Part -1: Apply structural principles to the construction of medium rise buildings
ASSESSMENT TASK 1: KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS
1) What is the difference between dead loads and live loads and give at least 5 examples of each.
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.
3) Calculate the expected live load on a column which supports 15sqm of floor in a retail shop.
4) Give three examples during mixing and pouring of concrete which can decrease the strength properties of concrete.
5) What is the purpose of 'shear connectors' in composite concrete / steel structures?
6) 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.
Write a brief demolition work plan highlighting key requirements such as:
a) licensing requirements relevant to your State and Territory
b) sequencing of works.
c) how the hazardous materials will be addressed,
d) requirement for hoardings
e) services on site
7) Why are soils classified? And which classifications require further investigations such as bore holing.
8) Name two strength tests suitable for sandy non-cohesive soils and provide a brief description on each.
9) 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.
a) Gravity Retaining Wall
b) Cantilever Retaining Wall
c) Piling Retaining Wall
d) Anchored Wall
10) What is the purpose of scaffolding sole plates and explain how they should be used to support a scaffold structure on a site where the topsoil is vegetated.
11) Undertake a site inspection of a medium rise building and create a report with the following findings:
a) Site Details
b) Classification of the soil
c) Bearing capacity
d) How the trenches / excavations are supported. If not supported, provide justification as to why it is not supported.
12) Why are offset pegs used in construction set out and how far should they are offset?
13) Select two footing types and provide a description on each and in what types of soil classification they are likely to be used.
14) In accordance with Australian Standards, provide a methodology for a concrete slump test highlighting the procedures and what constitutes a pass or a fail.
15) Explain how excessive water in a concrete mix can compromise the structural integrity of concrete. In your response, provide two examples of how the risks of excess water in concrete can be avoided on site.
16) 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.
17) Undertake a site visit to a medium rise building construction site and provide a report on either:
1) damp proof coursing or
2) termite protection system implemented. For the chosen topic, highlight the following:
a) Type of system implemented,
b) Methodology for its installation
c) Identify potential weak spots in the system where penetration may occur and how they can be managed.
18) Who should be consulted before erection of steel structures and explain the rationale for its importance?
19) What is "consolidation" in a concrete pour? Explain its importance and methods for how the concrete should be consolidated.
20) Explain the purpose and required positioning of joints in masonry construction.
21) How should a tilt up concrete panel be supported immediately after it is erected?
22) What are some of the things to consider when forming and storing tilt up concrete panel?
23) Visit a medium rise building construction site and provide a report on the services laid in ground for the particular project. Record the type of services, their depth, separation from other services, methods for protecting the conduit, the fill material and the surface structure (concrete, pavement etc.). Reference and compare with the relevant Australian Standard.
24) Describe the structural principle considerations you would need to make in relation to each of the following:
25) Prior to building commencement, what processes do you put into place to ensure the stability of soil is analysed and that the site is capable of supporting the construction load?
26) When determining the structural requirements for retaining walls, which industry professionals do you consult with?
27) Describe the process you follow to ensure that the structural function and required temporary structural elements are identified and included in job setup planning.
28) Describe the process you follow to assess the structural integrity of footings and ensure compliance with relevant NCC/BCA requirements.
29) Describe the process you follow to ensure damp coursing and termite barriers are compliant with relevant NCC/BCA requirements.
30) Identify at least three new and emerging building technologies you have considered recently. For example, you may have assessed energy saving fittings.
31) The following terms describe the behaviour of structural materials.
a) Define each term
i. Stress
ii. Strain
iii. Elasticity
b) Provide an example of the way in which these behaviours are accommodated in the design principles for medium rise constructions.
32) Describe the process you follow to assess the structural integrity of slabs or bearers and joists and ensure compliance with relevant NCC/BCA requirements.
33) Describe the process you follow to assess the structural integrity of floor systems and ensure compliance with relevant NCC/BCA requirements.
34) What is prestressing and how does this relate to structural members?
