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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

Steel formwork panel is not a new technology to the Malaysia’s construction

industry, but it is not commonly deploy in the residential housing projects. Recently,

few developers and contractors have implemented this method in their residential

housing project located in Johor and Melaka to evaluate the effectiveness of this

system compared to the conventional method. These developers are Malpakat

Berhad, BCB Berhad and Petunas development Sdn Bhd, the pioneer companies

implemented the EFCO E-Form RC Shear Wall design in their project. Most of the

types of houses implement in this project are single storey terrace houses, double

storey terrace house, bungalows, semi detached houses and courtyard House.

Steel formwork is categorised as one of the new method in the industrialised

building system (IBS) where currently emphasis by CIDB to drive local industries

towards a systematically in term of mass production of the construction materials

with the involvement from all key players. (Shahrul Nizar, Ir. Elias Ismail, 2003)



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It is still in the early stage where the acceptance level from other suppliers,

developers, contractors and end users are still ambiguous. The objective of this

research is to identify the pros and cons of using steel formwork panel and its

suitability to Malaysia’s construction industries; as well as to identify the acceptance

level of different parties against this technology.

Results of this research will be beneficial to the Malaysia’s construction

companies. It can be used as a reference in the selection for using new technology to

achieve higher effectiveness of the construction work. It is also a good statistical

analysis report for those companies that currently using the e form panel method to

proceed implementing this method with higher confidence.

1.2 Problem Statement

In the current construction’s market situation, the application of steel

formworks is much use in high rise building such as apartment and condominium for

obtaining the effectiveness of the construction process. Recently, there are some

developers implement the RC shear wall design with steel formwork for the landed

residential property.

The beneficial of this method need to be identified. However, little has been

done to explore the real situation, concern and awareness between suppliers,

developers, contractors and end user in the local construction industry through the

work they had completed construct.

The common goal of a project is to get profit in the shorten period of time,

getting the easier way to implement the project and doing the works within the



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budgets or less budget. However, developer and contractors often do not pay

attention on what are the end user needs. The reason on using this new technology

normally is more emphasize in gaining profit instead of obtain the opinion from end

user.

Many studies were conducted on the steel formwork construction process

however, no attempt has been made to discuss how the supplier promote this kind of

technology, the reason that developers or contractors implement the technology and

the acceptance of end user in the new construction technology.

1.3 Aim and Objectives

The aim of the study is to investigate the current state of EFCO E-Form RC

shear wall implementation. The aim is supported by the following objectives.

1 To study the construction process of the EFCO E-form RC shear wall design.

2 To identify the strategy used by supplier to introduce EFCO hand e-form to the

contractor.

3 To identify the contractor’s expectation in using EFCO e-form panel. The

expectation needs to be considered are financial saving, work man ship, quality,

work progress and site condition.

4 To identify the acceptance of new technology to the end user.



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of the method. The final part is identified the awareness of the end user about the

method.

The samples in this study basically included the resident from Melaka and

Johor state for those were intent to buy or had bought the house property. Using

SPSS 12 software system is used to presenting the final result in statistical analysis.

(Neil Frude, 1987)



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CHAPTER II

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2.1 Research Design & Methodology

The objectives of this project report were realized using sequence of method

indicated in figure 2.1. Initially, the problem statement of the project is identified.

Secondly, aims and the objectives of the project are defined for future

accomplishment. Next, the literature review in gathered information about research

topic and challenges faced by the construction industry. The subsided sequence is

defined the data collection method. Interview and questionnaire survey was

conducted to obtain feedback from the construction industry and end user. The next

step is analysis the collected data by using software. It follows by some discussions

and suggestions and eventually conclusion being drawn to conclude this study.

The below are six essential steps in conducting this study as briefly list:

2.1.1 Problem Statement Foundation

o Understanding the project title.

o To identify the present image of the EFCO E-form system.



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2.1.2 Aims and Objective

o This research is divided into 3 part of study. First research is conducted to

the supplier; second research is covered the developers and contractors

condition. Finally is researched to the end users.

o To identify the main objective of the research and to validate each part of

the research meets the terms of the objective.

2.1.3 Literature Review

o To study from Library, Wed Site, Journal and the needs of the research

topic.

o Empirical study such as Interview, getting feedback from end user.

2.1.4 Information and Data Collection

o Select interview method and conducted interview in selected site.

o To design, distribute and collection of Questionnaires.

2.1.5 Data Analysis

o To identify the facts, compare the results with objective.

2.1.6 Conclusion and Recommendation

o To recommend solutions to resolve and improve the coordination and

measure the aim of the study.

Figure 2.1 shown in next chapters illustrate the six essential steps in a proper and

simple sequential order.



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Data Analysis

Literature Review

Aims and Object ive

Begin

Finding Problem Statement

Conclusion and Recommendation

End

Information and Data Collection

Figure 2.1: Research Methodology



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2.2 Interview

The interview is a special interaction method between two persons and as

such is subject to some of the same rules and restrictions as other instances of social

interaction. Apart from the possible biases and errors that stem from the

questionnaire instrument itself or from the sampling design, the interview method

has the potential for all sorts of bias, inconsistencies, and inaccuracies.

Method of interview can be categorized into several methods. One of these

methods is less structured interviews. The less structured interviews are free form

interview, composing the questions as it goes along. This interview comprise of

structured interview, semistructured interview and unstructured interview.

2.2.1 Structured interview

Structured interview is category in open-ended question. The closed-end or

fix-alternative questions require only that the interviewer read the question and mark

the appropriate answer. Open-ended questions, how ever, can require the interviewer

to transcribe a lengthy statement. In additional, open-ended questions in an interview

can require the respondent to dictate an extemporaneous statement on a topic about

which he or she may not have thought before.



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2.2.2 Semistructured interview

The most famous semistructured interview is focused interview. A crucial

element in the focused interview is the structure provided by interviewing people all

of whom experienced a particular event. In the focused interview questions are

open-ended, to provide flexibility and allow for unanticipated responses. It is also

addition the focused interview allows flexibility in terms of the questions asked.

2.2.3 The Unstructured Interview

The unstructured or nondirective interview is even less structured than the life

storey interview and the focused interview. The chief feature of the nondirective

interview is its almost total reliance upon neutral probes that are designed to be as

neutral as possible. They are generally very short, such as ‘why?’ or ‘uh, huh’ or

‘that’s interesting.’ The nondirective interview originated in psychotherapy. It is

intended to probe the respondent’s deepest and more subjective feeling.

2.2.4 Interview Method Selection

After studied the method of interview, the structured interview is selected as

an appropriate method to this research. This method is effective to set up a good

condition of interview section to the candidate. Several questions had been prepared

as guidance to the conductor in archived answer requirements in order to fulfill the

objective of the research.



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2.3 Questionnaire

Once the concepts and hypotheses have been carefully formulated and a good

sample drawn, the next line in the research chain is the data collection instrument.

