ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL
ENGINEERING

CENG 3103
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
Instructor – Abraham Assefa (Eng.) Oct. 2009
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
Course Outline

1. Introduction 5. Building Construction Elements

Foundation and Basement
2. Building Drawings
Floors
3. Building Structural Systems
Exterior and Interior Closures:

Reinforced Concrete Structures Walls

Stairs

Steel Framed Structures

Elevators

Prefabricated Building
Doors and Windows
Systems
Roofs

Shell and Dome Structures
Finishing
4. Planning of Buildings
Damp – Prevention

Fire Places
5. Building Construction
Formwork and Scaffolding
Elements
Sanitary Systems
6. Health and Safety in
Fire and Life Protection
Building Construction
Mechanical Systems

Electrical Systems
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
Chapter 1

 Presentation Outline

1.1 General

1.2 Development of Building Construction

1.3 Typical Traditional House Construction

1.4 Building Classification

1.5 Design and Performance requirement

1.6 Steps in Building Construction

 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.1 General
4

Construction Industry is an industry which is involved

in the planning, execution and evaluation of all
types of civil works
CI Categories - Construction projects can be broadly
classified as:
Building Construction (includes facilities for habitation, institutional,
educational, light industrial (e.g. warehouse), commercial, social and
recreational purposes),
Engineered Construction (includes highway and heavy (e.g. dams,
sewage plant) construction), and
Industrial Construction.
In this course we will focus on Building Construction
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.1 General
5

The main players in the construction industry are:

The Client: Architect
The Consultant: Subs Owner
The Contractor:
Insurance Companies:
Contractor Suppliers
Banks:
Suppliers:
Engineer Vendors
Permitting Agencies:
Public: Public
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.1 General
6

Inception and feasibility

Planning and Design
Tendering Stages Consultant – Architect
Bid Evaluation
Award of Contract
Construction Stage
Commissioning and Acceptance
Provisional Acceptance
Final Acceptance
1.1. General Introduction
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.1 General
 Building – a structure consisting of floors, walls and roofs
erected to provide covered space for different uses such as
residence, business, entertainment, workshop, etc
 Building - consists not only of the house, but also the site, road,
paths, the yard, the garden, the gate, the fence, etc
 Building Team:

Architect

Civil Engineer – Structural, Sanitary and related designs

Construction Manager – Supervising the Planning and Construction
Phase

Urban Planner

Quantity Surveyor
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.1 General

 All the above shall Study Building:

Planning,

Technical Elements,

Construction Materials,

Cost and Durability,

 Requirements in relation to the previewing climatic

condition, and soil behavior, etc.
 Building Codes – lay the outline for the design of
building. E.g. EBCS
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.1 General

 Requirements for Building Construction:

Site

Permission from Local Authorities or Municipalities

Professionals: Architects, Engineers

Materials

Labor

Finance (most importantly)

 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction

 Building – During Human Age

Primary motive of Building Houses is the desire for a better
living conditions, initial causes however include:
 Fear of Wild animals
 Protection against cold and heat
 Shelter from Rain and wind
 Desire for gathering the family belongings in one place
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction

 Modern buildings are planned to adapt to the purpose

and the existing climatic conditions
 Building Materials:

Originally – Stone, Sand, Earth, Grass, Logs, Skins, etc

Advanced – Dressed Stones, Bricks, Cement, Lime, Gypsum,

Iron, Timber, Tiles, Sheet Metals, Aluminums, Paints, etc

Modern Systems – Prefabrication, Pre-stressed Concrete

 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction

 Building Structural Forms:

 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Building Structural Forms:
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Building Structural Forms:
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Building Structural Forms:
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Vaulting
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Vaulting
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Vaulting
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Vaulting
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Timber
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Timber
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Stone
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Stone
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Steel
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Steel
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Reinforced Concrete
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Reinforced Concrete
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Shell Roofs
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Shell Roofs
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Cable Structures
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.2 Development of Building Construction
 Construction Forms: Cable Structures
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.3 Typical Traditional House Construction

 Though there are different types of houses in Ethiopia, based on

classification by climate and altitude, housed are divided into:

Low Land – Kolla (<1400m);

Uplands – Woina Dega (1400 – 2700m) and

High Lands - Dega (>2700m).
 1. House of Kolla (low Land)

Climate: Hot and usually Dry

Rains are scarce and if occurs the ground dries quickly.

Strong winds with plenty dust are frequent.

Two types are noticeable: Permanent and Normadic
 1.1.1 Houses for Permanent People

Are mainly affected by available building material: Wood is scarce,
but stone, earth and grass are sufficiently available
CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.3 Typical Traditional House Construction

Stone Walls – 50 cm (tapering) Roof – Flat

Height – 2 – 3m Logs, twinges and branches,
Walls – Not Pointed stone and earth are added
Internal – Cow and camel dung above
Finally Clay or binding agent

Plan – Square, Rectangle

Ground – Unprepared Opening – Only Door
CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.3 Typical Traditional House Construction
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.3 Typical Traditional House Construction
 1.1.2 Houses for Normadic People
Roof – Canvas or Skin
Walls – Simple and Made of
light material

Ground – Unprepared Plan – Circular

 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.3 Typical Traditional House Construction

