Construction Project: Site Survey, Geotechnical Report, Tree Protection, And Essay.

Site Survey and Geotechnical Report

You are employed as a Cadet Construction Manager for a large Project Home Builder based on the Sunshine Coast. You are part of a Project Team responsible for the design, documentation and construction of a Retirement Home for an elderly couple (client). Design drawings have been completed (including a dimensioned floor plan) and approved by the client. A site survey has also been completed. Refer attached drawings. As well as constructing houses, large Project Home Builders generally provide all professional services associated with the total procurement of a house, either by their own internal professional staff, or by the engagement of external consultants.

Such professional services could include:

? Design (Building Designer/ Architect)

? Contour and detail survey of the site (Surveyor)

? Geotechnical report (Geotechnical Engineer)

? Construction drawings suitable for approvals and obtaining sub-contract prices (Building Designer or Architect)

? Estimate of cost (Quantity Surveyor or Estimator)

? Structural engineering design (Structural Engineer)

? Energy efficiency assessment (Energy Efficiency Assessment Provider)

? Building Certification under the Building Code of Australia and the Queensland Development Code (Building Certifier)

? Preparation of the building contract and contract administration during construction (Construction Manager or appropriate professional person) You have been allocated tasks associated with the above activities so that you can gain an insight into the total procurement of a house from the design stage to construction completion.

The tasks consist of the preparation of selected construction drawings and the preparation of a report). 2.0 CLIENT’S BRIEF

2.1 BUDGET The client has a Project Budget of $275,000 which is considered adequate for their requirements.

2.2 SITE A site survey has been prepared. The site slopes down from the rear alignment to the front alignment. There are favourable views to the north. Refer attached site plan. A Geotechnical Report has also been arranged. The site has been classified “M – Moderately Reactive.” The client would like as many existing trees as possible to be retained. The client has also requested that the trees proposed to be retained are protected during construction.

2.3 CLIENTS REQUIREMENTS

? The client has a preference for lightweight construction i.e. no brickwork or blockwork.

? The floor to the house is to be a concrete slab on ground.

? The client has requested a “colorbond” finish metal roof.

? Allowance is to be made for a concrete vehicular driveway and crossover to the Local Authority requirements.

Tree Protection

? Paths and turfing to disturbed areas of the site are also to be allowed for.

? The client wishes to install solar panels and has requested that an allowance of $4,500 (including GST) be allowed as a Provisional Sum in the contract. 3.0 DRAWING REQUIREMENTS Note: You are to progressively prepare draft sketches for discussion with your tutors before proceeding to the final detailed construction drawings. Draw accurately to scale the following four (4) drawings:

3.1 SITE PLAN Prepare a site plan at a scale of 1:100 to show:

? Alignments, footpath, Real Property Description and north point

? Suitable location for the house on site with setout dimensions from alignments (include overall dimensions of the house, dimensions from roof overhang and walls to the alignments, and other relevant dimensions such as driveways)

? Show the roof overhang in a broken line to indicate a hidden line

? Existing contours with TBM (Temporary Bench Mark), main building platform level and the main finished floor level of the house

? Earthworks showing building platform, extent of cut and fill, battered banks and falls/stepdowns to concrete slabs.

? Concrete driveway and crossover to Local Authority footpath

? Show any trees to be removed, turfing to disturbed areas of the site and concrete paths

? Stormwater drainage from downpipes and control of overland flow of stormwater

? Contractor’s site limits 3.2 ROOF PLAN Prepare a roof plan at a scale of 1:50 to show:

? Roof shape in accordance with the client approved floor plan.

Note: client has requested a hip roof

? Dimensioned 750mm roof overhang (outer wall of the residence to be shown in a broken line)

? Location of rainwater downpipes and associated falls to gutters

? Roof pitch

? All flashings including hip and ridge flashing

? All eaves gutters and valley gutters.

? Relevant text including roof material, finish and profile

? Ventilated roof lights to Bathroom and Ensuite 3.3 CROSS SECTION THROUGH THE HOUSE Prepare a cross section at a scale of 1:50 to the location ‘Section 1-1’

shown on the attached floor plan to show:

? Existing and finished ground lines

? Building platform

? Concrete slab, footings and paths

? Dimensions - ceiling height, sill heights, joinery head height

? Timber framed walls

? Roof framing, roofing sheeting, roof pitch, gutters, downpipes and roof overhang.

