CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY (HND1 CEC 309)

Introduction

Technology in construction is advancing rapidly and changing the way building

projects run. Major technological advancements have improved productivity and
made the work environments safer for employees. If you work in a construction
company, it is important that you understand the role of technology in the industry
and to be up to date with the latest innovations.

Construction technology is therefore the collection of various tools, applications,

soft wares and machineries that companies use during the various phase of a
construction projects. These tools and machines help company to improve the
efficiency of their methods and processes, the different elements that constitute
construction technology are automated construction equipment, bid management
applications, autonomous heavy equipment, various mobile applications, robots
etc.

Benefits of using technology in constructions

There are four (4) important benefits of application of technology in construction

processes of a project.

1. It increases productivity by simplifying the work and hence make the work
faster and time saving.
 2. It improves safety by helping company train their employees effectively and
then monitor their health status and overall safety of the site to ensure safe
working environment.
3. It reduces or cuts down the cost of labor by reducing the number of
individuals to be employed to do the work.
4. It ensures better collaborations as the usage of applications designated
specifically for collaboration and communication encourages better and
quicker decision- making.

Construction site layout of new site

The objectives of site layout is to provide a safe and economical flow of materials
and workers. The absence of appropriate site layout leads to an incorrect
designation of location for materials and machineries as a result, double or even
triple re-handling of materials may be required. However, a well-planned
construction site layout leads to an increase in safety and productivity, a decline in
areas required for temporary construction and maximize utilization. Therefore,
construction site layout involves identifying, sizing and placing temporary
facilities within the boundaries of construction site, these temporary facilities
ranges from simple laydown areas to warehouses, fabrication shops, maintenance
shops, batch plants and residence facilities such site houses for site personnel. A
good planned layout of construction site firstly maximize efficiency of operations
in order to promote worker’s productivity, shorten project time and reduce cost,
secondly the final plan must create a project with a good work environments in
order to attract and retain the best personnel and thus contribute to better work
quality and productivity.
Failure to plan a good site layout is a prime cause of operational inefficiency and
can increase the overall cost of a project substantially, in the absence of a precise
site layout plan, the following problem may occur.

a. Material stacks wrongly located may be in drainage line or near the edge of
the excavation, or too far from the work area or may impede the smooth
flow of work traffic across the site etc, and this will involve double or triple
handling of the materials which project the overall cost of the construction.
b. Plants and equipment wrongly located for example the mixer is inaccessible
for the delivery of materials, that is, no enough room for the storage of
aggregates. Fixed crane are unable to reach all parts of the work, hoists have
insufficient capacity or height to handle loads or badly located in relation to
the floor layout.
c. Inadequate space may be allowed in such a way that materials can be
stacked on roadways causing hazards, working areas may be too cramped or
additional areas must have to be allocated with the subsequent waste of time
caused by having to travel between them.
d. Site huts may wrongly be located that hinders their effective use, the site
offices may be located near noisy activities such as concrete mixer, or
located too near to the site road in dusty condition or too remote from the
working area, warehouse having inadequate access for unloading or located
in an insecure area.

Therefore, before moving on to a site, it is necessary to prepare a detailed site plan

showing the portion to be taken by every item of equipment, accommodation,
axillary work area and material storage areas.
 Site layout planning elements

As earlier mentioned, a well-planned site including all temporary facilities and

utilities properly located lead to:

1. Increasing productivity
2. Reducing areas needed for temporary construction
3. Maximizing utilization

The following elements/items should be considered in planning good site layout:

Safety

1. Fire prevention facilities such as fire extinguisher are required in the

construction site quite fire in case of fire outbreak.
2. Medical services involving first aid kits should be provided, in remote or
large project a well-equipped medical room with doctor and nurse is
provided.
3. Safety clothes such as basic safety shoes, helmets, gloves, and goggle must
all be provided.

