Construction Technology - QSB1514

Construction Technology - QSB1514

Through this four months, it has been a struggle to learn the facts about construction industry by just listening to the theories during the lecture and tutorial session. Fortunately, thanks to Mr. Leong our lecturer for making the class interesting with his stories about his life experience in project management of construction industries. Stories like his friends manage to convince him that with just one certain action, he can demolish the KLCC Tower. Although he didn't reveal how to do it, this kinds of stories are totally out of the notes whereby it makes the lecture a whole lot better.

I also gain virtual knowledge about the type of construction ( residential, commercial/social, Heavy engineering and industrial), Site clearance, subsoil (hard rock, gravel, sand, clay), scaffolding, types of foundations, concrete frame building, walls , roofs, staircase , etc.

For this semester, we were given two assignment.
Learning Outcome 

I was able to understand and visualize the theory taught in class. The site visit allowed me to have a hand on review and a clear understanding about construction work including being able to question and absorb the logic behind the machineries, construction techniques and methodology.

           It is also essential to learn the importance of a tidy and organized working environment, as well as safety equipment.  This project helped me to identify the issues of urgent and importance, challenges face and strategies pursued by the construction engineer and the project manager which in return will help us to rethink our own conceptions of the reality.

           It also assisted me in gaining knowledge for the preparation of their future. I was exposed to various construction methods at the site. ( Concrete work, formwork, brickwork, foundations, etc. I now possess the ability to differentiate the difference between types of foundation and the purpose of combining of foundation in the construction site, how the bar bending machine function and the function of  building materials. 

Assignment 1 = Site visit Analysis

For my group assignment we have chosen to survey a semi-detached house of one of our group members located in a residential area in Bukit Damansara. It is my best buddy Osman's house.

The house is made of normal construction and is founded on pad footings with a post beam slab superstructure with in filled walls of clay bricks and plaster finishers. The house consists of four split-levels with two levels rested on the ground and the other two levels suspended from the ground levels. The suspended floors both sit on a two-way slab structure made out of reinforced concrete casted on site. Finally, the roof of the house is of gable and shed structure covered over by clay roof tiles. The roof sits on various parts of the house protecting the house form rain and sun.

Some more photos of the site.

For my part , I did the recommendation for other choices to replace the roofs, floor slabs and foundations used in this house. The roof of this house is gable roof, thus I recommend it to be change into mansard roof or flat roof.

The Flat roof is the most economical roof to build, but it adds little to the design of most houses. It requires a “built-up” or membrane roof covering. An example of a popular form of flat roof is the Single-Ply Flat Roof. It uses waterproof membrane to cover the entire roof, with overlaps being sealed with liquid adhesives. Although it is more expensive to install, but is generally worth it as it has less problems with leaking. 

Flat roof are also known as low sloped roofs, as there is normally a small slope to it to aid in the water shedding process. Thus, this keeps the roof areas from pooling up with water and prevents roof failure. 

The Mansard roof is a mark of the French design, with it’s popularization. The roof has two different slopes on all four sides of the house. The lower slope is quite steep almost vertical while the upper slope is very low sloped. 

	Gable Roof	Mansard Roof	Flat Roof
Advantages	- Helps water runoff - Help to alleviate the pressure of heavy snow and rainfall - Use to subvert building restriction - Attractive	Creates a more livable space in the attic. Allow the use of house dormers. Simple and practical- saved money / time during construction. Aesthetic appeal	Economical construction Safer to stand on top, generally accessible. Required less material and less expensive
Disadvantages	- Acts as sail (heavy wind can lift roof off from frame) - Require a lot of maintenance -High cost (a lot of maintenance needs to be done)	Not ideal for areas receiving heavy snowfall. More difficult to construct than hip or gable roof.	Requires more maintenance due debris will gather on the roof Must be re-roofed more often than typical pitched roofs. Not ideal for places with heavy rainfall. Poor water drainage system

Recommendation for replacing two way floor slab are flat slab and one-way slab. 

Comparison were done to show the differences. 

As a recommendation, beamless slabs can be taken into account of. The comparison between a flat slab and a flat plate is usually a matter of loading and span. Flat plate is considered to be the better choice of the two because the strength of the floor plate is governed by shear strength at the column therefore able to lift more load. 

Advantage and Disadvantage of using Flat slab.

Advantage	Disadvantage
Cheaper – simple formwork	Cannot withstand large load
Shorten story height
Cost reductions

There is also the possibility of using one-way slab. One-way slab is a slab panel, bound on its two long sides by beams and on its short two sides by girders.  The dead and live loads acting on the slab area maybe considered to be entirely supported in the short or transverse direction by the beams.

Factors	One-way Slab	Two-way slab
Load transfer to?	Transfer to only 2 opposite support walls	Transfer to all 4 support walls
Structural strength	In the shortest direction	In two direction
Deflection & bending	In two-way slab is reduced to a great extent compared to one-way slab
Length/breadth of slabs	> 2	<2
Main reinforcement life span	Short span	Long span

                                 

FOUNDATION

The researched site is actually using a pad foundation to withstand its weight. The soil conditions at the site are considered of good quality which was stated by the owner of the house which was also an engineer. 