The questionnaire is generally mailed or handed to the respondent and filled by him

or her with no help from the interviewer. An instrument that is not given directly to

the respondent but is filled in by an interviewer who reads the questions to the

respondent is generally called an interview schedule. We shall use the term

‘questionnaire’ as the generic name for both types.

A questionnaire survey was carried out to gather information from end users

who are involved in the purchase house property. The target population consisted of

those residents in Melaka and Johor area where the EFCO E-Form RC shear wall

constructed.

One hundred sets of questionnaires were handed out to resident in Melaka

and Johor area through the sales office. However, only fifty responded. This gives a

sampling percentage of 50%.

2.3.1 Questionnaire Structure

The questionnaire was structured into three sections:

1. Section A (Personal particulars)

It captures the background details of the respondents such as profession,

gender and race.



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2. Section B (Information about the respondents’ preference)

This section is obtained information about the respondents’ category of house

purchased. The purpose of the house purchased. How much is the amount of

purchase. Finally is purchasers’ property location.

3. Section C (The respondents’ knowledge about the RC wall design)

This section is to evaluate the respondents’ reaction on RC shear wall design.

The questions is created to test the respondent opinion in RC shear wall design

and find out their preferences in order to upgrade the EFCO E-form shear wall

design suitable for them. This section also intended to collect the comments from

respondent to improve the current circumstance of RC shear wall design system.

The sample of questionnaire used for the survey in this project is shown in

Appendix A. The data collected from the questionnaire survey was analyzed

using frequency analysis and interactive analysis by SPSS 12 analysis software.

2.4 Limitation of Study

This study is limited to opinions from resident involved in purchasing house

property in Johor and Melaka only. This does not give a very good indication of the

effectiveness of implementation of EFCO E-Form RC shear wall through

Industrialised Building System (IBS) concept in construction industry.



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CHAPTER III

LITERATURE REVIEW

3.1 Industrialised Building System (IBS)

Currently, the building construction process must be more effective. Even

though it is used innovative methods when rising buildings, the entire construction

process is neither as effective nor modern as it could be.

Industrialised Building System is a method to drive the local industries

towards a systematically in term of mass production of the construction materials

with the involvement from all key players. In this globalisation area, it is essential for

the construction industries involve parties to be equipped with relevant technology

and experience. For instance, pre-fabrication materials or larger parts of building are

made up of prefabricated components then delivered at the sites from the factories.

This will lead to better quality, cost effective, less labour dependency and increase of

the productivity. The programme has laid out definite missions which when

successfully implemented shall ensure a successfully upgrading of our construction

industry to maintain a competitive in the global market. (Shahrul Nizar, Ir. Elias

Ismail, 2003)



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The construction industry is very labour intensive although it is very

competitive. It results in a very low productivity as compared with other sectors. The

ineffectiveness and low productivity are caused by failure of the industry to utilise

the new as well as other relevant labour reducing technologies. It is due to the

following factors:

Lack of knowledge in alternative construction techniques, result in

fear and avoidance.

Failure of past construction systems.

Failure of local prayers to obtain proper technology transfer –

resulting in problems during production and installation.

Tendency to “start first, document later” producing ineffective

application, as the systems demand proper planning.

High prices of the systems caused by high set-up costs, low demand

and designs originally meant for in situ constructions.

The IBS is a new approach to diverted the labour intensive construction

method to the new fabricated method on site where effectively reduce the

construction dependency on foreign labour in the local construction industry.

The term “industrialised Building System” is often misinterpreted as systems

limited only for the construction of buildings, whereas the word “building” actually

relates to “constructing” and therefore covers all types of structures. IBS can bedefines as products, systems and techniques used in making construction less labour-



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oriented, faster as well as quality controlled. It generally involves prefabricated

products – factory manufactured elements that are transported to the construction

sites and erected. While this are various definitions of IBS based on the structural

aspects of the systems, it can be divided into five common types. (See table 3.1)

Table 3.1: Categories of Industrialised Building System

Type 1

Precast Concrete Frame, Panel and Box Systems

The most common IBS is the precast concrete elements – precast concrete columns,

beams, slabs, walls, “3D” components (e.g. balconies, staircases, toilets, liftchambers, refuse chambers), lightweight precast concrete and permanent concrete

formworks.

Type 2

Steel Formwork Systems

Considered as one of the “low-level” or the “least prefabricated” IBS as the systems

generally involve site casting, thus, the question of structural quality control arises.

Nevertheless, these systems – tunnel forms, till-up systems, beams and columns

moulding forms and permanent steel formworks (metal decks) – do offer high quality

finishes, and fast construction with less site labour and material requirement.

Type 3

Steel Framing Systems

Commonly used with Precast concrete slabs, steel columns and beams have always

been the popular choice and used extensively in the fast-track construction of

skyscrapers. Recent development in this type of IBS includes the increased usage of

light steel trusses, which consist of cost-effectively profiled cold-formed channels,

and steel portal frame systems as an alternative for the heavier traditional hot-rolled



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sections.

Type 4

Timber Frame Systems

Among the products listed in this category are the timber building frames and timber

roof trusses. While timber roof truss systems are popular, timber building frame

systems also have its own niche market, offering interesting designs from simple

dwelling units to buildings requiring high aesthetical values such as chalets for

resorts.

Type 5

Block work Systems

The construction method of using the conventional bricks has been revolutionised by

the development and usage of interlocking concrete masonry units (CMU) and

lightweight concrete blocks. The tedious and time-consuming traditional brick-laying

task is greatly simplified by the usage of these effective alternatives.

The main benefits offered by these systems are:

High quality finished products and minimal wastage due to factory-

controlled prefabrication environment.

Elimination of conventional timber formwork and great reduction of

props through the use of prefabricated element or system formwork

for site casting.

Sturdy and safe work platforms provided by the prefabricated

elements.



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Faster completion due to the introduction of components replacing in

situ construction.

Neater, cleaner and safer sites due to reduction of construction debris,

site workers and materials.

Lower total construction cost due to all of the above.

IBS and standardization in the form of MC offer these benefits:

Low site workers requirement due to simplified construction methods.

Quality-controlled and highly aesthetic end products through the

processes of controlled pre-fabrication and simplified installations.

Reduction of construction materials at sites through usage of pre-

fabricated components.

Reduction or eliminated of conventional timber formworks; replaced

by pre-fabricated components and alternative moulds with multiple

usage capability.

Reduction or elimination of props due to the absence of conventional

timber props and the usage of pre-fabricated components.

Reduction of construction waste with the usage of the standardised

components and less in situ works.

Cleaner sites due to lesser construction waste.

Safer construction sites due to the reduction of site workers, materials

and construction waste.



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Faster completion of construction projects due to the usage of

standardised pre-fabricated components and simplified installation

processes.

Cheaper total construction costs; made possible due to all of the

above.

3.2 EFCO Hand E-Form Panel

EFCO hand e-form panel is a product invented by EFCO Company as a

moulding to form the concrete structure. The innovative design features of the

HAND-E-FORM System offer forming efficiencies that can save time and money.