? All relevant notation relating to building elements and materials

Erection and Maintenance of Temporary Fencing

3.4 CONCRETE SLAB AND FOOTING DETAIL Prepare a detail at a scale of 1:10 to the location ‘Section 2’ shown on the attached floor plan to show:

? Existing and finished ground lines

? Building platform, compacted fill and moisture barrier

? 300mm wide minimum x 400 mm minimum depth raft slab footing penetrating 300mm minimum into natural ground

? 100mm reinforced concrete floor slab

? Perimeter concrete path.

? External and internal wall sheeting with skirting board

? Wall framing with wall insulation and sarking

? Termite protection

? All relevant notation relating to building elements and materials.

3.5 PRESENTATION Marks will be allocated to the quality of presentation. Consider such items as drawing setout, title blocks (show name and student number), accuracy, legibility, and general neatness. Drawings are required to be in pencil on A3 graph paper suitable for scanning. For students with previous graphic experience, fine tip felt pen or ink on graph paper or plain paper is acceptable. Note: The drawings can be prepared in digital format with prior approval from your tutors. This only applies to students with digital drawing software skills.

4.0 REPORT The purpose of the report is to provide the client with an overview of all aspects of the design, documentation, contractual matters and construction for the “Retirement Home”.

4.1 DOCUMENTATION AND CONSTRUCTION To assist your client with an understanding of the documentation and construction stages of the “Retirement Home”, provide a brief summary (two (2) pages maximum plus attachments) of the following:

(a) Establishment and maintenance of the building site during construction Address such issues as:

? Clearing of site, tree protection and top soil

? Existing services

? Temporary services

? Environmental protection including site access and sediment control

? Temporary stormwater disposal

? Site safety and amenities Where appropriate allow photographs or sketches of the above items from domestic construction sites.

(b) Construction Address such issues as:

? Cut and fill to the site and building platform

? Concrete slab and footing type

? External wall construction

? Roof framing

? External works ready for handover of the house. Where appropriate allow photographs or sketches of the above items from domestic construction sites.

(c) Building materials Nominate and describe the materials that you have selected for the following:

? Timber wall framing (allow species, stress grade and termite resistance)

? Roof sheeting, gutter and metal fascia (include roofing, gutter and fascia profile and finish) Note: “colorbond” is not a roof sheeting profile.

Excavation and Grading

? Internal wall and ceiling linings (include linings to wet areas such as bathrooms)

? Window types (include opening action and glazing type) Allow for the names of the manufacturers of the materials and include as a one (1) page attachment per material chosen, the manufacturer’s technical information sheet or marketing sheet from their website.

(d) Floor finishes Prepare a schedule of floor finishes to show your selected floor finish to each room. Provide a brief technical description of each floor finish type and provide the name of the manufacturer of the selected floor finish.

4.2 ESTIMATE OF COST Building Contract Sum Prepare an estimate of cost for the building works, including all external works and the Provisional Sum for the installation of solar panels. Project Cost Prepare an estimate of cost for the building works above and with allowances for a 5% building contingency and a 7½% allowance for professional fees and statutory charges. Calculations are to be shown to indicate how you arrived at the various costs.

Note: Lecture Week 7 will address the process of how these estimates are to be calculated.

4.3 DOCUMENTATION AND CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM Prepare a documentation and construction program in the form of a simple bar chart to show the following activities:

? Contract Documentation

? Estimate of Cost (based on Contract Documentation)

? Client Approval

? Building Code of Australia assessment

? Construction (including a nominated allowance for extensions of time within the overall construction time) Nominate time durations for the activities. Allow an initial commencement date for contract documentation of Monday 05 March 2018. Note: Lecture Week 7 will address the process of how a Design and Construction Program is formulated.

