6/17/2014

Learning objectives
After this lecture you should be able to:
The Building Process • Explain the sequence of operations in construction
of low raise housing,
• Explain the role of different professionals involved
in design and production phases
phases.
• Explain different methods of construction typical in
residential buildings, and the reasons for its
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY 1 evolution.
UTAR FES - Department of Architecture and Sustainable Development • Appreciate the advantages and disadvantages of
Lecturer Fernando Andrade each construction method.

Updated:: FA | 2014.06
Updated By FA | 1 / 80 By FA | 2 / 80

Main Resources 1.The Building Process

• Riley, M. Construction Technology 1: House Main topics for today:
construction. Macmillan – Chapter 3.
construction. A. Building as an Organizational Process.
(3.4 Expenditure on building not covered!)
covered!) B. Building Team.
C. Building
g sequence.
sequence
q .
• Ching
Ching,, D.K. Building construction illustrated.
illustrated. Wiley.
D. Methods of building.
E. Building related Statues.
• Uniform building By- Laws. Laws of Malaysia (any
By-Laws.
publisher).

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A. Building as an Organizational Process

A. Building as an Organizational 1. Design Process
Process • The process of formulating, creating and planning a
functional building.
2 main processes in a building production:
• Mostly concerned with:
1. Design Process.
 size, shape and disposition of spaces within the
2 Production
2. P d ti Process
P
Process.
. building – space planning
planning,, and
These are usually sequential.  design of façades and climatic adaptability
Involve different teams or professionals  compliance with By-
By-Laws
Laws..
assume different roles in each phase.  And many other…
• Results on the representation
representation,, usually as a series
of sketches, documents, drawings, models.
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A. Building as an Organizational Process

2. Production Process B. The Building Team

• The nature and sequence of the operations which
are involved in the construction of a building and
1. Owner/Clients/Employers.
through which the resources (materials,
components, elements etc) for a building are 2. Design Professionals.
assembled..
assembled
3. Construction Professionals.
• Results on the erection of a building fabric (1).
4. Statutory Authority.

fabric: main constructional mass of a building, its

(1) building
fabric:
frame, structure, stairs, walling, roofing and floors.

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The building team (in a small size building)

1. Owner / Clients / Employers
The Client is the person or organization who finance
and commissions the work.
Clients may be companies, local authorities,
government organizations or individuals.
Th di
They directly
tl or indirectly
i di tl employ l allll other
th personnel,l
with particular responsibility for appointing the
planning supervisor (usually the architect) and
nominating the principal contractor.

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2. Design Team Design Team

Involved in Design stage

stage,, the pre
pre--contract stage of a
building project
project,, up to tendering, when most or all of
the design work is being carried out.
Composed by the professionals responsible for
designing
g gp parts of the building,
g, usually:
y
• Architect.
• Clerk of works.
• Consulting Engineers.
• Land Surveyor.
• Quantity Surveyor.

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Architect Architect
Architect is a qualified professional or organization who
designs buildings and supervises their construction.
Engaged by the building owner (client) as an agent to
plan, design, advise and ensure that the project is
kept within cost and complies with the brief (1)
requirements..
requirements

(1) brief programme; in the commissioning of a building

or programme;
project, a statement of the client’s requirements which includes
the scope of works usage, number and floor area of spaces,
and functional requirements.
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Architect Architect

Their typically work include:

include: • Obtaining planning permission and preparing legal
documents (for local authorities).
• Meeting and negotiating with client.
• Liaise between the construction team and the
• Creating design solutions to meet client brief
client.
and Regulation requirements.
• Inspecting works on site to guarantee compliance
• Managing design team
team. with projects and quality control.
• Choosing building materials.
• Preparing detailed drawings and specifications Further reading on Architectural Services,
Services, PAM website:
for Bid and construction. (http://www.pam.org.my/index.php/component/content/category
/17--resources)
/17 resources)

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Architect’s Presentation Clerk of Works

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Clerk of works Clerk of works

Project representative
representative;; a qualified professional usually
employed by the Architect (or the client) to carry out
periodical inspections of a building under construction
and ensure that work is carried out according to the
terms of the contract (project).
The main function is to liaise between architect and
main contractor and to ensure that construction
proceeds in accordance with the design
specifications, and that finishing quality is acceptable.
They can offer advice, but directives must be through
the architect
architect.

