PROJECT REPORT

REAL LIFE REPORT ON CONSTRUCTION OF TWO COLUMNS AND TWO BEAMS

AT

ST. BENEDICT TECHNICAL COLLEGE KISUBI

P.O BOX 57, KISUBI.

DEPARTMENT OF BUILIDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING

REAL LIFE REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE UGANDA BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL EXAMINATIONS
BOARD IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF A NATIONAL
DIPLOMA IN BUILIDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING

BY

NTAGA MAHADI

REGISTRATION NUMBER: UBT194/2019/T/D/A/174

YEAR 2, SEMESTER 11, 2022

SUPERVISOR'S SIGNATURE…………….………………

SUPERVISOR'S NAME................................................................

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Assistance during report writing.

I would like to convey mi sincerely appreciation to the

management of St. Benedict technical college kisubi for enabling me
to succeed in my real life project through provision of facilities like
materials and guidance.

I would like to appreciate all the staffs of the college most especially
real life project teacher Mr. kiberu and my fellow students at large
for the coordination and team work they showed during the period
of real life project.

Above all, my sincere thanks goes to the ALMIGHTY ALLAH for

granting me the grace to do the project

ABSTRACT
1.0 Most practical work carried out

This Field report exposes you to the practical works carried out at St. benedict
technical college kisubi which include; Construction of columns and beams

Technical Challenges
Delay in the preparation of materials due to the scarcity of tools and
equipment

1.2Conclusions
In conclusions, the project was successfully done for the estimated time give and
it was so beneficial to me.

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LIST OF ACRONYMS
DPC……… Damp Proof Course

i.e.…………………. that is to say

Pg.…………………...page

UBTEB…………… Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board

SBTC………………St Benedict Technical College

mm………………... millimeters

m…………………. meters

Kgs………………. kilograms

MDD………………Maximum Dry Density

Rebar……………. reinforcement bars

c/s ………………. cement and sand

c/c................. center to center

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DECLARATION
I NTAGA MAHADI hereby declare that this project report is an authentic record of
my own work carried at the construction of beams and columns at St benedict
technical college kisubi under the guidance of our supervisor and has never been
submitted to any institution for academic purpose.

Signature

.........................................................................................................

NTAGA MAHADI

Date

……………………………………………………………………

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INTRODUCTION
PROJECT

This report exposes you to the construction activities carried out on the two
beams and two columns constructed at the college premise.

The dimension of the beams was 400x300mm and the column size was
300x200mm

Rebar used in beams was Y16 and Y12 for columns.

LOCATION OF THE PROJET
It’s located in kisubi, Wakiso District Uganda at St benedict Technical college.
CONTRACTOR

The project is undertaken by Civil students of St benedict technical college

Its objective is to construct and complete the structure and to equip the students
with practical skills.

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CHAPTER ONE:
SETTING OUT OF COLUMNS.
Tools used

 String line
 pegs
 Claw Hammer
 Builders square
 Tape measure
METHODS OF SETTING OUT USED.

Centre to Centre method.

 Under this method of setting out all measurements are based on the
centerline of the structure or walls, since we never had the architectural
drawings on site, we established the location and the position of the
columns by obtaining the center line from the already existing columns on
the project.e.g.
 We determined the Centre of columns by tying the string line onto the
Centre of the existing columns apart and diagonally.
 After obtaining the Centre of the columns we used a measuring tape to
offset the dimensions of the columns from those centers. Which helped us
to obtain the position of the two columns (dimensions of columns was
300x200mm)
 After making the dimensions of the columns, we also demarcated the width
of the footing, depending on the nature of the soil on site we decided to
use the
 1200x1200mm square pad footing

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CHAPTER TWO:
FOUNDATION EXCAVATION FOR COLUMNS.
Tools used

 Hoes
 Spade
 Pickaxe
 wheelbarrow
We used pad foundation, after setting out the dimensions of the
foundation we stated excavation process. the depth of the foundation was
1500mm below the existing ground

1200x1200mm
1200mm
Footing area

1200mm

TOTAL VOLUME OF SOIL

EXCAVATED

V=LXWXH

V=1200X1200X1500=216M3 per
foundation

TOTAL VOLUME =216X2 =432M3

Proper measurements were carried out to ensure that we do not exceed or

excavate less foundation depth and width for the proposed footing size

The volume of soil excavated was collected in pits which was later spread as
backfill for the project.

