THE IMPORTANCE OF STRUCTURAL DETAILS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECTS DELIVERY
ABSTRACT
This study was aimed at investigating the “Importance of structural details in civil engineering project delivery. This study made used of survey research design and sample size of 70 respondents were randomly selected among the structural engineers and construction professionals in Ikot Ekpene. The findings of this study revealed that; structural detailing is a vital communication link that connect key professionals such as engineers, architects and contractors for quick interpretation and construction of engineering project, is very important in civil engineering project deliver. It was recommended That where need be, the engineers should seek for assistance and collaboration from other experts in the field in order to achieve a good project work and structural detailing should be subjected to screening by appropriate authorities before implementation in order to prevent collapsing or quick deterioration of structures which will thereby result in wasted of effort, resources and life.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page – – – – – – – – – i
Certification – – – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgements – – – – – – – iv
Table of contents – – – – – – – – v
List of Figures – – – – – – – – viii
Abstract – – – – – – – – – ix
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study – – – – – 1
1.2 Aim and Objectives of the Study – – – – 4
1.3 Scope and Limitation of the Study – – – – 4
1.4 Significance of the Study – – – – – 4
1.5 Definition of Terms – – – – – – 5
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Expressive and Responsive Detailing – – – – 9
2.2 Architectural form – – – – – – 9
2.3 Building function – – – – – – – 11
2.4 The Influence of Detailing on The Response of
Concrete Structures to Deterioration – – – – 15
2.5 Assessment of Concepts and Details – – – 16
2.5.1 Qualitative Assessment – – – – – – 18
2.5.2 Quantitative Assessment – Canadian Bridge Assessment Code – 18
2.6 The Significance of Structural Design in Civil Engineering – 22
2.7 The Importance of Structural Detailing in Building
Construction – – – – – – – 25
2.8 Design And Detailing Errors In Construction – – 28
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design – – – – – – – 33
3.2 Population of the Study – – – – – – 33
3.3 Sample and sampling technique Size – – – – 33
3.4 Instrumentation – – – – – – – 34
3.5 Validity and Reliability of Instrument – – – – 34
3.6 Method of Data Analysis – – – – – – 35
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis – – – – 36
4.2 Discussion of Findings – – – – – – 52
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Conclusion – – – – – – – – 55
5.2 Recommendations – – – – – – – 56
REFERENCES
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Pie of Gender distribution of the Respondents – 36
Figure 2: Bar chart of Age distribution of the Respondents – 37
Figure 3: Bar chart of Educational qualification of Respondents – 38
Figure 4: Bar chart of Discipline/Profession of the Respondents – 40
Figure 5: Bar chart of Working experience of the Respondents – 41
Figure 6: Bar chart of Present Job Description of the Respondents – 43
Figure 7: Pie chart for research question 1 – – – – 44
Figure 8: Pie chart for research question 2 – – – – 46
Figure 9: Pie chart for research question 3 – – – – 47
Figure 10: Pie chart for research question 4 – – – – 48
Figure 11: Pie chart for research question 5 – – – – 49
Figure 12: Pie chart for research question 6 – – – – 51
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Exposed structural detailing can contribute significantly to the architecture of a building. Detailing can transform ordinary or structural members into objects of aesthetic delight, as well as communicating design ideas and concepts. Illustrating how architects express a wide diversity of design ideas through structural details, demonstrating the breadth of architectural qualities that detailing can contribute to designs, that in turn lead to aesthetically satisfying outcomes (Webster, 1998).
Structural detailing is understood as determining the form of and the shaping and finishing of structural members and their connections. Structural detailing, as a design process, comprises the design of the cross-section, elevation profile and the connections of a structural member in order to achieve the structural engineering requirements of stability, strength and stiffness. Detailing begins after the structural form for a given design is chosen. For example, if designers decide in principle to adopt an exposed timber postand- beam system, they can select details from many possible combinations of differently detailed beams, columns, joints and finishes. A similar range of alternatives has been suggested for the detailing of structural steel members (Hobbs, 1996).