Site accessibility

Easy accessibility will keep the morale of the equipment and vehicle driver high,
minimize the chance of accidents and safe time in maneuvering to arrive at and
leave the project site. In case of a large project, proper planning is required to
layout the roads leading from nearest highway, internal roads are also important for
easy flow of work, also parking lots are provided for the owner, officers and craft
personnel if necessary.
Information signs

This includes provision of the following items

1. Site map: it shows detailed of the project, displayed in the office of the
superintendent or project manager, and posted at the entrance gate.
2. Traffic regulatory sign: For the large project, it helps in guiding the traffic
on the site and avoid accidents to a considerable extent.
3. Labor relation policy and safety rules: it should be displayed to help
eliminate dispute between labor and management.
4. Emergency routes and underground services should be indicated as to help
indicate the emergency escape routes on every floor as the building
progresses. Location of underground services should be marked to prevent
its damage.

Security

1. Entrance point; it is necessary to have a proper guard at the entrance or gate

to the site in order to keep track and vigilant to all visitors to the site.
2. Lighting; it is necessary to have a stand by generator to maintain site
lighting.
3. Fencing; the boundaries of the site should be fenced off from a security point
of view.

Accommodation

In a large project, it is necessary to provide camp accommodation for all types

of staff involved in the project
Offices

The offices should be provided close together, close to the site and in safe areas,
the offices should be properly equipped with office equipment and the offices at
the site may include job offices, general contractor offices, sub-contractor, and
consultant offices.

Water supply and sanitation

It is necessary to have water and toilet facilities in convenient location and fairly
enough to accommodate the work force.

Storage and site cleaning

It is necessary to plan reserve storage for materials so that multiple movement of

materials is avoided, the following items should be considered

1. Lay down areas: Are areas reserved for storage of large materials and
equipment either for short term or long term basis
2. Warehouses; these are shelter storage facilities where materials are stored
until disbursed to the job.
3. Material staging areas: these are used when materials are stored near the
work place on a short- term basis.
4. Site cleaning: it is necessary at a work place and especially where the extent
of debris produced is high, and thus regular disposal of this debris is
necessary.

Craft-man change houses

Craft-man change houses provide sheltered space for craft personnel to change and
store clothes, wash and rest during waiting period.
Batch plant and shops

It is necessary where concrete work is needed. Aggregate storage, piles, cement

silos and admixture tank are all provided, shops are used where materials and
equipment are fabricated on site, this include electrical, mechanical, carpentry and
paint shops.

Duties of a resident engineer

Resident engineer is a civil engineer that is charged with the overseeing of

construction processes and staff for various project including buildings, roads and
bridges and often work on behalf of contractor, they make sure all the construction
is up to date with respect to the code of practice and often work both in the office
and in construction site itself.

The main duties of resident engineer includes:

1. Managing construction staff. This mean he work and communicate with

teams, watch over their work to ensure efficiency and accuracy of work and
ensure safety.
2. Obtaining materials. He calculate cost of everything from construction
materials to equipment as well as ensuring good supply and quality of
materials and equipment used during construction.
3. Planning for construction. He create project work schedule and look for
obstacles that may delay the project. He also help plan the construction by
looking at map as well as going to the field to survey the site.
 4. Evaluating work throughout the construction. He make sure everything is
going smoothly ensuring that project specification and deadline are met
5. Documenting and reporting on construction. He writes reports, keep the
detailed field note as well as organize and update documents.

Procedure for lifting heavy or bulk object on site to minimize injury

Taking safety precautions when using lifting equipment is mandatory to avoid

accidents. Safety procedures and requirement are in place to protect you and the
others because these incidences can cause costly damage or injuries. We therefore
analyzed lifting hazards and precaution, and outline ten safety precaution you must
take while handling lifting devices to reduce risks.

Lifting equipment is the equipment used for raising or lowering loads. There are
some general precautions to be taken into account.

