KMJ36103

FARM STRUCTURAL
DESIGN

Mrs Siti Kamariah Binti Md Sa’at

[email protected]; HP: 019-5706232
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PLANNING OF FARM STRUCTURES & PROJECT

MANAGEMENT
 Topic Outcomes
At the end of topics, student should have

1. Ability to plan a layout of farm structures (C6,P2,A3)

2. Ability to consider the site selection factors for farm structures building
3. Ability to write the project planning process in farm structural construction
project (C5,P2,A3).
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PLANNING OF FARM
STRUCTURES
 Introduction to Farm Structures
Planning
• Planning of farm structures refers to all processes undergone right from conception
to completion of the structures.
• The planning stages include: 
a) Conception & Feasibility: Investigate different alternatives for investments and
development of the farm, now and in the future. Check possible sources of finance
for the investment. The feasibility involves studies of user requirements, site
conditions, requirement from authorities, functional and technical requirements and
cost. 
b) Sketch Plans: Roughly sketch alternatives to the general approach to layout,
functional planning, design and construction. Choose the required layout and
prepare preliminary constructional design and cost calculations. Alternatively,
drawings can be collected from reliable sources e.g. research stations. Study the
drawings and evaluate them regarding the functional and technical requirements.
 Introduction to Farm Structures
Planning
c) Detailed design of every component of the building. Complete cost and checking of designs.
Final decision on construction. The design of farm structures is essentially similar to the design
of Civil Engineering structures like buildings.
d) Working drawings, schedules, and specifications regarding production methods and assembly
and installation instructions. Preparations of a time schedule for the production of the building.
e) Bill of Quantities: The aim of quantity surveying is to provide an accurate bill of quantities,
that is a list of the amounts of all materials and labour necessary to complete a construction
project. See example in Note Bk.
f) Invite tenders from contractors out of which one is chosen. Tenders can be by open tenders
e.g. Advertised in papers and selective tenders (meeting capable contractors). Sign contracts.
g) Site operations including hiring of labour, provision of tools, preparation of access roads to
sites, provision of temporal stores and sheds, clearing of sites, delivery of construction
materials and technical inspection during construction.
 Form of Planning
Region
Planning

Farmstead Urban
Planning Planning

Economic Environment
Planning al Planning
 Regional Planning
• Region it is a tract of land which, a combination of these, is distinguishable as a unit.
(i) geographical, e.g. lake district;
(ii) social/political, e.g. a state
(iii) single-function area, e.g. coalfield;
(iv) a farming region, e.g. paddy fields;
(v) a river catchment area
(vi) a metropolitan area
Region by Spatial
 Region Planning
• Example: 5 Corridor Economic Region in Malaysia
o Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) - Johor
o Northern Corridor of Economic Region (NCER) – Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang & north of Perak
o East Coast Economic Region (ECER) – Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang & north of Mersing, Johor
o Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) – Sarawak
o Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) – Sabah

• NCER leverages on the existing economic achievements of the region in electronics,

tourism and agriculture, as well as its strategic location bordering Thailand and
facing the Malacca Straits. Leveraging on the strengths of the region, 4 key thrust
areas have been identified, namely agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and logistics.
East Coast Economic Region
Crops
Fisheries
Livestock
Northern Corridor Economic Region
Paddy Farming
Downstream Industries
Livestock Farming
Greenhouse
Sabah Development Corridor
Food Production - Livestock Centre
Agropolitan - Crops
Fisheries
Cold Room Facilities and Services
Sarawak Corridor Of Renewable Energ
y
Halal Hub
Food Processing
Fishing & Aquaculture Industry
Livestock Industry
 Urban Planning
• Urban planning is the physical planning of concentrated human settlements designated as
urban areas. It is a indication that a certain degree of detail is required of the planner.
• Urban plans are represented in the same way as physical plans but they normally include
more detail, including:
o infrastructure network
o spatial organizational structures
o detailed action area plans
o density distribution
o zoning regulations for the areas
o location of functions in the urban system including population, industry, commerce, institutions,
o recreational facilities, utilities, natural resources,
o environmental action plans and other essential information thought to be important for the future growth
of the urban region.
Urban Planning Department

