School of the Built Environment

MSc/Diploma Courses
Assignment 2009-10
Module: D31TA Construction Technology

Module leader: Nicola Naismith

Project Brief:

Proposed Hotel Development

Proposals for a new hotel development are still at early design stages. Few decisions
regarding the final design of the building have been made at this stage, however the
following criteria have been established:-

• The building will comprise of 10 floors in total, as shown in appendix 1. With 126
rooms, over 9 floors and the ground floor will be used for a combination of
Restaurants and Conference Suites.

• The hotel will achieve a 5 * status and will offer a variety of room types to
maximise occupancy rates throughout the year. You can assume that the hotel
will be built in the city centre and construction is planned for a September 2010
start.

• The layout of the ground floor of the building should be as flexible as possible
with the potential for rooms to be divided into alternative configurations to suit
client needs.

• As the footprint of the building is quite large is has been considered necessary
to have a central atrium which will allow natural light to penetrate into the centre
of the building. This will be full height.

• The overall vision that the developer has for the building is one of ‘high tech’,
high quality, using the most up to date materials and methods of construction.

• The developer is also concerned about the costs of both running and
maintaining the building, and would like to have a public image of being
environmentally aware.

• Drawings attached in Appendix 1 provide the floor plans for the upper floors and
the ground floors, indicating atrium areas and section A-A. No elevations are
provided at this time as the design remains provisional.

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Submission Guidance:

1 Assignment Questions
The next stage in the design of the building is to consider the potential
methods of constructing a number of elements in the building.

Three reports are to be submitted explaining how different aspects of

the detailed design of the building can be achieved. Each report should
be approximately 8 pages in length, including sketches, (eg 4 pages
text and 4 pages sketches). The total length of the assignment
should be 24 pages approximately. The length of report suggested
here is only for general guidance and should not be taken as an exact size.

The report MUST give answers specifically applicable to the building

illustrated in given drawing and must contain ‘real’ details and
reference to ‘real’ materials as found in manufacturers technical
literature. Reports which give general answers and do not specifically refer
to the building shown in the attached drawings will be severely penalised.
The reports should not be based upon material given in module notes or in
text books, although a small amount of reference to these documents
might be necessary.

The assignment is set in two sections. Section 1 is to be undertaken by all

students, while Section 2 has an element specifically set for each
professional discipline.

2 Marking Criteria
Three basic criteria will be considered in marking this assignment

• Technical correctness.
• Showing an understanding of the shape and form of the buildings
as shown in the illustrations.
• Communication skills – Writing a technical report and attempting to
illustrate it.

The mark sheet in Appendix 2 gives an indication of how marks are

allocated.

3 Method of Presentation
The assignment should be presented in three main ways:

a) Word-processed text
b) Free hand sketches. Many students may find sketch details is a difficult
process, but all should attempt to develop this skill. Details should be
presented on A4 or A3 size paper. All details should be clearly annotated
and should make clear reference to 'real' materials, as found in
manufacturer's literature.
c) Illustrations from manufacturers’ literature. Students should not submit
a large amount of this type of trade literature.

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It would be preferable that all illustrations – free hand sketches,
manufactures’ literature etc, were scanned and included within the
assignment in electronic form.

4 Objective of assignment
The main objective of this assignment is to ascertain if the student
understands the basic concepts of the construction technology studied in
this module and can show how this technology can be applied in the
designing of a 'real building'.

It is appreciated that students undertaking this module come from a

diverse range of academic backgrounds.

Many may find the thought of undertaking a technological assignment,

especially with the demand to sketch details, rather daunting. However it
should be recognised that the object of the module is to give students a
basic understanding of how complex buildings are constructed so that
they can communicate effectively with more technically orientated
consultants. Allowances will be made for the non-technical background of
students and all should attempt to sketch details even if they believe they
have limited skills in this area.

Course submission checklist

You are reminded that all work submitted must be entirely your own and
must not have been taken from other sources or developed working with
your classmates. Coping or paraphrasing content from other sources is
unacceptable as it does not stimulate learning or improve your
understanding. If you do this, you will be penalised severely in the
marking and may face the University’s disciplinary procedures. You are
expected to form your own view and opinion and to present that position
(together with supporting references to source material where required). It
is your interpretation of the problem and your response to it that you must
present in your coursework and no one else’s.

