This document provides information about the construction project of a bungalow house in Penang, Malaysia. It includes: 1. An introduction outlining the objectives and structure of the document. 2. Details of the existing foundation (pile foundation), slab (suspended slab), and roof (hip and valley roof) used in the project. 3. Analysis and comparison of alternative options to replace the existing foundation (pad foundation), slab (waffle slab), and roof (gable roof) and an explanation of why the selected alternatives were chosen.

1. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
BACHELOR OF QUANTITY SURVEYING (HONOURS)
Construction Technology 1 (QSB 1514 / BLD60104)
Submission Date: 18 June 2014
Group Members
: Moy Chin Hoong 0314014
: Khor Seem Leng 0315208
: Vivian Tan Fui Vun 0318270
: Cassandra Wong Xin Yue 0313365
: Muhammad Haziq bin Hj Zariful 0314131

2. Table of Content
Content Page
Introduction 1
1) Photos & Drawings 2
2i) Type of foundation 15
2ii) Type of slab 18
2iii) Type of roof 21
3i) Alternative for foundation 22
3ii) Alternative for slab 24
3iii) Alternative for roof 26
References 30

3. Introduction
Our group has chosen a bungalow house as the object of study in this assignment.
The building is situated in Penang. This assignment consists of three parts. Part I includes
the plans of the type of building we studied; Part II consists of more detailed information
regarding to the building, which includes the identification and illustration of types of
foundation, slab and roof of the building in this project; Part III shows the comparison of
the existing type of foundation, slab and roof with another two alternatives respectively,
from which we choose one suitable option to replace the existing ones. This assignment
has given us an opportunity to learn and do more research regarding to construction,
exposing ourselves to the construction industry and gaining more ideas on the foundation,
slab and roof of various building constructions.
1 |

4. 14 |

5. 2i) TYPE OF FOUNDATION
Foundation is the base, which a building is built on. Its purpose is to support the building
by transferring the load from the building down to the soil below the ground. There are
two categories of foundation such as shallow foundation and deep foundation.
Shallow foundation:
- Not deep, normally a meter below the ground.
- Transfer the load to the soil below the ground at a point, which near to the ground
floor of the building.
- Examples are strip foundation, raft foundation.
Deep foundation:
- Deep into the ground, usually used for multi-storey building.
- Transfer the load of the building to a deeper layer of soil, which has a higher
bearing capacity.
- Example is pile foundation.
There are 5 basic types of foundation such as strip foundation, trench foundation, raft
foundation, pile foundation and pad foundation.
Strip foundation:
- Continuous strip of concrete provides a continuous ground bearing under the load
bearing walls
Trench foundation:
- More economical than strip foundation
- More in shrinkable clay soil
- Greater resistance
- Time saving due to fast completion with concrete trench fill
15 |

6. Raft foundation:
- Expensive
- Act as a single unit, usually used when the structures of the building are close
together
Pile foundation:
- The piles used normally are produced by timber, steel or concrete.
- Common length of 3m, 6m or 12m.
- Pile cap connects piles together and distributes the load evenly
- Square pile is used normally because it is more economical compared to spun
pile.
Pad foundation:
- Usually in square shape due to low cost
- Supports and transmits load from piers and columns
The foundation used for this building is a pile foundation, which is
also a deep foundation. Pile foundation is the combination of piles
and pile caps. The pile caps gather the loads transferred from the
columns of the building and then distribute the loads evenly to the
piles and finally to the soils. There are a total of 15 pile caps (4
units of pile cap that only consists of 1 pile; 9 units of pile cap that
consists of 2 piles; 2 units of pile cap that consists of 3 piles) in the
foundation of this building as shown in the drawing.
The pile foundation chosen is an end bearing pile. The
shaft of end bearing pile passes through the soft deposit
until it reaches and rests on a hard surface or bedrock.
While, the friction pile requires to be embedded in solid
and firm soil. The pile gains its support from the skin
The excavation site
16 |
The piles (2 piles)

