MODERN CONSTRUCTION

TECHNOLOGY
(COTM 5272)
Appropriate Building Technology Chair
2022
Outline
• Introduction to the course
• Introduction to Modern Construction Technology
• Semester project brief
Introduction to the course
Course objectives
At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

• Demonstrate sufficient understanding of construction aspects of RC

framed structures (Monolithic constructions, prefabricated construction
systems), Construction of Shells, Domes, formwork, scaffolding shoring
and underpinning.

• Demonstrate sufficient understanding of maintenance aspects of road

and bridge structures, repair and rehabilitation of structures.
Course Contents
• Framed structures construction: Timber, steel and RC frames, type and construction
methods,
• Monolithic Constructions: Type and use of Monolithic constructions,
• Prefabricated construction systems: Type, assembly and details of prefabrication,
modular coordination.
• Construction of Shells, Domes etc.: formwork, scaffolding shoring and
underpinning.
• Building, Road and Other structures maintenance: defects identification and
solutions, Foundations, Floors, Walls, Roofs and structural frames, maintenance
management systems. Different topic on recent advances of construction technology.
Course Contents:
1. Introduction to Modern Construction Technology -1 sessions
▫ Basic definitions
▫ Historical background
▫ Theoretical background
2. Modern Reinforced Concrete Technologies- 4 sessions
▫ Shells and Domes
▫ Monolithic construction
▫ Prefabricated construction systems
▫ Cement Concrete Construction
▫ Formworks and false works
3. Modern Steel and Timber Construction Technologies- 1 sessions
▫ Steel
▫ Timber
4. Modern Building and Infrastructure Construction and Maintenance Technologies-2 sessions
▫ Construction Systems
▫ Maintenance Management
• Attendance Requirement
Minimum of 90% during lecture and 100% during practical and tutorial
sessions

Assessment:
• Attendance ……………………………………5%
• Site visit report…………………………………5%
• Mid exam ….....................................................20%
• Semester Project.............. ..................... .........30%
• Final exam .......................................................40%
Methodology:
• Lecture, Semester project & Site visit

References:
• Atkinson, Ken (1997). Highway Maintenance Handbook. Thomas Telford. ISBN 0727725319
• Mark Rossow, “Bridge inspection, maintenance and repair”, Departments of the Army and the
Airforce, US
• C.M.H. Barritt, “Advanced building construction”
• Andrew J.Charlett ,''Fundamental Building Technology''
• Edward A. & Joseph I., ''Fundamental Building Construction''
• Gerard de valence(Editor), ''Modern Construction Economics-Theory and Practice''
• Malcolm C., etal, '' Road Work-Theory and Practice''
• Chudley R., & Greeno R., '' Advanced Construction Technology''
• Chudley R., & Greeno R., '' Building Construction Hand Book''
• Any other relevant sources can be referenced
 Introduction to Modern Construction
Technology

• Definition
• General Background
• Historical background
Construction?
• In the fields of architecture ,construction technology and
civil engineering, construction is a process that consists
of the building or assembling of infrastructure.

• It is Far from being a single activity, large scale construction

human multitasking
Technology?
• Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines,
techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve
a problem or perform a specific function.
 methods
+
resources
+
work tasks
Construction +
context
technology =
Aim sustenance and comfort

• Construction technology has been defined as “the combination of construction methods,

construction resources, work tasks, and project influences that define the manner of performing a
construction operations” to “accomplish a desired aim necessary for human sustenance and
comfort”. Tatum, C. B. (1987)
Modern?
• Relating to the present or recent times.

• most up-to-date technique, equipment, etc.

• Denoting a recent style in art, architecture, etc.

• Marked by a departure from traditional styles and values.

Meriam Webster
Modern The most up to date making, usage, and knowledge of
tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods
Construction in the building or assembling of infrastructure.
Technology
Why modern construction technology?

• “…there is more to the construction process than just

management…there is more to the construction process than just
structural design or geotechnical evaluation…we need to create
better methods for construction…” Robert Harris

• Technology innovation can result in revolution advancement in

construction practice that traditional management techniques and
other skills are not be able to achieve.
Why modern construction technology?
• Advanced/ Modern construction technology covers a wide range of
modern techniques and practices that encompass the latest
developments in materials technology , design procedures, quantity
surveying, facilities management, services, structural analysis and
design, and management studies.

• The construction industry is repeatedly criticized for being inefficient

and slow to innovate.

• Construction industries in developing countries face many problems.

One of these is the low level of their technological development.
Why modern construction technology?

• Construction inefficiency - 25 to 50% waste in coordinating labor and in

managing, moving, and installing material

• Incorporating advanced construction technology into practice can

increase levels of quality, efficiency, safety, sustainability and value
for money.
Why modern construction technology?

• The adoption of advanced construction technology requires

- An appropriate design
- Commitment from the whole project team
- Suitable procurement strategies
- Good quality control
- Appropriate training and careful commissioning.
Modern Construction Technology

• The term Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) has been used for
many years now, to describe alternative methods of construction and
processes that move away from the traditional methods of masonry
construction that we have used historically for many hundreds of years.

• Modern methods of construction (MMC) originated in the United

Kingdom (UK) as a common term for offsite methods of construction
and onsite methods of construction.
Modern Construction Technology

• According to Warszawski MMC are a set of element or component

which are inter-related towards helping the implementation of
construction works activities.