This easy-to-use system is learned quickly by inexperienced workers, and even the

largest panel can be set and stripped by just one worker. HAND-E-FORM panels can

be stood on end, laid on their side, formed around a circle, used for high walls, low

walls, step footings in 1" increments, the list is endless. (WWW.EFCO.com)

According to the table 1, the EFCO hand e-form panel is categorised as a new

technology method in Industrialised Building System (IBS). Where this system is

grouped as steel formwork systems includes tunnel forms, tilt up systems, beams and

columns moulding forms or permanent steel formworks.

Normally people will ask why using hand e form besides there still have

others type of steel formwork can be used to accomplish the work. The answer is the

hand e-form is a small panel that can be carrying by worker without using crane

handling. It is easy to handle and the work type is similar with the conventional type

but only the RC wall is took over the brick wall system.



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The introduction of hand e-form in the construction industry have encouraged

the contractor used panel RC wall as a grid wall for the residential housing project

such as single storey terrace house, double storey terrace house and also in shop

houses. Its emerge have changed the conventional work which previously using

timber and plywood as a form work and brick wall type to the new steel formwork to

form RC panel by eliminate the beam and column framework.

By used hand e- form, the structure of the building is reduced from brick wall

to the RC wall design. It is not a fully RC wall design method where the developers

liked to use 80 % of RC design and remain 20 % brick wall design in order to

satisfied customer renovation habits.

3.2.1 Key Element in Implementation of EFCO E-Form RC Shear Wall

3.2.1.1 Introduction

New construction method not only helps to save our forests, but also save

labour, material, time, interest, capital for construction. It also helps improve the

quality of the house and most important, improve company profit.

The formwork need to be design in order to get full used and fabricated

effectively not only for the company profit but also to convenient workers when they

are carry out the job. There are some criteria need to be considered before design the

EFCO E-form. (Vivian Ho, 2004)

How? First, designers must know about formwork characteristics, and should

think about the formwork first, then, follow the design of the structure. Architects



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and engineers may reduce formwork cost by designing repeated structures, so that

standard formwork materials and shapes can be reused to the maximum extend.

Architects and engineers need to know the type and shape of formwork available

from manufacturers as well as the type of formwork that can usually be built at the

job site by most of the contractors. Designing the repeated structure so that the

formwork can be reused repetitively, thus minimizing the amount of formwork need-

fabricated or pre-engineered.

How? Normally, engineer design choices either emphasize heavy steel

component with very small concrete frame (conventional beam and column concept),

or use more and bigger concrete frame with minimum steel components (new

technology-Reinforce concrete wall concept)

For example a double story house with built up areas 2400 meter square.

Table 3.2: Comparison Rebar’s Contents between Conventional Method and

RC Shear Wall Method

STEEL REINFORCEMENT CONVENTIONAL METHOD RC SHEAR WALL METHOD

REBAR TONNAGE PER UNIT 3.2 TONNAGE 0.6 TONNAGE

OF HOUSE

WHEN STEEL PRICE PER

UNIT TONNAGES RM 1600 RM 5120 RM 960

WHEN STEEL PRICE PER

UNIT TONNAGES RM 2100 RM 6720 RM 1260

In current condition, the rebar materials have been increased due to the

market shortage situation. Rebar material market price keeps going up from RM 900

per tones increasing to RM 1200 up to currently RM 2100 per tones, but concrete

price has been stably for so many years. The developers will take another step that



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they will use bigger concrete frame (more concrete content) with minimum steel

content in their future structural framework design.

If the wall thickness is based on the shape of EFCO formwork, contractor

may lease EFCO Hand-E-Form panels to form the bulkhead at door, window and

wall ends. The shapes of building reinforced concrete wall may look like capital

word of I, H, L, T, U and F instead of common straight walls. Most of the engineers

in Klang Valley design reinforce concrete wall in one direction.

3.2.1.2 The Important of Pre-engineered

Formwork need to be carefully engineered and designed to specially tailor to

project requirement. In this new technology placing, main contractors will able to

reduce workers where the EFCO E-form panels only need a small gang of workers to

run the project. Instead of having many skilful carpenters to do the forming work,

now they only need one formwork supervisor with a few general workers to

performed the job. EFCO shop drawing makes the formwork installation as a

manufacturing process.

Formwork must be very strong enough to withstand the great pressures

imposed by heavy, wet concrete. Formwork must be rigid enough to maintain the

desired shaped under these stresses. Formwork must be accessible, so that concrete

can be placed easily. Good forming design can be easily removed without damaging

the concrete of the form. There must be no sharp edges left in the concrete, because

these either will be broken off or will tear the forms apart when the forms are

removed.



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Pre-engineered form aids the contractor in figuring more accurate cost data,

and profit estimation is possible. Further, EFCO shop drawing tends to produce

formwork that is neither over designed nor under designed. Over designed forms are

expensive and under designed forms may be dangerous. In addition, it is also

provides good environmental for the construction workers. This new technology is

provided a convenient and safety workplace to construction workers.

Finally, EFCO shop drawings cut down on job site errors, and reduce the

amount of direct supervision needed to build the forms. EFCO shop drawings allow

the workers to work with minimal supervision and confusion. Efficiencies can save

time, money and the most important is to be adhering to the progress flow time.

Efficiencies give the company the competitive edge.

The changing of wood form to EFCO alloy steel panels will provide the

contractor the ability to speed up the project. In order to do this, the workers must

keep EFCO Hand-E-Form panels in use. It is avoidance from allow EFCO Hand-E-

Form panels remain on any longer than necessary. It is excellent to use the minimum

number of EFCO Hand-E-Form panels necessary to keep the job moving

continuously.

In addition, props supporting the structure are removed after the particular

section has attended well over its required strength. During construction, the

verticality settlement of the building is continually monitored to ensure and confirm

to the requirements.



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3.2.1.3 The Necessity in Consider the Cost Effective Forming System

The forming system to be select is one of the most important elements

affecting the total cost and productivity of a concrete construction project. If

carpenters are unable to increase their productivity, the entire project will delay. In

order to provide the contractor the ability to speed up the project, innovative

formwork installation method is very crucial for formwork design of which can

enhanced the quality control of end product and lower the contractor’s operation

cost.

The cost of formwork equipment alone will seldom determine the best

equipment supplier, because Hand-E-Form panels cost may only be about 30% of

cost of which can determine the other 70%, the labour cost.

In order to find the true cost, the calculation formula of true forming cost are

Formwork material cost + Cost of using equipment. Material cost includes all

forming materials, accessories, tools and equipment whether rental or purchase costs.

This will be affected by the project schedule, which determines the number of reuses

that can be expected from a given set of forms. To compare the initial costs for

forming equipment, it cannot simply compare the proposed material cost per square

foot. When project conditions call for or allow forms to be cycled rapidly, basic

square foot costs can be deceiving.

Cost of using included all labours involved in setting, cycling, assembling,

cleaning, maintaining, fabricating and stripping the forms. Other variable costs are

tie holes, patching, rubbing joints, embedded items i.e. PVC sleeve, cable casing,

time lose, dumping etc. Crane-handling costs are also another component of the cost

of using. As we can see, the cost of using is inclusive of many variables that will



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affect the trial costing. It is need to make full consideration in selecting a system

supply for certain concrete forming solutions.