7. friction between the soil and the shaft. As the soil at the proposed site is soft and not
sticky, therefore end-bearing pile is used.
There are few reasons why the pile foundation is
used as the foundation of this building. First, the
original soil at the proposed site is compressible.
It is too weak to provide enough energy to support
the load of the whole building. Since the building
is a double-storey bungalow plus the condition of
the soil is weak and compressible, so it would be
better to use pile foundation in order to provide a
strong base to support the load of building.
Besides, a deep foundation is used because of the
poor bearing capacity of shallow foundation, which unable to support the whole
superstructure loads.
The formwork for pile cap
17 |

8. 2ii) TYPE OF SLAB
Slab is a flat piece of concrete, typically used as a walking surface, but may also serve as
a load bearing device as in slab homes.
Function of slab:
 Provide a flat surface
 Support load
 Sound, heat and fire insulator
 Act as a divider for the occupants
 Space between slab and ceiling can be used to place building facilities
Type of Slab
The type of slab used in ground floor and first floor level of our project is suspended slab.
A suspended concrete slab is a floor slab where its perimeter is, or at least two of its
opposite edges are, supported on walls, beams or columns that carry its self-weight and
imposed loading. Suspended slabs are not in direct contact with the ground. They are
made of concrete and steel mesh, which are normally pre-fabricated offsite.
Suspended slabs are commonly used to create floors for the upper storeys of houses, but
can also be sat on top of pre-constructed walls to form a ground floor. The bungalow in
this project is built on a small hill and suspended slabs are used as they exert stability on
ground level in hilly terrain.
18 |

9. 2iii) TYPE OF ROOF
HIP ROOF
Hip roof, also called hipped roof, roof that slopes upward from all sides of a structure,
connecting the walls of the building, having no vertical ends. Trusses are found in the
interior of the roof, designed with short ridge boards, having several types of rafters: hip
rafters, jack rafters & common rafters.
19 |

10. There are many different variations on the basic 'hip roof' design, created
mostly to suit different styles of house.
Hip and Valley Roof
Hip
Roof
HIP AND
VALLEY- The hips
and valleys on a hip
and valley roof
describe the points
where the different
parts of the roof meet.
BROKEN HIP AND
VALLEY - Almost the
same as a hip and valley
roof, except that the roof is
not level - some ridges and
points are higher than
others.
BELCOTE- has a
verandah attached that
runs all the way around
its perimeter.
20 |

11. The type of roof being used in our project is hip and valley roof .
A hip & valley roof is simply a modified or extended hip roof. The shape and pitch of the
surfaces are basically the same. The hip & valley roof has an additional ridge, which
joins the main roof ridge at the same height, which creates a single valley for an ‘L’
shaped roof. It may also join the roof surface at the same height or at a lower level on a
side or end, without connection to a hip, creating two valleys for a ‘T’ shaped roof.
21 |

12. 3i) ALTERNATIVE FOR
FOUNDATION
Definition
Pad foundation is defined as a type of shallow foundation with a thick slab type
foundation used to support a structure or a piece of equipment. It is used to support a
point load such as columns or framed structures. They may be circular, square or
rectangle and consists of a block or slab of the thickness. The pad foundation may be
stepped or hunched if they are required to spread the load from a heavy column. The pads
are usually shallow but deep ones can be found depending on the structure.
Trench foundation is defined as a type of foundation that uses loose stone or rubble to
minimize the use of concrete and improve drainage. A foundation must bear the structural
loads imposed upon it and allow proper drainage of ground water to prevent expansion or
weakening of soils and frost heaving. While the far more common concrete foundation
requires separate measures to insure good soil drainage, the rubble trench foundation
serves both foundations at once.
Advantages of Pad Foundation
- Cost is affordable
- Construction procedure is simple
- Mostly concrete
- Labor does not need expertise
Disadvantages of Pad Foundation
- Settlement
- Limit capacity soil structure
Advantages of Trench Foundation
- Cost is cheaper
- Uses lose stones or rubble to minimize the use of concrete and improve damages
Disadvantages of Trench Foundation
- Needs to be in well-drained soil where the water table is below the bottom of the
rubble trench.
Cost
For pad foundation, the cost of the finished structure may cost a little more than trench
foundation. The reason for this is because in trench foundation, lose stones and rubble are
Trench Foundation
22 |

