Architecture: Site Preparation, Excavation, Concrete, Framing, Glazing, Project Initiation and Design Details

This article covers various aspects of architecture including site preparation, excavation, concrete, framing, glazing, project initiation and design details. It provides a comprehensive guide for students and professionals alike. The study material with solved assignments, essays, dissertation and more can be found at Desklib.

Running head: ARCHITECTURE 1
ARCHITECTURE
Name of Student
Institution Affiliation

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1) Preparation of site
Site preparation will guarantee that the construction project will stay safe for many years in
the future.
Temporary fencing
Whenever a temporary fence is needed may be for storage, the safety of the public, control of
crowd or even prevention of theft, it is recommended to employ temporary fencing.
Temporary fencing acts as an alternative to permanent fencing. Temporary fencing in
construction sites is referred to as construction sign. The second form of fencing that is also
commonly used is the solid fencing, commonly referred to as hoarding. Hoarding involves
using solid self-supporting panels that can either be built using an overhead protective
support or structure or using their own supports (Bailey, 2014).
Sedimentary control
They are controls that are designed to avert or reduce erosion and hence reduce the essence
of control of sediments. These controls are naturally employed together with erosion
controls. Sediment controls are usually intended to be provisional measures, though they can
be used for purposes of stormwater management (Eamon et al, 2015).
2) Site excavation
Site excavation is a procedure whereby soil, rock or any other resources are moved with
equipment, tools or explosives. Site excavation may include earthworking, tunnelling, wall
shifts, trenching and underground. The main purpose of site excavation in construction is to
make building foundations, reservoirs and roads. A number of procedures used during
excavation include; digging, trenching, dredging and site development (Garman et al, 2011).
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Concrete
This is a composite material that comprises of both fine and coarse aggregate that is bonded
with a fluid cement that always hardens with time. Most commonly used concretes are
always lime-based or are those made with other hydraulic cement. An example of the lime-
based concretes is the Portland cement. Calcium aluminate cement is an example of concrete
made with other hydraulic cement (Goodburn, 2011).
Footings
Footings is a very significant part of construction foundation. Concrete with rebar
reinforcements poured into an excavated trench makes up the footing. Footings are persistent
in order to support the foundation and also prevent settling (Karlsson et al, 2010).
Strip foundations
Strip foundations are used mainly where there is soil of good bearing capacity. There are
similar important sizes of a strip foundation for both timber frame cavity wall construction

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and concrete cavity wall construction. Strip foundation depth should be equal to or larger
than the wall width.
Raft foundations
Also known as Mat Foundations. It is a huge concrete slab that is able to support a lot of
columns and walls. It is usually spread out below the whole building or at times a large part
of the building. It is important in lowering the interaction pressure as compared to the
commonly used strip or trench footings.
The compressive strength is measured as shown below;
failure load
cross−sectional area resisting the load
The SI Units for reporting compressive strength is the pound-force per square inch (psi) or
megapascals (MPa).
Concrete is usually referred to as being of normal or high strength. High-strength concrete is a
type of concrete that has a compressive strength ranging from 6000 to 20000 psi i.e 40 to 140
MPa. Normal strength concrete has a compressive strength ranging from 3000 and 6000 psi i.e
20 to 40 MPa
Reinforcing mesh
This is a material made of wire fabric and prefabricated steel reinforcement. It usually comes in
rectangular or square grid shapes built in plane sheets. Its main purpose is to supply tensile
strength and crack control to structural concrete elements (Kohl et al, 2014).
Reinforcing bar /steel
Commonly abbreviated as rebar. It is a mesh of steel wires or steel bar used for the purpose of
tightening reinforced concrete and masonry structures in order to grip and reinforce the concrete
that is in compression. Since concrete is resilient under compression but with weak tensile
strength, rebar, therefore, increases the tensile strength of the structure. The reinforcement bar
has a surface that is patterned in order to form a bond with the concrete that is greatly improved.
Brickwork
This is a material for building that is used to build walls, pavements and other masonry
construction elements. A brick is popularly referred to as a unit built of clay-bearing soil, sand
and lime or even concrete materials. Production of bricks is based on classes, materials, sizes and
types which often vary depending on location and time. Usually, bricks are often produced in
very large quantities.
Stud-frame