• He also expounded that MMC are an investment in equipment, facilities,

and technology with the objective of maximizing production output,
minimizing labour resource, and improving quality.
 Historical Background
ላሊበላ

The Rock-hewn Churches of Lalibela (900-1270 AD)

 4th-century Obelisk of Axum
 11 monolithic churches
 King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela of the Zagwe Dynasty
 Ancient Ethiopians made great contributions to construction
Historical background
Historical Development of Construction and Uses of Construction Materials
The Romans made great contributions to construction:
(1) stone and masonry: They understood the concept of the true arch and used it to
its full extent. Lime mortar, constituted of lime, sand and water, used until the 2nd
Century B.C.
Historical background
2) Concrete construction: They started to mix pozzolana with lime to make strong
lime-pozzolana mortar and concrete in the 3rd Century B.C.
Historical background
3) Timber and metal: They used truss systems extensively in their buildings and
bridges. Metals were also used extensively in their buildings for non-structural
purposes. They introduced lead and gilded bronze tiles as roofing materials and made
the first recorded clear window glass.
Historical background
The early industrial age (18th–19th Century)

• The construction activity in the initial stages of the Industrial Age can be
summarized by the term mass production.

• Brick was being mass-produced in factories using the mechanical

extrusion method and the fired beehive kilns.

• Glass was used extensively with the iron frame.

• In 1903 Perret, designed and built a multi-storey building in Paris using
reinforced concrete.
The early industrial age (18th–19th Century)

• Reinforced-concrete apartment
building at 25 rue Benjamin
Franklin, Paris (1903), By
Auguste Perret
The early industrial age (18th–19th Century)

In 1903, RC multi-story building

In 1824, Joseph world's first reinforced concrete
Aspdin, skyscraper
Portland cement. Cincinnati, Ohio

1849 20th cen.

1824 1903

In 1849,Joseph Monier, High Rise structures

Reinforced concrete. (20th cen.
Late 19th up to the mid-20th
Century

• The major developments of

reinforced concrete have taken
place since the year 1900.

• The Ingalls Building, a 16 story

building built in 1903 in Cincinnati,
Ohio, was the w o r l d 's first
r e i n f o r c e d concrete skyscraper.
Late 19th up to the mid-20th Century
• The construction during the late 19th up
to the mid-20th Century can be
identified by one predominant structural
form - the High Rise which was usually
constructed with either concrete or steel.

• The first tall structure using steel as its

principal building material was the Eiffel
Tower in Paris. It has 300 m tall. Its
height was not challenged until 1929.
Recent Construction — High Performance
materials & construction Materials
• Since the 1980’s, the design and
construction use more and more
high performance materials.

• These most significant high

performance construction
materials include high
performance concrete, high
performance steel, fiber
reinforced cement composites,
etc.
If modern methods of construction were adopted in place of traditional methods:

• It should be possible to build up to four times as many homes with the

same on-site labor.
• On-site construction time could be reduced by more than half.
• Building performance could be at least as good
• Cost ranges would be comparable depending on specific project
circumstances, although they would be higher on average.
• Risks increased at early stages of the development process so good risk
management would become even more important.
Cont.…
Modern Construction Technology
• Advanced construction technologies are commonly described as including
(amongst many others) advanced forms of:

 3D printing
 New & Innovative Materials
 Building information modeling (BIM)
 Computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
 Offsite manufacturing.
 Modular construction.
 Prefabrication and preassembly.
 Smart technology.
 Robotics.
 • 3D printing - computer-controlled sequential layering of
materials to create 3 dimensional
3D printing shapes...\..\..\..\Desktop\Germany's first printed home- From start
til completion.mkv
• prototyping and for the manufacture of geometrically complex
components.
Smart buildings
• Smart buildings - 'automated buildings’, 'intelligent buildings' or buildings that
incorporate smart technology. The term 'smart buildings' might be used to describe
buildings with automated systems or wireless technologies
• The term is used to describe buildings that include technologies such as:
▫ Automated systems.
▫ Intelligent building management systems.
▫ Energy efficiency measures.
▫ Wireless technologies.
▫ Digital infrastructure.
▫ Adaptive energy systems.
▫ Networked appliances.
▫ Data gathering devices.
Smart buildings
• Smart technologies can facilitate better decision making and automation
of responses. An intelligent system, automation should be able to:
monitor performance; detect inefficiencies; diagnose possible causes;
make automatic adjustments; alert facilities management staff to issues
that can be automatically corrected; and suggest possible tools and parts
that may help staff members get the job done quickly.”
• MMC in the construction industry has enhanced productivity and improved quality
as well as several benefits as:
▫ Shortened construction time,
▫ lower overall construction cost,
▫ improved quality,
▫ Enhanced durability,
▫ better architectural appearance,
▫ enhanced occupational health and safety,
▫ material conservation,
▫ less construction site waste,
▫ less environmental emissions, and
▫ reduction of energy and water consumption.
• The term modern methods of construction (MMC) embraces a number
of approaches involving off-site manufacture or assembly.
▫ types of MMC :
 volumetric construction
 pods
 panelized systems
 sub-assemblies and components
 site-based MMC
Types of MMC :
Semester project
• Form a group of 10 students
• Research on the specific project that is chosen for you
• Analyze the project brief;
- building material,
- construction technology, principles & methods
- building system
• Analyze the advantage, limitations and challenges the project faced
because of the existing construction technology
• Propose your own modern construction technology
Semester project
• 1.Addis Ababa Adey Ababa Stadium
• 2. Commercial bank of Ethiopia CBE headquarter
• 3. Bole international Airport
• 4. Commercial bank of Ethiopia (old building)
• 5. Ethiopian Conference Center (Convention Hall)
• 6. Gerji village federal housing project
• 7. La gare project (eagle hills)
• 8. Adwa center
• 9. Botanical garden (Agora building)
Thank you!