Understand Building Construction - Report Example

Construction Technology Customer Inserts His/Her Name Customer Inserts Grade Course Customer Inserts Tutor’s Name Insert Date Here (Day, Month, Year) Part 1 Site Conditions and Constraints Any place or an area for construction of any kind to take place is preferably a site for construction companies, its workers and others. Construction is in either form of building or any other monument used for any residential or commercial purpose. Characteristic feature of the site has its bearing on the way building or any monument can be designed and constructed affecting cost, future use and the commercial validity. Condition of sites is dependent on environment, social or economical factors, and according to the area or location. Site condition is also dependent on the differing changed conditions or conditions that occur at a site before construction begins, during the process of construction and after the construction. This is known as differing site conditions also known by the name of the changed conditions or concealed conditions. These changed conditions occur during the time when conditions prevalent during the construction happen to be different than those prevalent during the time of contracting or the condition that was referred in the contract documents. However there could also be various non-normal site conditions like nature or human based that could be produced. Non-normal site conditions include conditions like soils, vegetation and/or hydrology of the site has either been altered or rendered change. These wetlands are very difficult to identity on account of the vegetation, soils and/or hydrology of state. Conditions are changed when there is alteration, or complete removal of vegetation, removal of the original and alternation of the original soil profile Challenging Sites Site can be rendered challenging too when it poses severe stringent constraints on the design of home or any other construction activity. These constraints occur on account of the physical or social factors and are in the form of environmental, structural, spatial, location and ecological. Structural constraints account to the physical characteristics that make the site like its artificial structures, topography, and natural or otherwise. The other factor to pose challenge is environment like climatic, health, visual and acoustic parameters. The next is spatial rendering change in size, shape and volume and the others are location like proximity, servicing and remoteness and ecology like ecological value and landscaping. Remediation of Contaminated Sites In many areas, soils can be contaminated rendering it unfit for construction. In most of the cases, the contamination of soils is on account of the careless use of oil and chemicals and due to mere ignorance. The ways fuels are stored and distributed; impregnated plants, establishment of various industries, etc are main causes of the contaminated sites. The most popular method of remediation factor is mass exchange; in this process the contaminated soil is exchanged by clean soil. Other best methods that can be used are soil vapour extraction, thermal desorption and incineration commonly used for soil polluted with oil. Ground stabilisation Ground stabilization is a part of the civil engineering applications bringing in economic benefits, maintaining sustainable conditions, performance and durability. It is knowledge of procedures involved in the construction and engineering process to control the effect of infrastructure on pre-existing distribution of ground pressure and ultimately upon the geotechnical properties of the ground. Part 2 Foundation Solutions for multi storey buildings A multi-storey building should have a capacity to show resistance of the combined effects of the horizontal and vertical loads; it constitutes foundations, frameworks and floor slabs. Framework consists of columns and beams along with the horizontal and vertical bracings, which help in stabilizing building by putting in resistance to horizontal actions. The support to the floor slabs is given by beams enabling its vertical loads to be transmitted to the columns. These slabs constitute reinforced concrete or composite slabs used for profiled steel sheets. The columns are generally made of H or hollow rolled steel sections. The use of the same are filled can resist fire. Beams are generally made of I and H profiles. Nonetheless use of welded built-up sections can provide more rational solutions. A structural component of the multi storey building consists of foundations, framework and floor structure as shown in the figure: (Introduction to the Design of Multi-Storey Buildings: Part 1: Online) The design of the structure system of the multi storey building consists of floor system as a plane structure, restrained by the vertical bracings. Bracings should provide the building with three degrees of restraint and must show its capability to show its resistance on account of the horizontal loads. Soil Support If you are determined and willing to select a certain area or location to build your home, it is very important that you know about the soil type. You should also have eagerness to know whether the area selected in flood zone, all the utilities are available and over and above you know about the soil type. There is a need to take notice of the fact that the soil bearing capacity should meet or should be more than the required soil bearing capacity for the planned design and testing of the soil should be done by a geotechnical engineer representative. Control of ground water Groundwater is a problematic either during the time of temporary construction process or during longer conditions when the large structures show their interaction with the groundwater regimes. Ground freezing is a technique implied for the use of the control of groundwater and for providing excavation support during the process of underground construction industry from last 100 years. The process involves the refrigerated coolant to a process of circulation through a series of subsurface pipes to convert soil water to ice, creating a strong watertight material. This material has become so popular and strong hat now it is being used as the only method for the control of groundwater and support of the soil for the construction of shafts hundreds of feet into water-bearing soils. Many of these freezing systems are very similar in nature having a single most important component known as the subsurface refrigeration system, which consists of series of refrigeration pipes, which could be installed with the help of several drilling techniques. Depending on this application, the coolant could get into the temperature as low as 150 degrees Celsius. The process can be successful either with the help of large portable refrigeration plant or liquid nitrogen. Part 3 Structural frames Structural frames are among the most common building systems used in construction. Frames usually consist of post and beam