The designed concept should drive detailed design. Before attending to the structural details a designer should begin by revisiting his or her concept and interrogating it. Only then is it possible to achieve an architecture where all its structural members are integrated with all the other architectural elements and work together towards achieving the design concept. Such an outcome is improbable if a designer uncritically permits detailing choices to be constrained by typical or conventional practice. That will deny clients and building users opportunities for architectural enrichment.
Where detailing is hidden from view, however, then any design considerations beyond structural performance, economy and buildability are wasted. A pragmatic approach to detailing is quite sufficient.
As well as reflecting or expressing the architectural design concept, as noted above, structural detailing must be structurally adequate and consistent with the structural engineering assumptions. For example, a connection assumed pinned in the structural analysis should be detailed as such. Therefore, at least in buildings large enough to require professional structural engineering expertise, successful structural resolution, including detailing, requires close collaboration between architects and structural engineers. Structural detailing should therefore satisfy both the architectural design concept and structural necessity (Chana, 1989).
Design concept and detailing can have an influence on how a structure reacts to the effects of deterioration. Design concept is largely a global issue whereas detailing is more of a local issue. The environment to which the structure is subjected will vary from one structure to another depending on the use and design concept. Good design concepts and detailing practice can minimize the chances of deterioration. If deterioration does occur, they can also minimize the impact (Rodriguez et al., 1994).
In assessing a structure, it is important to maximize the effectiveness of the resources employed. This means identifying the critical areas to ensure that safety is maintained whilst minimizing the whole life cost of remedial works. If there are certain features or details that can lead to, or protect from, deterioration then they should be identified.
1.2 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The aim of this study is to examine the importance of structural detailing in project delivery
The specific objectives of this study are;
- To ascertain the need for proper structural detailing in project delivery
- To ascertain the challenges to proper structural detailing in project delivery
- To ascertain the significance of structural detailing in project delivery
- To make useful recommendations based on the findings of this study
1.3 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The study focuses on the importance of structural detailing in project delivery, and it comprises of categories of structural engineers. This research is limited by time and financial constraint.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study will be of importance to the engineers on the detrimental effect of improper structural detailing so as to encourage improvement and better professionalism when handling work or contract.
It will also help to inform the public on the need for hiring a professional engineer for structural detailing, because if the structural detailing is wrong definitely, the structure will have issues in no distant time.
This study will serve as source of information to the Government agent responsible for housing and structures. To advocate proper structural detailing in order to protect life and property as well as reduce wastage of resources and effort and time.
This research work will also serve as a reference materials to future researcher and students in this field.
1.5 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Civil Engineering: This is defined as a profession field of study that deal with the designs, contractions, and maintenance of the natural and artificial physical built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, retaining walls, airports, railways, sewage systems, pipelines foundation base for electrical tower and structural building components.
Column: Column is a vertical structural element that transmit load through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column is a compression member that transmit load to other structural members in a building.
Concrete Cover: This is the least distance between the surface of embedded reinforcement and the outer surface of the concrete. It protect the reinforcement from external weather, accident and fire damage.
Concrete reinforcement: this is concrete that steels are embedded in it, in such a manner that the two materials act together in resisting forces. The reinforcing steel rods absorbs the tensile and shear stresses in a concrete structure.
Concrete: Concrete is a mixture which consist of fine aggregate, coarse aggregation, binding elements in a building.
Construction: this is generally the assembling or putting thing or materials together to form another thing. Basically in this aspect construction is referred to assembling of materials such as cements and aggregate, water and steel to form a building or any other structure with the help of some tools.
Detailing: Detailing is the process of designing and breaking down or blowing up a portion of structure element on a paper to guide the builders on site where construction is going on, detailing drawing is the principal means through which designer or detailers communicates his requirement unambiguously to the builder.
Engineering: The branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures or the action of working artfully to bring something about.
Engineers: A person who designs, builds, or maintains engines, machines, or structures
Foundation: This is the lowest part of the structure that is constructed below the surface of the ground to support a building, it receive all the load from the upper structure and distribute it evenly to the soil beneath, it also known as the subconstruction.
Pragmatic: Dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.
Project delivery: A project delivery method is a system used by an agency or owner for organizing and financing design, construction, operations, and maintenance services for their clients
Structural detailing: Structural detailing can be defined as the process by which the design and structural system is drafted in a form that a builder can use for construction for easy establishment.
