SITE PREPARATION AND SETTING OUT

A Site is a location where building construction work is taking place or going on. This location could be a new piece of land
or an existing building.

SITE PREPARATION PROCESSES OR STEPS

1. Clearing of bushes and removal of debris or wastes.
2. Cutting down big trees.
3. Grubbing out root or uprooting.
4. Levelling or grading of building site.
5. Extermination or removal of Termites’ nest or hills, through the use of chemicals.

Ground floor plan of a building under construction

TOOLS USED IN BUILDING SITE

1. HAND TOOLS: Examples are spade, shovel, head pan, rake, matchet, hoe, axe, wheel barrow, chain saw etc.

WHEEL BARROW
AXE

SPADE
MATCHET

CHAIN SAW
2. MECHANICAL TOOLS: Examples are Bulldozer, Tractor shovel, Grader, Pay loader, Caterpillar etc.

Bulldozer at work A pay loader filling a tipper with sand

Mechanical tools, which are also very valuable in speedy operation of site clearing, tackle the bulk of the heavy jobs on the
site.

THE FLOOR PLAN OF A

2-BEDROOM FLAT

The Building Plan is drawn by an ARCHITECT and it is approved by the TOWN PLANNING DEPARTMENT of the
MINISTRY OF LAND and HOUSING.
Any house built without the approval of the Ministry is demolished by the TOWN PLANNING AUTHORITY (ZPA).

LAZPA

SETTING OUT

Setting out is the process of transferring, with a high degree of skill and accuracy, the details of the foundation plan from the
drawing sheet to the ground, with pegs, lines and tape.
In setting out, the exact positions of the foundation trenches which will carry the entire walls of the building are properly
located on the ground, true to the dimension and squareness as specified in the building plan sheet.

SETTING OUT THE CORNERS

OF A BUILDING
 A SURVEYOR USING A THEODOLITE
TO SET OUT

SETTING OUT TOOLS: They are

i. Steel square ii. Tapes iii. Pegs
iv. Builders’ square v. Profile Board vi. Theodolite
vii. Lines viii. Sledge hammers ix. Plumb

EXCAVATION
It is defined as the removal of top soil or digging of the ground, in order to place the foundation footing of a building.
It is the next step or stage after setting out. Excavation can be done manually (hand tools) or mechanically (the use of
machines).

TIMBERING TO TRENCHES
It is defined as the process of using Timbers to support the vertical sides of trenched or dug walls, to prevent collapsing or
falling back of top so

il.

ASSIGNMENT
1. Briefly describe how the following are being used
during site preparation process;
Digger
Chainsaw
Grader
 FOUNDATION AND WALLS

FOUNDATION is defined as the expanded base of wall or

column, in addition to the ground, that supports that base or
wall. It is usually made of concrete materials.

TYPES OF FOUNDATION
1. STRIP FOUNDATION: Used in firm area, with little load to
be carried.
2. STEP FOUNDATION: Used where the ground is not
levelled and in rocky areas.
3. PAD FOUNDATION: Used in sandy area, with loose soil.
4. PILE FOUNDATION: Used in water-logged, muddy and
riverside area
5. RAFT FOUNDATION: Used where heavy loads are to be
carried e.g. bridges

FOUNDATION FOOTINGS OF BUILDINGS

 FUNCTIONS OR IMPORTANCE OR BENEFITS OF
FOUNDATION IN A BUILDING

1. Foundation is used to receive and support the building.

2. It is used to hold the building firmly to the ground.
3. To prevent the spreading of top soil over the building floor.
4. It is used to prevent serious settlement of the building on the
ground.
5. It is used to transmit and distribute the weight of a building over
the ground.
WALL

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: CONCRETE
A FOUNDATION

WALLS

WALLS / WALLING MATERIALS OR MATERIALS USED TO

MAKE WALLS IN BUILDING
1. Grasses and leaves 2. Bricks (clay) 3. Stones
4. Wood or timber 5. Blocks (cement) 6. Glass
7. Metals and Asbestos sheets 8. Plastic 9. Sandcrete
 IMPORTANCE, BENEFITS OR USES OF WALLS IN BUILDING

1. Walls are used for enclosing space e.g. fence, boundary.

2. They are used to divide space e.g. partition.
3. They are used to carry loads e.g. roofs.
4. They are used as supports for other fitments in the building e.g.
doors, windows, air conditioners etc.
5. They serve as shield or protection against bad weather e.g.
rainfall, sunshine etc.
6. For preventing faces, space and occupiers from being viewed.
7. For decorations e.g. a supermarket wall, made with glass.

WALL FINISHES:
WALL FINISHES: They are defined as the applications of cement
mortar on the surface of walls, to give them a pleasant appearance.
TYPES OF WALL FINISHES
i. PLASTERING: It is the application of cement mortar on internal
walls, to make their surface smooth.

ii. RENDERING: It is the application of small pebbles, cement

mortar, concrete or stones on a freshly prepared external wall, to
give it a decorative look.

