University of Wolverhampton 2012-2013

School of Technology Built Environment

5CN001

Construction and Environmental Technology 5CN001

Tutorials Semester 1
Ethos
The tutorial part of the timetable is a series of investigative research topics centred upon those
subjects covered in the module and aimed to support lectures, the development of research
and evaluation skills and provide further opportunity for student engagement.
The six tutorial subjects will require students to undertake an independent study of the topics.
They aim to encourage student participation to maximise their learning. Specifically, some
topics covered in the tutorials form part of the formal assessment (exam and
assignment) and therefore students should make full use of them in helping them to develop
their knowledge and understanding.

Tutorial 1
Sustainable waste
Managing waste sustainably, legally, efficiently and cost-effectively during the construction of
the Olympic Park was a complex challenge. The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA)
managed this by implementing a centralised approach to waste.
Olympic Delivery Authority August 2012
Discuss this statement, explaining the importance of this approach in relation to:
The total construction and demolition waste for England was estimated at 77.4 million
tonnes in 2010.

A). Describe how each of the following

parties can help reduce the amount of
waste on building sites and make more
sustainable use of materials and
minimise potentially hazardous waste in
the construction process.

designers
manufacturers
& suppliers
contractors
subcontractors

B). Describe at least five aspects that

should be included in the materials
control policy of an efficient contractor
to comply with the latest legislation.
C). Evaluate steel and concrete, in their many forms, and then explain which one you think is
the more sustainable structural material.
D). New innovative construction materials are currently being tested, In future construction
projects what materials could perhaps rival steel and concrete as we know them today?

A. Hatfield

1 of 4 pages

University of Wolverhampton 2012-2013

School of Technology Built Environment
5CN001

Tutorial 2
The Shanghai World Finance Centre (SWFC)
Standing to the east side of the Huang Pu River in the Pudong
finance district, the SWFC towers above the Shanghai skyline.
Construction began in 1997 but it was not until August 2008 that
the building was officially opened and became the tallest building in
China. Amongst the high profile tenants are the Mizuho
Corporation and Sumitomo Mitsui, two of Japans leading banks.
A). Identify the technological solutions that were necessary to
overcome the following:

Ground conditions.
Change in design after the foundations had been
completed.

B). Wind loading is a primary concern in the design of tall buildings.

What measures were used to overcome this problem in the SWFC
and how does it work?
C). Identify the safety features that have been integrated into the
structure and explain what lessons have been learned from the
collapse of the World Trade Centre on September 2001.

Tutorial 3
Off-site Production - Prefabrication
With reference to the video entitled 'The Great British Housing Disaster', discuss the problems
with the industrialised 'system' buildings and assess the contribution of each of the following
parties:
A).

The government
The contractors
The workforce
The designers
Any other contributors

B). In 1968 three people died in Londons

docklands when part of Ronan Point tower
block collapsed. What legislative changes
were made in an attempt to prevent such a
structural failure happening again?

C). In 2012, what are the major lessons to be learnt from this so called 1960s disaster ?

A. Hatfield

2 of 4 pages

University of Wolverhampton 2012-2013

School of Technology Built Environment
5CN001

Tutorial 4
The Torre Espacio
Completed in 2007, it is one of the most exclusive buildings in Madrid. It forms part of the
Cuatro Torres complex and comprises of office space, restaurant and parking for 1,150 cars.

A). Identify the technological and material solutions

used to change the design of the square base of the
building to gradually form a ogival shape as its
height increased.
B). Describe the sustainable solutions applied to the
design to reduce the burden upon Facilities
Management, changing room usage and energy
consumption.
C). The urban design principle of the area was to
provide large landscaped spaces for the public to
relax. This necessitated the construction of six
levels of underground parking with direct access to
the major road network. Explain why the
construction technique and materials was to the
above ground structure.

Tutorial 5
In August 2008, the Burj Khalifa (Dubai Tower) became the tallest man-made structure ever.
It stands at 828m (2,716ft). It boasts more than 160 floors and is currently the largest freestanding structure in the word.
A). Identify the technological solutions that have
been utilised in its design and summarise the
reasons for there use in the following areas:

Foundation design
Super Structure

B). Wind loading is a primary concern in the

design of tall buildings. What measures were
used to overcome this problem in the Burj Dubai
and how does it work?
C). Evacuation is a prime consideration in high
rise
buildings.
What
measures
were
incorporated into the desgn of this building?
D). Dubais climate means that the cooling
requirements for the building creates a
substantial volume of condensation. Describe
how the Services were designed to managed
and sustainably dispose of this waste.

A. Hatfield

3 of 4 pages

University of Wolverhampton 2012-2013

School of Technology Built Environment
5CN001

Tutorial 6
The Millau Viaduct Civil Engineering
Completed in 2004, Le Viaduc de Millau is the highest vehicle carrying bridge in the world and
only 38 m (125 feet) shorter than the Empire State Building. It was designed by structural
engineer Michel Virlogeux and British architect Norman Foster.
It was conceived as a means to alleviate traffic congestion and crosses the valley of the River
Tarn in Aveyron, France. It carries the A75 Autoroute that links Paris to Barcelona in Spain.
The primary contract was won by Compagnie Eiffage du Viaduc de Millau and construction
began in October 2001, finishing ahead of schedule in December 2004.
A). Evaluate the steel and concrete components; what processes were used to construct:

The bridge deck

The seven piers
The Pylons

B). Describe two problems associated

with positioning the bridge deck and the
three technical solutions that were
employed to negate them.
C). What is original about the profile of
the viaduct and why was this adopted?
D). Since the Midi-Pyrnes is known for
extreme temperatures and high winds,
calculations of thermal, transverse and
vertical displacement stresses were
crucial to the design. What technical
solution was used to:

Minimise displacement of the

structure
Protect vehicles from crosswinds

----------------------------------------------

A. Hatfield

4 of 4 pages