Construction Technology Revision Guide

Construction Technology Revision Guide

Sub structures and Super structures Super structure (Wall, floors roof) Sub structure (Foundations) 2

Thermal Insulation Thermal insulation helps to prevent heat loss from a building, reduce energy costs and maintain a low U-Value. 3 Types of thermal insulation 1:Sheep s wool 2:Mineral wool 3:Foam Eco friendly/ sustainable Fire resistant Higher insulating quality 3

Sound Insulation This is to reduce sound transfer in to or out of a building. Methods of reducing sound transfer: 1. Triple glazing (also improves thermal insulation) 2. Heavy density blockwork 3. Sound insulation quilt 4. Plasterboard 5. Acoustic walls, floors and ceilings 4

Fire Resistance Fire resistant buildings can save lives and reduce damage to property. There are 3 ways of minimising the danger of fire. 1: Fire resistant materials: Plasterboard Concrete Blockwork Intumescent Paint 2: Building Design: Fire resistant doors Fire barriers Compartments 3: Equipment Fire escapes Fire Alarms Smoke detector Sprinkler system 5

Sustainability A sustainable building is designed and constructed to make as small an impact on the natural environment as possible. Methods of Sustainable Construction: Sustainable materials Sheep s wool- insulation 1. Building on Brownfield sites 2. Recycling and reusing of materials 3. Use of Sustainable materials 4. Use of pre fabricated materials Lime- mortar Straw- walls and plaster Softwood- timber frames Aluminium- guttering 5. South facing building to make use of natural light 6

Foundations Function: to safely transmit the loads of the building to the soil, to support the loads of the building for it s lifespan. There are 4 main types of foundation: 1. Strip- 2. Deep Strip/ trench fill- 3. Raft- 4. Piled- 7

Strip Foundations Strip- Key points to remember: Advantages: Cheap Brick laying needed Disadvantages: Wide but not deep Takes longer Dangerous as banks could collapse Will need trench support 8

Deep strip Foundations Deep Strip/ Trench fill- Key points to remember: Advantages: Quicker Less chance of bank collapsing Disadvantages: Expensive No brick and block laying needed Bad for environment Very deep- lots of concrete required 9

Raft Foundations Raft: Key points to remember: Advantages: Ideal for different strength soil Disadvantages: Expensive to build Can crack at weak point Different thickness of concrete 10

Piled Foundations Piled: Key points to remember: Advantages: Can support very heavy loads Quick to construct Disadvantages: Expensive to build Very noisy when drilling down 11

Cross Section of the Substructure Ground Level Brick work DPC Insulation Block work Floor Screed Insulation DPM Sand Blinding Concrete Cavity fill Trench block Hardcore Metal reinforcement bar Strip foundation 12

Substructure- What can you remember?! 0 /15 13

Example sketches of the substructure - Below are examples of sketches that would achieve full marks in the exam: Masonry cavity wall Strip foundation up to DPC Solid Ground Floor Suspended Floor- block and beam 14

Practice sketches of the substructure - Sketch and annotate a diagram of a cross section through the following sub structure features: Masonry cavity wall Strip foundation up to DPC Solid Ground Floor Suspended Floor- Block and beam 15

SUPERSTRUCTURES- Provide protection from the weather Supports the roof and adds stability to the floors Roofs Provide protection from the weather Adds strength and supports the walls of the structure Super structures Provides support and stability the walls of the structure Walls Floors Supports dead and live loads of a building THEY ALL WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN THE STRUCTURE 16

Walls-Most external walls are built using Bricks and blocks (Masonry) OR Timber frames What walls do: This is rendered blockwork. resist heat transfer. provide shelter and security. support roof and floors. resist sound transfer

Sketches of Masonry and Timber Framed Cavity Walls Masonry Timber Frame 18

Cavity Walls Please draw the following cavity walls and label the components using correct architectural symbols. Masonry Timber Framed 19

Why use a Cavity in construction? Partial Filled Cavity Cavity reduces mortar bridging and damp transfer Insulation keeps house warmer

Catnic Lintel To support the weight above a door, window or opening wall tie weep hole cavity tray Catnic lintels are used on face brick walls as they are discrete and hidden. Catnic lintel glass window or door frame

