Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Applied Technology
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 16
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.
For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.
Welcome, future builders and engineers! Before a single block is laid or a foundation is dug for a new house, school, or hospital in our communities, a lot of important work must happen first. These initial steps are called Pre-Construction Activities. They are like the preparation you do before cooking; if you don't wash your ingredients and clear your cooking space, the final meal will be a disaster! In Ghana, we see construction everywhere, from new homes in our neighbourhoods to major government projects like the Tema Motorway Interchange. Understanding these first steps is crucial because they ensure the final building is safe, strong, and built efficiently.
This lesson focuses on two distinct but related concepts. Let's break them down. A. What is Site Preparation?
Definition: Site preparation refers to all the activities performed to get the piece of land (the "site") ready for the start of construction. The main goal is to create a clean, stable, and accessible ground surface on which to build.
Think of it as preparing a plot of farmland before you plant your seeds. You must clear the weeds, remove stones, and level the ground.
Key Activities in Site Preparation: Site Clearance: This is the very first physical step. It involves removing anything on the site that will obstruct the new construction. This includes: Removing trees, bushes, and vegetation. Demolishing and removing any old, unwanted buildings or structures. Clearing away rubbish, boulders, and other debris. Ghanaian Context: In rural areas, this might be done manually with cutlasses and axes. In cities like Accra or Kumasi for large projects, contractors use heavy machinery like excavators and bulldozers for speed and efficiency. Topsoil Stripping: The top layer of soil (usually dark and rich) contains a lot of organic matter (decaying leaves, roots, etc.). This soil is not stable enough to build a foundation on because the organic matter will continue to decay, causing the ground to settle and potentially crack the building's foundation. This topsoil is scraped off (usually about 150mm to 300mm deep) and often stored in a corner of the site to be used later for landscaping and gardening. Levelling and Grading: Most plots of land are not perfectly flat. Levelling involves cutting into high areas and filling low areas to create a relatively flat surface for the building. Grading involves creating a gentle slope on the site to ensure that rainwater flows away from the building foundation, preventing water damage and flooding. Setting Out: After the site is clear and level, a surveyor uses the Site Layout Plan (a technical drawing) to mark out the exact position of the building's foundation on the ground using pegs and string lines. This ensures the building is placed in the correct location as per the architectural drawings. Provision of Temporary Services: For work to begin, the site needs basic utilities. This includes arranging for a temporary water supply (e.g., from Ghana Water Company or a tanker) and a temporary electricity connection (e.g., from ECG/PDS). B. What is Hoarding?