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Architectural Construction Methods (Structure, Finishing & MEP)

Construction – Building (SSW 2) · 建設分野(2号・建築区分) · Written by Tokutei Pass based on the official study texts; not copied verbatim.

Characteristics of Construction, Scaffolding, Earthwork, Blinding Concrete & Demolition

Unlike factory manufacturing, construction work is characterized by 'custom single-item production to order and outdoor on-site production'. During initial 'layout marking (Sumidashi)', 'offset reference lines (Nigezumi)' are marked at a fixed distance from column and wall centerlines so reference marks are not lost during construction.

For embankment filling (Morido), spread soil in layers of '30 cm or less' and compact each layer with rollers; in water well drilling (Sakusei), install a 'screen pipe (strainer pipe)' at the aquifer level to keep out sand while collecting groundwater.

'Blinding concrete / leveling concrete (Sute concrete)' poured '50–100 mm thick' over the crushed stone sub-base creates a flat, stable working surface for layout marking, rebar placement, and formwork erection.

Working platforms on prefabricated frame scaffolding must be 'at least 40 cm wide with gaps between planks of 3 cm or less'; before building demolition, always verify that utilities ('lifelines' such as electricity, gas, water, and sewer) have been shut off and disconnected.

Characteristics of Construction, Scaffolding, Earthwork, Blinding Concrete & Demolition

Key points


  • Construction features 'single-item outdoor on-site production', and layout marking uses 'offset reference lines (Nigezumi)'.

  • Compact embankment fill in layers '≤ 30 cm', and pour blinding concrete (50–100 mm) to form a 'flat base for marking, formwork, and rebar'.

  • Scaffold working floors must be '≥ 40 cm wide with ≤ 3 cm plank gaps', and all 'lifelines (power, gas, water)' must be shut off before demolition.
WordMeaning
Offset reference mark (Nigezumi) & Blinding concrete (Sute concrete)
Aquifer well screen pipe (Strainer pipe)
Frame scaffold working platform (Width ≥ 40 cm, gap ≤ 3 cm)

Rebar, Formwork, Concrete Placing, Curing & Structural Repair

Column 'hoops (Obi-kin)' and beam 'stirrups (Abara-kin)' provide shear reinforcement and prevent main bar buckling; 'lap splices (Kasane-tsugite)' must overlap by the specified length, be tied with wire, and be staggered ('Chidori haichi'); and rebar ends for gas pressure welding must be cut flat and square with a 'cold right-angle cutter on the day of welding'.

Lateral pressure on formwork increases when 'pouring speed is fast, ambient temperature is low, and slump is large (soft concrete)'; side sheathing for columns, walls, and beams may be stripped once compressive strength reaches '5 N/mm² or more'. Initial lubricating 'leading mortar (Sakiokuri-zai)' from concrete pumping must be discarded and never poured into the forms.

To prevent segregation during pouring, keep free-fall height low and place horizontally in layers of '40–50 cm or less'; to prevent cold joints, keep maximum pouring time intervals within '150 minutes below 25°C, and 120 minutes at 25°C or above'.

At construction joints, remove surface laitance and loose aggregate and wet the surface; moist curing for ordinary Portland cement concrete must last 'at least 5 days (daily mean ≥ 15°C), 7 days (≥ 10°C), or 9 days (≥ 5°C)'. For post-installed anchors, 'clean drilling dust from the hole with a brush and blower', and repair wide cracks using the 'U-cut sealant filling method'.

Key points


  • Stagger lap splices, cold-cut gas pressure weld ends 'on the day of welding', and strip side forms at compressive strength '≥ 5 N/mm²'.

  • Discard initial pump 'leading mortar outside the forms', and keep pour intervals within '150 min (< 25°C) or 120 min (≥ 25°C)'.