The purpose of the checklist is to help you avoid the pitfalls that students
often encounter, the ‘Coursework Submission Checklist’ on the following
page is provided. You must complete this checklist, print it out and include
it in your paper-based coursework submission along with the ‘Submission
of Coursework Coversheet’ available from the School Office or your
institution. Any student not including this completed checklist with their
submission will automatically receive a 10% deduction from their mark,
reflected in their grade.

The Coursework Submission Checklist is provided to help you ensure your

work meets the standards expected. You must answer each question on
the checklist before submitting your work. If you find yourself unable to
truthfully answer ‘yes’ to any question, then you have not yet met the
required standard and further development is needed. If you do not
understand what further development of you or your work will allow you to
answer ‘yes’ to any question on the checklist, seek guidance from your
Module Tutor in your Institution or in the School.

Notes on Turnitin

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What is Turnitin?
Turnitin is a proprietary software solution used by Universities worldwide
to help students improve their academic practice. It is a ‘plagiarism
detection tool’ that, when used efficiently by students, can prevent the
poor academic standards that often result in accusations of plagiarism.
The system allows students to upload assignment documents so that they
can be analysed by the system to provide feedback on the level of
‘originality’ in their work. This helps students avoid the pitfalls of
replicating or rephrasing other people’s work.

The system works by comparing each student’s submission with the

internet and with a database of coursework submissions previously
analysed by Turnitin. Students and Tutors receive an ‘originality Report’
highlighting any areas of the student’s work that mirror content seen in
other locations and which, therefore, require address to bring the
student’s academic practice up to an acceptable standard.

Do I have a choice about using Turnitin?

No, The School of the Built Environment now requires students to submit
coursework materials to Turnitin. The majority of coursework submissions
now comprise two parts: a paper based coursework submission given to
the School in the traditional manner; and an identical electronic
submission via Turnitin (accessed through vision).

How does Turnitin help me?

The School gives access to Turnitin to all students during the preparation
of their coursework solutions. This means that you can submit a draft of
your work and get a provisional Originality Report before finalising your
submission. You should use this draft feedback to inform the development
of your work. Turnitin will highlight any excessive replication of material
from other sources and, where this is inappropriate or unacknowledged in
the draft of your work, you should make sure that these problems are
solved before finalising your submission.

It is in your best interest to use Turnitin to help you meet acceptable

standards in your use of source materials. Doing so will help you avoid
allegations of plagiarism being levelled against you; the consequences of
which on your academic career can be severe.

5 Submission Date
The assignment should be submitted to the School Office by noon on
Monday 30th November 2009.

7 SUPPORT
The tutor, Nicola Naismith, is normally available from 9.00am to 5.00pm
each weekday and can be phoned on 01355 243267 alternatively students
can also use e-mail N.Naismith@hw.ac.uk

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Module: D31TA Construction Technology
Course Submission Checklist

Complete this page and sign the declaration at the bottom. Submit it with
the printed version of your coursework. You do not need to include this
checklist with the electronic version of your coursework submitted to
Turnitin inside Vision.

Failure to complete and return this checklist will result in an

automatic deduction of 10% from your coursework mark, with
corresponding effect on your Grade.

Statement Your Response

(circle Yes or
No)

This work is solely my own work. I have not worked with

someone else from my class, office or elsewhere to YES / NO
complete this.
This work is solely my own work. I have not copied,
paraphrased or re-written in my own words content
taken from a website, previous student’s coursework,
contract form, text book, course notes, or any other
material written by someone else. YES / NO

Where I have informed myself from other peoples’ prior

work, I have integrated it along with many other sources
into my own views and opinions. I have not merely
replicated the thoughts or opinions of someone else.
This work has been submitted to the DRAFT Turnitin
submission in Vision and I am happy with the Originality YES / NO
Report it produced. I feel that the percentage of non-
original content in my submission is not excessive and is
appropriate to the nature of the subject.
I am able to clearly explain, if asked, every sentence and
diagram in this submission, I can explain how I thought it YES / NO
up or decided to use it, what it means, and how it
contributes to my own response to the situation posed in
the coursework brief.
On those occasions where I considered it appropriate to
include a quotation, a diagram, or other material
originally written by someone else, I have fully YES / NO
acknowledged their work by citing and referencing the
source material using either the Harvard or the
numerical method.
When I have formed a view or made a statement that is
informed and justified by someone else’s prior work, I YES / NO
have included a citation and reference to that source
material using either Harvard or the numerical method.