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Studs form part of walls and could carry erect structural loads. They could also be non-load
bearing like in cases of partition walls which do separate spaces only. Stud frames hold into
place the doors, windows, interior finishes, insulation, exterior siding and utilities. They help
bring shape to a construction.
A more common construction system is the lightweight framed construction. Steel and timber are
the most commonly used materials since they can bring comfort, appeal and improved
environmental performance of the building. This construction system brings effective housing
solutions for all climate zones (Milne & Brighton, 2012).
Roof cladding
Steel roof
Steel rock deck is made for use on all types of buildings for flat, pitched or arched construction.
It is popularly used due to its strength, lightweight, economic factor and since it is easy to install.
Roof tiles
Are made traditionally from locally available materials specifically to keep out the rain. The
materials may include slate or terracotta as well as some modern materials such as concrete and
plastic. They are fixed with nails and hung from the roof framework.
Interior linings
Plasterboard
A plasterboard is used for separation and the lining of ceilings, walls, floors and roofs. In order
to achieve an effective and aesthetically pleasing lining for walls and ceilings, a plaster powder
that is usually mixed with water is used (Mitropoulos & Guillama, 2012).
Hard set plaster
Also known as a render, it is a material used mainly for finishing and also when applied thickly
for decoration requiring a hidden supporting framework, mainly in metal.
Tiles
Tiles are designed to provide a protective and a decorative function. It is also commonly used in
spaces experiencing damp or wet conditions like in the bathrooms or kitchen. On floors, it is
meant to afford comfort whenever moving around the house.
Door and window
A window is defined as an opening that allows for passage of light, air and sound. The opening
may be in a wall, roof, door etc. a door meanwhile is the protective wall that is commonly used
as the entrance to a house (Mitropoulos & Namboodirii, 2010).

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Glazing
This is the procedure of fitting panes of glass. The panes may be fitted into a door frame,
window frame or any other similar structure in accordance to where it is required.
Types of glazing
Toughened glass
It is glass that is much stronger and has a greater compressive stress as compared to an annealed
glass of equal thickness. Toughened glass is, therefore, able to resist impact breakage and also
capable of withstanding uniform loads. As a result of this, it is able to reduce the risk of thermal
stress breakage. This type of glass is useful in areas that have great risks of human impact
(Perez-Garcia et al, 2014).
Laminated glass
A type of glass that can crack on impact though its fragments appear to adhere to the protective
layer instead of falling. This, therefore, increases the chances of injury. This type of glass
provides better protection to people and property as compared to other glasses.
Tinted glass
This type of glass reduces heat gain as well as glare in the houses. Its main use is to decrease the
glare from outside, thus decreasing the UV fading to furnishings. That also results in a decline in
the levels of solar heat gain through windows (Reddy & Jagadish, 2013).
Reflective glass
They are hard glass that is durable and usually glazed with the reflective surface to the exterior.
It has either a pyrolytic coating or a vacuum deposited thin-film coating that is made of metal.
Patterned glass
They are designed to produce continuous permanent impressions onto a soft glass ribbon. Only
one surface has the pattern imprinted with the other remaining smooth.
Openings
Openings are crucial during construction and proper regulations giving the exact dimensions for
these openings should be strictly followed to ensure that the walls are safe and stable.
Timber species
Wall framing
For wall framing purposes, it is advisable to use the following species of wood

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 Hoop /slash pine / radiasta
 Recycled hardwood
Room framing
The following species are strongly recommended
 Radiata pine trusses
 Plantation Oregon trusses or plantation hardwood
N/b recycled timber used for framing and construction has to be graded or accepted by the
surveyor and even the local council. The radiate pine or any other pine should be protected from
weather fully and be well ventilated.
External works
Landscaping
 Plantation hardwood
 Durable recycled or salvaged timber
External doors
 Non-rain forest ply veneer
 Plantation hardwood panel doors
Cladding
 Painted interior grade plywood
 Plantation hardwood
Linings
 Plantation pines
 Glue laminated timber (glulam)
 Salvaged timber
Service items of building
Power
There have been increasing trends in buildings producing own power with an aim of providing
internal heat and power. This can be achieved by installing solar panels at the rooftops, having
onsite generators that are fueled by gas or by installing micro-hydro schemes (Tomazevic &
Lutman, 2011).

