SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN

BACHELOR OF QUANTITY SURVEYING (HONOURS)

Construction Technology 1

(QSB 1514 / BLD60104)

Assignment 1

Venue: Mid Valley Megamall

Lecturer: Azrina Binti Md Yaakob

Group me mbers

Koh Wen Qi 0323355

Kong Zhen Chung 0319528

Gan Xiao Ying 0322998

Lily Then 0313973

Aishath Hussain 0320429

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction …………………………………………………………… pg 2-3

Part 1 ………………………………………………………........……… pg 4

Part 2

Type of roofs ……………………………………….…... pg 5-6 Type of windows ……………………………………….…... pg 7-12 Type of doors …………………………………………… pg 13-17 Type of stairs …………………………………………… pg 18-22

Part 3: Compare Table and Alternative recommended

Roofs ……………………………………………….… pg 23-24 Windows ……………………………………………….… pg 25-27 Doors ……………………………………………….… pg 28 Stairs ……………………………………………….… pg 29-30

Conclusion ……….…………………………………………….…… pg 31

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INTRODUCTION

This assignment is relevant to building elements. It mainly divided into three parts. The first part of the assignment is to illustrate the type of building. After that, identify and further explain the type of roofs, windows, doors and stairs of the building. Lastly, compare with another type of these elements before recommend an alternative for replacement.

After our discussion, the venue that we have chosen is Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur. It was opened in November 1999. Mid Valley Megamall is a complex comprising shopping mall, an office tower block, 30 offices, and 2 hotels located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The mall has 4.5 million square feet (420,000 m²) of total floor area, out of which 1.7 million square feet (158,000 m²) is leasable space.

The main reason why we chose this place is because it is a huge shopping mall and has many parts for us to penetrate into. Another reason is the suitability of public transport, we can go Mid-Valley by bus or by KTM.

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MALL MAP

PART 1

There are many types of building: agricultural buildings, commercial buildings, residential buildings, educational buildings, government buildings, industrial buildings, military buildings, parking structures and storage, religious buildings, transport buildings, infrastructure, plants and others.

Shopping mall falls under commercial building.

A shopping mall is a modern, chiefly North American, term for a form of shopping precinct or shopping centre, in which one or more buildings form a complex of shops representing merchandisers with interconnecting walkways that enable customers to walk from unit to unit. 

As time goes by, many smaller arcades have been demolished, replaced with large centres or "malls", often accessible by vehicle. Technical innovations such as electric lighting and escalators were introduced from the late nineteenth century. From the late twentieth century, entertainment venues such as movie theatres and restaurants began to be added.

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PART 2

TYPES OF ROOF IN MIDVALLEY MEGAMALL

The roof of Mid valley megamall is the combination of different type of roofs such as flat roof, transparent dome-shape roof octagonal on plan at the centre area of the mall. Generally, the roof is constructed of flat roof and a certain area are covered with pitch roof. A combination roof incorporates a design using various types of roofs on the same structure for aesthetic and practical reasons.

1. FLAT ROOF

Flat roof, which is one of the combination of roof for this shopping mall appears to be completely flat with no pitch. However, they do have a slight pitch to allow for water run off and drainage. These roofs are generally used in industrial or commercial buildings. However, they can also be found on houses in both high and low rainfall areas.

Advantages

Easier to climb up on and inspect.

More stability and horizontal surface than sloped roofs.

They are cheaper to re-coat and install than sloped roofs.

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FLAT ROOF

Disadvantages

The larger the area that the roof is covering, the less stable it becomes. Have extreme difficulty bearing the weight of snow accumulation and heavy

rain. Lack of roofing material options. The vast majority of flat roofs use a type of

rolled roofing; rubber, EPDM, TPO, or bitumen.

2. TRANSPARENT DOME-SHAPED ROOF

For the transparent dome-shape roof which is shown in the pictures above, it is the design of the mall which will make the mall look more attractive besides allowing natural lighting into the mall.

3. SPENCER GLASS ROOF

Advantages

Provides more light penetrate through the roof Perfectly sealed against rain and wind Remove cold and noise Can be recycled

Disadvantages

Glass manufacturing release air pollutants

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***ADDITIONAL

WHAT IS WINDOW?