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I declare that the statements above are true and accurate.

I have complied with the University Regulations regarding Plagiarism and

Collusion.

Signed: Date:

SECTION 1
TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY ALL STUDENTS
Answer ANY TWO of the following THREE questions.

Question 1
The scheme design for the building anticipates that the building will be
constructed using a steel frame and concrete upper (suspended) floors
slab.

With the aid of sketches explain how the frame structure is constructed
and how it supports the concrete upper (suspended) floor slabs.

Clearly show:
• A layout drawing, showing position of columns and beams.
• The methods of connecting all steels elements such as beams to
columns, beams to beams, columns to foundations and floors to beams.
• Details of how the steelwork could be protected from damage in the
event of fire.

Question 2
The client desires a building has a ‘high tech’, modern image. The external
façade/walls should achieve that ‘high tech’ appearance but at the same
time should require have a high level of thermal insulation, achieve high
levels of natural lighting and also provide a high quality of acoustic
insulation from the noisy city centre environment that surrounds the
proposed building.

a) Briefly discuss the range of external walling systems that would be

appropriate to use in this building.

b) Briefly explain the range of performance criteria for the external walls
of the building, giving special attention to energy and acoustic
requirements.

c) With reference to manufacturer's literature, sketch details of ONE

suitable walling system, showing how it is connected to the main steel
frame structure of the building and the suspended floors.

Question 3
To enhance the flexibility of the ground floor facilities over the life time of
the building, it is essential that size and shape of this floor can be easily
altered to meet the requirements of customers. Some users may require a
small conference suites whilst others may require larger rooms to
accommodate up to 150 people requiring a more open-plan layout.

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a) Briefly explain how partitions, suspended ceilings and raised floors can
be used to facilitate these requirements.

b) Using manufacturers technical literature sketch details of a partition

system, suspended ceiling and raised floor suitable for use in these areas.

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SECTION 2
ANSWER ONE QUESTION, APPROPRIATE TO YOUR
CORE DISCIPLINE.
These questions are designed to encourage students to link their
understanding of construction technology to their core discipline. The
expected answers will be very opened ended, with the objective being to
show how construction technology influences broader design/development
decisions.

Construction/Project Management
In addition to request for low maintenance costs and environmental
awareness, the client would like to see the building completed in the
shortest possible construction time.

Write a short report outlining the technical (construction

details/specification) design decisions that can be taken to speed-up the
construction process.

Buildings Services/ Architectural Engineering

Modern office buildings are highly serviced – heating, lighting, ventilation,
IT.

a) For the given building indicate where plant rooms and service runs
could be placed. Show how the fabric of the building can be designed to
accommodate service runs and provide easy access to maintain the
services.

b) Suggest what technical design decisions can be taken to minimise the

energy requirements for the building.

Development/Facilities Management
The client desires a building has a ‘high tech’, modern image.

Write a short report explaining how high tech design (construction

details/specification) solutions could be used to enhance the marketability
of the given building.

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Appendix 1: Project Drawings

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Drawing 2

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Drawing 3

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Appendix 2: Marking Scheme
School of the Built Environment

CONTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY D31TA

ASSIGNMENT 2009-2010

MARK AND FEEDBACK SHEET

Student: Reg No: Email:

Course of study FT DL
PT ALP

1st Answer (section 1) Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor

Technical correctness
Application to given building
Communication skills- writing/
sketching/ referencing
2nd Answer ( section 1) Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor
Technical correctness
Application to given building
Communication skills- writing/
sketching/ referencing
3rd Answer ( section 2) Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor
Technical correctness
Application to given building
Communications skills- writing/
sketching/ referencing

Comments:

Grade Awarded A B C D E F

70+ 60+ 50+ 40+ 35-39 Fail

Marker: ………………………………………… Date:……………………………

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