Construction of Buildings

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

Admission into one of the following courses:

MC-CM Master of Construction Management (300-point entry)
MC-CONMG3Y Master of Construction Management (300 points)

ABPL90292 Construction Principles

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject provides an introduction to the construction of buildings with an emphasis on residential and multi-unit residential low-rise construction. The key functions and performance requirements for the main elements are discussed in relation to material selection, structural design and construction methods. The aim here is to expose students who are coming into the construction program without a cognate degree to appreciate how construction techniques, contemporary practice, building legislation, developments in sustainable design principles, advancements in materials technology are interlinked and all come together to influence the construction of buildings. The subject also includes an introduction to services within a residential context, and discusses various topics related to building pathology and maintenance.

• To develop the ability to understand building and construction terminology;
• To provide a fundamental understanding of the regulations pertaining to the planning and construction of residential buildings;
• To provide a comprehensive understanding of the activities involved in the construction of a residential building from site works, builders plant, substructure, superstructure, internal construction and finishes, up to and including domestic services; and
• To provide an introduction to building maintenance and pathology, and an understanding of the basic principles of sustainable design as applied to a residential building.

• Assignment 1, equivalent to 500 words due in Week 4 focussing on identifying and documenting the form, construction materials and structural elements in residential buildings (10%);
• Assignment 2, equivalent to 1500 words due in Week 11, is an exercise to document and report comprehensively on a selected residential building under construction (30%);
• One 3 hour exam, focussing on various pertinent topics in construction materials, residential construction methods, and regulations pertaining to the design and construction of buildings (60%).

Hurdle requirement: A minimum mark of 40% must be achieved in the examination in order to pass the subject.

• Chudley and Greeno, Building Construction Handbook, Seventh Edition, Butterworth-Heinemann.
• Wikie, Building Your Own Home, New Holland.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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

• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings.
• Ability to communicate construction solutions by means of sketches and drawings
• Clear and succinct understanding of all the planning, construction and operational aspects of residential construction
• Ability to understand the choice of structural system, and to propose and evaluate alternative systems.