Facilities
 

1.0 Scope of Responsibilities (Last updated: Oct 2003)

2.0 Information Technology Section
2.1 Equipment (Last updated: Aug 2005)
2.2 Software (Last updated: Aug 2005)
2.3 Research and Development

3.0 Building Technology Laboratory
3.1 Equipment
3.2 Highlights of Some Facilities
3.3 Support of Teaching
3.4 Support of Research Projects

4.0 Management Laboratory (Last updated: Jan 2006)

5.0 The Project Studios (Last updated: Jan 2006)

6.0 Construction and Real Estate Resources Centre

7.0 Training Facilities in the Industrial Centre For BRE Students (Last updated: Sept 2003)
7.1 Brickwork Workshop
7.2 Formwork & Scaffolding Workshop
7.3 Structural Concrete Working
7.4 Plumbing Workshop
7.5 Building Maintenance Workshop
7.6 Building Materials Testing Workshop
7.7 Site Soil Testing Workshop
7.8 Construction Drawing
7.9 Construction Projects
7.10 Industrial Safety

 

1.0 Scope of Responsibilities

The Department's facilities including accommodations, equipment and laboratories for teaching and research are managed by the Departmental Academic Resources Committee (ARC). Members of the Committee collectively budget for the expenditure and ensure that the facilities are properly managed in the BRE Department. Through consultation with staff members, designated laboratory managers prioritise and purchase new equipment for their areas. The Committee is chaired by Edwin Chan with 6 members including Stephen Mak, Lennon Choy, Steven Tsang, Y.H. Chiang, Paul Fox and Vivien Kao. Each member is designated to manage one of the following laboratories and special areas, namely:-

  • Construction and Real Estate (C.A.R.E.) IT Teaching Laboratory (TU302)

  • C.A.R.E. Management Laboratory (TU318) and Audio / Visual Aids Support

  • C.A.R.E. Building Technology [Research] Laboratory (TU313) and Technology Laboratory (QT004)

  • C.A.R.E. Resource Centre (TU319) General Office Supports

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2.0 Information Technology Section

2.1 Equipment (Last updated: Aug 2005)

General

  • A full structured wiring system with UTP CAT 5 cabling and a vertical trunk running from TU3 to TU5.
  • A dedicated link to the campus backbone via Gigabit Ethernet.
  • A collapsed backbone system with a 8-port Fast Ethernet switch, 7 units of 48-port Ethernet switch
  • All PCs are provided with a dedicated switched Ethernet port.
  • A Novell file server with 512MB RAM & 4GB storage for students.
  • A Novell file server with 512MB RAM & 35GB storage for staff.
  • A Novell file server with 512MB RAM & 225GB storage for researchers.
  • A Microsoft Windows server with 512MB RAM & 4GB storage for CARE Library System.
  • A Linux server with 256MB RAM & 4GB storage as departmental Web server.

TU302 IT Teaching Room

  • approximately 112.5 m2
  • 44 units of PCs with Pentium 4 CPU with 256MB RAM
  • an overhead LCD projector capable of projecting a 200" diagonal screen
  • each PC is connected to a switched 100 Fast Ethernet
  • Time Table

Hardware Purchased and Planned for last two years

  • A Sun UltraSparc server with 128M RAM & 4 GB storage as CARE Information Centre server; running an Oracle Enterprise Server, as part of the Faculty's Area of Excellence initiatives.
  • 40 new Pentium 200 PC for students with 15" monitor running Windows NT workstation with accelerated graphics and sound system.
  • A video server with 40 GB storage and ATM network interface.
  • All Pentium or Pentium Pro PCs with 32M RAM and 15" monitor
  • Client software to be standardized to Chinese Windows NT workstation ver 4.0
  • Supported by Windows NT 4.0 server and Novell server
  • A new projector capable of projecting at 1024x768 resolution

2.2 Software (Last updated: Jan 2006)

Staff:-

  • Microsoft English/Chinese Windows XP Profession
  • Microsoft Office Profession XP
  • Microsoft Project
  • ERPC property transaction database (over 700,000 records in a 400M + database)
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Arousal Business Simulation Software
  • SPSS
  • SAS

