BICOL STATE COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY

CITY OF NAGA

act.
19
CONSTRUCTION
METHODS AND
STRUCTURES AS
EXPRESSION
RESSION

Jenz Hope Novela

BSA-1C

ARCH. Ian Kenneth Orasa THEORY OR ARCHITECTURE

CHITECTURE

UAP THOA111B
111B
CONSTRUCTION
METHODS
WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING STRUCTURES SUCH AS RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL
BUILDINGS AND ETC., THE OPTIONS RANGES FROM WELL-KNOWN AND WIDELY USED METHODS,
SUCH AS STICK-BUILT HOMES MADE OF WOOD, TO TECHNIQUES THAT ARE STEADILY GAINING
POPULARITY, LIKE AS LIGHT-GAUGE STEEL FRAMING, TO AGE-OLD METHODS, SUCH AS
EARTHEN-BLOCK CONSTRUCTION AND MASONRY, WHICH ARE USED IN SPECIALTY PROJECTS.

MOST STRUCTURES (BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL) ARE CONSTRUCTED AROUND A

FRAME THAT PROVIDES STRUCTURE AND SUPPORT. HEAVY FRAMING AND LIGHT FRAMING ARE
THE TWO MOST COMMON TYPES OF FRAMING, WITH LIGHT FRAMING BEING UTILIZED IN THE
MAJORITY OF RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTIONS. CONSTRUCTION METHODS SUCH AS POST-AND-
BEAM, ALSO KNOWN AS TIMBER FRAMING, IN WHICH LARGE, HEAVY TIMBER BEAMS ARE USED
INSTEAD OF DIMENSIONAL LUMBER (WOOD CUT TO STANDARDIZED DIMENSIONS SUCH AS 24,
26, AND SO ON), AND HEAVY STEEL FRAMING, WHICH IS COMMONLY SEEN IN SKYSCRAPERS AND
OTHER LARGE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, ARE EXAMPLES OF HEAVY FRAMING. LIGHT FRAMING IS
OFTEN DONE WITH DIMENSIONAL LUMBER OR LIGHT-GAUGE STEEL, WITH THE BUILDING'S
STRUCTURAL SKELETON MADE UP OF INDIVIDUAL WOOD OR STEEL COMPONENTS.

OTHER CONSTRUCTION METHODS SUCH AS MASONRY (BUILDING WITH INDIVIDUAL STONES OR

BRICKS HELD TOGETHER BY MORTAR), REINFORCED OR UNREINFORCED CONCRETE (A
MATERIAL MADE FROM A MIXTURE OF GRAVEL, SAND, CEMENT AND WATER), RAMMED-EARTH
BLOCKS (BUILDING BLOCKS MADE OF COMPRESSED EARTH), AND STRUCTURAL INSULATED
PANELS (SIPS) (SANDWICH PANELS WITH ENGINEERED WOOD ON TWO SIDES AND INSULATION IN
BETWEEN) CAN BE USED INDEPENDENTLY OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH FRAMES TO BUILD HOMES,
BUT MOST OF THESE METHODS ARE USED IN TANDEM WITH A FRAME IN THE US AND CANADA.

WOOD FRAMING HAS REMAINED THE MOST PREVALENT TYPE OF HOUSE CONSTRUCTION FOR
DECADES. OTHER METHODS ARE GETTING INCREASINGLY POPULAR. EACH OF THE MANY
BUILDING METHODS HAS ITS OWN SET OF ADVANTAGES, AND MOST HOMES EMPLOY A MIX OF
TECHNIQUES AND MATERIALS TO CREATE A PLEASANT ATMOSPHERE TAILORED TO THE NEEDS
OF THE HOMEOWNER.
PLATFORM/STICK
FRAMING WITH WOOD

THE MOST POPULAR METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES IS
"PLATFORM" OR "STICK" FRAMING, SOMETIMES KNOWN AS "STICK-BUILT." INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF
DIMENSIONAL TIMBER (FURTHER TAILORED ON SITE TO THE EXACT NEEDED SIZE) ARE PIECED
TOGETHER TO FORM THE FRAME OF A RESIDENCE IN PLATFORM FRAMING. THE PLATFORM OR
FOUNDATION IS CONSTRUCTED FIRST, FOLLOWED BY THE FIRST-LEVEL HOME'S WALLS (MADE
WITH VERTICAL PIECES OF TIMBER), AND THEN AN EXTRA PLATFORM FOR THE SECOND-STORY
FLOOR, WITH THE SECOND-WALLS STORY'S ANCHORED INTO THE SECOND PLATFORM. THE
ENTIRE FRAMED STRUCTURE IS NORMALLY SUPPORTED BY A CONCRETE FOUNDATION, WHICH IS
INSTALLED PRIOR TO THE START OF CONSTRUCTION.

