Detail the main Structural components and construction methodologies when building a residential house

            In the process of building a residential house, there are various structural components that are being used. The main structural components that are required for building a residential house include; roof frames, wall frames, and slaps and footings. As much as the use of these materials are concerned, it should be understood that the methodologies used in this case entail adding various materials so as to come up with the real projected structure. Ideally, the construction of a residential house will have to take into consideration the importance of incorporation of legal, financial, and design mechanisms. The vast majority of the construction methodologies have been realized to have the propensity of enabling the contractor to understand the all the residential structural materials that are required.  Moreover, it will be possible for him or her to ensure that he or she has understood all the design mechanisms of the residential house required to accomplish such a project.

            Before embarking on launching the construction of the residential building, it will be important to take into consideration its site conditions. That will have to take into account things like the classification of soil and the extent of its movement, orientations in terms of the suitability of that site, perceived risks, as well as the management of the available defense systems. From the structural perspectives, it is important to take into account the need of comparing the use of steel frames and timber frames, conventional roof frame with trusses, and so on. The same comparison will have to take into consideration the type of wind loads to use.

            Accordingly, the use of finishes for windows and doors will have to be understood in terms of its waterproofing as well as other associated potential issues. Moreover, it will be vital to take into account its environmental characteristics, for instance, reuse and disposal, aesthetics, and compliance with statutory residential building requirements.

2. Why would you apply principles when constructing residential buildings? Give at least 3 examples

            Generally, the application of the construction principles has the potential of enabling the whole project to be completed within the stipulated time and as budgeted. What this implies is the fact that the application of the construction knowledge will enable the project manager to understand or select the best materials that are required in finishing the project. Moreover, the application of the residential construction principles is important because it allows the project manager to be in the position of understanding the prevailing limitations of certain materials that might be selected taking into consideration the design of the residential building being assigned to. Taking into consideration the budgeted amount, the use of these principles are also paramount in determining the finishes as well as the materials to be used in achieving the design concept of the client. The same procedure will have to take into account the need of understanding the engineering drawings as well as the primary components of such a project.

3. Give examples of three construction materials and explain the application of these chosen materials, include the characteristics and the individual performance
4. concrete- this construction material is used for the purpose of enhancing thermal mass as well as durability. According to the Australian residential construction standards, the minimum strength standard of concrete should not fall below 20mpa. In the process of using concrete, slabs should have to be reinforced with a steel mesh. Bar chairs will have to be used to support that reinforcement so as to offer the required concrete coverage. At internal corners, concrete is also used to enhance re-entrant reinforcement.
5. bricks- in the same case with concrete, bricks are used for the purpose of enhancing the thermal mass and durability of the residential building. Ideally, during construction, the skin of the brick needs to be joined to the frame using brick ties. Due to the fact that bricks are ultimately porous, it is possible for them to have cavities between brickwork and the frame. As a result of that, it is possible for those cavities to have flashing and sarking hence the need of covering them with waterproofing materials.
6. Claddings – from the construction perspectives, claddings are always light in weight. Ideally, they are non-load bearing layer or skin that is usually attached to externally. They can either be in form of sheet or weatherboards made from cement sheet or foam board.
7. What are the key drawing types for residential construction documents that you need to include in working drawings for the design of residential buildings?
8. Site plans- From the engineering residential construction perspectives, site plans include the size of the building, proposed works, as well as the site location of the project. Ideally, site drawings can also be incorporated with things like overlooking diagrams and shadow diagrams that can aid in assessing siting compliances.
9. Other plans – the use of this plan will have to take into account things like framing plans, roof plans, slap plans, electrical plans, and floor plans.
10. Sections – As one of the drawings types, sections are provided in the building in both directions so as to enable the project manager to include some of the complex details regarding them.
11. Elevations- these drawing designs are used for the purpose of indicating both interior and exterior elevations.
12. Schedules- they are use for the purpose of detailing the materials to be used in finishing windows and doors.
13. During the design approval process, what legislative requirements should the client be aware of?

            During the design approval process, the client ought to be informed about the compliance requirements in terms of amenity, safety, waterproofing, health, and integrity. Moreover, during the planning process, local and state legislation needs to be taken into consideration. For instance, the health and safety services conditions to be taken into consideration during the launching of the work will have to take into account compliance with ventilation, cooling, and heating, lighting for aesthetics, safety or efficiency, and plumbing conditions.

6. Why is it necessary to Integrate services in a residential building design? Can you give examples of what these services are?

            The reason for integrating other necessary services in a residential building design is to assist in ensuring or fostering safe conditions for the occupants. An example of that is fire separation mechanism and health, safety, and amenity.

7. Research and explain what the statutory requirements are for fire separation in residential building design

            As much as the construction of residential buildings are concerned, its design and layout in connection with the style of construction and the materials used, ultimately plays the main role on curbing the spread of smoke and fire. Moreover, it has the ability of providing safe evacuation from the building in case of fire. According to the statutory requirements, it is the responsibility of owners, building contractors, architects, developers, and designers to ensure that suitable building techniques, designs, and materials have been properly used. Ideally, the registered manager handling with the building of residential building should take the responsibility of ensuring that there is compliance with appropriate residential house building standards. This will also have to take into account the need of ensuring that there is the provision of guidelines in fire risk assessment or the in the event of fire. 

            In addition to that, the modern statutory requirements require that such fire separation methods should have to be properly implemented for the purpose of protecting the building from catching fire. The same procedure or requirements has the propensity of limiting the spread of fire into adjacent buildings or areas for a certain designated time periods. To comply with that, it is, therefore, important to ensure that there is the use of fire resisting floors, walls, ducts, doors, and so on. Basically, the designated time periods for the spread of fire are ultimately contained in the building regulations. Accordingly, it is important for the residential building project manager to ensure that they have divided the building into various distinct fire zones termed as fire compartments. Examples of these are the compartment floors and compartment walls. 

8. Describe what the specifications are for a residential building which provide the best safety, health, and amenity for users

            Within any residential building, there are various criteria or specifications that are used for the purpose of addressing safety, heath, and amenity for its users. First, according to the safety NCC PT 2.5, it is important to provide walking surface with safe handrails and gradients to aid users, safeguard residential swimming pool from dangers, and include non-slip surfaces and landings on them. It is paramount to ensure that these barriers are continuous allover the hazard areas of the swimming pool. Moreover, it is vital to ensure that barriers have been provided for the purpose of preventing fall from landings or as a result of change in floor level. The use of barriers needs to be also be taken into consideration around all openable windows.  In the case of gates, it also important to supply them with childproof latch.

            In addition with that, according to the health and amenity NCC Pt 2.4, in the act of constructing a residential building, it is important to take into consideration the means of providing proper ventilation, natural light to the house, and other associated room size facilities. The same procedure will also take into account the provision of proper waterproofing mechanism in wet areas. This is to imply that all wet areas need to be waterproofed for the purpose of preventing damage caused by water overflow or dampness. The significance of that is because it will aid in preventing dangerous or unhealthy conditions. The minimum room size should be at least 2400 so as to provide the occupants with enough space. Facilities to be provided will have to be used for laundry purpose, cooking and food separation, fostering personal hygiene, and proper disposal of grey water.