Unit 4 Construction Technology PDF

Unit 4
Construction Technology
Structural forms for low rise
buildings
Unit 4 Construction Technology
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Unit 4 Construction Technology
Contents:
Page 1: Front Cover
Page 2: Contents
Page 3: Introduction/Identifying construction methods
Page 4: Identifying Construction Methods (Carried on)/discussing use of steel framed
Page 5: Advantages and Disadvantages/discussing use of modular with advantages and
disadvantages
Page 6: Advantages and disadvantages for traditional/start of evaluation
Page 7: Evaluation
Page 8: Conclusion and justification
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Figure 1: Steel
frame being put
together
Figure 2: Idea
what the sports
hall could look
like
Figure 3: Modular build being put together
Unit 4 Construction Technology
Task 1/P1:
Introduction:
In this report we will be discussing and evaluating various types of low rise forms that can be
used to meet the client’s needs from the project brief as he would like a mixed-use sports
complex built on an industrial area with the building having a variety of rooms such as
meeting areas and an area to relax plus many more.
There is various different types of structural forms in low rise construction buildings such as:
Steel Skelton Framed –
Steel is the most used material adopted into modern buildings which includes light gauge
steel with prefabricated components. The steel structure starts with pad foundations and all
the steel columns are fabricated off site and assembled to the pad foundations using bolted
connections, then wind braces will be added to prevent and control wind loadings.
They are typically used for multi-storey and multi-use buildings such as offices, sports
complexes, gyms, supermarkets etc. It’s a construction method in which steel columns and
beams are assembled to create a support for floors, roofs, cladding, internal fixtures,
finishing and occupants furthermore it has various advantages that make it very suitable for
the mixed use sports complex the client wants on the old industrial site in a urban area, they
are easily made modern looking depending on the materials used.
Another structural form is:
Modular Construction -
Modular construction buildings are factory-produced pre-engineered building units that are
delivered to site and assembled as large volumetric components or as substantial elements
of a building. The modular units may form complete rooms, parts of rooms, or separate
highly serviced units such as toilets or lifts.
The main sectors of application of modular construction are:
 Social housing
 Apartments and mixed use buildings
 Public Sector Buildings like Prisons
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Figure 4/5: A regular traditional build and it being put together by worker
Unit 4 Construction Technology
It could be a viable option for the mixed use building as it can be built very fast with
enhanced quality with reduced costs which can keep it within the budget.
Lastly another construction method can be:
Traditional –
Traditional methods are used such as brickwork, houses built using solid bricks in a local
area on basic brick foundation. Roof usually pitched and made with timber with local slates.
Ground floor mixture of solid floors and suspended timber processes for other areas and
upper floors and most rooms have open fireplaces as the source of heating inside while they
prevent damp problems.
Modern methods are timber framed houses, light steel framed houses and modern concrete
framed as they can reduce waste and promote sustainable building and then shortened
time for the build of the projects. Traditional methods can be used for the changing facilities
and fitness suite as they can be easily built however it won’t be as modern looking and will
take longer to build as a lot of labor intensive work.
M1:
Effectiveness and advantages/disadvantages of each method
For the project scenario both the steel skeleton framed method or modular units method
can be effective viable options to meet the needs of the client as they both have various
advantages quite similar which will make a useable mixed use building that will be 40 by 20
metres plus the changing facilities that will be attached to the hall along with the offices and
reception area for meetings to be held with schools that will be using the mixed use
building.
The steel skeleton frame will be a great construction method for the project scenario as the
beams and columns can easily be put together by trained engineers to meet the correct size
for the sports hall which will be 40m by 20m that will be used for different types of sports by
the schools coming in and mainly the youth for them to get active and have something to
do. The steel skeleton frame can also be attached to the structure of the sports hall area for
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Figure 7: Existing modular build of a
sports hall
Unit 4 Construction Technology
the gym, meeting rooms and reception area to a relatively good size as the beams and
columns can come in any suitable size to have the area for the different parts of the building
and it can be one big structure meeting all the client’s needs while steeling have un-used
land of the half acre outside the building to use as the car park which will need a minimum
of 20 car parking spaces for all the customers to come in and park there car while they use
the building for any of the uses it offers.
