Construction Technology Assignment Solution (pdf)

Construction Technology

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
Differences between residential, commercial and industrial buildings..................................3
Ways through which sustainability could be promoted in building projects.........................4
Terminology used in construction technology.......................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
Foundation type for different types of structures...................................................................6
Construction of different types of foundations and their suitability for use with different types
of structures............................................................................................................................7
Site information impact on foundation design.......................................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
Functional characteristics and the design selection criteria...................................................8
Pre-design studies and types of information collected...........................................................9
Component parts of an element allow it to fulfil its function.................................................9
Compare different types of structural frame used to carry the primary and secondary elements
of the superstructure.............................................................................................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
Techniques used for remediating the site prior to construction commencing......................10
Types of substructure works required for the infrastructures...............................................11
Superstructure, substructure and civil engineering structures necessary for a given building
construction project..............................................................................................................12
TASK 5..........................................................................................................................................12
Supply arrangements for primary services...........................................................................12
Distribution arrangements for primary services...................................................................13
Elements of the superstructure used to facilitate the primary services................................13
Distribution of the primary services impact on the overall design of the building..............13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Construction technology can be defined as a technique which aid civil engineers in
constructing infrastructures with the help of different tools and techniques. In modern world, it
has been analysed that construction tools consists with ample number of software, hardware,
materials, equipments and other special tools through which proper information can be gathered
and execution can take place of high infrastructures and so on (Sih, Carpinteri and Surace, 2013).
There are different types of construction technologies that could be used in developing
commercial, domestic, industrial, heavy or civil building infrastructures.
Present report is based on the case in which a proper conceptual design has been made for
a complex business hotel building. This hotel is located nearby motorway which is directly
linked with Heathrow Airport. Client have decided that the infrastructure of the hotel should be
of five storeys and needs to be build 1 Kilometre away from motorway. Report is going to be
enclosed with differences between residential, commercial and industrial buildings, type of
information have also be included to design the most suitable foundation type for different types
of structures, functional characteristics of various elements, various sort of substructure works
that are required for the infrastructures and lastly, description have also been given for supply
arrangements for primary services.
TASK 1
Differences between residential, commercial and industrial buildings
In present context, it has been analysed that there are ample number of differences that
can be seen among residential, commercial and industrial buildings and these are mentioned
below:
Residential Buildings Commercial Buildings Industrial Buildings
This type of building gets
constructed for a single family
or multifamily structured
based building which is mainly
utilised primarily for living of
people and these consists
Under this, offices, different
shopping centres, departmental
or stores, various project based
commercial buildings comes
under this sector. It is being
found that these infrastructures
Industrial buildings have been
developed with a purpose of
manufacturing items. These
majorly developed or made
away from urban areas with
special conveyance
3

different systems (Moteki,
Fujino and Nishiyama,2013).
Apart from this, hotels, motels,
apartments, lodging house, that
basically consists of heaters
and carries for cooling options
comes under these type of
buildings.
comes are primarily planned
and made to attract customers
as these buildings are
developed for business
purpose where individual can
earn profit.
requirements such as 24/7
shipping and receiving with
the help of different sorts of
transportation like air, rail and
sea ways.
Since hotel is going to be made nearby a motorway which is directly linked with
Heathrow Airport. This is coming under both type of buildings and these are residential and
commercial.
Ways through which sustainability could be promoted in building projects
In building projects, sustainability plays a crucial role and it could be a desire for civil
engineers because while developing a proper infrastructure, there are ample number of harmful
effects can be seen which needs to be reduced considering sustainability. Here, it has been found
that sustainability can be promoted among building projects through various ways:
 Start with energy efficient premises: It has been analysed that a building project may
emit heavy pollution. Therefore, it is required for the civil engineer to start with basic
tools that are coming under energy performance certificate (EPC). Here, rating could be
given in the form of A, B or C and with an A rating, a construction site is emitting really
very low pollution. Good quality raw material used in construction site could help in
making hotel to sustain in front of cyclones, and other natural and artificial disasters
(Marks and Teizer, 2013).
 Keeping equipment running as efficiently as possible: With the help of high quality
fuels and using renewable alternatives it basically ensures proper lubrication. Here, it is
being analysed that choosing the right type of equipment for this hotel site needs is just as
important to begin with.
 Taking care of construction waste: In order to promote sustainability in construction
projects, it is required to keep focus on waste management because this plays a crucial
role and delivers largest contribution in developing healthy environment. In present time,
most of civil engineers uses an approach of developing, using and then disposing which
4