PLATFORM FRAMING ENTAILS THE PLACEMENT OF STUDS (VERTICAL 2X4S) EVERY 12, 16, OR 24
INCHES TO BUILD THE WALLS. EVENLY SPACED STUDS GUARANTEE THAT WALLS BUILT TO
FUNCTION AS STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS CAN SUSTAIN THE WEIGHT THEY'RE DESIGNED TO, BUT
THEY DO LIMIT THINGS LIKE THE NUMBER AND SIZE OF WINDOWS IN A HOME, AS WELL AS THE
LENGTH OF OPEN SPANS INSIDE THE STRUCTURE. WIRING, INSULATION, AND PANELING ARE
INSTALLED WHEN THE FRAME IS COMPLETE, FOLLOWED BY THE FINAL EXTERNAL AND INTERIOR
FEATURES. PLATFORM FRAMED WOOD HOUSES ARE TYPICALLY CONSTRUCTED WITH COMPLETE
LOAD-BEARING WALLS AND RAFTERS TO SUPPORT A PITCHED ROOF. BUILDING CODES HAVE
BEEN DEVISED THAT STRICTLY GOVERN ALL PARTS OF PLATFORM FRAMED WOOD HOMES,
MAKING BUILDINGS WITH A VARIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS (HUGE SPANS,
CANTILEVERS, AND WINDOW WALLS) A PROBLEM FOR THIS TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION.
ENGINEERED WOOD
PRODUCTS (EWPS)

ENGINEERED WOOD PRODUCTS (EWPS) ARE OFTEN USED IN FRAMED HOME BUILDING. EWPS
ARE MATERIALS MADE BY BINDING PARTICLES, FIBERS, OR VENEERS OF WOOD TOGETHER WITH
ADHESIVES. PLYWOOD AND ORIENTED STRAND BOARD (OSB) ARE TWO OF THE MOST OFTEN
UTILIZED EWPS; THESE WOOD PANELS ARE OFTEN MOUNTED TO THE STUDS OF A FRAMED WALL
TO OFFER EXTRA STRUCTURAL SUPPORT AND WALL SURFACES. ENGINEERED POSTS AND
BEAMS, WHICH ARE STRONGER THAN WOOD BEAMS AND ARE UTILIZED FOR SPECIALITY
PROJECTS, ARE ANOTHER TYPE OF EWP.

ENGINEERED WOOD PRODUCTS (EWPS)

STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS (SIPS) ARE ANOTHER TYPE OF EWP, CONSISTING OF AN INNER
LAYER OF INSULATING FOAM CORE SANDWICHED BETWEEN TWO SHEETS OF EWPS, COMMONLY
OSBS. SIP PANELS CAN BE USED TO COVER A HOME'S FRAMEWORK, OR THEY CAN BE UTILIZED
TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE STRUCTURAL SUPPORT OF A HOME. FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF
HOUSING DESIGN, THEIR STRENGTH AND SIZE MIGHT BE ADVANTAGEOUS OVER ORDINARY
PLATFORM FRAMING.

STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS (SIPS)

 STEEL FRAMING

STEEL HAS BEEN EMPLOYED IN CONSTRUCTION SINCE THE 19TH CENTURY, WITH
COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES BEING THE MOST COMMON APPLICATION. STEEL IS DIVIDED INTO
TWO TYPES: "HOT-ROLLED" AND "COLD-FORMED." HOT-ROLLED STEEL (SOMETIMES KNOWN AS
"STRUCTURAL STEEL") IS MADE IN A HIGH-TEMPERATURE INDUSTRIAL PROCESS. THE RESULTING
BEAMS AND COLUMNS ARE EXTREMELY STRONG BUT ALSO EXTREMELY THICK; THIS FORM OF
STEEL IS MOST COMMONLY EMPLOYED IN COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES, BUT IT IS ALSO USED
SPARINGLY IN HIGH-END RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTIONS WITH VAST SPANS THAT REQUIRE THE
INCREASED STRENGTH OF STEEL "I-BEAMS." BECAUSE HOT-ROLLED STEEL IS SO COSTLY, IT IS
PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE FOR MOST RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTIONS.

