BJTC 2023

CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
CHAPTER 1 –
INTRODUCTION TO
CONSTRUCTION &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Dr. Siti Khadijah Hubadillah

STML – COB
Room: 3016
04-9287041
siti.khadijah@uum.edu.my
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this chapter, students will be able to:

CLO 1 - Explain the development of the

construction sector and its role in national development
and the various format of the contractor’s organization

CLO 2 - Describe site investigation

techniques and the mixing, compacting and placing of
concrete mixes
HISTORY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
• Civil engineering is a professional
engineering discipline that deals with
the design, construction and
maintenance of the physical and
naturally built environment, including
works such as bridges, roads, canals,
dams and buildings.
• Civil engineering is the oldest engineering discipline in the world
after military engineering, and it was defined to distinguish non-
military (civilian) engineering from military engineering.
• It is traditionally broken into several sub-disciplines including
environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural
engineering, transportation engineering, municipal or urban
engineering, water resources engineering, materials engineering,
coastal engineering, surveying, and construction engineering.
HISTORY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
• In a nut shell, Civil engineering is the
application of physical and scientific
principles, and its history is intricately
linked to advances in understanding of
physics and mathematics throughout
history.
• Because civil engineering is a wide ranging profession, including
several separate specialized subdisciplines, its history is linked to
knowledge of structures, materials science, geography, geology,
soils, hydrology, environment, mechanics and other fields.

“Civil engineers have saved more lives than all the doctors in
history through development of clean and safe water and
sanitation systems.”
 HISTORY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
• Ever since the dawn of civilization, man
has indulged in some form of construction
activity. Even in ancient times, man
created architectural marvels which came
to be regarded as the wonders of the
world, for example the Pyramids of Egypt,
the Great Wall of China, the Angkor
temples of Cambodia and the Tower of
Babel.
• The pyramid of Giza in Egypt contains more than 2,000,000 blocks
with an average weight of about 2.3tons each. About 100,000 persons
worked on the pyramids for three to four months a year to build it in
about 20 years.
• The Great Wall of China, built to provide protection against surprised
enemy raids, is about 6400km long and its height and width at the top
varies from 5 to 10metres. It has several high towers placed every few
hundred meters.
 HISTORY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
• In the fields of architecture and civil
engineering, construction is a process that
consists of the building or assembling of
infrastructure. Far from being a single
activity, large scale construction is a feat
of multitasking. Normally the job is
managed by the project manager and
supervised by the construction manager,
design engineer, construction engineer or
project architect.
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
Construction technology involves study
on methods of construction to
successfully achieve the structural
design with recommended
specifications. It also includes study of
construction equipment’s and
temporary works required to facilitate
the construction process.

What is Construction
Technology?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT
cPaYrBdSY
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSION
Technical and specialized occupations
require more training as a greater
technical knowledge is required. These
professions also hold more legal
responsibility. A short list of the main
careers with an outline of the
educational requirements is as given
below:
• Architect - Typically holds at least a 4-year degree in architecture.
To use the title "architect" the individual must hold chartered
status with the Royal Institute of British Architects and be on the
Architects Registration Board; in Uganda called USA.
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSION
• Civil Engineer - Typically holds a degree
in a related subject. The Chartered
Engineer qualification is controlled by
the Institution of Civil Engineers. A new
university graduate must hold a masters
degree to become chartered, persons
with bachelor’s degrees may become an
Incorporated Engineer after four years
of engineering practice in Uganda.
• Building Services Engineer - Often referred to as an "M&E
Engineer" typically holds a degree in mechanical or electrical
engineering. Chartered Engineer status is governed by the
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers.
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSION
• Project Manager - Typically holds a 2-
year or greater higher education
qualification, but are often also qualified
in another field such as quantity
surveying or civil engineering.
• Quantity Surveyor - Typically holds a degree in quantity surveying.
Chartered status is gained from the Royal Institute of Chartered
Surveyors.
• Structural Engineer - Typically holds a bachelors or masters degree
in structural engineering, new university graduates must hold a
masters degree to gain chartered status from the Institution of
Structural Engineers
TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
In general, there are three types of
construction:

• Building construction
• Heavy/civil construction/infrastructure
• Industrial construction

