Construction Technology

3
Module Descriptor

Module Code: CON5TE3

Version: 4.00
Status: Final
Date: 18/03/2021
 Construction Technology 3

Summary Module Details

Module details
Module Title: Construction Technology 3
Module Leader: Dominic Bottone
Module Mode: Supported online learning
Semester: Spring (UK)
Level: 5
Credits: 20
Learning Hours: 200

Contact and Study Hours

Directed Study Time: 90 hrs (45%)
Self-directed Study Time: 50 hrs (25%)
Assessment Study Time: 60 hrs (30%)

Assessment Type
Coursework: 100%
Computer Marked Assessment: 0%
Self-directed Research Project: 0%
Portfolio: 0%

Module Summary
This module develops students’ knowledge of the theory and practice of building technology
and sustainability for complex projects. It comprises the following broad subject areas:
advanced construction techniques; technology/process innovation and development;
components; building services; civil engineering; sustainability; legislation; building
regulation; contaminated land; works incorporating existing buildings; (complex sites). It
includes consideration of a range of complexities due to the site, the environment,
construction or unusual situations.

Taken on which Programmes

BSc (Hons) Building Control (C)
BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (C)
BSc (Hons) Construction Management (C)
BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying (C)
Core (C) or Elective (E)

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 Construction Technology 3

Module Aims
This module aims to:
• Build upon students’ previously developed knowledge in order that they may be
better able to address building process and technological, structural and
environmental issues for complex projects;
• Provide an introduction to issues on complex projects;
• Develop building, technology and environment theory; principles; materials;
regulation and legislation; civil engineering; services; construction techniques;
construction; innovation; contamination/ hazardous situations and sustainability;
• Encourage competence in the skills of communicating; essays, sketching and
drawing to address building, environment, technology and complex project matters;
• Build on a foundation of building, technology and environment knowledge and
understanding, so that it can be developed further in other modules.

Module Learning Outcomes

LO1. Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of complex
construction projects from perspectives of building process, structures and
construction technology, sustainability and the environment.
LO2. Develop technical arguments in the selection and application of techniques, including
construction and environmental issues; and apply and evaluate within complex
projects.
LO3. Discuss, address and/or apply legislation, standards or regulations on complex
projects.
LO4. Critically evaluate and communicate clearly, concisely, effectively and independently
on the appropriateness of different approaches in investigating complex construction
projects in order to devise solutions.

Indicative Module Content

Module topics
• Sustainability and the built environment
Establishes the potential impact that large scale building projects have on the natural
environment and acknowledges ways in which this can be assessed and potentially
reduced.

• Innovation in design
Complex projects demand innovative technological and organisational solutions in
meeting a client’s time, cost, and quality criteria demands. Here students address the
arguments that arise in evaluating and selecting appropriate technical design
solutions or procurement routes within a sustainable context.
This includes the consideration and analysis of different, complex building and
structural forms using international case studies and/or notional projects. Exploration
includes the identification of the major components within complex structures and

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 Construction Technology 3

how they work conceptually as part of a system to distribute and transfer loads to
foundations and provide necessary stability.

• Construction legislation: building regulations

Considers context within which building regulations are used by governments in
setting minimum standards for design in areas such as health and safety, hygiene,
energy conservation and accessibility. It then moves on to consider how the complex
projects need to move outside of the Approved Documents for key areas such as
environmental performance and fire safety.

• Construction legislation, hazardous materials and environments

The complexity of a project can often be increased by the presence of deleterious
materials in a building or the potential for contaminants within the soil. This topic
considers the legal obligations and procedural consequences for compliance when
encountering materials such as asbestos in an existing building or encountering the
potential for contamination when developing brownfield sites.

• Alterations and extensions to buildings

The retention or demolition of existing buildings requires evaluations to be
undertaken supported by detailed surveys. This topic considers the nature of these
investigations and potential solutions in underpinning of foundations, the design of
temporary works or the methods used for demolition.

• Civil engineering
Complexities arise out of the vast infrastructure works required to provide innovative
solutions to large-scale and high-rise projects on urban sites. Work here addresses
factors that determine the appropriate solutions for constructing deep basements in
constricted sites taken from a range of technical solutions. This topic also
acknowledges the wide range of civil engineering projects including roads, bridges
and marine structures that present additional complex challenges in relation to
building procurement and structural design.

• Building services
Building Services can account for half of the construction cost of complex building
projects. It is also an area where innovative solutions can be used to achieve
significant carbon reduction when considered in combination with decisions on
structure, fabric and orientation. This topic acknowledges the broad range of services
installations including drainage, fire safety, security and lightning protection, and
approaches for each that assist with carbon emission reduction. This concentrates on
selecting appropriate alternative strategies in terms of heating, cooling, ventilation
and lighting.

This content will be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect the legal, moral and financial
changes in professional standards and practice.

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 Construction Technology 3

Overview of Summative Assessment

Module learning Assessment Word count or Weighting
outcomes equivalent
LO1, LO2, LO3 Assessment 1 1,200 30%
LO4
Coursework
LO1, LO2, LO3, Assessment 2 2,800 70%
LO4
Coursework
Module Pass Mark (as a weighted average of all assessments): 40%

Key Module Learning Resources

Core Sources and Texts
The core reading resources within each module will be provided via the specific Virtual
Learning Environment (VLE) module pages and within the e-Library. Additional reference
material and supplementary resources to support your studies are available through the
UCEM e-Library.

Module tools
Students will have access to study materials, dedicated academic support, student forums,
and learning activities via an online learning platform (VLE).
The module page on the VLE is broken down into structured study weeks to help students
plan their time, with each week containing a mixture of reading, case studies,
videos/recordings and interactive activities to go through. Online webinars/seminars led by
the Module Leader can be attended in real time and provide opportunities to consolidate
knowledge, ask questions, discuss topics and work through learning activities together.
These sessions are recorded to support students who cannot attend and to enable students
to recap the session and work through it at their own pace. Module forums on the VLE
provide further opportunities to discuss topics with other students, complete collaborative
work and get extra help from the module team.

Professional online resources

The e-Library provides access to trusted, quality online resources, selected by subject
specialists, to support students’ study. This includes journals, industry publications,
magazines, academic books and a dissertation/work-based library. For a list of the key
industry specific and education resources available please visit the VLE e-Library.

Other relevant resources

Access is also provided to further information sources that include the British Library and
Open University UK catalogues, as well as providing a monthly current awareness service
entitled, Knowledge Foundations - a compendium of news, research and resources
relating to the educational sector and the Built Environment.
The module resource list is available on the module website and is updated regularly to
ensure materials are relevant and current.

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