Construction Technology

1

Module name Construction Technology 1

Module code CON4TE1

Level 4

Module start month and year March 2024

Module pass mark 40

Assignment 1

Assignment due time and date 10.00 a.m. (UK time), Thursday 25 July 2024

Word count (see section below for info) 2,100

Assignment weighting 70%

Module learning outcomes assessed

LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 (See ‘Assessment’ page in ‘Module orientation’ for details)

Submission details

For this assignment, you are required to submit online:

• a technical report as one PDF file or alternatively as one Word (or similar) file.

Please refer to the relevant ‘Assessment preparation’ week of the module for further guidance.

If you have any questions about this assessment, please contact your Module Team using the Assignment forum in the relevant ‘Assessment preparation’ week on the VLE.

© University College of Estate Management 2024 Page 2 of 8

Scenario You are part of a design team for a small building contractor tasked with assessing a residential house construction project, your focus will be to look at construction methods and materials. Your client is an individual who is looking for a high level of sustainable technologies to be incorporated in their project, to achieve low embodied energy, high levels of insulation and good airtightness, energy efficiency, low maintenance and a long service period. The project consists of detached house to be built on soft clay, which is classed as a high shrinkable clay soil, the building is not expected to exceed 30kN/m. Although, soil type has been established, please state your assumed local climate conditions as this will influence your assessment of methods and materials.

Task Your assessment will take the form of a technical report and will be aimed at a client with some basic knowledge of standard construction methods. The technical report should contain an introduction, some titled sections for discussion topics with illustrations, tables for comparison and conclusions.

a. For each of the four primary elements (listed below), pick two methods of construction (including the materials) that would be the most sustainable in the long term, compare and contrast these and recommend one:

• Foundation type • Structural ground floor • Structural external walls • Roof structure.

Note, there will be a number of construction methods that can be used for each element, however, you need to look at and compare two methods which you deem to be the most suitable and then choose one which you want to recommend. For each element, focus on methods and materials that are appropriate for your country (local climatic conditions). Clearly describe the technology, and provide justification for your recommended choice, explaining how it satisfies key performance criteria and why it is best suited to local circumstances.

b. Outline which building services system would give the best balance between energy

efficiency, running costs and carbon dioxide emissions. Your discussion should focus on one specific item, from the following:

• Cooling and ventilation systems; or • Space heating systems; or • Hot water systems.

© University College of Estate Management 2024 Page 3 of 8

c. Provide at least one illustration with annotation for each of the following five drawings (sketches) of the report. These illustrations should be in the appropriate discussion topic of your technical report and include (as a minimum):

• a composite sketch or suitable illustration (with annotations) of the foundation; and

• a composite sketch or suitable illustration (with annotations) of the ground floor with footings and Damp Proof Course (DPC) and Damp Proof Membrane (DPM); and

• a composite sketch or suitable illustration (with annotations) of the exterior structural wall; and

• a composite sketch or suitable illustration (with annotations) of the roof with eaves (fascia and soffit) and wall plate detail; and

• a schematic diagram related to the building services outlined.

d. Provide a brief ‘Conclusions’ section that highlights the common themes you have used throughout the technical report, linking these themes to each element discussed.

Sustainability and construction efficiency (economy and quality assurance) should be common themes throughout the technical report.

Additional guidance • Please include type and position of insulation used within sketches or diagrams, with the

exception of the building services schematic. The sketches and diagrams can be hand drawings, CAD drawings or modified existing drawing(s) from a credible source.

• Whether using original drawings or existing drawings, all must be appropriately annotated by yourself with a reference underneath the drawing.

• Please avoid the use of appendices and include all relevant items and sketches within appropriate sections of the report.

Reference list You should include a reference list with a minimum of eight separate, relevant and appropriate sources that you have written about and cited within your work. A bibliography of uncited sources is not required.

Additional information Further information to support you with this assignment is available within the study materials for this module on the UCEM VLE. It is recommended that you engage with the Assignment briefing webinar and Assignment forum, as the module team may signpost relevant learning activities and also answer any questions you may have.