creates heavy wastages. Using quality material, with reduction in wastages could help
civil engineer in making a building much stronger (Cheng, Wu and Lou, 2012).
Terminology used in construction technology
In present case, where a hotel is going to be constructed one kilometre away from
motorway, nearby Heathrow Airport, a bridge is also needed to be built because the hotel is
going to be constructed on the other side of the airport where a large fast stream is flowing. This
stream is going parallel to the motorway. There are ample number of materials, tools,
equipments and technologies are going to be use for constructing five storey based hotel
infrastructure. With a short but proper terminology, some of equipments are mentioned below:
Admixture: This is being considered as a chemical that is going to be added in concrete
while developing both hotel walls and the bridge so that setting process could easily be
accelerated. This kind of tools aid in creating air bubbles among concrete which is named as air
entraining agents.
Aggregate: This is being considered as a mixture consists of both sand along with the
stones which will be used in creating the substructure and the superstructure of the hotel. This
could be considered as one of crucial element or mixture which will be needed to develop proper
infrastructure (Guo, Yu and Skitmore, 2017).
Construction based software: Every single infrastructure which is quite big in nature
requires proper blueprint or a plan. Here, a civil engineer can take use of different software
AutoCAD, CATIA and so on. With the help of this, a proper blueprint can be made for the
purpose of building the hotel.
Concrete: Another element mixture of Portland cement, sand, gravel, and water. Used to
make garage and basement floors, side walks, patios, foundation walls, etc. It is commonly
reinforced with steel rods (rebar) or wire screening (mesh). Since, hotel is going to be made up
of concrete and steel, this component has been taken in use.
I-beam: It is known as beam with a cross section resembling the letter it is used for long
spans as basement beams and for infrastructure as well that consists of wall openings, such as a
double garage door, when wall and roof loads bear down on the opening. Here, it is required for
developing bridge and base of the hotel. This is going to be used while infra-structuring the
substructure of present hotel.
5

TASK 2
Foundation type for different types of structures
Pre-design is a stage which is consist of analysis of different aspects. This stage occurs
after the final available funding and before the beginning of designing process. The pre
designing of the building is consist of various analyses such as space requirements, timeline of
the proposed construction and cost (Sargent, Hyland and Sawang, 2012). Hence, the finance is
arranged from loans, personal investors and other means. Some of the studies which are carried
out for for understanding the whole process is discussed below:
Hydrology Study: This study is carried out by environment experts to serve the purpose
of reviewing the location, maps and other descriptions regarding the suitableness of the site. The
main purpose of this study is to measure water surface and drainage patterns along with locations
which are near the flood zone and deepness of the land. Hence, it is one of the important studies
for the respective hotel site. With the help of this study, information that can be accumulated by
civil engineer is related to quality of water, precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, soil water,
groundwater, streamflow and so on which could help in making right decisions as per the
requirements. Since a heavy streamflow is present nearby the site, it is required to have
appropriate knowledge as per requirement so that strong foundation could be developed.
(Sources: Hydrogeology and Hydrology, 2015)
6
Illustration 1: Hydrology Study

