JIMMA UNIVERSITY
JIT
SCHOOL OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING
1
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
(CENG 4113 )
FOR 3 r d YE AR CIVIL S T UDE NT S
MULUGETA MAMO (MSc.) 26-Mar-25
CONTENTS OF CHAPTER-4
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GENERAL
SITE SELECTION
PRINCIPLE OF PLANNING
MULUGETA MAMO (MSc.) 26-Mar-25
INTRODUCTION
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Building construction and design includes several stages both in the office and on-site.
Design is viewed as a process that involves blending, selecting, performance, and
creation.
In civil engineering construction, there are four main types of design: architectural
design, structural design, electrical design, and sanitary design.
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1. Architectural Design
Focuses on the humanization of space, making environments functional, aesthetically pleasing, and
comfortable.
Key Elements
Sensitivity to design: Understanding the needs and preferences of users to create spaces that feel welcoming
and effective.
Drawing skills: Proficiency in creating detailed plans and sketches that represent the design visually.
Material knowledge: Understanding how various materials (e.g., wood, concrete, glass) impact the design,
both functionally and aesthetically.
Purpose: To create spaces that meet the needs of the users while considering aesthetic, functional, and
environmental factors.
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2. Structural Design
Involves the creation of structural systems that ensure the stability, strength, and safety of a
building.
Key Elements:
Design of structural systems: Includes framing, foundations, and load-bearing walls.
Conception and construction: Planning how different parts of the building will support one
another and withstand various forces (e.g., gravity, wind, seismic activity).
Materials selection: Choosing the right materials (steel, concrete, timber) based on strength,
durability, and suitability for the project.
Purpose: To ensure that the building is safe, durable, and capable of supporting the intended loads.
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3. Electrical Design
Focuses on the design of electrical systems for a building, ensuring a reliable and efficient power
supply.
Key Elements:
Power supply: Ensuring the building has adequate power for lighting, equipment, HVAC, etc.
Wiring and distribution: Designing the layout and installation of electrical wiring and outlets.
Safety and codes: Ensuring that all electrical systems comply with local regulations and safety
standards.
Integration of equipment: Designing the necessary connections for electrical equipment such as
lighting fixtures, HVAC systems, and security systems.
Purpose: To provide safe, reliable, and efficient electrical systems within a building.
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4. Sanitary Design
Focuses on the planning and provision of water supply, sewage disposal, and treatment systems in buildings.
Key Elements:
Water supply: Ensuring a clean, adequate water supply for drinking, washing, and other uses.
Sewage disposal: Designing the system for the safe removal and treatment of waste and wastewater from the
building.
Waste treatment: Planning systems for treating sewage to ensure environmental safety and sanitation.
Purpose: To provide clean water and ensure safe disposal of waste, promoting hygiene and public health.
These designs work together to ensure a building is functional, safe, and livable.
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Site Selection
Site selection is the process of choosing the most suitable location for a construction
project based on various factors that influence the building's design, functionality, safety,
and long-term success.
Key Factors in Site Selection:
1. Location
Proximity to essential services (e.g., roads, utilities, transportation).
Accessibility for people, deliveries, and emergency services.
Consideration of the neighborhood, community, and surrounding infrastructure.
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2. Topography
The shape and features of the land (e.g., flat, hilly, or uneven terrain).
Slope and drainage conditions to prevent flooding and water accumulation.
Soil stability and quality, ensuring proper foundation support.
3. Climate and Environmental Conditions
Local climate (e.g., temperature, rainfall, wind) affects building design and materials
used.
Environmental hazards like earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes.
Natural resources and ecosystem impact, including maintaining biodiversity and
avoiding land degradation.
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4. Zoning and Legal Restrictions
Compliance with local zoning laws and regulations that govern land use.
Restrictions on building height, density, and land-use type (e.g., residential,
commercial, industrial).
Any necessary permits and approvals required before construction.
5. Utilities and Infrastructure
Availability of essential services such as water, electricity, gas, and sewage systems.
The capacity of local infrastructure (e.g., roads, sewage systems) to handle increased
demand.
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6. Cost Considerations
Purchase price of the land and costs related to land preparation (e.g., clearing, grading).
Costs associated with connecting the site to utilities and infrastructure.
