+1 862 207 3288 Superstructure Construction and Building Maintenance
Purpose of this assignment
This assignment sets out to satisfy learning outcomes 3 and 4 of this Unit, namely:
LO3 Understand the Types of Superstructure Design and Construction
LO4 Understand The Causes of Decay and Deterioration of Buildings.
Scenario 1:
You are a trainee civil engineer for a developer who has two sites to develop: a brownfield and a greenfield site. While the greenfield site is for the development of residential buildings, the brownfield site is for light industrial use
The greenfield site is located adjacent woodland and about 75% of the site contains mature oak trees, of which a small number is protected by tree preservation orders. The developer intends constructing 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom semi-detached and detached family houses respectively. As a trainee civil engineer you have been tasked with determining the most appropriate construction methods for the development and to design the foundation for one typical house.
The brownfield site is constrained and surrounded by existing developments on all sides. The brownfield is to be used for a commercial building with light industrial use.
The tasks below are to serve a guideline to producing the report
Task 1a : (LO3: 3.1)
a) Give at least 7 types of construction methods used for superstructure of domestic/residential buildings and
i. Critically determine which will be an appropriate superstructure for the residential properties
ii. Evaluate the types of construction used for the superstructure of the residential buildings.
iii. Provide sketches of the main elements and the reasons for your choice of construction method.
Task 1b : (LO3: 3.2)
a) With the aid of sketches, describe the proposed internal finishes to be used in the residential development. Discuss the specifications of internal finishes commonly used in buildings and Appraise the methods of installing primary services
b) Describe with the aid of sketches the internal finishes to be used in the commercial residential development.
c) Evaluate the types of construction used for the superstructure of industrial and commercial buildings
Task 1c : (LO3: 3.3)
Describe with the aid of sketches, the basic services to be installed in a typical house in the residential development. Discuss the specifications of internal finishes commonly used in buildings.
Task 1d : (LO3: 3.4)
Describe the primary services in the residential building and Evaluate how these primary services are installed.
Scenario 2:
The College Housing Association has recently acquired a large ploy of land containing a number of buildings, comprising a 19th century single storey sandstone lodge and 2 blocks of 3 storey maisonettes dating from the 1960s.
The sandstone lodge faces on to a very busy road with an access road to the lodge leading to the maisonettes. The main road is usually heavily trafficked and the area is renowned for heavy air pollution.
The Housing Association wants to refurbish all the properties with the intention of converting the lodge into a community centre.
The 19th century lodge construction consists of:
• Walls – solid sandstone block
• Roof – pitch Welsh slate
• Ground Floor – Quarried tiles
• Windows – wooden sash
• Guttering – original cast iron
The maisonettes are of cellular wall construction comprise of:
• Walls – brick and block cavity
• Roof – built-up felt flat
• Ground Floor – mass concrete
• Upper Floor – precast concrete block and beam
• Windows – single glazed steel frames
• Guttering – original PVC
No intrusive ground investigation has been undertaken at the suite. However, old maps and anecdotal information about the site indicates that the maisonettes are built on ground adjacent to an old industrial site. The ground in this region is thought to be chemically contaminated and pollution may have spread to the area around and beneath the maisonettes. The old maps also show reasonably sized pond in the vicinity of the flats.
Each of the properties has been empty for some time and are in some state of dilapidation. Unfortunately vandals set fire to one of the flats in one of the blocks of the maisonettes, which spread through to an adjacent flat before it was extinguished.
All properties are served by the main statutory services which run along the main road, including water, drainage, gas and electricity. Statutory services show that water main supplying the site is cast iron in construction and dates back to around 1890. It is suspected that the water pipes to and within each of the properties have not been updated and replaced with plastic or upvc. The gas pipes are also of a similar age and constructed of cast iron. The properties all drain to a brick egg shaped combined sewer in the main road. The status of the drainage from each property is unknown as there is no CCTV survey carried out as yet. However, there is a suspicious crater adjacent to the lodge suggesting that there may be a problem with the drainage in this area.
