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SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
BACHELOR OF QUANTITY SURVEYOR (HONOURS)
MARCH INTAKE 2014 SEMESTER 1
MEASUREMENT1 [QSB60104]
– Sr AngFuey Lin
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGYI[BLD 60104]
–Pn. AzrinaMd Yaakob
BUILDING MATERIALS [BLD62003]
–Pn. MyzatulAishah Kamarazaly
_______________________________________________________________
___________
TECHNICAL SITE VISIT TO ANDES CONSTRUCTION SITE
10% for each module
Submission at 3 July 2014
Individual Assignment
Lee Ren Jet 0319058
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Introduction
For this assignment, we as a student should make a report ona site visit to a
constructionsite incorporatingthe objectives ofthe site visit, the
introductionofthe site and technicalobservations made onsite including
the learning outcomes ofthe site visit. This assignment consists of30% and it
is also a combinationof3subjects whichare Measurement 1, Construction
1 Cover Page 1
2 Contents 2
3 Introduction 3
4 Objective of the site visit 4
5 Content/technical
observations
5-8
6 Photos & descriptions 9-14
7 Learning outcomes/
Conclusion
15
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technology 1 and Building Materials. This assignment was preparedby our
Measurement 1 lecturer, Sr AngFuey Lin. Our site we visitedwas called
Andes Condo Villa and it was locatedat 515, Jalan Puchong.
On the 26th
of June, there are 56 students who attendedthis site visit. Half
of us were dividedinto 2 sections. We were requiredandasked to bringour
helmets, longpants for safety purposes andalso shoes. We were also
neededto bringat least rm15for the bus fare to constructionsite. Ms Ang
and Ms Theongwas in charge in the first bus, whichis in our bus too!
We were briefedby a constructionmanager about the safety and rules for
the site as we reachthe constructionsite. We werealso splittedinto several
groups and our group was leaded by the project manager. Throughout the
visit , we asked many questions that we did not understand and he tried his
best to explainand allow us to understand more as muchas we can.
This constructionsite project is worthat least 21.5millionmyr. The working
periodis about 24 months and it was startedat 5th
of May 2014. The BlockA
will be completedinaround30th
August and the Block B will be finished
around 31st
October 2015. The site visit we went was mainly focus on BlockA
as they were constructingthe basement slab, groundfloor slabs with
columnwalls and etc.
Objective
The objectivesof the site visit are:
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Recognize the itemsmeasurable for sub-
structure and reinforced concrete frame works.
To experience the working experienceand to
know more about the life of Quantity Surveyor
Enable us to understand more about real life
structures and how a building is constructed.
Gain knowledge in construction technology
Understand the basic of a construction process
To know the importance of taking care of our
own personal safety and also precautions in a
site
Understand the specific job roles and also the
teamworks between all job scopes like
engineers, project managers, contractors and
workers
Witnessthe usage of construction equipment on
site including mechanical plants
Content/Technical Observations
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As we reached Andes Condo Villa construction site, we saw
an information board which contains information about the
site and the roles of the construction. When we stepped in
into the site, we saw some temporary sites has been set up
at the side of the construction site which are material
storage, scaffolding , labour accommodation, ‘bangla
home’ etc. The site was covered with barricades called
hoarding. These hoardings are temporary which are used
to prevent trespassers and to prevent materials to leak
outside the site. It can be also used for crowd control,
security and public safety. The small material storage is
made of aluminium and wooden doors. Throughout the
site survey, we have also seen many machineries like
cranes, tractor, excavator, loader and cement mixer truck.
Later on, we were brought towards the main site which are
Block A and B. Site A was completed halfway and it was
estimated to be done around August. As we walk down the
temporary stairs, we saw a steel rod around the slab. Most
of us thought it was a fabric reinforcement but we found
out that fabric reinforcement is only available for work
above lowest floor level. Inside the block A, the workers
were setting up the columns and the formworks. The
formwork they used was plywood and 24d for the links!
The block A is considered a substructure where it is built
for the basement of the condo.
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TYPES OF FOUNDATION
Pile Foundation
Throughout the site, what we mainly see was
pile foundation. A pile foundation is generally
a deep foundation. They were formed by
long, slender, columnar elements typically
made from steel or reinforced c oncrete. Pile foundation was also
used for the Block B and Block A as it’s depth is more than 3metres
below the finishing level. Besides that, they used pile foundation
for their structure because their soil was unstable and weak. It was
recommended to use pile foundation due to it’s multi storey
buildings.
Throughout the site survey, they used bored pile method to build
the superstructure. Bored pile is another type of reinforced
concrete pile, which is used to support high building producing
heavy vertical loads. It is also a cast-in-place concrete pile where
the bored piles have to be cast on the construction site. Bored
piling is usually used on those tall buildings which require
foundations which can bear with loads of tons, and also weak/
difficult sand conditions. In site, the bored piles were casted by
cranes.
Advantage of using Pile foundation
Piles can be precast to the required specifications.
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The work is neat and clean. The supervision of work at the
site can be reduced to a minimum. The storage space
required is very much less.
