Construction Methods and Operations

(Mark Carlo J. Albos & Jorell B. Jalimao)

Top-Notch Construction, as a responsible contractor and home builders, continually

studies and improves its construction methodology to obtain ways on how to further improve
quality of work and at the same time lower the cost of operation. Whatever methodology a
construction company choose, it is important the safety and quality of the structure are not
overlook. These methods may apply to make the activity more efficient depending on the situation.

Different Methods in Construction Such as:

1. Flat Slab Construction – a reinforced concrete slab supported directly by concrete

columns without the use of beams.
Advantages:

 Flexibility in room layout

 Not using beams can reduce the building height
 Easier auto sprinkler
 Appropriate for areas where top of partitions need to be sealed to top slab due to fire
reasons
Disadvantages:

 Medium length in span due to its critical middle strip

 Higher slab thickness

2. 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing – computer controlled sequential layering of

materials (concrete mix) to create construction components or to print the entire building.
Advantages:

 Produce product with less waste

 Faster and
 More accurate construction
Disadvantages:

 Limited scale of construction

 High cost machine

3. 3D Volumetric Modules – production of three-dimensional units in controlled factory and

at the time of installation, they are brought to the site and assembled module by module.
Advantages:

 Ready for assemble in the site (whole unit with internal & external finish)
  Suited for repetitive projects
 Maintaining the quality
Disadvantages:

 Can’t be too big to transport by road

 Not advisable to places with seismic activities

4. Precast Flat Panel System - this method of construction involves the procedure of
making floor and wall units off site and at the time of installation, they are brought to the
site and assembled.
Advantages:

 Ready for assemble in the site (with finish)

 Ideal for repetitive projects
 Maintaining the quality
 Can include windows and doors
 Made per design specification and requirements
Disadvantages:

 Can’t be too big to transport by road

 Not advisable to places with seismic activities

5. Precast Cladding Panels – provides skin or layer intended for design or control the
infiltration of weather elements.
Advantages:

 Ready for assemble in the site

 Ideal for repetitive projects
 Maintaining the quality
 Made per design specification and requirements

6. Precast concrete foundation- Use for rapid construction of foundation. .The foundation
is assembled is mainly supported by piles
Advantages:
 These foundation system helps in increasing the productivity, increase quality and
decrease the soil excavation quantity
 Best suited for extreme and adverse condition
 Reduce the overall cost for builders and homeowners
 7. Twin wall technology- Twin wall system has two walls slabs that are separated by a cast
in lattice girders
Advantages:
 The advantages of off site construction with factory tolerance and high quality factory
finishes
 The pre-installation of electrical conduits and outlets during production provides for faster
construction of the building

8. Concrete formwork insulation- The system of insulating concrete formwork(ICF)have

twin panel that are either polystyrene panels or blocks are employed
Advantages:
 Higher level of thermal insulation is provided by expanded polystyerene blocks
 Concrete core will provide good robustness and better sound isolation

9. Concrete walls and floors- Concrete walls are mainly applied for seat walls, retaining
wall, decorative exterior and interior finishes. As per the latest technology, the concrete
floors can be provided with good finish to provide with good finish to provide smooth and
attractive flooring
Advantages:
 Affordable compared to other flooring options
 Concrete flooring is ease of maintenance

10. Strip footing- Are commonly used as foundations of bearing walls. The footing usually
has twice the width as the load bearing wall, sometimes it is even wider

11. Raft foundation- A thick concrete slab resting on a large area of soil reinforced with steel,
supporting columns or walls and transfer loads from the structure to the soil. Generally
support structure like residential or commercial buildings where soil condition is poor.