4.4 ENERGY SAVING INITIATIVES The legislative requirements relating to Energy Efficiency are contained within the ‘Building Code of Australia’ and the ‘Queensland Development Code MP 4.1’. Under legislation a six (6) star energy rating is required for a house in the Climate Zone for the Sunshine Coast.

? Briefly describe what provisions are to be made to the roof, including roof sheeting and ceiling space that will assist with satisfying the energy efficiency requirements of the Building Code of Australia. Illustrate with photographs, sketches or technical data

? Briefly describe how the provision and fitout of the Patio will satisfy the performance requirements for obtaining one (1) star under the Queensland Development Code MP

4.1. Illustrate with photographs, sketches or technical data Note: Lecture Week 7 will address the energy efficiency requirements of the Building Code of Australia and the ‘Queensland Development Code MP 4.1 4.5 BUILDING CONTRACT The client is aware of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) and has stipulated that their building contract be utilized.

Temporary Security, Support Housing, and Protection

? Download and print pages 1 and 4 of the QBCC “Schedule for New Home Construction Contract”, and complete items 1, 13 and 14. www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/ Note: There are no Prime Cost items.

? Briefly describe to the client what insurances the builder needs to effect and maintain during the construction period. Note: Lecture Week 7 will address issues relating to new home building contracts 4.6 PRESENTATION The report should be neat and well-structured and presented in a professional manner.

5.0 ASSESSMENT CRITERA Refer to the Criteria Referenced Assessment (CRA)

6.0 STANDARD OF SUBMISSION During tutorials and lectures, exercises and information will be given that relate to the standards that are expected and the extent of detailing to be provided.

7.0 WHAT TO SUBMIT You are required to submit ONE single Adobe PDF file labelled with your name and student number (e.g. Joe Bloggs N1234567).

The file should consist of four (4) drawings (site plan, roof plan, section and construction detail) and a report with attachments. Hand drafted A3 drawings should be scanned in landscape orientation. It is recommended that you utilize the QUT self-service scanning services to scan your drawings into Adobe PDF format. (Note: Ensure that your scanned drawings are legible by scanning an early draft of one of your drawings). With prior approval, PDF drawings produced by digital design software packages will be accepted. Your report and attachments should be in A4 portrait orientation in Adobe PDF format. Finally, combine your report and your drawings into ONE single Adobe PDF file for submission.

Tips for scanning your drawings at QUT Tips for combining PDF files You will need to combine your report and your drawings into ONE single Adobe PDF file. Tips for submitting your assignment to Blackboard Note: Further advice will be provided in the coming weeks regarding the presentation of your drawings and report.

? “The Australian House Building Manual” – Allan Staines (construction details)

? “Building your own home” – George Wilkie (construction details)

? Queensland Development Code MP1.2 “Design and Siting Standards for Single Detached Housing – on Lots 450sqm and over”

? Queensland Development Code MP 4.1 “Sustainable Buildings Class 1”

? “Building Code of Australia 2016 Volume 2 - Housing Provisions” 

? AS 2870 – 2011 “Residential Slabs and Footings”

? AS 1684.4 – “Residential Timber Framing Manual”

? Queensland Building and Construction Commission. Building contract for new houses roof sheeting and roof plumbing, external wall sheeting)

Site Survey and Geotechnical Report

CLIENTS BRIEF AND SPECIFICATIONS

The overall budget for the entire project is about $275,000 and this is considered as adequate for all the specifications and the works to be conducted in the construction. The project will begin with site survey preparations which have already been done and this survey depicts that the site slopes down from the rear alignment to the front alignment. Also, there are there are favorable views taken on the north and hence, as site plan attached gives all the detailed information on it. On the other hand, a Geotechnical Report has also been arranged and thus, classifying the site as M – Moderately Reactive." The client would like as many existing trees as possible to be retained. The client has also requested that the trees proposed to be maintained and protected during construction.

DOCUMENTATION AND CONSTRUCTION

The following are some of the aspects which are carried out under the construction and documentation in line with the clients brief above

ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE BUILDING SITE

The maintenance of the construction site during the building involves a number of critical elements, and these elements may include:

First, all the risks associated with the erection of the panels must be identified in the building site, and necessary precaution is taken to deal with them. In fact, the pre-cast and the tilt-up construction and that is a code of practice on a ground slope and the overall conditions must be considered under the "Tilt-up and Pre-cast Construction Code of Practice 2003, 12.5.”

