TOPIC 5: CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND OPERATIONS

Reporter: Pedrajeta, Gemuel A.

Introduction to Construction Methods and Operations

The construction industry covers many facets, and they are all bound together.
Generally speaking, building works are confined to building structures of conventional
modern design, whilst civil engineering works can be completely divorced from any such
building.

Construction methods and operations are essential components of the civil

engineering and construction industry. These methods involve systematic processes and
techniques used in building structures, from site preparation to final handover. The selection
of appropriate construction methods ensures efficiency, safety, sustainability, and cost-
effectiveness in projects. Modern advancements have introduced innovative construction
techniques that enhance speed, quality, and environmental impact.

Construction Methods

● The procedures and techniques utilized during construction.

● After a thorough review of the plans’ specifications, construction drawings, and
contract conditions, study the most appropriate, efficient, and cost-effective
technological solutions to implement the project.
● Determine how the job will be undertaken.
● Execution of project activities must be planned competently.

Pre-Construction & Site Preparation

● Surveying – Determines land boundaries, elevations, and reference points using
instruments like total stations, GPS, and laser levels.
● Clearing – Removal of vegetation, debris, and obstacles from the site using
bulldozers, excavators, and manual labor.
● Framing – Structural framework setup using wood, steel, or concrete forms.
Techniques include stick framing and prefabricated framing.
● Signages – Installation of safety and informational signs to guide workers and visitors,
ensuring compliance with regulations.
Structural Work
● Mobilization – Deployment of resources, materials, and workforce to the site, setting
up temporary facilities like offices and storage.
● Layout – Marking reference points for foundations and structures using chalk lines,
laser levels, and stakes.
● Excavation – Digging trenches or pits for foundations using backhoes, excavators,
and shovels while ensuring soil stability.
● Footing – Creating reinforced concrete bases to support columns and walls, using
formwork, rebar, and precise concrete pouring.
● Columns – Vertical structural elements formed with rebar cages and concrete,
requiring formwork and proper curing.
Beams – Horizontal load-bearing structures, typically reinforced concrete or steel,
cast in place or prefabricated.
Superstructure & Utilities
● Slabs – Concrete flooring layers, poured over formwork with reinforcement bars for
strength.
● Wall – Constructing vertical enclosures using bricks, concrete blocks, or prefabricated
panels with masonry or adhesive techniques.
● Electrical/Mechanical – Installation of wiring, plumbing, HVAC, and other utility
systems through conduit routing and fixture mounting.
● Plumbing – Laying water supply and drainage pipes with soldering, threading, and
pressure testing for leak-proof systems.

Completion & Site Closure

● Finishing/Partitions – Interior and exterior surface treatments like plastering, tiling,
and drywall installation.
● Tapping Off/Roof Deck – Finalization of roofing components using metal sheets,
shingles, or reinforced concrete techniques.
● Painting – Application of primers and topcoats using brushes, rollers, or spray
equipment.
● Power Supply – Establishing electrical connections from main lines, installing
transformers, and ensuring proper grounding.
● Testing – Checking structural integrity, plumbing, electrical systems, and safety
features with load tests and inspections.
Demobilization – Removal of temporary structures, machinery, and clearing debris
from the site.
● Handover – Official project turnover to the client with documentation, inspections, and
final approvals.

ORGANIZATION AND WORKING METHOD TO CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY

● The carrying through of a civil engineering project requires that its object should first be
identified. Then the scheme has to be planned and thereafter implemented. ● All these
stages require not only vision and thought, but also the most important thing is
organization.
● On signing the contract, the contractor will use the data from the preliminary planning
stage to establish and set up an appropriate organization.
● This organization will include layout of the site: access road (for sites limited to water:
the use of barges , temporary jetties, conveyors etc.)
● Method used in civil engineering works depends on the types of civil engineering to be
carried out. The two most common method: - critical path analysis techniques - bar
charts.
● By producing the work programme, the most suitable method of carrying out the many
different operations in civil engineering can be determined.
Reporter:Cabajar, Raymalyn B.
COMMONLY-USED RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION METHODS
1. Platform/Stick Framing with Wood
● Stick Framing is the most common and traditional framing method for
residential home construction and often called the “platform framing”, wherein
construction usually starts building a beam on top of a concrete basement
foundation.
Types of Stick/Wood Framing
a. Platform Frame Construction
 - also known as "stick-built" or "stick framing", is a method of constructing
buildings using a framework of wood studs, joists, and rafters.
- Platform frame construction is a common wood-framing method where
each floor is built as a separate unit or "platform," with walls erected
on top of it, and the ceiling serving as the platform for the next floor.
b. Balloon Frame Construction
- uses a very long pieces of lumber that extends through the height of the
house.
- the studs are typically 2x4 or 2x6 inches in size and are spaced 16 or 24
inches apart.
- is not used in modern construction due to fire safety concerns. In
addition to fire safety concerns, balloon frame construction also has
other limitations. The long, continuous studs can be difficult to work
with and may require specialized tools and techniques for cutting and
shaping. The method can also be more expensive than platform frame
construction due to the increased amount of lumber required.
c. Plank and Beam
- is a type of framing with no joists but requires and utilizes larger sized
wood that spaced farther apart.
- In plank and frame construction, the framework is typically made of oak,
and the planks are usually made of softwood such as pine or cedar.
The planks are fastened to the frame using wooden pegs or copper
nails, and the seams between the planks are sealed with caulking
material.
d. Advanced Framing
- also known as optimum value engineering (OVE), is a method of framing
buildings that focuses on reducing material waste, , improving energy
efficiency, and maximizing structural strength.
- This method is designed to be a more sustainable and cost-effective
approach to framing than traditional framing methods
e. Panelized Framing
is a method of constructing buildings using prefabricated panels that
are manufactured off-site and then assembled on the construction site.
This method is a type of off-site construction that can help reduce the
time and cost of construction while still providing high-quality
structures.
2. Steel framing
● employs three primary construction methods — welded steel framing, bolted
steel framing, and light gauge steel framing. Each has distinct applications
and advantages.
● Some of the Advantages
- Consistent Quality
- Design Flexibility
- Faster Construction
- Noncombustibility
- Strength
- Sustainable
- Termite/Pest Resistance
● Some of the Disadvantages
- Higher Upfront Cost
- Special Handling Needs

