Integrated structural and architectural facade level-by-level construction system

Abstract

Provided is a level-by level construction methodology integrating architectural and structural work for use in the construction of a multi-level building utilizing a movable protection system that can be mounted to a multi-level building during its construction.

Claims

1. A method of constructing a multi-level building having a predetermined number of levels by integrating construction of architectural works with the construction of a set of structural works thereby completing traditionally sequential construction activities simultaneously on different building levels, the method including the steps of: a) setting and monitoring a first set of time periods and work cycles for completion of construction and installation a first set of work tasks on a level-by-level basis; b) selecting sub-contractors and, for each selected contractor, performing the following steps to comply with the time periods set in step (a): i. setting and monitoring a second set of time periods for obtaining measurements, plans and specifications of materials; and ii. setting and monitoring sub-contractor timetables for selecting and sourcing materials, fabrication, delivery and installation; iii. assignment of a second set of work tasks to coordinate with the subcontractor timetables; c) performing structural works comprising installing formwork for a set of two or more levels of the building; d) releasably mounting a moveable protection system to the building, thereby to enclose at least part of a periphery or a surrounding of the set of two or more levels including an aperture configured for accommodating a passenger lift; e) completing architectural works comprising all critical internal and external construction and installation steps of a lowest enclosed level of the set within the time period set in step (a); f) thereafter raising the moveable protection system by a height substantially corresponding to one level of the building to enclose a next level above a previous set of levels, thereby defining a new set of enclosed levels, g) performing structural works comprising installing formwork for a next enclosed level above a highest level of a lower set of levels; h) repeating steps (e), (f), and (g) until step (g) is completed for the predetermined number of levels; i) completing construction and installation steps in regard to at least an external faade of the remaining enclosed levels.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the set of two or more levels in step (c) includes four levels.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the movable protection system encloses the whole of the periphery of the building.

4. A method of construction according to claim 1 wherein step (e) includes one or more substeps of completing: i. external doors and windows; ii . . . balcony railings; iii. air-ledge railings; iv. external plastering; V. external trellis; vi. external electrical works; vii. external plumbing works; and viii. aluminium formwork.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein step (e) includes integrating construction of architectural works with construction of structural works in step (g) in a simultaneous completion of traditionally sequential internal and external construction on different building levels that are enclosed.

6. A moveable protection system for use in constructing a multi-level building including: means for releasably mounting the protection system to the building; at least one protective screen for enclosing at least part of the periphery of two or more levels of the building that are under construction; a supporting surface for bearing the weight of at least one worker; top-hinged panels of screens openable to rest on a level of the building that is under construction in order to substantially close a gap between the protective screen and the building at an access location between the supporting surface and the level of the building that is under construction; means for raising the protection system with respect to the building; wherein the movable protection system is configured to be used to construct a multi-level building according to the method of claim 1.

7. The moveable protection system according to claim 6 wherein the platform for delivery of materials is insertable through an openable section.

8. The moveable protection system according to claim 6 wherein the platform for delivery of materials is connectable to the moveable protection system.

9. The moveable protection system according to claim 6 wherein an openable section is a hinged screen.

10. The moveable protection system according to claim 6 wherein the means for raising the protection system is a hydraulic device.

11. The moveable protection system according to claim 6 wherein the at least one protective screen is multi-perforate.

12. The moveable protection system according to claim 6 including a plurality of screens connected together to form a safety barrier.

13. The moveable protection system according to claim 6 including an aperture for accommodating a passenger lift.

14. The moveable protection system according to claim 6 wherein the top-hinged panels of screen may be opened out flat to rest on a level of the building that is under construction in order to substantially close a gap between the protective screen.

15. The method of constructing a multi-level building having a pre-determined number of levels, according to claim 1, the method further comprising the steps of: j) releasably mounting a moveable protection system according to claim 6 to the building thereby to enclose at least part of the periphery of two or more levels of the building; k) installing formwork on an uppermost enclosed level; I) completing a fixed external barrier substantially around the lowest enclosed level, wherein the barrier includes an externally facing faade; m) thereafter raising the moveable protection system by a height substantially corresponding to one level of the building; and n) repeating steps (b), (c) and (d) until step (b) has been completed for the predetermined number of levels.

