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    • General Building Construction: Course Description

      Course Title: General Building Construction

      Course Code: 7101

      Credit Hour :3

      Course Overview:

      This foundational course, "General Building Construction," provides students with a holistic and in-depth understanding of the principles, practices, and sequential processes involved in the construction of modern buildings. Moving beyond theoretical concepts, the course delves into the tangible elements and methodologies that transform design visions into built realities.

      Students will embark on a journey through the lifecycle of a building project, starting from essential preliminary site activities and the critical role of robust foundations. We will systematically explore the construction techniques and material applications for various building components, including substructures (foundations, damp proofing) and superstructures (walls, floors, roofs, stairs, doors, and windows). The course emphasizes the functional requirements of each component, their interrelationships, and the practical considerations for their effective assembly.

      By integrating theoretical knowledge with practical insights, this course aims to equip students with the essential vocabulary, understanding of construction sequences, and appreciation for quality and safety standards vital for successful careers in architecture, civil engineering, construction management, and related fields.

      Learning Objectives:

      Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

      1. Identify and describe the major stages involved in the building construction process.

      2. Explain the function and types of various building components, including foundations, walls, floors, and roofs.

      3. Recognize and differentiate common building materials and their appropriate applications in different parts of a structure.

      4. Understand the principles of damp proofing, ventilation, and insulation in building design and construction.

      5. Interpret basic construction drawings (such as plans and sections) related to the elements covered.

      6. Appreciate the importance of standards, safety, and quality control in construction works.

      7. Discuss the basic principles of setting out a building on site.

      Key Topics Covered:

      • Introduction to the Building Industry and Project Lifecycle

      • Site Investigation and Preparation (Site Clearing, Earthworks)

      • Foundations: Principles, Types, and Construction Methods

      • Damp Proofing and Waterproofing

      • Wall Construction: Materials, Bonds, Openings (Doors & Windows)

      • Floor Systems: Types, Construction, and Finishes

      • Roof Structures: Types, Components, and Covering Materials

      • Stairs: Design and Construction Principles

      • Basic Building Services (Introduction to Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC)

      • Sustainability and Modern Construction Trends

      Target Audience:

      This course is ideal for students pursuing degrees or diplomas in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Real Estate, Building Technology, and anyone seeking a fundamental understanding of how buildings are constructed.

      Prerequisites: [Optional: e.g., None, or Basic Engineering Drawing]

      Suggested Image for the Course Description:

      For a course titled "General Building Construction," an ideal image would be:

      • A composite image or a dynamic shot showing a building under construction. It should feature multiple stages or elements clearly visible.

      • Elements to include:

        • Foundation work (trenches, rebar, concrete pouring).

        • Partial wall construction (bricklaying, formwork for concrete walls, or timber framing).

        • Structural elements (steel beams, concrete columns, or roof trusses).

        • Construction workers (wearing PPE, indicating human involvement and safety).

        • Blue sky in the background, suggesting progress and professionalism.

      • Overall feel: Professional, dynamic, and conveying the scale and complexity of building.

    • Here is a course description for "Levelling Survey," incorporating an image concept.

      Levelling Survey: Course Description

      Course Title: Levelling Survey

      Course Code: 7103

      Credit Hours: 2

      Course Overview:

      This essential course, "Levelling Survey," provides a thorough grounding in the principles and practical applications of determining the relative heights or elevations of points on the Earth's surface. As a foundational discipline in surveying, levelling is indispensable for all civil engineering and building construction projects, ensuring vertical accuracy from the initial site reconnaissance to the final construction and monitoring phases.

      Students will gain a deep understanding of the core concepts of levelling, including datums, benchmarks, and reduced levels, along with the correct use of various levelling instruments such such as automatic levels and digital levels. The course emphasizes hands-on procedures for setting up instruments, taking precise staff readings, and meticulously booking field data using industry-standard methods like the Rise and Fall and Height of Collimation. Furthermore, it covers different types of levelling operations, from simple differential levelling to complex profile and cross-sectioning, and addresses the critical considerations of errors, adjustments, and the vital role of levelling in earthwork calculations and setting out construction elements.

      By mastering the techniques taught in this course, students will be equipped with the fundamental skills to establish accurate vertical control, critical for designing and constructing safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing infrastructure.