Land Survey: This study helps in understanding the characteristics of the location such
as allotted land, government legal boundaries and construction boundaries. Along with this, the
respective report also studies site configuration and area. Thus, it is important to take permission
by the governing bodies in order to start the construction. In present context, information that
could be accumulated is related to geographic represent spatial locations and non-spatial
attributes measured at certain times. Civil engineer uses different tools for land surveying like
high and low precision and so on. This information would help building strong sub-structure
design of hotel.
Geotechnical Study: This study undertakes the analysis of existing soil characteristics
and condition. Additionally, it measures other geotechnical issues such as earthquake, fault zones
and landslides. With the help of this study, information can be gathered related to characteristics
and strength or weaknesses of the soil. This will be required for present site as well because a
bridge is going to be made for the purpose of connecting hotel directly to the motorway,
Construction of different types of foundations and their suitability for use with different types of
structures
To attain a strong construction of the building which is capable of managing the weight
of building, it is very important to have a well formed foundation of the building. The ground
support includes columns, concrete and metal which is responsible for transferring the load of
building gravity to earth. There are two variation of foundation of a building which are
mentioned below:
Raft or Mat foundation- Such structure is successful in the building where basement is
required. Hence, the weight load in raft foundation lies on the complete basement of the
respective building. Additionally, such buildings have the capacity to handle weight and survive
more than 50 years (Ghoddousi and Hosseini, 2012).
Shallow Foundation- Also known as open footing or spread footing, the respective
foundation is visible to everyone. The main purpose to construct it this way is to spread the
burden of the building in the larger area through columns which helps in managing the excess
weight on the soil. Hence, shallow foundation is capable of managing weight up to 10 tons.
Recommendation: Hence, it can be analysed that raft or mat foundation should be
practised in constructing hotel building as there will be a requirement of basement parking by the
hotel.
7

Site information impact on foundation design
Site information has a major role in constructing the foundation of Hotel structure. It is
important to have a right and accurate data of the site and other aspects which will help in
avoiding any future damage to the respective constructed building. If the soil is weak, there are
less chances of longevity of the hotel as the foundation will get weak.
The construction of building in London are done on the sea levels. Additionally, the
construction of the hotel is building near the sea. Hence, there are high chances of demolishing
the foundation of building. Thus, Hydrology study can help in managing the issues of water level
in the land of the hotel site. Similarly, the construction of the hotel is said to be near the
Heathrow airport which means that there will be vibrations in the land due to aircraft take off and
landings.
Thus geotechnical study can help in putting adequate measures that needs to be taken
while constructing the foundation of the respective hotel. Also, raft and matt foundation will help
in maintaining an effective foundation for the property (Tamošaitienė, Zavadskas and Turskis,
2013). Addition to this, the construction companies needs to provide information regarding the
avoidance of any ground digging and similar activities which could affect the foundation
longevity of hotel.
TASK 3
Functional characteristics and the design selection criteria
Walls: Wall is a structure which helps in defining an area which results in load bearing.
Thus, the walls of hotel structure should be well-built, in order to help with the load bearing of
the whole property. Additionally, the walls will help in parting the areas of the property in the
required room count and other functional areas.
Roofs: Roof of the hotel will help in safeguarding the whole property from external
environment issues such as heat, air, rain water, etc. The roof of the hotel should be designed in
an attractive manner which can accommodate any required functional area such as roof top pool,
restaurant and others.
Floors: The floor should be safe to walk on. Hence, tiles, wooden flooring and other
flooring materials can be used to create a strong impression. Additionally, the tiles in bathroom
should be anti slippery and smooth which would avoid any further mishappening in the property.
8

