Manual On Building Construction 1973

380 Pages·1973·13.55 MB·English

A project of Volunteers
in Asia

.
A Ma&
on BUa
Construction

by: Rev. Harold
K. Dancy

Published
by:
Intermediate
Technology
Publications,
Ltd.
9 King Street
London WC2E 8HN
United
Kingdom

Paper copies
are
3.50 British
pounds.

Available
from:
Intermediate
Technology
Publications,
Ltd.
9 King Street
London WC2E 8HN
United
Kingdom

Reproduced by permission
of Intermediate
Technology
Publications,
Ltd.

Reproduction
of this
microfiche
document in any
form is subject
to the Same restrictions
as those
of the original
document.

The author
of this publication

is the Rev. Harold
K. Dancy,
and

it was originally
published
and copy-

righted
by the Sudan Interior
Mission

in 1948 in Toronto,
Canada, entitled
“Mission
Building”.

We would
like to express our
thanks for their kind permission
to

reprint,
and to acknowledge
their
continuing
copyright.

Price f 1 .OO

Intermediate
Technology
Development
Group
Ltd.

International
Development
Centre,

Parnell House, 25 Wilton
Rd.,

London
SWIV IJS

1973.

FOREWORD

This book was written
by Rev. Harold
K. Dancy and was originally
pub-
lished under the title “Mission
Buildings”
by the Sudan interior
Mission,
Toronto,
Canada in 1948.
The Intermediate
Technology
Development
Group
Ltd. feel that its exceptional
value as a practical
field building
manual
justifies
reprinting,
and the Mission have kindly
granted
permission
for this
so that it can be more widely
circulated.
Mr. Dancy was the chief missionary
builder
for the Mission for
many years, and this manual is the outcome
of a thorough
and wide exper-
ience of building
under a great variety of ground
and climatic
conditions
in
different
parts of Nigeria.
The manual has since been used by senior staff of
ITDG in East Africa,
who found
its simple and practical
instructions
could
he readily followed
and carried
out.
Research and training
activities
carried
out by IT Building
project staff have revealed 2 general lack of suitable
guidance
for managers
of small building
units in both the private and public
sectors.
This dearth of
suitable training
material
and facilities
is a major constraint
on the develop-
ment of indigenous
constructiun
industries,
and local contractors.
Thus IT Building
have worked
out 9 training
methodology
that
can be used as a basis for a comprehensive
construction
industry
training
programme.
The foundation
of such a programme
must be tl-,e formulation
of long term training
strategy
which takes into consideration
the type and
length of courses, the subject area, the level of material,
and tht selection
and evaluation
of participants.
Within this overall strategy,
publications
have a part to play and ITDG believes that this particular
manual
forms a
valuable addition
to the list of IT Building
publications
which
appears at the
back of this volume.

PREFACE

In many lands,
Mieeionaries
and Ministers
are often
corn--
gelled
to deefgr
and/or
erect
their
own buildings.
Nearly
all
of them have done well
but
would
have been
glad
of some help,
for
lack
of which
there
has heel> loss
of time,
money,
materiale,
energy,
and in
some instances,
of health
itself.
This
volume
is
sent
forth
to meet th8.t
need.
But,
unless
we are mistaken,
it
is a pioneer
in it8
field,
cutting
a rough
trail
through
the
foreat,
reaching
the
goal,
but
admittedly
rough
and single
file
at certain
point8
en route,
we
hope that
those
who are intereeted
in seeing
it
develope
into
a
smooth,
broad,
streamlined
highway
for
all
travellercs,
and at all
8I)eed8,
will
communicate
with
us at their
earliest
convenience,
It
is
inevitable
that
some readers
will
at least
tend
to
chafe
over
the presentation,
here
and there,
which
does not
suit
their
particular
need or experiences
But
the material
ha8 been
prepared
for
three
groups
of readers,
amateur
builders
graded
a8 excellent,
fair,
and those
utterly
inexperienced
and quite
without
building
and mechanical
instinct,
of both
aexee,
In an
attempt
to help
the
latter
we way weary
the
former.
We believe
that
the material
in Borne section8
of the
book
could
have been used,
with
varying
degrees:
of profit,
right
here
in the
home land.
In distant
lands
there
is
a growing
number
of artisan8
and
contractors
who,
in aaeking
to combine
Eastern
and Western
ideas,
material8
and ekills,
should
find
help
in theee
pagee.
By certain
friend8
8ome of the
euggestione
contained
herein
may be challenged,
but
we beg to remind
them that
a8 Missionaries
we are unable,
often,
to work
in
the
conventional
way,
but
are
coIopelled,
by various
cireumstancee,
to do aomething
the beet ww
we can.
Hence,
the book
is not
to tell
MissSonaries
what
they
ought
to do, but,
a help
for
them in doing
what
they
must and will
do,
It8
Biblical
category
is
?helpe’,
I Corinthians,
12:28.
Its
over-all
purpose
i8 to conserve
the
time,
energg,
health,
material8
and money of
those
whose
chief
busineee
it
iS
to preach,
in
sea8on
and out
of
seasone
the
glorious
Gospel
of
the blessed
God,
80 hastening
the return
of His
Son,
Jeeue
Chriet,
who loved
u8 and gave Himself
for
us;
and to Him alone
be the
glory
for
ever.

