Site report

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SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN

Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours)

2014 August Intake

Construction Technology 1 (BLD60104)

BUILDING MATERIALS (BLD62003)

Measurement 1 (QSB60104)

Name : Yong Boon Xiong

Student Id : 0321754

Assignment : Site Visit Report

Lecturer : SR. Ang Fuey Lin

Ms. Azrina Binti Md Yaakob

Ms. Myzatul Aishah Binti Kamarazaly

Submission Date : 28 November 2014

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Content

No Topic Page

1. Introduction 3

2.

Objective 4

3.

Learning Outcomes 5

4.

Content/ Technical Observations 6

5.

Conclusion 13

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Introduction

On 21st of November 2014, we went to D’Latour construction site which is located in Bandar

Sunway which is just beside DK Senza building and nearby Taylor’s University Lakeside

Campus. This site visit was organized by our lecturer Surveyor Ang. Being able to visit an

actual site helped us to understand things better in our syllabus. We also learned things out

of the syllabus. The main contractor of this project is Mr. Tang from Pasukhas Properties Sdn

Bhd.

We were divided into 2 groups. Each group consist of 20 people. I was distributed in second

group. At 9.55a.m., I met up with few of my course mates and then carpooled with them to

the construction site. As soon as we reached there, the contractor Mr. Tang gave us a brief

introduction about this project. Mr. Tang explained to us about some safety guides.

After a short brief of explanation, he brought us for a tour in the site construction. Along the

way of touring the construction site, Mr. Tang explained and briefed us about the

construction technology and the building materials used for this construction project.

Here is the summary of this project:

TAJUK PROJEK:

CADANGAN MEMBINA 2 BLOK 27 TINGKAT SOHO DAN 28 TINGKAT PANGSAPRI SERVIS,

DIATAS 4 TINGKAT PODIUM SERTA 3 TINGKAT BASEMEN YANG MENGANDUNGI:

1) BLOK A – 629 UNIT SOHO DAN BLOK B – 232 UNIT PANGSAPURI SERVIS DENGAN

“ROOF GARDEN”

2) DEWAN SERBAGUNA, SURAU GIMNASIUM, CAFÉ, TADIK, BILIK PERSALINAN, KOLAM

RENANG, ‘HEALTH SUITE’, BILIK BACAAN DAN PEJABAT PENGURUSAN DI TINGKAT 4

3) RUMAH PENGAWAL DI TINGKAT BAWAH

4) RUANG LETAK KERETA DI TINGKAT BAWAH TANAH 1 & 2

5) RUANG LETAK KERETA DI BAWAH HINGGA TINGKAT 3

6) RUANG PERNIAGAAN DI TINGKAT BAWAH & TINGKAT MEZZANINE

7) RUANG MENKENIKAL DI INGKAT BAWAH TANAH 3 DAN JUGA TINGKAT

DI ATAS LOT PT 344, BANDAR SUNWAY, PJS7, MUKIM PETALING, DAERAH PETALING,

SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN UNTUK TETUAN DK-MY PROPERTIES SDN. BHD.

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OBJECTIVES

To help us get more thoughtful on the basics of construction process by visiting the site.

To understand the practical aspect of construction techniques in comparison to the theory aspect in books and its application on site.

To let us experience the actual working environment as a quantity surveyor on site dealing with the uncertain circumstance such as the weather condition and the risks

that may take place on the site.

Awareness the importance of personal safety on site, and the safety precautions that we need to take in order to avoid get injured or accidents from happening. For

instance, we are required to wear safety helmet when visit the site.

Explore and identify the various type of building materials and type of technology

used in construction while constructing a building.

Upsurge our knowledge on the basic construction process by observing the building

team and gathering information on the actual practise that carried on the site.

Observe the usage of machinery at the construction site such as mechanical plants,

concrete mixer, bar bending machine and excavator.

Recognize the construction drawings and details given based on the items

measurable for sub-structure and reinforced concrete frame works.

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Learning Outcomes

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.

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Technical Observation

-External view of building which is still under construction.

-Inside of the building

-Void for elevators

-Bricks

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-Reinforced concrete slab & columns

-Steel formwork being moved by machine

-Reinforcement bars in slab

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Types of formwork

Beam formwork

Beam formwork has prefabricated formwork sheeting parts (sheeting bottom and

side sheeting panels). Such individual parts are manufactured based on the beam

dimensions specified in the project. For prefabrication of the formwork sheeting

parts, a special preparation table must be manufactured on site.

In this construction site, the material used for beam formwork is timber.