© University College of Estate Management 2024 Page 4 of 8

Marking guidance for this assessment This guidance is designed to help you to do as well as possible in your assessment by explaining how the person marking your work will be judging it. Your work will be assessed in relation to the requirements set out in the assessment criteria marking guide shown below and the grading guidance section below. It is recommended that you read both of these sections before starting your assessment to learn what will help you to achieve the highest marks. Before submitting your assessment you should review it to check you have produced what is required to achieve the highest marks. When you receive your feedback from your tutor you should be able to see where you gained marks and, where relevant, recommendations about how to improve your performance going forward.

Grading guidance This grading guidance section explains in more detail what a submission for this assessment should include in order to achieve a mark at the threshold, good and excellent standards. Threshold You will have submitted a sufficiently organised technical report with a recognisable format and structure. Your report will sufficiently address the primary aims of the task, making adequate technical choices for each building envelope element and the sustainable building services, but will display limited explanation of concepts, a lack of detailed or limited support for recommendations. Your supporting drawings, sketches and diagrams will appropriately reflect the choices made in the written description, with adequate technical understanding of their application. Citation and referencing will be evident, with execution that satisfies the learning outcomes for the assessment. Good You will have met and exceeded the criteria for Threshold, with a competent technical report format that is organised and easy to follow. Your report will demonstrate more reasonable understanding of technical choices for each building envelope element and the sustainable building services, with competent support for recommendations, but somewhat inconsistent or generic in response. Citation and referencing will demonstrate clear and competent use following The UCEM Guide to Referencing and Citation with reasonable application of source material used to address the learning outcomes for the assessment. Excellent You will have met and exceeded the criteria for Good and provided a sophisticated technical report that is highly organised and presented with effectiveness and clarity. Your technical report will display perceptive technical choices for building envelope elements and the sustainable building services. Support for findings and recommendations will be rigorous, with effective links to the specific geographical area or region and sustainable building principles. Your source attribution will consistently and effectively follow The UCEM Guide to Referencing and Citation and demonstrate comprehensive application of source materials to inform your work.

© University College of Estate Management 2024 Page 5 of 8

Word count and overwriting Exceeding the stated word count by 10% or more may limit the marks allocated for communication (see the assessment criteria marking guide). The following table outlines the inclusions and exclusions in the word count of the most common features of assessed pieces of work. Not all these features may be relevant to your assignment; please refer to the assignment task for confirmation of which features are required.

Included in word count Excluded from word count Introduction Executive summary/abstract Main body Title page/front cover Footnotes/endnotes Contents List In text citations Calculations

Words in tables Drawings/Images Conclusion List of references Recommendations Bibliography Headings and titles, except for those explicitly excluded

Appendices

The total number of words used must be stated on the first page of your assessment.

Avoiding academic misconduct (Academic integrity) Academic misconduct is a serious offence. Types of misconduct include, but are not limited to: plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, or contracting a third party to write your assessment. It is important that your assessment shows academic integrity. You must ensure that you reference sources you have used and check the originality of your work before submission. Please see the ‘Assessment preparation’ week for more information on academic misconduct, including guidance on how to avoid academic misconduct, how to check your work, and how UCEM checks all submitted assessment for academic misconduct.

© University College of Estate Management 2024 Page 6 of 8

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA MARKING GUIDE LEVEL 4 W

e ig

h t-

in g

%

1. COMMUNICATION 15 0–2 Inadequate

3–4 Limited

5 Below threshold

6–7 Threshold

8 Good

9 Very good

10–11 Excellent

12–15 Outstanding

Relevance to task

• The relevance of the information provided to the context of the task

• The way the needs of the intended audience have been addressed.

Irrelevant and addresses neither the task nor the needs of the intended audience.

Largely irrelevant and does not effectively address the task or the needs of the intended audience.

Partially relevant and attempts to address the task and the needs of the intended audience with significant irrelevance or omissions.

Sufficiently relevant to the task and the needs of the intended audience to meet the learning outcomes.

Mostly relevant to the task and the needs of the intended audience, with some minor irrelevance or omissions.

Consistently relevant to the task and focussed on the requirements of the intended audience.

Highly relevant to the task and precisely focussed on the requirements of the intended audience.

Completely relevant to the task and fully focussed on the requirements of the intended audience.