Recommendation = Strip foundation, pile foundation

Strip foundation

This is the most common type, used mainly on good soil condition and non-waterlogged areas. The foundation is basically a strip of in situ concrete running under all the loadbearing walls. Most buildings with just one floor are constructed with this type of foundation. This foundation doesn’t need any special design. It is also considered to be the cheapest. 

Piled Foundation

This is considers to be the most expensive and the strongest type of foundation which require specialist in engineering to handle. It consists of number of piles connected by a rig of concrete ground beam. In housing built from load bearing brickwork, a reinforced concrete beam bridges the piles and directly supports the walls. It is used when the earth around the property is not strong enough to support a conventional foundation in other words for high rise building mostly. Most skyscrapers are constructed with this foundation type, a waterlogged area of high building ma also require it. 

Assignment 2 - Site visit to Construction site. 

Symphony Hills is a future urban residential development located in Cyberjaya. This gated and guarded community is developed by UEM Land Holdings in a joint partnership with Mesiniaga & Cisco Malaysia. Being the first development to embrace the CIC concept (Connected Intelligent Community), it symbolizes luxurious urban living within a contemporary resort and recreational atmosphere. 

Flagship Information	Property Details
Owner: CYBERVIEW SDN BHD Contract Period: 7 months Commencement Date: 23 September                                         2013 Completion Date: 22 March 2014 Contractor: BAYOU BRACING SDN BHD Engineer: J.K BERSATU SDN BHD Civil & Structure Engineer : SEPAKAT SETIA PERUNDING  SDN BHD	Name: Symphony Hills Address: Persiaran Symphony, Cyber9, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor. Developer: Symphony Hills Sdn. Bhd. ( a subsidiary of UEM Land Holdings and joint with Mesiniaga and Cisco Malaysia. Type of Houses: Terrace, Semi-Detached & Townhouse Tenure: Freehold

Throughout exploring the work progress of the site being built, we and the host exchanged question and answer to gain valuable information regarding the visit especially on the operation of the project. I was exposed to various construction methods which I was able to see real life formwork, types of foundation, brickworks, concrete works, etc; most of which were once just notes or picture shown visualize during the lecture. 

Bar bending machine 

Bar Cutting Machine

We were also shown the bar bending machine and learn how it functions. After the used of the measuring tape, the workers put a set of reinforcement bars on to the bar bending machine was it bends the bar two times. First it bends 90 degree then another 90 degree at another corner; changing it into that of a U-shape bar.

However before the bar is bend, it is first cut into lengths that it’s required by the workers using the bar cutting machine. In this process, the measuring tape is used to measure and the worker use a small wood to make a mark for the length required by nailing it down on the platform. Once the steel bars are in place, the worker is slowly turns the machine handle clockwise until the steel bars are cut. 

BRC offer a prefabricated solution tailored to suit individual needs. Whether it is to speed construction or solve skill shortages, BRC can provide the answer. For this picture, the BRC is used as a bar mat. Heavy bars are converted to mats for faster construction cycles.

Building Materials - QSB1513

Building Materials - QSB1513

Building materials is only one of the required knowledge needed for a Quantity Surveyor to specialised on because they are the ones who determined the cost of the whole operation of the construction project.

To my surprise, the lecture for this semester for this subject is non-another than my previous lecturer Puan Has. She used to teach me a few subjects during my foundation year. Ever since then, we have become good friends. Sometimes, she would call my name when she sees me walking around campus; she would call my name and ask how was I progressing with my uni life.

BM = Building Materials. 

Honestly  it has been really intriguing during the BM classes through this four months. The lectures had so many facts in it to understand. I was knew the building materials found in the construction site just by their name, but this subject was deepen my knowledge quite a depth in terms of knowing specific characteristic of the building material.

However, I do have to confess that I dont really pay attention in classes and sometimes I do doze off. Maybe because the slides has too much words. Some video might have helped or stories that might lets us imagine about outdoor experience in handling building materials.

Through this semester , just like other subject - two assignments were given.

Assignment one - Building Materials Analysis Report of Site.

Sekeping Sin Chew Kee is a small double story house made into a mini hostel or can also be known as a pre-war building in Pudu converted into a two guest villa. This is  to attract tourist or locals to have a chance to experience a different style of living with it’s unique architecture designs. The building materials used to renovate this hostel were all taken from waste products from construction sites to be reused. The explosion of Sek San’s work around the city is like the big-bang moment of stripped-back esthetic. It’s about taking one step back into a raw unfinished and industrial-style piece of architecture. 