Each type of construction project requires a unique

team to plan, design, construct, and maintain the
project.
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
• Building construction is the process of
adding structure to real property. The
vast majority of building construction
projects is small works such as
residential houses, renovations, addition
of a room, or renovation of a bathroom.
• Often, the owner of the property acts as labourer, paymaster, and
design team for the entire project. However, all building
construction projects include some elements in common - design,
financial, and legal considerations.
• Many projects of varying sizes reach undesirable end results,
such as structural collapse, cost overruns, and/or litigation
reason; those with experience in the field make detailed plans
and maintain careful oversight during the project to ensure a
positive outcome.
DEFINITION OF BUILDING
• Building is defined in many aspects as:
❑ The act of constructing, erecting,
creating, manufacturing or
establishing.
❑ A structure that has a roof and walls
and stands more or less permanently
in one place.
• The first shelter on Earth constructed by a relatively close
ancestor to humans is believed to be built 500,000 years ago by an
early ancestor of humans, Homo erectus. The Egyptian pyramids
were built around 4000-2700BC.
TYPES OF BUILDING
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwVm2CJH3-8

RESIDENTIAL
• Residential buildings are called
houses/homes, though buildings
containing large numbers of separate
dwelling units are often called
apartment buildings / blocks to
differentiate them from the more
'individual' house.
• Building types may range from one-room wood-framed, masonry,
or adobe dwellings to multimillion dollar high-rise buildings able
to house thousands of people. Increasing settlement density in
buildings (and closer distances between buildings) is usually a
response to high ground prices resulting from many people
wanting to live close to work or similar attractors.
TYPES OF BUILDING
CREATION
The practice of designing, constructing, and operating buildings is
most usually a collective effort of
different groups of professionals and trades.
Depending on the size, complexity, and purpose of a particular building
project, the project team may include:
• A real estate developer who secures funding • Interior designers;
for the project • Other consultants;
• One or more financial institutions or other • Contractors who provide construction services and
investors that provide the funding install building systems such as climate control,
electrical, plumbing, Decoration, fire protection, security
• Local planning and code authorities
and telecommunications;
• Construction managers who coordinate the • Marketing or leasing agents;
effort of different groups of project participants; • Facility managers who are responsible for operating
• Licensed architects and engineers who provide the building.
building design and prepare construction
documents;
• Landscape architects;
TYPES OF BUILDING
INFRASTRUCTURE/CIVIL ENGINEERING
CONSTRUCTION
These are capital intensive and heavy
equipment oriented works which involves
movement of large quantity of bulk
materials like earth, steel and concrete.
These works include dams, canal,
highways, airports, railways, bridges,
gas/oil pipe lines, transmission lines, water
supply and sewage disposal networks,
dock and harbours, nuclear and thermal
power plants, and other specialist
construction activities which build-up the
infrastructure for the growth of the
economy.
TYPES OF BUILDING
INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION
These works include construction of
manufacturing, processing and industrial
plants like steel mills, petroleum refineries
and consumer goods factories. Industrial
construction, though a relatively small part
of the entire construction industry, is a
very important component. Processes in
these industries require highly specialized
expertise in planning, design, and
construction. As in building and
heavy/highway construction, this type of
construction requires a team of individuals
to ensure a successful project.
IMPORTANCE
Nowadays, many construction
technologies are available which are
chosen according to the duration of
project, budget of project, nature of
land, building design, requirements of
contractor, etc. These technologies
include Pre-cast Construction System,
Pre-Fabricated Construction System, In-
Situ Construction System, RCC or Non-
RCC structures etc.
BUILDING COMPONENTS AND THEIR BASIC REQUIREMENTS
A building broadly consists of three
parts:
1. Foundation
2. Plinth
3. Superstructure
Foundation: It is the feet of the structure. It takes all the
load of the structure. It is divided in to two parts based on
the depth of the soil excavation/foundation.
i. Shallow foundation
ii. Pile foundation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6E2t_kW57M
Plinth: From the architecture view it is the base or platform
upon which a column, pedestal, statue, monument or
structure rests. The plinth usually rests directly on the
ground. According to Semper, the plinth exists to negotiate
between a structure and the ground. Semper’s theory has
been influential in the development of architecture.
BUILDING COMPONENTS AND THEIR BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Superstructure: It is an upward
extension of an existing structure
above a baseline. This term is applied
to various kinds of physical structures
such as buildings, bridges or ships
having the degree off freedom zero.
In order to improve the response
during earthquake of buildings and
bridges, the superstructure might be
separated from its foundation by
various civil engineering mechanisms
or machinery. All together, these
implement the system of earthquake
protection called base isolation.
BRIDGES CONSTRUCTION
Every bridge engineer should have a
clear knowledge of the various
terminologies used during the bridge
design process. During the design
process, every bridge can be divided
broadly into three parts:
1. Superstructure – It is that part of the structure which supports traffic and
includes deck, slab and girders.
2. Substructure – It is that part of the structure, ie piers and abutments, which
supports the superstructure and which transfer the structural load to the
foundations.
3. Foundation – It is the component which trabsfer loads from the substructure
to the bearing strata, shallow or deep foundations are adopted. Usually, piles
and well foundations are adopted for bridge foundations.
4. Pile foundation for bridge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T_ePy1K9PM
BRIDGES CONSTRUCTION
The bridge structure comprises of the
following parts.