Secondly, the machine used in lifting all the construction loads and the suspended elements must conform to the risk related work license. In fact, the plant machine and the operator of the plant must be conducted by the work health act 2011 s.81 to ensure that the health safety is not compromised in the process.

Thirdly, all the hazardous risks associated with fire breakout, water pollution, noise, air pollution as well as injuries in the site must be considered and proper channel of controlling them be put in place. For instance, the use of fire extinguishers, treating water, labeling of the equipment, storing of hazardous materials well, and have users manuals in the site such as the drawings to direct the workers.

CLEARING OF SITE, TREE PROTECTION, AND TOP SOIL EXISTING SERVICES

This section mainly subdivided into three classes as discussed as follows:

CLEARING OF SITE

Tree Protection

There should be an erection and maintenance of temporary fencing mostly on the tree protection zone, and this needs to be done before the commencement of clearing the site. This fence also needs to be removed once the construction is completed.

TREE PROTECTION

Some of the activities which need to be avoided around the tree protection zone include storing of the construction materials, debris, permitting vehicles into the area, erecting foot traffic as well allowing equipment in the fenced area. There should be a proper channel of ensuring that the area is free from any trash and weeds. Moreover, excavation should not be carried out with the protected area and also, replacing and repairing of vegetation and trees which were approved by the Architect to remain. 

TOPSOIL EXISTING SERVICES

First, it is essential to remove the grass and sod before the commencement of stripping the topsoil. The process of stripping the topsoil must conduct at the appropriate depth and, in a manner that the overall process does not interfere with the underlying subsoil as well as trigger waster materials.

Additionally, all the subsoil, as well as the non-soil materials such as the debris, weeds, roots, and trash along with waste materials, must be removed. However, stockpiling must be done at the excavation edge to avoid intermixing of the topsoil and the subsoil.

 Furthermore, it is essential to grade as well as shape the stockpile in order to drain all the surface water available in the construction site and cover it to avoid any windblown dust. Notably, precaution needs to be taken of ensuring that stockpiling of the topsoil is not done within the tree protection zone.

TEMPORARY SERVICES

The temporary security, support housing, and protection should be put in place to assist if need in the construction site.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The environmental protection practices in the construction site are broadly classified into two group the sedimentation and the storm water disposal. These elements mainly discussed as follows:

 SEDIMENTATION CONTROL

The first control measure is to design a mechanism for controlling the sedimentation resulting from the soil-bearing water discharged from the runoff and avoid overall soil erosion in the area.

Also, the airborne dust comes from the adjacent properties and walkways must be controlled according to the overall sediment along with Erosion control drawings. Furthermore, inspection and repairing of all the areas affected by soil erosion and sedimentation must be carried out. This process has to continue until the permanent vegetation cover has developed in the area.

Erection and Maintenance of Temporary Fencing

 Other the other hand, stabilization of the area must also be carried out alongside sedimentation control in due course while at the same tile removing erosion in the site. 

STORMWATER

Proper drain system must be put in place to drain the storm water without causing any sedimentation or soil erosion in the construction site. Also, the small temporary dam can be constructed to store this stormwater and later be used in the construction process.

SITE SAFETY AND AMENITIES

It is essential to identify, locate as well as seal off all the utilities and amenities which have been approved to be removed during the construction. Also, all the existing services and facilities which have not been marked should be identified and protected from damages and destructions during the building process. Labeling and sealing off of caps should be done as a mechanism for safeguarding the site under the safety act.

