Planning for

Building Construction
 Introduction
• Various pieces of equipment can be used to support
construction processes. To select equipment for
vertical-building-projects it is necessary to
understand how construction processes for that
particular type of work are organized.
Introduction
Material procurement, sequencing of operations, site
logistics, project schedule, as well as technical aspects
of the project, are critical issues that drive the

Selection of equipment for building projects. Material

procurement typically
occurs early in the construction process. Often it takes
place even before shop
drawings are generated.
 Introduction
This is done so that a steel mill has enough time to produce the required
steel or a precast concrete manufacturer can manufacture the concrete
members to the required strength for handling and incorporation into the
structure. Once structural steel members are fabricated or concrete elements
cast and cured, they must be transported to the job site.
 Site Layout
A contractor must consider many factors when laying out a site to support con-struction operations:

1. Site size compared to building size and configuration;

2. Location of adjacent roads, buildings, and utilities-pedestrian traffic must be kept at a safe distance from the
construction site, fencing and barricades may be necessary to block off all or part of a road during construction
operations.
3. Soil conditions and excavation requirements-it is important to consider how soil conditions and excavation of a
site will change over the duration of a project. The bearing capacity of soils in areas where a crane will operate
should be verified. Consideration must be given to the proximity of the crane to the edge of an excavation or
foundation wall.
 Site Layout
4. Construction sequence and schedule.

5. Location of utilities-the impact of overhead obstructions such as power or

communication lines must be considered, precautions must also be taken if
cranes must be operated over underground utilities.

6. Equipment requirements-determine size and location of hoisting equipment

based on both the physical hoisting requirements and the project schedule.
7. Material quantity, storage, and delivery.
 Site Layout
8. Worker parking-parking availability on and around a job site will
typically be addressed in the project bid package.

9. Tool and equipment storage.

10. Construction operations facilities and trailers [8].

11. Sanitary facilities-the general contractor usually provides sanitary
facilities on a job site.
Early Coordination
While preparing bids, the general contractor (GC) will define
subcontract work packages and seek subcontractor prices. Early
interaction between the general contractor and the selected
subcontractors is important. The subcontractors will, in tum, seek
lower tier subcontractors to perfonn even more specialized work.

As an example, in the case of a steel frame building, a general

contractor would nonnally have a steel subcontractor. The sted
subcontractor, typically the fabricator, who is not also an erector,
will seek lower tier subcontractors for (1) steel erection, (2) shear
studs, (3) metal deck supply and installation, and (4) special
fabrications.
Bid Package
The bid package given to each contractor by the project owner will
usually include information related to:
• Scope of work
• Job-site conditions and site layout
• Space limitations
• Allowable temporary facilities
• Schedule
• Sequence of other trades (subcontractors)
• Crane size and provider
• Placement of crane, job trailers, storage areas, and laydown areas
The job-site layout and equipment used will be controlled by the site
constraints. For those subcontractors having lifting requirements, such as the
steel and concrete subs, a primary consideration will be crane size, and
location or
locations. The other two critical pieces of information are (1) laydown area size
and (2) laydown area location.

The goal of site layout is to optimize operational processes-steel erection,

concrete forming, and placement of the concrete in the forms. The GC and the
subs seek to keep the number of crane locations at a minimum. Laydown areas
are located as close as possible to the structure. But the decisions are all
dependent on project site size and lifting requirements (Fig. 21.6),·

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Standard 1926.752 places

specific duties on the General Contractor (called the controlling contractor by
OSHA).
 Working under Loads
1926.753(d) Working Under Loads
• Routes for suspended loads shall be preplanned to ensure that no employee is
required to work directly below a suspended load except for:
• Employees engaged in the initial connection of the steel; or
• Employees necessary for the hooking or unhooking of the load
• When working under suspended loads, the following criteria shall be met: .
• Materials being hoisted shall be rigged to prevent unintentional
displacement
 Working under Loads
• Hooks with self-closing safety latches or their equivalent shall be used to prevent
components from slipping out of the hook; and
• All loads shall be rigged by a qualified rigger.

OSHA Standard 1926.550, Cranes and Derricks further states: All employ-
ees shall be kept clear of loads about to be lifted and of suspended loads.