1-5 Holmwood Place ANALYSIS REPORT 376308 STELLA SENAJAYA TANAJA ABPL 30041 CONSTRUCTIONDESIGN
INTRODUCTION This report represents the key information regarding the proposed site for two stories office building located at 1-5 Holmwood Place on Carlton suburb in Melbourne. Based on careful observations and researches, the report raises the possible issues that might hinder the construction development and thus helps with design response towards the site. The site investigation was carried out by Construction Design students from University of Melbourne. The analysis outcomes would be classified to four different categories namely below ground issues, surface conditions, adjacent surroundings, and the additional information engaging the consultants. SITE DESCRIPTION The site is located at Holmwood Pl that is adjacent to Cardigan Street. It is classified onto Zone 55 with MGA Coordinates N 5814830 E 3209001. The dimension of the site is approximately 346.52m2 facing north.
The State of Victoria. (2010). Plan of Subdivision. Available: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/property-titles-and-maps. Last accessed 12th March 2012 1
BELOW GROUND CONDITIONS 1.Services -Observation From the plan of subdivision, easement exists on the site plan indicating that services pipes from City West Water2 is located on the site. Furthermore, several other services such as Telstra telecommunication wires and gas are also located on the site. -Issue The Services underground would be potential detrimental issues on footings as there might be a possibility of water leakage and thus affecting the footings negatively. -Recommendation Doing researches on the services whereabouts and submit the proposed building detail especially footings to the council engineering services before the construction begin. -Significance to architects/consultants Locating services such as water, electricity, telephone line, and sewerage on the plan to aid the constructor in designing the best construction (especially footings) for the building proposed. 2.Filled Soil -Observation According to the topography map, there is an approximately 1 meters elevation between the south (Union Place) and the north (Holmwood Place) boundary of the site3. However, during site inspection, site appears to be flat hence there might be a filled soil. -Issues Being a filled soil site, it has a big possibility that the density or compactness of the soil might be different. This caused a different load bearing capacity on the soil and thus construction damage like an unstable footings and cracks on buildings might occur. -Recommendation
City West Water. (2012). Building Over Easements. Available: http://app.lms.unimelb.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-3418046-dt-content-rid3737475_2/xid-3737475_2. Last accessed 13th March 2012. 3 Richard Garton. (2012). Indicative Levels. Available: http://app.lms.unimelb.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-3418045-dt-content-rid3693473_2/courses/702372_2010_1/Holmwood%20Place/15HolmwoodPl_1_500_A4.pdf. Last accessed 13th March 2012. 2
Geotechnical engineer4 is required to conduct the test on the load bearing capacity of the soil then Structural Engineer would be able to determine the types of footing system that is suitable for the soil conditions. According to CED Engineering, "Deep foundations may be designed to carry superstructure loads through poor soil (loose sands, soft clays, and collapsible materials) into competent bearing materials�5. Thus deep footing might be a proper type of foundation for this site. -Significance to architects/consultants The geotechnical report6 should be obtained from specific test bores and standpipes. This report would aid the construction drawings process and passed to structural engineer for construction calculation. 3.Easements -Observation From the plan of subdivision, easement could be identified on the south eastern part of the site thus services pipes from City West Water7 have to be considered during the construction process. -Issue City West water may sometimes need access for repairing and maintenance thus required us to clear any footings 600mm from the sewer and angle of the footings should extend below the depth of the pipes.
-Recommendation Apply to build over easement with City West Water. It is crucial that the approval is granted in order for the property to be legally built. -Significance to architects/consultants Easement location should be included in the site plan, as well as the services locations and pipes (electricity, telephone, water, sewage, etc.). The Australian Institute of Architects . (2011). Evaluation of sub-soil conditions. Available:http://acumen.architecture.com.au.ezp.lib.unimelb.edu.au/apps/notes /view/662. Last accessed 13th March 2012. 5 Gilbert Gedeon, P.E.. (1992). Bearing Capacity of Soils. Available: http://www.cedengineering.com/upload/Bearing%20Capacity%20of%20Soils. pdf. Last accessed 13th March 2012. 6 The Australian Institute of Architects . (2011). Evaluation of sub-soil conditions. Available:http://acumen.architecture.com.au.ezp.lib.unimelb.edu.au/apps/notes /view/662. Last accessed 13th March 2012. 7 City West Water. (2012). Building Over Easements. Available: http://app.lms.unimelb.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-3418046-dt-content-rid3737475_2/xid-3737475_2. Last accessed 13th March 2012. 4
This would enable the plumber, hydraulics, and electricians to pick the most suitable system for the site. SURFACE CONDITIONS 1.Site Access -Observation There’s two primary access to the site namely Holmwood Place-Cardigan Street and Union Place- Elgin Street. Both access have narrow entry points of 3.6 metres in width. Furthermore, there’s a retaining wall from Union Place entry point, thus leave us to have only one access point. In addition, there are also power lines that are approximately 4.5 meters height which unable the big truck to enter the site. -Issues/ consequences Lack of convenient access to the site thus hinders the construction process such as transportation of the materials. It is therefore leave us with very limited material choices. -Recommendation Choose in-situ material such as concrete as prefabricated material is not an option due to difficulties on its transportation. As for the power lines, it should be insulated so to prevent the damages and accident happens on the site. -Significance to architects/consultants The dimensions of access points should be annotated on the site plan and power lines should be identified. This will help the construction consideration in choosing material based on its ability for being transported to the site safely. 2.Stormwater Runoff -Observation According to the building easement, there’s an assumption that the site had been levelled with filled soil and the blue stone path on both Holmwood Place and Union Place is slightly sunken for the surface runoff of the stormwater leading it away to the main streets. -Issues/ consequences There’s going to be a lot of stormwater discharge along the Holmwood Place on the rainy day -Recommendation Geotechnical engineer would be measuring the level of the surroundings and design a stormwater discharge system for Holmwood place and Union Place. 3.Vegetation -Observation
The huge trees are present within the site and also a dense shrubs and branches. -Issue Roots of the huge trees would bring about a negative effect towards the footings of the proposed building. Furthermore, the branches and the shrubs would block the access for the trucks to the site.