You have been tasked with identifying possible deterioration problems with each of the properties and their services. You have been asked to suggest suitable maintenance plans for the future to prevent any deterioration once the buildings have been renovated and refurbished
Task 2a : (LO4: 4.1)
Identify and describe the factors that are likely to cause decay and/or deterioration of the cottage and the maisonettes. In 650 words your answer Identify at least one problem for each element that is caused by poor design, poor construction, poor maintenance and/or negligence
Task 2b : (LO4: 4.2)
In 700 words, Identify and describe the causes of deterioration of each of the building services to both buildings.
In your answer, differentiate between which identify at least one problem for each element that is caused by poor design, poor construction and poor maintenance and/or negligence.
Task 2c : (LO4: 4.3)
1. Discuss the need for planned, cyclic and reactive maintenance works for properties in preventing future deterioration of the buildings whether residential/domestic or commercial/industrial.
2. Outline descriptions and methods deployed in the cyclic and reactive maintenance for each of the identified areas within the buildings.
Evidence checklist Summary of evidence required by student Evidence presented
Task 1a An evaluation report on the most appropriate type of superstructure that will meet the client’s objective and benefit the client in terms of cost, time and quality throughout the life of the development.
Task 1b An evaluation report on the most appropriate type of superstructure that will meet the client’s objective and benefit the client in terms of cost, time and quality throughout the life of the development.
Task 1c Brief Description , with the aid of illustrative sketches or referenced diagrams, to demonstrate understanding of the basic services to be installed in the proposed typical house selected in the residential development
Task 1d A report describing the basic building services in the residential building and an Evaluation of the procedures involved in their installation.
Task 2a Discussion document to provide a description of the causes of deterioration in the Building Elements
Task 2b Discussion document providing a description of the causes of deterioration in the Building Services
Task 2c A written evaluation on the need for reactive and cyclic maintenance in domestic and industrial building with a presentation of the methods used in carrying out these maintenance works.
Sources of Information
Chudley, R. and Greeno, R. (2010). Building construction handbook. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Cooke, B. (2011). Construction practice. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell.
Emmitt, S. and Gorse, C. (2010). Barry’s Introduction to Construction of Buildings and Advanced Construction. John Wiley & Sons.
Emmitt, S. and Gorse, C. (2014). Barry’s Advanced Construction of Buildings, 3rd Edition. John Wiley & Sons.
Greeno, R. and Foster, J. (2007). Structure & fabric. Harlow: Prentice Hall.
Riley, M., Cotgrave, A. and Howard, C. (2008).Construction technology. Basingstoke [England]: Palgrave Macmillan.
Journals
New Civil Engineer Journal
Websites
● www.concretecentre.com
● www.hse.gov.uk
● www.roger-bullivant.co.uk/ih/ihhd.html
● www.ciob.org
● www.steelconstruction.info
Achievement Summary
Qualification BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment Assessor Name Ikenna Agbeze
Unit Number and Title Unit 7: Construction and Maintenance of Buildings Student Name
Criteria Reference To achieve the criteria the evidence must show that the student is able to: Achieved?
(tick)
LO3 UNDERSTAND THE TYPES OF SUPERSTRUCTURE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
3.1 Evaluate the types of construction used for the superstructure of domestic buildings
3.2 Evaluate the types of construction used for the superstructure of industrial and commercial buildings
3.3 Discuss the specifications of internal finishes commonly used in buildings
3.4 Evaluate how the installation of primary services
LO4 UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES OF DECAY AND DETERIORATION OF BUILDINGS
4.1 Explain the causes of decay and deterioration in buildings and building services
4.2 Compare planned, cyclical and reactive maintenance works
4.3 Evaluate the relationship between design, construction, maintenance and the causes of dilapidations
Higher Grade Achievements (where applicable)
Grade descriptor Achieved?
(tick) Grade descriptor Achieved?
(tick)
M1: Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions
D1: Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions
M2: Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques
D2: Take responsibility for managing and organising activities
M3: Present and communicate appropriate findings
D3: Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking
