UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (CoET)

DEPARTMENT OF STRUCTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN QUANTITY SURVEYING

PROJECT: CONSTRUCTION OF A RESIDENTIAL HOUSE AT UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM MAIN CAMPUS

ACADEMIC YEAR: 2018/2019

GROUP 4

S/N NAME REGISTRATION NUMBER

1. JAHA, AZAN I 2018-04-11003

2. MARTIN, THERESIA H 2018-04-07687

3. NTUYEKO, SIGVAD BATHOROMEO 2018-04-04264

4. MOHAMED, ALLY F 2018-04-04245

Semester Project No. 01 in the Quantity Surveying Programme, Department of Structural and Construction Engineering, College of
Engineering and Technology (CoET),

University of Dar es salaam (UDSM)

Table of Contents

LIST OF FIGURES ...........................................................................................................i

LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................ii

CHAPTER 1........................................................................................................................1

1.1 PROJECT BRIEF........................................................................................................1

1.2 MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT.............................................................................................................................1

1.3 IMPORTANCE OF THE PROJECT............................................................................................................................1.

1.4 SITE LOCATION........................................................................................................2

1.4.1 SITE COMPLIANCE TO THE LAW....................................................................2

1.4.2 COMPATIBILITY WITH THE NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTIVITIES...................2

1.5 SITE FEATURES........................................................................................................2

1.6 SITE UTILITIES..........................................................................................................3

1.6.1 ELECTRIC NETWORK.........................................................................................3

1.6.2 ROAD NETWORK.................................................................................................4

1.6.3 COMMUNATION SERVICES................................................................................4

1.7 PLOT SIZE...................................................................................................................4

1.8 SITE EXPLORATION..................................................................................................4

1.9 OBJECTIVES OF SITE EXPLORATION...................................................................4

1.10 METHODS OF SITE EXPLORATION.....................................................................5

1.10.1 INSPECTION........................................................................................................5

1.10.2 TEST PIT..............................................................................................................6

1.10.3 PROBING.............................................................................................................6

1.10.4 BORING...............................................................................................................7

1.11 NATURE OF SOIL....................................................................................................8

1.11.1 VISITING THE ESTATE OFFICE.......................................................................9

1.12 PROPOSED TYPE OF FOUNDATION....................................................................9

1.12.1 SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS...............................................................................10

1.13 SITE LAYOUT...........................................................................................................11

1.14 SITE PLAN.................................................................................................................11

 1.14.1 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS.......................................................................12

1.15 FOUNDATION DESIGN............................................................................................18

CHAPTER 2...........................................................................................................................19

MATERIAL SPECIFICATION .............................................................................................19

2.1 CEMENT.......................................................................................................................19

2.2 STEEL...........................................................................................................................20

2.3 SAND............................................................................................................................20

2.4 TIMBER .......................................................................................................................21

2.5 AGGREGATES ............................................................................................................21

2.6 WATER .........................................................................................................................22

2.7 CONCRETE .................................................................................................................22

REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................23

WEEK TASK PARTICIPANTS

 ➢ Visiting the site.

➢ Identifying features found within the site.

➢ Taking photos of the site.

➢ Determining the plot size.

1st ALL GROUP MEMBERS

➢ Identify whether the activities taking place around the site are
compatible.

➢ Site layout.

➢ Site planning.

➢ Writing the project brief.

➢ Visiting the estate site confirming whether it is permitted to carry

out the project in the proposed site
ALL GROUP MEMBERS BUT

➢ Determining the type of soil and its foundation. DRAWINGS WERE DONE BY
2nd
JAHA, AZAN I AND MOHAMED,
➢ Making free hand sketch plan of residential house. ALLY F

➢ Making a location sketch map.

➢ Proposing the suitable type of foundation.

3rd ALL GROUP MEMBERS
➢ Designing foundation and foundation layout plan.

4th ➢ PRESENTATION WEEK ALL GROUP MEMBERS

NTUYEKO,SIGVAD
5th ➢ Making of drawings for elevations and sections for the residential. BATHOROMEO AND MARTIN,
THERESIA H

➢ Material specification and analysis.

6th ALL GROUP MEMBERS
➢ Comparing the costs of the materials.

TABLE 1.1 (WORK PROGRAMME)

WEEK TASK PARTICIPANTS

7th ➢ Report writing week. ALL GROUP MEMBERS

8th ➢ Revising the report. ALL GROUP MEMBERS

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION AND SITE DESCRIPTION

1.1 PROJECT BRIEF

This particular project concerns designing and constructing a simple residential house for one of the staffs at University of Dar es Salaam
within the main campus. The house accommodates five people. The house contains two bedrooms, one master bedroom, a kitchen, an office,
a dining, a living room, two washrooms, a store and a laundry.