Students:-

  • Microsoft Windows XP Profession
  • Microsoft Office Profession XP
  • Microsoft Project
  • ERPC property transaction database (over 700,000 records in a 400M + database)
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Autodesk AutoCAD 2006
  • Autodesk AutoCAD REVIT SERIES 8.1

Research Projects:-

  • Macromedia Studio MX
  • Persevs Survey Solutions
  • Decision Explorer
  • Expert Choice
  • GAUSS
  • Systems Dynamics simulation
  • EViews
  • Adobe PageMaker
  • EndNote
  • NUDIST

All software packages are kept up-to-date by purchasing maintenance contract.

 

2.3 Research and Development

  • Current development includes wider use of information technology in delivering course materials via the World Wide Web.
  • A database server is capable of running multiple choice type questions on the Web with scoring.
  • A pilot research project is in progress to explore the feasibility of a LAN-based Video-on-Demand system whereby students can access digital videos via the computer accompanied by on-line tutorials and self-assessed questions. The contents of Construction Technology are being used in this project.
  • A large scale VoD project proposal (worth $5.4 million) has been submitted to the UGC with favourable endorsement by the PolyU's Learning and Teaching Development Committee. More than $2.0 millions funding has been approved for the project.
  • A grant of HK$1.4 million has been awarded to the department in August 1996 to set up a Construction and Real Estate (CARE) Information System as part of the Faculty's Area of Excellence initiatives. This system will provide information to both academics and professionals via a Web system accompanied by an Oracle database. Much of the information is therefore searchable and dynamic. Current the database is holding a yellow-page of firms, a real estate glossary, image databank of newspaper cuttings, journal indices and hyper links to other relevant web sites worldwide.
  • Over 10 papers have been published and presented in international conferences in the last 2 years on research and development in applying information technology in teaching, learning and research.
  • A Virtual Laboratory is being developed with funding approved from the PolyU.

3.0  Building Technology Laboratory

Photos for laboratory activities

 

Building Technology Laboratory(lab visit)

Final Year Projects

 

Laboratory Experiments

 

 

Function of the Laboratory

This brand new facility was set up in 1995. There will be a continuous input of resources and efforts to bring this facility to a high standard which will enhance our teaching, research and consultancy activities. The ultimate objective of setting up this facility is to make this facility a specialist centre or a focus of a number of new technologies applicable to the building and construction field. Whereas the traditional technologies will continue to be served by facilities available at other Departments or Centres within the university.

On the teaching front, students can learn the various techniques, such as manipulative, observational and analytical, through laboratory work. They can also learn how to conduct a proper experimental investigation and to use the modern technology of experimentation. Through a hand-on practical investigation, students can learn the essences as well as limitation of the technological ideas or theory better and to solve problems of heuristic nature.

At the moment, the laboratory is managed by a laboratory Manager and manned full time by a senior technician who will coordinate and help with most day-to-day operation and running of the laboratory. The technician will provide the first port-of-call for students undertaking an experiment, a project or investigation in and out of the laboratory.
 

3.1Equipment list for the Building Technology Laboratory

General, equipment bought so far allows test or investigation in the following disciplines:

  • Infra-red thermographic system
  • Concrete cube and beam testing machine
  • Environmental measurements:
    • in terms of temperature, humidity, air/wind speed etc.
    • precision sound level meters
  • Accelerated Aging and Weathering testing
  • Laser based instrumentation for measuring spatial movement
  • Miniature Video or Optical instrumentation for digital image acquisition and processing
  • Remote non-contact instruments such as:
    • infra-red thermometer
    • movement sensor
  • Material characterization:
    • fatigue testing
    • creep testing
    • tension-compression universal testing machine
    • rebound hammer for measuring concrete strength
    • concrete cover meter for measuring sizes of and cover to reinforcement bars
    • coating thickness (to ferrous or non-ferrous materials) measurement
  • Structural behaviour testing:
    • beam testing
  • Ultra-sonic instrument for concrete property test
  • Impact testing ICAT system with structural model shape animation and analysis software
  • Hydraulic jacks (12, 20, 30  tones capacity on order)
  • Half cell reinforcement bar corrosion tester
  • A multi-function lathe/drill/grinder for matching 
  • A pull-off bonding tester for tiles with electronic load cell 
  • Two heavy steel reaction frame for testing building specimens and components
  • Radar rebar searcher