Structure and presentation

• Organisation and presentation of ideas

A lack of structure beyond a loosely connected list of points.

Largely unstructured and does not have a clear logical flow.

Inconsistent structure and logical flow.

Adequate structure and logical flow.

Reasonable structure and logical flow.

Capable structure and logical flow.

Advanced structure and logical flow.

Proficient structure and logical flow.

• Format appropriate to the intended audience and/or industry protocols

• How structure and presentation enable communication.

Presentation format is inappropriate Communication is obstructed.

Presentation format is ineffective. Communication is hindered.

Presentation format is confused. Communication is only partially effective.

Presentation format is satisfactory. Communication is sufficient to meet the learning outcomes.

Presentation format is appropriate. Communication is clear.

Presentation format is effective. Communication is sound.

Presentation format is sophisticated. Communication is articulate.

Presentation format is innovative. Communication is insightful.

Grammar

• Selection of words, sentence construction, spelling and punctuation.

Use of grammar is deficient and meaning is obstructed.

Significant grammatical errors and meaning lacks clarity.

Several grammatical errors and meaning conveyed insufficiently clearly.

Notwithstanding some minor errors and oversights, grammar and clarity of meaning are sufficient to meet the learning outcomes.

Grammar usage is fair and conveys meaning clearly.

Grammar usage is capable and conveys meaning effectively.

Grammar usage is advanced and conveys meaning precisely.

Grammar usage is exceptional and conveys meaning eloquently.

2. KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

35 0–6 Inadequate

7–10 Limited

11–13 Below threshold

14–17 Threshold

18–20 Good

21–24 Very good

25–27 Excellent

28–35 Outstanding

Knowledge of the key principles of the area of study

Little significant knowledge of the subject matter.

Incomplete knowledge of the subject matter.

Some knowledge of the subject matter with significant omissions.

General knowledge of key elements of the subject matter.

Reasonable knowledge of the key elements of the subject matter.

Sound knowledge of the subject matter.

Comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter.

Full knowledge of the subject matter.

• Demonstration of understanding of the underlying concepts and principles associated with the area of study.

Misrepresented or misunderstood understanding of the underlying concepts and principles associated with the area of study.

Ineffective understanding of the underlying concepts and principles associated with the area of study.

Inconsistent and confused understanding of the underlying concepts and principles associated with the area of study.

Basic understanding of the underlying concepts and principles associated with the area of study, sufficient to meet the learning outcomes.

Clear understanding of the underlying concepts and principles associated with the area of study.

Effective understanding of the underlying concepts and principles associated with the area of study.

Sophisticated understanding of the underlying concepts and principles associated with the area of study.

Very advanced understanding of the underlying concepts and principles associated with the area of study.

© University College of Estate Management 2024 Page 7 of 8

3. USE AND APPLICATION OF SOURCE MATERIAL

30 0–5 Inadequate

6–8 Limited

9–11 Below threshold

12–14 Threshold

15–17 Good

18–20 Very good

21–23 Excellent

24–30 Outstanding

Source materials

• Selection of course materials

Minimal and incoherent selection of course materials.

Ineffective selection of course materials with significant omissions.

Inconsistent and inaccurate selection of course materials.

Adequate selection of course materials.

Competent selection of course materials.

Capable selection of course materials.

Sophisticated selection of course materials.

Innovative selection of course materials.

• Additional research Additional research is minimal.

Additional research is incomplete and unsatisfactory.

Additional research is insufficient.

Additional research is basic.

Additional research is reasonable.

Additional research is sound.

Additional research is advanced.

Additional research is proficient.

• Use of industry practice and personal experience.

Industry practice and personal experience omitted or irrelevant.

Limited and incomplete reference to industry practice and personal experience.

Simple reference to industry practice and personal experience.

Satisfactory reference to industry practice and personal experience.

Clear reference to industry practice and personal experience.

Effective reference to industry practice and personal experience.

Perceptive reference to industry practice and personal experience.

Insightful reference to industry practice and personal experience.

Application of source materials to task

Source materials are used inadequately and applied incoherently. The assessed work is not informed or improved by the source materials.

Source materials are used ineffectively and applied unsatisfactorily. The assessed work is informed and improved in a limited manner by the source materials.

