Amy Benson 5042456 Con108 As1

CON108
Ver: «Version»
ASSESSMENT
CON108 Commercial Construction

1
Cover Sheet
Student Name: Amy Benson

Student ID number: 50402456
Assessment number: AS1
P a g e 1 | 20
Amy Benson 5042456 CON108 AS1
Ver: «Version»
Table of Contents
Task 1A:......................................................................................................................................3
Task 1B:......................................................................................................................................5
Task 2A:....................................................................................................................................12
Task 2B:....................................................................................................................................15
References................................................................................................................................19
P a g e 2 | 20
Ver: «Version»
Task 1A:
Kia Ora,
Thank you for your recent email, regarding the construction of “health First Medical
Centre”.
In response to your questions; “fine grained soil with possible silt” that you have described,
would not be classified as “good ground” in regard to NZS3604 guidelines.
The NZGS (New Zealand Geotechnical Society), defines fine grained soils that contains
particles of Silt or clays, as “Silt or Clay”. This is due to the fact that they are cohesive and
will compact or compress when pressure or weight is applied. (NZGS, 2017)
A specifically designed raft foundation system would be a suitable option for this project,
this is a shallow foundation system. It is often utilized in situations where the underlying
soil’s bearing capacity is not sufficient to support the structure without the load being
spread out over a large area.
The below in an annotated sketch of a Raft foundation example:
(qpod.nz, 2019)
The process for investigating the soil on site, would involve getting a geotechnical engineer
to complete a field investigation. This would provide an accurate determination of the site’s
soil conditions. This investigation will discover the composition of the ground across the
building site and determine the soil density and particle size. This will then provide the load
bearing capacity of the ground and the moisture or ground levels.
(openpolytechnic.iqualify.com, 2023)
This inspection may include;
P a g e 3 | 20
Ver: «Version»
-visual appraisal- looking at the site, to identify flood areas, land slips etc
-hand -augured borehole-this is when an area is dug out by hand and can uncover buried
structures, find the water table, and provide soil samples to test for contaminations
-exploratory machine-excavated test pits- equipment is brought onto site to bore into the
ground, the findings of this can be tested for load-bearing capacity and underground water
sources
-hand held testing- Scala Penetration, cone penetration, share vane testing – these forms of
testing are completed, using equipment on site to categorize soil into similar types, and test
load -bearing strength. They enable engineers to predict subsurface conditions and
behavior.
-collection of soil samples for laboratory testing – soil from and of the above findings can we
collected, and sent for laboratory testing to confirm soil types, and soil contaminations.
Below is an annotated example showing a cross section of soil, this demonstrates the
different types and layers and the spread that these layers may cover. Th geotechnical
report will provide a picture of the soil conditions on your site and give the information
required to make the most appropriate foundation selection;
(building.govt.nz, 2016)
P a g e 4 | 20
Ver: «Version»
As Clay does not have good bearing capacity, and we would be required to get a load
bearing test carried out on the site, in lines with the requirements of NZS 3604. This test
would be a Scala Penetrometer test. This is defined in NZS 4402, to determine the
penetration resistance of a soil. (Geotechnical Investigation , 2019)
This test would involve a Scala penetrometer, as pictured below, to be used in 4 locations
for up to 200m2 of area, and an additional location for every 100m2 thereafter.
This piece of equipment has a hammer that is designed to a particular weight and is
dropped from a set height, into the ground. The results of the number of drops with the
depth it pultrudes into the ground will be interpreted by the correctly qualified geotechnical
engineer. We are looking for a bearing capacity of not less than 300kPA.
(BRANZ, 2022)
Please feel free to contact me, should you have any additional questions.
Nga Mihi
Amy Benson
Task 1B:
Below Figure 1- is a sketch of the beam and Raft foundation system that we plan to use in
the construction of the new medical Centre. This foundation system provides a stable
substructure within the soil conditions we have to work with on this site.
P a g e 5 | 20
Ver: «Version»
Figure 2- shows the layout of the beams placed in locations that are centered for the above
columns.
Figure 1
P a g e 6 | 20
Ver: «Version»
Figure
2
P a g e 7 | 20
Ver: «Version»
All buildings are affected by load, there are three main categories to describe the loads that
act upon a building, Vertical, horizontal loads which consist of Dead, live and pressure loads.
Dead loads- This load is made up of perminate and stationary loads that create a vertical
load on the building. The majority of this load is made up by the weight of the building itself,
roof, beams columns and walls etc. fixed items such as lifts can also be included in this load.
(What
are the different types of loads on structures?, 2023)
Live loads- Live loads also create a vertical load that is to be considered in the design of a
building. These loads are based on the assumed occupancy of a building and include such
things as office furniture, weights of movable partitions etc. (Types of loads on Structures ,
2019)
(Fact sheet 1.2, 2023)

