CE 4260

UNIVERSITY OF MORATUWA

Faculty of Engineering

Department of Civil Engineering

B.Sc. Engineering
Level 4 - Semester 1 Examination

CE 4260 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

Time allowed: 3 Hours March 2011

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL:
Not applicable.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:
This paper contains 6 questions on 5 pages.

Sections A and B should be answered in separate books.

This examination accounts for 60 % of the module assessment. The total maximum mark
attainable is 100. The marks assigned for each question & sections there of are indicated in
square brackets.

This is a closed book examination.

Answer only FOUR questions.

.
Assume reasonable values for any data not given in or with the examination paper. Clearly
state such assumptions made on the script.

If you have any doubt as to the interpretation of the wording of a question, make your own
decision, but clearly state it on the script.

All Examinations are conducted under the rules & regulations of the University.

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Section A

Question 1

A leading investor wants to construct an apartment complex in Rajagiriya area which can be
occupied in December 2010. The 25 storey structure consists of 1000 x 1000 mm columns
up to 10th floor and 750 x 750 mm columns up to 20th floor and 600 x 600 mm columns up to
the roof. All the slabs will be 150 mm thick and the beam sizes are of 600 mm (deep) x 450
mm (wide) and 450 mm (deep) x 300 mm (wide). Partition walls will be constructed using
cement sand blocks. If you are the resident engineer of the project, describe how you would
ensure quality of the structure in following steps:

i. A batching plant will be set up at site for the concrete works. Explain the material
selection for the concrete including the necessary testing carried out on each material.
[6 marks]

ii. Explain the means of horizontal and vertical transportation of concrete within the
site. [4 marks]

iii. Explain the steps that you would recommend to minimize segregation of concrete .
[8 marks]

iv. Describe with neat sketches, the possible defects in concrete members, if above
mentioned quality controlling measures are not implemented.
[7 marks]

Question 2

It is proposed to construct a shopping complex in Nugegoda city limits. The structure

consists of five floors with basement car parking. The above ground floors will be
constructed with concrete frame work and brick walls. If you are the engineer in charge of
the project, explain the construction method that you would adopt in the following:

i. If the soil at site up to the basement level is loose sand, explain what is the basement
construction method adopted together with the supports for the excavation. Explain
with neat sketches.
[5 marks]

ii. What is the dewatering technique that you would propose if the water table is at a
depth of 1.5 m below ground? [5 marks]

iii. Since this site is in the middle of a busy shopping area, explain how you would
maintain health and safety of the workers, road users and the neighbours.
[5 marks]

iv. Since the site is congested, it was decided to use ready mix concrete for the
construction. Explain how you would check the quality of concrete upon arrival at
site. Describe the tests on both fresh and hardened concrete.
[10 marks]

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Question 3

It is proposed to construct a twelve storey building in a congested site at Borella for a leading
financial institution. The structure of the building consists of a reinforced concrete column
beam frame work with reinforced concrete slabs. The foundation of the building consists of
1.0 diameter insitu cast bored piles driven up to 18.0 m depth. Since the site is surrounded by
several multi storey buildings, a well designed shoring system will be needed to protect the
nearby structures. Since the ground water table is at a fairly high level, continuous
dewatering is necessary throughout the pile cap construction. If you are the resident engineer
of the project, describe the construction process in following steps:

i Describe the method of excavation of the piles. Indicate the equipment used.
[5 marks]

ii Briefly explain the steps of concreting the piles, indicating plant and machinery to be
used. [5 marks]

iii Explain with neat sketches of a proposed shoring system for the site.
[5 marks]

iv Briefly explain the following systems of temporary works used and their application
in large construction projects:

a. Single skin sheet pile walls;

b. Secant pile walls; and
c. Multi stage well point system of dewatering.
[10 marks]

Question 4

i. In order to obtain concrete elements with fair finish, a good set of formwork is
needed. Describe with sketches a set of formwork recommended for an eight storey
building under following headings:

a. High wall forms;

b. Column formwork; and
c. Beam form work. [9 marks]

ii. A good scaffolding system is needed for the workers to attend to the construction at
higher elevation. Describe the main features of a scaffolding system in following
steps:
a. Putlog scaffolding system;
b. Independent scaffolding system; and
c. Different types of couplers used with tubular scaffolding.
[12 marks]

iii. Describe the health and safety measures that you would propose in the above eight
storey building project to minimize the accidents at site. [4 marks]

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Section B
Question 5

i. Describe a construction method and equipment for a proposed 20 km long

underground tunnel for a railway construction. According to soil investigation in the
area, the railway tunnel will run through medium to weak soil. You may assume any
other data when answering the question and encouraged to use sketches where
necessary to elaborate your method.
[12 marks]

ii. Discuss different hazards related to tunnelling work (similar to the tunnel on Kandy –
Nuwera Eliya road or Upper Kothmale access tunnel), involved in a road construction
project and highlight safety measures that you would propose at your construction
site.
[8 marks]

iii. In order to maintain the required site safety in a large construction project, prepare a
checklist that can be used by a site supervisor
[5 marks]

Question 6

i. Describe the following ground water control methods in Civil Engineering projects:
a. Pumping ;
b. Cut-off walling;
c. Special methods; and
d. Cofferdams. [10 marks]

ii. List advantages of achieving a higher degree of compaction of fill materials in an

embankment construction of a road project. [5 marks]

iii. List different types of compaction plant and equipment. [5 marks]

iv. Prepare a Matrix Table to indicate the “suitability or unsuitability” of each identified
compaction plant mentioned in (iii) when used in following types of soils:
a. Cohesive soil;
b. Well-graded granular and dry cohesive soils; and
c. Uniformly-graded materials. [5 marks]

End of Question paper

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