COLD-FORMED STEEL, ALSO KNOWN AS LIGHT-GAUGE STEEL, IS EQUALLY AS STRONG AS HOT-

FORMED STEEL, BUT IT HAS THE ADVANTAGE OF BEING ABLE TO BE SHAPED INTO
CONSIDERABLY THINNER PIECES. COLD-FORMED STEEL MAY BE FOLDED, PUNCHED, AND LASER-
CUT FOR MORE ACCURACY AND PERSONALIZATION. STEEL-FRAMED HOMES ARE
CONSTRUCTED IN THE SAME MANNER AS PLATFORM-FRAMED WOOD HOMES ARE: INDIVIDUAL
STEEL BEAMS ARE PIECED TOGETHER ON-SITE TO FORM THE BUILDING'S SKELETAL FRAMEWORK.
ON THE BUILDING SITE, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WOOD PLATFORM
FRAMING AND STEEL FRAMING IS THE AMOUNT OF ON-SITE CUSTOMIZATION NECESSARY.
DIMENSIONAL TIMBER IS TRIMMED TO FIT ON THE PROJECT SITE WITH WOOD FRAMING,
WHEREAS STEEL COMPONENTS ARE EXACTLY PROPORTIONED DURING MANUFACTURE AT AN
OFF-SITE FACTORY, REQUIRING LESS LABOR ON THE JOB SITE.

HOT - ROLLED STEEL COLD - FORMED STEEL

STEEL PROVIDES FOR GREATER SPACING BETWEEN VERTICAL STUDS, BIGGER OPEN SPANS, AND
OTHER ARCHITECTURAL ASPECTS THAT DEMAND MORE STRUCTURAL STRENGTH THAN
DIMENSIONAL LUMBER CAN GIVE, ALLOWING FOR MORE FREEDOM IN THE DESIGN PROCESS
THAN PLATFORM FRAMES.
 LIGHT-GAUGE STEEL
(COLD - FORMED
STEEL)

STEEL BEAMS
(HOT - ROLLED STEEL)

CONCRETE

CONCRETE IS OFTEN UTILIZED IN COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES AND CIVIL ENGINEERING

PROJECTS, ALTHOUGH IT IS EMPLOYED FAR LESS FREQUENTLY IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
RESIDENTIAL HOMES. CONCRETE'S STRENGTH (A MIXTURE OF CEMENT AND WATER WITH AN
AGGREGATE SUCH AS SAND OR STONE) ALLOWS IT TO HOLD A LOT OF WEIGHT, ESPECIALLY
WHEN REINFORCED WITH REBAR (EMBEDDED STEEL RODS).
CONCRETE IS ACHIEVED BY MIXING CEMENT, GRAVEL AND SAND AT A SPECIFIED RATIO THAT
WILL BRING THE DESIRED STRENGTH. CERTAIN TIME CONSTRAINTS MUST BE OBSERVED DURING
MIXING AND CURING OF CONCRETE. FOR SMALL SCALE PROJECTS, MANUAL MIXING IS
PREFERRED DUE TO COST CONSIDERATIONS AND THE LOW LEVEL OF RISK THAT THE PROJECT
MAY POST. FOR LARGE SCALE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, USE OF READY MIXED CONCRETE
ALONG WITH THE CONCRETE PUMP MAY GIVE THE CONTRACTORS A LOT OF COST SAVING.
READY MIXED CONCRETE REFERS TO CONCRETE THAT IS MIXED IN THE PLANT AND DELIVERED
BY TRUCK MIXER TO THE CONSTRUCTION SITE WHICH CAN BE POURED MANUALLY OR WITH THE
USE OF A CONCRETE PUMP. BESIDES THE FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION, READY MIXED CONCRETE
ALSO PROVIDES A HIGH LEVEL OF ACCURACY AND ASSURANCE TO THE LEVEL OF CONCRETE
STRENGTH. FORM-WORKS REFER TO THE MATERIALS AND CORRESPONDING SUPPORTS THAT
HOLD AND MOLD THE CONCRETE DURING POURING.

