneath the one or more multiple laminate lumbers  158 ,  160 . The unsupported portion  172  spans across the foundation  204  between opposing vertical walls  206  of the podium  202  providing the unsupported span  161  of the modular unit  100 . In another aspect, depending on the design requirements for the modular unit constructed building  200 , the one or multiple laminated lumbers  158 ,  160  have an unsupported span  161  that is configured to span unsupported portions of the floor  114  of the modular unit  100 , using other types of reinforcement for supported portions of the floor  114 . In another aspect, depending on the design requirements for the modular unit constructed building  200 , the one or multiple laminated lumbers  158 ,  160  could be configured to span one or more portions of the ceiling or the entirety of the ceiling such as top rim joists  140 ,  142 . 
     An assembled modular unit constructed building  200  includes, for example, modular units  100  set upon a slab on grade in which the modular units rest directly on a concrete slab at ground level, a below-grade basement or crawl space in which the modular units are supported by a foundation and vertical walls, or a “podium” in which the first floor is constructed using traditional non-modular building techniques and the modular units  100  are placed on top of the first floor podium. 
       FIG.  6    provides an exemplary illustration for the orientation, mating and connection of at the floor  113  and walls  110 ,  112  of each modular unit  100  of the assembled modular unit constructed building  200 . Adjoining floor  114  portions of modular units  100  are illustrated pictorially at the top of the figure. Adjoining ceiling  116  portions of the modular units  100  are illustrated pictorially at the bottom of the figure and discussed below. Left and right adjoining walls  110 ,  112  are framed from dimensional lumber such as 2×4s (e.g., for interior walls) or 2×6s (e.g., exterior walls) and include wall studs  118  connected between a top plate  120  and a bottom plate  122 . The wall studs  118  may be spaced apart 16″ on-center (O.C.). Insulation  121 , such as sound attenuation batting (SAB) insulation or other suitable insulations, may be disposed within walls  110 ,  112 , such as between wall studs  118 . The interior side of walls  110  typically include an interior wall  124  of sheetrock, such as one or multiple layers of ⅝″ gypsum wall board (GWB) and the exterior side of walls  110 ,  112  includes an exterior wall  126 , of one or multiple reinforcing structures, such as sheathing  168  with chipboard/particle board or oriented strand board (OSB), such as 7/16″ OSB sheathing  168 . 
     End walls  162 ,  164  of each modular unit  100  may be framed to include one or more windows  127 . Walls  110 ,  112  that are on the exterior of the modular unit constructed building  200  may also include one or more windows  127 . Any suitable mechanism for constructing walls  110 ,  112  and other features may be used, including bolts and nuts, lag bolts, screws, nails, and/or structural adhesives. 
     The floor  114  of each adjoining modular unit  100  includes a floor truss  144  with a top chord  146  and bottom chord  148  connected by webs, such as a post  150  and diagonal  152 . The floor truss  144  may be any type of floor truss, such as an 11⅞″ floor truss spaced apart 16″ O.C. or other suitable floor trusses and spacing. Other suitable sizes, arrangements and construction of floor trusses  144  are contemplated. For example, floor truss  144  may be constructed from two-by solid lumber, such as 2 inches by 8 inches, 2 inches by 10 inches, 2 inches by 12 inches, with various spacing. Other suitable sizes, arrangements and construction of the floor trusses  144  are also contemplated, such as, for example, a truss joist, I-joist, and a metal web system (e.g., Posi-Struts by MiTek). Insulation  121 , such as sound attenuation batting (SAB) insulation, unfaced batting insulation or other suitable insulations, may be disposed within floors  114 . The interior side of floor  114  typically includes a subfloor  154 , such as 23/32″ OSB or other suitable sheathing  168 , and a finished floor  156 , such as carpet, wood, linoleum, and tile. One or multiple laminated lumbers  158  are connected to the floor truss  144  and the bottom plate  122  of wall  110  and one or multiple laminated lumbers  160  are connected to the floor truss  144  and the bottom plate  122  of wall  112  thereby providing a reinforcing structure to each modular unit  100 . One or multiple laminated lumbers  158 ,  160  can be constructed from laminated veneer lumber (LVL), such as, for example, 5¼ inch by 20 inches by 16 foot pieces of LVL staggered and offset across a full length (e.g., 65 feet) of the modular unit  100 . Other suitable sizes, arrangements and construction of the LVL are contemplated), such as, for example, 1¾ inch by 11⅞ inches by 16 foot pieces of LVL stacked multiples together, staggered and offset across a full length of the modular unit  100  and 1¾ inch by 7¼ inches by 16 foot pieces of LVL stacked multiples together, staggered and offset across a full length of the modular unit  100 . One or multiple laminated lumbers  158 ,  160  can be constructed from parallel strand lumber (PSL), such as, for example, 5½ inch by 22 inches by 16 foot pieces of PSL staggered and offset across a full length of the modular unit  100 . Other suitable sizes, arrangements and construction of the PSL are contemplated. Although the one or multiple laminated lumbers  158 ,  160  are contemplated as being constructed from LVL and PSL. The present disclosure also contemplates construction from Glue Laminated Timber (Glulam), Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Nail Laminated Timber (NLT), Dowel Laminated Timber (DLT), and the like. The present disclosure also contemplates using solid lumber in place of the one or more laminated lumbers  158 ,  160 . Any suitable mechanism for assembling floor  114 , one or multiple laminated lumbers  158 ,  160  and walls  110 ,  112  along with other features may be used, including bolts and nuts, lag bolts, screws, nails, and/or structural adhesives. 