3.2.1.4 The Biggest Variable is Labour Cost

With the shortage of available skill labours in today’s construction market,

selecting the right forming equipment becomes even more important. A choice often

must be made either a more labour intensive, but lower initial material cost forming

(Purchase wood product) or a higher-productivity, labour efficient system but cost

more on the initial material cost forming system (Lease EFCO Hand-E-Form panels.)

In order to complete the project in the same time period, a low initial material

cost forming, low-productivity, labour intensive system may require to use five to ten

times as many square feet of forming materials comparison with a high initial

material cost forming, high-productivity and labour efficient system.

Productivity determines the cost of usage. Higher productivity forming, using

lesser manpower to cycle the formwork, reduces the labour rate. Equipment used by

general contractors and sub-contractors require the contractor to add the labour

variable component to make buying decisions.

“It is not the initial cost of equipment, but the initial cost plus the cost of

using equipment that counts.” In order words, given enough time and labour, almost

anything can be done. Nevertheless, productivity of workers can also vary due to job-

site conditions, weather, skill level, experience, and many other conditions.



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3.2.1.5 The Second Variable is Time Lose

The job size and construction schedule will be two important factors to

consider. Time is very important in construction, as labour is a major cost. If the job

is large enough, the time saved by using manufactured forms with convenient

accessories may be worth the initial cost of the forms.

3.2.1.6 Method of Wall

The EFCO e-form panel considered two type of direction wall in design and

also fabricated method. There are one direction wall and two direction walls. The

two direction wall is an update method from one direction wall to achieved better use

of formwork. Initially, the one direction was creating to facilitate the installation ofthe e-form panel. It has upgrade to two directions in taking to the consideration of

design criteria. The two directions wall has good criteria as a support the transfer

loading from slab to the foundation. (Lam. 2004)

3.2.1.6.1 The Advantages of One Direction Reinforced Wall Concept.

It can be used by crane handle forming. In the formwork market, it is likely to

get the one direction panel installation in the market. The contractors have plenty

system suppliers to choose from according to the criteria where the contractors need.

When the project has huge volume, the contractor might be choose either Tunnel



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forming (wall and slab cast together), or wall and slab cast separately (EFCO,

Unispan, Noe, Megasteel, Grace, L&M, Peri-hori, Thysen, Westform and so on)

3.2.1.6.2 The Disadvantages of One Direction Reinforced Concrete Wall

Concept.

Once the one direction wall had been choosing, there are many restrictions

which will burden the selector whose use on it. The architect needs to design simple

architectural layout which structural design is either straight wall or one direction

wall concept. The structural walls are not free standing by itself and need temporary

prop system to support the formwork and wall before the opposite wall act as support

system to be install. The structure designer will need to design or add more steel and

tie beam design concept for the freestanding wall. In the material cost calculation,

one direction reinforced concrete wall concept, its structural cost is higher than two-

direction reinforced concrete wall concept. That is ineffective in structural cost

saving when using one direction reinforced concrete wall concept to build landed

properties such as single, double or three story houses. Due to the design limitation,

the one direction wall is restricting the distant of two architectural walls within 3 to

3.5 meter. One direction wall design is only satisfactory for simple high rise

building.



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3.2.1.6.3 Two Direction Reinforced Wall Concept

The two direction wall concept is an upgrade method from the first method. It

have been invented when the contractor demanding 2 wall combine together and

casting constantly. This is the method that fulfils the design criteria as a part of

increase the stability of transfer the loading from slab to foundation. The

architectural layout is special, unique and different. This condition also enables

material saving after the reducing size of the BRC. In addition, it has a very good

process in accelerate the time frame of the progress. Nevertheless, the fabrication of

the E-form panel joints are more complicated when compare with one direction

reinforced wall. It has not become a barrier to the workers where they had have

intent to fabricate and dismantle it successfully without any problem. In this

extremely competitive market, the invention of two direction reinforced fabricated

wall act as trade mark for suppler in order to fulfil the contractors demand.

3.2.2 The Construction Process for the EFCO E-Form RC Shear Wall Design

Housing Project

3.2.2.1 Site Preparation

EFCO E-form RC Shear wall design require a clean flat platform for easy the

fabrication of the panel following sequences of work. The foundation for the work

can be selected from either strip footing or raft foundation which will enable the

loading transfer from the RC wall to the foundation evenly.



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Before delivery of EFCO Hand-E-Form panels to the site, the project site

must completed with at least four to six blocks of sub structural work up to the

ground slab level. This is the effective way in fulfilled the maintenance of the

formwork circulation system in order to get the cost effective in the cost saving for

the project. Sub structural work is the conventional wood forming. Before concreted

the slab, plumbing cable or necessary fitting had embedded into the slab and wall

starter bar had embedded into the slab.

There are three basic steps to building an EFCO concrete home building, the

base\slab or foundation, the wall, and the roof or deck system.

3.2.2.1.1 Foundation Condition

The first step is constructed the foundation or base slab. Soil resistance

characteristic must be analyzed prior to laying foundation. The outline of the

foundation is first staked and the parameter edge forms are set.

Figure 3.1: Foundation

Preparation by

Conventional Method



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Strip footing is concrete’ feet’ placed in the ground, and it is reinforced with

steel bars on which the foundation and the subsequent building load are placed. Soil

conditions, together with the weight of the building, determine the size, design, and

the possibility in selection the piling foundation for weak soil condition. Usually, the

workers will carried out setting out work to determine the boundary area for each

block of the building. The compaction of earth work is the most important sequence

to provide the strengthen ground foundation for the loading transfer.

EFCO Hand-E-Form panels must be erected on poured slab. It could not erect

on dirt without poured slab. So, all cable, wire, plumbing, electrical service, sanitary

fitting, conduit need to embed inside the slab of which we must pre-determine it.

Figure 3.2: The

Compaction of Earth

Work

Figure 3.3: Setting Level

of the Building



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Preparation for each difference level such as drop at bath room and bedroom

need to be done by infill hardcore such as crusher run accordingly. Before pouring

the concrete to the slab foundation, it is need to applied one layer of plastic sheet to

the surface of the crusher run in order to prevented moisture permeate up to the slab.

Figure 3.4: Hardcore for

the Foundation

Figure 3.5: The Embedded

of Sewerage System

Figure 3.6: Formwork to

Separate the Toilet Area

from the Building



31

Figure 3.7: Application

One Layer of PE Plastic

to the Slab

After all internal embedded utilities (electrical, water and sewer pipes)

completed laid, the slab foundation ready for finishing concrete casting.

Figure 3.8: Internal

Embedded Utilities

Figure 3.9: Fix Rebar to

the Slab



32

Figure 3.10: TheCompleted Foundation

3.2.2.2 Setting Wall Alignment

The wall alignment was marked as preparation for EFCO E-Form fabricate

indicator; the supervisor had to properly check the wall location on the floor by used

survey instrument. Preparation of correct wall setting up must thoroughly follow the

architectural, structural and EFCO Erection Drawings.

