SCHOOL OF ARCHITECHTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN

BACHELOR OF QUANTITIY SURVEYING (HONOR)

SITE VISIT REPORT

NAME: WONG GENG SEN

STUDENT ID: 0321690

Content

Introduction 1

Objective of the assignment 1

Observation on site 2

Learning outcome/Conclusion 17

1

Introduction

In this assignment, we were required to produce a report on construction site

visit on the 21st of November 2014 for 3 subjects which are Measurement 1,

Construction Technology and Building Materials. The construction visit was held on 21st

of November 2014 and it was organised by our lecturers.

Objective of the assignment

Understand the basics of the construction process.

Understand the practical aspect of construction techniques in comparison to the

theory aspect in books and its application on site.

Provide real life experience for students have a better understanding and clear

images of what we studying.

Exposure to actual working environment on site including uncertainty

circumstances, for example weather.

Ability to communicate with the construction team members on site and to see

the importance of teamwork in the building team.

Witness the usage of construction equipment on site including mechanical plants.

Explore and identify various types of building materials and technology on site.

Awareness of the importance of safety on site and understanding of safety

problems and site conditions.

Recognize the items measurable for sub-structure and reinforced concrete frame

works.

2

Observation on site

On 21st of November 2014 (Friday), our class was separate into two groups visit

to side in the difference time. I was assign in group 2, start at 10am. The site we choose

was near to Taylor’s university. In the morning, we gather in the main entrance of the

site. The officer of the site welcomes us, give us some safety brief. We were told that we

have to wear our safety helmet to avoid injury.

(overview of site)

3

According to the officer, this project is built two blocks with 27 floors of Soho

and 28 floors apartment service. The above includes 4 floor stage and 3 floor basement.

The officer bring us into the site area, this the first time I go into a construction area.

When we go in, the officer brings us to their temporary office. It is build by timber.

Outside the office there is a white board, it actually list down their daily work progress

and schedule. Beside that, the officer also introduces his teammate, other worker to us.

(Other officers and briefing)

Next, the officer leads us to the inner part of the building. The place was empty,

what we can see is only walls and column. The officer told us there are using flat slab for

this building. Construction of flat slabs is one of the quickest methods available. Lead

times are very short as this is one of the most common forms of construction and flat

slab is able to stand heavy load form the above level. The officer was patient and

explains clearly to us. After that, the officer shows us the formwork they using to build

their walls and columns. The formwork is made by timber and steel. It is place

horizontally on the floor. When they want to use it, they will carry the formwork and

place it vertically pours in concrete to build the wall. The reason of using timber and

steel formworks is because it is durable and strong. Timber and steel are common

materials we will use in the site, the cost for timber and steel is cheap and it is reusable

which able to reduce their cost for this project. However, the officer told us there are

also disadvantages, this formwork cannot be use for a long period. The time consuming

4

will take longer if there is a larger structure. Beside that, if timber is dry, it will absorb

the moisture from the concrete hence it will reduce the strength of the concrete.

This site is using 2type of formwork, one is engineered formwork system and

other one is traditional timber formwork. Engineered Formwork System is a formwork

which is prefabricated modules with metal frame and covered on the application side.

The advantage of this formwork is able to reduce the time to assemble. Engineered

formwork system is strong and durable. It can use for a long time which able to lower

the cost of construction. By using this formwork, it can produce better and smoother

concrete compare with other formwork. This are the reasons why the officer choosing

this formwork. However, this formwork is expensive and need someone skillful to

handle it. For traditional timber formwork, it is a basic type of formwork which used in

many constructions. Generally traditional timber formwork is use for small amount of

concrete pouring in small construction. The advantages of this system are the price is

low which can reduce the costing and it is easy to handle, does no required skillful

workers because it is the basic formwork. However, the quality of concrete produced is

not better than engineered formwork system and the formwork cannot use for a llong

period.