      Learning Objectives:

      Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

      1. Define and explain fundamental levelling terminology and concepts.

      2. Identify and competently operate various types of levelling instruments and associated equipment.

      3. Perform accurate field procedures for conducting levelling surveys, including setting up, reading, and booking data.

      4. Apply and compare the Rise and Fall and Height of Collimation methods for calculating Reduced Levels.

      5. Identify sources of errors in levelling and apply appropriate checks and adjustments to ensure accuracy.

      6. Execute different types of levelling operations (e.g., differential, profile, cross-sectioning) and understand their specific applications.

      7. Utilize levelling data for practical construction applications such as establishing gradients, setting out foundations, and calculating earthwork volumes.

      Key Topics Covered:

      • Introduction to Surveying and the Principles of Levelling

      • Levelling Instruments: Dumpy, Tilting, Automatic, and Digital Levels; Levelling Staffs

      • Field Procedures: Instrument Setup, Focusing, Reading Staff (BS, IS, FS)

      • Field Booking Methods: Rise and Fall Method, Height of Collimation Method

      • Types of Levelling: Simple, Differential, Profile, Cross-Sectioning, Reciprocal, Precise, Trigonometric

      • Errors in Levelling: Instrumental, Personal, Natural; Corrections for Curvature and Refraction

      • Levelling Computations and Adjustments of Level Loops

      • Contouring: Principles, Methods, and Uses of Contour Maps

      • Practical Applications in Construction: Setting Out Levels, Gradients, Earthwork Calculation

      Target Audience:

      This course is essential for students and professionals in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Land Surveying, Architectural Technology, and other disciplines requiring a robust understanding of vertical control in the built environment.

      Prerequisites: [Optional: e.g., Basic Mathematics, Introduction to Surveying]

      Suggested Image for the Course Description:

      For a course on "Levelling Survey," an ideal image would be:

      • A clear, professional photograph of a surveyor actively engaged in a levelling operation on a construction site or open terrain.

      • Elements to include:

        • A surveyor looking through an automatic or digital level mounted on a tripod.

        • A levelling staff (rod) being held vertically by another person (the rodman) in the mid-ground.

        • The setting could be a construction site (e.g., with foundations or earthworks in the background) or a natural landscape, indicating the broad application.

        • Clear sky or natural lighting.

      • Overall feel: Technical, precise, practical, and highlighting the instruments used.

    • Technical Drawing: Course Description

      Course Title: Technical Drawing

      Credit Hours: 3

      Course Overview:

      This fundamental course, "Technical Drawing," introduces students to the essential principles and practices of graphical communication that form the bedrock of engineering, architecture, and manufacturing. Far beyond artistic representation, technical drawing is a precise, standardized, and universal language used to convey every intricate detail, dimension, and specification required for the accurate design, fabrication, and construction of objects and systems.

      Students will learn the foundational elements of technical drawing, including the correct use of lines, proper lettering, and the critical concept of scaling. The course delves deeply into orthographic projection, enabling students to translate three-dimensional objects into clear two-dimensional views (plans, elevations, and sections) essential for conveying design intent. Practical skills in dimensioning, annotation, and the creation of detailed drawings will be developed, bridging the gap between abstract ideas and tangible products. Furthermore, the course will introduce the transition from manual drafting techniques to modern Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, preparing students for industry-standard practices.

      By mastering the principles and techniques of technical drawing, students will acquire an indispensable skill set crucial for effective communication, problem-solving, and professional collaboration within various technical disciplines.

      Learning Objectives:

      Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

      1. Understand and apply the fundamental principles, standards, and conventions of technical drawing.

      2. Utilize various line types, weights, and lettering styles to create clear and legible technical drawings.

      3. Accurately apply scaling principles to represent objects of various sizes on drawing sheets.

      4. Create and interpret orthographic projections (plan, elevation, section views) of engineering components and architectural elements.