CONSTRUCTION

The critical issues to be addressed under this chapter mainly discussed in the following sub-classes:

CUT AND FILL TO THE SITE AND BUILDING PLATFORM

It involves the overall process of cutting one side of the uphill side slope as well as placing the fill materials on the other side of the hill that is a downhill slope.  Therefore, this will result in a bench finish formation. In this context, it is applicable since one side of the hill where the foundation will be constructed is on the higher elevation compared to the other hand. Furthermore, the process involves the use of materials in order to build a walking track (Watts and Charles, 2015). However; the construction process doesn't require any benchmark in line. The analysis can be depicted as shown in the figure below

 CONCRETE SLAB AND FOOTING TYPE

The footing type and the concrete slab for this retirement house can be done as shown in the diagram below and base on the concrete and slab standards in line with the foundation and footings.  In order to build the concrete slab and a footing type, start by making a perfect and robust slab, then straighten the edges and pack it. In the concrete slab and footing, the following are some of the consideration which is put into the account.  The slab is established with the ground lines which show both the existing and finished foundation. 

Secondly, the building has a makeable platform with both the moisture barrier and the compacted fill. Furthermore, there is depth raft slab of about 300mm wide minimum by 400 mm minimum, and this must penetrate the footing at approximately 300mm minimum in line with the natural ground.  Moreover, the reinforced slab used in the process also must have a thickness of about 100mm with reference to the concrete floor slab. Both the external and the internal wall are a sheet with skirting board to give the floor a smooth finishing. On the other hand, the walls are framed with the skating and insulations to avoid lateral penetration of moisture and form a buffer zone for heat.  After that, fill and level it with concrete trust and then flatten the footing as shown in the diagram. 

Excavation and Grading

 

                                                              Figure 1: showing the Concrete and Slab form

EXTERNAL WALL CONSTRUCTION

ROOF FRAMING

The rooftop for this house is the hip type which has a relative dimension of about 75mm overhang system. In essence, the roofing is designed in such a way that the roof has an overhang of about 750mm in size. Furthermore, there should be an outer wall which has residence broken lines (outer wall of the house to be shown in broken lines. At the overhanging roof is where the rainwater downpipes and gutters will be built.  The type of the overhanging roof can be depicted as shown in the diagram below.  The roof framing for this house can take shape shown in the chart below EXTERNAL WORKS READY FOR HANDOVER OF THE HOUSE

The final stage involved in any construction is the handover activity, and it is in this stage that the certificate of completion is awarded to the engineer and the client is also given the go-ahead to use the utility. However, a number of activities such as the installation of the shower screens, furnishing of the room, planting of trees, fencing among other activities are carried. In essence, the constructor customer care always will call the client at this moment to inform him or her that the building is ready and a pre-handover is then conducted.

BUILDING MATERIALS

The materials which have been selected for this design construction are mainly discussed as follows

TIMBER WALL FRAMING

LUMBER SIZE

The designer may use the lumber size which has broads of about 2 inches in line with the thickness. The preferred dimension for the lumber to be used should have at least 2 inches thick and a width of at least 2 inches. The beams and the stringers for the material to be used should be at least 5 inches in terms of thickness and must be 2 inches greater than the thickness dimension used.  The decking which will be used in the construction needs to be at 2 to 4 inches in line with the thickness, and this must be loaded on the weak axis as far as the bending of the floor, the roof as well as the wall surface is concerned.

ALLOWABLE DEFLECTION LIMIT

Temporary Security, Support Housing, and Protection

In timber framing and walling, the table may be used to guide in the selection of the permissible deflection limits which will be considered in the process. The analysis for the process is summarized in the table below

ERMITE RESISTANCE

The analysis of the termite resistance for the timber to be used is based on the standard values for the wood, and this can be shown in the table below

ROOF SHEETING, GUTTER, AND METAL FASCIA

 ROOF SHEETING

            Sheet tolerances primarily have the following dimensions with of about±5mm, length of +10mm as well as tighter tolerances of about +3mm and 0mm.  Therefore, the analysis for the roof sheeting to be used can be summarized in the below table as follows

The figure above shows the analysis for the sheet tolerances which can be used in evaluating the type of the finishing which can be adopted as far as the specifications for the roofing is concerned (Staines, 2001 p.12).

