2. 11
External Work
By Ling Yuan Ming
EARTHWORK AND SETTLING OUT
EARTHWORK
SETTLING OUT
Earthwork are engineering works. They are created through the moving and processing part of the
earth’s surfaces which includes soil and rock. Theses soil and rock may be trasnfered to another
location. Most earthwork involves machine excavation and backfillling.
Settling out involves marking out the site to indicate foundation trenches are to be dug as
well as the position of the walls on the oncrete foundation. Wooden profiles are firmly placed
into the ground, on which strings can be fixed, the position of which can be transferred to the
ground to indicate the trench and wall positions.
Once the profiles are in, the string lines for the outer edge of the trench are checked to
ensure that the diagonals are equal - showing that the house will be built “square”. If the
diagonals are not equal, then reposition some profiles and check again.
Steps in Settling out :
1. Identify the minimum sizes for foundation
2. Setting out corner profiles
3. Marking out foundation and wall thickness
4. Marking out on the ground from the profiles
5. Excavation of foundation
6. Setting out levels for the height of the concrete
7. Pouring concrete for the strip foundation
8. Compacting and levelling out concrete
3. 12
External Work
By Ling Yuan Ming
SITE LAYOUT
SITE OFFICE
Located on an empty land that will future developed not
far from the main road.
Site office buildings are fundamental for smooth running operation. The site office keeps all data,
documents and information about every construction method, specifications of materials and work
progresses. Every visitor to the site have to report to the construction office to obtain permission. It can be
either permanent or portable; usually portable and made from a container.
3 storey semi-detached
townhouse
Double storey
townhouse
Bungalow Lots Shop Apartment
Shop Apartment
Water Detention and
Lake Promenade
Site Office and
Labour relation
Commercial/
Villa/Hotel
Water Treatment Plant
4. 13
External Work
TOILET By Ling Yuan Ming
LABOUR RELATION
SITE LAYOUT
Of the many reasons, containers are used as they
are economical, durable, flexible and easy to install.
In Cameron Highlands, the containers are arranged
in a U-shape forming the site office and is covered
by zincalume roof supported by the usual wooden
beams.
There are a few temporary
toilet around the site. They are
constructed just using plywood and
also zincalume sheet for a shelter
roof. The function of a temporary
toilet and any toilets does not
differ, only that the latter will be
demolished when the construction
is done.
Rows of temporary accommodation were built by and for the foreign workers. These workers live nomadically and stays on every
construction site they go to. In Cameron Highlands, their temporary staying place/shelter is made of plywood and zincalume roof too. The
shelter are slightly raised from the ground to prevent flooding and water entry whenever heavy rain hits.
SITE OFFICE
*Red box indicating the roof
5. 14
External Work
By Ling Yuan Ming
SEWERAGE / WATER TREATMENT
Pipes from each house or building will flow to a sewer main. Repeatedly, a vertical pipe will run
up from the main to the surface where it is covered by a manhole cover. Manholes are present
to allow access to the main for maintenance purposes.
From there, the sewer mains will flow into sequentially larger pipes until they arrive at the
wastewater treatment plant. The type of pipe used in sewage is Vitrified Clay Pipe (VCP). VCP
is used as it has resistance to almost all domestic waste, particularly sulfuric acid by hydrogen
sulfide (a common component in sewage). A sewer system is completely gravity-powered. In
order for gravity to do its job, the wastewater plant are usually located on lower grounds.
Once the water reaches the plant, it will go through several stages of treatment. The first stage
is known as a primary treatment where it allows the solids to settle out of the water and the scum
to rise. The system will then collect the solids for disposal, usually in a landfill or an incinerator.
Note that
manhole covers
are circular,
aren’t square
or rectangle so
that the cover
will not have
the chance
to fall into the
main.
The second stage, secondary treatment is carried out to remove organic materials and nutrient.
Air and is pumped into large aeration tanks mixing wastewater and sludge that stimulates the
growth of oxygen-using bacteria. These beneficial bacteria will consume the organic materials and
produce heavier particles that will settle later on. The wastewater passes through the bubbling
tanks in three to six hours. This secondary treatment will remove 90% of all solids and organic
materials.