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3.2 Highlights of Some Facilities  

In last 3 years, the laboratory has increased substantially in its infra-structure facilities in measurement and experimentation, building diagnostics and monitoring, non-destructive material testing instruments etc.
A highlight of some of these major facilities is given in the following:  

  • Infra-red Thermo-imaging camera system
  • Instrumented Impact Hammer testing system
  • National Instrument computer-based data capturing, recording and analysis system
  • Matlab mathematical, numerical simulation and analysis software
  • Stanford Research System FFT signal analyzer
  • Stanford high voltage power supply (1250volts,25w)
  • Reinforce Radar searcher
  • Ultrasonic instrument for concrete quality testing
  • Colebrand Corrosion Half-cell tester
  • Remote sound and vision monitoring system
  • Wind Tunnel
  • Precision sound level metre
  • Noise-generator and filter for 1/3 Octave band analysis
  • Miniature accelerometers and associated conditioners, filter
  • Optical fiber bore-scopes
  • concrete micro-covermeter
  • moisture meter Protimeter

3.3 Support of Teaching  

The laboratory provides demonstration and hands-on practice of scientific or technological experiments on structural mechanics related to buildings, concrete testing, soil and rock sample viewing, non-destructive techniques for building diagnostics, inspection and survey etc for various years of the degree courses. Computer-based learning and simulation software have also contributed to the teaching and learning of temporary formwork and false work design, scaffolding and excavation techniques, reinforced concrete beam and column design etc.

Summary of teaching lab. provided to support BRE courses:

  • Wood moisture content measurement and its effect on mechanical (bending etc) properties of timber, microscopic examination of  different species of timber.
  • Non-destructive concrete testing using Schmidst rebound hammer and ultrasonic instrument.
  • Destructive compression tests of standard concrete cubes.
  • Tensile testing of metallic and plastic materials using the computer controlled Instron Universal Tensile Testing Machine (UTM).
  • Fatigue and creep testing of lead, aluminium, brass, steel and plastic.
  • UV tester.
  • Using half-cell in profiling the extent of corrosion of a concrete wall panel.
  • Infra-red thermograph for detecting tile and render de-bonding.
  • Radar reinforcement bar searcher for inspection of hidden reinforcement bars in concrete.
  • Anchor bolt loading testing using pull out tester with electronic load cell.
  • Load tests of scaffolding frames.
  • Wind load tests of scaffolding tubes of various geometry using wind tunnel.
  • Tile bonding adhesive shearing test.
  • Beam bending and column buckling test
  • Model truss frame loading test 
  • Noise measurement
  • Concrete cover measurement using covermeter and radar rebar searcher.
  • Impact hammer NDT
  • Concrete mixing and slump test
  • Tile pull-out test

3.4 Support of Research Projects

The Laboratory has facilitated the successful conclusion of a number of final year student projects. These projects, as listed in the Tables, cover a range of different areas concerning buildings, building inspection and survey techniques, material testing, slope stability and construction noise studies. All projects use equipment and facilities recently procured or made in-house in the laboratory.

  • Non-destructive Testing of Concrete
  • An Infra-red Thermographic Technique for Inspection of Tiled Surfaces in Buildings
  • An Experimental Investigation of Slope Stability Using an In-house Developed Rainfall Simulator
  • Pull-out Tests: A Useful Structural Integrity & Diagnostic Technique
  • Detection of Structural Integrity of a Canopy Model Using an Instrumented Impact Hammer Technique
  • Experimental Investigation of Pile-soil Interaction Characteristics
  • Light-weight Aggregate Concrete
  • Experimental Study on the Tile's Adhesives by Using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM)
  • Radar searcher for detection of concrete condition.
  • Earth echo sound for pile hole profiling based on ultrasonic instrument
  • Sonic logging for pile test based on ultrasonic instrument
  • Noise measurement
  • PIT pile test

4.0 Management Laboratory (Last updated: Jan 2006)

This facility consists of a specialist teaching room for the teaching of management and management-related subjects where general teaching rooms do not provide the equipment or flexibility needed. Students are engaged in role plays, small group discussion, presentations, and training workshops where re-arrangement of furniture is easily facilitated.