&K.Dancy.

blew York,
April,
1948.

We extend
OUF thanks
to everyone
who has had a part
in
this
work,
directly
or indirectly.
Our particular
thanks
are eqressed
to the
following.

Xr.Jack
Weneley
of Callingwood,
Ontario,
and others,
;“or
their
assistance
with
notes
on Painting.
Bor material
in the
chapters
on Electricity,
Rev.
H.E.
Wagoner,
S.I.M.
To the Canada Cement Company for
literature
and corres-
pondence
over
a period
of years.
Rev.
C. J. Guth,
LA.,
S.I.M.,
for
the
art
work
on the
COW% f Frontispiece,
concrete
mixing
illustrations,etc.
Miss
Amelia
J,Buchanan
of the
Conservative
Baptist
Bor-
eign
Yissionary
Society
for
suggestions
about
the
tile
roof.
Rev. P.W.Barnden,
I&D.,
o f the
Sudan United
Xiesion,
Tom,
Nigeria,
West Africa,
for
an introduction
to metal
ant
coursing
and to weatherproof
protection
for
mud walls.
Theo.
Audel
& Co,,
Publishers,
Bew York
City,
who,
by
publishing
most
excellent
trade
manuals
have helped
the
author
through
the
years.
Rev. Paul
London,
S. I .H.,
and Xrs.
Dancy for
most
valued
assistance
with
the
architectural
drawings;
and to my wife
aleo
for
much tedious
labour
while
preparing
the
pages
for
the
printer,
Mr.
H.B.Courtney,
S,I.lL,
New York,
Plumbing
Engineer,
for
counsel
in preparing
the material
in the
chapters
on Plumbing,,
And to the Directorate
of the
Sudan Interior
Mission
for
the
freedom
necessary
to bring
this
work
to
its
completion.
While
thanking
all
the
contributors
for
their
most
accept-
able
co-operation,
we excuse
them entirely
for
error
of any kind
which
may be found
in the
text.

The Author.

TABLE OFCOEl%NTS

BOOK OHB
PREPARATIOE

CHAPTER OH6

Section
I.SEEKIH% ADVICE, Page 1.
II.SEIJZCTING A SITE
III.S8CURIBG
AUTHORITY
2
IV.SCAEt?ING THE FUTUR% 2:
Y,SlJR?JxY OF OPXRATIOli!s 3.

Pase
1.

4.
4,
IIIlPLAm
IV.SPECIFICATIOHS
2::

CRAP!i'ERTHREE
I.BSTIMATES
29,
II.ORmRS
32;
III.CONTRACTS
32.
IV.ACCOUHTING
33.
V,CARE OF MATERIALS
34.

4.

29.

CHAPTER FOUR
IABOUR
I.SELECTIOB
35,
35.
II,AGREWENTS
35.
III.RELATIONS
36.
IV,SUtPXRVISION
37,

BOOK TWO MASONRY

cH4PTER ONE
TYPES OF WALLS
I.MU?l BRICK
39.
II,MTJD BIx)CK
391
111,BURNED ERICK
39.
IV,CONCRETE BIDCK
V.STONE
VI.CORRUGATHl
IROB
40.
vII.vmmm
VIII.PISB
(RAMMED ZARTII) t::
IX,MUD
41.
X,THICKEESS OF TRAIJS 41,

CHAPI%RTWO
BRICKW4KING
I.?JUD BRICKS
.
44.
II,?dUD BLOCKS
111,BURDED BRICK

CHAPTER THREE
EAYOUT
1,AUTHORITY
52.
11;cmRANCE
52;
111,ACCURACY
52.