Window is a vented barrier secured in a wall opening, usually glazed or covered by transparent or translucent materials which hold in place by frames. Window is give a view of inside and outside of the building and most of the windows can be opened to allow ventilation or closed to exclude inclement weather. In addition, Window often have a latch or similar mechanism to lock the window shut and is comprised of two parts that are window frame and sashes or shutter frame.

WINDOW PARTS AND TERMS

FUNCTIONS OF WINDOW

to allow a view of the inside and outside of the building to allow the passage of air, light and sound. to allow ventilation or closed to exclude inclement weather.

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TYPES OF WINDOWS IN MIDVALLEY MEGAMALL

1. AWNING WINDOW

Awning Window are hinged at the top and open outward.

It is designed to provide ventilation without letting in rain.

Awning Window can be used alone or in vertical or horizontal groups in combination with additional awning windows and other types of windows.

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Advantages of Awning Window

easy to install increase living space low cost provide an attract and stylish look provide good air ventilation provide all weather protection provide a good secure opening

Disadvantages of Awning Window

unsuitable for parts of the building where external walkway traffic is high. maintenance and cleaning maybe a challenge. escape may be difficult.

2. FIXED WINDOW

Fixed Window is a window that cannot be opened, whose function is limited to allow light to enter.

This type of window is used in situations where light or vision alone is needed as no ventilation is possible through fixed window.

In this type, the glass pane is permanently fixed in the opening of the wall.

The function is limited to allow light and or permit vision in the building.

There are no rebates provided to the frame and the shutters are fully glazed.

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Advantages of Fixed Window

Attention-getter Let light in Keeps prying eyes out

Disadvantages of Fixed Window

Obstruct views Prone to overkill (a little stained glass goes a long way)

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3. LOUVRE WINDOW

Louvre Windows are also known as Louvers, Jalousie Windows and Shutters.

Louvre Windows is a window blind or shutter comprised of a series of horizontal pieces of wood, glass, aluminium or other material fitted to the window frame.

The horizontal slats that are angles to admit which may be adjusted to rest open to allow light and breeze through, but to keep out rain, direct sunshine and noise

Louvre Window are provided for the sole function of ventilation and not for the vision outside.

The louvre usually fixed at 45° inclination sloping downward to the outside to run-off the rain water.

The louvre slats are generally adjusted, usually in blinds and window or fixed.

The windows provide light and ventilation even if closed.

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Advantages of Louvre Window

can be left open in gentle rain easy to clean excellent for cross-ventilation

purposes

Disadvantages of Louvre Window

offer relatively poor insulation and may leak air

significant security risk if installed without extra measures

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TYPES OF DOORS IN MIDVALLEY MEGAMALL

1. SLIDING DOOR (ENTRANCE DOOR @ MID-VALLEY)

Four operating options : fully automatic, half open, always open and always locked.

Suitable for both external and internal environments. Automatically reverse back if an obstruction is in the way of the automatic

sliding door opening or closing cycle. In case of power failure, all of the programmed parameters remain in the

computers memory, if the door is not locked the door can be open manually.

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Advantages

Maximizes any natural light ensuring that you can enjoy floodlit interiors throughout the day

Eco-friendly traits Easy to access to the outdoor areas Can be efficient insulators, ensuring that

your home stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer

Make it easy to bring the outdoors inside by creating a seamless flow between outdoor and indoor space

SLIDING DOOR

Disadvantages

Don’t always slide as easy as you would like them to

Do not fully open

2. PARTLY GAZED DOOR (KATH KIDSTON @ MID- VALLEY)

This type of door is used in residential and public buildings.

They can be made fully glazed or partly glazed.

In case of partly glazed, the bottom 1/3 rd part is usually panelled and upper 2/3 part is glazed.

They supplement the natural lighting provided by windows or to make the interior of the room visible from adjoining rooms.

Advantages

Resistant to termites and insects Easy cleaning Do not swell from exposure to moisture Bring visual openness Cannot rust, peel, cone off or corrode

Disadvantages

Easily broken compare to timber Need curtain to attain privacy

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3. BI-FOLD DOOR (MATCH UP @ MID-VALLEY)

Providing an impressive feature. They bring the outside in and literally transform your property into a

functional and open space for living, working and entertaining. They are stylish, versatile and practical addition to any property. The main draw of this kind of door is that they create around a 90% clear

opening when all of the door panels have been open.

