Course material

1. Answer: Part One 1) What is the difference between dead
Answer:
Part One
1) What is the difference between dead loads and live loads? Give at least five (5) examples
of each.
Dead Load: The dead load includes loads that are relatively constant over time, including
the weight of the structure itself, and immovable fixtures such as walls, plasterboard or
carpet. The roof is also a dead load. Dead loads are also known as permanent or static loads.
E.g.: wall loads, Roof loads, Window loads, floor load, and tiles load.
Live Load: Live loads are the weights of people, furniture, supplies, machines, stores, and so
on, borne by the building during its use and occupancy. The loads of small or movable
pieces of equipment are considered as live loads, but equipment that belongs to the building
and is fixed and heavy is regarded as dead load. E.g.: furniture, air conditioner, movement of
people, people, supplies, machines and etc.
The major difference between live loads and dead loads is: Dead loads can be calculated
accurately as they are constant but the live loads cannot be calculated exactly.
2) Calculate the dead load exerted by a 13mm Gypsum plaster board sheets that are fixed to
a wall which is 5m wide and 3m in height.
Show your working.
Total sqm = (5 x 3) =15sqm
Weight / unit area N/m2 = 15 x 220 = 3300 N/M2
= 3.3 KN
3) Calculate the expected live load on a column which supports 15sqm of floor in a retail
shop.
Show your working.
Live load for Retail shop = 5.0 Kn/m2

2. Expected live load on a column of 15sqm = 15 x 5.0 = 75Kn/M2
4) Give three (3) examples during mixing and pouring of concrete which can decrease the
strength properties of concrete.
Cement and water ratio can decrease the strength of concrete
Compaction of concrete
Temperature and weather when concreate is poured.
5) It is proposed that a medium masonry residential building of 15m in height will be
demolished on a small site. The building is suspected of containing asbestos and lead paint.
Consider each point below and explain the main requirements and considerations to be
followed for each area:
Who you will engage to undertake the work and why? Consider nsw licensing requirements.
What should be the sequencing of works?
How will the presence of hazardous materials be addressed?
What is the requirement for hoardings?
What services are required on site?
What other aspects relevant to the demolition work must be complied with before
proceeding with the work?
Prepare Your Response In A Word Document
Demolition will be done by engaging Licensed demolisher. And require license person who
can handle asbestos. Qualified person who can handle lead paint.
Sequence of work:
Obtain Construction certificate for Demolition
· Get the building vacated
· Disconnect Power & Gas
· Site Establishment by putting temporary fence, Shade cloth over fence,
Sediment fence
· Remove any existing lead and asbestos.
· Get demolition started as per approved conditions.
Hazardous Material will be isolated and separated during demolition work. Asbestos will be
packed in bags and disposed at asbestos centres
Put up the board showing the work timings, Safety instruction board outside fence, SWMS
to be maintained onsite.
Water, temporary toilet facility and power is the most important service to be required
onsite during demolition.
Before proceeding to demolition services like gas and electricity should be disconnected.
Construction certificate for demolition should be obtained. If any trees need to be protected

3. than they should be covered or make safe by temporary fence.
Demolition plan
6) Pick a retaining wall system from the list below and identify, via a diagram, all the forces
exerted on the wall and the resisting forces of the wall.
Gravity Retaining Wall
Cantilever Retaining Wall
Piling Retaining Wall
Anchored Wall
Draw the wall on a blank piece of paper, identify all of the forces exerted on the wall and
upload a scanned copy of your drawing below.
7) In accordance with Australian Standards, provide a methodology for a concrete slump
test.
What constitutes a pass or a fail and what rectification steps must be taken in the event of a
test fail?
Give a brief of slump test
8) Explain how excessive water in a concrete mix can compromise the structural integrity of
concrete.
In your response, provide two (2) examples of how the risks of excess water in concrete can
be avoided on site.
Monitor the pour & don’t allow concrete truck or pump guy to put water
9) Explain why it is important that concrete cures correctly.
How can you ensure a concrete slab is allowed to cure appropriately?
In your response, refer to relevant standards.
It will get right strength quicker, avoid shrinkage cracks.
10) What is “consolidation” in a concrete pour?
Explain its importance and methods for how the concrete should be consolidated.
It doesn’t allow segregation of material and mixes thoroughly and avoids air pockets