Materials for wall setting up are black inn and linear. Wall setting is very

important where must engage a very skillful, experience and knowledgeable

personnel to performed this job.

After the wall setting up has been established for a few units of houses, site

manager needs to inform EFCO Territory manager to arrange EFCO field supervisor

(one to two days trips) to survey and finalized reinforced concrete wall measurement

at site. (The ideally time frame is two weeks from the date of shipment.).This

measurement is extremely important for first time users as well as when project site

is extremely far from EFCO warehouse.



33

3.2.2.3 Electrical Issue

BRC wall are erected at least one block. M & E work that goes to the wall are

set. All electrical boxes are filled either with papers, polystyrene. Wireman tied these

electrical boxes to BRC wall. All electrical fitting must follow the government and

safety regulation.

Contractor needed to inform the wireman the thickness of reinforce concrete

wall prior to hang the electrical “box-sub” on the surface of BRC wall. Due to the

different sizes of BRC, the spacing of BRC is various, the wireman may required

some experience and knowledge of rebar fixing in order to well secure the electrical

“box sub” to the BRC wall. Contractor must provided many short rebar for wireman.

These short rebar normally is wastage from other sites. (Wong, 2004)

Figure 3.12: The

Prior Installation

of Electrical Box-

sub

Figure 3.11: BRC

Erection Work



34

Figure 3.13: TheElectrical Box-sub

Need to be Rigid by

Additional Bar Fix

3.2.2.4 Plastics Bar Chairs

Self-fabricated some concrete spacer/ block, or purchase some bar chairs are

some material used to fix the concrete cover space for the RC shear wall which was

invented by EFCO for friendly use and effective way in work erection. Bar chairs

are cheaper than own fabricated concrete blocks, Project director of Aceside said.

Bar chairs is lightweight material, and it is good when intention to build houses

above single story. (Steven Lew, 2004)

Figure 3.14: ThePlastic Bar Chain

for the Concrete

Cover



35

3.2.2.5 Conventional Beam “box-sub”

All conventional beams “box-sub” is properly well prepared at least one

block. The material for beam “box-sub” is either used polystyrene or timber plank.

The conventional “box-sub” is a method to provide empty space on the RC wall in

order to install the electrical pipe line and water pipe line after the concrete wall cast.

It is also as a preparation space to enable further joint work for the RC gutter or

installation of beam.

The probability of locations for conventional beam is at car porch area, at the

back of the house, at end lot and at corner lot. Beam formwork is conventional

wooden formwork and the carpenter is in the process of fabrication this wooden

formwork before delivery of EFCO panels to site.

The connection of beam with reinforced concrete wall is extremely important.

If the construction drawing did not indicate the requirement of the tie rebar, bar

bender still needs to tight one to two pieces of starter bar to BRC wall before

conducting the beam “box-sub” at the location of car porch area. This method is

extremely important. It helps to prevent hairline crack when beam sits on top of

reinforced concrete wall and as connecter bar between RC wall and conventional

structure.

The contractors had come across with various type of box-sub method and

the effective way need to be found for convenient the installation work. Below are

some methods that have been tried to achieve the best way of construction.



36

Method 1:

Timber “box-sub” is the cheaper method, but the shape of its “box-sub” is unable to

achieve 100% perfect. The square timber corner must be cut to the round shape for

plumbing “box-sub”.

If the square timber did not cut into round shape, it would result in spend a lot of

time to knock down the timber plank. When timber plank sticks concrete, it is

extremely hard to dismantle. It is extremely time consuming if there is an intention to

recycle this piece of timber plank.

Before well hang the timber plank to BRC wall, application of a layer of engine oil

on the surface of timber should be done. Mould oil doesn’t apply on the timber

plank. Mould oil only applied on the surface of EFCO Hand-E-Form panels.

Method 2:

Steel tube “box-sub”, its shape is perfect, but it was very difficult to knock down this

steel tube from reinforced concrete wall. (Plumber of NKS said). The first attempt of

this method at Taman Merbok site shows that it is not a good alternative to use the

steel tube as plumbing “box-sub”.

Method 3:

Polystyrene “box-sub” is beautiful and its shape is perfect, but polystyrene material

is expensive than timber plank. All the plumbing “box-sub” at our Taman Merbok

site was applied this method of construction. It was being proof that effectively and

efficiency.

Conclusion: Design engineers urge to avoid designing reinforced concrete wall at

toilet areas due to the bad result of the installation work. It is complicated to due with

the defect work cause by the leakage pipe line. If there is any pipeline problem, the

contractors will difficult to implement the repair work.



37

All plumbing & sanitary fitting location, its wall still remains as brick wall.

Therefore, architect and structural design engineer play extremely important role on

this issue.

3.2.2.6 Prepared wall kickers only for landed properties.

Wall kickers’ preparation work need to be done after the wall setting

alignment complete. The wall kickers act as a stable alignment material to provide

prefect fix form for the EFCO E-form panel. Carpenter must complete at least one

block of wall kickers before delivery of EFCO E-Form panels to the site. The

material for kicker formwork is wood product. The casting height of kicker is various

heights.

Floor height –slab thickness + 25mm height -3000mm EFCO Hand-E-Form

panel height = Kicker Height.

Figure 3.15: The

Preparation of Wall

Kickers



38

All the concrete kickers are properly vibrated. Concrete kicker is part of thestructural element. The quality of concrete kicker must same as the structure of

reinforced concrete wall. The concrete for single story house is grade 20. The

concrete for double story house is grade 25.

Figure 3.16:

Concrete Work for

Wall Kickers

3.2.2.7 Standard sheet of BRC.

After prepared the kickers with the starter for BRC jointing work, the next

sequences of work is fix the BRC material as a main part of RC shear wall.

Normally, the site BRC materials are Standard sheet of BRC for Wall. It is

insufficient to order the width of BRC cut to size, because the reinforced concrete

walls are in the orientation of two-direction wall concept. Meanwhile, BRC cut to

size is expensive. The height of wall BRC may cut to size. BRC installer at site is

required to cut its width.



39

In order to have high quality of concrete kicker, it is need to have sufficient

concrete volume (at least 4 cubic meters per cycle). Before EFCO Hand-E-Form

panels were delivery to the site, the concrete kickers should be initially prepared.

(Every two days 6 units of houses, approximately 4 cubic meter of concrete and 60

meter square of formwork.) Finally, it is need to have at least 2-3 rows of concrete

kicker stand by before the first delivery of EFCO Hand-E-Form panels to the site.

Figure 3.17: BRC for

RC Shear Wall

3.2.2.8 First Floor Walls EFCO E-Form Panel Erected

After all BRC, box-up beam, electrical box and pipe line have been installed,

the follow work is fabricated of EFCO formwork to form the main wall of the RC

wall. The first operation is erection of EFCO Hand-E-Form panels must started at the

inside face of a wall.