1.2 MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT

The main objective coming about with the idea of a residential house is to minimize the problem of insufficient houses to accommodate the
UDSM staffs. This project is ideal because with the staffs residing in the campus, time and expenses in transportation issues are saved.

1.3 IMPORTANCE OF THE PROJECT

This project has the following importance;

● Helps in knowing and understanding various materials used in construction activities and reasoning why some materials are used
in preference to others.

● Helps in knowing various challenges encountered in construction activities and knowing how to solve them with the right
approaches.

● Helps in understanding various construction activities especially in the substructure level.

● Helps in knowing and understanding different types of soil and their properties and suitable foundations for those kinds of soils.

1.4 SITE LOCATION

The site is located in the University of Dar es Salaam main campus nearby Mlimani Primary School which is between UDASA area and J.P.
Magufuli Students Hostels.
 Figure 1.1 Site layout showing site location

1.4.1 Site compliance to the law

From the estate office it was confirmed that the site is not permitted for construction purposes but we were permitted to carry on with the
project as it does not involve actual construction. In other words, the site can only be used for study purposes.

1.4.2 Compatibility with the neighbourhood activities

The ongoing activities around the site support the construction of a residential house. There is a presence of a road which supports transport
activities and schools, nursery and primary which support education activities.

1.5 SITE FEATURES

These are the artificial features within and around the site.

● Within the site

The site is covered up with grass, but there are no trees or any kind of artificial feature.

● Around the site

➢ There are a number of trees surrounding the site.

➢ Mlimani nursery and primary schools are the artificial features around the site. Mlimani primary school is at North of
the site while Mlimani nursery school is at North West of the site.

➢ There is also a rough road on the West of the site.

 Figure 1.2 Proposed Site

1.6 SITE UTILITIES

These are infrastructures that provide various services to the site.

1.6.1 Electricity network

The availability of electricity cables at the site area indicates that there supply of electricity services which is very useful in number of ways.

Figure 1.3 Electric cable

1.6.2 Road network

There is a rough road in the West of the site which facilitates transportation activities. Moreover, the rough road connects to the main
University road which is not very far from the site.
 Figure 1.4 Road

1.6.3 Communication services

The communication service at the site is available as almost all mobile network systems work quite well. The internet is also available due
to strong network systems.

1.7 PLOT SIZE

The plot has the size of 30m by 20m.

The dimension of the building are 16.4m by 12.5m

1.8 SITE EXPLORATION

This stage involves the gathering of information concerning the type and nature of soil available at different depths at the site for
economical, sound and safe foundation for a structure. As an important stage in construction process, we were also obliged to conduct it in
our project.

1.9 OBJECTIVE OF SITE EXPLORATION

● To know the type of soil in the site and select an economical and safe type of foundation.

● To know the safe bearing capacity of the soil found in the site.

● To know the level of the underground water in the site.

● To find out sources of construction materials and selection of sites for disposal of water or surplus material.

1.10 METHODS OF SITE EXPLORATION

There four main methods of site exploration which are as follows;

1.10.1 Inspection

This is the first step that should be taken prior to design and construction of a structure. This includes the study of all neighbouring quarries
or cuts made in the nearby area for construction purposes, the study of existing structure and if possible, of their foundations. Moreover,
inspection also involves the observation of the upper layer of the soil by touching it, determining smoothness level, colour and size of the
particles. There is no any scientific procedures conducted in this method to know the type of the soil.

With the use of this method we observed the soil nature, terrain of the e site and topographical features. On checking the nature of the soil
we dug a small pit of about 5cm so as to check the nearby subsoil. The soil observed appeared to be black, it has smooth texture when
touched, it has properties of being slightly compressible and has characteristic of holding small amount of water at a little bit deeper. The
site was also water logged at some places.

NOTE: In our project this was the only method that was used as we lacked access to laboratory and instruments to conduct the other
methods thus, they will be discussed theoretically for study reasons.

Figure 1.5 Group members performing inspection in the site

1.10.2 Test pit

In this method a hole, large enough to allow a person to enter, is dug at a standard depth of 2.5m. Sample from every layer is taken to be
tested in the laboratory.
 Figure 1.6 Test pit

1.10.3 Probing

In probing a steel bar of 25 – 45mm with pointed end is driven into the ground until hard sub—stratum is reached. The bar is driven in by
allowing to fall on its own weight or by means of a drop hammer. After the steel bar is taken out, tests are made to the soil sticking towards
the side of the bar. However, this method is only suitable for places with soft soil such as clay, gravel or sand.