4. 11) Explain the purpose and required positioning of joints in masonry construction.
Allows for movement, avoids cracking, expansion and contractions. Change of material, long
distance
12) How should a tilt up concrete panel be supported immediately after it is erected?
Diagonally bracing it at 45deg. At minimum two bracing per panel and can’t be out 90deg
Part Two
1)
The factors to consider when planning the forming and storing of concrete tilt up panels are
location, site limitations, schedule, budget, structure, building size, and construction
sequencing.
2)
Structural Integrity of Footings
Action I Take
NCC/BCA Code
Accepted Principles
Construction
Slab and footing construction

5. AS 2870
Concrete slabs
Retaining walls
Positioning of steel reinforcement
Footing widths and depths
Stiffening beams
3
Damp Coursing and Termite Barriers
Action I Take
NCC/BCA Code
Accepted Principles
Construction

6. Concrete slabbing and damp proofing
AS/NZS 2904: 1995
AS 3660.1: 2014
Concrete slabs
Damp proof course
Construction of concrete slabs to prevent termites and dap proof courses to prevent
damping
4)
Structural Integrity of Slabs, Bearers and Joists
Action I Take
NCC/BCA Code
Accepted Principles
Construction

7. Concrete
AS 1684
Shear wall
Wind bracing
Columns
Beams
Concrete slabs
Construction of beams, columns, wind bracing, shear wall and slabs to bear weight of dead
and live loads
5)
Structural Integrity of Floor Systems
Action I Take
NCC/BCA Code
Accepted Principles
Construction

8. Concrete and damping compound
AS 2870
Retaining walls
Concrete slabs
Damp proofing
Construction of retaining walls to prevent lateral pressure from soil and, damp proofing to
prevent damping.
6)
Structural Materials
Term
Definition
Accommodating Behaviours

9. Stress
Refers to force per unit area within a material that comes from external forces
Use of composites with good tensile and compressional strengths
Strain
Refers to the ratio of elongation to the original length as a result of an external force
Introduction of movement joints at the design stage.
Elasticity
The property of material to return to its original shape and size when strain/force is
removed.
Use of materials with big elastic limits
7)
Prestressing refers to the process of compressing concrete prior to application of external
load.
8)

10. The procedure for ensuring the quality of structural frames is as follows:
Check for the fabricator’s qualification and experience
Check the material being used
The equipment used in the fabrication process must meet the required standards
Finally, take the measurements of the steel parts to see if they meet the measurements in
the design
9)
The following procedure helps in ensuring quality of roof trusses
Check the truss layout plan
Cross-check the manufacturer’s specifications for lateral stability, tie-downs, and bracings
Check the roof truss certification
Assess whether the supporting structure is adequate
Check if the overall length and width of wall as well as dimension of wall fit the roof truss
Check for the availability of girder trusses support
Check for spacings and plumb
Check for all fixings and tie-downs
Check for location of specialized trusses
Ensure trusses have not been modified or adjusted on-site
Check for eave overhangs
Check for trimming to manhole
10)
Structural Integrity of Cladding
Action I Take
NCC/BCA Code
Accepted Principles

11. Construction
Cladding
BCGBC4010A
Structural bracing
External walls are clad so that the cladding material acting in tension connects the bottom
and top plates to provide tie-down.
11)
Standard Controls
Hazards
Standard Control Measures
Work at Heights
All activities involving heights of 2 m and higher must be performed using fall protection