39.

44,

52.

TABLE OF CONTFXIS

LAYOUT - Continued.
IV.SQUARING THE LAYOUT
V.REFERENCE PEGS
vI.~vELs
Z:
58,

%i
60.
601
61.

65.
67.

68.
71.

$2
77:
77.
77.
78.

2
81.
83.
84.

85.
87.
92.
93.
94.
95.

60.
CHAPTERFOUR
=CAVATION
I.h!ARKIXG ACCURACY
II.DISPOSITION
OF EARTH
111,ACCURATE DIGGING
I'VeDEPTH
V.mRGENCIES

63.

65.

CHAPTERFIVE
FOOTINGS

CHAPTER SIX
FOUNDATION WALLS
I.SPECIFICATIONS
1I;LEVELLING
THE WAIL

68.
CWTERSEVIRJ
ART COURSIBG
I.CONCRETZ
II.METAL

CHAPTER EIGHT
FILL
75

76.
CwTERNINE
MORTAR
I.CO?JPOSITION
11,QUANTITY
III.APPLICATION
IV.FINISH
V.LIME
MORTAR
VI.CJEMENT-LIKF
MORTAR

78.

85.

CHAPTERTEN
BRICKLAYING
1.C0FtlmRs
II.WALL
REIGHTS
III.SPEEa
IV.FRAME SETTING
v.scAFmLD

CHAPTER ELEVEN
BGXDING
1,vALTJEs
II.THICKNESS,
CORNERS
III.BILXK
BOW
1V:QUOINS
V.PILASTERS
VI.BUTTRESSES
VI1.BURNE.D BRICK MD
CONCRETE BLOCK VEHEER 97.

99*

103.
i

CHAFFER !IWEiLVE
IJNTHS

GHAPTER THIRTEEN
ARCHES
I.SEGmNT
103.
1I:VERMDAH
AND PARTITION
106.
111,GOTHIC
106.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
BAY WINDOWS
108.

CMPTER FIFTEEN
ROOF TYING
114,

CHAPTERSIXTEEN
WAIL TOPS AND GABLBS
116.

CHAPTER SE-
FIREPLACES AED CHIMNEYS
117.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
PLASTERING AND POIETING
122.
I.OTJTSIDE PLASTER
122.
II.INSIDE
PLASTER
126.
III.TECHNIQUE
127,

CHAPTERNINETEEN
STONEFOR&
130.

CHAPTER TWENTY
PISE,
(Rammed earth
wa11)131,

BOOK THREE
CARPENTRY

CHAPTER ONE
IJJldBEH ,
I.SOURCE
137.
II-THE-LUMBER
ORDER
137.
III.FROti
THE DEALER
1391
IV.FROM THE TREE
139.
V-CURING AND PRESERVATION 139,

CHAPTER TWO
DOORAEDWIBDOWFRAMES
I.COmENCE
EARLY
140.
II.SHELTER
140.
III.WORK
BENCHES
:41.
IV,SIZEiS
OF FRABES
141.
VJJANUFACTURE OF DOOR
FRAMES 142,
VI.WINDOWFRAXFiS
147,
VII.BAY
WINDOW FRA?JE
l&J,

CHAPTERTIiREE
DOORS Am WINDOWS
1,FRA.?dEDOoRs
154.
II.PANEL
DOORS
111,GARAGE DOORS
1V;WINDOW SASH
V-SOLID
SRUTTEPS
VI.BURGLAR PROOFING

157;
160.
161.
165.
166.

CHAPTERFOUR
SCAFFOLD
I.LIST
OF EQUIPMENT
168.
11,LADDERS
-
169.
II.I.BENCRES
175.
IV.SCAFM)LD
SUPPORT
139.

137.

140.

154.

168.

CHAPTER FIVE
FRAXE SETTING
183.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER SIX
Lm
AND CAMBERS
186.

