SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN

BACHELOR OF QUANTITY SURVEYING (HONOURS)

Measurement 1 (QSB60104)Ms Ang Fuey Lin

Construction Technology 1 (BLD60104)

Ms Azrina Binti Md Yaakob

Building Materials (BLD62003)Ms Myzatul Aishah Binti Kamarazaly

Technical site visit to Andes Construction site

Name: Koh Wen Qi

Student ID: 0323355

Submission Date: 3rd July 2015

INTRODUCTIONThis is a report on a site visit to a construction site incorporating the

introduction of the site, technical observations made on site including the type of foundation and different types of reinforced concrete grade.

This site visit is organized by our Measurement 1 lecturer, Sr. Ang Fuey Lin. The site chosen is Andes condominium which located at Jalan Puchong.

On 26th June 2015, about 57 students attended the site visit. We were divided into two groups for a better view and get the chance to ask questions. I’m in the first group which the bus leave at 9am. We were required to wear safety helmet, long pants and covered shoes while visiting the construction site.

Before the visit starts, we were given a brief talk about the construction site followed by the safety and rules of the site. This building consists of two blocks, Block A and Block B. The dates of completion are 30th August 2015 and 31st October 2015 respectively. The scope of works included site clearance, earthworks, construction of bored piles and pile caps works. Besides, construction of basement slab, beam, retaining wall and ground floor slab also included.

Figure 1: Construction site map

P a g e 2 | 22

Objective of the site visit

Understand the basics of the construction process. Understand the practical aspect of construction techniques in comparison to

the theory aspect in books and its application on site. Exposure to actual working environment on site including uncertainty

circumstances e.g. weather. Ability to communicate with the construction team members on site and to see

the importance of teamwork in the building team. Witness the usage of construction equipment on site including mechanical

plants. Explore and identify various types of building materials and technology on

site. Awareness of the importance of safety on site and understanding of safety

problems and site conditions. Recognize the items measurable for sub-structure and reinforced concrete

frame works.

Figure 2: The information board was well-placed in front of the site and the site was surrounded by vertical hoardings

P a g e 3 | 22

Content/Technical Observation

Figure 3: Temporary work-accommodation for workers on site.

Firstly, we were given a brief talk about the construction site. Progress report was distributed for our information. Besides, we were reminded to mind our steps overall the site visit.

Soon, we kicked off our site visit. Every small group were leaded by a site contractor. He explained every details clearly and answered our questions patiently.

Mechanical plants

P a g e 4 | 22

Figure 4: A briefing was given before the visit started.

P a g e 5 | 22

Figure 5, 6, 7: Crane-to move heavy objectsFigure 8: Excavator

Figure 9: Truck Figure 10: Barrow

Figure 11: Auto-level meter.

I am glad to have this chance to witness the usage of construction equipment on site including mechanical plants. There are some of the machineries that I first

time met such as auto-level meter. After I asked from the workers, I knew

that auto-level meter is used to do levelling.

BLOCK A

In Block A, we were able to see the construction of basement slab, beam, retaining wall and ground floor slab.

Materials

P a g e 6 | 22

Figure 12: Overall view of Block A

Figure 14: Stirrups on the siteFigure 13: Reinforcement bars on the site.

P a g e 7 | 22

P a g e 8 | 22

Figure 15: Hollow bars on the site.

Figure 16: Joints.

Figure 17: Timbers for formwork.

Formwork

P a g e 9 | 22

Figure 18: Column formwork.

Function of column formwork

1. Serves as mould for concrete structural components 

2. To enable the specified surface quality of the concrete

3. Accurate in shape and position with good alignment to other adjacent columns, walls and building facades.

4. Columns are often constructed with the column reinforcement extending well above the form. This is done so it can lap with the reinforcement of the next column or floor to be constructed above.

Figure 19: Main component of column formwork.

Steps of erecting column formwork

P a g e 10 | 22

The sheeting of column formworks is

prefabricated according to the column dimensions .

The sheeting panels are placed in a foot rim.

The foot rim must be exactly measured-in

because it decides the exact location of the

column.

Vertical arch timbers are placed to take up the forces from the cover straps of the formwork sheeting.

Column clamps of flat steel are clamped with

wedges or a rim of boards.

The column in the formwork is laterally

tied by diagonal board braces.

Figure 20: Mobile access tower.

Reinforcement bars

P a g e 11 | 22

Figure 21: Mesh Fabric reinforcement (BRC)

Figure 22: Reinforcement bars of wall.

As shown in diagram, we had the chance to look closer at the reinforcement bars, ties, links, overlapping and also the concrete covers.

I truly appreciate this chance to understand the practical aspect of construction techniques in

comparison to the theory aspect in books.