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Consulting Engineer Consulting Engineers

Engaged to advise and design on a variety of specialist

installations, e.g. structural, services, security.
They are employed by the Architect (or Client) to
develop that particular aspect of the design within the
cost and physical parameters of the architect’s brief.
A smallll b
building
ildi will
ill require
i a St
Structural
t lE Engineer,
i Ci
Civilil
Engineer and a Building Services Engineer.

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Consulting Engineers Consulting Engineers

Structural Engineer Civil Engineer

• A qualified professional responsible for designing A qualified professional who designs public utilities, like
structures and supervising their construction and roads, bridges and sewers, and supervises their
maintenance. construction and maintenance.
• Deals with the design, calculation and testing of They are involved in the design and construction of
structures.
t t t
tunnels,
l railways,
il d
dam, pipelines,
i li excavations,
ti
• Produces the structural drawings to show the earthworks and other structures, and major buildings
layout, materials and sizing of the structural (rather than small buildings).
elements of a building.

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Consulting Engineers Consulting Engineers

Building Services Engineer Land Surveyor

• Electrical Engineer is a qualified consultant who • A qualified professional who measures the
designs the electrical installations. topography and dimensions of a particular site or
• Mechanical Engineers design the mechanical area of land, and produces a map or survey from
services installation i.e. provision of equipment to the results.
operatet the
th heating,
h ti water
t supply,l and d ventilation
til ti • Land
L d survey is i ththe measuring
i and
d iinspection
ti off
requirements. land prior to design and construction, or for the
• They are involved in the design, installation and registration of title to land.
maintenance of essential services such as water,
air--conditioning, ventilation, lighting, gas and
air
communication lines.

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Quantity Surveyor Quantity Surveyor

A qualified professional responsible for preparing a

Quantity Survey and advising the client on
contractual and financial matters.
matters.
Sometimes engaged by the Architect to advise on
cost of architectural solutions and possible
savings.
Quantity survey a central contract document
specifying materials,
materials, products and components
used in a building, their amounts and costs
costs,, and
presented as a list of quantities prior to
construction.
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Principal Contractor or Main

Contractor
3. Construction Professionals
• Main Contractor or Principle Contractor.
• Construction Manager.
• S
Surveyor.
• Nominated subcontractor.
• Nominated supplier.
• Domestic subcontractor.
• Domestic supplier.
supplier.
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Principal Contractor or Main Contractor

Construction Manager
Employed by the client on the advice of the architect,
by nomination or competitive tendering.
Contractors vary in size from large National and
International Construction Companies to small
locally based building firms.
They are required to administer the construction
programme within the Architect’s direction.

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Construction Manager Construction Manager’s Work

The main contractor’s representative on-

on-site, Before construction starts
responsible for managing and supervising work on • preparing the site and generally liaising with other
a large site or several small ones. construction professional:
• Overall responsibility for ensuring that work  architects, engineers, buyers, estimators,
proceeds safely, effectively and efficiently, i.e. in surveyors and others.
accordance
d with
ith th
the d
design
i specification
ifi ti and d tto • Developing a Programme chart for the project and
time. a strategy for making it happen.
• Other titles: Site manager, Site Agents, Contracts
Manager, Building Manager, Foreman (only in
small size developments).
• Usually is a senior site manager. chart;; a written or graphical statement (table) of the
Programme chart
sequence and timing of operation of works on a construction
project.
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Programme (Gant) chart

Construction Manager’s Work Work and sequence of operations planned.

During construction:
• Planning ahead to solve problems with the delivery
and storage of equipment and materials before they
are needed on site.
• Making safety inspections of the site when the work
i under
is d way.
• In more senior roles, overseeing the running of
several projects.

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Surveyor Surveyor

A professional who inspects and reports on the

condition of existing buildings (building
(building surveys)
or on-
on-going construction:
• Employed by the main contractor to check work
progress and assist in the preparation of
i t
intermediate
di t evaluations
l ti ffor stage
t payments
t and
d
final accounts.
• May also be required to measure work done for
bonus and subcontractor payments.
Building survey an inspection of a property undertaken prior to
being bought or sold, to ascertain its general condition and
prospective repair work.
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Nominated Subcontractors Nominated subcontractor

Nominated by the client or architect for specialist

construction or installation work, e.g. lifts, air
conditioning, swimming pool, special roof, windows
etc.
Nominated supplier - Nominated by the client or
architect for supplying materials
materials, equipment or
appliances.

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Domestic Subcontractors Domestic subcontractor

Employed by the principal contractor to assist with

the general construction, e.g. carpenter,
bricklayers, etc.
Domestic supplier - Supply building materials and
components to main contractor.