16. A construction planning method, including the steps of setting dates associated with: a) selecting sub-contractors including: i. setting time periods for obtaining measurements, plans and specifications of deliverables; and ii. setting sub-contractor timetables for selecting and sourcing materials, fabrication, delivery and installation; b) starting and completing each cycle of construction; c) assignment of worker duties to coordinate with the sub-contractor timetables; d) sequencing construction steps to coordinate sub-contractor activities; and e) carrying out the method according to claim 1.

17. A method of constructing a multi-level building having a predetermined number of levels by integrating construction of architectural works with the construction of a set of structural works thereby completing traditionally sequential construction activities simultaneously on different building levels, the method including the steps of: a) releasably mounting a moveable protection system to the building thereby to enclose at least part of a periphery of two or more levels if of the building and then accessing a platform for delivery of materials from an enclosed level of the building through the movable protection system; b) performing structural works comprising installing formwork on an uppermost enclosed level; c) completing a fixed external barrier substantially around a lowest enclosed level, wherein the barrier includes an externally facing faade; d) thereafter raising the moveable protection system by a height substantially corresponding to one level of the building and installing formwork on a new uppermost level enclosed by the moveable protection system; e) completing a fixed external barrier substantially around a new lowest enclosed level after raising the moveable protection system in (d), wherein the barrier includes an externally facing faade; and continuing the process of raising the moveable protection system in (d) and completing structural works and architectural works comprising all critical internal and external construction and installation work tasks of the lowest enclosed level of the moveable protection system by a height substantially corresponding to one level of the building and installing formwork on the new uppermost level enclosed by the moveable protection system, completing a fixed external barrier substantially around the new lowest enclosed level after raising the moveable protection system, wherein the barrier includes an externally facing faade until the formwork has been installed for the predetermined number of levels.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein a platform for delivery of materials is isolated from the protection system prior to step (c) to facilitate raising of the protection system.

19. The method according to claim 17 wherein step (a) includes connecting the platform for delivery of materials to the moveable protection system.

20. The method according to claim 19 wherein step (d) includes raising the moveable protection system with the platform for delivery of materials connected thereto.

21. The method according to claim 17 wherein step (d) utilizes a hydraulic device for raising the moveable protection system.

22. The method according-claim 17, wherein step (a) includes enclosing three or more levels of the building, and wherein the method includes an additional step (c1) performed between steps (a) and (d), step (c1) including performing intermediate construction activities on an at least one middle level of at least three levels.

23. The method according to claim 17, wherein a time required to install formwork to completion of all critical internal and external construction and installation steps of a level simultaneously is within the range of 8 to 15 days.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a multi-level building under construction according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is another schematic representation of a multi level building under construction according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is another schematic representation of a multi level building under construction according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a view of the multi level building under construction;

(6) FIG. 5 is another view of the multi level building under construction; and

(7) FIG. 6 is another view of the multi level building under construction.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(8) Referring to FIG. 1, a multi-level building having a pre-determined number of levels is under construction using a level-by-level construction method. At the stage of construction illustrated, the building includes a first level 1, a second level 2, a third level 3, a fourth level 4, a fifth level 5 and a sixth level 6. The first and second levels have been completed. Construction activities are taking place on the third, fourth, fifth and sixth levels. For further reference see also FIGS. 2-6.

(9) As shown, a moveable protection system 7 has been mounted to the exterior of the building, thereby to enclose at least part of the periphery of the four levels 3, 4, 5, 6 of the building on which construction is taking place. The protection system 7 includes a connected plurality of perforated aluminium protective screens 8, and supporting surfaces 9 aligned with each level of the building for supporting the weight of two to three men 10 simultaneously. The protection system also includes an aperture for accommodating passage of a passenger lift.

(10) A materials delivery platform 11 can be inserted through the protection system 7 through an openable panel. The platform may be connected to the protection system or, alternatively, to the building. Construction materials 12 are delivered to the materials platform 11, via a crane on the building site or via another suitable method. One option may be to use a crane mounted on the building which has a moveable arm having sufficient length to reach all sides of the building. This allows construction materials 12 to be lifted from the ground to the level currently being worked on from any side of the building.

(11) With the protection system is place to enclose levels three to six inclusive, formwork 13 is installed on the uppermost enclosed level, level six 6. Simultaneously, a fixed external barrier forming an external wall system is installed around the lowest enclosed level, level three 3. Dependent upon the construction method followed, this external wall system may include an infill wall, curtain wall, external faade or the like. It may also be in the form of a window frame 14, balcony railing 15, air-conditioning ledge and screens. This external wall provides a sufficient safety barrier to allow work to continue on the level without the protection system 7 enclosing that level.