Windows and doors: The windows in the lobby area can be fixed window which will
help in capturing the beauty of river around hotel. However, the doors and windows in other
areas needs to be of standard sizes which can support the load of the whole building on the walls.
Staircases: The staircase can be designed in a way which would compliment the whole
interior theme of the hotel. However, the size of the stairs riser should be of standard size in
order to assist the customers and employees of hotel (Skibniewski, 2014).
Finishes: In order to assist the designing criteria of the property, different finishing
materials can be used which will help in addining up the colour, texture and style to the building.
Some of the finishing materials that can be used in hotel are dropped ceiling, marble, tiles, paint,
etc.
Pre-design studies and types of information collected
In order to carry out proper superstructure, civil engineers needs to focus on proper pre-
design studies related to construction of the site along with the superstructure as well. Here,
some of points related to the pre-design studies is mentioned below:
 Data needs to be collected considering different equipments along with the tools that are
easily available nearby the infra-structuring site.
 On the other hand, proper electricity which is needed for building the structure needs to
be well executed conduction along with data also gets available related to the site.
Pre-design studies could easily aid civil engineer in easily developing proper construction
consists with structure that easily aid in giving good experience to clients related to both
environment and accommodation (Kozlovská, Kaleja and Struková, 2014).
Component parts of an element allow it to fulfil its function
In order to develop a proper structure, it is required to plan proper project as per the
requirement. It is required to make determinations related to components or along with elements
as well related to substructures to develop successful functions. Here, it is being analysed that
functions related to components like walls needs to be durable, reliable, water resisters and some
of these are given below:
Concrete: It is being considered as one of major component that aid in building up a wall
which is needed for a present hotel's infrastructure. Concrete could aid in developing the wall
which is a fire resistant. With the help of this, hotel could not catch fire easily.
9

Drywall: It is being considered a proper panel that is kept or composed with a solution of
calcium sulfate dihydrate. This could easily aid in making the wall as a water resister.
Pplaster: In this context, plaster coating is being putted just after finishing the design of
infrastructure. This will aid in giving a good strength to the wall and could make wall as a sound
and moisture resister.
Compare different types of structural frame used to carry the primary and secondary elements of
the superstructure
There are various types of structural frames which are used to build the superstructure
building. These are rigid frame structure and Braced frame structure. In order to have a better
understanding about these two, detailed discussion is mentioned below:
Braced Frame Structure- It is a structural system which is designed to withstand
earthquake and wind forces. The beam and column of the building frame helps in managing the
vertical load of the structure. Similarly, the braces helps in carrying the lateral loads. However,
these braces creates an issue between the design of respective construction (Wong and et. al.,
2013).
Rigid Frame Structure- The respective frame structure is fixed ended and pin ended. It
has the ability to resist from deformation. Thus, the structure is made by beams and columns
from one single piece which helps in resisting the moments which are generating because of the
applied load on the structure.
Thus, rigid frame structure should be adapted for the construction of the hotel which will
help in load bearing and shock proofing which will be caused due to airport operations and road
traffics. Also, Rigid Frame structure will provide a strong structure for the hotel building and the
bridge which will provide long term durability for the constructed property.
TASK 4
Techniques used for remediating the site prior to construction commencing
In construction sector, remediation can be defined as an action which is mainly taken by
the engineers to keep a stronger base prior to start constructing the building at the site. This
would help the building from curing itself from biodegradation process and so on. In order to
build up the hotel at a land which is near to a heavy running stream, it will be required for site
10

inspectors and civil engineers to keep their focus on soil treatment (remediating) and for this,
there are two type of treatments are present that can be used and these are given below:
Biological Treatments: Biodegradation mainly refers to breakdown of compounds by
living organisms that results in formation of carbon dioxide and water or methane. In order to
overcome this at hotel nearby the fast running stream, civil engineers could use bioremediation
technique. This technique is basically removes hydro-carbonated components from soil. This
treatment stays cheap in cost (Eastman, 2018).
Chemical Treatments: Chemical Immobilization, Critical Fluid Extraction, Oxidation
and so on could be considered as some basic treatments are going to be used for developing right
treatment. This could easily be considered as techniques that would help engineers treating the
soil with anti-oxidants, binding of actinide ions of soil and so on.
Types of substructure works required for the infrastructures
Substructure works could be considered as a substantial work that interrelate with the
foundation of a building or basements. In present context, constructing the hotel needs proper
requirements along with activities as well and some of these are: Underpinning, Groundwork,
Propping and so on. In order to develop right kind of substructure, it is essential for civil
engineer to develop substructure for making and development of an infrastructures are as follow:
Underpinning: This is described as a process which is related to ranging site focusing
from one to seven meter of the foundation of the construction site. This structure mainly consists
with well-equipped tools and services that are necessary for building the infrastructure in
continuous working manner.
Propping: Another type of substructure works that delivers a proper temporary support to
the infrastructure kept on making various adjustments that consists with different properties.
With the help of this, both bridge and hotel could be hold on for a particular time frame so that
adjustments or development can take place.
Groundwork: Under this process, various activities mainly takes place so that task could
be performed in specific time frame. Here, it has been analysed that fitting ground slab or
removal of foundation majorly takes place. In present context, pile probing and headings are
some of techniques that may aid in developing the hotel in specific time frame. Away from this,
groundwork focuses on work force and this consists with proper intensive along with extensive
skills or the techniques (Zhao and et. al., 2015).
11