Advantages Disadvantages
Fast Erection Phase Steel loses 50% of its strength
under high temperatures
Off-site quality and
controlled fabrication
Needs secondary fire-
protection finish
Recycling benefits Has prevent corrosion from
rust
Sustainability Benefits Only can have max length
beam from due transportation
Strong Structure Repainting is required
These advantages make it a great construction method to build the multi-use building with a
few disadvantages with the main one being the max length of the beam for transportation
however the size the beams need to be are suitable enough to transport to the site.
The modular construction method is also a viable option for the project scenario as it will
also be able to easily meet the needs of the client with what he wants, how he wants it and
where he wants it. The modular method will be very viable as it can be factory-produced off
site to the exact size of 40m by 20m for the sports hall in a quick time frame meeting the
needs where it can then be transported on site and placed in a suitable location with a safer
work environment and a decrease in waste than there would normally be. The other parts
of the building the clients wants such as the gym and changing areas etc. can be made also
off site as a different modular unit to a relatively good size to hold all the different uses it
needs with enhanced quality on each room making it more modern and appealing for the
public which will attract them to it more which is also what every business man will want as
it brings them in more money. These different units then will be able to transported to the
site and attached to the modular unit of the sports hall to meet the needs while the waste is
decreased and environment is kept clean with the construction costs decreased keeping it
within the budget being used making it a very effective method of construction for the
sports complex with the advantages it has although it has some disadvantages to it also.
Advantages Disadvantages
Speed of Construction Large Deposits
Enhanced Quality Limited Availability of Modular
Suppliers
Less Distribution to
surrounding environment
Requires Intensive Coordination
Safer Working Environment Transportation Delays
Decrease In Waste Restricted Flexibility
Reduced Construction Costs Limited Size
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Figure 8/9:
Existing
traditional
build and
one being
built
Unit 4 Construction Technology
These advantages also make it a great viable method for the multi-use building with these
advantages it will make the construction much safer for the public while keeping the
environment much cleaner while still having a great enhanced quality in design.
For traditional methods, it’s a good method to use as it has various advantages by being
flexible in design and cost effective so it’s a great construction method for building however
it wouldn’t be a great very efficient way to build a multi-use building which we have to as it
would be too much labour work who will have to be paid more for working longer. When
building the building as there is a specific time frame it has to be completed by and doing it
the traditional way it will take much longer along with the weather possibly delaying the
work even further so it may not even be completed in the time frame which will lead to
further issues such as fines which is what no construction company will want. This type of
method will be more viable for housing as it can have good fire protection and sound
proofing.
Advantages Disadvantages
Flexible in design Delays due to weather
conditions
Can be cost effective Labour intensive
Many materials can be
recycled
Room on site required to
store materials
Good sound insulation Lack of quality control
Good fire protection Materials causing health
hazards
Alternations easily made Longer time needed for
completion
D1:
Evaluation and recommendation
Overall each construction method is great in there certain aspects making them very
effective for building a variety of a type of different structures. The modular construction
method will be great to build the multi-use building in the project scenario as it can meet all
the client’s needs at a high level, as the site is in an industrial area you will want the building
to be modern looking and have higher aesthetics to attract more people to it and bring
people in and with modular design this can be implemented with the enhanced quality that
comes along with this type of design making it very effective for the client to help in bring in
a wider audience of the public.
Furthermore that the site is being built on an industrial site in an urban area that identifies
that there will be people of public walking around close to the area which can be a hazard as
all workers will have to watch out for them in case they get in the way for example or
messing around near site, however this problem is massively reduced with it possibly being
a modular build as the units are built off site and then transported on site making it a much
faster method with decreased waste in the environment that could make it less appealing
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Unit 4 Construction Technology
and by doing it this way makes it effective for both the client and construction firm as it
decreases risk of health and safety for both workers and the public which is very important
as health and safety always comes first as the top priority making it effective and a suitable
way of construction.