3. Concrete
● concrete frame is a common form of structure, comprising a network of
columns and connecting beams that forms the structural ‘skeleton’ of a
building. This grid of beams and columns is typically constructed on a
 concrete foundation and is used to support the building’s floors, roof, walls,
cladding and so on.
● Concrete frames can be precast (manufactured off site), or cast on site. a.
Precast concrete frames are typically used for single-storey and low-rise
structures. The concrete members are transported to site where a crane
then lifts and places them into position to construct the frame:
b. Concrete members can be formed on site with the use of formwork.
This is a a temporary mould into which concrete is poured.

MODERN METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION

1. Volumetric modular construction
- is a form of off-site construction in which buildings are put together by
connecting a series of fairly large pre-built sections, or ‘modules’. It’s often
referred to as prefabricated building, although strict definitions may vary
somewhat from source to source.
- commonly it involves stacking and/or adjoining factory-finished modules to
create a broadly ‘finished’ building.
2. Panelized Construction System
- Panelized construction takes the framing work off the jobsite and moves it to a
climate-controlled factory where teams engineer and build wall, floor and
ceiling assemblies that are delivered to the work site on a truck later in the
building process and assembled.
3. Hybrid concrete construction
- is a method of construction which integrates precast concrete and cast in-situ
concrete to make best advantage of their different inherent qualities. The
accuracy, speed and high-quality finish of precast components can be
combined with the economy and flexibility of cast in-situ concrete
4. Sub-assemblies and Components
- These elements include a wide range of prefabricated parts, such as pre-
installed windows, doors, plumbing, and electrical systems, manufactured
offsite and assembled on-site.
- It reduces the complexity of the assembly process by breaking it down into
smaller tasks that can be completed more efficiently.
- Sub-assemblies are also beneficial in terms of quality and cost control. By
manufacturing sub-assemblies, manufacturers can ensure that their products
meet the highest quality standards. In other words, the process aims at
reducing costs associated with the overall manufacturing process.
- Additionally, sub-assemblies can be produced in different locations, allowing for
greater flexibility in the production process. Sub-assemblies can be used to
quickly and easily modify a product, allowing manufacturers to quickly adapt
their product to customer needs.
5. Site-based Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)
- involves assembling structural components on-site using advanced techniques
like tunnelform in situ concrete, insulating formwork, and aircrete, aiming for
faster construction and improved efficiency.
- Some of the Advanced techniques
a. Tunnel Form - is a mechanized system for cellular structures. It is
based on two half shells which are placed together to form a room or
cell. Several cells make an apartment. With tunnel forms, walls and
slab are cast in a single day.
b. Insulating formwork- also known as insulated concrete forms, is a
construction method that uses insulated panels or blocks as formwork
for pouring concrete, leaving the insulation in place as part of the
structure's thermal barrier
c. Aircrete- The basic recipe for aircrete consists of cement, water and
foam.The cement and water slurry are combined with a pre-formed
 foam (surfactant). This distributes a multitude of discrete air cells
uniformly throughout the mixture. As the concrete hardens, the
bubbles disintegrate leaving air voids of similar sizes to create a
lightweight concrete.

Reporter:Coreses, John Amar A.

CONSTRUCTION OPERATION
Construction operation refers to all the activities involved in building a structure, such as a
house, road, bridge, or dam.

It includes various specialized tasks like:

● Preparing the site

● Earth Moving
● Foundation Treatment
● Steel Erection
● Concrete Placement
● Asphalt Paving
● Electrical & Mechanical Installation

the basic procedures in these fields remain the same across different projects (e.g.,
buildings, dams, airports), the importance of each step can vary depending on the type of
project.