13. used instead of 100% concrete. In pad foundation, mostly concrete is used and hence, the
price is a little more than trench foundation.
Thickness & Types of Foundation
For thickness, trench foundation is definitely thicker
than pad foundation. In pad foundation, a thick gravel
pad that is significantly wider than the house itself is
used to stabilize the ground and spread building loads.
As for trench, a deeper foundation provides greater
resistance to fracture from unequal settlement. There
are four types of pad foundation; mass, hunched,
reinforced and stepped. For trench foundation, there
are two types, concrete and rubble.
Soil Condition
In pad foundation, the soil on it must be able to resist the loads from the foundation with
equal and opposite forces. The soil therefore needs to have enough compressive strength
and shear strength to prevent contraction and sliding within the soil. In trench foundation,
soil with poor load bearing are not suitable for this kind of foundation, but it is suitable
for poor quality sands and sandy slits.
Types of foundation Pad foundation Trench Foundation
Cost Affordable Cost lesser
Size/thickness Wide & Shallow Wide & Thick
Soil Condition Must be strong enough to
withstand strength
Used in poor conditioned soil
Conclusion
In our opinion and based on all the points, pad foundation is more suitable to replace pile
cap because the price is affordable, the size is thick and shallow and is suitable for
housing area. In addition, pad foundation is used because the original soil at the proposed
site is compressible to provide enough support for the load transferred from the whole
building and therefore trench foundation cannot be used. Conclusion, pad foundation is
chosen to replace pile cap.
Types of Pad Foundation
23 |

14. 3ii) ALTERNATIVE FOR SLAB
Suspended Slab
Advantages
 Can be used where other slabs can't - for example, on steeply sloping terrain
 Allows access to under-floor areas
 Relatively easy to install once the supports and machinery are in place
 More effective than bearer / joist sub-floors in blocking out noise from upper
floors
Disadvantages
 Requires crane access
 Not as well insulated as a ground slab, as the base doesn't touch the ground
Non-suspended Slab
Definition
Non-suspended slabs are primarily made of concrete, though other materials like steel
mesh or rebar are also incorporated to add strength. These foundations are generally used
to support heavier building materials like brick and steel. They are suitable to be used on
stable ground with presence of sand and rock, which is not affected by moisture. These
ground slabs can also be used on sites with slightly reactive soil.
Advantages
 Extremely durable and hard base for a floor
 Typically well insulated, because the underside of the floor is not exposed
 No maintenance needed once the concrete has cured
Disadvantages
 Impossible to access piping once the slab has cured
 Cracks can cause major structural damage, and may be un-repairable
 Might create unwanted noise
24 |

15. Waffle Slab
Definition
A waffle slab is a type of building material that has two-directional reinforcement on the
outside of the material, giving it the shape of the pockets on a waffle. These slabs are
used as the foundation for many different types of buildings and structures, but are most
common in commercial or industrial buildings. Waffle foundations are resistant to
cracking and sagging and can hold a much greater amount of weight than traditional
concrete slabs.
Advantages
 Less concrete and reinforcement
required
 Reduce cost by reducing the number of
beams and columns required
 Strong, lightweight moulds, capable of
supporting all the normal loads
encountered in building works
 Use prefabricated standard forms
Disadvantages
 More time is needed when creating
forms
 Difficult to lay rebars and connect them to beams
Recommendation
From the above information, the alternative chosen to replace the existing type of slab is
the waffle slab. The waffle pod slab design gives a better way to build slabs using higher
accuracy when it comes to the different concrete specifications. The system also aids in
the reduction of waste during the production because it has minimal, if any, harmful
effects to the surroundings. This particular design uses less soil disturbance in
comparison to other designs. One of the advantages of the waffle slab that attracts
contractors, property owners, and construction firms is the reduced cost that comes with
it. The waffle slab design is basically the use of concrete slabs which are placed on the
ground. These are arranged in a sort of pattern that forms a grid, hence the impression of
looking like a waffle
25 |