  • Moist-cure ordinary Portland cement for '≥ 5 days (≥ 15°C), ≥ 7 days (≥ 10°C), or ≥ 9 days (≥ 5°C)'; clean anchor holes and repair large cracks with 'U-cut sealing'.
WordMeaning
Column hoop (Obi-kin) & Beam stirrup (Abara-kin)
Cold joint & Surface laitance
Staggered lap splices (Chidori) & Discarding pump leading mortar

Structural Steel Work (Erection, High-Strength Bolts, Welding) & Timber Framing

Fix steel column base anchor bolts accurately before foundation concrete placement, and pack 'non-shrink mortar' tightly under the base plate after erection. 'Plumbing up (Tateire-naoshi)' adjusts column verticality and alignment with wire ropes and plumb bobs after temporary bolting and before final tightening.

High-strength bolt friction joints are tightened in the order 'snug tightening (Ichiji-jime) → match-marking → final tightening (Hon-jime)'; during outdoor CO2 gas shielded arc welding, install 'windbreak sheets' so wind does not blow away shielding gas and cause blowholes.

In traditional Japanese timber framing, a continuous column running from the sill (Dodai) to the second-floor eaves beam is a 'through-column (Tooshibashira)', and 'hold-down hardware' ties the foundation, sill, and column together against earthquake uplift.

Where a timber diagonal brace ('Sujikai') crosses a stud (Mabashira), 'never notch the brace—notch the stud instead' and fasten brace ends with metal plates; apply preservative and anti-termite treatment to timber within '1 m from the ground' along with underfloor ventilation and moisture protection.

Key points


  • Pack 'non-shrink mortar' under steel base plates, tighten high-strength bolts in order 'Snug → Mark → Final', and use 'windbreak sheets' for outdoor CO2 welding.

  • Continuous two-story timber columns are 'through-columns (Tooshibashira)', and uplift anchors are 'hold-down hardware'.

  • 'Notch the stud, never the diagonal brace', and treat timber within '1 m of the ground' against rot and termites.
WordMeaning
Steel frame plumbing-up (Tateire-naoshi) & High-strength bolt tightening sequence
Through-column (Tooshibashira) & Hold-down hardware
Non-shrink baseplate mortar & Windbreak sheet for CO2 welding

Waterproofing, Painting, Tiling, LGS Gypsum Board & Plumbing Execution

Sheet waterproofing proceeds in order: 'dry and clean substrate → apply primer → lay sheets with specified lap widths and press with rollers'; in sealing work as well, apply 'primer' to joint bond surfaces before filling sealant to ensure adhesion.

Suspend painting work when relative humidity is '85% or higher' or during rain, and allow sufficient 'drying time (inter-coat interval)' between undercoat, intermediate coat, and topcoat.

A notched trowel used to comb ridges into tile setting mortar is a 'Kushime-gote', and pressing tiles into combed mortar using a vibrating tool (Vibrato) is the 'contact bonding method (Micchakubari kouhou)'.

Screw spacing when fastening gypsum board to light-gauge steel (LGS) wall studs is '150 mm or less along edges and 200 mm or less in the center'. Water supply pipes flow under 'water pressure', whereas gravity drainage pipes require a 'downward slope toward the downstream side and venting'; after fixture installation, inspect for 'water supply leaks and proper drainage flow/slope'.

Key points


  • Apply 'primer' before sheet waterproofing or sealant filling, stop painting at 'humidity ≥ 85%', and observe inter-coat drying times.

  • Comb tile mortar with a 'notched trowel (Kushime-gote)' and vibrate tiles into place in the 'contact bonding method (Micchakubari)'.

  • Space gypsum board screws at '≤ 150 mm on edges and ≤ 200 mm in the field', and pitch gravity drain pipes with a 'downward slope'.
WordMeaning
Notched tile trowel (Kushime-gote) & Contact tile bonding method (Micchakubari)
Gypsum board screw spacing (Edges ≤ 150 mm, Center ≤ 200 mm)
Primer application & Gravity drainage downward slope

Building Construction Methods

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Official references