A warehouse is to be constructed and requires a slab on ground.

List a
step-by-step procedure to construct the slab safely. (Max 1 page)
1. Level ground on which the warehouse will be constructed. Ensure all organic materials
are removed to prevent future settlement of the slab.
2. Use an excavator, or similar, to dig trenches for the warehouse slab on grade shallow
foundation.
3. Ensure sufficient room is spared when trenching and excavating for pipes and conduits.
Increased reinforcement is necessary if pipe is not within middle 1/3 of the total depth.
4. Recesses are dug out for bathrooms to ensure egress of water.
5. Formwork is then established around the outer perimeter of the foundation. Plywood is
highly recommended due to its low cost; use wooden pegs to provide lateral support.
6. A bed of compacting sand is screeded and compacted evenly throughout the trenches
according to the engineering drawings.
7. A 0.2 mm black damp proof membrane is laid on top of the sand bed. Ensure all surfaces
are covered with 200 mm lap when required.
8. Reinforcements are laid on the slab on grade, which include trench meshes and reo
cages. Bar chairs and ties ensure the reinforcement is elevated according to the design.
9. Pour the concrete monolithically to avoid cold joints; ensure the pour is not too fast to
reduce lateral pressure from plastic concrete.
10. Screed the newly poured concrete with a power screed or a level straightaway for a clean
and smooth finish.
11. The concrete is then cured to obtain the desired strength, durability, and water tightness.
3 days minimum for 25 MPa concrete; 7 days minimum for 50 MPa concrete.
List a four-step procedure to erect a tower crane. (Max 1 page)
1. The crane hoists a new tower section and moves it next to the erecting section of the
crane.
2. The new tower section is then attached to the erecting section of the tower crane.
3. A hydraulic jack is used to jack the slewing ring and jib of the crane and the new section
is placed where the old section was previously.
4. The hydraulic jack is released and the slewing ring and jib are repositioned.

Distinguish between the two categories of construction defects. Give

an example of each. (Max 1 page)
The two categories of construction defects are product and process defects.
Product defects include defects in the materials used for construction; this can be decreased
through stringent quality control and management. An example of a product defect is cracks
in a steel pile which is about to be driven into the ground as a deep foundation pile.
Process defects include defects in the construction and management of the infrastructure;
this can be minimised through effective communications between everyone involved in the
project. An example of a process defect is not spreading the pour of concrete which will cause
piling up and potential formwork failure.

Describe the relaxation process of fresh concrete on vertical formwork.

(Max 1 page)
Vertical formwork is used in the construction of walls and columns and are subjected to the
same stages of loading as horizontal formwork; however, these stages are not quantified for
vertical formwork. The major load to consider for vertical formworks is the lateral load of
plastic concrete. The relaxation of pressure is proportional to the time of setting and thus
the faster the concrete is poured the less the pressure will relax. It is important to note for
very fast pours, which are very common, the pressure may remain hydrostatic throughout
the pour.
What are the differences between pre-tensioned and post-tensioned
concrete systems and when would you adopt each one? (Max 1 page)
Pre-tensioned concrete
Steel reinforcing tendons are tensioned before concrete hardens.
Steel reinforcing tendons have linear and discontinuous profiles.
Steel reinforcing tendons can be laid without any protective sheaths.
Pre-tensioned concrete slabs can only be manufactured in warehouses.
Used for bridge girders and piles.
Post-tensioned concrete
Steel reinforcing tendons are tensioned after concrete hardens.
Steel reinforcing tendons profile is not restricted.
Steel reinforcing tendons need to be inserted in special hollow ducts.
Post-tensioned concrete slabs are manufactured in-situ.
Used for floor slabs and pavements.

What factors contribute to the performance of buildings from a clients

perspective? (Max 1 page)
Some of the factors contributing to the performance of buildings are:
Occupiable floor space.
Thermal and acoustic performances.
Design and service life of the building.
Cost to construct, use and demolish the building.
Quality and appearance of the finished building.
List four advantages and four disadvantages of using steel as a
construction material. (Max 1 page)
The advantages of using steel as a construction material include:
1. Able to be shaped into any shape.
2. High tensile and compressive strengths.
3. Durable.
4. Homogeneity.
The disadvantages of using steel as a construction material include:
1. Rapid strength deterioration under high temperatures.
2. Prone to corrosion if not treated properly.
3. Prone to buckling if the steel columns are too long.
4. Unable to withstand cyclic loading and unloading scenarios.

