CONSTRUCTION ASPECTS OF

BUILDING
PRIMARY BUILDING ELEMENTS

The primary building elements are all related to

the basic structure of the building: the foundations,
walls, floors, roofing timbers and the roof covering.
When a house is being constructed these are
usually the first elements to be constructed

SECONDARY BUILDING ELEMENTS

The secondary elements relate to aspects such as
wiring, plumbing, internal joinery (such as doors,
windows), plaster and painting.
SITE WORKS
 Site investigations
 Soil investigation
 Soil assessment and testing
 Site layout considerations
 Site security
 Site lighting and electrical supply
 Site office accommodation
 Materials storage
 Materials testing
 Setting out
 Levels and angles
 Road construction
 Tubular scaffolding and scaffolding systems
 Shoring systems
 Demolition
SITE INVESTIGATIONS
 For New Works ~ the basic objective of this form
of site investigation is to collect systematically
and record all the necessary data which will be
needed or will help in the design and construction
processes of the proposed work. The collected
data should be presented in the form of fully
annotated and dimensioned plans and sections.
Anything on adjacent sites which may affect the
proposed works or conversely anything relating
to the proposed works which may affect an
adjacent site should also be recorded.
PROCEDURES
 Desk study
 Field study or walk-over survey
 Laboratory analysis

Desk Study ~ collection of known data, to include:

 Survey maps † historical and modern, note grid reference.
 Geological maps † subsoil types, radon risk.
 Site history † green-field/brown-field.
 Previous planning applications/approvals.
 Current planning applications in the area.
 Development restrictions † conservation orders.
 Utilities † location of services on and near the site.
 Aerial photographs.
 Ecology factors † protected wildlife.
 Local knowledge † unreliable information/rights of way.
Field Study ~ intrusive visual and physical activity to:
 Establish site characteristics from the desk study.
 Assess potential hazards to health and safety.
 Appraise surface conditions:
* Trees † preservation orders.
* Topography and geomorphological mapping.
 Appraise ground conditions:
* Water table.
* Flood potential † local water courses and
springs.
* Soil types.
* Contamination † vegetation die-back.
* Engineering risks † ground subsidence,
mining, old fuel tanks.
* Financial risks † potential for the unforeseen.
 Take subsoil samples and conduct in-situ tests.
 Consider the need for subsoil exploration, trial pits
and bore holes
SOIL INVESTIGATION
Specifically related to the subsoil beneath the site under
investigation and could be part of or separate from the
site investigation.
 Purpose of Soil Investigation ~
1 . Determine the suitability of the site for the proposed
project.
2. Determine an adequate and economic foundation
design.
3. Determine the difficulties which may arise during the
construction process and period.
4. Determine the occurrence and/or cause of all changes
in subsoil conditions.
 The above purposes can usually be assessed by
establishing the physical, chemical and general
characteristics of the subsoil by obtaining subsoil
samples which should be taken from positions on the
site which are truly representative of the area
SOIL SAMPLE
 Disturbed Soil Samples ~ these are soil samples
obtained from bore holes and trial pits. The method of
extraction disturbs the natural structure of the
subsoil but such samples are suitable for visual
grading, establishing the moisture content and some
laboratory tests. Disturbed soil samples should be
stored in labelled airtight jars.
 Undisturbed Soil Samples ~ these are soil samples
obtained using coring tools which preserve the
natural structure and properties of the subsoil. The
extracted undisturbed soil samples are labelled and
laid in wooden boxes for dispatch to a laboratory for
testing. This method of obtaining soil samples is
suitable for rock and clay subsoils but difficulties can
be experienced in trying to obtain undisturbed soil
samples in other types of subsoil.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
 Before any specific considerations, decisions can
be made regarding site layout a general
appreciation should be obtained by conducting a
thorough site investigation at the pre-tender
stage and examining in detail the drawings,
specification and Bill of Quantities to formulate
proposals of how the contract will be carried out
if the tender is successful. This will involve a
preliminary assessment of plant, materials and
manpower requirements plotted against the
proposed time scale in the form of a bar chart
 Access Considerations
This must be considered for both on- and off-site
access. Routes to and from the site must be checked
as to the suitability for transporting all the
requirements for the proposed works. Access on
site for deliveries and general circulation must also
be carefully considered.
 Storage Considerations

