"12 Steps of Construction"

Once the construction drawings and other related documents have been completed and
approved by the authority in jurisdiction. The project will then be awarded to a contractor by
the client through a consultant in this period the construction of the proposed project will
begin.

Construction can be summarized into 12 stages:

1. Clearing of the Ground - to begin the actual construction the clearing of the ground from
where the location of the project will be built as the first thing to consider. The construction
personnel task is to free the construction site for any obstruction and debris that may obstruct
and delay the construction. The temporary facilities such as engineers office labor's quarter
material storage room temporary water and electric supplies and other related facilities should
also be constructed prior to the start of work. A site perimeter fence should also be constructed
during this period

2. Site Layout and Staking - this activity involves the setting of the reference points in a form of
construction grid lines and marking off the gate level. This is performed to ensure that the grids
have been set up on site according to approved plans. The reference point should be marked
properly and should not be disturbed throughout the course of the construction. Grid lines
according to the approved drawing should be layout prior to construction. Depending on the
complexity and size of the project the construction grids can be layout through the use of
theodolite or related surveying instruments. A more traditional way of the layout of the
construction grid is popular to use for small projects is through staking using batter board and
strings. Batter board or temporary wooden frames used to suspend the strings. The strings are
the representation of the grid lines at x and y directions according to approved plans these will
serve as a guide throughout the construction so it is important to fix a reference line in both
directions to be used once the grids have been placed when needed in the construction.

3. Excavation - once the layouts of construction points and grid lines have been completed the
excavation works begin. The excavation depth depends on the recommendation by the soil
investigation report but it is safe to say that the minimum excavation level for the footing to
rest should stick to one meter below the gate level or the 0.00 level. Excavation works as a
massive activity therefore a proper caution should be observed during this stage. In the event
that the excavation needed is along with the neighbor's existing structure exceeding 1.20 meter
from your proposed level then shoring support is recommended.

4. Compacting and Laying of PCC - compacting of the excavated surface should perform once
we reach the desired excavation level. A layer of crushed gravel is then to be added during the
compacting. In a standard compaction procedure the final compacted layers should be checked
in order to reach the desired degree of compaction to not less than 95 of the maximum dry
density. It is then in this stage that an anti-termite treatment on the ground should also be
considered the laying of pcc or plane concrete cement should follow afterward in preparation
for rebar works. PCC is usually composed of a 10 millimeters thick lean concrete for the footing
rebar to be laid evenly level.

5. Foundation Rebar and Column Starter Bars - once the laying of pcc has been set up the rebar
works for foundation and any foundation beams are the next activity in this stage the
reinforcement of foundations is being prepared according to the structural schedule along with
its formworks. The proper and standard concrete cover should be observed during this
procedure. Starter bars for columns should also be installed accordingly before concrete
pouring.

6. Concreting of Foundations and Column Rebar - installation concreting of foundations has to

come next after the rebar works. The concrete to be poured should be properly vibrated for the
concrete especially the aggregates to fully spread into the footing. Installation of column
reinforcement on the previously installed column starter bars should be continued. A proper
concrete cover should consider before closing the form works. For substructure columns an
additional concrete cover of at least 50 millimeters has to be considered up to plinth level to
protect the rebar for possible corrosion due to sulfate attack.

7. Concreting of Column and Bitumen Paint Applications - once the concreting of stub columns
has been completed. Give time for the concrete to dry completely and apply at least two coats
of bitumen paint for both footing and stub columns. Bitumen paint helps in absorbing moisture
due to the soil to prevent seepage into the substructure concrete.

8. Setting up Perimeter Blocks - install solid blocks along the perimeter or the edge of the
proposed project. This is to establish a boundary between the inside and outside edges of the
project. It is also helpful when the difference of inside floor finish level to outside pavement or
ground level is significant. Two coats of bitumen paints should also apply afterward. In some
cases perimeter blocks are optional especially for areas where the soil characteristics are too
firm.

9. Backfilling and Compacting - once the substructures like foundation structures including the
solid blocks have been installed completed backfilling and compacting should take place.
Backfilling and compacting should be done partially to make sure that the required degree of
compacting has been met until reaching the bottom of the tie beam level.

10. Tie Beam Rinforcement, Grade Slap, and Concreting - preparation and installing the thai
beam reinforcement as per the approved drawing is the next step to consider after the
backfilling and compacting. Formworks with standard concrete cover are also included in this
stage. Once the reinforcement works have been completed we can start the concreting.
Installing of grade slab mesh in concrete work is then to be followed.

11. Rebar Works and Concreting of Columns - at this stage the substructure component of our
project has been completed it is now time for the project to go up the next thing to consider as
the rebar works shuttering or formworks and concreting to be done. Prior to concreting we see
to it that the columns followed the structural schedule. The form works should be vertically
level in a standard. Concrete cover has to maintain prior to the closing of forms.

12. Beam and Slab Works - once the ground floor columns have been cast it is time to prepare
the project for beams and suspended slab reinforcement activity. Like any other structural
member's beams and slab reinforcement should be followed strictly. Shuttering or form works
for slab and beams should be properly anchored and checked prior to concrete pouring. Step
11 can be repeated accordingly until such time that the structural frame or the core and shell of
the structure has been completed. The architectural finishing works are then be followed.