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CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY I R299,00
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Class notes

CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY I

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Complete notes, examples and annotation for first year student studying towards a Bsc in Construction Studies at the University of Cape Town

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  • July 11, 2023
  • 95
  • 2019/2020
  • Class notes
  • Elmarie edwardes
  • All classes
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christophertsang
SETTING OUT
• SOIL INVESTIGATION
 FIELD IDENTIFICATION
 SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT
 SOIL TYPES/CLASSIFICATION
• DATUM LEVEL & SITE BOUNDARY
• SETTING OUT OF THE BUILDING

SOIL INVESTIGATION
A soil investigation is done to evaluate the geotechnical character of the site. It
will determine what construction methods are used. The soil conditions of the
site determine the characteristics of the foundations.
In case a soil investigation is not done, the possible scenarios may be the
collapse of the building or incurrence of delay & additional costs.
FIELD IDENTIFICATION
 Shaking Test
 Compressibility
 Toughness Test
 Dry Strength
 Color
 Smell
 Feel/Coarseness
SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT
Soil moisture content affects the physical properties of soil. It is an important
factor during soil compaction. Density will vary depending on moisture content
Water acts as lubricant during soil compaction. It assists with the movement of
particles in the soil during compaction
Optimum moisture content is when the moisture content is in optimal
amounts to be compacted to its maximum density
Permeability measures the ability of water to penetrate through the soil. Sand
has a high permeability rating compared to clays (low permeability)
NB: Wet Soil (swampy) is not suitable for construction. Dry soil is too difficult
to compact. Compaction needs to be done in layers no more than 300mm high
to ensure overall effectiveness.

,SOIL TYPES
1. Gravel: a hard rock material with particles sizes larger than 6.4mm in
diameter but smaller than 76mm
2. Sand: consists of fine rock particles smaller than 6.4mm in diameter to
0.05mm
3. Silt: consists of fine sand particles smaller than 0.05mm and larger than
0.002mms
4. Clay: is a very cohesive material with microscopic particles less than
0.002mm
5. Organic Matter: is partly decomposed animal & vegetable matter
NB: In terms of size, Gravel > Sand > Silt > Clay > Organic Matter
SOIL CLASSIFICATION
 Coarse grained soil – Sand – Sieve analysis test is carried out
 Fine grained soil – Clay – Consistency & Plasticity tests are carried out
 Organic soil – Peat – insufficient in bearing strength
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

,TOP SOIL
Top soil refers to the surface layer It consists of a mixture of loosely compacted
particles of sand, clay and an accumulation of decaying vegetation. This layer of
topsoil is about 100 – 300mm deep is often referred to as vegetable soil. It is
loosely compacted and unsatisfactory as a foundation because of its poor
bearing capacity. It should be stripped from the site and retained for landscaping
around the site.
SUB SOIL
It is the general term for soil below the topsoil. It is unusual for a subsoil to
consist of gravel, clay or sand by itself. The majority of subsoils are mixes of
various soils. The nature & behavior under the load on foundations of the soils
in each group are similar. Classed into coarse grained soil, fine grained soil &
organic soil.
SOIL BEARING CAPACITIES
To determine the soil bearing capacity of an open foundation trench?
Take a deformed reinforcing bar/rod of around 1m in length with a diameter of
16mm and then try pushing this bar into the ground by hand. If the bar can be
pushed in easily for more than 300mm to 1000mm, then the bearing is
inadequate. One can excavate further until a suitable stratum is found and the
bar can no longer be pushed.

DATUM LEVEL & SITE BOUNDARY
DATUM PEG & SITE LEVELS
 Before starting any work, it is essential to relay site levels from a
benchwork or to establish a datum peg from where all site levels will be
taken
 Typically, a municipal manhole in the street across closest to the site can
be used as a datum, or, a datum peg can be established on the site where a
mild steel peg is cast in concrete and marked
NB: Proper care must be exercised so that the peg is not disturbed during the
construction process which could lead to myriad of problems in regard to levels
to floors or drainage. A dumpy level is commonly used to establish accurate site
levels, excavations, drainage levels etc.
BOUNDARY PEGS & SITE BOUNDARY
Building lines can be defined as a line prescribed in any town planning scheme
or any other by-law designating the boundaries of the area of the site outside of
which the erection above ground of any buildings is prohibited.

, Building lines can only be established if boundary pegs are visible and have
been accurately identified.
Setting out & Building Orientation
The building is orientated in accordance with what has been shown on the site
plan showing North Pole and the street. The following points should then be
followed:
 The building faces as orientated on the approved site plan
 The building is set out on the correct stand
 The overall dimensions correspond with the plan dimensions
 The building is set out within the required building lines
Setting out by means of the 3-4-5 method
1. Mark out the building lines from the boundary line of the stand, by taking
measurements from the boundary line using a tape measure to the
building line as shown on the site plan
2. Mark out the overall length of the structure by driving in pegs at points A
& B as indicated in the example below




3. As soon as the total width of the structure is determined, run a string from
peg A to peg B. mark off on this line from B to A, a 4-meter length using
a tap measure and drive in peg C.
4. Mark off from peg B to C, a length of 3m in the direction of peg C, which
is still unknown. Then shift peg C until the measurement, of the diagonal
line as shown above measures a length of 5 meters, then only drive in peg
C.
5. You should then have an accurate square (90 degrees angle) where other
measurements can be taken from to set out the proposed building.

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