35) Describe the process you follow to ensure the quality of structural frames. This might include factory pre-cut and pre-nailed frames, factor pre-cut and assembled on site frames, or cut and assembled on site frames.
36) Describe the process you follow to ensure the quality of roof trusses or hand cut roof systems.
37) Research the requirement of AS-1684 and identify structural timber members that meet the standard requirement.
38) Describe the process you follow to ensure plumbing, electrical and other service installations are compliant with relevant NCC/BCA requirements.
39) List at least 5 industry professionals you could consult to provide advice on design and structural integrity matters. Provide details of who you would consult, and for what advice.
40) Describe the process you follow to assess the structural integrity of structural performance of cladding to be used in frame bracing and ensure compliance with relevant NCC/BCA requirements.
41) Select three construction materials you could use for the structural elements of a medium rise building. Describe the nature of the materials and the effect each has on the structural performance of the building.
42) Describe the standard controls for the following health and safety hazards:
1. Work at heights
2. Working with asbestos
3. Working with scaffolding
43) List 10 common problems you may experience when working on medium rise projects, and explain the actions you take to overcome each.
44) List three forms/actions of non-verbal communication. For each item listed, briefly explain what might be conveyed by this message.
45) How might you adjust your communication when speaking with people from cultural backgrounds different to your own?
Assessment Task 2: Portfolio of Evidence
Put together a portfolio of evidence, from within your workplace that includes all of the following:
1. A pre-commencement site inspection checklist or form suitable for use on a medium rise building construction. This form is to be used by the site manager and must have been developed (or contributed to) by yourself.
2. A photo gallery addressing each point below, taken during the construction of a medium rise building that you have undertaken within the last two years (NB: photos may be of different projects, depending on the project specifications).
a) Footings
i. You are to attach as evidence:
- copies of building plans or drawings
- photographic evidence that demonstrates your ability to lay footings and check footing systems for compliance.
b) Damp coursing and termite barriers
i. You are to attach as evidence:
- copies of building plans or drawings
- photographic evidence that demonstrates your ability to plan, implement and check damp coursing and termite barriers in line with the plan.
c) Building structural elements
i. You are to attach as evidence:
- copies of building plans or drawings
- photographic evidence that demonstrates your ability to construct structural elements in accordance with plans and Australian Standards and codes. This must include:
- concrete slabs
- columns
- rafters and beams
3. Plan for the demolition of a building. This may take the form of a Gantt chart or similar. This is an assessment of your capacity to effectively plan for the safe demolition of a building, and the nature/type of the building being demolished is not relevant.
4. Project plan for the erection of a medium rise building. This may take the form of a Gantt chart or similar.
For each of the items above (2a -2 c), prepare a short report on how these constructions met the requirements of the job specifications, including structural analysis and integrity, and those who have been consulted during the process.
Part - 2: Manage construction work
Assessment 1: Communicating Effectively with Others
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this assessment task is to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate competence in using effective communication techniques when working with subcontractors, staff and clients on and off site.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Respond to each of the questions below.
1. The scope of medium rise construction projects generally means that a complex workforce is required to meet the project needs. This often includes a mix of employees and sub-contractors, some of whom you may never have worked with. Describe the steps you take to ensure all site communications are effective - that your workforce receives the messages you send, and that you, in turn, receive theirs.
a. What organisational quality and communications policies do you need to implement in this regard?
2. Put together a schedule, and a typical agenda for an onsite meeting you would organise through the life of a project. Your response must indicate at what phase of the project you would hold the meetings, who you would invite and why.
3. Cultural diversity, language and literacy levels are communication barriers likely to be experienced by a construction manager. Describe what strategies you use for these barriers to ensure your communication is as effective as it possibly can be.
Assessment 2: Managing Work Health and Safety Risk
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this assessment task is to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge of WHS, welfare and risk management procedures.
Instructions:
Answer the following questions.
1. The First Aid in the Workplace code of practice prescribes the responsibilities of a Person
Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) in relation to the provision of first aid. Describe those responsibilities.