(12) Intermediate construction activities, such as housekeeping 16 in preparation for finishing activities and installing support props 17 are simultaneously carried out on levels four 4 and five 5, respectively.

(13) Once all activities requiring external access to the faade of the lowest enclosed level 3 are completed, the materials platform 11 may be withdrawn from the protection system 7 to facilitate raising of the protection system. Where the material platform is connected to the protection system, it may not be necessary to detach the platform. The moveable protection system 7 is raised by a height corresponding to one level of the building using an hydraulic system. Level four 4 then becomes the lowest level. A new uppermost level is defined on which construction of formwork can now begin.

(14) The construction steps above are then repeated until formwork 13 has been installed for the pre-determined number of levels. All levels are then brought to completion in order to finish construction of the building.

(15) The building construction is planned using a project task schedule. An example project task schedule is shown in the table below, in which W refers to project week and M refers to project month.

(16) List of Elements

(17) 1 first level

(18) 2 second level

(19) 3 third level

(20) 4 fourth level

(21) 5 fifth level

(22) 6 sixth level

(23) 7 moveable protection system

(24) 8 perforated aluminium protective screens

(25) 9 supporting surfaces

(26) 10 level of building

(27) 11 materials delivery platform

(28) 12 construction materials

(29) 13 formwork

(30) 14 window frame

(31) 15 balcony railing

(32) 16 housekeeping

(33) 17 support props

(34) 18 external doors and windows

(35) 19 balcony railings

(36) 20 air-ledge railings

(37) 21 external plastering

(38) 22 external trellis

(39) 23 external electrical works

(40) 24 external plumbing words

(41) 25 aluminium formwork

(42) 26 fixed external barrier

(43) 27 predetermined number of levels

(44) 28 materials delivery system

(45) 29 moveable protection system

(46) 30 device for raising the moveable protection system

(47) 31 [not represented in FIG. 1-3]

(48) 32 shoes

(49) 33 materials delivery system insertable through the openable section

(50) 34 materials delivery system is connectable to the moveable protection system