1. Always check the equipment before use. A good practice is to heavy lifting
equipment procedure for your company or have a lifting device inspection
checklist with basic safety action. (a.) check that equipment is complete all
safeguards fitted and free from defects. (b.) Ensure you install the equipment
properly ensuring that it is stable and well-fixed in such a way that cannot
present some risks for other workers customers or visitors. (c.) Make sure
you choose the right equipment for every operation.
2. Perform periodic inspection and maintenance task. Your company should
have a safe work system for using and maintaining lifting equipment. A
competent person has to examine the equipment and its accessories before
using them for the first and regularly or periodically.
3. Ensure that your personnel training is up to date, always and every time you
introduce new equipment.
4. Make sure the weight of the load fit the equipment and must be well
distributed, do not attempt to load for example a 50 tons load with a lifter
capable of only 40 tons as the system will surely fail.
5. Use high quality monitoring overload protective system. This kind of system
must be integrated in the lifting and handling equipment, it guaranteed the
monitoring of operation and thus prevent unnecessary accident due to
misuse of equipment.
6. Do not attempt to adjust the load manually, never move or reposition the
load manually to avoid injury when using lifting equipment. It is adapted to
any movement the material made and can position the load precisely. This
type of equipment help the operator perform their task safely and
straightforwardly using only the control adapted to the operation.
7. Prevent access to dangerous parts. Some measure you can use to prevent
access to dangerous parts are:
1. Use fixed guards to enclose dangerous parts using the best material for
every case.
2. If fixed guards are not possible, then use methods such as interlocking
the guard to avoid starting the equipment before it is closed or cannot be
opened while machine is still moving in some case.
3. Where guards cannot give complete protection, use jigs, holders, push
stick etc.
8. Make sure that the equipment is adequately marked. Here ensure to visibly
mark your equipment with any appropriate information for its safe use, you
must also mark all the accessories.
9. Use the necessary safety equipment. There are different personal protection
equipment such as helmet, boots, gloves, goggle etc. you must assess and
analyze the characteristic of the lifting equipment to choose the one that best
 suits the specific needs of your staff. Make sure the equipment you choose
complies with current regulations.
10. Never stand under the load. It is essential to always maintain a safe distance
from the load you are moving to ensure that you are not at risk and can
handle the situation safely in an error, equipment failure or other problem.

Earth moving equipment

Back-acting excavator
A backhoe—also called rear actor or back actor—is a type of excavating
equipment, or digger, consisting of a digging bucket on the end of a two-part
articulated arm. It is typically mounted on the back of a tractor or front loader, the
latter forming a "backhoe loader The section of the arm closest to the vehicle is
known as the boom, while the section that carries the bucket is known as
the dipper, (or dipper-stick), The boom, which is the long piece of the backhoe arm
attached to the tractor through a pivot called the king-post, is located closest to the
cab. It allows the arm to pivot left and right, typically through a range of 180 to
200 degrees, and enables lifting and lowering movements.

A back actor is a type of earth moving plant used on construction sites to place and
transport excavated soil. It is sometimes referred to as a backhoe, backhoe loader
or rear actor.

Back actors can be fitted with different attachments for tasks such as boring,
digging, excavation and loading. They can also be used for minor demolition,
powering building equipment, breaking asphalt and transporting light building
materials
DRAGLINE EXCAVATOR
The dragline, or dragline excavator, is a mechanized excavator and crawler that is
used in large-scale works. It operates with a shovel or scoop attached to the
machine only with cables, which offers it a wide range of action and load.
However, it reduces power, so the dragline is ideal for excavating and hauling
materials that are not very hard. In a typical cycle of excavation, the bucket is
positioned above the material to be excavated. The bucket is then lowered and the
dragrope is then drawn so that the bucket is dragged along the surface of the
material. The bucket is then lifted by using the hoist rope. A swing operation is
then performed to move the bucket to the place where the material is to be
dumped. The dragrope is then released causing the bucket to tilt and empty. This is
called a dump operation.

Small draglines are typically used for building roads and ports, foundations of
bases, and other civil works. Larger draglines are fundamental for mining

operations in open-pit quarries.

 SCRAPER
Scrapers, also called wheel tractor scrapers, are commonly used to scrape and level
surfaces. These heavy-duty earthmoving machines can also haul earth and
materials, such as dirt and gravel, more than just a short distance—they can move
it from one job site to another.