• Federal Department of Town

and Country Planning
Peninsular Malaysia
• Planning Unit at Local
Authority (PBT)
 Environmental Planning
• The construction and operation of farm structures and infrastructure have the
potential to introduce pollution into the environment.
• Pollution is the introduction of contaminating substances into the environment
that lead to its degradation.
• Environmental planning essentially has the following main objectives:
o To minimize threats to human health and life
o To preserve resources for future use, e.g. minimizing soil erosion and deforestation.
o To achieve recreational goals such as preserving certain areas in their natural state.
o To minimize damage to the environment e.g. by preserving the habitat of a rare species that
has no known or readily foreseeable use to us.
Economic Planning on Farm Operation
• Steps for Planning
1. Establishment of individual farmers’ objectives, priorities and constraints for their
farm operation.
2. Analysis of financial resources
3. Listing of all available resources for the farming enterprises, quantifying them and
describing their qualities
4. Description of all factors in the physical, economic and administrative environment
that directly influence the farming enterprises, but over which the farmer has no
direct influence,
5. Individual analysis of each type of farm enterprise, whether crop or animal
production, to determine its allowance of total capital.
Economic Planning on Farm Operation
• When developing an economic plan, the farm building Engineer should obtain as
much of the information as possible, in addition to data relating to the following
factors:
1. A comprehensive master plan of the farmstead.
2. For storage structures, data concerning the expected acreage and yield of the
crop to be dried and stored, the length of the storage period, i.e. the amount of
produce to be sold or consumed at the time of harvest.
3. For animal housing, the quantity and quality of animals currently owned and the
possibility and time scale for increasing and improving the herd through a
breeding programme should be considered.
4. Availability of building materials and construction skills at the farm or in the rural
area concerned.
5. Laws and regulations applicable to the proposed building and the enforcement
agencies involved.
 Economic Consideration
• Consider the following factors:
o Cost of Land and Building
o Interest of Capital Money: This represents the interest paid for money borrowed for building the house or in
case the farmer used his money, the interest that could have accrued to him if he had used his capital for
other purposes. The interest rate should be either the rate paid or the current rate of mortgage loans in the
area. 
o Insurance and Taxes: Insurance cost should be included in capital investment whether or not the building is
insured. The risk of fire and other hazards is borne by the insurance company if it is insured or by the owner
himself if it is not. This may range from 1/2 to 1 % of the original cost of the building.For countries where
taxes are charged on buildings, this should be included. Taxes may range from 1 to 2 % of the original cost. 
o Repairs and Maintenance: All buildings require some maintenance but the cost varies with age, type of
building, climate and environment, construction materials and use of the building. One to three percent of
initial construction cost is usually assumed as a uniform annual allowance throughout the life of the building.
 Farmstead Planning
• The farmstead forms the nucleus of the farm operation where a wide range of
farming activities are undertaken.
• It normally includes the dwelling, animal shelters, storage structures, equipment
shed, workshop and other structures.
• A carefully developed plan should provide a location for buildings and facilities that
allows adequate space for convenient and efficient operation of all activities,
while at the same time protecting the environment from such undesirable effects as
odours, dust, noise, flies and heavy traffic.
• Objectives:

 Efficient
 Safe, pleasant, productive
 Environmental control
 Farm Structures and Building
• Some of the benefits derivable from a farm building include: -
o Provide facilities for efficient operations
o An environment providing conducive and sanitary conditions.
o Provide desirable condition suitable for production
o Provide comfortable surroundings for both livestock and workers.
o Provide safe conditions for both livestock and workers.
 Farm Structures Design Factors
1. The functional requirement such as space, temperature, light, safety, sanitation,
physical protection etc.
2. Efficiency of system, location of centralized operation, bulk material handling etc.
3. Adequate structural design for the loads to which the building will be subjected to.
4. Suitability of materials with respect to characteristics like durability, cost, fire
resistance, ease of cleaning etc.
5. Economy of construction, costs are reduced by choosing prefabricated assemblies,
standard size materials and components etc.
6. Flexibility of design that will allow proposed enterprise to be altered or a new
enterprise to be established with minimum expense and effort.
 Major factors:

• Weather
• Geography
• Materials Handling

Whether new or old -

• consider entire farmstead

• possible future changes
 Site Selection Factors
• Drainage and Topography • Utilities and services
o Surface and sub-surface drainage, well drain soil o Electrical, telephone line
o Access road
o Soil types, soil depth and fertility
• Orientation
o Natural vegetation
o Sunrises and sunset
o Land slope- to avoid erosion o Prevailing wind direction

• Waste Management • Expansion

o Waste handling o Adequate provision for future expansion

o Wind direction to avoid air and odor pollution

• Water resources
o Availability good water quality water is essential for
farm activities
 Farm Planning Factors
• Topography: Is it suitable (flats) for crop production and cattle grazing
or (hilly) for tree plantations, orchards and vineyards?
• Availability of natural resources: Sufficient running water for cattle
and sheep; what about a river for irrigation purposes?
• Location of the farm: How far is it from a market (fresh fruit and
vegetables) or silo (maize, sunflower and wheat crops)?
• Farming practices: The availability of workers must also be taken into
account as fresh fruit, vegetables, citrus and vines need more labors
(handpicking) than cattle farming.
 Farm Planning Factors
• Different enterprise possibilities: Sufficient rainfall, soil type, daylight
hours and temperature to yield crops, or rather cattle breeding
(Bushveld) where it is too dry and warm for crops?
• The availability of capital: Aid from the government, Bank loans or
Contract based?
• The preference/experience of the farmer/owner (in a lesser degree)
will also influence decision-making.
 Farm layout
• A Farm layout refers to the compiling of physical structures such as homesteads,
outbuildings, waterways, contours, camps, water supply roads and the layout of
orchards, vineyards or lands.

• However, the area where the farm is situated, the topography, the availability of
natural resources, the farming practices, the different enterprises, the availability of
capital and the preference of the farmer/owner will also affect the farm layout.
 Zone Planning
• Zone Planning
o Zone planning can be a useful tool, but it is most effective when planning a new
farmstead.
o The farmstead is divided into zones 10 m to 30 m wide by concentric circles.
o The advantage
• provides space for present farm operations,
future expansion and a good living environment.
 Zone Planning
• Zone 1 at the centre of the farmstead is for family living, and should be protected
from odour, dust, flies, etc.
• Zone 2 for clean, dry and quiet activities, such as implement sheds and small storage
structures
• Zone 3 for larger grain stores, feed stores and small animal units
• Zone 4 for large-scale animal production
Example of Farmstead Layout
 Poultry House Planning
Broilers in a large tunnel ventilated

• Factors to considered
o Space
o Climate
o Temperature
o Relative Humidity
o Air/ Ventilation
o Light
o Safety from predators
 Storage Structures Planning
• Factors to considered
o System capacity
o Location
o Handling method and equipment
o Provision for drying, aeration and fumigation of grains
o Structural requirements : due to high load span and large volume, steel
structure are the most suitable. Reinforced concrete are satisfactory
material for heavy duty floor and foundation
o Aesthetic and Economic
 Greenhouses Planning
• Factors to be considered for site selection
o The microclimate conditions
o The water and electricity supply
o Labour availability
o The distance to the markets and transportation costs
o The orientation of the greenhouses depends on the main wind and rain
direction.
o Penetration of rain through ventilator openings has to be avoided.
o Fans for evaporation cooling should face the main wind direction.
o Windbreaks by natural planting or by artificial windbreak structure should be
considered in the planning of the greenhouse if wind velocities are high.
o The soil at the greenhouse location should have adequate drainage provision.
o The soil topography should have a slight slope (about 0.5–1%) in the
longitudinal direction to drain off rainwater.
Greenhouses Planning
 Assignment 1
• A client intend to develop a land which consist of
office, herbs garden, greenhouses, goat house and
fish pond at assigned location (near Insat, Padang
Besar, Perlis) as Figure 1. Includes also the farm
road, parking and related accommodation.
• Plan and design the layout of the integrated farm.
• Work in group (2-3 students/ group)
• You can use AutoCAD/related software to plan and
design a farm layout.
• Due date is in on 2 November 2022.
• Submit the pdf drawing with legend to e-learning
UniMAP.

Figure 1: Areas to develop

 Attendance 26/10/2022
• E-learning
• Password 7x7sn5
 THANK YOU
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” 
― Benjamin Franklin