PREPARATION OF THE PROJECT SITE

Preparation of the project site is the initial phase in construction where the land is cleared of
debris and obstacles, marking boundaries, and ensuring safety. To do this, we need certain
tools and equipment for Site Preparation:
● Fencing materials or boards
● Company placard
● Health and Safety Signs
● Fastening Tools
● Shears, Axes, and shovels
● Heavy machinery
● Skips

EARTHMOVING
Earthmoving is the process of moving, removing, or reshaping soil, rocks, and other
materials to prepare the land for construction. It helps create a stable foundation for
buildings, roads, dams, and other structures.
Main Activities in Earthmoving:
● Excavation
● Grading
● Cutting & Filling
● Compaction

FOUNDATION TREATMENT
Foundation treatment refers to the preparation and strengthening of the ground before laying
the foundation of a building or structure. This process ensures that the soil can support the
weight of the structure, preventing sinking, cracking, or collapse over time. Types of
Foundation Treatment:
● Soil Compaction
● Soil Stabilization
● Grouting
● Dewatering
● Pile or Pier Foundation

STEEL ERECTION
The process of assembling fabricated components on site, and with careful planning can be
completed relatively quickly.
Involves positioning, aligning and securing the components on prepared foundations to form
a complete frame.
Erection of structural steelwork consist of the assembly of steel components into a frame.

Four Main Task of Steel Erection:

Checking the Foundation: Establishing that the foundations are suitable and safe for
erection to commence.
Lifting & Placing Steel Components: Lifting and placing components into position,
generally using cranes but sometimes by jacking. To secure components in place bolted
connections will be made, but will not yet be fully tightened. Bracings may similarly not be
fully secured.
Aligning the Structure: Aligning the structure, principally by checking that column bases
are lined and level and columns are plumb. Packing in beam-to-column connections may
need to be changed to allow column plumb to be adjusted.
Final Bolting-Up: Bolting-up which means completing all the bolted connections to secure
and impart rigidity to the frameon site, and it can be a significant project cost

CONCRETE PLACING
Concrete Placing is the process of transferring and depositing fresh concrete into the desired
location.
Procedure for Concrete Placement:
Planning Before Placement: Before any concrete is placed the entire placing programme
consisting of equipment, layout, proposed procedures and methods is planned and no
concrete is placed until formwork is inspected and found suitable for placement. Equipment
for conveying concrete should be of such size and design as to ensure a practically
continuous flow of concrete during depositing without segregation of materials considering
the size of the job and placement location.
Timely Placement & Compaction: Concrete is placed in its final position before the cement
reaches its initial set and concrete is compacted in its final position within 30 minutes of
leaving the mixer and once compacted it should not be disturbed.
Proper Handling to Avoid Issues: In all cases the concrete is deposited as nearly as
practicable directly in its final position and should not be re-handled or caused to flow in a
manner which may cause segregation, loss of materials, displacement of reinforcement,
shuttering or embedded inserts or impair its strength.
Using Special Equipment for Difficult Areas: For locations where direct placement is not
possible and in narrow forms suitable drop and Elephant Trunks to confine the movement of
concrete is provided. Special care is taken where concrete is dropped from a height
especially if reinforcement is in the way particularly in columns and thin walls.

ASPHALT PAVING
Asphalt Paving is the process of laying down asphalt (a mixture of bitumen and aggregates)
to create or resurface roads, parking lots, and other paved areas.
Process of Asphalt Paving:
Placing the Coat:
● Before the paving operation starts, an asphalt distributor is used to spray asphalt on
the unpaved surface. This film of asphalt serves as the prime and tact coats. ● The coats
are then allowed to cure before the actual paving resume. The purpose of having these
coats is to prevent any slippage between the surface and overlay during or after the
compaction.
Placing the Asphalt Mix:
● To start the paving operation, the paver is positioned properly onto the road. The
screed of the paver is lowered onto block of the same depth of the loose asphalt mat
that is going to be laid on the road.
● After that, the block can be removed and paving can start. As soon as the haul truck
arrives at the job site, the paving inspector must check that the asphalt delivered
must be in a satisfactory condition. during or after the compaction.
Quality Checks by the Paving Inspector:
● blue smoke
● stiff appearance
● mix slumped in truck
● lean, dull appearance
● rising steam
● segregation
● Contamination

MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION

● Mechanical and electrical services make buildings work better - more efficient, more
sustainable, and more cost-effective. Whether it’s an office block, school, museum, or
hospital, we strive for perfect delivery, and we’re accountable every step of the way.
● Mechanical systems can include elements of infrastructure, plant and machinery, tool
and components, heating and ventilation and so on.
● Electrical systems might include, power supply and distribution, telecommunications,
computing instrumentation, control systems and so on.
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
When the constructed structures are completed and turned over to the project owner, they
are the operated and maintained. Allied to these activities are repairs, rehabilitation and
redevelopment and expansion.