40

Figure 3.18: EFCO

Hand E Form

Installation Work

EFCO E-Form is erected at the location of corner or angle. Attach EFCO

corners or angles to hold the first big standard panel (600mm X 1500mm). It is need

to secure each panel with maximum 3 pieces of HEF clamps. The form panel is

nailed to the base plate in the nail holes provided at both ends of the bottom flange

with wood nails in order to secure the position of the panel as well as to prevent

formwork horizontal movement. The first form panel on the base plate sits directly

over the wall line.

The second operation is to erect succeeding panels. It is started to set the next

panel (this second panel), into alignment with HEF clamps to the form panel of

which being set to the previous form panel. Special care should be taken to properly

place the HEF clamp. All Hand-E-Form panels have holes in the flanges at 25mm

center to center around the perimeters. The purpose of this function is to form any

shape of concrete wall by using the various clamps.

Figure 3.19: EFCO

Hand E Form

Completed Work



41

3.2.2.9 Pin and Plate Clamp Tool

One end of the pin and plate clamp tool is used to assist in the placing of HEF

clamps when necessary. The other end of this tool is used for placing and removing

spreader tie pins.

Figure 3.20: Less

Workers for the

Installation Work

3.2.2.10 Drift Pins

It is designed for use in aligning the holes in adjacent with form flanges. This

will ease the placing of HEF clamps when misalignment of flange holes occurs. The

third operation is to greased the spreader tie and secure the spreader tie with spreader

tiepins. When one side of the wall is set, grease the spreader tie and secure the

spreader tie with spreader tiepins. Spreader ties are required on one side of the form

joint only. Upon completing the erection of the first side of the wall, spreader tie

must in place. Inserting the spreader tie through the tie slots and pinned it with

spreader tie pins to the first side of the wall, now, the spreader tie are placed into the

wall. This procedure is extremely important. It increases your labor productivity and

minimizes the formwork checking.



42

The forming operation continues with setting one side of the wall. The EFCO

plate clamp is easily placed and perfectly aligns the adjacent form. After all 2 layers

of panel have been erected. It was preceded with placing and props work.

Figure 3.21: The

Accuracy of the

Installation Work

Figure 3.22: The

Method ProvidedNeat and Safety

Site

Figure 3.23:

Bracing Work for

Installation



45

3.2.2.13 The Disadvantage of Casting Steel Door Together with EFCO Hand-E-

Form Panels

When the alternative cast steel doorframe together with EFCO Hand-E-Form

panels have been choose, the carpenter productivity will slightly reduce, because it

have created additional workload for formwork installer (carpenter). So, it needs to

compensate the carpenters.

The supervisor must always make sure that carpenter’s workers have the

skills and knowledge of fixing steel doorframe. If carpenters did not possess this type

of skills and knowledge, it is not encouraged to cast steel doorframe together with

Hand-E-Form panels.

3.2.2.14 The Casting Height of Reinforced Concrete Wall

It is recommended…Single story house, its floor height is 3200mm. Double

story houses, its ground floor height is also 3200mm and its first floor height is

3050mm. This information was given by Malpakat.

Ground floor height (3200mm) - slab thickness (various) + extra 25mm height –

concrete kicker height is our RC wall casting height.

Extra 25mm casting height of reinforced concrete wall is very important. It

can help to prevent the problem of water leakage. It is especially important when

external wall is reinforced concrete wall.



46

Reinforced concrete wall is cast 25mm slightly higher in order to produce a

good concrete joint between the wall and the slab. When formwork height is 3-meter

height, two pieces of EFCO 1500mm height Hand-E-Form panels will be join

together.

Table 3.3: Formwork Size and Weight

The dimension of Hand-E-Form panels Weight (KG) per pieces

600mm X 1500mm HEF PANEL 28.12

500mm X 1500mm HEF PANEL 23.43300mm X 1500mm HEF PANEL 14.52




3.2.2.15 Concreting Issues

After the hand E-Form is fixed, it proceeded with concrete casting work.

Figure 3.25:

Concrete Casting

after Completion

of Formwork

Installation



47

When two reinforced concrete walls distance is very close during concreting,

concreters use some 2” X 6” timber planks, and these timber planks sit on steel

formwork or cast concrete wall. Think safety, work safety. When two reinforced

concrete walls distance is very far, contractors fabricate their own concrete platform.

Instead of erecting traditional scaffolding tower , or fixing EFCO scaffolding bracket

and post on Hand-E-Form panels during concreting, concreters install self fabricated

lightweight steel walking brackets of which hooked on Hand-E-Form panels. This

method was invented at Aceside’s Mersing site. Later, this method was being

enhanced at Foremost site. Currently, all projects is fully adopted this method of

construction. It helps the concreter to save time, labor to erect scaffolding tower

during concreting and this method also save labor and time to dismantle scaffolding

after concreting.

Upon completed the concreting activities, the concreter must immediately

dismantle the scaffolding tower. If the concreter did not properly dismantling or

housekeeping these scaffolding tower, next day before the formwork activities start,

it will create some difficult for formwork installers.

If formwork installers need to dismantle these scaffolding towers of which

erected by concreter a day before, it will delay their formwork activities. When

formwork activities delayed, it will unable to perform daily concreting on time.

When the concreting time is always unsure, it will affect the concrete plant

performance or may not be able to have daily concrete supplying on time. When the

concrete plant is unable to supply the concrete on time, the super structural work will

delay.

When the concrete plant is unable to supply the concrete on time, it is need to

have more set of formwork material in order for carpenters to have a continually

daily formwork activity. When formwork material has extra set, result in formwork

double handling time increases. When formwork material has extra set, formwork

material wear and tear increases.



49

Table 3.4: Concrete Casting Quantity Per Day

Formwork Concrete Per-t ruck Number Pour speed Total Total

area volumn concrete of truck per truck minutes Hour Concreting

m

2

perpour volumn

a b=a/2x0.12 c d=b/c e f=d x e g=f/60

200 13 5 3 40 100 1.67 5pm to 7pm

250 16 5 3 40 125 2.08 4pm to 7pm

300 19 5 4 40 150 2.5 3pm to 7pm

350 22 5 4 40 175 2.92 2pm to 7pm

400 25 5 5 40 200 3.33 2pm to 7pm

500 31 5 6 40 250 4.17 11am to 7pm

600 38 5 8 40 300 5 10am to 7pm

700 44 5 9 40 350 5.83 10am to 7pm

800 50 5 10 40 400 6.67 9am to 7pm

After concreting work, it is need to house keeping all concrete tools, concrete

walking platform with water jet. It is recommended formwork installer and

concreters must be in the same team. If formwork installer is also the concreter, they

can coordinate extremely well. This concept is extremely important when

development is very small and you still want to use system design.

Figure 3.26:

House Keeping

Formwork after

Concrete Casting



50

Figure 3.27:

Formworks

3.2.2.18 Before Pouring, EFCO Hand-E-Form Wall System Checklist

• Check HEF clamps at each panels (horizontal, vertical and intersection

joints).

• Check spreader ties and spreader tie pins in position.

• Check horizontal aligner tube and aligner clamp in position.

