Construction and Maintenance Building, Substructures and Superstructures - Term Paper Example

Name of the student) (Course Tittle) (Name of the professor) (Date of submission) 1.0 Introduction Dilapidation survey can be defined as the process of identifying and recording defects in the building through the means of digital documentation and photographic before the start of its conservation work (Grober, 1999). Building conservators normally carry out the dilapidation work. It normally requires in-depth analysis of the most possible causes and methodology which can be used in the repair and maintenance of the building (Hansen, 2002). In this case, there are several defects and include, a) Foundations which are unstable The most important part of the building is the foundation of any building since they help in the distribution of load from the walls, roof and the floor below the earth (John, 2010). They are usually structurally important, and in case of any defect in them, then it is pointless to investigate on the superficial work restoration. Problem with foundation may lead to unstable building structure which is very much unsafe for the tenants (Hansen, 2002). Reasons of unstable foundation include dampness penetration, shrinking clay soil and water that may start decaying walls and foundation. Poor foundation may also occur due to traffic vibration and deteriorating building materials (John, 2010). b) Poor installation of air condition The building constructed with poor or without air-conditioning systems. c) Harmful growth and Fungus stain A careful analysis of the building shows growth of mould and some fungal stains on the walls. High moisture content in the wall causes fungal since they do well in highly humid environment and as a result of lack of ventilation. The dangerous growth for the building identified includes creeping and ivy plants which are growing both in the wall, gutters and roof of the building. It happens as a result of penetration of dirt through small openings into the mortar joints and wall forming suitable grounds for seeds to germinate and grow (Grober, 1999). The roots of these plants have grown deep into the wall causing deep cracks and water holes. d) Mortar Joints Erosion Mortar joints functions as an even out irregularities of blocks, bricks and stones. Erosion of mortar joints in this building mostly caused by the salt crystallization, the disintegrating effects of the walls by plants, scouring action of winds and penetration of water which causes dampness The decayed mortar in the building can easily be removed through a mechanical disc or the contractors can remove it manually using spike or sharp knife (Detzner, 2009). e) Peeling Paint The painted walls of the building, columns and parts exposed to rain and dampness shows paint which are peeling off. The chalkiness of the walls and the degree of the wrinkled and blistered caused by the rain, sun and constant wind the house is receiving from time to time. Some types of paints to be applied on the walls include lime wash, oil-based and bituminous (Hansen, 2002). Different types of paints applied on the wall normally require different methods of removal since many layers of different paints contained in the wall; different methods of removal be applied to remove them (Hansen, 2002). 2.0 Structural options and forms Two major options or structural forms can be used in the construction of the office building. Firstly is the concrete structural for and the second one is the steel structural format (Grober, 1999).. Office building will take steel structure because of low cost while residential house and the warehouse will take concrete structural form. Since office contain major documents and needs a lot of security, steel structural form is the best used since is more prestigious, has high heat resistance up to 90o and cost effectiveness. The steel option has a high degree of flexibility and expansion room compared to other materials (Detzner, 2009). Warehouse and residential building structures constructed using concrete due to the nature of finishing required and the use of the house. Some of the general finishing specification for the owner house includes sewerage system, heating system, wiring and air conditioning according to the rules and regulation. Fan coil units (FCUs) do provide the most flexible cooling medium, but the maintenance cost is high and running cost. Any new electrical installation intended to suit the occupiers' needs for twenty years or more. Induction units combined air and water systems placed within the housed walls will help in heat and cold reduction (Detzner, 2009). “. Supply made with centrally conditioned air, which, by use of nozzles, entrains a proportion of room air. The structural sketch shown below: (Source: Hamburg Project, 2009 Pg47) Figure 1 structural Sketch 3.0 Roof Structure There are several roof types and clads which can be used in the development of the houses. Traditionally, there are three types of roof types, they include: Single roofs used in the proprietor and warehouse. Figure 2 Single House Roof Structure (Source: Australian archive: 2010 Pg.38) Double roofs. Trussed roofs In the current structure like the office building, the roof structure used is the trussed roof tops Figure 3: Roof Top Structure (Source: Hamburg Project, 2009, Pg. 49) The structure above shows the roof top structure for the office building with a clear indication and demarcation on how it will be fixed. In most cases when determining the lengths and bevels of the rafters, it is preferred to be looked at them on a single line basis instead of looking rafters with certain width and thickness. The section of the roof s can be set out to scale. In case the section has been set out, the length of the common rafter can be determined by drawing the rise and the span as a right angle joined together by the hypotenuse which will determine the slope of the roof. Resources to be used here include steel, iron sheet and ball bearing rings for fixed steel since this is the most modern and most appropriates for the modern office structure. Hardwood will be used in the construction of the roof for the proprietor of the business (Grober, 1999). The forms of the roof structures chosen are the most appropriate since they are the modern accepted forms and most suitable with the environment where the buildings are being put on. Normally a space can either be heated by the combustion of fuel directly or through heat transfer. Before choosing the right equipment or method of heating both the office and the warehouse, cost must be taken into consideration. The capital cost, installation cost and maintenance cost must all be considered. When choosing the gadget and method for heating a room, initial capital investment should be easily recoverable through offsetting the reduced energy consumption methods. 4.0 Heating Equipment’s and Appliances Higher (2001) gives examples of hating equipment’s and appliances to be used in houses and offices as gas, Electricity and coal. They are normally considered as secondary heating appliances since they do provide central heating support. They are partly radiant and convective in nature. They are chosen since only one single radiator is capable of emitting up to 15% of its total heat output through radiation, also 85% through convection (Higher, 2001). Hot water radiators to be used can either be single, double or triple paneled. They can be skirting heaters, recessed panels or banks of pipes. During overnight hours, storage heaters and waters will provide energy at a lower unit cost since it only releases heat when needed. The figure bellow shows annoted structure of the heating system of a high building Fig4: Heating system an annotated sketch Figure 3 heating system (Source: Higher still 2001 Pg64) Another heating appliance is electric radiators and they include, Radiant appliances Off-peak storage heaters Radiant ceiling system The merit of using electric radiant includes; It gives high heat output per unit area of panel, neat appearance and can be easily cleans Multiple steel paneled are able to give more heat output per unit area of wall but it is difficult to clean up Cast iron panel are heavy and obtrusive with low heat output but long service performance radiant. Column paneled has high heat content per unit length of floor space, usually on feet and can be difficult to clean. Another type of heating appliance is the convectors which rely on gravity convection current to perform. The skirting heaters in most cases have finned pipes within a metal casing. They are normally light and less obtrusive compared to the taller paneled units (Barbier, and Cox, 2004). Reference Detzner, H.-D. (2009)“The Hamburg Project METHA: Large-Scale Separation, Dewatering, and Reuse of Polluted Sediments”, European Water Pollution Control, Vol. 5, Grober, U (1999). The inverter of sustainable construction process: Germany Hansen, T.C (2002) “Recycling of Demolished Concrete and Masonry”, RILEM Report 6, Chapman and Hall, London. Higher still (2001) Construction Building Services Provision Low-Rise Buildings John. K (2010) Standard Estimating Practice, 8th Edition BNI’s Standard Estimating Practice, 8th Edition is a valuable reference manual for estimating construction project Read More