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CHAPATER THREE:
BLINDING LAYER.
After excavation of the foundation a blinding layer was casted which
was of the mix ratio of 1:2:4 (one part of cement, two parts of fine
aggregate and four parts of coarse aggregate)

Procedure;

 Batching of the materials and the method used was batching

by volume, whereby we measured one batch of cement to 2
batch of fine agg to 4 batch of course agg.
 All the materials were put in the alternate layers for proper
mixing and method used was hand mixing on the impervious
ground.
 The cement and fine aggregates were mixed until a
homogeneous mix was achieved before addition of course
aggregates.
 The mixture was then spread to the small layer of about
200mm and course agg was added. By following the required
volume.
 Addition of water for mixing the concrete and adequate
volume of water was added to achieve workable mixture.
 Transporting and casting of the concrete.
 Compaction and finishing to avoid voids in the concrete and to
ensure proper levelling of surface. and finally curing of the
concrete.

Purpose of blinding
To make the strata firm to receive the base of the column.

To act as a water proofing layer to the footing and to control the

corrosion of rebar.

Tools and equipment used.

Hoes. Spades Wheelbarrows. Trowels. Manual rammer.

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Materials used

Cement.

Fine aggregate.

Coarse aggregate.

Water.

Transportation of concrete.
Wheelbarrows and mortar pans were used to carry the concrete
from the place of mixture to the place of casting.

Compaction of concrete.

We used a wooden rammer to compact the newly laid concrete.

Curing of concrete.

After a day of casting the concrete then we started poured water to

keep the concrete into a dump moist condition until it attains its
strength ready to receive the load to be imposed onto it.

CHAPTER FOUR;

COLUMN REINFORCEMENT PREPARATION.

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FOOTING REBAR
For the base we used y12 steel bars which were cut 1.1m and tied using
binding wires to make the base of the column as 1.1m2
To make the base of the column we arranged the cut 1.1m steel bars into a
square form each at a distance of 150mm with each steel bars bent or hook
at their both ends.
Then we also measured y12 steel bars 2m each and made one end cracked
and another end hooked then tied them in a rectangular form as per the
dimensions of the column by using y8 steel bars for links. (250mmx150mm)
and 25mm space was left on both side to cater for the concrete cover of
the column.
After the preparation of the reinforcement we again tied the string line
from the Centre of the existing columns to obtain the center of our new
columns. After obtaining the Centre then we bring our reinforcement base
place it in the trench and place the column bottom reinforcement hooked
onto the base reinforcement as per the Centre of the column obtained to
be aligned with the existing columns. We made the reinforcement firm at a
position as we tied it using steel benders to the column base reinforcement
ready to receive the formwork. Then after we casted the base allowed it
to harden to receive the bottom column formwork.
 Laying of steel Rebar for the footing and main wall
 Steps 1 measuring and marking the position of bottom bars for the footing
 Laying of bottom 1 and bottom 2 Rebar, putting spacers, chair and laying of
top bars
 Making form work.

The overlap is determined from : Overlap =50D were D is the diameter of the
bars

TOOLS USED.

 Hack saw.
 Steel bender.
 Hammer.
 Plier.