• Bearings – The bearings transmit the load received from the

decking on to the substructure and are provided for distribution of
the load evenly over the substructure material which may not have
sufficient bearing strength to bear the superstructure load
directly.
• Substructure – Comprises piers and abutments, wing walls or
returns and their foundation.
• Piers and Abutments – These are vertical structures supporting
deck/bearing provided for transmitting the laod down to the
bed/earth through foundation.
• Wing walls and Returns – These provided as extension of the
abutments to retain the earth of approach bank which otherwise
has a natural angle of response.
BRIDGES CONSTRUCTION

Bearing

Wing wall
OTHER BUILDING COMPONENTS
WALLS
Walls are generally used for providing
privacy, security, sun hitting, rain
drops, etc. It is basically divided in to
two types:
❑ Load bearing wall
❑ Non-load bearing wall
1. Load bearing wall – wall that bears the weight of the house above
said wall, resting upon it by conducting its weight to a foundation
structure. The materials most often used to construct load-
bearing walls in large buildings are concrete, block or brick.
2. Non-load bearing wall – A wall capable only of supporting its own
weight and capable of resisting the force of the wind blowing
against it, it cannot support an imposed load. Compare with load-
bearing wall.
OTHER BUILDING COMPONENTS
COLUMN
An upright pillar, typical cylindrical,
supporting an arch, entablature or
other structure or standing alone as a
monument.
FLOORS
A floor is the bottom surface of a room or vehicle. Floors
vary from simple dirt in a cave to many-layered surfaces
modern technology. Floors maybe stone, wood, bamboo,
metal or any other material that can support the
expected load.

DOORS, WINDOWS & VENTILATOR

A door is a moving structure used to block off, and allow
access to an entrance to, an entrance to or within an
enclosed space, such as a building or vehicle.
OTHER BUILDING COMPONENTS
WINDOWS
A window is an opening in a wall, door,
roof or vehicle that allows the passage
of light and, if not closed or sealed, air
and sound.
STAIRS
A stairway, staircase, stairwell, flight of stairs, or simply stair is a
construction designed to bridge a large vertical distance by
dividing it into smaller vertical distances, called steps.

BALCONY
A horizontal cantilever projection includes a handrail or bluster to
serve as passage. A vertical distance measured from the average
level of ground surface to the bottom surface of the roof slab.
Standard length of roof height is 3.15 m.
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
The project of an important modern
building involves many factors to be
considered for its completion in a
satisfactory manner. The building
project may, therefore, be divided into
three parts as discussed below:
• Architectural work: The art of planning and designing of a building
so as to suite its purposes giving due consideration to the site,
orientation, ventilation, appearance etc. of the building is known
as Architectural Work. This work is done by a special person
known as Architect.
• Design work: The art of designing the different parts or elemets of
a building so as to suite their purposes, safely and economically is
known as Design Work. This work is done by a special person
known as Design Manager.
 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

• Execution work: The art of doing the

construction of the building systematically
according to its planning and design is
known as Execution Work. The work is
done by a special person like Civil
Engineer, Builder, Contractor, etc.
MACHINERIES IN CONSTRUCTION
Machinery are used to execute
construction tasks, most frequently ones
involving earthwork operations
EQUIPMENT IN CONSTRUCTION
SCAFFOLDING
❑ A temporary structure from which
persons can gain access to place of
work
❑ 3-storey shop-house construction
❑ Raises workers and equipment to
higher level
EQUIPMENT IN CONSTRUCTION
SERVICES
❑ Excavation & underground services
includes:
▪ Electricity cables
▪ Water pipes
▪ Pipes
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SERVICES
Construction infrastructure projects are
one of the most important factors in
supporting the socio-economic
development in the country, It could
generate downstream economic
activities and completely enhance
productivity and competitiveness in the
Construction Industry.
OVERVIEW OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
❑ 6% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
❑ Employs over 2,000,000 workers
❑ Annual volume exceeds billion value
❑ Vital to the Nation’s economic health
and quality of life
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT ENVIRONMENT
Construction is the act, process, or
manner of building, constructing, or
forming something which requires the
application of a special engineering
and/or architectural knowledge and skills
and involving the use of specialized
building trades or crafts.
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY – PROJECT GOAL
The primary goal of the construction
project management team is to
complete the projects as specified
according to plans, on schedule, within
the budget and achieve the best quality
level required by the contract.

In order to achieve this goal a construction management system will

serve as guide:
COST

CONSTRUCTION
PROJECT
MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM
QUALITY TIME