NSULATING CONCRETE FORMS (ICFS) ARE POURED CONCRETE IN BETWEEN STIFF PANELS,
COMMONLY COMPOSED OF POLYSTYRENE FOAM, AND ARE UTILIZED FOR HOME BUILDING IN
SOME LOCATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES. INTERNAL REBAR CAN GIVE STRENGTH, AND THE
EXTERNAL PANELS STAY IN PLACE AFTER THE CONCRETE HARDENS.
 MASONRY

THERE ARE LOAD BEARING AND NON-LOAD BEARING CHB ALTERNATIVES FOR MASONRY
(CONCRETE HOLLOW BLOCKS). IT'S STILL UP FOR DISPUTE WHICH TYPE IS MORE PRACTICAL AND
COST-EFFECTIVE. NON-LOAD BEARING CHB ARE MORE DURABLE THAN LOAD BEARING CHB.
COMPANIES WHO BUILD MASS HOUSING TYPICALLY CHOOSE TO EMPLOY LOAD BEARING CHB
BECAUSE IT SAVES MONEY WHILE ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR COLUMNS. OTHER
CONTRACTORS EMPLOY 3" THICK PRECAST CONCRETE WALLS FOR COST SAVINGS, THOUGH
THIS MATERIAL IS ONLY SUITABLE FOR MASS HOUSE BUILDING. IN THE PHILIPPINES, MOST HOME
BUILDERS CHOOSE TO USE NON-LOADING CHB AND PLACE THE STRUCTURE'S WEIGHT ON
COLUMNS FOR MORE STABLE STRUCTURAL STABILITY. COLUMNS ARE CONSIDERED MORE SAFE
IN SECURING THE BUILDING DURING SEISMIC ACTIVITIES OR EARTHQUAKES.

OTHER LESS COMMON HOME CONSTRUCTION METHODS ARE OCCASIONALLY USED BY HOME
BUILDERS DUE TO THEIR UNIQUE FEATURES OR BEAUTY. MASONRY, EITHER MADE OF BRICK,
STONE, OR CONCRETE, WAS ONCE A STAND-ALONE BUILDING STYLE, BUT IT IS NOW MORE
COMMONLY USED IN COMBINATION WITH A WOOD FRAME, WITH A LAYER OF BRICK OR STONE
PLACED AS A VENEER TO THE FRAME. IN LOCATIONS WHERE WOOD IS RARE AND
TEMPERATURES ARE DRY, SUCH AS THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST, RAMMED EARTH BUILDING
EMPLOYS LAYERS OF COMPACTED EARTH BRICKS TO FORM THE FRAMEWORK OF A DWELLING.
SIP PANELS HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED IN PLACE OF A WOOD-STICK OR STEEL FRAME TO FORM THE
SUPPORT STRUCTURE AS WELL AS THE WALLS AND CEILINGS, AS PREVIOUSLY INDICATED.
 TYPES OF MODERN METHODS
OF CONSTRUCTION
THE DIFFERENT MMC USED IN CONSTRUCTION FIELD INCLUDES:

PRECAST FLAT PANEL SYSTEM - THIS BUILDING PROCESS ENTAILS THE MANUFACTURING OF
FLOOR AND WALL UNITS OFF-SITE. SEPARATE MANUFACTURING OUTLETS AND FACILITIES ARE
REQUIRED FOR THIS. THE PANEL MODULES ARE THEN DELIVERED TO THE JOB SITE AND
INSTALLED ACCORDING TO THE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS. THIS STRATEGY
IS BEST SUITED FOR OPERATIONS THAT OCCUR ON A REGULAR BASIS IN A BUILDING PROJECT.
THE PREFABRICATED PANELS INCLUDE WINDOW, DOOR, AND FINISH SERVICES. THIS
TECHNOLOGY ALSO INCORPORATES FACTORY-INSTALLED BUILDING ENVELOPE PANELS THAT
INCLUDE INSULATION AND ORNAMENTAL CLADDING AND CAN BE UTILIZED AS LOAD-BEARING
COMPONENTS.

