University Technology Mara (UiTM)

Jengka,, Pahang

ECS 356
Civil Engineering
Design Project
(Professional Talk Report)
Title : Advanced Sustainable Construction Technology :
Where Are We ?

Panel :1.Puan Ismesali bt Md Jais

2. Encik Wan Ahmad Shakeel B. Wan Abdul Hapiz

Date : 5 May 2018

Name : Wan Muhammad Aiman b. Wan Hashim
Student ID : 2015819588
Group : EC1106D
Prepared for : Madam Norizah Bt Omar
Table of Content

Content Page

1.0 Introduction 3

2.0 Determination of Sustainable

4
Construction Technology

3.0 Bamboo Technology

3.1 Bamboo as scaffholding
5-6
3.2Advantages and Disadvantages of
Bamboo

4.0 Steel as Sustainable Material

7–8
4.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Steel

5.0 Conclusion 9

6.0 Reference 10
1.0 Introduction

On the 5th May 2018, a professional talk was being held at Dewan Al-Biruni 1
University Technology Mara (UiTM) Pahang Cawangan Jengka by Puan Ismesali Bt Md Jais
and Encik Wan Ahmad Shakeel B. Wan Abdul Hapiz. The talk is organized and being held
with the objective targeted to student of Diploma in Civil Engineering (EC110) for
enhancement of the student’s knowledge on social, cultural ethics and sustainable
development issue regarding to the Advanced Sustainable Construction Technology: Where
Are We ?. The talk had given a lot of information about the sustainable construction
nowadays and the benefits for the future generations.
2.0 Determination of Sustainable Construction Technology

The topic discussed in the talk is about the determination of the sustainable
construction technology. In general , The main objectives of sustainable design are to reduce,
or completely avoid, depletion of critical resources like energy, water, land, and raw
materials; prevent environmental degradation caused by facilities and infrastructure
throughout their life cycle; and create built environments that are livable, comfortable, safe,
and productive.

Buildings use resources (energy, water, raw materials, etc.), generate waste (occupant,
construction, and demolition), emit potentially harmful atmospheric emissions, and
fundamentally change the function of land, and the ability of that land to absorb and capture
water into the ground. Building owners, designers, and builders each face unique challenges
to meet demands for new and renovated facilities that are accessible, secure, healthy and
productive, while minimizing any negative impacts upon society, the environment, and the
economy.

In addition to including sustainable design concepts in new construction, sustainable

design advocates commonly encourage retrofitting existing buildings rather than building
anew. Retrofitting an existing building can often be more cost-effective than building a new
facility. Designing major renovations and retrofits for existing buildings to include
sustainable design attributes reduces operation costs and environmental impacts, and can
increase building resiliency. The "embodied energy" of the existing building (a term
expressing the cost of resources in both human labor and materials consumed during the
building's construction and use) is squandered when the building is allowed to decay or to be
demolished.
3.0 Bamboo Technology

Bamboo as a building material has high compressive strength and low weight has
been one of the most used building material as support for concrete, especially in those
locations where it is found in abundance. Bamboo as a building material is used for the
construction of scaffolding, bridges and structures, houses.

3.1 Bamboo Scaffolding

Bamboo scaffolding is used extensively around the world because of its high level of
flexibility and strength. Bamboo scaffolding is a temporary structure to support people and
materials when constructing or repairing building exteriors and interiors.In bamboo
scaffolding, plastic fibre straps and bamboo shoots are bound together to form a solid and
secure scaffold structure without screws.Bamboo scaffolding does not need to have a
foundation on the ground, as long as the scaffolding has a fulcrum for structural support.

Due to advantageous properties of bearing heavy load bamboos are considered as one
of the highly-endorsed materials for scaffolding even for tall structures. For the construction
of scaffolding, cane extensions are obtained by lashing cane ends using several ropes. The
ties are positioned in such a way that forces acting vertically downwards lodge the nodes in
the lashing. This technique has immense significance since the joints can be re-aligned in the
right degree.
 Figure 1. Bamboo as Scaffolding

3.2 Advantages of Bamboo as a Building Material

The various advantages of bamboo are as mentioned below:

1. Tensile strength: Bamboo has higher tensile strength than steel because its fibers run
axially.
2. Fire Resistance: Capability of bamboo to resist fire is very high and it can withstand
temperature up to 4000 C. This is due to the presence of high value of silicate acid
and water.
3. Elasticity: Bamboo is widely preferred in earthquake prone regions due to its elastic
features.
4. Weight of bamboo: Bamboos due to their low weight are easily displaced or installed
making it very easier for transportation and construction.
5. Unlike other building materials like cement and asbestos, bamboo poses no danger to
health.
6. They are cost effective and easy to use.
7. They are especially in great demand in earthquake prone areas.