In terms of cost, timber formwork can be constructed at a lower initial cost than

steel due to higher availability and cheaper production costs. The cost of timber

varies depending on the quality and treatment of the wood.

Timber formwork is used for this beam formwork because it does not require special

tools or a high level of construction experience.

Due to cheaper production costs and it is easy to disassemble, the damaged parts

can be replaced with new one easily.

It is also easier to handle due to its light weight.

An aesthetically pleasing architectural effect can often be achieved using a timber

formwork. Painted timber formwork not only adds colour and a finished look, but oil

or epoxy treatments can double the number of times the formwork may be reused.

However, this timber beam formwork cannot be used for long. It has limited re-use.

If the timber is dry, it will absorb moisture from wet concrete which could weaken

the resultant concrete member.

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Column Formwork

Similar to beam formworks, the sheeting of column formworks is prefabricated according to the column dimensions from sheeting boards connected by cover straps.

In this construction site, timber is also used for column formwork.

Timber is used as it is easy to handle because it’s light weight.

It is also easy to disassemble.

The damaged parts of timber formwork can be replaced with new one.

Timber formwork is very flexible.

It is also easy to produce and easily available.

Hence, the cost is cheaper.

However, this timber beam formwork cannot be used for long. It has limited re -use.

If the timber is dry, it will absorb moisture from wet concrete which could weaken

the resultant concrete member.

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Table formwork

Table formwork is a special formwork designed for use in casting large repetitive

floor slabs in medium to high-rise structures.

The main objective of reducing the time required re-erecting, striking and re-

erecting slab formwork.

A system which can be put as an entire unit, removed, hoisted and repositioned

without any dismantling.

The material used for this formworks are mixture of steel and timber.

Steel formwork is very strong and able to carry heavy load.

It is easy to be fixed.

It has uniform size and surface.

Steel formwork can be used for a very long time.

Steel formwork is more expensive than timber.

A mixture of steel and timber is used so the formwork is stronger and more durable

but the cost is not as expensive as pure steel formwork.

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Scaffoldings

Only independent scaffoldings are found in the construction site.

Independent scaffoldings are more preferred mainly because it is more flexible.

Independent scaffoldings are more mobile compared to putlog scaffoldings.

It is also easier to set-up compared to putlog scaffoldings.

Thus, it saves much more time by using independent scaffoldings.

However, putlog scaffoldings are more stable than independent scaffoldings.

Although putlog scaffoldings are more stable but independent scaffoldings are much

more convenient compared to putlog scaffoldings.

Hence, independent scaffoldings are more preferred over putlog scaffoldings.

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Concrete

Grade 40 concrete is used for the construction of this entire building.

Grade 40 concrete is commonly used for constructing building of this height.

Grade 40 concrete has compressive strength of 40Mpa which is sufficient to support

this building.

Besides that, Grade 40 concrete is also more durable compared to lower grade

concrete.

Although high grade concrete is high in strength but it is also more expensive than

lower grade concrete.

As an alternative,

I would recommend Grade 35 concrete.

Firstly, the weather condition of Bandar Sunway is good. Even at its worst, it will also not be very terrible, Grade 35 concrete will still able to withstand the external

pressure caused by the bad weather.

Besides that, Grade 35 concrete is cheaper as compared to Grade 40 concrete.

Actually Grade 35 concrete is sufficient to support the building but according to the contractor of this site project, the reason they chose Grade 40 concrete for the

construction of this building is to ensure that the building is stronger and safer.

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Conclusion

This is the first time I visit a construction site. The site visit was only for one hour. Even though we are not allowed to enter the upper floor of the building, I still gained a lot of

knowledge from this site visit.

During the visit, I am able to witness the materials learned from Building Material lecture classes and processes on construction which are learned from Construction Technology lecture classes. Although I had seen the materials and processes through images or video clips, but it feels different by looking it directly. I can even have the opportunity to feel the texture of the materials. This is a knowledge that I can only obtain by visiting the site. I am able to recognize the items measurable for sub-structure and reinforced concrete

frame works, which provides me better understanding on the Measurement I topic.

I am also exposed to actual working environment on site. Once we are inside the construction site, we have to be extremely careful in order to avoid unwanted accidents to happen. The site is a very dangerous place and we have the responsibility to take good care of ourselves. If we are in the site, we must wear safety helmet. This site visit let me know that working at site is not an easy task. Visiting the site for 1 hour is exhausting as the weather is very hot. This makes me slightly understand how tough it is for a person to work

in the construction site.

Lastly, I am grateful to have the opportunity to visit this construction site. This visit

benefits me a lot. It helps me to get prepared for my future career to work in a construction

site and also to be a professional and trained quantity surveyor.