• Check vertical aligner tube and aligner clamp in position.

• Check pipe braces in position, and are well secured.

• Putting some wooden base plate to secure the panel at corner location.

• Bulkhead for door openings, window opening and construction joints.

• Vertical check.



51

After checking the completed Hand-E-Form panels’ setup, the walls are

poured, and used water jet to clean the back panel immediately during the concreting.

The carpenter is required to perform vertically check before and after the concreting.

When the minimum curing time for a wall is achieved nine (9) hours, the

forms allowed stripping. After forms are stripped, cleaned and oiled from the

previous days poured, the next setting operation begins.

EFCO hammer tie puller + reusable spreader ties. Choose the strongest

worker to dismantle the spreader tie from reinforced concrete wall. The spreader tie

cannot embed inside the concrete more than 24 hours. The workers must grease

spreader ties by using engine grease. After dismantling all the Hand-E-Form panels,

worker need to be assigned to check any spreader tie was left over the wall. The

holes in spreader ties are covered with skim coat to remain soft and smooth surface.

From BS 8100…Table 3.5: Minimum Periods before Striking Formwork

Type of framework Minimum curing…

Vertical formwork to columns, walls and large

beams

12 hours

Soffit formwork to slabs 4 days

Soffit formwork to beam and props to slabs 10 days (240 hours)

Props to Beams 14 days



52

Figure 3.28: RC

Shear Wall after

Completed

Figure 3.29: RC

Shear wall

After the ground level RC wall had completed, the first floor slab work is

preceded. This sequence of work are implemented by remain the conventional

method. 4’ X 8’ ply woods are used as form to the slab. Scaffolding need to be used

support the loading when casting are put into operation. As usual, all pipeline and

electrical conduits need to be installed before fix the BRC.

In this stage, the BRC starter bars need to be set up early as setting operation

to lay out the exact location of the upper wall. The supervisors are counter checked

the pipeline and electrical line as well as the BRC line before the continue job to be

proceeded.



54

Figure 3.33: The

Completion of 1st

Floor Slab

The forming operation continued with setting one side of the wall. The first

floor panels set up are same as procedure implemented in ground floor wall panel.

Before the workers install the EFCO E-Form panel, the extra 2” high of BRC need to

be set for additional work. This is the purpose for brick laying work for additional at

upper roof area.

Figure 3.34:

Installation of

RC Shear Wall

for 1st Floor of

Building

Figure 3.35: The

Installation of

EFCO Hand E

Form on the 1st

Floor of Building



55

Figure 3.36: The

Formwork

Installation Work

Figure 3.37:

Workers Fix

Column and

Beam on the Top

of the Wall

Figure 3.38:

The Completionof Formwork

Installation



56

Figure 3.39:

Dismantle of

the Formwork

Figure 3.40:

The Upper

Support Area

for Bricks

Laying

Figure 3.41:

The upper

Support Area

for Bricks

Laying



57

The upper support areas for brick laying patty walls are set up by

conventional method. The upper roof patty walls are still remained brick wall due to

the problem in setting the accurate pitch in roof truss and roofing work.

Figure 3.42:

The Completion

of Upper

Support Area

for Bricks

Laying

Figure 3.43: The

Conventional

Beam for

Surrounding

Building Brick

Wall Laying

The RC gutter work is the conventional method where timber woods and

props are the materials to form the concrete beam and rebar. Normally the RC gutter

is located around the blocks of building. The EFCO E-Form covered with box-up is

the opening space to locate RC gutter to fully fix and joint between the gutter and RC

wall.



58

Figure 3.44:

TheConventional

RC Gutter

Formwork

Installation

Figure 3.45:

Front View of

the Building

after RC Work

Completed

Each architectural finishing works are furnished with conventional timber fix

formwork. Joint between the RC wall and beam structure are perfectly matched. The

following work is appointed the roof truss workers to commence the truss work. The

rigidity and accurate level of the structure provided a good space for roof truss fixed.



59

Figure 3.46:

Brick Lay Work

and Installation

of Roof Truss

Figure 3.47: The

Corner House Area

with Patty Brick

Wall Partial RC

Figure 3.48: The

External Plastering

Work



60

Figure 3.49: The

Internal Skim

Coating Work

Skim coat only applies for reinforce concrete wall at internal areas.

Before applying a layer of skim coating (usually 1-2mm thick layer of

coating is required, skim coater must patch EFCO spreader tie holes (3mm width X

25mm length) with pure cement mixed with water before apply a layer of skim

coating.

Finally the external walls are plastered with normal cement plaster. It

proceeded with painting works and infrastructure works. (Tai, 2004)

Figure 3.50: TheCompletion of

Housing Project



61

CHAPTER IV

METHOD AND STRATEGY USED BY SUPPLIER TO PROMOTE EFCO

HAND E-FORM TO CONTRACTORS.

4.1 Introduction

Table 4.1: Formwork Product Life Cycle in Southern Malaysia Construction

Industry

Introduction stage

-Seller selectscertain products fo rselected marketsegment.

-Buyers emphasizedproblem solving.

-Buyers feeltechnicaluncertainty.

Period: Before 2004

Growth stage

-Product and marketexpansion.

-Increasingcompetitiveactivities

-Customers have

better informed.

Period: From2004

Until 2008

Maturity stage

-Various productchoices, needs,expectations exist i nthe market.

-Huge tension o fmarket competition,price war exists.

-Aggressivecustomers,customers areknowledgeable.

Period: From 2008Until 2019

Decline stage

-The needs of marketreduced.

-Small companiesmerge with biggercompanies or somecompanies diversifyto other type of

business.

-The number ofsuppliers reduced.

Period: From 2020

Formwork generally faces competition from three difference sources. The

first is the competition from directly similar products like Peri-Hori, Peri, Thyssein,

Mega Form, Grade, L&M. Noe, and West Form. The second type of competition is



62

from substitute products such as wood form and a lot of ‘me too’ products like

Unispan, Simple Form, Fast Form, PDG, and so on. The third type of competition is

competing for the contractor’s limited buying power.

During the early of 1980 in Malaysia when steel formwork equipment is sale

items, it will always draw heavily on contractor’s financial resources. Therefore

small contractor is unable to use steel formwork due to lack of finance. Until the

middle of 1990, steel formwork suppliers start to offer the rental terms, and this

option makes steel formwork more available to many contractors.

Generally, the contractors are resistant to change, even the changes are for the

better. People in all organization generally don’t like change. Their resistance to

change is caused by their work habits, personal predisposition, educational and

professional training perspective, and fear of the unknown and mistrust of their

superiors and colleagues’ motives.

People’s reactions to change can often be classified into those of an

innovator, a conservative or an inhibitor. Innovators welcome change and see it as a

challenge. They are stimulated by new ideas and concepts and are willing to try.

Conservatives wait to see the results and effects of change. Inhibitors, who through

reasons of insecurity, fear or inertia, resist change and are very slow to adapt. They

will only accept change when the changes have been fully adopted by the rest of

people, and it becomes increasingly difficult for them to “hold out.”