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***ADDITIONAL

WHAT IS STAIRS?

A stair is a series of steps, each elevated at a measured distance and leading means of movement from one floor to another from a building. Staircases consist of number of steps with landings at suitable intervals to provide comfort and safety for the users. In addition they commonly have horizontal element called tread and a vertical element called a riser and most common materials used for staircases are concrete, timber and steel. Overall Staircases add dignity and charm to a structure.

STAIR PARTS AND TERMS

FUNCTIONS OF STAIRCASES

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Facilitate easy access between various levels within a building Acts as a means of easy and rapid escape in case of

emergency

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TYPES OF STAIRS IN MIDVALLEY MEGAMALL

The most common type of stairs used in mid valley megamall is half-turn stair, Straight flight stair with central landing and Quarter turn stair. All of the three types of stairs are made of reinforced concrete (R.C.C). The reinforced concrete offers the possibility to build better stairs in different solutions and it is widely used in almost all type of buildings.

Advantages of using R.C.C stairs

They are durable and strong Good fire resistant Can be easily molded Steps can be provided with suitable finishing materials such

as marble, tile Pleasing in aesthetics

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1. HALF-TURN STAIR

Half-turn stairs is a stair turning through right angle. It consists of two straight flights running in opposite directions. The two flights connected by the landing may be equal or unequal depending on the desired proportion of the stairway opening. This landing helps to reduce the number of steps and hence is more flexible.

Half-turn stair may be of dog-legged type or open newel type. The spaces between the upper and lower flights cause half land spacing to be loner. These staircases are useful where the space for a staircase has a width greater than twice the width of steps.

Advantages

It is flexible The landings offers a resting point

along the steps Gives aesthetical appeals These types of stairs are easier to fit

into an architectural plan Landing provides a safe platform

Disadvantages

Area occupied by the staircase is more Difficult to build

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2. STARIGHT FLIGHT STAIR WITH CENTRAL LANDING

A straight flight staircase is one of the oldest and most common types of staircase found in buildings. It requires a simple construction and consists of single straight flight of stairs that behaves like simply supported slab leading from one landing to another. Furthermore it is the simplest stair arrangement where all the steps lead in one direction.

These types of stairs are used when space available for staircase is long but narrow in width. In a straight flight stair the width and the length of the landings should be equal.

Advantages

Affordability – because the process is simple and less time consuming

Uninterrupted view – can see the clear view of the flight Many design options are available Ease of construction – due to the simple design it is typically

the easiest to construct

Disadvantages

Do not offer any privacy barrier between the floors Use up a fair amount of linear space

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Falls can be dangerous

3. QUARTER TURN STAIR

A quarter turn stair also known as an L shape stair is a stair containing a flight with a landing and a right angle turn to left/right. The two flights connected by an intervening landing may be equal or unequal, depending on the desired proportion of the stairway opening. These stairs comes with either winders or landings and the bending is normally close to the bottom of the stairway.

A quarter turn staircase is often supported by one or two walls,which means that railing is only needed on one side.

Advantages

These stairs are visually interesting and adds privacy Helps sound transmission between floors when they are

connected within walls The landing provides a place for resting Can be located in a corner of a room

Disadvantages

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Difficult to build and a support is required for the landing Hand rails to these type of buildings require more skill and

planning

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PART 3

COMPARE AND CONTRAST WITH ONE OTHER TYPE OF ROOF

FLAT ROOF PITCH ROOF

Life span If constructed properly, can last between 20-50 years.

If constructed properly, is almost certain to offer a much longer lifespan than a flat roof.

The internal accommodation will be more efficiently insulated and will not suffer from the extremes of temperature that tend to afflict rooms under flat roofs.

Maintenance

Tends to have higher maintenance cost due to the possibility of water ponding problem that leads to leakage.

Very often, flat roof can be lifted up by strong wind.

Pitch roof have longer life span than flat roof according to roofing manufacturers’ specification and with good workmanship.

Cost More affordable because involves considerably less materials and labour than a pitched roof.

High expenses, as the more complex design, additional building materials and extra man-hours cost significantly more than a flat roof.

Material Asphalt or three-ply modified bitumen with a thin layer of gravel to protect the roof from the harmful effects of UV sunlight.

A more recent design is Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), a 3mm thick rubber membrane which can be applied seamlessly in one piece.