16. 3iii) ALTERNATIVE FOR ROOF
Installation
One of the biggest advantages of a gable roof is that they are relatively simple and
economical to build. Gable roofs have two faces, whereas hip roofs have four & gable
roofs are designed with two sets of parallel rafters attached to the trusses, meeting at the
ridge board while a hip roof is designed with a shorter ridge board, and has several types
of rafters. Due to the above, constructing hip roofs involves more construction &
knowledge than gable roof. Both roof types require precise measurement, cuts and
installation, but hip roofs have more elements that can go wrong.
An advantage of installing rubber flat roof is, instead
of individually placing shingles in addition to the
construction of trusses or support under the roofs like
hip roofs, large measured & cut rubber rolls are used
after cleaning the surface, making it quicker to install,
however, rubber roofs in general needs to be installed
by a professional with experience, which can be
difficult to find and costly.
Space
The design of a gable roof allows for
extra living space above the home's top
floor compared to a hip roof on the same
plan. Gables are typically constructed for
use as an attic, although they can be
transformed into extra living space. The
extra space can also help with access for
the maintenance of the roof.
Unlike its sloped counterparts, rubber flat roofs
allows the building to have plenty of usable outdoor
area on top, giving space for many useful &
beneficial assets, mostly irretrievable even through
Installation of Rubber membrane
Comparison of space under roof between Hip & Gable
26 |
Solar panels & Gardens atop a flat roof

17. the use of gable roofs, such as outdoor patios, gardens, water storage tanks, vents or even
solar panels. The shape of the roof also allows the convenience of maintenance by just
climbing up to inspect the roof.
Cost
One of the main advantages to having a gable roof is its cost. The fact
that gabled roofs are easy to build and are popular roofs on the market
has created competition that have helped drive the cost of these roofs
down, making them more affordable than most other types. Because a
hip roof has a more complex structure, a contractor will spend more
time constructing it. This is why a hip roof is more expensive than a
gable roof.
In addition to the raise of cost through employing an expert for installation, the rubber
flat roof is expensive compared to other materials such as modified bitumen. Despite
that, an expert can finish installation quickly, reducing construction cost compared to hip
roofs, while using the more pricey light-colored rubber, which reflects heat, would reduce
cooling/heating costs. Furthermore, replacement of the roof takes 30-50 years & along
with its stability, repair is done simply.
Suitability & Durability
While gable roofs can facilitate water shedding ability and
snow load protection better than hip roofs by using their
steeper slope, it is weak however, in wind protection &
strength. A hipped roof has greater strength and durability than
a gabled roof because of its aerodynamic design, having fewer
sharp corners and a shallower slope; it can withstand
earthquakes & windstorms. On the other hand, the design of
the gabled roof allows the wind to flow under it, which can
make the roof literally peel off.
Contrary to popular belief, flat roofs do not have bad drainage, just not as good as sloped
roofs. Moreover, it can be suitable to the heat of Malaysia when using light-colored
rubber membrane for the roof, as it reflects the heat, also acting as an insulator in the
Gable roof with similarshape as the house
27 |

18. cold. Leakage is a very common problem flat roof
owners face but because the large rubber rolls have
no seams and are very durable in extreme weather,
the chances of leaks and cracks are extremely low
& when leaks do come, they are easy to patch. The
material is also highly resistant to scuffs and tears.
Appearance
Gable roofs differ greatly in look from hip roofs. Gable
roofs allow for fully exposed sides, while hip roofs sit atop the boxed structure, revealing
the same amount of siding on all sides. This helps the hip roof however, to provide
installation of gutters around the perimeter of the house. Yet, the exposed side of the
gable can provide windows for the extra room or a dormer room.
In contrast to gable roofs, rubber flat roofs offer a more drastic change in appearance.
Flat roofing consists of a horizontal base which is fixed to the ceiling joists underneath
with a waterproof membrane applied on top whereas sloped roofs uses shingles with a
vertical rise, a slope, meeting the sides of the structure. Flat roofs also give an appealing
appearance, as mentioned before, the use of a rooftop garden or patio can boost the
aesthetics, compared to sloped roofs that cannot hold such assets.
The beneficial layers of a rubber flat roof
28 |