P a g e 12 | 22

Figure 23: Closer look of the reinforcement bars.

Ties

Overlapping

24d

Figure 24: Starter bars on the concrete slab.

P a g e 13 | 22

 FUNCTION

An earthed wire permanently connected to the case and to the

ground through the supply wiring will

provide an immediate path for current to

safely flow through.

Earth wire

Figure 26: Earth wire in starter bars.

Figure 25: Starter bars of column.

Starter bars

SpacerConcrete cover is the least distance between the surface of embedded

reinforcement and the outer surface of the concrete. Its function is to prevent the reinforcement bars from corrosion, provide thermal insulation and also give the reinforcement bars sufficient embedding to enable them to be stressed without slipping.

According to the contractor, bigger concrete cover (>50mm) is used below ground level and smaller concrete cover(30-35mm) is used above ground.

P a g e 14 | 22

Figure 27: A whole piece of concrete was allowed to dry.

Figure 28: The whole piece of concrete was cut into small blocks.

Figure 29, 30: The little blocks which known as spacers are used as concrete cover.

Cutting of reinforcement bars

P a g e 15 | 22

Figure 31: The reinforcement bars on the site before cutting. (12m)

Figure 32: The reinforcement bars were cutting by the machinery.

P a g e 16 | 22

Figure 33,34 : The reinforcement bars had cut and bent ,

which readily to be used on

construction.

Item for removing water from site

P a g e 17 | 22

Figure 35, 36: Ground water was removing from the site by a pipe.

BLOCK B

At the beginning, I thought the bars in the above diagram is column stump according to my knowledge which is the height of column stump is measured from upper surface of pad foundation to the upper surface of the ground beam. After listening to the information of the contractor, I knew that there are no column stump in this situation because the slab is laying on the pile cap. So, I knew the importance to communicate with the construction team members on site.

P a g e 18 | 22

Figure 37: Column bars at Block B.

Figure 38, 39: Column bars at Block B with formwork.

Type of foundation

Pile foundation

The foundation applied at Block B is pile foundation. Pile foundation is foundation which relying on driven piles, it often have groups of piles connected by a pile cap (a large concrete block into which the heads of the piles are embedded) to distribute loads which are larger than one pile can bear.

P a g e 19 | 22

Figure 40: Concrete piles at Block B.

Advantages

Prevent uplift force Reduce excessive

settlement(consolidation) High load capacities Corrosion resistance Suitable in soft and unstable

environments

Disadvantages

Expensive Alternate freezing thawing causes concrete piles damage in the underground If the piles is not driven deep in the underground, it will lead to need to be

removed out and thus resulting in concrete aggregates form.

Different types of reinforced concrete gradeConcrete Grade 35 used in beam, slab and foundations

Advantages Disadvantages Commonly used in construction

industry Lower cost than concrete Grade

40 Long service life with low

maintenance cost Fire resistance

Low compressive strength compared to concrete Grade 45

Lower grade of concrete to the reinforced concrete structure will easily lead to cracking under service load

Concrete Grade 45 used in column

Advantages Disadvantages Higher grade of concrete

resulting in reduction of column size, reinforcement and formwork

Extend life cycles High compressive strength

Hard surface More expensive because

concrete Grade 45 is designed concrete

Surface is cold during winter.

P a g e 20 | 22

Figure 41: Components of pile foundation.

Importance of safetyHelmet

Boots

Vertical hoardings

ConclusionIn a nutshell, I have been exposed to the fundamental of foundations,

formworks and others. This site visit really benefit us a lot. Instead of merely listening to the lectures and do own self revision, this site visit has more learning outcomes such as it helps us to recognize the whole construction process.

Throughout this visit, I understand the usage of construction equipment on site including mechanical plants. I also exploded and identify various types of building materials and technology on site. This will definitely help me in my studies.

P a g e 21 | 22

Figure 42: Course mates with helmets.

Figure 43: Workers with boots.

Figure 44: Vertical hoardings around the construction site.

Not only that, I had aware the importance of safety at a construction site. We had been requested to wear helmet, long pants and covered shoes to the site. With the equipments, none of us was injured. So, I has realized the vital of safety at site.

The other big knowledge to learn is to communicate with the officers, surveyors or contractors on site. I am really honour to know them and feel thankful for their help and guide throughout the whole site visit. Without them, our site visit will not go so smoothly and efficiency.

Besides, visiting the construction site with a group of course mates is good as we all share and discuss different informations. This is also a good channel to bond our relationships.

All in all, I gain a lot of construction knowledge after this visit. Thanks Ms Ang for this awesome site visit! I am looking forward to the next site visit in the future.

P a g e 22 | 22

Figure 45: Group photo.