Pressure loads- are caused my environment, natural events, and climate and include;
P a g e 8 | 20
Ver: «Version»
-Wind load, primarily creates a horizonal load, the movement of the air creates a positive
pressure on the face exposed to the incoming wind direction and a negative pressure on the
opposite face.
Wind pressure can create uplift, creating a pressure on the structure to move upwards,
shear load, which can cause cracks and cause the building to tilt, and lateral load pressure to
go against the foundations.
(openpolytechnic.iqualify.com,
2023)
-Snow loads, create a vertical pressure on the structure.
(What are the different types of loads on

structures?, 2023)
-Earthquake load, consist of both vertical and horizonal forces on the building
P a g e 9 | 20
Ver: «Version»
(What are the

different types of loads on structures?, 2023)
-Thermal loads, the expansion and contraction of building elements and the ground cause
both vertical and horizonal loads.
-ground pressure, causes a lateral ground pressure load on the substructure of the building
The below is a cross section sketches of the new medical Centre, demonstrating the types of
loads it will be subjected to and how that will transfer through the structure.
The red arrows represent, the Dead Load transferred though the medical Centre building,
down to through the foundations:
P a g e 10 | 20
Ver: «Version»
This cross section, shows the other pressures on the medical Centre. The blue arrows
represent the live and pressure loads:
Wind- Negative
pressure Wind- positive
Wind-
Wind- Live load pressure positive
pressur
Negativ
e
e
positive
pressure
pressur
Lateral ground
pressure
Upward ground pressure/ Earthquak

ground water pressure e pressure
Dear John,
I am proposing to use a beam and slab Raft foundation for the medical Centre project. I
believe this solution will be the most cost effective and offer the best structural stability for
this build.
The perpendicular beam layout will work well with the wide spread column placements to
support the loads of the building. (theconstructor.org, 2020)
This is a suitable foundation system for the building type and load, and will be structurally
adequate with the fine grain soil type. Raft foundations are generally used to support
commercial buildings in poor soil conditions, due to the even spread distribution, of weight
they provide.
As a raft foundation system will have more contact area of the foundation with the soil, than
any other foundation system, this allows for the load of the structure to distributed more
evenly over the soil than any other system, creating less stress on the soil, and lowering the
possibility of shea failure of the soil in the future. (civil engineering , 2022)
Let me know your thoughts on the above.
P a g e 11 | 20
Ver: «Version»
Kind regards
Amy Benson
Task 2A:
Kia ora,
Thank you for your email.
A pile is a substructural element, that makes up the structures foundation support system.
Pile foundations are designed for the specific site conditions and the structures loads. Pile
foundations penetrate the soil and use friction forces between the side of the soil and/or
end bearing between the soil and the pile toe to support the required design load.
Piles can be constructed from poured in place concrete, pre-cast concrete, timber or steel.
(Sheerforcing, n.d.)
The below image shows piles penetrating through the different soil types till it’s in a high-
density soil:
(theconstructor, 2019)
Foundation selection, is based on a geotechnical report, and the structure to be supported.
Once piles have been selected as the foundation type, pile capacity needs to be determined.
This is based on the lesser of the structure design requirements and the geotechnical
findings.
Once the Pile type, size and depth required has been determined, and the foundation
design completed the pile methodology can be carried out. This includes:
Planning, site mark up, removal of topsoil.
Excavation for the pile. Piles can be driven, screwed or bored
Inspections and testing of the soil happen regularly all the way through this process
Piles can then be placed or poured. This is a process that needs to be done with extra care
and must inspected throughout to ensure the piles integrity, and completed in lines with the
design, in terms of concrete strength and reinforcing requirements.
P a g e 12 | 20
Ver: «Version»
Piles will then be tested by one of four main test methods ;
1. Pile Integrity Test (Low strain integrity Test)