Amount and types of material to be stored, security

and weather protection requirements, allocation of
adequate areas for storing materials and allocating
adequate working space around storage areas as
required, siting of storage areas to reduce double
handling to a minimum without impeding the
general site circulation and/or works in progress
 Storage Considerations
Amount and types of material to be stored, security and
weather protection requirements, allocation of adequate
areas for storing materials and allocating adequate
working space around storage areas as required, siting
of storage areas to reduce double handling to a
minimum without impeding the general site circulation
and/or works in progress.
 Accommodation Considerations
Number and type of site staff anticipated, calculate size
and select units of accommodation and check to ensure
compliance with the minimum requirements of the
Construction Regulations, select siting for offices to give
easy and quick access for visitors but at the same time
giving a reasonable view of the site, select siting for
messroom and toilets to reduce walking time to a
minimum without impeding the general site circulation
and/or works in progress
 Temporary Services Considerations
What, when and where are they required?
Possibility of having permanent services installed
at an early stage and making temporary
connections for site use during the construction
period, coordination with the various service
undertakings is essential.
 Safety and Health Considerations

Check to ensure that all the above conclusions from

the considerations comply with the minimum
requirements set out in the various Construction
Regulations and in the Health and Safety at Work
etc.
SITE SECURITY
 The primary objectives of site security are †
1 . Security against theft.
2. Security from vandals.
3. Protection from innocent trespassers.
 The need for and type of security required will
vary from site to site according to the
neighborhood, local vandalism record and the
value of goods stored on site. Perimeter fencing,
internal site protection and night security may
all be necessary.
SITE LIGHTING
 This can be used effectively to enable work to
continue during periods of inadequate daylight. It
can also be used as a deterrent to would-be
trespassers. Site lighting can be employed
externally to illuminate the storage and
circulation areas and internally for general
movement and for specific work tasks. The types
of lamp available range from simple tungsten
filament lamps to tungsten halogen and
discharge lamps. The arrangement of site
lighting can be static where the lamps are fixed
to support poles or mounted on items of fixed
plant such as scaffolding and tower cranes.
SETTING OUT THE BUILDING OUTLINE
 This task is usually undertaken once the site has
been cleared of any debris or obstructions and
any reduced level excavation work is finished. It
is usually the responsibility of the contractor to
set out the building(s) using the information
provided by the designer or architect. Accurate
setting out is of paramount importance and
should therefore only be carried out by competent
persons and all their work thoroughly checked,
preferably by different personnel
SETTING OUT A FRAMED BUILDING
 Framed buildings are usually related to a grid,
the intersections of the grid lines being the centre
point of an isolated or pad foundation. The grid is
usually set out from a base line which does not
always form part of the grid. Setting out
dimensions for locating the grid can either be
given on a drawing or they will have to be
accurately scaled off a general layout plan. The
grid is established using a theodolite and
marking the grid line intersections with stout
pegs. Once the grid has been set out offset pegs or
profiles can be fixed clear of any subsequent
excavation work.
SCAFFOLDS
 These are temporary working platforms erected
around the perimeter of a building or structure to
provide a safe working place at a convenient
height. They are usually required when the
working height or level is 1„500 or more above
the ground level.
SHORING
 This is a form of temporary support which can be
given to existing buildings with the primary function
of providing the necessary precautions to avoid
damage to any person from collapse of structure
 Shoring Systems
There are three basic systems of shoring which can be
used separately or in combination with one another to
provide the support(s) and these are namely:-
1 . Dead Shoring † used primarily to carry vertical
loadings.
2. Raking Shoring † used to support a combination of
vertical and horizontal loadings.
3. Flying Shoring † an alternative to raking shoring to
give a clear working space at ground level.