BONDING
BONDING is defined as the process of laying blocks or bricks, with
cement mortar, so that no vertical joint occurs.
TYPES OF BONDING
1. Stretcher bond 2. English bond 3. Flemish bond
4. Header bond 5. Dutch bond
 CORRECT BONDING METHOD WRONG METHOD OF BONDING

ASSIGNMENT
Briefly define the following building terms:
Curing
Damp Proof Course
Lintel
Concrete.

BUILDING TERMINOLOGIES AND PROCESSES

1. CEMENT MORTAR: It is the mixture of cement, sand (fine aggregate) and water. It is
used for plastering and bonding or laying of blocks or bricks, to form walls.

2. BATCHING: It is the process of measuring out concrete materials (cement, sand and stones
or gravel), in an appropriate proportional ratio. E.g. 1 : 2 : 4, where
1 represents ONE BAG OF CEMENT
2 represents TWO HEAD PANS, BAGS OR WHEEL BARROW OF SAND, and
4 represents FOUR HEAD PANS, BAGS OR WHEEL BARROW OF STONE OR
GRAVEL.

3. CONCRETE: It is defined as the combination of sand, cement and stone or gravels, with
water, to make pillars, columns etc. A BAG OF CEMENT WEIGHS 50KG.
Concrete can be transported by using head pan, wheel barrow, Dumper, Crane, Pumping plant
etc.
 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::

CONCRETE

EXAMPLES, KINDS OR TYPES OF CONCRETE

a. REINFORCED CONCRETE: It is when concrete is cast with steel rod or wire (iron) in it.
b. GREEN CONCRETE: This is the term used when the concrete is still wet and not yet hard
and dry.
c. CAST-IN-SITU: This is the type of concrete that is prepared where it is to be used.
d. PRECAST CONCRETE: This is the type of concrete that is prepared elsewhere and later
transported to the position of use.
e. MASS CONCRETE: This is the type of concrete that does not have metal rods in it.

4. REINFORCEMENT: They are the metal rods placed in concrete to give it more strength.

5. CURING: It is the process of covering wet concrete with damp materials, for slowing
drying, so that, it achieves its maximum strength.
METHODS OF CURING
i. Covering the wet concrete with POLYTHENE SHEET/BAG
ii. Covering the wet concrete with SAW DUST.
iii. Covering the wet concrete with SACK
iv. By PERIODIC WETTING of the concrete with water.

6. LINTEL: It is a material placed over a wall, door or window opening, in order to cover the
opening for continuity and to carry loads. Lintel can be made from CONCRETE,
HARDWOOD OR METALS.
7. PIER: It is the thickened section or part of a wall or fence, placed at intervals along the wall,
to give more strength.

8. COLUMN: This is usually REINFORCED CONCRETE, used to support a structure over a

long distance and to carry heavy loads.

9. PILLAR: This is a REINFORCED CONCRETE, used to support a building at short span or

distance, to give the building more stability.

BUILDINGS
BEING
SUPPORTED
BY
PILLARS
10. DAMP PROOF COURSE: This is a water-resistant material, put over the foundation
footing, to prevent water or moisture from rising up the wall.
DAMP PROOF COURSE (DPC) MATERIALS
i. Cement mortar
ii. Asphalt
iii. Bitumen
iv. Polythene sheets
v. Bricks
vi. Blocks
vii. Stones or gravels
viii. Concrete
ix. Metal e.g. copper, lead etc

11. FORM WORK OR SCAFFOLD: This is a temporary construction, in TIMBER FORM,

used to hold fresh, wet or green concrete in desired shape until it is hardened or set. It is later
removed and the concrete will stay in place.

12. EXCAVATION: It is defined as the removal of top soil or digging of the ground, in order
to place the foundation footing of a building.
It is the next step or stage after setting out. Excavation can be done manually (hand tools) or
mechanically (the use of machines).
13: TIMBERING TO TRENCHES
It is defined as the process of using Timbers to support the vertical sides of trenched or dug
walls, to prevent collapsing or falling back of top soil.

14. BEARING CAPACITY: This is the maximum or highest load that a given soil can carry,
without displacement or collapsing.

ASSIGNMENT
STATE ANY 5 BENEFITS 0R ADVANTAGES OF WINDOW IN A BUILDING.