      5. Apply correct dimensioning and annotation techniques to convey precise spatial and material information.

      6. Produce basic pictorial drawings (e.g., isometric) for visualization purposes.

      7. Demonstrate proficiency in basic CAD software for creating, editing, and plotting technical drawings.

      8. Read and critically interpret various types of technical drawings encountered in professional practice.

      Key Topics Covered:

      • Introduction to Technical Drawing: Definition, Importance, and Standards

      • Fundamentals of Graphic Representation: Lines, Lettering, and Scaling

      • Orthographic Projection: Principles, First and Third Angle Projection, Auxiliary Views

      • Multiview Drawing: Creating Plans, Elevations, and Sections

      • Dimensioning and Annotation: Rules, Types, and Best Practices

      • Pictorial Drawing: Isometric, Oblique, and Perspective Views (Introduction)

      • Detailing: Principles of Creating Sectional and Assembly Drawings

      • Computer-Aided Design (CAD): Introduction to Software, Basic Commands, Layers, Plotting

      • Introduction to Building Information Modeling (BIM) concepts.

      • Reading and Interpreting Technical Drawings

Available courses

GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 1

Course Summary: GBC 1 - Introduction to Building Technology

Course Title: GBC 1: Introduction to Building Technology and Construction Principles Course Code: (e.g., GBC 101 or similar, depending on institutional coding) Target Audience: This foundational course is designed for students pursuing studies in architecture, civil engineering, construction management, quantity surveying, land economics, or any other discipline requiring a fundamental understanding of building design and construction processes.

Course Description: GBC 1 serves as a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental concepts, materials, and processes involved in the construction of buildings. It aims to provide students with a solid understanding of how buildings are conceived, designed, and erected, emphasizing the interrelationships between various building components and systems. The course will cover essential terminology, basic structural principles, and the common construction practices observed in the building industry, with a contextual awareness of typical building practices in regions like Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya.

Learning Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Define key terminology used in building technology and construction.

  2. Identify and describe the main components of a building structure.

  3. Explain the basic functions and importance of different foundation types.

  4. Recognize and differentiate between various building materials and their appropriate applications.

  5. Understand the roles and functions of doors and windows in a building.

  6. Describe the sequential stages of a typical building construction project.

  7. Appreciate the principles of safety and sustainability in building construction.

Key Topics/Modules:

  • Module 1: Introduction to Building Construction:

    • Overview of the building industry and project life cycle.

    • Roles of various professionals in a building project (architect, engineer, contractor, etc.).

    • Basic building terminology.

  • Module 2: Site Preparation and Excavation:

    • Site investigation and soil analysis (relevant to local conditions in Eldoret).

    • Types of excavations and earthwork.

    • Dewatering and shoring techniques.

  • Module 3: Foundations:

    • Purpose and function of foundations.

    • Types of shallow foundations (isolated footings, strip footings, raft foundations, combined footings) with local applicability.

    • Types of deep foundations (piles, piers, well foundations) and their scenarios.

    • Factors influencing foundation selection.

  • Module 4: Building Materials (Part 1):

    • Concrete: Composition, properties, mixing, casting, and curing.

    • Reinforcement: Types of rebar and their purpose.

    • Masonry: Bricks, blocks, and stone; types of bonds and construction.

  • Module 5: Walls and Partitions:

    • Functions of walls (load-bearing, non-load-bearing).

    • Types of walls (cavity, solid, framed).

    • Internal partitions and finishes.

  • Module 6: Floors and Roofs:

    • Types of floor systems (ground floors, suspended floors).

    • Basic roof forms and components.

    • Roofing materials commonly used in the region.

  • Module 7: Openings and Joinery:

    • Doors: Functions, components, and common types (e.g., hinged/panel doors, flush doors, sliding doors, folding doors).

    • Windows: Functions, components, and common types (e.g., casement, sliding, louvre).

    • Basic understanding of door and window frames and fixings.

  • Module 8: Introduction to Building Services:

    • Overview of basic plumbing systems.

    • Introduction to basic electrical installations.

    • Drainage systems.

  • Module 9: Health, Safety, and Sustainability in Construction:

    • Basic site safety regulations and practices.

    • Introduction to sustainable building principles and local relevance.

Assessment Methods: Assessment will typically include a combination of:

  • Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)

  • Assignments (including drawing interpretations or case studies)

  • Practical site visits/reports (where applicable)

  • Final Examination

Expected Outcome: Students will gain a foundational understanding of the principles of building construction, preparing them for more advanced courses in their respective disciplines and providing practical knowledge essential for careers in the built environment sector. This course lays the groundwork for understanding how structures are built from the ground up, appreciating the technical decisions involved in creating functional and durable buildings.

LEVELLING SURVEY

GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

DRAWING 1