Climate: Rainy and Cold
 1.2 Houses for the High Lands (Dega)

Wood and Grass are available
Horizontal Walling – 3 Places with
diagonals. Tid or Red Eucalyptus (1.2 – 1.5m)
Splitted Timber – Fills the gap
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.3 Typical Traditional House Construction
Roof Truss
Walling - Fermented Earth Mortar
Center Pole – 250 mm
(Two Coats)
Tied Using Ropes (cut animal skins)
Straw more course on the first
Straw – roofing material
course
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.3 Typical Traditional House Construction
 1.3 Houses for the Up lands (Woina -  Similar except for use of materials
Dega)  Sidama and Wollaita
 Addis Buildings

 ..\Image Archives\Addis Ababa Bldgs

 ..\Image Archives\AU - New HQ

 ..\Image Archives\Sheraton Addis

 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.3 Building Classification

 Building Classification
 According to the Building Code of India:

Building is any structure for whatsoever purpose and of
whatsoever materials constructed and every part thereof
whether used as human habitation or not and includes
foundations, walls, floors, roof, etc, part of a building or anything
affixed thereto or any wall enclosing or intended to enclose any
land or space.
 Building can be classified into different groups depending
on their occupancy use or type of construction.

Based on Occupancy of Use: Residential, Educational, Assembly,
Business, Mercantile, Industrial, Institutional, Storage, High Hazard

Based on Type of Construction (Resistance in Fire): - Type 1, 2, 3,
4 and5
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.3 Building Classification

 Based on Occupancy of Use:

Residential – Private Residences, Apartment Buildings, Dormitories,
Hotels

Educational – Educational Instructions like schools and colleges

Assembly – Theaters, Exhibition Halls, Places of Worship and terminals

Business – Garages, Barber Shops, City Halls, Courthouses and
Libraries

Mercantile – Shops, Stores, Market and Retail Warehouse

Industrial – Industries where fabrication and assembly is carried out

Institutional – Hospitals, Prisons

Storage – For goods, merchandize, products, livestock

High Hazard – Storage for highly inflammable, combustible or
explosive materials
 The above divisions shall have sub divisions with different design standards
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.3 Building Classification
 Based on Based on Type of Construction (Resistance in Fire):

Grades of Fire Resistance – ½, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 hours

Indian Standard – Type 1, type 2, Type 3, and Type 4 – 4, 3, 2, and 1
hour

Non – Combustible vs. Fire Resistant
 Building Types

Type 1 – Fire Resisting Construction

Type 2 – Non Combustible Construction

Type 3 – Heavy Timber Construction

Type 4 – Ordinary Construction

Type 5 – wood Frame Construction
 Fire and Life Protection – Number of Egress, Min. Distance to
Egress, Provision of Fire Lift, Alarm, Fire Hose, Smoke Control and
Fire Protection (Sprinklers)
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.5 Design and Performance requirement
 Basic Design and Performance Requirement
 Buildings can be broadly divided into Sub – Structure and Super –
Structure
 Sub – structure – Below the surrounding ground level, and
 Super - structure – Above the ground level
 Basic Components – Foundations, Walls, Floors, Doors and Windows,
Stairs, Roof and Finishing Materials
 Basic Design and Performance Criteria

Factor of Safety

Stiffness against deformation

Comfort and Convenience for users
 Thus, buildings should satisfy the following basic functional requirements:

Strength and Stability, Dimensional Stability, Comfort and Convenience,
Resistance to Moisture Penetration, Fire Protection, Heat Insulation, Day
Lighting and Ventilation, Sound Insulation, Durability, Security, Protection
against vermin and termites, Building Economics
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.5 Design and Performance requirement

 Basic functional requirements:

Strength and Stability – DL, LL, WL, EQ

Dimensional Stability – Deformations (Elastic and Plastic),
Temperature and Moisture Content

Comfort and Convenience – Optimum utilization of space,
lighting and orientation of the building

Resistance to Moisture Penetration – Building should kept dry

Fire Protection – Less Ignition, Egress and Compartmentalization

Heat Insulation – Use of thicker exterior walls, Use of cavity
Walls, Use of shading devices (projecting roofs, verandahs,
Proper Orientation

Day Lighting and Ventilation – Good Daylight (East) and Natural
Ventilation
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.5 Design and Performance requirement

 Basic functional requirements:

Sound Insulation – Through Cavity walls, airtight windows,
raised floors, suspended ceilings

Max. Acceptable Noise – Schools 45 – 50 dB, Hospitals 40
– 50 dB and Public Offices 50 – 60 dB

Durability- From 25 – 50 years

Security – Against Burglary or thefts, Window Openings,
Alarm Fittings

Protection against vermin and termites – Shall be avoided
during pre - construction

Building Economics – However all the above are necessary,
the limiting factor will be the money.
 CEng 3103 – Building Construction
1.6 Steps in Building Design

 Design is a process of

Blending, Selecting, Performance, Creation and Message
 Design Phase

Site Selection and Site Plan

Architectural Design

Structural Design

Sanitary (Plumbing) Design

Electrical Design

Mechanical (HVAC)

Fire and Life Protection

Building Support Systems – Data, Voice, CCTV, MATV, etc

Preparation of Bill of Quantity and Specification