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CHAPTER FIVE;
FORMWORK FOR THE COLUMN.
This is a temporary mold prepared to receive newly casted concrete
for the column.
PROCEDURES USED.
 We selected the required materials like timbers i.e.; 12 IX1I 4
I
X2I, 3I X2I and poles.
 Then we marked and cut them to the required sizes.
 After that we applied the releasing agent to the inner surface
of the board using burnt engine oil.
 We arranged the boards by nailing them together in a
rectangular form as per the dimensions of the column
(300mmx200mm).
 We assembled the boards together around the steel
reinforcement Skelton and firmly fastened it using the 100x50
and 125x50mm.
 By using plumb bob and string line we achieved the vertical
and horizontal straightness of the column.
 With the aid of poles, we supported the aligned formwork to
stand in place ready to receive the concrete.
TOOLS USED.

 Hammer.
 Tape measure.
 String and pins.
 Plumb bob.
 Bow saw.

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CHAPTER SIX;
CASTING OF THE COLUMN CONCRETE.
PROCEDURES USED.
Method of batching.

Batching by volume

We measured different sized materials in the required ratio of 1:2:4(1

part of cement, 2 parts of fine aggregate and 4 parts of coarse
aggregate respectively).

Material mixing

 We prepared an impervious flat base where we could carry out

our mixing process.
 We measured the required amount of fine aggregate to the
required ratio of cement.
 We turned the mixture using spades three to four times until
uniform color obtained.
 Then we spread the mixture by using hoes within the
estimated space in the thickness of 200mm.
 Measured coarse aggregate to the required ratio was added in
the mixture of sand and cement.
 Sufficient amount of water was poured to the mixture to
archive a workable concrete mixture.
 With the aid of the hoes the mixture was mixed to obtain
homogeneous color of concrete.
Transportation and placement of concrete.

The concrete was carried using wheelbarrows and mortar pans.

As for the placement the concrete was scoped in a mortar pan and
allowed to drop from the top opening of the formwork to the base
and by use of long iron bar to strike through the dropped concrete
for compaction and the same procedure is repeated until the
formwork is filled with concrete up to the required height.

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The purpose of compaction is to control the voids in the concrete and

to eliminate segregation of materials.

Curing of the concrete

This was done by sprinkling water to the columns to maintain the

required moisture content which helps to control cracking 0f the
columns and to increase strength of the concrete.

How to calculate the volume of concrete required?

I. The area to be casted is determined

II. The depth is also measured and depending on the shape of the structure
required the volume is obtained from the following.

Table 2.0
Area Thickness Volume
Blinding layer 1.2x1.2m 0.05m 0.075m3
Footing 1.1x1.1m 0.15m 0.1815m3
Column 1 0.3x0.2m 3.2m 0.192m3
Column 2 0.3x0.2m 3.2m 0.192m3
Total volume 0.6405m3

Tools and equipment used for mixing and placing of concrete.

 Hoes.
 Spades.
 Wheelbarrows.
 Mortar pans.
 Claw hammer.
 Striking rod.

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CHAPTER SEVEN:

CONSTRUCTION OF BEAMS.
PROCEDURES FOR CONSTRUCTION OF BEAMS.
Construction of a scaffold.

A scaffold is a temporary platform constructed for workers to step on

to do work above their heights.

The type of scaffold we constructed was defendant scaffold.

Procedures for making a scaffold.
 We dug holes to receive the standards.
 We selected poles as the standards.
 We fixed the standards into the prepared holes and placed
back the soil around the standards into the holes and
compacted it.
 Then put logs were nailed to the standards at the required
height.
 We fixed the toe boards on to the put logs.
 We nailed the braces to make the scaffold firm and finally we
nailed the guard rails.
TOOLS USED.

 Claw hammer.
 Hoes.
 Tape measure.
 Bow saw.
Materials used.

 Wooden poles.
 Timbers.
 Nails.

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FORMWORK PREPARATION FOR BEAMS.

Formwork is temporary mold constructed to receive a newly casted
concrete.

Procedures for making formwork for the beams.