CHAZTERSEVEN
ROOF FRAME PREPARATION
I.THE
STEEL SQUARE
187,
II.ROOF
PARTS,FUNCTIONS,
TEi?M.S 194.
III.PITCH
195.
Iv.coMMoN
I-uwmRs
196 o
V.LAYING
OUT FRAEE ON THE
GROUND 200.
'VI.JOINTING
ROOF MEZBERS
VII.THE
GABLE ROOF
201,
206.
VI'II.THE
HIP ROOF
IX.PORCHES
X.ROOF JUNCTIONS
XI.DORadERs
XII,GRASS
ROOF FRMdES
XIII.FLAT
ROOFS
x1v.MUD ROOFS
xv.?duD DOMES
XVI.TILE
ROOFS

2io;
231.
237.
244.
246,
261.

22%
268:

CH.MTFaR EIGHT
ROOF FRME ERECTION
I.WAu
PLATES
274.
II.END
RAFTER HOOK Up
275,
111,RIDGE
PURLINE
27fi:
IV-JACK
RAFTERS,PURLINES
276.
V.TYING
278.
VI.RAFTERBRACKETS
278.

CHAPTE:R NINE
ROOF COVERING
1,CORRUGATED IRON
279.
II.SRkSS
COVERINGS
287:

CHAPTERTEN
CEILINGS
1,BUILDING
BOARD
11,CORRUGATED IRON
III.PI.4STER

287.
288.
291.

C’MPTER ELEVEE
DOOR AED WINDOW HANGING

CHAPTER !IwELvE
STEPS AND STAIRS

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
FUREITURE AND EQUIPYE=BT

BOCK FOUR
CONCRETE

CWTER
ONE
SPECIFICATIONS
1,DESIGN OF THE i$?ffitkTURE 305.

187,

274.

279,

287.

293.

296.

301.

305.

II.QUALITY
OF INGREDIENTS
305.
III.PROPORTIONS
306.
IV.MIXING
307.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Concrete
continued.
V.PLACING
THE CONCRETE
307.
VI .CURING
307,
VII.PROTECTION
308.

CHAPTERTWO
CONCRETE FIDORS
308.
I.GENERAL NOTES
308.
11,MXIBG
CONCRETE
309;
III-LAYING
THE FLOOR
311.
I
IV.CURING AND PROTECTION
313.
V.COI!JCRETE TILE FLOORS
313.

CHAPTERTHREZ
CONCPZTE UNITS AM, EQUIPMENT 314.
I.LlJ!mEIs
314.
II.STEPS
AND STAIRS
316.
III .WElX TOPS AND LININGS
3l7.
IV-THE PRIORITY TANK
321.
v.c1sTmNs
322.

CHAPTERFOUR
CONCRETE BIX)CKS
1,SIzE
324.
II.SHOP
MADE BLOCK UCHINE
325.'
III.MANUFAC!!'URZ
327.

CHAPTERFIVE
CONCRE'lT3 WALLS, COLUMNS,
JOISTS,
BEAMS AND FLOORS
1,wAIU.
328.
11.C0LvMN8
329.
III.BlU&S
331,
IV.FUX)RS
331.

324.

328.

BOOK FIVE
FINTSHING
TRADES

PART ONE
GRADING AND DRAINAGE,
PLUMBING AND SANITATION.

CHAPTER ONE
GRADING AND m
332.

C-HAPTER TWO
WATER SUPPLY
PLUMBING
332
I.CITY
SUPPLY
.c!
II.A.RTESIAN
WELLS
x:2:

CHAP. al> THREE
HOT WATER SYSTEMS
335.

CHAPTB.: -xFi
WASTEWATER
337.

CHAPTEF: I- -23
FLUSH TOIIZTS.SEE'TIC
TANKS
337.

CHAPTER SIX
DRY OSETS
341.

TABI.
OF CONTENTS

BOOK FIVB
PART TWO
SHEEThYEtt'ALWORK

CHAPTER ONE
FLATTENING CORRUGATED METAL 342.

CHAPTERTWO
RIDGES. VALLEYS. FACING. AND GUTTER 342.

CHM'TER THREEi
STOVE PIPES.
ELBOWS. CAPS.
345.