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Water
for several years now, constructors have harnessed water in buildings to enhance cooling or
heating of the buildings. They point out that water when used as a building material for
buildings, will enable the buildings to be maintained at temperatures that are comfortable.
Gas
Choosing on natural gas to be supplied in buildings will improve its energetic output and also
reduce the energy costs. The occupants of the buildings will enjoy a comfortable and reliable
environment.
Sewage
Construction of modern sewer systems for transporting away sewage will help improve the
effectiveness of the building. This can be achieved by building a sanitary sewer which is a
carriage system built underground to transport sewage from buildings to disposal or treatment
facilities.
Form and structure
Form in architectural building is all about the final output. It involves the value that the output
develops which also comprises of the negative space that satisfies those things. Negative space is
a method of showing that things that are built are equally important as those that haven’t been
built. Value depends on elements that many people are able to feel and maybe conceptualize.
Structure is a combination of digital and physical components, their design rationales and
interfaces that control their evolution. Structure is a duty of both the developer and the architect.
In most cases structure is emergent and is rarely treasured by an organization. Both structure and
form involves a visceral feeling.
Initiating a new project
1. Developing a business case
Developing a business case will justify the start-up of the project. It involves describing the
business opportunity and problem, the costs and benefits as well as the recommended solution
for approval.
2. Undertaking feasibility
Conducting a feasibility study involves documenting each of the possible solutions to a specific
business issue or opportunity. It helps in identifying the likelihood of the solutions achieving the
requirements of the business.
3. Establishing project charter
It outlines the ambition of the project, how it will be structured and how to successfully
implement it.

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4. Appointing the project team
Involves selecting a group of individuals who will be responsible for managing the whole project
until it reaches it completion. The project team will be responsible for listing all that the project
will be required to achieve.
5. Setting up the project team
Once the project team has been appointed, it is important to provide them with all the necessary
requirements that will enable them to start working on the project immediately.
6. Performing a phase review
This is an assessment of the condition of the project at a particular period of time. It determines
whether the project has reached its objectives and if it should get the go ahead to proceed to the
next phase.
Range of design details
Any design is supposed to be dimensionally right and well co-ordinated since it is meant to
describe all the major components of any type of construction and how they can fit together.
Some of the details in a design are;
 Overall layout
 Construction dimensions and their gridlines
 Architectural plans and elevations for the constructions
 Both standard and the non-standard layouts of rooms
 Accommodation schedules
 Landscapes and layouts of roads.
 Operational flows

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References
Bailey, G. (2014). U.S. Patent Application No. 10/358,788.
Eamon, C. D., Baylot, J. T., & O’Daniel, J. L. (2015). Modeling concrete masonry walls
subjected to explosive loads. Journal of engineering mechanics, 130(9), 1098-1106.
Garman, T. A., Fairhurst, C. W., Heuer, G. A., Williams, H. A., & Beglau, D. L. (2011). A
comparison of glazing materials for composite restorations. Journal of the American Dental
Association (1939), 95(5), 950-956.
Goodburn, D. (2011). A Roman timber framed building tradition. Archaeological Journal,
148(1), 182-204.
Karlsson, J., Rubin, M., & Roos, A. (2010). Evaluation of predictive models for the angle-
dependent total solar energy transmittance of glazing materials. Solar Energy, 71(1), 23-31.
Köhl, M., Jorgensen, G., Brunold, S., Carlsson, B., Heck, M., & Möller, K. (2014). Durability of
polymeric glazing materials for solar applications. Solar energy, 79(6), 618-623.
Milne, G., & Brigham, T. (2012). Timber building techniques in London c. 900-1400: an
archaeological study of waterfront installations and related material (Vol. 15). London and
Middlesex Archaeological Society.
Mitropoulos, P., & Guillama, V. (2012). Analysis of residential framing accidents, activities, and
task demands. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(2), 260-269.
Mitropoulos, P., & Namboodiri, M. (2010). New method for measuring the safety risk of
construction activities: Task demand assessment. Journal of Construction Engineering and
Management, 137(1), 30-38.
Perez-Garcia, J., Lippke, B., Briggs, D., Wilson, J. B., Bowyer, J., & Meil, J. (2014). The
environmental performance of renewable building materials in the context of residential
construction. Wood and Fiber Science, 37, 3-17.
Reddy, B. V., & Jagadish, K. S. (2013). Embodied energy of common and alternative building
materials and technologies. Energy and buildings, 35(2), 129-137.
Tomaževič, M., & Lutman, M. (2011). Seismic behavior of masonry walls: modeling of
hysteretic rules. Journal of structural engineering, 122(9), 1048-1054.