2. Dynamic Load Test (High strain dynamic test)
3. Static Load Test
4. Cross Hole Sonic Test
(structuralguide.com, 2023)
Given the high-water table and the need for a basement on this project, I would
recommend Secant bored pile wall foundation system. This is completed with a “hit and
miss approach”, by boring and placing firstly, soft concrete piles (un-reinforced) and then
drilling between the soft pile and placing hard reinforced piles. This creates an interlocked
pile wall.
The below image demonstrates the pile types interlocking;
This system provides a wall like construction, where the hard piles preform the structural
work and the soft piles combined with the hard piles resist the movement of soil and water
through the wall. (keller.com, 2023)
The below image is an example of a secant wall;
P a g e 13 | 20
Ver: «Version»
(ausheet.com.au, 2022)
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any additional information
Nga mahi
Amy Benson
P a g e 14 | 20
Ver: «Version»
Task 2B:
Dear John,
Subject: medical Centre construction
I am recommending that we use a secant bored pile wall foundation system for the
basement construction of the medical Centre. This will be sealed with a waterproof
membrane and a concrete screed. Steel lateral supports will be installed as part of the
construction.
The secant piles will be constructed to form the perimeter walls of the basement. In a hit
and miss formation. These piles will be installed to the depths required as per the
geotechnical report.
The secant piles will be constructed using a guide wall. To do this we will excavate a shallow
trench, and create a guide within.
We will then Bore the non-reinforced pile holes. Once these are formed, we can pour.
The second stage can begin once the “soft piles” are cured. The reinforced pile holes can be
bored. We can then insert reinforcing cages and pour the piles as per the below cross
section
(railsystem.net, n.d.)
P a g e 15 | 20
Ver: «Version»
The below sketch illustrates the hit and miss (alternative strength) pile configuration:
Once we have our perimeter piles installed, we can place our concrete cap, attached to the
reinforcing that is protruding for the reinforced piles. This serves to tie the wall together.
At this stage we can begin the internal excavation within the perimeter of the structures
floor plan. A concrete cap will be installed to tie the wall together.
The below image demonstrates the Secant pile wall, with the concrete cap tying the piles
together and the start of the excavation process.
Concrete cap
Secant piles/ hit

and miss
formation
Excavation
beginning
(positivepioneer.com, 2023)
P a g e 16 | 20
Ver: «Version»
Lateral supports will be installed during excavation as a permanent measure to both carry
the above concrete slab floor and to support the horizontal load of the ground and the
hydrostatic pressure.
Steel wide flange beams will be bolted to the foundation wall. Downward props will be
temporary installed every 5meters to support the beams until the concrete ground level
slab is cured.
The below image is an example of the lateral supports installed:
(mcmillancivil.nz, 2020)
A reinforces concrete slab will be installed to form the basement floor. Support columns will
be formed in locations required as per the structural engineers’ drawings.
Example of structural components to form the basement foundations:
P a g e 17 | 20
Ver: «Version»
The below sketch demonstrates how the buildings loads will be transferred through the
building to the ground;
KEY:
Wind load
Directional load transfer
Roof, wall and floor loads are