2. Describe the first aid facilities you have established for the construction project you are currently
working on (or one you are planning to work on). Your response should consider first aid facilities provided for both on and off-site staff. Compare the first aid facilities provided with the requirements of the First Aid in the Workplace code of practice and identify any possible gaps.
3. Describe the licenses or certifications required by operators of at least three different pieces of plant and equipment used on site. How does the employment of certified operators influence effective risk management?
a) What policies and procedures are in place to ensure that all plant and equipment operators have the required licenses?
b) Describe the record keeping activities undertaken in this regard?
c) How are licence expiry dates tracked?
4. Use your current work site, or one you are familiar with to identify at least 10 different hazards, one of which must relate to the way in which hazardous materials are handled. For each hazard, describe:
a) The way in which the hazard and associated risk is controlled (e.g. the policies that exist in relation to the hazard). You are encouraged to attach a copy of the associated policy or safe work method statement.
b) How the effectiveness of risk control measures are monitored.
c) How any deficiency in risk control measure is identified and addressed (e.g. if a control measure is not working, how do you fix it?)
5. Describe the standard construction industry controls for the following health and safety hazards, and attach a copy of your safety procedure for each:
a) Work at heights
b) Working with asbestos
c) Working with scaffolding
d) Tilt-up and pre-cast construction
For each of these hazards, provide an example of how you have participated in managing safety procedures to mitigate risk,
6. Describe the ways that you could go about supporting others to manage their health and safety obligations on and off site.
7. List the sources of information available from within your organisation that are used to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of WHS systems and to meet compliance requirements. What reporting and record keeping is required to ensure this information is available when necessary. In your response, you should be able to identify at least 10 reporting or record keeping requirements. Select three reporting or record keeping requirements and provide examples from a work site you have worked on, demonstrating your involvement in fulfilling and managing these processes.
8. Describe the way in which new employees and sub-contractors are inducted to your organisation and to their worksite.
a) Include details of any training courses they are required to participate in and why.
b) How and where is this information recorded?
9. In the construction industry, when are the following required:
a) Safe Work Method Statement
b) Work Health and Safety Management Plan
10. The legislative framework of health and safety in Australia is quite complicated. In around 100 - 200 words or so, describe the state and commonwealth legislation, codes of practices and standards and the way they integrate with each other.
Assessment 3: Managing On-Site Operations
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this assessment task is to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate competence in establishing and managing processes for site operations and systems.
Part A
1. You are to gather a portfolio of evidence that clearly demonstrates the processes and systems you use in each of the following areas:
a. processes to manage industrial relations issues including performance management, rewards and recognition, and dispute resolution
b. processes to manage subcontractor appointment and performance-to-contract management, including associated contracts
c. process to revise project plans and schedules, and to associated documents
d. processes for communicating variations of project documentation with relevant personnel both on and off site
e. procedure for progress claims to budget and to contract
f. procedure for expenditure management to budget and to contract
2. For each piece of evidence above, identify the associated legislation that guides the way in which these activities are undertaken and reported upon.
3. Describe the way in which you establish and monitor the quality requirements of a construction project, across all areas of the project. How are the quality objectives identified, shared with others, and then monitored throughout the life of the project?
4. Experienced construction project managers are often required to manage the project outcomes for multiple projects on different sites. Use a bullet point list or a flow chart to identify the systems and processes you would need to effectively manage multi-site operations.
Part B
For each of the processes and systems in Part A Question 1 above, comment briefly on the effectiveness of these process in you workplace, and suggest improvements you believe could be made and why.
Part C
Respond to the following questions:
1. Listed below are a series of common problems/challenges construction managers face. For each, describe the strategies you use to ensure work environments are productive and safe.
a. On-site delays as a result of extreme weather conditions
b. Critical tasks not achieved as a result of sub-contractor under performance
c. Contract over budget as a result of excessive waste
2. Describe the way in which sub-contractor performance is managed within the project. Your
response should include details of what is monitored, how it is monitored, how often the monitoring occurs, and how this information is recorded and shared with the required project team members.
a) How is performance feedback provided to sub-contractors that recognises both over and under performance?
b) What avenues for grievance and appeals are made available to sub-contractors, and why?