CHAPTERFOUR
FLASHING
348.

CHAPTERFIVE
VE3?TIIATORS
349.

CHAPTER SIX
SOLDERING
350.

PART THREE
ELECTRICITY
AND LIGHTNING
352

CHAPTERONE
HANDLING
352

CHAPTER TWO
COMMON INSTALLATJONS
352.

CHAPTERTHREE
EIJZCTRICAL TERMS
353.

CHAPTERFOUR
PRIVATE POWER ILWMINATION
353.

PART FOUR
PAINTIXG AND DECORATING

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER Two

CHAPTERTKREE:

CMPTER FOUR

CHAPTERFIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTERNINE

CHAPTERTEN

CHAPTER-

CHAPTER TWELVE

VALUES
356.

PREPARATION OF SURFACES
356.

coImJFs
356.

QUANTITIES.ECONOlJY.ESTI?6ATING
358

EXTERIOR PAINT
358.

INSIDE
WORK
359.

BRUSHES
359.

CARE OF PAINT
359.

GENERAL HINTS
360.

GLAZING
360.

FURNITURE
360,

WATERPROOFINGl&tSONRY
360

A LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

From the
870 illustrations
in this
book
we have selected
a limited
number,
- a conducted
tour
to points
of
special
interest,
The house shown in the
Frontispiece
is
a *lission
House',
and the
following
list
indicates
the
main drawings
essential
to its
planning
and erection.
It
should
be understood
that
not many
~~Yissioxii houses have the square porch,
and of these
a porch roof.

The lMission
House'
Plan
of
g
w
Ar>lst's
sketch
BiRurre
number
10
Determining
roof
pitch
Cross
section
drawing
Elevations
Brick
moulds
Brickmaking
Foundation
trench
plan
Zdethods of squaring
Trenches,
correct
and otherwise
Corner
footing
and foundation
wall
Footings
Xaeter
drawing
of foundation
Concrete
ant
coursing
Sheet
metal
ant
coursing
Standard
brick
corner
Setting
door
aud window
frames
Lintels
Arches
Bay window
plan
Bay window
construction
Roof
ties
Wall
tops
Fireplace
drawings
Chimneys
Chimney
plaster
Door frames
Window frames
Frame doors
Panel
doors
Windows
Ladders
Jointing
roof
members
Hip
roof
main lines
Hip
rafter
length
Jack
rafters
Master
drawings
for
hip
roof
Hip
rafter
angles
Hip
rafter
alternative
positions
Hip
rafter
junction
at ridge
556,563,
End rafter
hook
up
Porches
Roof
junctions
Roof
erection

27.28
36
37-39
65-73
74175
81
82-87
95,96
101
102-109
111
114.118
119-138
141,142
153-156
192-203
204-211
218,219
221.226
227-232
234-236
239-242
246-248
253-255
289-304
305-320
337-347
348-357
362-379
386-400
475-496
508-511
514
515
528,530
538
547,548
564,566
568,569
570-581
582,591
685-635

very
few have

Frontispiece
Page
2;

:65
45,46
47

54-z

66:
64

68.::
71-74

83,;
99-103
103-106
108,109
110-113
114
116
118,119
121
125
143-146
147-149
154.156
157-159
162-166
169-174
201-205
210
211
212
216,217
220
223
2255227,228
229
231-236
237,241
274-278

A LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS,
CONTINUED

Roof
covering,
corrugated
iron
Fig.NO.
696-720
Page
28th286
Corrugated
iron
ceilings
722-728
288-290
Plastered
ceilings
729-732
291-293
Steps
and stairs
744-756
296-300
Built-in
cupboard
receaa
768
304
Concrete
floor
and ant
couree
joint
771
308
Mixing
concrete
773-775
310,311
Reinforced
concrete
lintels
776,777
315
Concrete
steps
784,785,786
316,317
Well
tops
78'7,788
317,318
W*ll
linings
791-793
319
Priority
tank
?9?
321
Cistern
798-800
322,323
Surface
water
d.rainage
818
332
Hot water
systems
820,823
335,336
Waste water
822
337
Flush
toilet
and septic
tank
824-828
338
Drainage
3eds
829-831
339
Stove
pipe
851-858
345-347

I’ I

.
I

,

n” 4
0
J