or slab and wall systems, but can also be configured using combinations of structural members. Although every frame is composed of horizontal spanning and vertical bearing elements, the structural response to applied loads varies considerably with the connecting joinery. Therefore, frames are often categorized based on connection types. In simple post and beam frames, the horizontal and vertical members are connected with simple joints and transfer loads independently of each other. In rigid frames, the members are connected with rigid, moment resisting joints that prevent the independent action of beam elements from columns. Rigid frames can be statically determinate or indeterminate. Use of Steel The most flexible and adaptable structure today which is in use today is steel due to its properties of light weight, high strength, toughness, high durability and fireproof. The buildings built of steel frame are extensively resistant to different weather conditions and it has been seen that the homes built from metal frame has been able to withstand high velocity of winds. Moreover steel frames structures have low maintenance than traditional materials and metal frames do not rot, wrap or shrink. Steel can respond to any challenge whatever may be in form of design or construction task. Fire Protection Even the steel building is not immune to fire risks as it can also get damage due to excessive heat exposure which may cause plastic deformation to considerable extent. No doubt steel is a material regarded as non-combustible but due to its high heat conducting value, it can adversely affect the structural performance of the building. When the temperature rises to 600 degree Celsius, the strength of the steel structurally decreases by half. Thus it becomes imperative to protect the steel structures of the building through the use of insulation materials. Such materials enable the steel to resist collapse, prevent penetration of flame through walls, slabs and ceilings. There are generally two types of methods of fire protection system, active and passive protection method. The active protection fire systems are water sprinkler systems and water-filled structural member systems whereas the Integrated structural members, sprayed coatings, concrete covers, insulating boards, intumescent coatings and suspended ceilings are passive protection systems. Part 4 Green Roofs Green roofs are planted with particular plants and vegetation through the use of sustainable design methodology and in UK also, now there has been growing interest for green roofs in terms of sustainable development and this movement has also been gaining popularity across the world also. In a seminar organized by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association, the message sent across was “installing a green roof can dramatically reduce energy use and costs -- as well as supporting biodiversity, reducing flooding and combating climate change.” (Martin 2008: Online) It has been reported that the firms, which have installed green roofs have been able to reduce the energy use by 25% in the floor directly below the green roof and usage in other lower floors has also been reduced. In fact, Technical director of the Environmental Protection Group (EPG) Steve Wilson has pointed out that green roofs can play a vital role in creating sustainable urban drainage systems. (Martin 2008: Online) Types of Green Roof There are two types of green roofs: Intensive Living Roofs and Extensive Living Roofs. The plants, including shrubs and trees, grown on Intensive living roofs are from the height between 1 to 15 feet but deep levels of soil is required for their support and roof which can bear weight. Wide plant and wildlife diversity can be supported but it has extensive maintenance and irrigation and thus is not suitable for domestic buildings. The plants, which are 2 to 6 inches high, are grown on Extensive Living Roofs and thus few inches of soil is required and also low weight-loading roof is needed. Low maintenance is required for such roofs and any kind of roof such as of houses, garages, sheds, extensions and even commercial buildings can be used. These both types of roofs can be used for the construction of flat or pitched roofs. Flat roofs are easier to establish and maintain and thus are common but green roofs, which are sloping or have a pitch of 45 degrees, design issues are to be considered carefully, which can affect drainage and soil loss. Construction of Green Roof The basic components required for constructing a green roof are a waterproof layer, root repellent membrane, filter cloth, moisture blanket, drainage system, soil substrate, seeds and plants and these layers of green roof system mimic natural processes and plays a vital role in protecting the buildings and roofs. The soil used should be lightweight and free draining, as it is a growing medium but it should be able to retain moisture necessary for the survival of the plants. Also crushed porous brick for increasing the sustainability index of the soil is used in the soil substrate. Benefits of Green Roofs Green roofs popularly known as Living roofs can be also used for growing native plants, which could become in the category of endangered species and also to support wildlife such as local birds and bees, beetles and butterflies. In addition of increasing energy efficiency in homes and preserving biodiversity, it also acts as insulators against sound and noise, reduces temperatures and smog in urban areas, reduces emissions of carbon dioxide, function as filter to clean the air, provides aesthetic appeal and recreational opportunities of green spacing. With so many advantages, it has become one of the most important options for planners and builders to convert dull places into green and living places. Reference List Hart, F., Henn, W & Sontay, H. 1985. Multi-storey Buildings in Steel. London: Crosby Lockwood Staples. Living Steel. 2005. Design. [Online] Available: http://www.livingsteel.org/tutorials/design [17 March 2009] Martin, K. 2008. Green Roofs' Benefits Detailed at Construction Industry Gathering [Online] Available: http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/04/02/green-roofs-benefits-detailed-construction-industry-gathering [17 March 2009] Plants on Roofs. [Online] Available: http://www.sustainablebuild.co.uk/RoofPlants.html [17 March 2009] Steel Framed Structures. [Online] Available: http://www.agardenbuilding.co.uk/steel-framed-structures.html [17 March 2009] The Road Home Program. 2008. Site Preparation: What Will Your Soil Support? [Online] Available: http://rebuilding.road2la.org/en/family_home/home/design_construction/Construction/Foundation+Floors+Roof+Walls/Foundation+Floors/Site+Preparation/ [17 March 2009] Tunsall, G. 2006. Managing the Building Design Process. Burlington, MA: Elsevier. Figure: Figure: Introduction to the Design of Multi-Storey Buildings: Part 1. [Online] Available: http://www.esdep.org/members/master/wg01b/l0710.htm [17 March 2009] Read More