(steel and timber formwork)

5

(Timber formwork)

Next, we saw there is a lot of scaffolding in the side. There are using

independent scaffolding. The function of independent scaffolding is a temporary

structure allows person access to a place in order to carry out building operation. It is

also a working platform to do wall construction. The officer told us the reason why they

choose independent scaffold is because it is easier to build compare to dependent

scaffold. It can save time and independent scaffold is able to move to other places. For

dependent scaffold, it actually fixed on the window and not able to move to another

place easily and reuse. Dependent scaffold is also safer compare to dependent

scaffolding. It has four base plates on the floor, which form a square or rectangle to

provide a better support on the ground.

6

7

The officer also told us this building is using grade 40 concrete. Grade 40

concrete is a common grade for every construction. The grade of concrete is basically

the strength of the concrete. Grade 40 concrete is considers as a high strength concrete,

it is strong and able to stand heavy load. However, it is more expensive compare to

lower grade of concrete. It actually has increase the total cost for the building. The

officer said when we choose the grade of concrete, we have to think for several aspects

for example the structure of the building, the reinforcements bar and also the cost of

the concrete. It is possible to have two difference grade of concrete in the one building.

One of the projects he has is using concrete grade 35 for the column and grade 40 for

wall. It can be a request from the employer also. “When a good concrete and a good

reinforcement bar was used, the perfect match will produce strongest strength for the

wall or column” the officer said. It is important to choose the concrete grade match with

the reinforcement bar. If we have to suggest another grade of concrete, I will suggest

grade 30. The reason why there are using grade 40 concrete is to prevent the over

design of engineer and architecture. Actually grade 30 concrete is good enough for this

building structure. After that, we are able to walk around the site and take photo of the

surrounding. We saw there is a lot of building materials place at the side, walls and

columns without finishing. It was totally difference from what we study in the book. It

actually give us a clear images of what we studying and real life experience. We are able

to ask question freely to the officer.

(Q&A section)

8

(Surrounding)

(Surrounding)

9

(building materials)

(beams)

10

(Stairs)

(Power generator)

11

(reinforcement bars)

(walls)

12

When we finish visit the inner part of building, the officer bring us to the outdoor.

It was really a mess. We saw a lot of steel bars, reinforcement bars and other materials

place beside the road. All the materials they use to build the building were there. We

also saw few heavy machines there. It is to use to carry the material to the top of the

building. Unfortunately we are not able to visit other floor because it is too dangerous

for us. The officer explains each of the material to use the function and detail of the

material for example the length and diameter of the bar. By the way he explains, we can

know that he is very experience officer. We are allowed to take photo of the materials

of the material and surrounding. Beside that, we saw some workers were bending the

steel bars using the bending machine. By using the bending machine, they are able to

bend it to the shape they want. After that, we finish our site visit.

(Outdoor surrounding)

13

(materials)

14

15

(Heavy machine)

16

(Reinforcement bars)

17

Learning outcome / Conclusion

In the site visit, I enjoyed myself and gained a lot of experience and knowledge.

This site visit gave us a real life experience, what we cannot see in the book. It actually

gave us a better understanding and let us know how a construction is progress. This visit

also gave a opportunity to approach the site worker an also officer. We able to gain

more real life experience from the workers. Throughout this activity, we have a clearer

vision of what we going to do in the future and the challenges we will face. It actually is

a good preparation for us.

In a construction area, safety is the main issue we concern about. When we

enter a construction area, we should follow the safety step. We have to wear helmet,

proper shoe and uniform. All these are to avoid injury and to protect ourselves. We

should be alert in the construction area, more careful to prevent hurt. Evert activity we

carry in the site should follow the safety guide.

Next, this site visit gave us a clearer image of what we will do in the future. It is a

good preparation for us. Through this real life experience, we have a better

understanding of the building structures for example beam, column, slab, wall and so on.

It actually helps us to give better answers in the exam and out study.

While walked around the side, we saw how worker bending the steel bar, doing

formwork and so on. All this work required a lot of knowledge and skills to carry out. It

might look easy but it is not. We also saw a lot of building materials and machines at the

side, is actually look the same. Without knowledge we are not able to differentiate

those materials and its functions. Hence we should pay more attention in out lecturer

class and study hard for our future.