Concrete Lintels To support the weight above a door, window or opening 22

SIP s - Structural Insulated Panels These can be used as an alternative to brick and block walls Advantages: 1. Light so less concrete required in foundations 2. They come pre-insulated so less time wasted on fitting insulation after 3. Faster to build so therefore cheaper Disadvantages: 1. Made from wood so could rot or catch fire 2. Will need to apply a finish e.g render, brickwork or cladding 3. They are expensive 23

Floors Ground Floors A ground floor is the floor of the lowest level of a building. Ground floors can be either solid or suspended. There are 2 types: Solid Suspended 24

Solid Floor Solid Floor A solid floor bears directly onto the ground from which it gains its support. It is usually made of solid concrete. 1. Cheap Advantages: 2. No need for heavy machinery Disadvantages: 1. Takes longer 2. Damp penetration from ground more likely 25

Suspended Floor Suspended Floor: A suspended floor is one that is suspended above the ground. It rests on beams spanning between supporting walls. Block and beam floors are a very popular type of suspended floor. Advantages: 1. Quick to construct 2. Can be laid in any weather 3. Reduces the load to the foundation Disadvantages: 1. More expensive 2. Requires machinery to lift heavy beams 26

Types of suspended floors Timber joists Pre-cast concrete Advantages: Light, easy to work with, cheap Disadvantages: Not as strong, takes longer to build Advantages: Quick to lay, can lay in any weather, extremely strong, less foundations required Disadvantages: Expensive, requires a crane to lift them. Block & beam Advantages: Quick to lay, can lay in any weather, extremely strong, less foundations required Disadvantages: Requires a crane to lift and a person to lay blocks 27

Roofs Roof Structure Components of a roof Roofs are designed and constructed to be able to support their own weight as well as resist loads such as wind and snow. Main functions of a roof: 1. Discharge rainfall away from building 2. Make the building waterproof 3. Look nice 4. Provide extra space for a room or storage 28

Pitched Roof There are 2 main types of roof: Pitched roof Advantages: Better water run off Looks nice Storage space Disadvantages: Hard to access and maintain Expensive to build Takes longer to build 29

Flat Roof There are 2 main types of roof: Flat roof Advantages: Easy to access and maintain Cheap to build Quicker to build Disadvantages: Holds water No storage space Requires high maintenance 30

Cross section through the entire Super Structure Common Rafter Ridge Tile Battens Ridge beam Insulation Roof Tiles Ceiling Joists Roofing Felt Plaster board Wall plate Chip board flooring Insulation Floor Joists

Super Structure- What can you remember? /13

Practice sketches of the superstructure - Below are examples of sketches that would achieve full marks in the exam: Flat roof Pitched Roof Masonry cavity Wall Suspended timber first floor 33

Practice sketches of the superstructure Sketch and annotate a diagram of a cross section through the following sub structure features: Flat roof Pitched Roof 0/5 Masonry cavity wall Suspended timber first floor 34

Risks and hazards There will DEFINITELY be a question on risks and hazards in construction in the exam There are a variety of different risks and hazards present on a building site and a RISK ASSESSMENT is carried out prior to starting work to try and reduce these risks. HAZARD RISK CONTROL MEASURE (how can this be stopped) Collapse of an excavation Injury or death Use of trench supports Safety fences to stop people or machines falling in Ground water Flooding or drowning Use a water pump to pump out water Gas Injury or death via explosion or choking Avoid gas main pipes 35

FINAL QUESTION- worth 8 marks and is very important part of the exam Q: Evaluate whether a flat roof or a pitched roof would be more appropriate for an office scheme. How to answer this question make a table of advantages and disadvantages! Flat Roof Pitched roof ADVANTAGES Has a cavity so less chance of damp transfer Brick work looks a lot nicer DISADVANTAGES Can take a long time to build Heavy so more concrete needed in foundations Then write a conclusion: ADVANTAGES They come pre made so saves time building They are light so less concrete required in foundations. DISADVANTAGES The timber will rot over time Not as nice looking as brickwork In conclusion I believe the masonry wall to be the most appropriate for the builder to use brick work because there is less chance of damp transfer compared to the SIP S. Also the brick work will look a lot nicer than using SIP S. He would have problems with the SIP S because they will rot over time and he would have to spend more money to replace it where brick work will be there forever. 36

Final Question- How to set it out!!! 37

Revision Declaration I have read through the revision guide and have revised for my exam. Signature: Parent / Guardian: This must be signed as proof of completed homework. 38