FLOORS
 TYPES OF FLOOR
1. SUSPENDED FLOOR: ALSO KNOWN AS UPPER FLOOR. In
this type of floor, the walls support or hold the floor in place from
falling. It may be done with CONCRETE or by using TIMBERS.
2. SOLID FLOOR: It is the type of floor that is done with
CONCRETE, and found on the ground.
3. BASEMENT FLOOR: It is the type of floor that is located under
the level of the ground. It is commonly known as UNDERGROUND
FLOOR.
IMPORTANCE, USES, BENEFITS OR ADVANTAGES OF
FLOORS IN A BUILDING
1. Floors are used for beautification.
2. They are used to prevent the rising of water from the below the
ground to the walls or the surface.
3. They prevent dust.
4. For easy movement.
5. They reduce echo and vibration.
6. They are used for carrying loads.
7. They prevent the germination of weeds and unwanted plant
within the building.
8. They serve as supports for walls.
 DIFFERENT FLOORING MATERIALS

FLOORING MATERIALS OR MATERIALS USED FOR MAKING BUILDING FLOORS

1. Stones or gravels 2. Concrete 3. Wood or parquet 4. Terrazzo

5. Tiles. 6. Marbles 7. Carpet or rug 8. Mud or clay 9. Glass

ASSIGNMENT
List any 7 examples or types of building doors.

WINDOWS – TYPES AND FUNCTIONS

IMPORTANCE, USES, BENEFITS OR ADVANTAGES OF WINDOWS

IN A BUILDING

1. They add beauty to the design of the building.

2. They serve as protection against bad weather e.g. rainfall, sunshine etc.
3. They reduce echo and vibration.
4. They allow the passage of air (ventilation).
5. They allow the passage of light (illumination).
6. They act as barrier or barricade against direct viewing of the occupants
of the building.
7. They support and carry loads and other fitments.
 EXAMPLES OR TYPES OF WINDOWS

1. Control – Hope / Awning window 2. Cant - Bay window

3. Bull – Eyes window 4. Louvre Window
5. Semi-Circular heading window 6. Gothic heading window
7. Segmental heading window 8. Sliding window
9. Casement window
10. DORMER WINDOW: Found on roofs of building structure.
CANT BAY WINDOW

AWNING or CONTROL HOPE WINDOWS

DORMER WINDOW SLIDING WINDOW CASEMENT WINDOW

BULL-EYE WINDOW
 SEGMENTAL HEADING
SEMI CIRCULAR WINDOW
HEADING WINDOW
ASSIGNMENT
List any 7 examples or types of building roofs.

DOORS

IMPORTANCE, USES, BENEFITS OR ADVANTAGES OF DOORS IN A BUILDING

1. Doors are used for protecting lives and properties or security purpose.
2. They are used for exit and entry in building.
3. They add beauty to the design of the building.
4. They serve as protection against bad weather e.g. rainfall, sunshine etc.
5. They reduce echo and vibration.
 6. They allow the passage of air (ventilation).
7. They allow the passage of light (illumination).
8. They act as barrier or barricade against direct viewing of the occupants of the building.
9. They support and carry loads and other fitments.

EXAMPLES OR TYPES OF DOORS

1. Glazed door 2. Half-glazed door

3. Panel door 4. Inlay door
5. French door 6. Louvre door
7. Semi-Circular heading door 8. Gothic heading door
9. Segmental heading door 10. Sliding door
11. Garage door
12. Collapsible or folding door: Used where space is limited and almost unavailable e.g. BANKS, FILLING STATION etc.
13. Roller shuttle: Used in ware houses and private car park
14. Revolving door: Used where high number of people works, go in and out at once, to control human traffic.

SEGMENTAL HEADING DOOR COLLAPSIBLE OR SEMI CIRCULAR

FOLDING DOOR HEADING DOOR

GLAZED DOOR FRENCH DOOR SLIDING DOOR

 ROLLER
SHUTTLE DOOR
PANEL DOOR

ASSIGNMENT
List any 7 examples or types of building windows.

ROOFS

IMPORTANCE, USES, BENEFITS OR ADVANTAGES OF ROOFS IN A BUILDING

1. For beautification of the structure or to add beauty to building structure.

2. Roofs keep off bad weather e.g. rain, wind and sun.
3. To carry loads e.g. ceiling fan, bulbs etc.
4. To reduce echo and vibration.
5. They preserve the interior of a building from exposure to bad weather.
 EXAMPLES OR TYPES OF ROOFS

1. Pitched / Gable / Lean-To Roof

2. Combination Roof
3. Monitor Roof
4. Shed Roof
5. Butterfly Roof
6. Half-monitor Roof
7. Hipped Roof
8. Arched Roof
9. Mansard Roof
ROOFING MEMBERS AND FOUNDATION MEMBERS

STRUCT
RIDGE CAP

ROOFING SHEET

KING POST
QUEEN POST
PURLIN

FACIAL BOARD
CEILING JOIST
WALL PLATE

GROUND LEVEL
CONCRETE SLAB

HARD CORE

EARTH FILLING
FOUNDATION MEMBERS