Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
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PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
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Subject: Applied Technology
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 14
Grade code: 1.2.1.LI.2
Strand code: 2
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 1.2.1.CS.2
Indicator code: 1.2.1.LI.2
Theme: BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
Subtheme: PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
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This lesson introduces the very first steps taken on a piece of land before any real building begins. In our communities, from Accra to Bolgatanga, we see new houses, schools, and shops being built. Before the first block is laid, the land must be made ready and safe. This lesson explores two critical initial activities: Site Preparation (making the ground ready) and Hoarding (securing the area). Understanding these processes is fundamental for any future builder, engineer, or even a homeowner, as they ensure the safety, security, and stability of the entire construction project.
This section breaks down the two main concepts for today's lesson. A. Site Preparation
Definition: Site preparation refers to all the work done on the ground itself to make it clean, clear, level, and ready for construction to begin. Think of it as preparing a canvas before you start painting. If the canvas is dirty or crumpled, the painting will not be good. Similarly, if the site is not prepared well, the building's foundation will be weak.
Purpose of Site Preparation: To Create a Safe Working Area: Removing bushes, holes, and old weak structures prevents workers from tripping or getting injured. To Provide a Clean Slate: It ensures there are no roots, rubbish, or soft soil that could interfere with the foundation. To Achieve the Correct Levels: The ground must be flattened (levelled) or sloped (graded) according to the architectural drawings to ensure the building sits correctly and water drains away properly. To Allow Access: Clearing the site allows vehicles like tipper trucks and concrete mixers to enter and move around easily.
Common Site Preparation Activities in Ghana: Site Clearance: This is the first step. It involves removing all unwanted objects from the site. Manual Method: Using tools like cutlasses, hoes, and axes to clear small bushes and shrubs. This is common for smaller, individual housing projects. Mechanical Method: Using heavy machinery like a bulldozer or excavator to clear large trees, dense vegetation, or demolish old buildings. This is used for larger projects like building a new school block or a shopping centre. Stripping of Topsoil: The top layer of soil (about 150-300mm deep) is rich in organic matter. While it is excellent for farming, it is not stable enough to build on. This soil is scraped off and usually stored in a corner of the site to be used later for gardening and landscaping around the finished building. Levelling and Grading: Levelling: The process of making the ground surface flat and horizontal. Grading: The process of shaping the ground to a desired slope, often to direct rainwater away from the building. This is done by 'cutting' (removing soil from high areas) and 'filling' (adding soil to low areas). The filled soil must be compacted tightly to make it strong. B. Hoarding