In most cases, the construction of commercial buildings involves the application of a wide range of complex construction systems. Such structures may be in the form of high, medium, or low rise buildings, sporting facilities, shopping centers, or hospitals. Every commercial construction building has a characteristic structural design which goes on to extend its influence over the methods applied in the subsequent construction. In this paper, we take into consideration the concrete construction aspects of the new Sports Centre/gymnasium building at Bond University with the extension to the Health building on campus. The paper includes a comprehensive analysis of the type of concrete construction that was used for each of the two buildings; a discussion of evidence from the onsite construction that supports the interpretation of the construction method alluded to, as well as the logic for the approach used by the designers in designing the two buildings.
The gym was constructed using the tilt-up method. For this approach, the construction is completed through on site casting of the concrete walls of the building on the floor slabs or on disparate casting beds and then they are tilted and lifted by cranes into the preferred positions. This method is mostly applied due its resultant effect of quickening the construction process. It maintains the flexibility of in-situ construction process while ensuring the rapid completion of the construction through a well-planned process that is similar to a production lines in an industrial set-up. The evidence from the site suggests that this was the method applied in the construction of the gym because of the distinct use of a crane in the construction process. As could be seen, the exterior wall of the gym building was constructed by tilting the concrete panels into place. Additionally, these panels were created at the site of construction using the various components of the structure such as wood forms and rebar which were shaped into the final designs expected and then raised into position. After they had been shaped, concrete would be poured to complete the structure. As soon as the walls were deemed to be complete, they were tilted and raised into position against the foundation to create the external structure of the building.
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On the other hand, the health extension building was constructed using the precast method. This method contrasts the cast in situ approach since it involves the casting of the concrete at another location and then lifting it to the final construction site where it is fixed accordingly. Notably, the application of this method features separately created structures that are joined together during the final construction and fitted to assume the effective design. Assumedly, the logic for the use of this method was to facilitate the extension of the construction without interfering with the normal functioning in the health building. This approach is relatively advantageous because it is fast. The evidence to suggest that this was the methodological approach applied includes the construction being facilitated on ground instead of at a height. There was a notable absence of a crane since most work was done on the ground. I could see that the precast concrete was being transferred to the site where they were tilted and fitted together to form the final structure.
In conclusion, architects have a vast array of construction alternatives to employ in engineering a building that is consistent with what the client wants. The difference in type of concrete used in the construction of the Sports Centre/Gymnasium building at Bond University and the extension to the Health building is the fact that the former was constructed using the tilt-up model while the latter encompasses a precast model.