Superstructure, substructure and civil engineering structures necessary for a given building
construction project
Superstructure: A superstructure of consists with idea of both residential and commercial
infrastructure consists with strong walls, Roofs, Staircases, Windows along with doors, floors
and finishes could be considered as the best suitable superstructure that could be used for the
hotel by civil engineers at the time of constructing the hotel building construction project of the
hotel.
Substructure: In present context, Spread footings can be considered as the best suitable
type of substructure for the Hotel Construction project. Civil engineer can use this sort of
substructure as it consists with a wider than a typical load bearing wall foundations. The wider
base of this footing type could easily spread the weight from the hotel structure over more area
and provides better stability as the construction site in nearby a fast flowing stream.
Civil Engineer Structure: A structure consists with concrete and iron could be used by civil
engineers of construction hotel building project.
TASK 5
Supply arrangements for primary services
While carrying out the construction of hotel, arrangements have to be made in relation to
a number of primary services. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems play
an important role in taking proper care of comfort, heath, security and productivity of occupants.
Also, some specified systems related to security of customers, monitoring and keeping a check
on building control may be provided. Along with this, arrangements also have to be made in
relation to building are where hotel is to be constructed.
Furthermore, it is imperative that arrangement related to lift and escalators are made so
that ease of customers is ensured at all times of operations. Energy supply and facade are yet
12

other essential components to be kept in mind while constructing the hotel. The supply
management is necessary to ensure that the execution of construction of hotel is done in a timely
manner with the help of funds available with the company (Sih, Carpinteri and Surace, 2013).
Distribution arrangements for primary services
For the construction of hotel, it is necessary that all the raw materials required for carrying
out the building process timely reaches the place where the hotel is to be made. In relation to
this, all the necessary materials for the construction of walls, windows, lift and other necessary
parts of hotel. Also, the electric power distribution system should be in a manner that power is
received at one or more of the supply points and then it is supplied to other necessary areas of
hotel like chillers, lighting, lift, motors and other electrical loads.
The most effective distribution system is such that it will ensure safety and security, cost
effectiveness and adequate supply of electric or other service to major components of the hotel.
Distribution system has to be selected in a manner that it has a reliable impact on the overall
construction and electric system of hotel (Marks and Teizer, 2013).
Elements of the superstructure used to facilitate the primary services
In order to facilitate the primary services in present scenario, then floors and walls are the
two elements of superstructure that are used and could facilitate primary services in much
effective and efficient manner. Energy supply, Escalators, lifts and Fire safety, detection and
protection are some of primary services that are mainly used while constructing a business hotel.
Here, since civil engineer is building a hotel of 5 storeys, it will be required for him to focus on
these elements and prevent from ample number of damages.
Distribution of the primary services impact on the overall design of the building
It is being found that, distribution channel related to primary services mostly affects
overall design of hotel. In present context, there are some of points that are needed to be taken
care and these are mentioned beneath:
Communication and IT- Primary services consists with equipments or tools utilised to
develop right communication along with data as well which is needed to be distributed and it
plays a crucial role as well. With the help of this, civil engineer would easily perform tasks in
much effective and efficient manner among staff. Its impact will be effective enough because, it
is being found that proper communication among workforce and civil engineers aid in
13