Potential additional costs for mitigating site-specific challenges (e.g., flood proofing or soil treatment).
7. Safety and Risk
Avoiding sites prone to natural disasters (e.g., flood zones, earthquake-prone areas).
Site safety in terms of accessibility, traffic flow, and avoiding hazardous materials or pollutants.
Assessment of environmental impacts and ensuring compliance with sustainability goals.
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8. Future Growth and Development
Considering the potential for future expansion or changes in the area (e.g., new
businesses, transport links).
Long-term land value appreciation or depreciation.
Impact of future urban development or changes in zoning laws.
9. Cultural and Social Factors
Community acceptance and the site's fit within the cultural or social context.
Avoidance of areas with historical significance or cultural importance.
Public perception and impact on the surrounding area.
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Steps in Site Selection
1. Identify Requirements
Determine the essential needs for the project (e.g., space, location, budget, access).
2. Survey and Analysis
Conduct detailed surveys to analyze land features, climate, and legal aspects.
3. Evaluate Options
Compare potential sites based on cost, environmental factors, infrastructure, and
legal constraints.
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4. Select the Site
Choose the site that best meets the project's needs, balancing the positive and negative factors.
5. Obtain Permits
Secure necessary approvals and permits to begin development.
Purpose of Site Selection
The goal of site selection is to ensure that the chosen land offers the best possible conditions for
the project's success, balancing practical, environmental, financial, and social considerations.
Proper site selection can significantly impact the overall efficiency, safety, and profitability of
the project.
MULUGETA MAMO (MSc.) 26-Mar-25
Basic Principles Of Planning For Civil Engineering Projects
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There are eleven basic principles of planning for civil engineering projects:
1. Aspect 6. Circulation
7. Furniture Requirement
2. Prospect
8. Flexibility
3. Privacy
9. Sanitation
4. Roominess 10. Elegance And
5. Grouping 11. Economy.
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1. Aspect: is the arrangement of doors and windows in the external walls of a building which allows
the occupants to enjoy the natural gifts such as sunshine, breeze, etc...
A room which receives light and air from a particular side is said to have aspect of that
direction. From this angle, the following aspects for different rooms are preferred:
For kitchen E and rarely NE aspect.
For dining room SE–S–SW aspect.
For drawing and living room SE–S–SW–W aspect.
For bed rooms S -W aspect or W aspect.
For verandahs S –W aspect or W aspect.
For reading rooms, stores, class rooms, studios, stairs, etc N - NW-aspect
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2. Prospect: is the impression that the house is likely to make on person who looks at it from
outside.
3. Privacy: is important principles in the planning of buildings.
Privacy requires consideration in two ways;
I. Privacy of one room from another.
II. Privacy of all parts of a building from the neighboring buildings and public streets.
4. Roominess: refers to the effect produced by deriving the maximum benefit from the minimum
dimensions of a room.
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5. Grouping: means the positioning of various parts of the building in a typical fashion so that all
the rooms are placed in proper correlation of their function and in proximity with each other.
6. Circulation: means the movement space provided on the same floor either between the rooms or
within the rooms called ‘horizontal circulation’ and between the different floors through stairs
or lifts called ‘vertical circulation’.
7. Furniture Requirement: it is the functional requirement of a room decides the required
furniture. In designing any dwelling ,the architect should take the furniture in account which
occupant will use. It is better to prepare a sketch and indicating the position of furniture which
helps position of doors, windows, circulation space, and size of room etc.
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8. Flexibility: means planning room or rooms in such away which, though originally designed for a
specific purpose, may be used to serve other overlapping purposes when desired.
9. Sanitation: For sanitation we must provided proper light and ventilation facilities for general
cleaning and sanitary conveniences to mention hygienic condition of the building.
10. Elegance( aesthetic merit): is the effect produced by the elevation and general layout of the
plan.
11. Economy: The economy may not be a principle of planning but a factor that certainly affects
planning. The economy may restrict the liberties of the architect and may also require certain
alterations and omissions in the original plan.
MULUGETA MAMO (MSc.) 26-Mar-25
THANKS FOR
YOUR
ATTENTION!
MULUGETA MAMO (MSc.) 20 26-Mar-25
