BTEC Nationals – Unit 5 Construction Technology and Design in Construction and Civil Engineering

Introduction Construction Technology and Design is a unit that represents the basic requirements of all construction professionals to work as a team and to articulate their ideas accurately and succinctly. The unit deals with the requirement to understand technical information and to produce clear and unambiguous materials that convey the designer’s wishes to constructors and other interested parties. In order to do this effectively, students must know the factors that influence the design process and the need to work with others to create a suitable design solution.

Introduction The unit explores the use of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) plan of work to plan effectively. The use of the plan is widespread but the implications for its use determine whether contractors and designers alike choose to use it, modify it, or to discard it, in favour of their own tailor-made solution. Detailed planning of construction projects is very important and students must have the ability to communicate ideas between various members of the design and production team. This in practice means using a variety of graphical and written documents to determine design strategy, and to inform members of the team of changes and modifications.

Introduction It naturally follows that in order to be able to communicate these changes or ideas effectively students must also be able to use relevant technical and architectural terminology to describe and specify aspects of construction technology and design. People working on construction sites typically communicate their ideas using detailed drawings and illustrations which in turn will require the ability to understand these construction details, their interface between various components and their relationship with other materials and component parts of the building. Knowing these components is not enough. There is need to translate them into written and graphical instructions that is necessary to progress from design into production.

Unit Specification Unit 5 Construction Technology and Design in Construction and Civil Engineering Unit Specification

Overview Aim and purpose The aim of this unit is to gain knowledge of construction methods and factors that influence design, and develop skills in communicating ideas between team members and in translating construction details into written and graphical instructions.

Overview Unit introduction In recent times we have built far bigger and far more complex buildings than before. For many years the UK has been among the market leaders in this field and UK construction workers are taking their knowledge and expertise all over the world. Modern developments in construction technology and materials have enabled us to create more efficient and complex structures. The ability to design, plan and communicate ideas effectively is essential if a project is to be translated from an idea into reality. Poor communication will lead to poor construction.

Overview Unit introduction This unit will develop an understanding of the design process and recognition of the contribution of other members of the design team. Planning and organising design activities is related to the decision-making process and the likely outcomes of decisions taken by the team within a legal framework should be considered in the wider social context, rather than as simple subjective preferences.

Overview Unit introduction This unit will consider the requirements of construction-related projects as they pass through various stages from design to construction, including the implications of changes and variations in the design. Learners will develop their ability to produce clear drawings of construction components, using both manual and CAD techniques, together with succinct and accurate explanations that specify for builders the exact characteristics of relevant construction details. Use of scale, proportion and appropriate description is expected of all successful learners. Learners will be able to use appropriate design and planning procedures to specify for and communicate to other team members involved in a construction project requirements for the technical components of buildings.

Learning Outcomes On completion of this unit a learner should: Know the factors that influence the design process Be able to communicate ideas between various members of the design and production teams Know about construction methods Be able to translate construction details into written and graphical instructions.

Assessment and Grading Criteria

Assessment and Grading Criteria

Assessment and Grading Criteria

Assessment Assignment 1: (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, M1, M2, D1) Design Processes, Procedures and Communications Assignment 2: (P6, P7, P8, M3, D2) Construction Methods Interpretation of given drawings, details, schedules and specifications

BTEC Nationals – Unit 5 Construction Technology and Design in Construction and Civil Engineering

Factors Influencing the Design Process Let’s think about what it means to design and construct a successful building… Construction technology and design needs careful thought, planning and the ability to overcome problems that arise in the building of complex structures. There are many things that will influence the outcome of the building and whether or not it will be a success.

Factors Influencing the Design Process The client’s brief Communication between the design team Choice/specification of materials Design compatibility Nature of the site Location Health & Safety Procurement method

Factors Influencing the Construction Process Adverse weather conditions Shortage of skilled labour Poor communications between design/ construction teams Poor workmanship Delays in completing construction work Strikes or industrial disputes Accidents on the construction site during works

Introductory Activity Influences on the design and building process Think about a structure such as a large industrial unit or a retail outlet suitable for a superstore. IN GROUPS Consider all the things that may have a negative influence on the design and the building process. Identify what negative influences could impact on whether the design and construction is successful. Write the examples that you identify in the NEGATIVE area on the sheet provided Now re-write some agreed influences on post-it notes Place your post-its in the negative area on screen

NEGATIVE

Introductivity Activity Influences on the design and building process IN GROUPS Consider the things that have been identified as having a negative influence on the design and the building process. Identify what can be done in order to improve the NEGATIVE to ensure that construction is successful and write your views into the UPPER area on the sheets provided. Write up your comments on more post-its and explain in detail to the class by moving the on screen post-its to the POSITIVE area.

POSITIVE - What can be done in order to move items from the NEGATIVE into the POSITIVE area?