Module 3
Module 3
Foundations and construction methods are crucial components of any construction project.
Here are the basics of foundation types and construction methods commonly used in the
construction industry:
Foundation Types:
a. Shallow Foundations:
• Strip Foundation: A continuous strip of reinforced concrete that supports load-bearing
walls.
• Pad Foundation: Individual concrete pads that support isolated columns or point loads.
• Raft Foundation: A large concrete slab that spreads the load over a larger area, suitable
for weak or variable soil conditions.
b. Deep Foundations:
• Pile Foundation: Long, slender columns driven into the ground to transfer the load to
deeper, more stable soil or rock layers.
• Caisson Foundation: Large-diameter, watertight cylindrical structures that are
excavated or drilled into the ground and then filled with concrete.
• Pier Foundation: Vertical columns or shafts constructed below the ground to support
loads.
Construction Methods:
a. Masonry Construction:
• Brickwork: Building walls or structures using bricks or blocks held together by mortar.
• Stone Masonry: Constructing walls or structures using natural stones held together by
mortar or without mortar (dry-stone construction).
• Concrete Block Construction: Building walls using concrete blocks, usually reinforced
with steel.
b. Reinforced Concrete Construction:
• Cast-in-Place Concrete: Pouring concrete on-site into formwork, allowing for complex
shapes and customization.
• Precast Concrete: Manufacturing concrete elements off-site and transporting them to
the construction site for installation.
• Post-Tensioned Concrete: Reinforcing concrete with tensioned steel cables or bars to
increase strength and reduce cracking.
c. Steel Construction:
• Steel Frame Construction: Assembling structural steel members (columns, beams, and
trusses) to create a skeleton framework for the building.
• Steel Reinforcement: Using steel reinforcement bars (rebar) embedded in concrete to
enhance its strength and load-bearing capacity.
Formwork and staging are essential components of construction projects that involve casting
concrete and providing temporary support for workers and materials. Here are the basics of
formwork and staging in construction:
Formwork:
Formwork refers to temporary structures or molds used to shape and support freshly poured
concrete until it hardens and gains sufficient strength. It provides the desired shape and
containment for the concrete during the curing process.
Types of Formwork:
a. Timber Formwork: Constructed using timber boards, plywood, or panels. Commonly
used for small to medium-sized projects and where cost-effectiveness is important.
b. Steel Formwork: Made of prefabricated steel panels or frames. Suitable for large-scale
projects, high-rise buildings, and complex structures.
c. Aluminum Formwork: Lightweight and easy to handle, it comprises aluminum panels
or frames. Ideal for fast-track construction projects.
d. Engineered Formwork: Custom-designed formwork systems based on project
requirements. Utilizes materials like composite materials, plastics, or fiberglass.
Components of Formwork:
a. Form Panels or Sheeting: Provides the facing surface for the concrete and holds it in
place.
b. Shores or Props: Supports the weight of the formwork and the freshly poured concrete.
c. Form Ties: Connects opposite form panels to ensure proper alignment and stability.
d. Formwork Accessories: Includes wedges, nails, form release agents, etc., to facilitate
formwork assembly, support, and removal.
Slip forming is a construction technique used to continuously pour and shape concrete to form
tall structures, such as towers, chimneys, bridges, and high-rise buildings. It involves the use
of a moving formwork system that gradually rises as the concrete is poured and sets. Here are
the basics of slip forming for tall structures:
1.Design and Planning:
• Develop a detailed design for the structure, considering the architectural and structural
requirements.
• Determine the height, shape, and dimensions of the structure to be built using slip
forming.
• Consider factors such as concrete mix design, reinforcement requirements, and the need
for internal or external formwork.
2.Formwork System:
• Construct a continuous formwork system that consists of metal or wooden forms that
are connected and supported by vertical jacks or hydraulic systems.
• The formwork system includes a sliding mechanism that allows for vertical movement
as the concrete is poured and set.
• Install necessary reinforcement bars (rebars) within the formwork to provide strength
and structural integrity to the slip-formed structure.
Asst. Prof Vaibhav Mishra
Dept. Of Civil Engineering
LNJPIT Chapra
3.Concrete Placement:
• Prepare the concrete mix based on the design specifications and project requirements.
• Establish a continuous supply of concrete to the slip form system, usually using
concrete pumps or conveyor belts.
• The concrete is poured into the bottom of the formwork, and as the formwork rises, the
concrete gradually sets and gains strength.
4.Continuous Slip Forming Process:
• The slip form system is continuously raised at a controlled rate using hydraulic jacks
or other lifting mechanisms.
• As the formwork rises, the concrete is poured at the base and spreads upward to fill the
formwork cavity.
• Vibrators are used to ensure proper consolidation and eliminate air voids within the
concrete.
• The formwork may have openings or windows to allow for workers to install embedded
items, such as electrical conduits or plumbing pipes, as the slip forming progresses.
5.Finishing and Curing:
• As the slip form rises, workers may apply finishing techniques to smoothen the surface,
such as troweling or brushing.
• Curing methods, such as water spraying or application of curing compounds, are
employed to ensure proper hydration and strength development of the concrete.