distributing tasks in much effective and efficient manner. This will aid in developing a proper
design of building because suggestions are going to be given by individuals for a better design.
Alarm and software system- It is being analysed that alarm system plays a crucial role at
the time of building hotel or any sort of construction site. CCTV and other systems like fire
detection system, access control plays a crucial role (Cheng, Wu and Lou, 2012). It's impact can
be seen through an instance, if anything wrong is happening at site, like design is going to the
wrong way, then the alarm system or IT system could help civil engineers in finding out where
the problem is and this would help in making right modifications as per the requirements.
CONCLUSION
With the help of above mentioned report, it is being concluded that construction
technologies mainly consists with a complex process. Selecting right design of both substructure
and superstructure can help in building up a sustainable infrastructure. Apart from this, primary
services also plays a crucial role while infra-structuring a complex building. Supply and
distribution of the primary services in much effective and efficient manner may lead civil
engineers in executing the desired structure or frame in completing it in specific time frame.
Along with this, it is also necessary for individual to have knowledge of elements that are going
to be used in infrastructure so that a strong design could be developed for the building.
14

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Sih, G. C., Carpinteri, A. and Surace, G. eds., 2013. Advanced Technology for Design and
Fabrication of Composite Materials and Structures: Applications to the Automotive,
Marine, Aerospace and Construction Industry (Vol. 14). Springer Science & Business
Media.
Moteki, M., Fujino, K. and Nishiyama, A., 2013. Research on operator's mastery of unmanned
construction. In ISARC. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Automation
and Robotics in Construction (Vol. 30, p. 1).
Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Department of Construction Economics &
Property.Sardroud, J. M., 2012. Influence of RFID technology on automated
management of construction materials and components. Scientia Iranica. 19(3). pp.381-
392.
Marks, E. D. and Teizer, J., 2013. Method for testing proximity detection and alert technology
for safe construction equipment operation. Construction Management and Economics.
31(6). pp.636-646.
Cheng, S. T., Wu, C. M. and Lou, H. R., 2012. A self-evolutionary model for automated
innovation of construction technologies. Automation in Construction. 27. pp.78-88.
Guo, H., Yu, Y. and Skitmore, M., 2017. Visualization technology-based construction safety
management: A review. Automation in Construction. 73. pp.135-144.
Sargent, K., Hyland, P. and Sawang, S., 2012. Factors influencing the adoption of information
technology in a construction business. Australasian Journal of Construction Economics
and Building, The. 12(2). p.72.
Ghoddousi, P. and Hosseini, M. R., 2012. A survey of the factors affecting the productivity of
construction projects in Iran. Technological and economic development of
economy. 18(1). pp.99-116.
Tamošaitienė, J., Zavadskas, E. K. and Turskis, Z., 2013. Multi-criteria risk assessment of a
construction project. Procedia Computer Science. 17. pp.129-133.
Skibniewski, M. J., 2014. Information technology applications in construction safety
assurance. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management. 20(6). pp.778-794.
Kozlovská, M., Kaleja, P. and Struková, Z., 2014. Sustainable construction technology based on
building modules. In Advanced Materials Research (Vol. 1041, pp. 231-234). Trans
Tech Publications.
Wong, J. K. and et. al., 2013. Toward low-carbon construction processes: the visualisation of
predicted emission via virtual prototyping technology. Automation in Construction. 33.
pp.72-78.
Eastman, C. M., 2018. Building product models: computer environments, supporting design and
construction. CRC press.
Zhao, J. and et. al., 2015. Enantioselective Construction of Vicinal Tetrasubstituted
Stereocenters by the Mannich Reaction of Silyl Ketene Imines with Isatin‐Derived
Ketimines. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 54(1). pp.241-244.
Online
Hydrogeology and Hydrology. 2015. [Online]. Available through: <http://www.general-
geosciences-services.com/en/greetinghome/hydrogeology-and-hydrology/>.
15