Describe the costs of constructing a building. (Max 1 page)

The cost to construct a building includes the land cost, initial costs, cost of building in use,
and cost of materials recovery during demolition.
The initial costs include professional fees, and material and labour costs. The materials to be
used are often selected based on their physical properties such as strength, electrical and
thermal conductivity, and density. In addition, high energy content materials are more
expensive but often have more desirable properties than low energy content ones.
Furthermore, the costs involved during the buildings lifetime must be accounted for. These
costs include routine maintenance and replacement, as well as heating and servicing the
building over its lifetime.
Generally, most sustainable buildings will have a greater materials recovery rate during
demolition, significantly reducing costs.
Describe 5 reasons why accident prevention in construction is
considered worthwhile. (Max 2 pages)
Human suffering
The cost of human suffering is immeasurable; as such we try to prevent accidents from
occurring in construction sites. The consequences due to accidents can range from minor
scratches to disability to death. The latter two will, without doubt, cause severe disruptions
to the lives of the injured/deceased as well as their family and friends.
Moral
The quality of life at work can be increased through public awareness. It is morally
unacceptable to place a persons well-being at risk for profit or any other reasons. As such
employers and project managers are focusing on decreasing the risks at construction sites.
Legal
It is costly for employers to provide an unsafe construction site for employees. Failure to
comply to statute laws can lead to prosecution or prison time. It is expensive for employers
to have an unsafe construction site as injured workers can claim compensation through civil
laws.
Financial
Financial consequences from accidents such as worker injuries, damage to property and
production delays can be substantial. Direct costs are insurable costs such as compensation
for worker injuries. Indirect costs can include delays, overtime costs and fines.
New business
Having a strong safety record is invaluable when trying to obtain new construction projects
and clients. Companies with strong safety record will, additionally, have bragging rights to
their duty of care for employees.

Describe the properties of timber. (Max 1 page)

Timber is a low energy content material that is orthotropic as it is naturally made and can be
separated into two categories, namely hardwood and softwood. Timber is stronger when
force is applied parallel to the grain rather than perpendicular, but is susceptible to buckling.
You are about to design a horizontal formwork system. Describe the
constituents of each of the loading stages. (Max 1 page)
There are three loading stage when dealing with a horizontal formwork system. During each
of these stages there are three possible types of loadings namely, dead load (G), live load (Q),
and stacked materials (Q).
Stage 1
Time period from construction to just before concrete pour.
Dead load of 0.1 kPa.
Live load of 1 kPa.
Stacked materials load of 4 kPa.
Stage 2
Time period from when concrete pour starts to when concrete pour ends.
Dead load of 0.1 kPa and concrete (based on function).
Live load of 1 kPa.
Stacked materials load of 0 kPa.
Stage 3
Time period from when concrete pour ends to when concrete solidifies.
Dead load of 0.1 kPa and concrete (based on function).
Live load of 1 kPa.
Stacked materials load of 4 kPa.

Describe the properties and uses of high strength concrete. (Max 1

page)
High strength concrete is able to withstand compressive strengths greater than 50 MPa and
tensile strength greater than 5 MPa. The main reason to use high strength concrete include:
Quicker serviceability.
Reduce column sizes for high rise buildings will increase the liveable floor space.
Higher durability than regular concrete.
Describe the properties and uses of steel fibre reinforced concrete.
(Max 1 page)
Steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) is made from a concrete matrix with short discrete steel
fibres uniformly distributed. They are often used in tunnel linings, warehouse slabs, and
bridging cracks formed in concrete. The advantages of SFRC include:
Durable and ductile.
High shear strength and impact resistance.

Describe the properties and uses of masonry. (Max 1 page)

Masonry is commonly used for constructing building walls and retaining walls. The size of
each brick is typically 240 x 110 x 76 mm. There are six different orientations for bricks:
Stretcher and header.
Shiner and rowlock.
Sailor and soldier.
The advantages of masonry include:
Resistant to fire and does not require painting.
Durable and resistant to projectiles.
The disadvantages of masonry include:
Requires a lot of skilled labourers.
Heavy and requires a strong foundation.