 Establishing and determining of the level of the beam to be casted, all
levels were obtained from the existing beams by transferring it from one
side to another using water level and tying the string across the bottom.
 The dimension of the beam was 400x300mm
 After establishing the level and the size of the beams, we started the
preparation of the supports which involved the cutting of the props to the
required size which we obtained by measuring from the string tied up to
the plinth wall by giving it an allowance for the soffit boards.
 Fixing the cross heads on each prop at 900 and braces at an angle of 300 to
provide more support to the cross head tree
 Props are then positioned vertically at 900 and fixed to the horizontal
support to avoid sliding and to increase support, this props were spaced at
600mm c/c to ensure stability and to control surging of the beam during
casting.
 Soffit boards are placed and positioned in line with the string line tied at
both ends to maintain the straightness of the formwork, after checking
then the boards are nailed to the cross heads.
 Rebars are then placed and tied using the links and the binding wire before
side boards are fixed.
 Fixing of the side boards which are supported with cleats and struts to keep
the boards in position. The struts are nailed at 300 from the cross heads and
are supported by the cleats to avoid sliding.
 After fixing the side shutters, wooden joists are cut and are nailed at the
top to increase stability and to avoid barging of the beam during casting.
 Final checks are carried out to determine the strength and stability of the
formwork.

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PREPARATION OF REBAR FOR THE BEAMS.

The reinforcement skeleton is the additional supports put in the beam concrete to
render it more strength to resist tensional force and compression.

Beam type. Doubly reinforced beam.

Procedures for the steel reinforcement skeleton preparation.

 We stretched the Y16 steel bars until they were straight by using wooden
poles to the crocked parts until they were straightened.
 After measuring the length of the beam, the required bar bending schedule
was done and the Rebars are cut to the required length. And the size of the
bars used was Y16 for both in the compression and in tensional zone. (3Y16
top and 3Y16 Bottom)
 The shear rebar used was Y8 (links), the links were bent to the rectangular
shape with hooks provided. Total length of the link is obtained by
 2(effective width of the beam + effective depth) + length of
hooks.
 Reinforcement skeleton (350mmx250mm).
 Determining the number of links required by dividing the length of the
beam by the c/c number of links =L/ (c/c spacing of the links)
 Purpose of links
 Links provides shear resistance in the beam. 2. To keep the rebar in
position.
 The Y16 steel bars were arranged three in numbers down and three in
numbers up in the formed links spaced 200mm apart and 150mm apart
near the supports this is because shear forces are maximum near the
supports and tied firmly unto the steel bars by using binding wires.
 After we had finished tying them we aligned it to give the horizontal
leveling of the beam.
 Fixing of the side boards which are supported with cleats and struts to keep
the boards in position. The struts are nailed at 300 from the cross heads and
are supported by the cleats to avoid sliding.
 After fixing the side shutters, wooden joists are cut and are nailed at the
top to increase stability and to avoid barging of the beam during casting.
 Final checks are carried out to determine the strength and stability of the
formwork.
TOOLS USED

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1 Claw hammer. 2. Tape measure. 3. Bow saw. 4. Hack saw. 5 Steel bender. 6.
Spirit level. 7. String line.

CASTING OF THE BEAM CONCRETE.

Procedures.
Method of batching.

Batching by volume

We measured different sized materials in the required ratio of 1:2:4(1 part of

cement, 2 parts of fine aggregate and 4 parts of coarse aggregate respectively).

Material mixing

 We prepared an impervious flat base where we could carry out

our mixing process.
 We measured the required amount of fine aggregate to the
required ratio of cement.
 We turned the mixture using spades three to four times until
uniform color obtained.
 Then we spread the mixture by using hoes within the
estimated space in the thickness of 200mm.
 Measured coarse aggregate to the required ratio was added in
the mixture of sand and cement.
 Sufficient amount of water was poured to the mixture to
archive a workable concrete mixture.
 With the aid of the hoes the mixture was mixed to obtain
homogeneous color of concrete.

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Transportation and placement of concrete.

We used wheelbarrows and mortar pans to carry the concrete from the place of
mixture to the place of casting.