Scrapers offer extreme efficiency over other earthmoving vehicles when it comes
to transporting materials. A single scraper operator can move up to 72 cubic yards
of materials per cycle, which can cut your labor in half.
 GRADER

The grader, also known as motor grader or road grader, is described as heavy-duty
machine designed with a long blade that is used in different industry
sectors. Graders are most commonly used in civil construction, roadworks and on
mining sites for creating smooth and flat surfaces.

Certain graders can operate multiple attachments, or be designed for specialized

tasks like underground mining. In civil engineering, the grader's purpose is to
"finish grade" (to refine or set precisely).
Graders are commonly used in the construction and maintenance of dirt and gravel
roads for creating a flat surface where the asphalt will be placed. For civil
engineering projects, the purpose of the graders is to perform fine grading.

The motor grader can also be found on major mining sites all over the world. An
extremely versatile machine, grader operators are needed for a wide variety of
construction, roadworks and mining tasks.

BULLDOZER

Bulldozer, powerful machine for pushing earth or rocks, used in road buiding,
farming, construction, and wrecking; it consists of a heavy, broad steel blade or
plate mounted on the front of a tractor. Sometimes it uses a four-wheel-drive
tractor, but usually a track or crawler type, mounted on continuous metal treads, is
employed. The blade may be lifted and forced down by hydraulic rams. For
digging, the blade is held below surface level; for transporting, it is held at the
surface level; and for spreading, it is held above the surface level, as the tractor
moves forward.

Bulldozers are used for shallow digging and ditching; short-range transportation of
material; spreading soil dumped from trucks; rough grading; removing trees,
stumps, and boulders; and cleaning and leveling around loading equipment. A
bulldozer alone can do many types of excavation, and it is useful in combination
with other machinery in most excavation work

Factors to be considered when choosing relevant earth moving equipment

Every earthmoving task at a construction site is different. It is, therefore, hard to
choose a single earthmoving system for all the tasks. Each earthmoving operation
has its objectives and complexity, based on which the best earthmoving system is
chosen.

Every earthmoving operation is a combination of digging, scooping, and pushing

the material. The earthmoving equipment is used to perform any of these
operations. A contractor or engineer chooses the earthmoving equipment based
on the utility and the tasks that need to be completed. The selection of the right
earthmoving equipment improves the production and profit.

The three common types of earthmoving equipment used are excavators, loaders,
and bulldozers.

These factors are:

1. Identify the Job of Equipment

Almost all earthmoving job includes clearing, excavating, and grading activities.
The first important factor to consider while selecting an earthmoving equipment is
defining the equipment's role. Some machines perform excavation alone, while
some perform site preparation jobs.

2. Study the Site Soil Type

The type of soil is one of the most important criteria to consider when choosing the
earthmoving equipment. For example, for smooth soil and soils that spread
quickly, a scraper is recommended by engineers. Wheel tractor scrapers are the
best choice for areas having sandy, loamy soil

For a construction site with hard and rocky soils or wet soils or wet clay material,
the decision would be articulated truck. A scraper cannot work in such areas. So, to
choose an earthmoving system, one must know the material type that is intended to
be moved.

3. Study the Versatility and Flexibility of the equipment

The soil condition varies with the environmental conditions. So, the equipment
used to work with the soil must be flexible and versatile enough to adapt to
different soil conditions. This is a parameter considered while choosing
earthmoving equipment.
Articulated hauler is one such earthmoving equipment that possesses excellent
flexibility and versatility property. This equipment works best in limited traction.
An articulated hauler is the right choice if the site is subjected to big weather
changes

4. Study the Hauling Distance

For smaller hauling distances, small equipment is right. When the hauling distance
is higher, and the quantity of earth to be moved is high, it requires heavy and more
robust equipment. This is because small equipment cannot sustain the load or
pressure for a longer hauling distance. When a small equipment is made to
work for larger hauling distance, it results in the machine's breakdown.