6.Completion and Demobilization:
• Once the desired height of the structure is achieved, the slip form is halted.
• Allow the concrete to fully cure and gain sufficient strength before demobilizing the
formwork system.
• Remove the formwork system, revealing the completed slip-formed structure.
Slip forming allows for the efficient and continuous construction of tall structures by
eliminating the need for traditional formwork and time-consuming manual labor. However, it
requires careful planning, coordination, and expertise to ensure proper concrete placement,
formwork movement, and structural integrity. Professional engineers, contractors, and
specialized slip forming teams are typically involved in slip-formed construction projects to
ensure safety, quality, and successful completion.
Steel structures offer strength, durability, and versatility, making them popular for various
construction projects. Here are some basic construction methods used for steel structures:
1.Steel Frame Construction:
• Steel frame construction involves the assembly of steel columns, beams, and other
structural members to create the framework of the building.
• Columns and beams are typically fabricated off-site and transported to the construction
site for assembly.
Asst. Prof Vaibhav Mishra
Dept. Of Civil Engineering
LNJPIT Chapra
• Connections between the steel members can be made using welding, bolting, or a
combination of both.
• Steel frame construction is commonly used for commercial buildings, industrial
facilities, and high-rise structures.
2.Bolted Steel Construction:
• Bolted steel construction involves the use of steel plates and bolts to connect structural
members together.
• Steel plates with holes are attached to the ends of beams, columns, or other members,
and bolts are inserted through the holes and tightened to create connections.
• Bolted connections allow for easy disassembly and reassembly, making it suitable for
temporary structures or projects requiring future modifications.
3.Welded Steel Construction:
• Welded steel construction involves the fusion of steel members using heat and pressure
to create strong and permanent connections.
• Welding is performed on-site or in a fabrication shop, depending on the size and
complexity of the project.
• It provides excellent structural integrity and is commonly used for high-load-bearing
structures, such as bridges and heavy industrial facilities.
4.Pre-engineered Steel Buildings:
• Pre-engineered steel buildings (PEBs) are factory-built structures where the steel
components are designed, fabricated, and assembled according to predefined
specifications.
• PEBs are highly customizable and offer cost-effective and efficient solutions for various
applications, such as warehouses, factories, and sports arenas.
• The steel components of PEBs are pre-fabricated and delivered to the site for easy and
quick assembly, reducing construction time.
5.Steel Composite Construction:
• Steel composite construction combines steel and concrete to create a structural system
with enhanced load-bearing capacity and fire resistance.
• Steel beams or columns are encased in concrete to form composite members, often
referred to as composite columns or composite beams.
• This method is commonly used for constructing composite floors and composite
bridges, taking advantage of the benefits of both materials.
6.Steel Truss Construction:
• Steel trusses are structural frameworks composed of steel members arranged in
triangular or other geometric patterns.
• Trusses provide strength and stability, allowing for the creation of large, open spaces
without the need for intermediate columns.
• Steel truss construction is widely used in applications such as roofs, bridges, and large-
span structures.
Asst. Prof Vaibhav Mishra
Dept. Of Civil Engineering
LNJPIT Chapra
These are some of the basic construction methods for steel structures. Each method has its
advantages and considerations, depending on the project requirements, design complexity,
budget, and timeline. Professional expertise from architects, structural engineers, and
construction teams specializing in steel construction is essential to ensure proper design,
fabrication, and installation of steel structures.
Constructing bridges involves various methods and techniques to ensure the stability,
durability, and functionality of the structure. Here are the basics of construction methods for
bridges:
1.Foundation Construction:
• Site Preparation: Clear the construction site and excavate the area for the bridge
foundation.
• Foundation Type: Choose the appropriate foundation type based on soil conditions,
such as spread footings, pile foundations, caissons, or drilled shafts.
• Foundation Installation: Construct the foundations according to the chosen type,
including excavation, reinforcement placement, and pouring of concrete.
• Substructure Construction: Build the bridge substructure components, such as
abutments and piers, which provide support for the superstructure.
2.Superstructure Construction:
• Precast Segmental Construction: Prefabricate individual segments off-site and transport
them to the construction site for assembly. Typically used for bridges with multiple
spans.
• Cast-in-Place Construction: Pour concrete directly on-site to form the bridge
superstructure. Commonly used for smaller bridges or when site conditions make
transportation of precast segments challenging.
• Steel Girder Construction: Erect steel girders on-site and connect them to form the
bridge deck. Steel girders can be prefabricated or assembled on-site.
• Cable-Stayed Construction: Utilize cables anchored to pylons or towers to support the
bridge deck. The deck is typically constructed using cast-in-place or precast segments.
3.Bridge Deck Construction:
• Concrete Deck Construction: Pour concrete to form the bridge deck, either as a
continuous slab or as separate segments joined together.
• Steel Deck Construction: Install prefabricated steel deck panels, typically composed of
steel girders or steel orthotropic plates.
• Orthotropic Deck Construction: Construct the bridge deck using prefabricated steel
plates and stiffeners, providing high strength and durability.
4.Erection and Assembly:
• Lift and Place: Use cranes or specialized equipment to lift and place precast segments,
steel girders, or other bridge components onto the substructure.