Mostly framed with pairs of common rafters or prefabricated wooden trusses fastened together with truss connector plates.

Sheathing is also one of the material, usually plywood that is installed directly onto the tops of the rafters or trusses.

If the house has a cathedral ceiling, there will generally be 6-inch batts of fibreglass insulation installed between the rafters.

Design Choice for smaller structures, such as garages and extensions.

Flat roofing consists of a horizontal base which is fixed to the ceiling joists underneath with a waterproof membrane applied on top.

The roof's pitch is its vertical rise divided by its horizontal span (or "run"), what is called "slope" in geometry and stair construction, or the tangent function in trigonometry

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RECOMMEND AN ALTERNATIVE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING TYPE OF ROOF IN THE BUILDING

Pitch roof would be a good alternative for shopping malls as they have some advantages over flat roof.

One of the most important advantages is that pitched roofs offer a longer lifespan and the problems of water ponding can be eliminated, which means lower maintenance cost. We can also use a more durable and weather resistant roof coverings to enhance the life span of the roof.

Other than that, in the process of designing the roof, any planned usage of this area can be incorporated into the design in the very early stage so this type of roof offers an unmatched flexibility that a flat roof cannot.

Installing a pitched roof also means the building can be more effectively blended into either the rest of the property or to neighbouring while also helping to retain a sense of individuality and character as part of a unique architectural design.

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COMPARE AND CONTRAST WITH ONE OTHER TYPE OF WINDOW

CASEMENT WINDOW

Casement Window is a window that is attached to its frame by one or more hinges.Casement Windows are hinged at the side and they are used singly or in pairs within a common frame, in which case they are hinged on the outside.Casement Window operates like a hinged door, except that it opens and closes with a lever inside the window.The shutter consists of styles, top rail, bottom rail and intermediate rail.Depending upon the design, the frame can have additional vertical and horizontal members.The panels may be either glazed, unglazed or partly glazed and are fixed in the grooves made in rails and styles.

FIXED WINDOW CASEMENT WINDOW

              

A window that cannot be opened. A window that can be opened. The shutter cannot be opened or

closed. The shutter can be fully opened

and closed. The function is limited to

allowing light and permit vision in the room.

The function is allowing light, air and permit vision in the room.

No ventilation. Offer the maximum amount of ventilation.

No rebates are provided to the frame.

Rebates are provided to the frame.

The shutters are fully glazed. The shutters are consists of styles, top rail and intermediate rail.

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RECOMMEND AN ALTERNATIVE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING TYPE OF WINDOW IN THE BUILDING

The existing type of window in the building can be replaced by Sliding Window. A Sliding Window has two or more sashes that overlap slightly but slide horizontally within the frame. There are suitable openings or grooves are left in the frame or wall to accommodate the shutters when they are slide to open the window. These windows are often large and used to brighten a room or frame a view, but there are a ton of advantages to them beyond aesthetics.

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One of the advantages of a Sliding Window are they have less parts than conventional windows so they are low-maintenance and less expensive for the building.

The Sliding Window is very durable due to the fact that the springs and pulley of traditional windows can fail over the long term, sliding windows have an advantage because they don’t rely on these components for the opening and closing of the window. The majority of sliding windows have added durability because they use window glazing.

Besides that, Sliding Window is more energy efficient because of the window glazing aspect, sliding window are very well insulated. Sliding Window is also easy to use because sliding windows do not require much effort to open and close.

Furthermore, we can choose with a great degree of control the amount by which the window is open. This in turn allows us to have control over the amount of fresh air coming into the room, and the temperature too. Sliding replacement windows open and close easily with minimal dexterity and effort. A good one will open and close quite simply.

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COMPARE AND CONTRAST WITH ONE OTHER TYPE OF DOOR

Bi-fold doors Hinged garage doors

most commonly used as external patio doors

multi-leaved folding sliding doors which open using a concertina action

available in timber and in UPVC

equipped with two shoot bolt latches for extra security and weather seals

Advantages easy to install flexible, without disrupting

the natural light wide range of designs ideal for new building safety first ease of use security matters

tracks do not need to be affixed to the floor to allow the doors to function

can be swung open available light to get

into the house allow for access to the

entire wardrobe space at once

Disadvantages the casters and tracks receive some or the other unusual stresses right from the closing and opening system

usually the users normal tendency is to pull the door knobs outward, which damages the door

if excessive pushing or pulling is done it can force the casters to sneak out or may be the track would bend

can only be made to a maximum width of 9 foot wide

side hung doors are not as secure as sectional or roller doors

more costly to make automatic

RECOMMEND AN ALTERNATIVE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING TYPE OF DOOR IN THE BUILDING

The existing type of door in Mid-Valley Megamall can be replaced by revolving doors.