Source materials are used inconsistently and applied partially. The assessed work is informed and improved in a simple manner by the source materials.

Source materials are used satisfactorily and applied adequately. The assessed work is informed and improved in a basic manner by the source materials, sufficient to meet the learning outcomes.

Source materials are used competently and applied clearly. The assessed work is informed and improved in a reasonable manner by the source materials.

Source materials are used capably and applied consistently. The assessed work is informed and improved in a consistent manner by the source materials.

Source materials are used perceptively and applied accurately. The assessed work is informed and improved in a comprehensive manner by the source materials.

Source materials are used innovatively and applied insightfully. The assessed work is informed and improved in an exceptional manner by the source materials.

Application of UCEM Harvard referencing style

A minimal number of sources have been referenced. The referencing system is applied incoherently.

Referencing is unsatisfactory due to significant omissions, inaccuracies or inconsistencies in the application of the referencing system.

Referencing is insufficient due to several omissions, inaccuracies or inconsistencies in the application of the referencing system.

Referencing is sufficiently complete, accurate and consistent in the application of the referencing system to meet the learning outcomes.

Referencing is competent with mostly complete, accurate and consistent application of the referencing system.

Referencing is effective with complete, accurate and consistent application of the referencing system with few errors.

Referencing is comprehensive with complete, accurate and consistent application of the referencing system with minimal errors.

Referencing is comprehensive and applied faultlessly.

4. INTERPRETATION 20 0–3 Inadequate

4–5 Limited

6–7 Below threshold

8–9 Threshold

10–11 Good

12–13 Very good

14–15 Excellent

16–20 Outstanding

Data presentation and interpretation

Data presentation and interpretation is superficial, deficient or minimal.

Data presentation and interpretation is shallow ineffective or incomplete.

Data presentation and interpretation is insubstantial, inaccurate or inconsistent.

Data presentation and interpretation is adequate and of sufficient depth to meet the learning outcomes.

Data presentation and interpretation is substantial clear and competent.

Data presentation and interpretation is thorough, effective and consistent.

Data presentation and interpretation is rigorous, accurate and comprehensive.

Data presentation and interpretation is profound, proficient and very advanced.

Alternative approaches to solving problems

Alternative approaches to solving problems are incoherent and deficient.

Alternative approaches to solving problems are unsatisfactory and ineffective.

Alternative approaches to solving problems are confused and inaccurate.

Alternative approaches to solving problems are satisfactory and sufficient to meet the learning outcomes.

Alternative approaches to solving problems are clear and reasonable.

Alternative approaches to solving problems are consistent and effective.

Alternative approaches to solving problems are advanced and sophisticated.

Alternative approaches to solving problems are ambitious and exceptional.

© University College of Estate Management 2024 Page 8 of 8

Technical ability (where appropriate)

•Quality of drawings

Drawings are incorrect or omitted.

Drawings are incomplete or with significant omissions.

Drawings are inaccurate and only partially completed.

Drawings are completed at a basic level sufficient to meet the learning outcomes.

Drawings are completed at a competent level.

Drawings are completed capably.

Drawings are completed accurately.

Drawings are completed to an exceptionally high standard.

•Accuracy of calculations

Calculations are incorrect or omitted.

Calculations are incomplete with significant omissions.

Calculations are inaccurate and only partially completed.

Calculations are completed at a basic level sufficient to meet the learning outcomes.

Calculations are completed at a competent level.

Calculations are completed capably.

Calculations are completed accurately.

Calculations are completed to an exceptionally high standard.

•Appropriate selection and application of information.

Selection of information is incorrect or minimal. Information is applied inadequately or incoherently to the task.

Selection of information is incomplete with significant omissions. Information is applied ineffectively or unsatisfactorily to the task.

Selection of information is inconsistent and partial. Information is applied inaccurately to the task.

Selection of information is satisfactory and sufficient to meet the learning outcomes. Information is applied adequately to the task.

Selection of information is clear and reasonable. Information is applied competently to the task.

Selection of information is consistent and effective. Information is applied capably to the task.

Selection of information is accurate and comprehensive. Information is applied perceptively to the task.

Selection of information is proficient and insightful. Information is applied innovatively to the task.