An additional way for modular construction being efficient is that it has reduced
construction costs due to the materials, how fast it can be done and the amount of workers
so this will help in a good way to the project as it will come in the budget of £25 million,
with these costs being reduced it means more money can be spent on better materials or
equipment to help out within the design as the clients wants vending machines, gym,
offices, reception area and other rooms detached from the main sports hall and the quality
of them areas can be improved much more and have it more detailed and appealing as
there will be more to spend on it with less being spent on the method making it a very
effective way to build and design the building while meeting all the client’s needs without
having to alter them or coming into to many design factors which can cause restrictions
within the design brief.
Overall, for this it’s a very viable option and can easily be used as there lots of advantages
with very few minor disadvantages like requiring very good coordination which can easily be
overcome with professionals working on the job so this method can be used as it is very
effective for both the client and construction firm.
Next, the steel skeleton is also a viable method with the different certain aspects in can
bring to the construction design such as the strong structure which can help the life cycle of
the overall building, This structure will be able to also meet the client’s needs at a high
standard. The site needs an open area of 40m by 20m which can easily be met by using a
steel skeleton frame as the columns and beams can come in a vary of different sizes to meet
the specific sizes that are needed to make it a functional building making it an effective
method as they can meet the sizes with ease along with fast erection as they can be put up
and attached in a short period of time which makes it even better for the client as he can get
the business up and running in no time. With the flexibility of sizes it will help with there
being room inside for the different type of rooms which are required such as the reception
area, offices, and a gym plus others making it suitable construction method as it can be
flexible in design. However a downside of this method making it not very effective is the
maintenance that is required a lot as there will be a lot of rust from corrosion which can
make the building not look very pleasing so painting will be needed to be done every now
and then which can take up time and money.
Carrying on from this the building is being built in an urban area so it will have to look
modern and aesthetically pleasing which can affectively be done using a steel frame as
materials can go along with it to make it more appealing however this will cost more money
and it has to be kept within the budget. It will also be a hazard with it being built in the
urban area as people will be around the site, the large columns of steel will have to be
transported on site meaning they will have to watch it for the public in case they get in the
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Justification/Initial Floor Plan Idea
Figure 10: This is my initial floor plan
idea of how the overall project could
look like by the end of it, I laid it out
like this as all rooms are easily
accessible and close by with relatively
good and correct sizes meeting the
requirements. Linking to the methods
the sports hall can easily be put up in
a steel frame whereas each other
area of the facility can be modular
built and placed into the correct areas
making it much easier for the builders
and more efficient for everyone
Revit Drawing
Figure 11: This Revit drawing of my floor plan layout shows how each room can be accessed
and where from indicating how to move throughout the building and get into different areas.
The sports hall will be put up by the steel frame method as shown in figure 6 which is the start
of the erection phase of the columns and beams put together furthermore as shown in figure
2 it’s an idea what it could look like by the end of it for the sports hall area. For each other
room which will be done by modular construction as how much easier and more efficient it
can be, as figure 3 shows it will be an indication of how it will be like when each of the
separate rooms will be put together then doors will be implemented in the areas shown in
figure 11 to access each and other area.
Unit 4 Construction Technology
way as it will cause hazards and huge health and safety problems which have to be avoided
at all costs.
Overall the steel skeleton frame is an effective way of construction as it can make a strong
suitable structure with a long life cycle and even at the end of the life cycle the building
materials can be recycled meaning none will go to waste making it very efficient, it can also
be easily sustained in the long run making it also effective however it also has the
disadvantages of losing strength under high pressures which can’t be changed.
Out of the two methods evaluated, I would recommend in my opinion both of them the
modular construction method as it has much more effective advantages compared to the
others that can relate to the project brief such as there being separate buildings it will be
easier and quicker to do it with modular units and with the money saved the money can be
spent elsewhere such as equipment inside the facility so I would highly recommend modular
as it should be used more for various different building types as it as high advantages
compared to other construction methods. But then I would recommend the steel frame also
for the main multi-use sports hall as it can be a much stronger structure that can be put up
quickly with beams and columns, furthermore the separate parts such as the gym can be
completed in a modular unit at a high standard then transported on site and placed where it
is supposed to go, so both methods of construction are suitable and just as effective as the
other.
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