Assignment Brief
Unit Number and Title: Construction Technology
Assignment Title: Construction Substructure and Superstructure
Submission Format
The submission is in the form of two written pamphlets. The pamphlets should be written in a concise and formal business style. As such, your choice of font face and font size should contribute to the clarity of the information. The pamphlet should be well-structured, using headings, sub-sections and paragraphs as appropriate. Any images, graphics, or text that is derived from other sources must be correctly referenced using a standard form of citation. A bibliography/references list should be included and in a standard academic format. The recommended word limit is 3,000–5,000 words but you will not be penalised for exceeding the total word limit.
Unit Learning Outcomes
LO1 Discuss the terminology used in construction technology.
LO2 Describe the different techniques used to construct a range of substructures and superstructures, including their function and design selection criteria.
Assignment Brief and Guidance
You are working as an Architectural Technician for a large design practice and your employer has asked you to produce ‘design consideration’ pamphlets to be distributed to new employees. The documents are to consider the functional requirements and design selection criteria for different elements of typical commercial buildings and structures. You are to focus on three current projects being undertaken by the practice, these are as follows:
1. A ten-storey shared occupation/apartment building in the Manchester City Centre.
2. A steel portal factory and storage unit in the outskirts of Glasgow.
3. A new cable car from the Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park in London to the Kierbeck Business Complex.
Document 1: Substructures
This document should consider the pre-design studies to be carried out and the type of information to be collated in order to design the most suitable foundation type for different types of structures above. The document should also consider the construction of different types of foundations and their suitability for use with different types of structures above.
Document 2: Superstructures
This document should consider the following elements of the superstructure:
Walls
Roofs
Floors – ground and intermediate
Windows and doors
Staircases
Finishes
Structural supports and members
The document should contain a description of the functional characteristics of each of the above elements and the design selection criteria for their use.
Both documents should contain diagrams to illustrate the technical content. Each pamphlet is to be indexed with a checklist for use by technicians when carrying out design considerations. In addition to these you will be required to specify materials from appropriate manufacturers and include this information as an appendix and referred to in your technical narrative.
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
Pass Merit Distinction
LO1 Explain the terminology used in construction technology.
D1 Evaluate how the functional characteristics and design selection criteria impact on the eventual design solution.
P1 Describe the differences between residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
P2 Explain how the functional characteristics and design selection criteria are informed by proposed building use.
P3 Discuss the ways in which sustainability can be promoted in building projects.
M1 Apply the terminology used in construction technology to a given building construction project.
LO2 Describe the different techniques used to construct a range of substructures and superstructures, including their function and design selection criteria.
LO2 & LO3
D2 Prepare a design report identifying superstructure, substructure and civil engineering structures necessary for a given building construction project.
P4 Describe the pre-design studies carried out and types of information collected for a given construction site.
P5 Explain the functional characteristics and design criteria for primary and secondary elements of a building substructure and superstructure.
M2 Analyze how site conditions impact on the design of foundations.
M3 Illustrate how the component parts of an element allow it to fulfil its function.