The third and last treatment before discharging the effluent is the tertiary treatment. This
treatment uses chemicals to remove phosphorus and nitrogen from the water. Chlorine is added
too to kill bacteria. The water is then discharged into nearby river.
PROCESS
6. 15
External Work
By Ling Yuan Ming
WATER RETICULATION
Multiple construction developers are carrying out their own projects in that and its neighbouring area. Due to the massive
construction in that area, the Government has requested the developer to have their own water tank to supply water to the
inner residential than relying on the existing water tank outside.
There are a few types of water tank, overhead, underground and rest on ground. In Cameron Highlands, the water tank
belongs to the one that rests on the ground. This is due to its aesthetical view of its surrounding and also the design of the
construction. Situated on a hill, the height is sufficient and perfect.
This temporary water tank gets water supply from the main pipe. It is to supply the foreign workers with clean source of water
to carry out daily activities such as drinking, cooking, showering and also for construction purposes. This water tank is built
much earlier before the permanent water tank is built and will be demolished at the end of the project.
A larger permanent water tank is built on top of a hill situated
more to the front. The purpose of this is to replace the
permanent water tank and also supply for the entire residential
are in the future, not only for this particular developer.
TEMPORARY WATER TANK PERMANENT WATER TANK
7. 16
External Work
By Ling Yuan Ming
This station is available
beside both the
temporary and also the
permanent water tank.
There are two types of
pump, to suck and to
push. The suck type will
draw more water from
the main pipe to the
tank whereas the push
type will take water from
the tank and deliver it
outward. The one in
Cameron Highlands
belongs to the pushing.
Booster pumps are
used here so that the
water supply can reach
over a long distance
and still maintaining the
water pressure.
The image shows a pressuring reducing valve. This valve
will control the water pressure of the water released to
prevent high pressure from damaging the certain utilities
that cannot handle.
WATER PUMP STATION
WATER RETICULATION
8. 17
External Work
By Ling Yuan Ming
Also known as retarding basin or a detention pond, a detention basin is an excavated area which is connected to
rivers or streams. The purpose of detention pond is to protect against flooding or downstream erosion by storing
rainwater for a period of time. It also controls some pollutants such as suspended soils.
A detention basin differs from a retention basin as it does not have a permanent pool of water. The basic function of this detention
basin is allowing large flows of water to enter but limits the outflow by having a small opening at a lowest point of the structure.
The type of wall used in the detention basin is Gabion Wall. It
is a type of retaining wall that is made up of stacked stone-filled
gabions tied together with wire.
Gabions are usually stacked backwards, stepped back with the
slop and not arranged vertically.
This arrangement made it strong to perform its function which is to
stabilize places like shorelines, stream banks and slopes against
corrosion. The strength of the Gabion wall depends on the wire used,
no the content. A more commonly used wire is galvanized steel wire
but other types such as PVC coated and stainless steel are used too.
WALL STRUCTURE
EXTENDED DETENTION DRY BASIN
9. 18
External Work
By Ling Yuan Ming
STREETLIGHTS
Streetlights belongs to one of the final
installments in a construction work,
therefore they’re not erected yet in the
construction but some are available on
the road outside, linking the main road
and the construction site.
Streetlights are also known as lamp
posts and street lamps. They are the
sources of light which are raised from the
edge of the ground or also between two
opposite direction lanes. Their function
is to proide light and shine giving a clear
vision for road users in bad weather or
nighttime.
There are a few sources that powers
the lights, namely electricity, solar or
wind. The electricity powered lights can
be further broken down into underground
wiring and also the more commonly
used, wiring from one to another.
In Cameron Highlands, the streetlight belongs to underground wiring to maintain the aesthetic view.
Wiring from one to another Underground wiring
10. 19
External Work
By Ling Yuan Ming
RETAINING WALL SYSTEM
Leucaena seed are used to prevent soil erosion and protect hilly soil.
It usually takes approximately three to four years to fully grow a laecaena seed, until it’s big enough to protect the hillside.
In Cameron Highlands, these seed is planted on the hillside behind the three storeys semi-detached.
Contruction of three storey semi detached
Before
After
These seed are usually planted in horizontal bands which go
horizontal with each bands four to 6 metres apart. Each band will then
have 2 rows of seeds.