Disadvantages of Bamboo

Bamboos come with their own set of drawbacks such as:

They require preservation
1. Shrinkage: Bamboo shrinks much greater than any other type of timber especially
when it loses water.
 2. Durability: Bamboo should be sufficiently treated against insect or fungus attack
before being utilized for building purposes.
3. Jointing: Despite prevalence of various techniques of jointing, structural reliability of
bamboo is questionable.

4.0 Steel as Sustainable Technology

Steel is one of the most sustainable building materials in the world. The industry has
embraced the common sense approach that reducing its impact on the environment is not
only the right thing to do, but it makes economic sense.

Since the early 1990s, the steel industry has reduced its energy use to produce a ton of
steel by approximately 1/3. More than 95% of the water used in the steel making process
is recycled and returned - often cleaner than when it was taken from the source. Every
piece of steel used in construction contains recycled content. Further, all steel can be
recovered and recycled again and again into new high quality products.

Steel is durable, safe, and strong. It is not susceptible to rot, termites, or mold. Steel
used for framing will last from hundreds to over a thousand years due to its zinc coating,
a natural element. Steel structures require less material (both reduced weight and reduced
volume) to carry the same loads as concrete or masonry or wood structures. Steel is
dimensionally stable: it will not warp, split, or creep - making it durable and built to last.
Don’t waste time and dollars on costly call backs. Minimize cracking and pops in drywall
and other finishes with CFS framing.
 4.1 Advantages of Structural Steel Structures

1. Steel is tensile. It has a high strength to weight ratio which means it has high strength
per unit mass. So no matter how large the overall structure is, the steel sections will be
small and lightweight, unlike other building materials.

2. Steel can be easily fabricated and produced massively. Steel sections can be produced
off-site at shop floors and then assembled onsite. This saves time and increases the
efficiency of the overall construction process.

3. Structural steel is very flexible. You can mold it into any shape, without changing its
properties. You can convert it into sheets or turn it into wires as per the design.

4. Structural steel is relatively cheap compared to other building materials.

5. It is very durable. Structural steel structures can withstand external pressures such as
earthquakes, thunderstorms, and cyclones. A well-built steel structure can last up
to 30 years if maintained well.

Disadvantages of Structural Steel Structures

1. Steel is an alloy of iron. This makes it susceptible to corrosion. This problem can
be solved to some extent using anti-corrosion applications.

2. It has high maintenance costs as it has to be painted to make it corrosion-resistant

3. There are extensive fireproofing costs involved as steel is not fireproof. In high
temperatures, steel loses its properties.

4. Buckling is an issue with steel structures. As the length of the steel column
increases the chances of buckling also increases.

5. Steel has a high expansion rate with changing temperatures. This can be
detrimental to the overall structure.
 5.0 Conclusion

The professional talk by Puan Ismesali Bt. Md Jais and Encik Wan Ahmad Shakeel B.
Wan Abdul Hapiz oh 5th May 2018 has enhance the knowledge of the students of Diploma in
Civil Engineering (EC110) on the Sustainable Construction and Technology. Based on the
talk, the panels give information about the bamboo technology which can be used as
scaffolding in the future. There are a lot of pros of bamboo as a green technology that can
may be practice in Malaysia. Bamboo also economical material because it can easily get from
supplier in Malaysia. Puan Ismesali had said that the steel is more sustainable nowadays
because it has high tensile strength and very flexible. However, the green building is
examples of ‘best in class’ buildings employing green and intelligent technologies. These
buildings are dynamic environment that respond to their occupants’ changing needs and
lifestyles. This being proven that green building can give positive vibes for our environment,
social and economic because of their pros that can keep our world health. Advance
sustainable construction technology material musts be used in Malaysia because there are
many benefit than disadvantages that will improve the development of country. For example,
we can save the cost of construction materials by recycle and improving the used of energy-
efficiency in daily life. This also can create a healthier life in the future.
6.0 Reference

1. https://www.bamboo-inspiration.com/bamboo-scaffolding.html
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaffolding#Bamboo_scaffolding
3. http://teampacesetter.com/past-present-future-steel-construction-industry/
4. https://theconstructor.org/building/bamboo-as-a-building-material-uses-
advantages/14838/