transferred to the outer
Wind load
supports of the supper
structure and pass down
through the basement/
Live and dead loads
substructure, Secant piles and
to the ground Ground level
(alleghenydesign.com, 2016)
Steel beams
The basement concrete slab,
Secant pile wall
transfers its own weight
directly to the ground, and Basement level
also provides lateral support
(Sheerforcing, n.d.) Basement level slab
Ground pressure columns
Ground
pressure
The above sketch shows the buildings loads, dead, live and imposed, being transferred
down through the Secant piles and to the ground. The reinforced piles will be the piles
utilized for load transfer.
The steel beams within the basement are also supporting the lateral ground pressure load.
Vertical loads are carried by columns down to the concrete basement slab. All load transfer
is then transferred to the below ground. (structuralengineeringbasic, 2023) all load paths
need to be connected and all load bearing members need to be able to support the load of
itself and those before it, to safely transfer the load to columns and foundations and
eventually out to the ground. (alleghenydesign.com, 2016)
Thanks John, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me
Nga Mihi
Amy
References
P a g e 18 | 20
Ver: «Version»
alleghenydesign.com. (2016). Retrieved from https://alleghenydesign.com/load-paths-

gravity-loads-lateral-loads/#:~:text=The%20connection%20between%20the%20base
%20of%20the%20wall,the%20top%20of%20a%20structure%20to%20the%20ground.
ausheet.com.au. (2022). Retrieved from https://ausheet.com.au/services/piling/secant-
piling-walls/
BRANZ. (2022, august ). Retrieved from
https://d39d3mj7qio96p.cloudfront.net/media/documents/Bulletin675_Using_Scala
_Penetrometer.pdf
building.govt.nz. (2016, june). Retrieved from https://www.building.govt.nz/building-code-
compliance/b-stability/b1-structure/practice-advisory-17/
civil engineering . (2022). Retrieved from
https://civiltoday.com/geotechnical-engineering/foundation-engineering/167-raft-
mat-foundation-use-types-construction
Fact sheet 1.2. (2023). Retrieved from openpolytechnic:
https://openpolytechnic.iqualify.com/course/-NJgU545VRJaKEOKmyVy/#/page/p13
Geotechnical Investigation . (2019). Retrieved from retipster.com:
https://retipster.com/terms/geotechnical-investigation/
keller.com. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.keller.com.au/expertise/techniques/secant-
piled-walls
mcmillancivil.nz. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.mcmillancivil.nz/cfa-piling
NZGS. (2017, 11 24). Retrieved from https://www.nzgs.org/libraries/nzgs20_hind/
openpolytechnic.iqualify.com. (2023). Retrieved from CON108 1.3:
https://openpolytechnic.iqualify.com/course/-NJgU545VRJaKEOKmyVy/#/page/p29
positivepioneer.com. (2023). Retrieved from
https://positivepioneer.com.mm/capabilities/secant-bored-pile-sbp-wall-pile/
qpod.nz. (2019, december 10). Retrieved from https://www.qpod.nz/2019/12/10/qpod-raft-
slab-or-conventional/
railsystem.net. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://railsystem.net/secant-pile-walls/
Sheerforcing. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://sheerforceeng.com/basement-wall-
construction-methods-which-one-is-best-for-your-project/
structuralengineeringbasic. (2023). Retrieved from https://structuralengineeringbasics.com
structuralguide.com. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.structuralguide.com/pile-
foundations/
theconstructor. (2019). Retrieved from https://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/types-of-
deep-foundation/7252/
P a g e 19 | 20
Ver: «Version»
theconstructor.org. (2020). Retrieved from https://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/raft-

foundations-types-advantages/7184/
Types of loads on Structures . (2019). Retrieved from theconstructor.org:
https://theconstructor.org/structural-engg/types-of-loads-on-structure/1698/
What are the different types of loads on structures? (2023). Retrieved from civilplanets:
https://civilplanets.com/types-of-loads/
P a g e 20 | 20

Amy Benson 5042456 Con108 As1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Amy Benson 5042456 Con108 As1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CON108

CON108 Commercial Construction

Student Name: Amy Benson

(Fact sheet 1.2, 2023)

(What are the different types of loads on

(What are the

Upward ground pressure/ Earthquak

Piles will then be tested by one of four main test methods ;

1. Pile Integrity Test (Low strain integrity Test)

Secant piles/ hit

Roof, wall and floor loads are

alleghenydesign.com. (2016). Retrieved from https://alleghenydesign.com/load-paths-

theconstructor.org. (2020). Retrieved from https://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/raft-

You might also like