Construction Technology

Tony Bryan is a Principal Lecturer in Construction Technology in the Faculty of Environment and Technology, University of the West of England.

• Preface ixPart 1 Analysis 11 The Framework for Understanding 3Process and knowledge 3The initial suggestion 4Carrying out the evaluation 4Physical and social context 5The basis of analysis 6Knowledge needed for choice 7Summary 82 Building Purpose and Performance 9Activities, space and construction 9Introduction to performance requirements 9Environmental impact and sustainability 17Summary 173 Common Forms – Specific Solutions 18General and constructed forms 18The emergence of general building forms 18Uncertainty and risk 22Summary 234 Construction Variables 24The variables of construction – the outcome of choice 24Choosing materials 25Choosing shape 27Choosing size 27Spatial relationships 32Joints and fixings 32Summary 355 Defining Conditions 37Physical and social conditions 37Activity and construction-modifying environments 38The dynamics of the system 38Choice of interior elements of the building 42Inside the construction itself 42Summary 436 The Resource Base 44Introduction 44Materials – the primary resource 44Knowledge and skill – the human resource 45Production equipment – the technological resource 46Money – the enabling resource 47Summary 487 Design Concept 49Linking design to construction choice –flows and transfers 49Concept design – broad options 50Physical performance and appearance –commodity, firmness and delight 50Function of the whole, function of the parts 51Summary 528 Appearance 53Visualising attributes and response 53Space and context 53Physical space for the construction 55The approach to analysis 56Summary 569 Analysis of Physical Behaviour 57Visualising conditions and response 57Function and performance – a technical aim 57Preventing failure – a technical objective 57The role of observation and science in the analysis 58The approach to analysis 59Summary 5910 Physical Behaviour Creating Environments 60Aspects of environment 60The building as a system 60The dry environment 65The warm environment 72The light environment 78The acoustic environment 82The clean environment 86The safe environment 88The private environment 96Summary 9711 Physical Behaviour Under Load 98Forces, external and internal 98Basic structural members 100Curving (and folding) structural members 104Structural connections 105Grid members – pin-jointed frames 107Building structures – wind stability 108Stress–strain and the choice of material 110Structural analysis and design 111Movements and structural behaviour 112Stresses in the ground 112The major structural forms 114Summary 11712 Physical Behaviour Over Time 119Reliability: renewal, maintenance, repair and disposal 119Basis of analysis 120Soiling and cleaning 120Durability of materials 121Movements in components 124Ground movement, settlement and subsidence 127Movement and detailing 128Wear of components 129Summary 12913 Manufacture and Assembly 130Realisation of performance 130Visualising stages and sequence 130Analysis of operations, methods and resources 133Materials and labour 135Production equipment 136Production options 141Knowledge and expertise for the analysis of the process 148Summary 14914 Cost 150Cost and value 150Cost and price 151Cost and time frames 151Cost and cost data 152Summary 15415 Sustainability – Social Concern 155Two major forces 155Sustainability 156Established influences and new concerns 156Responding to the sustainability agenda 158Buildings as systems 161Renewable energy sources 168Water and waste 170Materials choice and detailing 172Planning and design concepts 173Emerging technologies 173Summary 174Part 2 Choice – House Construction 17716 Applying the Framework to Housing 179The need for an integrated approach 179The basis of the case study 180Summary 18217 Floors 183Upper floors 183General forms for upper floors 183Timber-joisted upper floors 184Ground floors 191Suspended ground floors 192Ground-supported slab floors 195Services and other elements 197Site influences on choice of ground floors 197Production operations for ground floors 198The final choice 199Summary 19918 Roofs 201Pitch and span 201Other functions 201Pitched roofs 202Flat roofs 218Summary 21919 Walls 221Wall types by function 221General forms 221Walls in the case study 224Masonry cavity external walls 224Openings in the external wall 233Doors and windows – the components in the openings 236The panel frame option 238Party (separating) walls 241Partition walls 242Summary 24320 Foundations 244Basic function 244Site investigation 246Foundation design 247The strip foundation 247Foundations for poor surface conditions 250Economics of foundations 254Basements 254Summary 25421 Services 256Introduction 256Analysis of services systems 257Hot and cold water 257Heating systems 263Drainage 267Electrical systems 273Summary 279Part 3 Choice – Commercial Construction 28122 Applying the Framework to Commercial Buildings 283The story so far 283The way forward 285The technological mix 287Summary 28923 Common Forms and Emerging Technologies 290Introduction 290UK commercial building through the twentieth century 291Summary 29824 Interface Design 299Introduction 299The enclosure–services interface 300The enclosure–structure interface 302The structure–services interface 305Summary 30625 Structural Skeletal Frames 307Materials development and structural options 307Reinforced concrete – performance 315In situ reinforced concrete frames –production 317Precast concrete frames – production 329Structural steel – performance 330Structural steel – fabrication and construction 333Structure choice and overall design 337Summary 33826 Roof Structures 340Introduction 340Variety of structural form 341Broad options 342Construction details 348Summary 35227 Loadbearing Structural Walls 353Broad options 353Multi-storey construction 354Single-storey industrial construction 359Summary 36328 Structure Below Ground 364Introduction 364Foundation design 364Foundation types 366Soil improvement 372Basements 373Large area industrial concrete ground floors 380Summary 38429 External Enclosure to Structural Frames 385Introduction 385External walls 385Cavity brickwork 390Cladding panels 392Curtain walling 396Facing materials 397Lightweight cladding 403Structural glazing 404Roof construction 406Summary 41130 Internal Enclosure 412Performance 412Applied finishes 413Component systems 414Summary 42131 Services – Scope and Space 422Introduction 422Scope 422Space 424Environmental services 424Public health services 429Power supply 432Security 433Operational services 435The need for coordination 436Production sequence and contract time 437Cost of services systems 438Summary 43832 Guide to Further Reading 440What this book provides 440Sources of information – authority, validity and relevance 440Finding information 443Using information – corroboration, confirmation and risk 444Summary 444Index 445