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Building sequence

C. Building sequence ↓ Inception – first idea from the client, definition

of design brief and limitations.
Relating to main works of a building ↓ Feasibility – Cost projection and assessment of
construction, its planning and the persons possibilities.
responsible
responsible. ↓ Outline proposal – Sketches and conceptual
design.
↓ Scheme design – Scheme design and
application for required planning approvals(1).

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Building sequence Building sequence

↓ Detailed design – Working drawings and ↓ Production information – Specification of the

detailed assembly drawings. work and workmanship requirements (i.e.
Building specs document).
↓ Bill of quantities – Schedules with proposed
(1)
materials and quantification of elements.
permission; compulsory official
Planning or building permission;
approval of proposed building designs or development by a ↓ Tender and Contract – Examination of bids
local planning authority or building control department after from contractors.
inspection to ensure that they conform with a town plan and
local bye-
bye-laws; a legally binding requirement obtained prior to ↓ Project planning – Programming work and
commencement of building work, valid for only a limited period sequence of operations planned (by
of time.
Contractor).
Contractor ).
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Building sequence
Preliminary works  Substructure
↓ Operations on site:
↓ Preliminary works (Infrastructure etc).
↓ Substructure.
↓ Superstructure.
↓ Building envelop.
envelop
↓ Internal fit
fit--out.
↓ Completion – Handover to client, occupation.
Feedback – Review of success, defects analysis etc.
Check chapter 3.3 of Construction Technology 1 – House
Construction..
Construction
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Substructure  Superstructure External walls  Roof

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Services (final), fittings, final painting etc

Partitions Internal fit-out, Woodwork

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D. Methods of building

D. Methods of building Main topics:

1. Traditional building.
• This section develops understanding on the 2. Post-
Post-traditional building.
ways building process has evolved. 3. Industrialized building.
4. Modern Methods of construction:
• You should become familiar with different
 Volumetric.
approaches to building, from traditional to
 Panelised
Panelised..
industrialized.
 Sub
Sub--assemblies and components.
• Should be able to identify main aspects of
each approach.
• Chapter 3.1 and 3.2 of book reference.
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D. Methods of building D. Methods of building

1. Traditional building or Vernacular Is characterized by:

(check book ch.1) • Application of local materials, technologies and
• This was the common way buildings were made architectural language.
language.
before Industrial Revolution (I.R.) (Mid 19th cent.). • All buildings are formed by assemblage of a large
• It is still common practice in developing countries number of elements and components, of different
and large regions of the world. sizes
i andd complexity.
l it
• Before I.R. it was not practical to transport  In TB the production and assembly of this
materials,, due to lack of mechanical transports.
materials elements is totally done on site.
site.
• People could not travel easily
easily,, they knew only the  Require highly skilled labor that can fabricate
construction techniques, and architectural components on site and assemble.
language, developed by their ancestors.  Slow construction process.
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D. Methods of building D. Methods of building

Advantages::
Advantages Disadvantages::
Disadvantages
• Allows complete flexibility, can create a «one off» • Slow process, planning more dependent on climatic
building, and easily adapt trough building life. conditions on site.
• Does not require fine accuracy. • Lack of skilled labour or traditional materials.
• Highly adapted to local climate conditions, • More expensive compared to a mid range modern
providing higher comfort to users. construction (depends on labour and materials
• Supports local labor (economy), maintains cost).
cost ).
traditions. • Quality depends on the labour skills.
• Uses natural materials that are harmless to human
beings and eco-
eco-friendly.
• Building will connect with local culture and nature.
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D. Methods of building D. Methods of building

2. Post-
Post-traditional building
Is the natural development of Vernacular
construction to the possibilities created by
Industrial Revolution:
• Combines traditional methods with newer
techniques and materials.
• Improved transports allowed use of non-
non-local
materials and components.
• Mass fabrication of components reduces works on
site, improves accuracy, lowers prices.
• Use of machines on site (mechanized plant)
improves efficiency, accuracy and speed.
• New materials like reinforced concrete and metals
allowed for new technical solutions:
 Structural frames substitute load bearing walls.
 Can make large structural sections which allow
to build large parts of buildings.
 Reinforced materials are stronger and allow taller
buildings.
• Invention of mechanical lift allows to use higher
buildings comfortably.
• Planing of building operations is introduced to
ensure efficiency.
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D. Methods of building D. Methods of building

3. Industrialized building Aims to ensure

ensure::
Adapts organizational practices of manufacturing • Continuity of production (works) at all stages.
industries as much as possible: • Cost
Cost--effective construction of often large or
• Emphasis on Organization and Planning. complex buildings (or repeated units in a
• Was a consequence
q of late 20th cent. demand to development) maintaining reasonable quality
build quickly and cheaply. standards
standards.
t d d .
• Design of buildings needs to integrate the • Increase speed using standard size (modular) and
production method. prefabricated components, and effective use of
mechanical plant (machines).

