Abstract:

Load-bearing or structural masonry is a method of construction where the elements of a structure are built using masonry (bricks or blocks). Due to its technological and economic advantages, in western countries the system is widely used particularly for residential and low-rise buildings. Despite the advantages and excellent track record overseas, the system has not found its avenue in the local construction scene. Not many new buildings have been built using the system. Previous studies revealed that engineers, architects, developers and builders lacked knowledge and experience on the design and construction on the system. A program has been improvised to Company XYZ (pseudonym) staff and their business partners to transfer the state-of-art knowledge on the design, detailing, costing and construction of structures using loadbearing masonry. In addition, value added topics on supply chain, value engineering and strategic planning have been included. The programme involved two phases: (i) a series of seminars and workshops covering a duration of six months and, (ii) continuous site supervision (monitoring) for another 12 months. An auditing scheme to measure the company’s performance before and after the programme using the balance score-card technique is under formulation. To date, all seminars have been successfully conducted.