(51) 35 openable section is a hinged screen

(52) 36 hydraulic device for raising moveable protection system

(53) 37 safety barrier

(54) 38 passenger lift

(55) 39 shoes in the form of flip-down panels

(56) TABLE-US-00001 ProjectXYZ SITE POSSESSION = dd.mm.yyyy Qs's reply W1 = Target DD.MM.YYYY Title Project Task Schedule Action By Award Date Date Item Description Office Site Awarded Remarks A PRELIMINARIES 1.1 Project Signboard QS W1 LETTER OF AWARD TO BE ISSUED 1.2 Insurance QS W2 WITHIN 2 WEEKS FROM LETTER OF AWARD 1.3 Performance Bond QS W2 WITHIN 2 WEEKS FROM LETTER OF AWARD 1.4 Pre & Post Condition Survey/Loss Adjuster QS W1 1.4 Land Survey & Setting-out QS W4 1.5 Cable Detection QS W1 1.7 Resident Technical Officer QS W6 1.8 Noise Meter PURCHASER W6 1.9 Electrical Works and Temporary Power Supply QS W3 Connection 2.0 Plumbing & Sanitary Works and Temporary QS W3 Water Supply Connection 2.1 Design &Temporary Work PE Services QS W3 2.2 Portable Toilet Purchaser W1 2.3 W1 2.4 Ground Instrumentation And Monitoring Works QS W6 2.5 Pest Control QS W1 2.6 Material Testing QS W8 2.7 Scaffolding PM/QS M5 2.8 Tower Crane Rental Purchaser M3 2.9 CCTV Monitoring System for Construction QS M3 Activities 3.0 Pre & Post Con CCTV Survey on Existing Sewer QS W3 3.1 Safety Audit/ConSASS Safety M3 3.2 Site Hoarding & Gate & Sticker Purchaser W1 3.3 3.4 Noise Barrier Hoarding Safety/ W2 Purchaser/QS 3.5 Site Office (2 sty containers ) PM/Purchaser W2 FROM PEC49 3.6 Workers Dormitory PM/Purchaser W4 3.7 ERSS Temporary Works 3.8 Continuous Bored Pile PM/QS W4 3.9 Earth Retaining Soil System Sheet Piling & PM/QS W4 Strutting 4.0 4.1 Earth Control Measure 4.2 Earth Control Measure Tank ( QECP to design to Safety W2 suit site requirement ) 4.3 TSS & CCTV Monitoring System QS W2 B CRITICAL TASK SCHEDULE 1.0 Perimeter Moving Screen QS W10 2.0 Prefabricated Bathroom Unit QS W10 3.0 Design/Supply and delivery Alum Formwork QS W10 4.0 Wet Trade - Labour - Masonry, Plastering, Tiling QS W10 5.0 Curtain Wall QS W3 6.0 Alum Door/Window glazings QS W3 7..0 Glass Railing QS W3 8.0 Alum Railing QS W3 9.0 Steel galvanised Railing QS W3 10.0 Structural form works system QS W6 11.0 Air-con ledge QS W5 C MAIN BUILDING WORKS 2 Anti-termite/Soil Treatment QS W8 3.0 Earth Works Structural Works QS W10 ISSUE DRAWINGS 0.1 Perimeter Moving Screen QS W10 PRIOR TO 0.2 Prebaricated bathroom unit QS W8 0.3 Bored Pile works W8 0.4 Precast Concrete Components In-house W8 0.5 3 in 1 Structural Works - Labour In-house W8 0.6 Design/Supply and delivery Alum Formwork In-house W8 0.7 Power Float Purchaser W9 0.8 Material supply - Reinforcement Bar/mesh Purchaser W9 0.9 Material supply - Reinforcement Bar (Backup) Purchaser W9 1.0 Material supply - Concrete Purchaser W9 1.1 Material supply - Concrete (Backup) Purchaser W9 1.2 Material supply - Aluminium Formwork Purchaser W9 1.3 Material supply - Metal Formwork Purchaser W9 1.4 Material supply - Ordinary portland cement QS W10 1.5 Concrete Waterproofing Additive & ADMIXTURE QS W10 1.6 Waterproofing Membrane & for Basement, E- Deck and Roof Garden D ARCHITECTURAL WORKS 1.0 Wet Trade - Labour - Masonry, Plastering, Tiling Purchaser W2 1.1 Wet Trade - Material Supply - Mansonry Purchaser W2 1.2 Wet Trade - Material Supply - Prepacked QS W2 1.3 Wet Trade - Material Supply - Tiling QS W2 1.4 Wet Trade - Material Supply - Granite QS W2 2.0 Wet Trade - Material Supply - Lightweight QS W3 Concrete Panel 2.1 Kitchen Cabinets, Distribution Board Cabinet QS W3 2.2 Wardrobes QS M8 2.3 Fitting-out Works to Clubhouse and Main Lift QS M8 Lobbies 2.4 Softscape Works QS M8 2.5 Playslide Equipment QS M8 2.6 Gymnasium Equipment QS M8 2.7 Outdoor Furniture QS M9 2.8 Letter Box, Blast door, Hopper QS M9 2.9 Cabinet & install vanity top QS M9 3.0 Fire Doors, Metal, Timber Doors QS M9 3.1 Pocket Door System QS M9 3.2 Bicycle Rack QS W11 3.3 Shower Screen QS W11 3.4 Mirror QS W11 3.5 Painting/Road Marking QS W11 3.6 False Ceiling Work & Drywall Partition QS M10 3.7 Signages QS M8 3.8 Timber Works (timber deck & timber flooring) QS M8 3.9 Roller Shutter QS M10 4.0 Lightweight panel QS M10 4.1 Wrought Iron QS M11 4.2 Column Guard & Speed Breaker Hump QS M11 4.3 Metal works QS M11 4.4 Jacuzzi QS E MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL WORKS 1.0 Gas, Plumbing & Sanitary, Fire Hosereel, Dry QS M3 Riser 2.0 Minor Sewer & Diversion Works QS M3 3.0 Electrical, Telephone & CATV Works QS M3 4.0 Automatic Fire Sprinker & Alarm System QS M3 5.0 Air Conditionining and Mechanical Ventilation QS M3 System 6.0 Swimming Pool QS M3 7.0 Lift Installation System QS M3 F EXTERNAL WORKS 1.0 Drainage & Culvert Work QS M12 1.1 External Road - Premix, Road Marking, Traffic QS M12 Signages 1.2 Structural Steel for Precinct (Linkway, Drop-off QS M10 Porch, Precinct Pavilion, Shelter, Trellis & etc) 1.3 Metal Roofing/Trellis QS M10 1.4 Landscape Works QS M12 Playground, Adult & Elderly Equipment and QS EDPM Flooring