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D. Methods of building D. Methods of building

Industrialized building avoids traditional ‘cut and fit’

practices,, reducing labor costs and errors.
practices
Fabrication is totally separated from assembly.
assembly.
Allow no flexibility once components start to be built
on factory, or future adaptations on design and
materials.
Problems can occur like:
• Need to adapt building after some years.
• Low quality (durability) of materials or systems.
• If manufacture bankrupts, or system is
discontinued, how to maintain?
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D. Methods of building 4. Modern Methods of construction

4. Modern Methods of construction (MMC) Industrialized building has developed constructions

(book ch.3.2) systems, techniques and methods that led to the
creation of some of today’s MMC:
• Volumetric construction. • Volumetric construction.
construction.
• Panelised construction.
construction.

• Panelised construction.
Post-traditional building also developed, applying
Post-
more components, and sometimes entire building
• Sub
Sub--assemblies and components. elements manufactured off- off-site:
• Sub
Sub--assemblies and components.
components.

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4. Modern Methods of construction Volumetric construction

Volumetric construction
Refers to modular construction, where entire units or
blocks are assembled and fitted in the factory.
Units are transported to site where they are
assembled or stacked to p pre-p
pre- prepared
p
foundations.
Most effective to large buildings that have repetition
of rooms or flats, like hotels, student residences
etc.

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Volumetric construction D. Methods of building

PICS - Plugin Construction Solutions

http://office.pluginconstruction.com

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4. Modern Methods of construction Panelised construction.

Panelised construction.
Refers to building using pre-
pre-manufactured flat
panels that are assembled on site to form the
walls.
The buildingg is erected on-
on-site, not in factory.
y
For housing the structural frame materials commonly
used are wood and lightweight steel sections.
There are different panel systems, some include
finishing materials, windows, services etc.
Some panels will be loadbearing depending of its
function and position on the building.
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Panelised construction. Panelised construction

Pre--fabricated roof trusses

Pre

www.deltechomes.com www.deltechomes.com
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4. Modern Methods of construction

Sub-assemblies and components

Sub- E. Building related Statutes
(same as post-
post-traditional)
Refers to traditional construction methods that Statute is a law or rule as made by a head of
incorporate prefabricated components. state, local government or local authority:
Modern pos
pos--traditional building can incorporate large • DBKL (Kuala
(Kuala Lumpur City Hall) is the local
quantity of elements manufactured off- off-site (similar authority charged with the administration of
to panelized): Kuala Lumpur
Lumpur..
• Windows & doors. • MBPJ is a local authority which administrates
• Prefabricated foundation or structural systems. Petaling Jaya City.
• Floor and roof parts.
• Wall systems. By FA | 75 / 80 By FA | 76 / 80

E. Building related Statutes E. Building related Statutes

Statutory Authority Building related regulations in Malaysia:

• The local authority who controls the use of land • Uniform Building By-
By-laws 1984.
under its control (usually city). • National Land Code 1965.
• It has a duty to ensure that the developments or • Street, drainage and Building Act 1974 (1994).
projects conform to national and local regulations • Town and Countryy Planning g Act 1976.
and d by
b -llaws:
by-
• Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514).
 Approves building submissions and issues
• Architect Act 1967 (Revised 1973).
permits.
building permits.
• Architects Rules 1996.
 Has to inspect buildings under construction to
ensure they are properly constructed. • Other…
 Can issue a building ban, a notice preventing
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Summary of key points

At the end of this session you should be able to:
That is all for today!
• Identify the different professional, actors, and its
roles, in the construction of a low rise building. When you feel that you know nothing then you
• Identify different phases in the construction process
are ready to learn.
t complete
to l t a building,
b ildi andd itits llogical
i l sequence.
sequence. The mother
mother, Auroville
Auroville,, India.
India

• Describe and differentiate the main Methods of

building used in low rise residential developments.
• Explain building methods evolution.
• Describe role of Local authorities in building
construction.
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