Describe the properties and uses of paint. (Max 1 page)

There are typically three coats of paints required when painting a structure, which are the
primer, undercoat, and finishing coat.
Primer is used to seal the porous surfaces and prevent bleeding. It is also used to improve
adhesion for the next coat.
Undercoat is used to cover small depressions and covers the colour of the original surface.
Finishing coat is used to give the final colour and texture to the finished surface. The textures
range from matte to semi-gloss to gloss.
Describe the process to create an opening in a brick wall. (Max 1 page)
1. A layer of mortar is removed at the top layer of the desired opening.
2. Strong-boys are hammered into the gap left by the mortar every 30 mm.
3. Acrow props are placed underneath each of the strong-boys to provide support.
4. A layer of bricks is removed from the brick wall and a lintel is mortared into the opening.
Mortar is used to seal any gaps remaining
5. The bricks underneath the lintel is then removed followed by acrow props and strong-
boys.

Explain what an engineers duty of care is in relation to the design and

construction of a large infrastructure project (Max 1 page)
A duty of care (standard of care) is defined as actions any other well-informed practitioner
would have taken given the same level of knowledge in the same situation. The measure for
standard of care is relative but should always be higher than the minimum standards defined
by the codes. The aim for standard of care is the protection of health, safety and welfare of
workers.

Describe what the building code procedures are. (Max 1 page)

1. Classify building according to occupancy and construction type.
2. Review requirements for sprinkler protection.
3. Review the buildings conformity to adequate head and floor space.
4. Review the buildings location.
5. Review the building conformity with egress requirements.
6. Review the building for other detailed code requirements.
7. Review the building for conformity with structural engineering regulations and
requirements for construction materials.
Describe the differences between active and passive fire protection
systems (Max 1 page)
Active fire protection systems are very effective at being able to control flames but can be
subjected to interruption of water supplies. An example of an active fire protection system is
fire sprinkler.
Passive fire protection systems are built into the structure itself and can be subjected to
failure due to construction defects and poor building maintenance. An example of a passive
fire protection system is Fyrchek.

Describe the components of an egress system. (Max 1 page)

An egress system can be divided into three components:
Exit access leads from an occupied portion of a building to an exit.
Exit is the portion between the exit access and exit discharge.
Exit discharge is the portion between the exit and the public area.

Describe the function of each component of an excavator. (Max 1 page)

The components of an excavator include:
1. Cab holds the operator.
2. Track frame provides support for the shoe.
3. Bucket used to dig soil.
4. Arm connects boom to bucket.
5. Boom withstand weight placed on bucket.
6. Counterweight prevents tipping.
7. Engine / hydraulic pump provides energy to operate the machine.
8. Shoe provides contact for movements.
Describe three advantages and disadvantages for bored piles and
driven piles. (Max 1 page)
The advantages for bored piles are:
Soil removed can be sampled.
Can be built to larger diameters and lengths than driven piles.
Materials are independent of driving conditions.
The disadvantages for bored piles are:
Cannot be readily inspected once constructed.
Cannot be readily extended above ground level.
Can loosen the soil during the CFA process.
The advantages for driven piles are:
Piles can be inspected before driven underground.
Can be extended above ground level.
Not affected by groundwater.
The disadvantages for driven piles are:
Long pile lengths can be difficult to transport.
Piles can buckle and break during the driving process (expensive to recover).
Noise pollution from the hammering process.

Describe the erection and use of sheet piles and shoring systems. (Max
1 page)
A common shoring method to prevent wall collapse in deep excavations are driven sheet
piles. They are driven in the same way as regular driven piles, but are made out of thin
corrugated metal sheets which are then rock anchored to the soil at a 15 degrees angle of
depression. Other means of shoring include contiguous piling and slurry walls.
Describe techniques to prevent accidents from occurring. (Max 1 page)
1. Eliminate hazard if possible such as avoiding hazardous substances.
2. Tackling risks at the source such as spraying dust with water.
3. Design work areas to suit individual.
4. Use technology to improve working conditions such as quieter machines.
5. Protect the whole workplace rather than relying on PPE since it is not 100% effective.
6. Ensure everyone understands what they have to do to be safe and healthy at work.
7. Ensure health and safety management is accepted by everyone and apply it to all aspects
of organisation activities.

Explain two methods to analyse risks. (Max 1 page)

Risk can be measured either qualitatively or quantitatively. Measuring risk quantitatively
places probability estimates on activities based on known risk information. Measuring risk
qualitatively is a subjective assessment and will depend on the person making the judgement
and the amount of data at hand when making the decision. Qualitative risk assessments are
adequate except for extremely high risk or public concern.

