BJTC 2023

CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
CHAPTER 1 –
INTRODUCTION TO
CONSTRUCTION &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Dr. Rushanim Hashim
STML – COB
Room: 3036
04-9287036
rushanim@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
HISTORY OF CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Early construction: Early humans
manipulated their environment to protect
themselves, usually construct temporary
structure like lean-tos or windbreaks as
shelter.

Tools were made from animal bones and

stone.

Building materials included sticks and

branches, grass, mud, and animal skins.
HISTORY OF CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
The First Evidence of Construction in the
World

Archaeologists discovered a 1.8 million-

year-old stone circle that resembles the
foundations of stick or grass huts built by
hunter-gatherers at Olduvai Gorge in
Tanzania.

The
earliest evidence of large-scale buildings is
in Mesopotamia. Other than dwellings, the
Mesopotamians built palaces, temples, and
ziggurats, often using advanced bricklaying
techniques.
HISTORY OF CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and China also
made significant advances in construction.

• Pyramids of Egypt
• The temples of Greece
• Imperial palaces of China
HOW CONSTRUCTION HAS CHANGED OVER
THE YEARS

• As more people settled in cities, the scale and scope

of construction grew.
• Humans built increasingly sophisticated permanent
structures where they could live, work, and gather
together.
• Also built infrastructure to support sedentary living.
• Implementing these projects required engineers and
architects, coordination of materials, as well as rules
to guide construction.
• The industry began to take shape in the 16th
century. 
HOW CONSTRUCTION HAS CHANGED OVER
THE YEARS
• Andrea Palladio (born 1508 A.D.) is widely
regarded as the first modern architect.
• Palladio designed palaces and country
estates for Italian nobles.
The San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Italy,

• John Smeaton (born 1724 A.D.)  is often

referred to as the “father of civil
engineering”.
• Most well-known for his water, roads,
bridges, and millworks projects.
Eddystone Lighthouse in Cornwall, United Kingdom
THE MODERN EVOLUTION OF CONSTRUCTION

Skyscraper dominance
Flatiron
• In the early 20th century, skyscrapers took Building, NY
off completely, especially in Chicago and
New York.
• New York City became home to some of
the tallest and most iconic skyscrapers in
the world.

Woolworth
Building, NY
THE MODERN EVOLUTION OF CONSTRUCTION

Skyscraper dominance
Petronas
Twin Towers,
• The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
were the first record-holders for tallest
building outside of the U.S.

• The title is now held by the 2,722-foot-tall

Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates.

Burj Khalifa,
Dubai
THE MODERN EVOLUTION OF CONSTRUCTION

Massive infrastructure projects

• The U.S. interstate highway system was

one of many massive infrastructure
projects in the 20th and 21st centuries
• The Panama Canal, which opened in 1914,
was the most expensive construction
project in history at that time.
• The Channel Tunnel connecting France
• and the UK opened in 1994.
• The Three Gorges Dam, completed in 2012
in China, is the world’s largest
hydroelectric plant. The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River
PRESENT-DAY CONSTRUCTION

• Whether creating a megaproject or

single-family home, the construction
industry has become increasingly focused
on sustainability.
• Digital transformation will play a critical
role in solving sustainability and other
persistent challenges in the industry.
• Construction firms are adopting
technology to improve efficiency, reduce
risk, and make data-driven decisions as
well as overcome challenges.
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.
 CONSTRUCTION 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 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 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:

1. Building construction
2. Heavy/civil construction/infrastructure
3. Industrial construction

Each type of construction project requires a unique team to plan,

design, construct, and maintain the project.
1. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
• Building construction is the process of adding
structure to real property. Most 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 permanently in one place.
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
• One or more financial institutions or other
investors that provide the funding
• Local planning and code authorities
• Construction managers who coordinate the
effort of different groups of project participants;
• Licensed architects and engineers who provide
building design and prepare construction
documents;
• Landscape architects;
• Other consultants;
• Contractors who provide construction services and
install building systems such as climate control,
electrical, plumbing, Decoration, fire protection, security
and telecommunications;
• Marketing or leasing agents;
• Facility managers who are responsible for operating the
building.
TYPES OF BUILDING
 2. HEAVY/ CIVIL ENGINEERING/
INFRASTRUCTURE
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 pipelines,
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.
 3. 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.
BUILDING COMPONENTS
BUILDING PROJECT
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:

1. 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.
2. Design work: The art of designing the different parts or elements 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.
 BUILDING PROJECT

3. 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.
TEMPORARY STRUCTURES IN CONSTRUCTION
1. Scaffolding
2. Shoring
BUILDING SERVICES
Building services are “what makes a building come to life”.
They include:

 Energy supply – gas, electricity and renewable sources

 Heating and air conditioning
 Water, drainage and plumbing
 Natural and artificial lighting, and building facades
 Escalators and lifts
 Ventilation and refrigeration
 Communication lines, telephones and IT networks
 Security and alarm systems
 Fire detection and protection
WHY CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS IMPORTANT?

 It produces the buildings and infrastructure

that are essential to the operation of all other
industries
 Generates revenue
 Provides capital formation
 Creates employment
 In 2020, approximately 1.4 million
people were employed in the
construction industry in Malaysia.
 Supports the gross domestic product (GDP)
and the socio-economic development
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