Module Construction Technology

BULD6010: Construction Technology

Short Title: Construction Technology APPROVED

Full Title: Construction Technology

Official Code: BULD6010 NFQ Fundamental ECTS 5.0

Level: Credits:

Module DAITHI FALLON

Coordinator:

Description: This course in Construction Technology aims to provide students with an ability to interpret
construction drawings in concrete and steel and to understand how services may be
integrated into common structural forms. The course will also give an understanding of the
impact of building form, structure and materials on the energy efficiency of buildings. Initially
the students are introduced to the principles of surveying and leveling in particular.
Conventions in the structural detailing of reinforced concrete are described and different
scenarios for the integration of services into steel framed buildings outlined. The design of
structural elements for fire protection is described. Strategies for passive cooling of buildings,
and the conservation of fuel in buildings according to current building regulations is described.
The course has a practical programme where students will learn how to setup a level and
determine the reduced level of a closed survey and calculate gradients of the ground or
trenches. Where possible site tours will be arranged to view different construction details, and
students will be expected to write a report of the site visit.

Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to
1. Demonstrate competence in levelling principles and in the use of levelling equipment
2. Interpret concrete and steel construction drawings and detailing
3. Understand the impact of building form and materials on energy efficiency in buildings
4. Calculate the required level of fire protection for structural elements
5. Identify and discuss strategies and criteria for integration of services into structural elements

Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You
may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable
difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is
expressed as named CIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is
equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this
module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this
module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You
may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
Co-requisites
No co-requisites listed listed

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Module Construction Technology

BULD6010: Construction Technology

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content

Principles of Surveying:
Introduction to surveying, linear surveying, levelling instruments, levelling procedure using rise and fall
method, levelling procedure using height of collimination method, errors in levelling
Reinforced concrete construction and detailing
Concrete as a construction material, constituents of concrete, types of reinforcement including tension,
shear and fabric reinforcement, detailing of reinforcement on construction drawings with particular
emphasis on foundations, beams, columns and slabs, service integration.
Steel construction and detailing
Properties of steel, steel sections, Steel framed buildings, Portal frames construction details including
bracing, beam to column connections, haunches, bolted joints, foundation bolts analysis, introduction to
limit state design, design of steel framed buildings for service integration
Fire protection of structures
History of fire protection, physics and chemistry of fire, fire resistance and the structural failure of
buildings, fire protection to structural steel, calculation of section factors, service penetrations.
Energy efficiency in buildings
Ethical considerations. Natural Ventilation Strategies in non domestic buildings Selecting a natural
ventilation strategy, driving forces for natural ventilation, single, double, cross and stack ventilation,
calculations for stack ventilation, case studies. Passive Solar Design Different types of shading, solar control
glazing, advanced fenestration, ventilation and thermal mass, impact on building form and structure
Conservation of Fuel and energy in dwellings Compliance with document L wrt elemental heat loss, overall
heatloss and heat energy rating methods and calculations, thermal bridging

Assessment Breakdown %
Course Work 20.0%
End of Semester Formal Examination 80%

Outcome % of total Assessment Date

addressed
Formal End-of-Semester Examination 2,3,4,5 80% Semester End

Coursework Breakdown
Type Description Outcome % Assessment
addressed of Date
total
Practical/Skills Evaluation surveying practical 1 7 Week 3
Written Report Site visit 2 7 Week 6
Essay Sustainable development 3 6 Week 11

The institute reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

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Module Construction Technology

BULD6010: Construction Technology

Module Workload & Resources

Workload Full-time
Type Description Hours Frequency Average
Weekly
Learner
Workload
Lecture Lectures and practicals 4 Every Week 4.00
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) self directed learning 3 Every Week 3.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00

Resources
Recommended Book Resources

CIBSE 2005, Natural Ventilation in Non-Domestic Building, CIBSE [ISBN: 1903287561]

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 2007 2005, Technical Guidance
Document L Conservation of Fuel and Energy, STATIONERY OFFICE

Supplementary Book Resources

WilliamvIrvine 2005, Surveying for Construction, 5th Ed., McGraw Hill Higher Education [ISBN:
ISBN13: 9780077111144]
Roy Chudley, Rodger Greeno 2005, Construction Technology, 4/e Ed., Prentice Hall [ISBN:
ISBN-13: 9780131286429]
Roy Chudley, Rodger Greeno 2006, Advanced Construction Technology, 4/3 Ed., Prentice Hall
[ISBN: ISBN-13: 9780132019859]

Other Resources

Website: Sustainable Energy IrelandDwellings Energy Assessment Procedure

http://www.sei.ie/epbd/deap
Website: The Institution of Engineers of Ireland 2003, Code of Ethics
http://www.iei.ie/ethics/codeofethics.pasp

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