Describe the uses of personal protective equipment. (Max 1 page)

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, are typically supplied by employers and are used to
protect areas such as the head and eyes. PPE must undergo regular checks as they are
susceptible to defects and deterioration over time. An example of a head PPE is the safety
helmet, which usually has a 3-year life span but can be shortened with prolonged UV exposure
or impacts. There are a variety of eye protection including safety glasses, safety goggles and
face shields. Safety glasses will protect against low energy projectiles but not against dust.
Safety goggles will protect against high energy projectiles, dust and chemicals. Face shields
will protect against high energy projectiles and radiation.
Describe cost reduction methods for formwork construction. (Max 1
page)
There are two main factors which can significantly reduce formwork construction costs,
namely designing and construction. During the design process, it is best to simplify the
structures complicated regions down to similar sized columns and beams, and similar
spacing. Furthermore, it is best to avoid cutting timber sheets formwork to promote reuse. In
addition, the formwork sheets must be kept in a dark and cool environment to prevent
distortion and deterioration. Additionally, ensuring the form-workers know the high cost of
formwork will ensure they take care during the removal stage. It is best to remove and clean
formwork as early as possible to promote reuse.

Describe four methods for reshoring. (Max 1 page)

1. Undisturbed shore is the preferred method and permits stripping of formwork at an
earlier stage without the need for reshoring.
2. Secondary reshoring is when secondary shores are placed before disturbing the
formwork.
3. Partial reshoring is when soffit is stripped bay by bay and re-shore placed in bay before
further stripping is done.
4. Total reshoring is the least desirable method and involves removing all soffit and
replacing with re-shores.
Explain the functions of each types of cranes. (Max 1 page)
Crawler cranes
Consist of three structures, namely the base, superstructure, and boom.
Low initial cost but high movement costs suitable for single site projects.
Hydraulic truck cranes
Has a self-contained boom suitable for travelling between projects on highways.
Lattice boom cranes
Similar properties and uses to a hydraulic truck crane except it uses a lattice boom.
Disadvantage is it takes longer to set up.
Rough terrain cranes
An advantage is its improved mobility using their unusually large wheels.
Capacity of 60-80 tonnes.
All terrain cranes
Undercarriage is used to travel long distances on highways.
Superstructure is used to drive and contains crane controls.
Heavy lift cranes
Consists of two independently mounted crawlers containing either a boom or
counterweight.
Capacity of 600-2000 tonnes.
Tower cranes
Advantage of high lifting height, good working radius and occupies a small area.
Max 100 m free standing height before it needs to have lateral support.

Describe the methods to construct a bridge. (Max 1 page)

The incremental launch method consists of assembling the bridge superstructure on one side
and then launching it longitudinally. It is useful for deep crossing, steep slopes, poor soil, and
areas with protected species. The balanced cantilever method comprises of constructing
cantilever segments outwards from a fixed point on alternating sides; this method is useful
for long spans.
Explain the functions of each types of bridges. (Max 1 page)
Slab-on-girder bridges
Consists of a wearing surface on concrete slab on steel girders.
Advantages are its simple design, can be mass-produced, and easily expandable.
Cable-stayed bridges
This bridge category comes in two different designs, namely fan and harp.
Advantages are its low cost, easy construction and aesthetic.
Suspension bridges
The bridges deck is hung off suspension cables, which bears the loads.
Advantages are its longer span with less materials.
Disadvantages are difficult to carry heavy rail and aerodynamic profiling required.
Arch bridges
Transfer loads along an arch to abutments located at each end.
Advantage is its simple design.
Truss bridges
Consists of triangular elements, which carry tensile and compressive forces.
Disadvantages are its expensive and inefficient construction.