3D VOLUMETRIC MODULES - THE 3D VOLUMETRIC CONSTRUCTION, AS THE NAME INDICATES,

INVOLVES THE OFF-SITE FABRICATION OF 3D COMPONENTS IN THE FORM OF MODULES. THEY
ARE DELIVERED AT THE JOB SITE AND ASSEMBLED MODULE BY MODULE DURING INSTALLATION.
BECAUSE EACH MODULAR UNIT IS A THREE-DIMENSIONAL UNIT, THIS STRUCTURE IS REFERRED
TO AS 3D VOLUMETRIC CONSTRUCTION OR MODULAR CONSTRUCTION. THE MODULES CAN BE
TRANSPORTED USING A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES AND FORMATS. THIS MAY ENTAIL
TRANSPORTING THE BASIC CONSTRUCTION OR A FULL UNIT WITH ALL INTERIOR AND EXTERNAL
FINISHES, AS WELL AS SERVICES PLACED WITHIN IT, WITH JUST ASSEMBLY REMAINING. THE
INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION TRANSPORTS SEVERAL UNITS OF THE SAME PRODUCT WHILE
RETAINING THEIR QUALITY. HENCE THIS METHOD IS BEST SUITED FOR REPETITIVE PROJECTS SO
THAT RAPID ASSEMBLY OF THE PRODUCTS IS POSSIBLE.

FLAT SLAB CONSTRUCTION - THE FLAT SLABS ARE STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS THAT ARE HIGHLY
VERSATILE IN NATURE. THIS VERSATILITY IS USED WIDELY IN CONSTRUCTION. THE FLAT SLAB
PROVIDES MINIMUM DEPTH AND FASTER CONSTRUCTION. THE SYSTEM ALSO PROVIDES
COLUMN GRIDS THAT ARE FLEXIBLE. WHEREVER IT IS NECESSARY TO SEAL THE PARTITIONS TO
THE SLAB SOFFIT AS A REASON OF ACOUSTIC AND FIRE CONCERNS, THE FLAT SLABS ARE A
DESIRABLE SOLUTION. WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER FORMS OF CONSTRUCTION, THE FLAT
SLABS ARE FASTER AND MORE ECONOMIC IN NATURE. THE CONSTRUCTION OF FLAT SLABS CAN
BE COMPLETED WITH GOOD SURFACE FINISH FOR THE SOFFIT, THIS ENABLES THE EXPOSED
SOFFITS. THE FLAT SLAB CONSTRUCTION IS ALSO A MEANS OF INCREASING THE ENERGY
EFFICIENCY AS THIS ALLOWS THE EXPLOITATION OF BUILDING THERMAL MASS IN THE DESIGN OF
VENTILATION, HEATING AND THE COOLING REQUIREMENTS.
PRECAST CLADDING PANELS - THE CLADDING SYSTEM IS THE INSTALLATION OF A MATERIAL
OVER ANOTHER THAT FINALLY ACTS AS A SKIN OR A LAYER. THIS SYSTEM OF LAYER IS NOT ONLY
INTENDED FOR AESTHETICS, BUT IT CAN HELP IN CONTROLLING THE INFILTRATION OF THE
WEATHER ELEMENTS. NO KIND OF WATERPROOF CONDITION IS PROVIDED BY THE CLADDING.
INSTEAD, THE CLADDING IS A CONTROL MEASURE AGAINST WATER PENETRATION. THIS SAFELY
HELPS IN DIRECTING THE WATER OR THE WIND SO THAT THERE IS CONTROL OF THE RUNOFF.
THIS HELPS TO PREVENT THE INFILTRATION INTO THE BUILDING STRUCTURE.

