Commercial Construction

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

702-672 Concrete Structures and Construction

702-677 Structures and Construction Systems

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Commercial construction relates to high, medium or low rise office or apartment buildings, hospitals and institutional buildings, shopping centres and sporting facilities. Each project has characteristic structural forms and resultant methods of construction. Structural design concepts for steel and reinforced concrete are analysed and their influence on construction methods assessed. The topics covered include the interpretation of steel and reinforced concrete drawings and specifications, steel and reinforced concrete framed buildings, industrial ground slabs, basement construction and site retention methods, piling systems and construction methods to suit various geotechnical conditions, tilt slab construction methods, and precast concrete building systems.

This subject will introduce the design concepts for steel and reinforced concrete structures and is intended for students who enrol in the Master of Construction Management without a background in construction. Upon completion of the subject, the student should be able to:

• appreciate the factors affecting the choice of structural system, the choice of construction materials, and the construction process for commercial buildings;
• understand the roles and responsibilities of the designers, builders and other parties involved in the design and construction of a commercial building;
• read and interpret construction drawings;
• communicate construction solutions by means of sketches and drawings;
• and propose and evaluate alternative construction systems.

• First assignment (20%) handed out early in semester (equivalent 1500 words).
• Second assignment (20%) mid-semester (equivalent 1500 words).
• Final end of semester examination (3 hours), 60%.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Upon completion of this subject, students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:

• problem solving skills;
• analytical skills;
• communication skills.