       FIG.  6    also provides an exemplary illustration for the orientation, mating and connection at the ceiling  116  and walls  110 ,  112  of each modular unit  100  of the assembled modular unit constructed building  200 . Adjoining ceiling  116  portions of the modular units  100  are illustrated pictorially at the bottom of the figure. Adjoining floor  114  portions of modular units  100  are illustrated pictorially at the top of the figure and discussed above. Left and right adjoining walls  110 ,  112  are framed from dimensional lumber such as 2×4s (e.g., for interior walls) or 2×6s (e.g., exterior walls) and include wall studs  118  connected between a top plate  120  and a bottom plate  122 . The wall studs  118  may be spaced apart 16″ on-center (O.C.). Insulation  121 , such as sound attenuation batting (SAB) insulation or other suitable insulations, may be disposed within walls  110 ,  112 , such as between wall studs  118 . The interior side of walls  110  typically include an interior wall  124  of sheetrock, such as one or multiple layers of ⅝″ gypsum wall board (GWB) and the exterior side of walls  110 ,  112  includes an exterior wall  126 , of one or multiple reinforcing structures, such as sheathing  168  with chipboard/particle board or oriented strand board (OSB), such as 7/16″ OSB sheathing  168 . 
     End walls  162 ,  164  of each modular unit  100  may be framed to include one or more windows  127 . Walls  110 ,  112  that are on the exterior of the modular unit constructed building  200  may also include one or more windows  127 . Any suitable mechanism for constructing walls  110 ,  112  and other features may be used, including bolts and nuts, lag bolts, screws, nails, and/or structural adhesives. 
     The ceiling  116  of each adjoining modular unit  100  includes ceiling trusses  128  with a top chord  130  and bottom chord  132  connected by webs, such as a post  134  and diagonal  136 . The ceiling trusses  128  may be any type of ceiling truss, such as a 9¼″ ceiling trusses spaced apart 24″ O.C. or other suitable ceiling trusses and spacing. Insulation  121 , such as faced/unfaced batting insulation, sound attenuation batting (SAB) insulation, or other suitable insulations, may be disposed within ceiling  116 . The interior side of ceiling  116  typically includes an interior ceiling  138  of sheetrock, such as one or multiple layers of ⅝″ gypsum wall board (GWB) or other suitable wall boards. Top rim joist  142  of the left modular unit  100  are connected to the ends of the ceiling trusses  128  and the top plate  120  of wall  112  providing a reinforcing structure to the left modular unit  100 . Similarly, top rim joist  140  of the right modular unit  100  are connected to the ends of the ceiling trusses  128  and the top plate  120  of wall  110  providing a reinforcing structure to the right modular unit  100 . Top rim joists  140 ,  142  can be constructed or assembled from dimensional lumber, such as doubled-up 2×10s or 2×12s, or other suitable lumber. Any suitable mechanism for assembling ceiling  116 , ceiling trusses  128 , top rim joists  140 ,  142  and walls  110 ,  112  along with other features may be used, including bolts and nuts, lag bolts, screws, nails, and/or structural adhesives. 
       FIG.  6    also provides an exemplary illustration for the orientation, mating and connection at the ceiling  116  and floor  114  of each modular unit  100  of the assembled modular unit constructed building  200 . In one aspect, a crush plate  178  constructed from dimensional lumber, such as 2×8s, 2×10s, 2×12s, or other suitable dimensions, is disposed between the ceilings  116  and floors  114  of modular units  100  assembled together into a modular unit constructed building  200 . Crush plate  178 , also known as an anti-crush plate, are generally used to avoid crushing of the lumber at supports of heavily loaded lumber trusses on wall frames. Crush plate  178  accomplishes this by increasing the width of the bearing and therefore the bearing capacity. Crush plate  178  is typically disposed underneath the one or more multiple laminated lumbers  160  of the left modular unit  100 , underneath the one or multiple laminated lumbers  158  of the right modular unit  100 , above the top rim joist  142  of the left modular unit  100 , above the top rim joist  140  of the right modular unit, and spanning a gap  170  between both the left and right modular units  100 . Modular units  100  are assembled together so common features align, such as a hallway  170 , breezeway or corridor. Any suitable mechanism for assembling the crush plate  178 , the one or more multiple laminated lumbers  160  of the left modular unit  100 , the one or multiple laminated lumbers  158  of the right modular unit  100 , the top rim joist  142  of the left modular unit  100 , and the top rim joist  140  of the right modular unit, along with other features may be used, including bolts and nuts, lag bolts, screws, nails, and/or structural adhesives. 
     The invention is not to be limited to the particular aspects described herein. In particular, the disclosure contemplates numerous variations in a laminated lumber constructed modular unit for modular building construction, as best illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 7   . The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or limit any of the invention to the precise forms disclosed. It is contemplated that other alternatives or exemplary aspects are considered included in the disclosure. The description is merely examples of embodiments, processes or methods of the invention. It is understood that any other modifications, substitutions, and/or additions can be made, which are within the intended spirit and scope of the disclosure.