5. Determine the Cutting Work

The depth and length of earth cutting also influence the type of earthmoving
equipment. A scraper finds it difficult to load the earth if the length of the cut is
less than 100 ft. However, this case is easily moved by articulated haulers.

In construction areas, where there is enough space for outlining, a scraper works
best. For digging a borrow pit, an articulated truck is the right choice.

PROCEDURE FOR SITE CONTROL OF EARTH WORK

Earthwork
Earthworks are engineering works created through the moving and/or processing
of massive quantities of soil or unformed rock. Earthwork is done to reconfigure
the topography of a site to achieve the design levels. Earthwork involves cutting
and filling to achieve the required topography. Earthworks are engineering works
created through the moving and/or processing of massive quantities of soil or
unformed rock. Earthwork is done to reconfigure the topography of a site to
achieve the design levels. Earthwork involves cutting and filling to achieve the
required topography.

Compaction Test

Soil compaction is an operation common to most construction projects and

increases the strength and stability of soils to support earthworks, structures, and
pavements. Soil compaction is the practice of applying mechanical compactive
effort to densify a soil by reducing the void space between soil particles.
Compaction occurs when particles are pressed together to reduce the air space
between them, highly compacted soils contain very few spaces resulting in soil
with higher unit weight. Maximum density is achieved at an optimum moisture
content, or OMC for short. Maximum dry density (MDD) and OMC are first
determined in a laboratory to help provide a target for compaction and water
content in the field. This relationship is best displayed using a moisture density
curve, also referred to as a compaction curve. A compaction curve can be
developed using ASTM 698, commonly known as Proctor testing. Using this
method multiple samples are compacted in a repeatable manner into a specified
mold by a specifically weighted hammer from a specified height at specific amount
of times. A curve, with the apex corresponding to OMC and MDD, is produced by
plotting each point. In the field, moisture content and compaction are most often
determined using a nuclear gauge. 95 percent compaction for example means that
the soil has been compacted to 95 percent of the possible density of the soil
through compactive efforts. Maximum dry density, along with optimum moisture
content, is determined in the laboratory and provides the target for field
compaction. 95 percent is often used as a target compaction threshold to ensure
that construction projects are erected on a solid platform. The compactive
threshold will be provided by the designing engineer and will be based on the
bearing capacity required for the final load to be structurally stable.

Soil Compaction Procedure in construction process

Here is a general procedure for soil compaction in construction projects:

Soil Analysis: Conduct a thorough analysis of the soil to determine its properties,
including moisture content, composition, and compaction characteristics. This
analysis helps determine the appropriate compaction method and equipment to use.

Moisture Adjustment: Soil moisture content plays a vital role in achieving

optimum compaction. If the soil is too dry, it may not compact properly, while
excessive moisture can lead to poor compaction. Adjust the moisture content of the
soil to achieve the desired compaction characteristics.

Site Preparation: Clear the construction area of any debris, vegetation, or other
unwanted materials. Level the ground and remove any large rocks or obstructions
that could hinder the compaction process.

Compaction Equipment Selection: Choose the appropriate compaction equipment

based on the soil type and project requirements. Commonly used equipment
includes vibratory rollers, smooth-wheel rollers, sheepsfoot rollers, and plate
compactors.

Compaction Method: The compaction method depends on the soil type and
equipment used. Typically, the compaction is achieved by applying repeated
passes of the compaction equipment over the soil surface. The equipment exerts
pressure on the soil, causing particles to rearrange and reducing air voids.

Lift Thickness: Soil is compacted in layers or lifts, with each layer having a
specific thickness. The thickness of the lift depends on the compaction equipment
being used. Generally, for large vibratory rollers, the lift thickness can range from
15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches). For smaller compactors, the lift thickness may be
smaller.
Compaction Testing: Regularly test the compacted soil to ensure it meets the
desired compaction specifications. Test methods include the Proctor test or
Modified Proctor test, which measure the maximum density and optimum moisture
content of the soil.

Quality Control: Monitor the compaction process to maintain quality control.

Adjust the compaction parameters, such as moisture content or number of passes,
if necessary, to achieve the desired level of compaction.