Explain scaffolding and methods to stabilise scaffolds against a

building. (Max 1 page)
Scaffolds are typically comprised of three sections, namely uprights, bearers, and runners.
The uprights rise from the ground or other solid support. The bearer supports the platform
and provides connection between the uprights transversely. The runner attaches to the post
and provides longitudinal connections along the scaffold length. The different methods to
stabilise scaffolds are wall and tie anchorage, window reveal tube, and reveal between
pilasters. Wall and tie anchorage is when the scaffold is anchored to a wall using an anchor.
The window reveal tube is when a tube is placed inside a wall opening and the bracing
provides support and acts as an anchor. The reveal between pilasters is similar to the window
reveal tube except between two piles.
Describe the components of superstructures and substructures. (Max
1 page)
The superstructure is the component of the bridge above the pier and includes the wearing
surface, deck, and primary and secondary members. The wearing surface is typically made
from asphalt and is intended to resist the wear from traffic. The deck is a roadway extension
across an obstruction to be bridged and distributes load transversely. The primary members
distribute load longitudinally and resists flexure and shear; they are typically made from steel
and prestressed concrete. The secondary members brace between the primary members and
resists cross-sectional deformation and distribute vertical loads.
The substructure is the component of the bridge required to support the superstructure and
includes abutments, piers, bearings, and footings. The abutments are the earth retaining
structures and support the superstructures at the ends. The piers support the superstructure
at intermediate points and are generally made from concrete, transmitting the loads to the
foundation. The bearings transmit vertical load from the superstructure to the substructure
and provides movement for thermal expansion and contraction. The footings provide
foundation support for the entire bridge.
Describe the methods to demolish a building and things to consider
when demolishing. (Max 1 page)
The top-down method is a method to demolish a building from the roof downwards. A
preliminary step for this method is to disconnect all utilities from the building and demounting
any cantilever structure attached to the building in question. Any water tanks and lift machine
rooms will be removed prior to the main demolition stage. Starting at the roof, the floor is
demolished at the mid-span and move towards the supporting beams. The beams are then
removed in the following order: cantilever, secondary and primary. Next, non-load bearing
walls are demolished followed by load-bearing walls and columns.
A building can also be demolished using a hydraulic crusher attached to a long boom. This
method is preferred when demolishing a dangerous or unstable building as it can be done off-
site. The hydraulic crusher dismantles the building from the top down.
Furthermore, dangerous buildings can be demolished using a wrecking ball attached to a long
boom. This method, again, is preferred when demolishing a dilapidated building but requires
significant clear space and a skilled operator.
The final common method for demolishing a building is implosion. This method involves
strategically mounting explosives to the structure and detonating it in a pre-planned manner.
Once the critical members are removed the building collapses on itself due to gravity.
Some factors influencing the selection process for demolition are:
Vibration caused needs to be minimised for nearby animal habitats (e.g. zoos).
Air pollution can be mitigated through spraying water on dust created.
Noise pollution can be minimised through demolishing the building during the day.
Chutes can be installed to move waste from top of building to floor. Existing lift shafts
can also serve the same purpose.
Compare and contrast open pumping and pre-drainage dewatering
methods. (Max 1 page)
Open pumping can be used as a viable method for dewatering a site given favourable
conditions. These favourable conditions are:
Low permeability soil such as sand and gravel.
Strong and hard rocks beds.
Low dewatering head.
Relatively flat slope and light foundation loads.
The unfavourable conditions, which can cause delay, extra costs, or catastrophic failures are:
High permeability soil such as clay.
Soft rock beds such as clay.
High dewatering head.
Relatively steep slow and heavy foundation loads.
The method involves excavating a large hole in the ground, letting it fill with water and then
pumping it away. It is typically the least costly dewatering method.
Pre-drainage is a method involving implanting wells into the ground and pumping out water
prior to any excavation. It is typically used for dewatering heads less than 6 m.

List six overarching goals for a sustainability. (Max 1 page)

1. Protect the ecosystems and support restoration of natural systems.
2. Promote development of liveable communities.
3. Use water, energy, land, and materials resources efficiently.
4. Develop healthy indoor environments.
5. Eliminate waste and pollution during production of materials and construction, use and
deconstruction of project.
6. Move away from fossil fuels.
Describe the methods for developers to make a building more
sustainable. (Max 1 page)
1. Develop liveable communities by redeveloping existing sites and developing public
transport and parks.
2. Develop flexible design by ensuring easy expansion and avoiding embedded cables in
structure.
3. Protect water resources through using stormwater treatment.
4. Increase thermal efficiency through fluorescent lighting.
5. Decrease impacts from energy use through decreased fossil fuel reliance and increased
photovoltaic cells.
6. Develop healthy indoor occupancy using natural daylight, ventilation and gardens.
7. Conserve water through waterless fixtures and rainwater collection.
8. Use sustainable building materials by performing full LCA and using local non-toxic
materials.
9. Use low maintenance plants.
10. Contact local waste authorities to establish recycling processes.