                It is also one of the 7 sekeping retreats found in Malaysia which is located at 3 Jalan Sin Chew Kee, Kuala Lumpur. Sekeping Retreats are all works of the architect and designer Ng Sek San as it signature designs consists of wire mesh arm chairs, stools, exposed brick walls, slight-looking trees and steel ladder which all offer a slice of serenity.

The very transparent and open sheds celebrate the beauty of the natural environment surrounding them. It is seen more as glorified tents to provide basic shelter for it’s inhabitants as they commune with the land. 

Below are some of the unique features that are one of a kind and can be consider to be Mr.Sek San signature designs in which most of the seven other Sekeping also uses.

The reason why we choose this site is because of it’s variety of building material found all around the building. The building materials are clearly visible In which not much finishes were used to cover the materials when compare to the interior building designs in the modern days. Thus, this benefits us to take close-up photos of the building material. This can be consider of the benefits of Sekeping Sin Chew Kee and what brings it so unique that would attract locals to get away from the hustle of the city life. 

In this Assignment I choose timber as my research material .

Timber is one of the natural renewable resources in the world but it is not a renewable source of energy. It is a not an electricity or a heat insulator thus it burns easily.  With it’s aesthetically beauty of various colours, tones and grains; it has gain a popular demand in most of the commonwealth countries. 

Based on the site we visited, Sekeping Sin Chew Kee construction materials uses recycled timber as decoration, rafters, and etc. Some of the windows, doors and staircase are over coated with white paint but are basically reused timber products based on what the owner of the hostel stated. Even the timber flooring are made with reused planks.

When taken into account of beauty and preserving the environment, recycled timber is a good choice of building material. It is known as a salvaged timber where it comes from sources such as demolished buildings, rail yards, factories, wharves, bridges and so on. Various in sizes, thickness and species, it can be left to have a rustic look or can be re-milled and refinished to look new. Recycled timber is also just as versatile as real timber. It can be applied to anywhere of the home. . 

The picture above shows the rough surface flooring made of wood planks

Timber flooring

The picture shows the bed room which uses structural timber floorboards or also known as floating floor. Recycled timbers are absolutely perfect for flooring inside the home or as decking outside the home. It can also be used to build beautiful staircase and become a real feature of the home.

For some of the roof structures, timbers are used as supporters to hold together other building materials.

Another thing is that it is  absolutely perfect for recycled timber to be used for the area of furniture making, as there is much scope for it. One may select out of various species and turn it into something fabulous such as dining table and chairs, a bookshelf, a coffee and lamp table , a bed, etc.  

Assignment 2 - Site Visit Report

Some of the building materials found on site

Symphony Hills is a future urban residential development located in Cyberjaya. This gated and guarded community is developed by UEM Land Holdings in a joint partnership with Mesiniaga & Cisco Malaysia. Being the first development to embrace the CIC concept (Connected Intelligent Community), it symbolizes luxurious urban living within a contemporary resort and recreational atmosphere. 

Four types of homes are offered for residents to choose from; each having two unique layouts. Symphony Hills is divided into four residential areas named after famous musician such as Schumann, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert.

Name of Area	Type of Houses
Beethoven	Garden Twin Villas
Schubert	Park link Terrace
Schumann	Park link Townhouse
Mozart	Garden Terrace

Project Title: Cyberjaya Development Proposed Construction, Completion and Maintenance (including handing over of earthwork, drainage, roadwork, street lighting, water pipes, and associated works) for Road A3 at Cyberjaya Flagship Zone, Cyberjaya, Mukim Dengkil, Daerah Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Flagship Information	Property Details
Owner: CYBERVIEW SDN BHD Contract Period: 7 months Commencement Date: 23 September                                         2013 Completion Date: 22 March 2014 Contractor: BAYOU BRACING SDN BHD Engineer: J.K BERSATU SDN BHD Civil & Structure Engineer : SEPAKAT SETIA PERUNDING  SDN BHD	Name: Symphony Hills Address: Persiaran Symphony, Cyber9, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor. Developer: Symphony Hills Sdn. Bhd. ( a subsidiary of UEM Land Holdings and joint with Mesiniaga and Cisco Malaysia. Type of Houses: Terrace, Semi-Detached & Townhouse Tenure: Freehold

Some of the building material found on the site 

Cement

Although cement is used to make concrete, they both are not the same. Concrete and cement are different. Cement is the source of concrete. There are many other differences between concrete and cement.

Ceramic

Inorganic non-metallic solid comprising of metal or non-metal compounds that are shaped and then hardened through extreme heating. The final product of  ceramic produces a hard and anti-corrosive material suitable to be used in elements of buildings and decorations.

Typical bricks are stacked together or laid as brickwork using various kinds of mortar to hold the bricks together to make a permanent structure.

Rock Wool

Use to provide insulation by absorbing heat, place above the ceiling in residential and commercial building. Offer protection against fire, water damage and noise.

PAINT

For the use of Wall finishes and interior and exterior, it gives adhesion to the surface which provides resistant to water, chemical and erosion.