12. equipment in accordance with workplace safety standards Act 2005.
Working with Asbestos
All activities related to asbestos exposure must be conducted in strict compliance with the
code of practice for safe removal of asbestos [NOHSC:2005] and WHS regulation 419
Working with scaffolding
All activities involving use of scaffolding must be conducted with aid of fall protection
equipment in accordance with work safety standards Act 2005
Workplace Project
1)
The site is in the shape of a rectangle measuring 135 m * 40 m. It is enclosed by roads on the
south-west and northwest sides. On the remaining sides are multistorey residential
apartments. Currently, the site has four 3-stoeyr unoccupied residential buildings. In front
of the buildings is a large open parking lot.
According to Sydney 1:100000 Geological Series Sheet, the soil underlying the site is the
dark grey Ashfield Shale. However, the site is nearby a geological boundary with
Hawkesbury Sandstone, comprising a medium grained quartz with minor layers of laminite
and shale.
The excavations will be supported due to the low strength of the sandstone until
construction of permanent basement walls is complete. Shoring support will be used from
the surface of ground to the consistent high strength rock. However, in some locations like
the south western side of the site where the high strength rock is shallow, temporary
batters OF 1.5H: 1V may be adopted instead of shoring.
In addition, soldier piles with in-fills of reinforced shotcrete panels would be used at 2 m

13. centres and be socketed into the sandstone.
2)
A damp proof course is a system that helps prevent a building from dampness and its
related effects. A damp proof course is laid on top of the ground adjoining the building’s
plinth level in the wall’s entire width. The thickness of the medium rose building visited was
20 mm.
Prior to installing a damp proof course, the brick work must reach the plinth level. The
damp proof is prepared by mixing a damp proofing compound with sand and cement (2:1)
with sufficient amount of water. Once the mixture is ready, it is laid in the full breadth of the
brick underneath it. The thickness of the damp proof layer was kept at 2.5 cm, which is the
recommended thickness. After installation, the course is cured for 7 days, dried, and then
coated with a layer of coal tar.
The damp proof course for the medium rise building showed robustness since there were
no potential weak spots where penetration could occur later. This robustness was
attributed to the strict adherence of Australian standards for laying of a damp proof course.
3)
The type of services assessed in the medium rise building under review include energy
distribution system, lighting, control systems of the building, alarm and security systems,
ICT networks, energy supply, plumbing, drainage and water systems, and fire safety system.
Building services perform an integral role in a building’s design, not only in terms of
strategies to be achieved, but also in standards to be met. Thus, the design of the building
services will be integrated into the building’s overall design at an early stage.
To protect the building’s services from clashing with other components of the building, such
software and techniques as 3D CAD and BIM will be used. These clashes if not prevented
can lead to variations and delays on site. In addition, these building services will be
necessary for fulfilment of various Australian Standards and building codes such as AS 2436
for noise control.
Construction Portfolio Of Evidence
The building is a two-storey class 2 building that would be erected in accordance with all
the relevant Australian Standards and Building Codes.
In addition a cantilever retaining wall will be built to hold back soil. The wall will rest on the
foundation slab. The foundation slab being loaded by backfill, it will stabilize the wall and

14. prevent it from sliding and overturning.
1 Demolition Portfolio Of Evidence
a)
Prior to commencement of demolition works, legislative requirements must be fulfilled.
First, the AS 2601 demolition of structures act must be complied with. Secondly, the
building regulations applicable to the Australian Codes of practice and Standards must be
met. These regulations include OH&S code of demolition practice, OH&S code of
construction and building workplaces practice, OH&S Asbestos regulations, and AS 2436 for
noise control guide.
b)
The three provisions for safety are:
OH&S Asbestos regulations
AS 2436 for noise control guide
OH&S Asbestos regulations
c)
The structural design and structural principles of buildings are integral factors to consider
during demolition. For instance, removal of prestressed concrete can be done manually or
by mechanical demolition. Similarly, non-load bearing walls can be removed manually or by
mechanical means. Also, adjoining walls are only demolished by hand and not by any other
means to protect the immediate environment and the adjoining buildings.
d)
The building being under demolition was a low-rise building of 30 metres in height.