Revolving doors allow for better control of the interior environment when compared to regular sliding or hinged doors. Opening a hinged or sliding door even for a brief period will let out a tremendous amount of heat. With a revolving door, this doesn’t happen as there is never a point where the air can flow freely between the conditioned and unconditioned space.

This type of door is efficiency in the movement of people entering and exiting a building. It also intuitive for use. Besides, some of them have safety sensors with ‘speed control’ which prevent people from spinning the doors too fast.

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COMPARE AND CONTRAST WITH ONE OTHER TYPE OF STAIRCASE

SPIRAL STAIRS

A spiral stair is a type of stair which follows a helical arc, usually is made very compact and the treads radiate around a central pole. Spiral staircases glamorize a structure and add aesthetics to the building. Moreover it fits into any small space making it more reliable.

TURNING STAIRCASE SPIRAL STAIRCASE

Are stairs with landings turning through right angles.

Are stairs which follow a helical arc and steps radiate around a central pole.

Flights consist of landings. Flights consist of winders.

Constructed with reinforced concrete, steel or timber.

Constructed with cast iron, mild steel or concrete.

Structural design is simple and easy to construct.

Structural design and construction is complicated.

Simple formwork hence it is affordable compared to spiral staircase.

Due to heavy steel reinforcement and complicated formwork, the spiral construction is expensive.

Useful for large area as it takes up more space.

Useful where limited space is available.

Structural design is not so appealing yet it provides privacy between the floors.

Attractive and have variations on railing styles which gives a good finish to the staircase.

Uninterrupted view – can see the clear view of the flight.

Interrupted view – difficult to see a clear view of the flight.

Landings offer a resting point along the steps.

No resting points within the stairs

Simple movements turning through right angles within the staircase

Circular movements within the staircase

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Easy to navigate Difficult to navigate

Slab provides support to the whole staircase.

No extra support needed for the structure as the central pole and winders provides the structural support.

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RECOMMEND AN ALTERNATIVE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING TYPE OF STAIRCASE IN THE BUILDING

The existing type of stair case in the building can be replaced by spiral stairs.

These stair cases are unique and aesthetically pleasing giving a great bird’s eye view. They occupy a minimal amount of floor space and are supported by a central post and they can be used as escape stairs or accommodation stairs in a building. Moreover the finishing is stunning as the staircase can be done according to the latest trends in the market. There are also many options for the railings as these gives completeness to the stairs.

These helical stairs can be built with or without intermediate landing depending on the users, Furthermore they can be made of precast concrete which gives a better quality control of the finished product. Even though spiral stairs are complicated and expensive to build it gives a great structure and aesthetics, which adds value to a building especially in a shopping mall.

“The road to success is always under construction.”

This is the world’s largest spiral escalator stairs at newly opened shopping centre in China. It’s an amazing look and gives a great view.

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CONCLUSION

In conclusion, there are ample of types of building elements. Each type of building element has its own characteristics resulting in different suitability. Therefore, it is crucial to consider suitability, pros and cons of the types of building elements before a construction work begin. After the comparison, we can find out the most suitable type for each building elements.

For example, a shopping mall entrance is better to have an automatic revolving door than a normal panel door, pitch roof is more suitable for shopping mall than flat roof which water has great tendency to puddle on it.

Material is also an important element besides the type. The main purpose of choosing a material is stability and ability to handle the load laid on it. Both type and material of building elements are significant to give out the best effect. Not only that, the maintenance and cost can be greatly reduced.

During this assignment, we know the importance of teamwork. We distribute work evenly among ourselves, discuss about each type of building elements, giving ideas and point out the unsuitable parts in order to perform a better job in our assignment. Although we met some obstacles in the progress, we never give up and try our best to overcome them.

Our group members truly appreciate this opportunity of outdoor learning as most of the time we were having our lecture indoor. This is a really great experience!

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