CONCRETE WALL AND FLOORS - CONCRETE WALLS ARE MAINLY APPLIED FOR SEAT WALLS,
RETAINING WALLS, DECORATIVE EXTERIOR, AND INTERIOR FINISHES. THE CONCRETE IS ALSO
USED AS A FLOORING MATERIAL. AS PER THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY, THE CONCRETE FLOORS
CAN BE PROVIDED WITH GOOD FINISH TO PROVIDE SMOOTH AND ATTRACTIVE FLOORING. WHEN
COMPARED WITH ANY OTHER MATERIAL, THE CONCRETE FLOORS PROVIDE A WIDE VARIETY OF
MATERIAL FOR APPLICATIONS LIKE ACID-STAINED PAINTED, RADIANT FLOORS, OVERLAYS, AND
MICRO TOPPINGS. THE CONCRETE FLOORING CAN ALSO BE CALLED CEMENT FLOORING. WHEN
COMPARED WITH OTHER FLOORING TYPES, CONCRETE FLOORING IS AFFORDABLE AND
MAINTENANCE IS EASY. PROPER SEALING OF CONCRETE FLOORING CAN BE CLEANED BY A DUST
MOP.

TWIN WALL TECHNOLOGY - THE TWIN WALL TECHNOLOGY IS A HYBRID SOLUTION OF WALL
SYSTEM THAT COMBINES THE QUALITIES OF ERECTION SPEED AND PRECAST CONCRETE WITH
THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF IN-SITU CONCRETE. THIS TYPE OF WALL SYSTEM GUARANTEES
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY AND WATERPROOF RELIABILITY FOR THE STRUCTURE. THE TWIN WALL
SYSTEM HAS TWO WALL SLABS THAT ARE SEPARATED AS SHOWN IN THE FIGURE-6. THE TWO
SLABS ARE SEPARATED BY A CAST IN LATTICE GIRDERS. THE PROCEDURE INVOLVES:

1. THE WALL UNITS ARE PLACED IN THE SITE.

2. THE TWIN UNITS ARE PROPPED TEMPORARILY.
3. THE WALL UNITS ARE LATER JOINED BY MEANS OF REINFORCING.
4. THE GAP BETWEEN THE WALL UNITS IS FILLED BY MEANS OF CONCRETE.

THIS SYSTEM OF CONSTRUCTION IS FASTER THAN NORMAL CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND

ECONOMICAL. THE TWIN WALL SYSTEM IS MAINLY EMPLOYED IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE
CONSTRUCTION OF PRECAST FLOORS.
PRECAST CONCRETE FOUNDATION - THE PRECAST CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY MAY BE USED
FOR QUICK FOUNDATION BUILDING. THIS STRATEGY IS BETTER SUITED TO A ONE-OF-A-KIND
DESIGN. THE ELEMENTS NECESSARY FOR FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION ARE BUILT SEPARATELY
AT THE FACTORY (OFF SITE), THEN TRANSPORTED TO THE JOB SITE AND ASSEMBLED. THE
PRODUCED PRODUCT MUST MEET THE DESIGNER'S QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS. CONCRETE PILES
SUPPORT THE MAJORITY OF THE FOUNDATION. BOTH SYSTEMS ARE LINKED THROUGHOUT THE
ASSEMBLY PROCESS. THESE FOUNDATION TECHNOLOGIES AID IN BOOSTING PRODUCTION,
IMPROVING QUALITY, AND REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF SOIL EXCAVATED. THIS IS BEST USED IN
THE FACE OF HARSH AND UNFAVORABLE WEATHER. WHEN DEALING WITH BUILDING ON A
SEVERELY POLLUTED SITE, THIS TECHNIQUE OF CONSTRUCTION IS THE BEST OPTION.

CONCRETE FORMWORK INSULATION - THE SYSTEM OF INSULATING CONCRETE FORMWORK

(ICF) HAS TWIN WALLED PANELS THAT ARE EITHER POLYSTYRENE PANELS OR BLOCKS ARE
EMPLOYED. THESE ARE BUILT QUICKLY TO CREATE THE FORMWORK AS THE WALL OF THE
BUILDINGS. THE FORMWORK THAT IS MADE IS FILLED WITH CONCRETE. THIS CONCRETE IS
FACTORY PRODUCED THAT HAS QUALITY ASSURANCE SO THAT IT IS READY – MIXED CONCRETE.
MOSTLY THE MIX IS READY MIX CONCRETE. HIGHER LEVEL OF THERMAL INSULATION IS
PROVIDED BY EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE BLOCKS. THE CONCRETE CORE WILL PROVIDE GOOD
ROBUSTNESS AND BETTER SOUND INSULATION.
 STAGES IN
CONSTRUCTION
METHOD