GUTTER AND METAL FASCIA

The roofing sheet must be continuous in terms of the length as from the ridge to the gutter. The ridge designed should be used to accommodate the transportation of the stormwater as well assisting in the thermal movement. Moreover, the sheet ends should only end at the flashing, and from that point, the gutter should be lipped to them. Notably, all the flashings need to have a thickness and the pre-painted elements, and this applies to all the hip and ridge materials. If the Dura clad is used in the roofing the all the flashings including the hip and ridge must make of the aluminum material and have decisive paint which suits the system.  All the materials used in the roofing must be compatible with each other. Also, it is important to reduce all the fastening used in the roofing to a minimum of eight. Additionally, the primary fasteners used in the design should be nine. Thus, the diagram below shows some of the gutter and metal fasciae which will be used in the roofing system 

 FLOOR FINISHING

There are different floor finishing which can be adopted to complete the floors for different rooms in the domestic building construction. The choice for the finishing selection is mainly based on the quality, availability as well as the durability of the item. Therefore, the table below shows different floor finishing types in line with tiles as well as the possible manufacturing companies in India (Staines, 2001 p.12).

Different Flooring Types	manufacturer		Description
Ceramic Tile	Lavish Ceramics - Tile		most popular finishes available are matte, embossed, glazed and textured ones for anti-slip
Hardwood Flooring	Asian Flooring India Private Limited		Maple, Pecan, Beech, Cherry, Oak, Pine, Birch, Walnut, Hickory
Laminate Flooring	Inovar Floors India		strong, durable surface that can resist burns, scratches, and chips
Marble Flooring	Royal White Marmo, Indian Marble, Exporter, Supplier, Manufacturer Udaipur Rajasthan India		most durable and versatile tiles to

ESTIMATE OF COST

Building Contract Sum

The building contract sum is based on the bill of quantity for the construction and, therefore, it is based on the international standards since some of the items are likely to import from other countries if need be in the process. The summary of the building cost which contains both the external works as well as the overall provisional sum for the relative installation mainly depicted as shown in the table below 

No.	Item	Quantity	Amount ($)
1.	lightweight construction	brickwork and block work
2.	Site Clearance	Trees cutting, fencing of the protected zone
3.	concrete slab	Grounding the house on the concrete slab
4.	metal roof	Color-bond finish
5.	concrete vehicular	driveway and crossover in reference to the  Local
6.	Authority Requirements	Certifications and inspections
7.	Pathing and turfing	Pathing to allow access to the site
8.	solar panels	Installation and purchasing of the item
9.	existing trees	Maintenance of the existing trees
	Roofing and ceiling	Roof shape under the client approved floor plan
10.	storage of materials	Storage of the construction materials and the damaged goods
11.	Labor	Payments for the employees, the geotechnical, the surveyors, the constructor, engineer, workers and security personnel among others
11.	All the necessary building materials	Tiles, sand, cement, steel, concrete blocks, fittings
12.	Excavation cost	The cost of excavating the site
13	All costs related the surveying	The field trip, pre-study, actual study and analysis
14.	Environmental Protection	Environmental protection including site access and sediment control Temporary storm water disposal
Project Budget of $275,000

The overall project cost for the entire work with all the relevant data on the allowable contingency of about 5% and professional fee of about 7½%, mainly based on the total cost which has been approved by the contractor in the Bill of Quantity above (Staines, 2001 p.12).

DOCUMENTATION AND CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM

The below is a simple bar chart which show the overall flow of work which will take place in line with project construction of this Retirement House for the client. In fact, the bar shows the overall depiction and the activities which will be carried out as far as this construction project is concerned. The below data is used to develop simple bar chart

Project Activity	Days
Contract Documentation	4
Estimate of Cost based on Contract Documentation	8
Client Approval	10
Building Code of Australia assessment	16

ENERGY SAVING INITIATIVES

In this building construction, the contractor needs to follow all the legislative requirements which are contained in the Australia Building Code as well as the code on the Queensland Development Code MP 4.1. These two acts give the overall guidelines on the Energy Efficiency and the utilization of power in a sustainable manner. Moreover, the under the act on chapter six (6) of the legislation also gives a provision on how the energy rating and requirements should be carried out in line with houses built in the Sunshine Coast of the Climate Zone. In this design work, the provision is mainly made for the roof, and its overall performance is checked as far as the roofing is concerned (Staines, 2001 p.12). This is illustrated as per the analysis in the figure below.