The general aim of this course is to provide sufficient knowledge and understanding of the basic principles in building construction and materials. The course covers the element of works to be done at an early stage and during the construction stage which includes a construction industry overview, site investigation, foundation, building elements, materials as well as the emphasis on the appropriate technology used for each topic covered.
1) Overview of The Construction Industry
Construction project categories
Construction stages
Construction stakeholders: roles and responsibilities
2) Site Investigation
Introduction, Objectives, Types, and Method of investigations
3) Site Preparation
Introduction, Site Clearance, Setting out and Site Layout
4) Foundation
Introduction, Function, Requirement, and Factors in selecting foundation
Types and Methods of Construction: shallow foundation, deep foundation, etc
Foundation failure & rectification
5) Building Frame
Introduction
Types of the building frame
Various materials for building frame
6) Building Elements
Introduction
Floors, walls, roof, staircase, opening, doors & windows: construction system
Various materials for building elements
7) Concrete
Concrete ingredients
Structural properties of concrete
Concrete mix design
Sequence of operation: storage, batching, mixing, transportation, compaction, curing & testing.
Concrete in Construction: Uses, Advantages, and Types
Laboratory Work:
1. Aggregate and Sand: grading
2. Fresh Concrete: workability tests
3. Hardened Concrete: mechanical strength and durability tests
8) Timber
Macro and Microstructures of hardwoods and softwoods
Properties of timber
Timber processing: Conversion, seasoning, preservation and grading
Application of timber in the construction industry
Laboratory Work:
1. Simple connection system
2. Timber model
9) Metal
Types and general properties (i.e.: Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal)
Application in the construction industry
Laboratory Work:
1. Rebar tensile strength test
10) Bricks and Blocks
Properties and Types of Bricks and Blocks
Types of bonding
Application of Bricks and Blocks in the construction industry
Laboratory Work:
1. Fire resistance, thermal insulation, weatherproof
11) Glass
Properties and types
Application of glass in the construction industry
12) Other Materials: Stone, Polymers, Bituminous, etc.
Sources, Properties, and Types
Application in the construction industry
13) Advanced Materials in Construction
Any appropriate types of advanced materials in construction industry
Continuous Assessment : 60 %
Individual Project
30 %
Lab Exercise
25 %
Practical
5 %
Final Assessment : 40 %
4.0