Documentation: Keep detailed records of the compaction process, including test

results, equipment used, and any adjustments made during the compaction. These
records are essential for quality assurance and may be required

HINTS

How to figure out the right amount of water for compacting soil

To determine the best moisture content for soil compaction, you need to do some
tests in a lab. The Proctor test or modified Proctor test is commonly used. These
tests involve compacting soil samples with different moisture levels and measuring
their densities to find the optimum moisture content.

Can you compact all types of soil

Yes, you can compact different types of soil, including clay and sand. However,
the way you compact them may vary. Clay soil usually requires more effort and
moisture control compared to sandy or gravelly soil.

Do all construction projects need soil compaction

Not every construction project requires soil compaction, but it’s generally
recommended for structures that need a stable foundation. Buildings, roads,
embankments, pavements, and other infrastructure projects often require
compaction. The need for compaction depends on factors like soil type, load-
bearing requirements, and the potential for settling.

Can you compact soil when it’s wet or frozen

It’s generally not recommended to compact soil when it’s wet or frozen. Wet soil
with high moisture content is difficult to compact effectively. Frozen soil is also
unsuitable for compaction since the particles are locked and can’t be rearranged
properly. It’s better to wait for the soil to dry or thaw before attempting
compaction.

What are the signs of poor soil compaction

Poor soil compaction can cause various problems. Some common signs include
structures settling too much or unevenly, cracking or unevenness in pavements,
and poor drainage. If you notice these signs, it’s important to assess the soil
compaction and take necessary measures to ensure the stability and durability of
the construction project.
Difference types of compaction machines

Top Soil and its uses on the site

Topsoil is the upper layer of soil, usually between 2 to 8 inches in

depth, that contains most of the gTopsoil formation is an incredibly slow
process, typically taking 100 years for every inch of soil. It is formed
from the weathering of rocks and the subsequent addition of organic
material from decaying plants and animals. This enriches the soil and
adds the nutrients essential to support plant life round’s nutrients and
fertility. Topsoil comes from the top layer of the ground and is rich in
organic matter and healthy nutrients. It is often used for growing
vegetables and plants in gardens and pots, and tends to be darker in color
than other types of dirt and is also more expensive.

Whether you have a patch of land that urgently needs rehabilitation or

you want your plants, trees, crops, or flowers to grow in the best
possible way, topsoil is the answer. Its most essential value is the
amalgamation of nutrients it provides to plants. For their growth, there is
arguably nothing more suitable.

This is because this region of the soil that does the main biological
nutrient cycling, which provides the needed carbon and nitrogen
molecules for the plants to grow. Crops growing in this soil are home to
the diverse community of microorganisms that do the cycling. More
importantly, the more diverse the microbial population is, the fewer
diseases can thrive in that cycle.

Topsoil is required to plant lawns and gardens when building a new

home or landscaping an outdoor space. Typically, people search for a
topsoil supplier locally to ensure both a healthy lawn and that they are in
the hands of experts. Also, gardeners tend to incorporate new topsoil
into their gardens to increase the nutrient cycling, the organic matter,
and the soil’s water-holding capacity.

Whether you have a patch of land that urgently needs rehabilitation or

you want your plants, trees, crops, or flowers to grow in the best
possible way, topsoil is the answer. Its most essential value is the
amalgamation of nutrients it provides to plants. For their growth, there
is arguably nothing more suitable.

This is because this region of the soil that does the main biological
nutrient cycling, which provides the needed carbon and nitrogen
molecules for the plants to grow. Crops growing in this soil are home to
the diverse community of microorganisms that do the cycling. More
importantly, the more diverse the microbial population is, the fewer
diseases can thrive in that cycle.

Topsoil is required to plant lawns and gardens when building a new

home or landscaping an outdoor space. Typically, people search for a
topsoil supplier locally to ensure both a healthy lawn and that they are in
the hands of experts. In addition, gardeners tend to incorporate new
topsoil into their gardens to increase the nutrient cycling, the organic
matter, and the soil’s water-holding capacity