Piles of any size, length and shape can be made in advance
and used at the site
Disadvantage of using Pile foundation
Precast or prestressed concrete piles must be properly
reinforced to withstand handling stresses during
transportation.
Requires heavy equipment for sustain while transporting.
Usually used for big buildings
For the bored pilling method, there are a few of pros and cons
while applying it. The main advantages of bored piles over other
types of piles are
Large excavations and subsequent backfill are eliminated.
Bored piles offer higher capacities with potentially better
economics than driven piles.
Adjacent soil does not need to be disturbed or remolded
Wide range of drill rigs available like crane-mount, excavator
mount etc.
Bored pilling method also contains disadvantages that may
Loosen sandy or gravely soils which may also cause loss of
ground in cohesionless soils, leading to settlement of
adjacent structures.
Concrete cannot be subsequently inspected if the concrete is
not placed under ideal conditions
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Enlarged ends cannot be formed in cohesionless materials.
Reinforced Concrete Grades
During our site surveying, we found out that different building
elements has it’s own concrete grades. We asked the contractors
and he told us a few elements like foundation, column, slab wall
and beams! The concrete grade used for foundation were 35, slab
wall and beam were concrete grade 35. As for columns, they used
concrete grade 45 because it was much durable compared to
other lower grades. Different concrete grades have its own
proportions of cement, sand, aggregate. Different proportions of
cement, sand and aggregate also determine the requirements for
the concrete in strength, durability, and workability.
In a site, the most commonly used of concrete to apply on a
construction building is grade 35. Grade 35 provides great strength
and durability compared to the other types of concrete grades.
The advantages of using Grade 35 are basically a superior long
term service performance under static, dynamic and fatigue
loading. Besides that, It can sustain longer compare to lower
grades like 30 and 25. Even though It provides a relative high
compressive strength, it is much more expensive to other grades
and it takes longer to process which also delay the construction. It
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also does not retain well against heat compared to other type of
grades too.
Furthermore, Grade 45 type of concrete is used for the columns
for this construction. Besides using concrete grade 50, the
alternative way to save as much cost is to use Grade 45. Grade 45 is
more commonly used compared to grade 50. It is cheaper and it
has better resistance to elements like fire too! The disadvantage of
using Grade 45 instead of grade 50 is it has low compressive
strength. It has the tendency to crack easily if it is not set properly.
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ProjectInfomation Board
ProjectManager is briefing us
safety and precautions before
going into the site.
Temporary stairs for the
workers to access in/outthe
site
Photos & descriptions
Concrete cover is applied on a
reinforcement bar
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Rebar was sorted out neatly and getting
ready to be transported
Links(24d) are shown in a table.
Temporary works- Material Storage
Excavated materials on site
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Temporary works- Accommodation /
Resting area for workers
a temporary wood plank to allow
workers to get through obstacles
safely
Crane lifting up heavy loads to reduce
the workload for the workers
Pilecaps is placed by the sides and
will be used in future
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Some cool equipmentwasusedto
observe the site. links are tied in the reinforcement
bars.
Concrete was drying up and cut into
concrete covers.
Crane on the site – To liftuploads
to a higherlevel of abuilding.
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Progresssummaryforthe construction
site Floor plan for the construction site
Contract for this construction project
Job scope information for this
construction project
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written notes for our assignment for
reference
steel bars were placed at the
floor horizontally
Plywood formwork was used during
the site
Columns – To support the building
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Conclusion
After our site visit to Andes Construction site, I had definitely gone through
many new experiences in my life. This trip is definitely a memorable one for me as
I am going to prepare myself to handle my future job in site. I also had the
opportunity to learn many stuff that I couldn’t learn in lecture classes and
tutorials. I am glad that I had a better understanding about how a construction
site works after my visit to Andes Construction site.
It was quite an eye opener for me to explore many different types of materials
and construction technology in site. Besides that, our contractor manager also
tried his best to explain on the various techniques and application during the visit.
One of the most important aspects I learnt in this site survey is safety. Before
entering the site, we are expecting to be geared up with safety helmets, proper
attires and a pair of proper boots. We have to guarantee our own safety during
the visit because the bricks and rocks might accidently drop and hit on our heads.
We are recommended to wear boots so we also would not get injured by nails
inside the formwork.
Another important aspect I encountered in this trip is definitely
teamwork/team player! In a construction project, there is no solo work for
everyone to do. Every worker has to be cooperative with one another so that they
may finish the task given fast and quickly. Never be a hero when doing a
construction project because you will get serious trouble/difficulty if doing it
alone.
Lastly, teamwork isn’t everything. In order to make a construction project a
success. A leader is required to carry the team to victory. Construction manager
plays a big important role in a project. He has to be well planned and also to be
organized so he may assignment everyone to specialize on their own expertise.
All in all, this visit has greatly enhanced my knowledge about construction
technologies and building materials. I would also like to give my gratitude towards
Taylors University for giving us opportunities to visit places to learn more stuff. I
hope that more to come in the future as it will be a beneficial to all QS students!