19. Verdict & Recommendation
It is recommended, in an environment such as Malaysia, where sunny days are hot &
rainy days are cold, that EPDM flat roof would be the better roof alternative for the
building, economically, aesthetically & environmentally better. One of the justifications
being the ease of installation; which would result in a lower construction cost, despite the
extra for the need of an expert, also lowering cost in the long run for maintenance due to
its durability. Its ability to reflect & insulate heat can benefit the owner during the hot
sunny & cold rainy days respectively. The house is located in a residential area, so there
are no areas for gardens & patios, flat roofs offer the space needed to place them, also
boosting aesthetical value when reselling or renting.
Hip & Valley Roof Gable & Valley Roof EPDM Rubber Flat Roof
Installation Involves more construction
& knowledge
Simpler & more economical to
build
Uses rubber rolls & quicker
to install
Space Trusses structures under the
roof, can contain chimneys
Extra space for attic or extra
room & access for
maintenance
Can place beneficial objects
that settle on flat surfaces
Cost Complex structure & more
construction time causes
costly price
Reduced price due to
popularity & easy construction
Costly at first, but beneficial
in the long run
Durability Design causes wind
protection & strength,
arguably the best among
roofs
Very unsuited to windy areas
due to design, which can peel
off the roof
Rubber layer makes it durable
for extreme weather,scruffs,
tears & leakage
Suitability
(To environment
of original
house)
Decent rain runoff ability,
longer eaves for shading.
Steep slope makes it the best
among roofs for water runoff
Heat absorption & insulation,
suitable for Malaysia’s dry &
wet seasons
Appearance Roof connects with walls &
has 4 slopes, allowing use of
gutters
Fully exposing 2 sides
allowing extra room hence
allows extra windows
Horizontal base & appealing
looks when patio & gardens
are placed
29 |

20. References
 Pendergast,M. (2008). The Advantages ofa Hip Roof Top | eHow. eHow. Retrieved 17 June
2014, from http://www.ehow.com/info_12047399_advantages-hip-roof-top.html
 Haring, B. (2014). Difference Between the Gable Roof & the Hip Roof Styles | eHow. eHow.
Retrieved 17 June 2014, from http://www.ehow.com/info_7816317_difference-roof-hip-roof-
styles.html
 BUILD,. (2012). Hip roof. Retrieved 14 March 2012, from http://www.build.com.au/hip-roof
 Pendergast,M. (2008). The Advantages ofa Hip Roof Top | eHow. eHow. Retrieved 17 June
2014, from http://www.ehow.com/info_12047399_advantages-hip-roof-top.html
 Mustknowhow.com,. (2014). ➤Gable Roofs Vs Hip Roofs. Retrieved 13 June 2014, from
http://www.mustknowhow.com/tag/gable-roofs-vs-hip-roofs
 Homeimprovementeducator.com,. (2011). Find Out How Much A Gable Roof Costs. A Gable
Roof Buying Guide. Retrieved 14 March 2010, from
http://www.homeimprovementeducator.com/roofing/gable-roofs.html
 Doityourself.com,. (2001). Pros and Cons of EPDM Rubber Roofing | DoItYourself.com.
Retrieved 17 March 2014, from http://www.doityourself.com/stry/pros-and-cons-of-epdm-rubber-
roofing#.U5vc7V7DUxI
 Ltd, M. (2013). Advantages &Disadvantages of Pitched & Flat Roofing - Morgan Asphalte
News.Morgan Asphalte News. Retrieved 17 June 2013, from
http://www.morganasphalte.co.uk/news/advantages-disadvantages-pitched-flat-roofing/
 Home Guides | SF Gate,. (2001). Advantages &Disadvantages ofa Flat-Roofed Porch. Retrieved
17 June 2014, from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/advantages-disadvantages-flat-roofed-porch-
6735.html
 Jackson, R. (1998). HowStuffWorks "Installing Rubber Roofs". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 17
June 2014, from http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-
improvement/construction/materials/rubber-roofs1.htm
 Houzz.com,. (2002). Latest From Houzz. Retrieved 17 June 2014, from
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/query/hip-and-valley-roof
 Selfhelpandmore.com,. (2005). Roofing Designs: Advantages and Disadvantages ofHip Roofs.
Retrieved 17 June 2014, from
http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/building/roofing/designs/index.php
 Home Guides | SF Gate,. (2008). Advantages &Disadvantages ofa Flat-Roofed Porch. Retrieved
17 June 2014, from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/advantages-disadvantages-flat-roofed-porch-
6735.html
 Livingspace360.com,. (1999). Gabled Roofs Advantages ofGabled Roofs Disadvantages of
Gabled Roofs by Martie Lownsberry | Living Space 360. Retrieved 17 June 2014, from
http://www.livingspace360.com/index.php/gabled-roofs-advantages-of-gabled-roofs-
disadvantages-of-gabled-roofs-21227/
30 |