For placement, concrete was scooped into the mortar pans and given to the
person who poured it into the formwork of the beam.

Compaction of beam concrete.

We used internal vibrator.

This system consists of special portable units which are handed once in use easily
moved in formwork and embedded in the fresh concrete to produce a uniform
compaction.

It vibrates the concrete directly as the head of the vibrator is drawn into the
concrete and out as required for compaction.

Tools used and equipment.

 Hoes.
 Spades.
 Wheelbarrows.
 Mortar pans.
 Pork vibrator.
 Jerri cans.

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TECHNICAL CHALLENGES FACED DURING THE REAL LIFE PROJECT.

 Limited time provided for the project.
 Inadequate materials for the project which made us to use
deformed timbers/boards as they had been severely used that
made us to produce unsuitable product.
 Delay in material delivery, this affected our work progress and
wastage of time.

RECOMENDATIONS.
 I recommend that students should take part in each of the
construction works and they should give in 100% of their time,
efforts and potentials as we mold our Engineering careers
 We students should endeavor to put into practice training
instructions as given by the instructor
 Students should endeavor to relate theoretical knowledge with
practical application.

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REFERENCE
• BUILDING CONSTRUCTION HAND BOOK BY ROYCHUDLEY AND
ROGER

• BUILDING CONSTRUCTION HAND BOOK BY GREENO

• WILLIS’S ELEMENTS OF QUANTITY SURVEYING BY WILEY

BLACKWELL

CONCLUSION
This project was successfully done and it enabled me to gain more
skills and practical knowledge and aspects of engineering

As per the experience gained, I now know what it takes and what one
goes through during the construction work.

I thank the Almighty Allah for this great achievement as part of the
journey of molding me into an up to date civil engineer

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APPENDICES.

Formwork and reinforcement batching and mixing of concrete

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Fixing form work for the beam fixing the soffit boards for the beam

Props and support for the beam casting of concrete for the beam

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Bar bending casting of the footing concrete

Center to center method footing and starter bars for the column

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Providing spacers for form work

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Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.................................................................................................................................2
ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................................2
Technical Challenges...............................................................................................................................2
1.2Conclusions....................................................................................................................................2
LIST OF ACRONYMS.....................................................................................................................................3
DECLARATION..............................................................................................................................................4
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................5
LOCATION OF THE PROJET...................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER ONE:.............................................................................................................................................6
SETTING OUT OF COLUMNS................................................................................................................6
CHAPTER TWO:............................................................................................................................................7
FOUNDATION EXCAVATION FOR COLUMNS............................................................................................7
CHAPATER THREE:.......................................................................................................................................8
BLINDING LAYER......................................................................................................................................8
CHAPTER FOUR..........................................................................................................................................10
COLUMN REINFORCEMENT PREPARATION...........................................................................................10
FOOTING REBAR................................................................................................................................10
CHAPTER FIVE;...........................................................................................................................................11
FORMWORK FOR THE COLUMN............................................................................................................11
PROCEDURES USED............................................................................................................................11
CHAPTER SIX;.............................................................................................................................................12
CASTING OF THE COLUMN CONCRETE..................................................................................................12
PROCEDURES USED............................................................................................................................12
CHAPTER SEVEN:.......................................................................................................................................14
CONSTRUCTION OF BEAMS...................................................................................................................14
PROCEDURES FOR CONSTRUCTION OF BEAMS.................................................................................14
FORMWORK PREPARATION FOR BEAMS...................................................................................................15
Procedures for making formwork for the beams...............................................................................15
PREPARATION OF REBAR FOR THE BEAMS................................................................................................16
Procedures for the steel reinforcement skeleton preparation..........................................................16
CASTING OF THE BEAM CONCRETE...........................................................................................................17

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Procedures................................................................................................................................................17
TECHNICAL CHALLENGES FACED DURING THE REAL LIFE PROJECT...........................................................19
RECOMENDATIONS...................................................................................................................................19
REFERENCE................................................................................................................................................20
CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................................20

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