STAGE 1
PRE - CONSTRUCTION THE PRE-CONSTRUCTION PHASE IS THE POINT WHERE SOMEONE TAKES AN IDEA AND PUTS IT INTO MOTION. THIS STAGE

INVOLVES PLANNING, SURVEYING, ENGINEERING, DESIGN, PERMITS, AND MORE. IT SERVES AS THE ROADMAP THE REST
OF THE PROJECT WILL FOLLOW. INVOLVES A FEW PARTIES: THE PROPERTY OWNER, THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR TAKING
THE JOB, THE ARCHITECT OR DESIGN PROFESSIONAL, AN ENGINEERING FIRM, A SURVEYOR, AND ANYONE ELSE WHO
MIGHT NEED TO APPROVE THE SITE OR PLANS. THIS IS ALSO WHEN A GENERAL CONTRACTOR WILL START THE SEARCH
FOR SUBCONTRACTORS.

STAGE 2
THE SECOND STAGE OF CONSTRUCTION IS WHEN THE AT THIS POINT, THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR, ARCHITECT,
SITEWORK AND FOUNDATION ENGINEER, AND SURVEYOR ARE STILL PARTICIPATING, BUT MORE
PROJECT FINALLY BREAKS GROUND. CREWS GET THE
SUBCONTRACTORS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE MIX.
SITE READY BY GRADING THE PROPERTY, DIGGING OR
SUBCONTRACTORS FOR EXCAVATION, EARTHWORK, DRILLING,
DRILLING FOR A FOUNDATION AND FOOTINGS, AND
UTILITIES, CONCRETE, FRAMING, AND SCAFFOLDING ARE
DEVELOPING A DRIVEWAY FOR DELIVERIES AND SUBS.
NORMALLY ON-SITE AND COLLABORATING TO GET THE CONCRETE
THEY’LL ALSO DRILL WELLS AND BRING UTILITIES TO POURED AND THE FOUNDATION READY FOR VERTICAL
THE SITE LIKE POWER AND GAS. CONSTRUCTION.

ROUGH FRAMING IS THE THIRD OF THE SIX PHASES OF CONSTRUCTION, AND IT'S WHEN THE BUILDING STARTS TO GO
VERTICAL. THE STRUCTURAL STEEL IS LIFTED INTO PLACE BY CRANES, AND STEEL CONTRACTORS LINK IT TO THE
FOUNDATION AND FOOTINGS. CREWS POUR THE CONCRETE FOR THE FLOORS ONCE THE STEEL FOR EACH STORY IS IN
PLACE. THE FRAMING SUB WILL THEN CONSTRUCT THE WALLS AND GIVE THE STRUCTURE OF THE BUILDING ITS BASIC
STRUCTURE. IT IS A LARGE PROJECT, YET IT GENERALLY INCLUDES FEWER SUBCONTRACTORS. THE GENERAL
CONTRACTOR, AS WELL AS THE SCAFFOLDING, FRAME, AND STRUCTURAL STEEL AND METAL SUBS, ARE ALL ON SITE.
CRANES, WELDING, AND METAL FRAMING ARE USED EXTENSIVELY AT THIS STAGE. STAGE 3
ROUGH FRAMING

THE FOURTH PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION INVOLVES THE SUBCONTRACTORS ON-SITE START LOOKING A BIT
“DRYING IN” THE BUILDING, OR SEALING IT OFF TO THE DIFFERENT AT THIS STAGE. THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR IS
ELEMENTS. THIS STAGE INVOLVES INSTALLING THE STILL THERE, ALONG WITH THE SCAFFOLDING AND METAL
WINDOWS, DOORS, SIDING, ROOFING, ANY BRICK OR SUBS. BUT NOW THE ROOFING, SIDING, GLAZING, DOORS AND
PLASTERWORK, AND EVERYTHING ELSE THE DRAWINGS WINDOWS, MASONRY AND BRICK, AND PLASTERING SUBS
CALL FOR ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING. ARE THERE AS WELL, CLOSING THE BUILDING OFF TO THE
STAGE 4
ELEMENTS.
EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION

WITH THE BUILDING ENVELOPE SEALED, SPECIALTY SUBS ARE ABLE TO GET ON THE SITE AND DO THEIR JOBS.
THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR IS STILL ON-SITE AND OVERSEEING THE PROJECT. MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS CAN INSTALL
BOILERS, AIR HANDLERS, DUCTWORK, AND OTHER EQUIPMENT. ELECTRICIANS CAN START INSTALLING PANELS, GENERATORS,
SWITCHGEAR, AND DISTRIBUTION ROOMS, AND PULL WIRE THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING. PLUMBERS ARE ALSO ON-SITE,
RUNNING WATER SUPPLY PIPES AS WELL AS WASTE, DRAIN, AND VENT PIPES. THIS IS ALSO THE STAGE WHERE FIRE
SUPPRESSION AND ALARM SUBCONTRACTORS WILL START INSTALLING THEIR SYSTEMS, AND ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS
STAGE 5
CAN BUILD THEIR SHAFTS AND CARS.
MEP (MECHANICAL,
ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING)

STAGE 6
ROF ALL THE STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION, FINISHES AND
FINISHES AND FIXTURES THE NUMBER OF SUBS JUMPS TREMENDOUSLY: GLAZING, DOOR

FIXTURES ARE THE FINAL PUSH. AT THIS POINT, THE

AND WINDOW, MASONRY, PLASTERING, ELEVATOR, INSULATION,
DRYWALL, PAINTING, TILE, FINISH CARPENTRY, AND FLOORING
BUILDING STARTS TO TAKE ITS FINAL FORM, INSIDE AND
SUBCONTRACTORS ARE ALL WORKING INSIDE THE BUILDING TO
OUT. THERE ARE MANY MOVING PARTS AT THIS STAGE,
FINISH THE JOB. LANDSCAPING SUBS AND SWIMMING POOL
AND THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR HAS TO STAY ON TOP
CONTRACTORS MIGHT BE WORKING ON BUTTONING UP THE
OF THINGS TO MAKE SURE IT RUNS SMOOTHLY.
EXTERIOR FEATURES. IT’S A BUSY TIME FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.
 STRUCTURE AS AN EXPRESSION OF
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN DOES NOT ONLY DEAL WITH CREATING

AESTHETICALLY PLEASING DESIGNS BY USING VARIOUS FORMS AND
PATTERNS TO BE INCORPORATED IN SUCH FOUNDATION OF A BUILDING,
BUT ALSO CONSIDERS HOW THESE DESIGNS WILL INFLUENCE OR AFFECT
THE SPACE IN TERMS OF ITS FUNCTIONALITY.

SO HOW DOES STRUCTURE BECOME AN EXPRESSION OF ARCHITECTURAL

DESIGN? FIRST LET US DEFINE WHAT STRUCTURE IS. STRUCTURE IS A WAY IN
WHICH THE PARTS OF A SYSTEM OR OBJECT ARE ARRANGED OR
ORGANIZED. IT IS THE MANNER OF CREATING FORMS THAT MAKE UP A
WHOLE. STRUCTURE IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN CAN BE PERCIEVED
THROUGH MANY ASPECTS WHETHER IT IS THE STRUCTURAL EXTERIOR
DESIGN OF A BUILDING OR THE STRUCTURAL ORIENTATION AND
COMPOSITION OF SPACES WITHIN A FACILITY. STRUCTURE IN
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN IS SOMETIMES DESCRIBE AS A MOVEMENT OF
ELEMENTS AND PATTERNS IN A DESIGN. STRUCTURE IS WHAT GIVE CERTAIN
BUILDINGS A FORM THAT MAKES AN IMPRESSION TOWARDS THE
ENVIRONMENT THAT SURROUNDS IT. EVERY ELEMENT IN STRUCTURE
SHOWS A PERSONALITY AND PURPOSE, THE REASON WHY STRUCTURE IS
AN EXPRESSION BECAUSE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS ARE PERCIEVED
THROUGH STRUCTURES AND SUCH STRUCTURE BUILDS UP A CHARACTER
THROUGHOUT THE DESIGN.