3. Describe the way in which you would handle the following sub-contractor under performances
a) The scope of the project has changed and it has become more difficult than anticipated. As a result, the sub-contractor no longer appears to have the skills necessary to do the job.
b) Your client has made a complaint about inappropriate behaviour and language on site and the offenders are part of the sub-contracting team
Assessment 4: Managing Equipment & Materials Supply
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this assessment task is to assess your competence to manage the supply of materials and installation of equipment.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Complete the questions below regarding the coordination and use of plant and equipment on a construction site where you currently work, or a site where you have recently worked.
1. Describe the processes used in your company to procure equipment and materials.
a) Consider the choice of suppliers, lead times for ordering, safe storage and handling of materials and equipment, waste management etc.
b) Provide samples of order forms and procedures that you have developed or contributed to the development of, to support your response.
2. How is this process managed, and does it work? Consider the responsibilities of various stakeholders,
documentation of the processes, communicating with on-site employees about deliveries etc.
a) What challenges could be experienced by construction managers, on-site personnel, and by the organisation?
b) Provide two examples of challenges that you have faced in when procuring equipment and materials. Describe the opportunities for improvement that could be suggested to effectively handle these challenges.
c) How are purchases linked to specific projects in order to monitor project costs in real time? Provide an example from your current workplace or a previous workplace, to demonstrate this linkage and explain how the example assisted in monitoring project costs.
d) How are any requirements for on-billing to clients identified and actioned?
3. Describe the process for managing and monitoring equipment hire, and maintenance of the hired equipment. Is it effective?
a) How is hire-equipment identified and maintained within the condition of the hire contract?
b) What challenges could be experienced by construction managers, on-site personnel, and by the organisation in relation to managing and monitoring hired equipment?
c) Provide an example of a challenge that you have faced when hiring and maintain equipment. Describe the opportunities for improvement that could be suggested to effectively handle these challenges.
d) How are any requirements for on-billing to clients identified and actioned?
Assessment 5: Managing Construction Project Outcomes
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this assessment task is to provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate competence in managing construction work.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Read the case study and answer the questions:
Scenario:
Your company has been engaged by Mr and Mrs Robert Smith to construct two tilt up factories. You are a registered commercial and domestic builder and have the requisite licence to build the factories. The sites are in a rural town in Victoria. Mr and Mrs Smith have a reputation in the local community as being very particular with an uncompromising demand for quality. The total price for the construction of the factories is $1.2 million (inclusive of GST). You are confident that you can recruit a highly skilled team of contractors to assist with the construction.
Construction is well under way and is meeting schedule up until last Friday. Over the weekend, there has been a large amount of rainfall, and there is now potential for a lag in the schedule. Additionally, Mr and Mrs Smith have requested changes to the lighting fixtures that have already been delivered to site. This change now means that the lighting fixtures cannot be installed for an additional 2 days.
This additional 2 days means that the subcontractor installing these lighting fixtures now needs to adjust their contract.
1. Outline the communication process required to ensure that the clients and contractors are both satisfied with the outcome, and resources are effectively managed. List the paperwork that will need to be completed, and the stakeholders who are involved at each stage of the paperwork flow.
You have become aware of some general unrest amongst the contractors - they seem to be very unhappy about something on site, and you over heard one of the contractors mentioning that he intended to "give the union a call if this doesn't get fixed". You have a feeling that the issue may be related to work conditions on site, as the rain has affected access to some of the facilities used by the contractors.
2. Outline the steps that you would take to get to the bottom of this potential issue, explaining the communication process and the methods you would use to negotiate a settlement to this problem.
Mr and Mrs Smith have now contacted you and have advised that they wish to reduce the car parking onsite and increase the landscaping. This will require an amendment to the building permit.
3. You are required to write and attach letters to the following stakeholders:
a) The client advising them that there will be a variation to the contract and this will result in increases in cost and time
b) The building surveyor requesting a meeting to discuss an amended building permit