The room is of approximately 83m2 and has seating for 40 students. Both tables and seating are designed to provide flexible layouts. It is equipped with a full range of audio-visual facilities, including multi-system video, DVD, CD-ROM, wireless microphone, digital video camera and computer workstation so that the normal range of software can be used in the teaching & learning process.

Hardware/Software Inventories

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5.0 The Project Studios (Last updated: Jan 2006)


The two studios are interconnected with a sliding partition, so they can be used either as two separate rooms or combined together. They are located in W block with support from a technician in an adjacent room. The sizes are 71m2 and 42m2 respectively. The concept behind their design is to provide specialist teaching rooms for group project work using the normal tools of the trade that construction firms possess in their offices. Thus, the Studios provide a real-life environment where the construction business office can be re-created. Students have access to drawings, bill of quantities, specifications and correspondence of real or simulated projects. There is access to computer software in support, including Auto-CAD, so that students may use industry-standard information technology and engage in problem-solving activities as if they were working in industry/ the professions.

Hardware/Software Inventories

6.0 Construction and Real Estate Resources Centre (C.A.R.E. Centre)

The CARE Resource Centre is the reference bureau of the Department, fostering teaching excellence and enhancing a research ethos within the Department. It houses teaching and research materials, and provides students and staff with reading space and internet services. The Centre strives to collect a comprehensive range of specialist information and database in the construction and real estate sectors. It has a large collection of book, monographs, journals, serials, maps and zoning plans, abstracts, project reports, dissertations, samples, catalogues, and learning materials.

The main objectives of the Centre have been the timely acquisition of relevant materials, and the provision of expeditious services to its users to satisfy their needs. To consistently update its collection, the Centre has been maintaining local and international contacts with professional institutions, public agencies, and the industry. To provide more efficient and effective service to its users, the Centre has started developing an integrated on-line teaching and research information system in multi-media format. Orientation sessions to users of the Centre are provided, as is assistance to routine inquiries on information retrieval.

The Centre is administered by two full time staff, and managed by the Academic Resources Committee of the Department.

7.0 Training Facilities in the Industrial Centre FOR BRE STUDENTS (Last updated: Sept 2003)

 The Industrial Centre is established in the PolyU to provide simulated industrial environment training as part of the overall education package for University students. Students attending IC training programmes are from FCLU, FENG, FAST, FHSS, FBIS & FC; BRE students are scheduled to undergoing training in the Centre throughout their courses. The following are the highlights of the facilities:  

7.1 Brickwork Workshop

  • 14 nos. of real-material demonstration panels showing different types of brickwork, bonding pattern, plastering, tiling and marble work.
  • 6 nos. of working benches for setting out and practices of brickwork and plastering work.
  • Power-driven pan mixers for mixing of plastering materials.
  • Interlocking concrete paving blocks model for appreciation of laying methods and patterns: compacting tools and plants.
  • Power diamond band saw for cutting of sheet stoneware e.g. marble.


7.2 Formwork & Scaffolding Workshop
 

  • 20 working benches for woodwork and formwork practices. Hand and power driven woodworking tools for fabrication of formwork
  • A comprehensive collection of large scale woodwork machines e.g. circular saw, planer etc. for different nature of woodwork.
  • Full scale tubular steel scaffoldings: individual rod type and framed type for practice of erection of temporary working platform.

7.3 Structural Concrete Working
 

  • Basic equipment for mixing and control of quality of concrete including drum mixers, compacting tools, slump testing set-up, cube moulds and cube strength testing machine.
  • Prefabricated timber and steel forms for concreting practices.
  • Reinforcement of different types and sizes. Re-bar cutting and bending machines.
  • Full scale formwork of a typical floor with beams, slabs and columns for practising preparation and fixing of re-bars.
  • Coring machine for preparation concrete core samples.
  • Different fixing and anchoring systems used in construction industry.