Figure 1.7 Probing

1.10.4 Boring

Boring methods are used for exploration at greater depths where other direct methods have failed. This includes drilling holes into the
ground to obtain soil or rock samples at different levels. Boring is usually used in places having hard soil.

The common methods of boring are;

● Auger boring
 Figure 1.8 Auger boring

● Wash boring

Figure 1.9 Wash boring

● Percussion drilling
 Figure 1.10 Percussion drilling

● Core drilling

Figure 1.11 Core drilling

1.11 NATURE OF SOIL

As we had no access to the laboratory or advanced instruments to test the soil nature we opted to used observation method to determine the
nature of the soil. The following were the observed results.

● The soil was slightly compressible.

● The colour of the soil on was dark brown with partially black colour.

● The project was conducted in rainy season thus, we observed that the soil was moist and it had moderate water holding capacity
as it could hold only small amount of water.

● The soil was smooth and somehow sticky when touched.

After the observation of the above characteristics we then came into prediction that the type of soil found in the site is loam soil.

1.11.1 Visiting the estate office

When we visited the estate industry we met expertise in the construction industry and they informed as that the type of soil found in the site
is loam soil but with more sand soil. They also advised us that the site was not among the best to be used in construction activities but it is
not bad.
1.12 PROPOSED TYPE OF FOUNDATION
Foundations of buildings are of two main types, which are;

● Shallow foundations – these are the ones that transfer loads to the earth very near to the surface.
They include;

➢ Strip foundations

➢ Pad foundations

➢ Raft foundations

● Deep foundations – these are the ones that transfer loads through weak, compressible soils to underlying competent soils or
rocks.
They include;

➢ Piles

➢ Piers

As far as the project of constructing a residential house was concerned we opted to use shallow foundations over deep foundations due to the
following reasons;

1. Construction cost – constructing shallow foundations is cheaper than deep foundations. Thus, we opted shallow foundations to
minimize construction cost.
2. Nature of the soil – though the soil is slightly compressible but it could still support shallow foundations.
3. Nature of the project – since the project concerns a residential house which does not involve support very heavy loads it was
ideal to opt shallow foundations over deep foundations.

1.12.1 Shallow foundations

I. Strip foundation
These are used to support lines of loads due to a load bearing wall.
 Figure 1.12 Strip foundation

II. Pad foundation

These are used to support an individual point load such as that due to a structural column.

Figure 1.13 Pad foundation

III. Raft foundation

These are used to spread the load from a structure over a large area, normally the entire area of the structure.
 Figure 1.14 Raft foundation

Among the many categories of shallow foundations we had to choose the one that would be suitable for our project and so we opted to use
strip foundation due to the following reasons;

● Reference from the existing structures – through observation that we made and consulting the neighbours we found that most of
the structures used strip foundation in their construction.

● Construction cost – we opted strip foundation since it uses the minimum cost compared to other shallow foundations.

● Nature of the project – since the residential house is of a single storey then strip foundation is likely to do well without the need
to combine it with pad foundation.

1.13 SITE LAYOUT

Site layout is the representation of natural and artificial features that are within or around the site with the inclusion of their direction.

Reference to be made to figure 1.1 showing the layout of our site.

1.14 SITE PLAN

Site plan is the representation showing how the functional requirements are organized within the site. These functional requirement includes
both the ones inside the building and those outside the building but within the site.

1.14.1 Functional Requirements

The proposed residential house is of 16.4m by 12.5m dimensions, having a master bedroom, two bedrooms, a kitchen, dining, living room,
laundry, two water closets (one of the master bedroom), an office and two verandas (front and rear). And outside the house there is a garden,
a water tank, parking area, sewage system, guard’s quarter and an outdoor sitting area. All these requirements are within the site plot with
the size 30m by 24m.