-Recommendation According to the Campbell Town City Council, “Most feeder roots are within the canopy and extend beyond the drip line of the tree”8 . Thus the trees on the site could possibly be sustained and cut the roots up till the canopy diameter of the trees. -Significance to architects/consultants Draw on site plan all the trees present, identify which trees are to be cut down and sustained. Environmental auditor could take part in this decision. ADJACENT CONDITIONS 1.Damages -Observation Damages on the sites such as cracked neighbour wall and corrodes stones is seen on the sites during the inspection. -Issues/ consequences Firstly, it might be legal issues when ignored as the neighbour might blame the damages on construction process especially when there’s plenty of heavy machinery being brought to the site. Secondly, cracks on the surroundings wall might identified the moving earth on the site thus careful consideration regarding the types of footings is crucial. -Recommendation
Campbell Town City Council. (2012). Building Near Trees. Available: http://www.campbelltown.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/8_Building_Near _Trees_Leaflet.pdf. Last accessed 13th March 2012. 8
Conduct a dilapidation survey on the surroundings sites and produce a legal dilapidation survey9 report in order to avoid unjustified claims for damages. 2.Site Management -Observation The site is located next to residential areas and childcare centre. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a very limited space available on the sites. The only places that might be possible to put amenities during construction process is the residential private carpark adjacent to the sites. -Issue The car park is a private car park belongs to the tenants on the adjacent residential areas. If the car park is used, the residents would not have a space to park their car. Other issues arises such as the sound and the activity of the construction progress might disturb the neighbour heavily -Recommendation Pay for temporary car park for the tenants on surroundings neighbour and comes to an agreement with them As for the sound and activity that disturb the neighbour, we should keep it to a minimise and also set up an appropriate working hour to avoid disruption. 3.Safety -Observation Location of the site is adjacent to childcare and residential area which would bring us to set up a safety regulation around the sites during the construction process -Issues/ consequences Pedestrians and workers are going to be around the site often. This raised the chance of accident happen which should be minimised. -Recommendation First aid kit (type B for <25 workers)10 must be located in a prominent position and the knowledge of nearby hospital and contact detail for emergency purposes. Secondly, we could also put up fencing and warning sign
Dilapidation Survey Pty Limited ABN. (2010). Risk Management in Action. Available: http://www.dilapidationsurveys.com.au/risk-management-in-action. Last accessed 13th March 2012. 10 Electronic Blueprint. (2012). Australian Building Specifications Knowledgebase. Available: http://electronicblueprint.com.au/wiki/tikiindex.php?page=Australian+Building+Specifications+Knowledgebase. Last accessed 13th March 2012. 9
ADDITIONAL CONSULTANTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ADDITIONAL CONSULTANTS: -Dilapidation surveyor To conduct a dilapidation survey on surroundings sites and building in order to avoid unjustified claims for damage caused during the construction process. -Cost Surveyors To survey the cost and manage the cost of the construction -Geotechnical engineer To conduct a soil test such as its load bearing capacity as the site has the possibility to be a filled soil -Structural engineer To decide the best construction system for the building -Environmental Audit To provide environment advice on vegetation, soil and groundwater. Furthermore, environment auditor also helps to identify a potentially contaminated land.11 -Land Surveyor To define the property boundaries and produced a legal documents.
CONCLUSION In summary, the inspection and observation of the sites plays the major role in decision making and construction design process. There are many things should be taken into consideration before the construction begin to get a cost efficient yet successful building process.
EPA Victoria. (2006). Environmental auditing in Victoria. Available: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/envaudit/eas.asp. Last accessed 13th March 2012 11
REFERENCES: Campbell Town City Council. (2012). Building Near Trees. Available: http://www.campbelltown.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/8_Building_Near _Trees_Leaflet.pdf. Last accessed 13th March 2012. City West Water. (2012). Building Over Easements. Available: http://app.lms.unimelb.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-3418046-dt-content-rid3737475_2/xid-3737475_2. Last accessed 13th March 2012. Dilapidation Survey Pty Limited ABN. (2010). Risk Management in Action. Available: http://www.dilapidationsurveys.com.au/risk-management-in-action. Last accessed 13th March 2012. EPA Victoria. (2006). Environmental auditing in Victoria. Available: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/envaudit/eas.asp. Last accessed 13th March 2012 Electronic Blueprint. (2012). Australian Building Specifications Knowledgebase. Available: http://electronicblueprint.com.au/wiki/tikiindex.php?page=Australian+Building+Specifications+Knowledgebase. Last accessed 13th March 2012. Gilbert Gedeon, P.E.. (1992). Bearing Capacity of Soils. Available: http://www.cedengineering.com/upload/Bearing%20Capacity%20of%20Soils. pdf. Last accessed 13th March 2012. Richard Garton. (2012). Indicative Levels. Available: http://app.lms.unimelb.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-3418045-dt-content-rid3693473_2/courses/702372_2010_1/Holmwood%20Place/15HolmwoodPl_1_500_A4.pdf. Last accessed 13th March 2012. The Australian Institute of Architects . (2011). Evaluation of sub-soil conditions. Available:http://acumen.architecture.com.au.ezp.lib.unimelb.edu.au/apps/notes /view/662. Last accessed 13th March 2012. The State of Victoria. (2010). Plan of Subdivision. Available: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/property-titles-and-maps. Last accessed 12th March 2012