The following are the functional requirements of the proposed residential house;

● Master bedroom of 5.5m by 5m

 Figure 1.15 Master bedroom

● Two bedrooms of 3.8m by 3.5m

Figure 1.16 Bedroom

● Home office
 Figure 1.17 Home office

● Washrooms (combined toilet and bathroom)

➢ Master bedroom washroom – 2m by 2m

➢ Washroom – 2.4m by 2m

Figure 1.18 Washroom

● Laundry of 3m by 2m
 Figure 1.19 Laundry

● Store of 2m by 2m

Figure 1.20 Store

● An open kitchen taking a space of 5.5m by 3.5m

● A dining table space of 5.5m by 3m

● A living room of 7m by 4.2m

Figure 1.21 Open kitchen-dining-living room layout

● Corridor of 3.5m by 1.5m

Figure 1.22 Corridor

● Parking area of 6m by 5.5m

 Figure 1.23 Parking

● Two verandas

➢ Front veranda – 7m by 2m

➢ Rear veranda – 3m by 1.5m

Figure 1.24 Front Veranda

Figure 1.25 Rear Veranda

● Garden

Figure 1.26 Garden

● Outdoor Sitting Area of 3m by 2.5m

Figure 1.27 Outdoor Sitting Area

1.15 FOUNDATION DESIGN

The foundation used in this particular project is the strip foundation that is running throughout the foundation trenches. The foundation is so
designed in accordance to the functional requirements of the building.

The strip footing has the width of 690mm and a depth of 250mm while the foundation wall is 230mm thick.

The strip footing is made of a reinforced concrete of grade M20 having the ratio 1:1.5:3 of cement: aggregate: sand.

Figure Strip 1.28 foundation design

CHAPTER 2

MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS
In construction the choice of materials is mainly based taking into consideration of the following factors;

● Quality
● Durability
● Cost
● Climatic conditions

The following are the materials used in our project and their analysis as to why, where and to what propositions they were used.

2.1 CEMENT

Cement is a substance that originates from lime that is used as a binder in construction. There are so many types of cements used in
construction but the common one used in Tanzania is the Portland cement. Since the project concerns a residential house in an area of
normal environmental conditions we opted to use the 33 grade cement which is suitable for concrete ranging from M20 grade and below.
There are many cement producers in Tanzania such as Twiga cement, Dangote cement, Camel cement, Simba cement and so many other
companies. In our project we preferred to use the twiga cement since it has proven to be the best in the country compared to other cements
produced. It is a bit higher in price than other cements in Tanzania but it has greater strength.

Figure 2.1 Cement

2.2 STEEL

Steel is known to have given structure that no other material can when it comes to construction. It provides strength and durability that
cannot be matched by wood or concrete. In most cases steel is used in reinforcing concrete in the sub structure and in establishing columns,
but in our case steel was used in reinforcing concrete in the strip footing foundation. In our project we preffered to use the rebar steel since it
the type of steel that is suitable and commonly used in reinforcement works.
 Figure 2.2 Rebar Steel

2.3 SAND

Sand as one of the types of soil is a very essential material in construction. It is composed of finely divided rocks and mineral particles. Sand
is used in construction because it provides bulk and strength to construction materials such as asphalt and concrete. There are two types of
sand soil commonly used in construction, these are;

● Pit sand - this is mostly used in concreting.

● River sand - this is commonly used in plastering.

Figure 2.3 Sand

2.4 TIMBER

Timber is a very important material in construction. It has a number of uses that are so important in construction. Timber is used in the
following ways;

● It is used in providing formwork for reinforced concrete in the foundation footings.

● It can be used in making doors and windows including their frames.
● It can be used in the construction of staircases.
● Timber can be at largely be used in the construction of roofs.
 Figure 2.4 Timber

2.5 AGGREGATES

Aggregate is a component of a composite material that resists compressive stress. It is one of the component of concrete that serves as
reinforcement to add strength and structure to the concrete.

Figure 2.5 Aggregate

2.6 WATER

Although the functional requirement of every building is that it should be dry but in real sense water is one of the important essential
construction materials. Water can be used in concrete mixing, preparation of mortar and for curing works. Water is important but not all
kinds of it can be used in construction. Quality of water to be used in construction is very important. The water used should be clean and
free from injurious quantities of alkali, acids, oil, salts and organic materials. For this case, potable water of pH level that is not less than 6 is
generally considered satisfactory.

2.7 CONCRETE
Concrete is a composite material consisting of mainly Portland cement, aggregate, water and sand mixed in standard proportions. Concrete
is of many grades but as far as our project is concerned we found that concrete of grade M20 with the ratios 1:1.5:3 of cement: aggregate:
sand. Concrete is important in construction due to the following reasons;

● It is durable and cost effective material which is a necessity for underground use.
● It is fire resistance.
● It provides strength to the building.
● It can be mixed into various shapes unlike some other materials such as timber.
● It is able to accomodate steel reinforcements.

Figure 2.6 Concrete

REFERENCES

Francis D.K. Ching (2008), Building Construction Ilustrated 4th edition, John Wiley

http://www.google.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/sand

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/water

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cement

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/construction_aggregate