From the information obtained from suppliers, it is not easy to promote the

new products to the construction industry. The responsibilities of formwork suppliers

are to move the market from perfect competition toward oligopoly or monopoly.

Only through monopolistic conditions together with outstanding reputation, they

consistently get higher prices than others competitors during market booming.

Besides that, the supplier also apply partnering concept as a tactic to promote the



63

material effectively. This concept emphasised the win-win situation to those involves

in the business to achieved goal interactively. Table 4.2 shows projects implement

EFCO E-Form RC shear wall method in southern area in Malaysia. (Vivian Ho,

2004)



64

Table 4.2: Projects Implement EFCO E-Form RC Shear Wall Method in

Southern Area in Malaysia

Nos Company Main Contractor/Developer Name Of Project Location

1 Aceside(Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Medan Alfa Sdn. Bhd 80 units(TypeA)(16'X55')DSTH Mersing,Johor

2 Aceside(Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Medan Alfa Sdn. Bhd 80 units(TypeA)(18'X55')DSTH Mersing,Johor

3 Aceside(Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Medan Alfa Sdn. Bhd 81 units(LS)(14'X55') Mersing,Johor

4 Aceside(Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Zecon Engineering Bhd 200 units DSTH BP,Johor

5 BCB Construction Sdn Bhd BCB Berhad 227 Unit (SF)(22'X70')(TPU) J.Bahru, Johor

6 BCB Construction Sdn Bhd BCB Berhad 227 Unit (SF)(22'X70')(TPU) J.Bahru, Johor

7 BCB Construction Sdn Bhd BCB Berhad 548 Unit (DSTH)(18'X65')(TSK) Kluang,Johor

8 BCB Construction Sdn Bhd BCB Berhad 54 Unit (DSTH)(22'X70')(TSK) Kluang,Johor

9 BCB Construction Sdn Bhd BCB Berhad 73 Units (SF)(22'X70')(TKB) Kluang,Johor

10 BCB Construction Sdn Bhd BCB Berhad 288 Units (SF)(20'X65')(TS) Kluang,Johor

11 BCB Construction Sdn Bhd BCB Berhad 200 Units (SSTH)(20'X65')(TS) Kluang,Johor

12 BCB Construction Sdn Bhd BCB Berhad 200 Units (SSTH)(20'X70')(TS) Kluang,Johor

13 BCB Construction Sdn Bhd BCB Berhad 200 Units (DSTH)(20'X70')(TS) Kluang,Johor

14 BCB Construction Sdn Bhd BCB Berhad 52 units (SSTH)(22'X70')TM Pontian,Johor

15 Foremost Frontier Laksama Reality Sdn Bhd 110 units (SSTH)(TRU) AG,Melaka

16 Foremost Frontier Laksama Reality Sdn Bhd 78 units (SSTH)(TBKI) AK,Melaka

17 Foremost Frontier Laksama Reality Sdn Bhd 13 units (SSTH)(24'X50')(TRJ) TM,Melaka18 Foremost Frontier Laksama Reality Sdn Bhd 15 units (SSTH)(20'X55')(TRJ) TM,Melaka

19 Foremost Frontier Laksama Reality Sdn Bhd 23 units (SSTH)(20'X60')(TRJ) TM,Melaka

20 Foremost Frontier Polywell Enterprise Sdn Bhd 20 units (SSTH)(22'X70')(TBC) AG,Melaka

21 Foremost Frontier Polywell Enterprise Sdn Bhd 54 units (DSTH)(22'X70')(TSB) G,DT,Melaka

22 Foremost Frontier Laksama Reality Sdn Bhd 72 units (DSTH)(22'X66')(TSH) AL,Melaka

23 Foremost Frontier Laksama Reality Sdn Bhd 89 units (SSTH)(TBKI) AK,Melaka

24 Foremost Frontier Laksama Reality Sdn Bhd 171 units (SSTH)(TRU) AG,Melaka

25 Foremost Front ier Polywell Enterprise Sdn Bhd 30 units (DSTH)(TSB) G,DT,Melaka

26 Foremost Frontier Laksama Reality Sdn Bhd 28 units (DSTH)(26'X74')(TSH) AL,Melaka

27 Malpakat Construction Mount Austin Sdn. Bhd 452 Units CH (A)( 32' X 70') J.Bahru, Johor

28 Malpakat Construction Mount Austin Sdn. Bhd 250 Units CH(B)( 32' X 70') J.Bahru, Johor

29 Malpakat Construction Mount Austin Sdn. Bhd 76 Units Semi-D(A)(50' X 72') J.Bahru, Johor 30 Malpakat Construction Mount Austin Sdn. Bhd 100 Units Semi-D(B)(50' X 72') J.Bahru, Johor

31 Ngoh Kim Siah Construction NKS Development Sdn. Bhd. 67Units (SSTH)(20' x 70'), TM AK, Melaka

32 Ngoh Kim Siah Construction NKS Development Sdn. Bhd. 47 Units DSTH(24' x 70')TM AK, Melaka

33 Ngoh Kim Siah Construction NKS Development Sdn. Bhd. 4 Units Semi-D(B)(40' x 70')TM AK, Melaka

34 Ngoh Kim Siah Construction NKS Development Sdn. Bhd. 6 Units Semi-D(A)(30' x 80')TM AK, Melaka

35 Ngoh Kim Siah Construction NKS Development Sdn. Bhd. 16 Units (SSTH) (20' x 70') AK, Melaka

36 Seri Jasmine Sdn. Bhd. Seri Jasmine Sdn. Bhd. 355 uni ts SSTH(20' x 70')(TBP) MT, Melaka

37 Total clients: 6 Total developers: 8 otal units of houses:4586 unit Johor + Melaka

List Of Southern Project Until September 2004



65

INDICATOR:

Type Of Project

DSTH Double Storey Storey House

LS Low Cost House

SF Sunflower Terrace House

SSTH Single Storey Terrace House

CH Cluster House

Semi-D Semi Detached House

Name Of Project

TPU Taman Pulai Utama

TSK Taman Sri Kluang

TKB Taman Kluang Baru

TS Taman Saujana

TM Taman Megah

TRU Taman Rembia Utama

TBKI Taman Bukit Katil Indah

TRJ Taman Rembai Jaya

TBC Taman Bukit Cheng

TSB Taman Seri Bayan

TSH Taman Serindit Harmoni

Location

BP Batu Pahat

J.Bahru Johot Bahru

AG Alor Gajah

AK Air Keroh

TM Tanjong Minyak

G,DT Gangsa, Durian Tunggal

AL Air Leleh



66

4.2 Why Partnering is Important?

Partnering does not happen in isolation. Nor do buyers and sellers suddenly

decide to change the nature of their relationship. Partnering occurs because there are

initiatives from either supplier or buyer driven by a need to improve a company’s

competitive performance. These driving forces include:

• Increasing competition in the market-place

• Higher customer expectations

• Pressure on costs

• Rapid technological change

• Raw material shortage

• Need for rapid new product development

• Skills shortage like manpower

• Introduction of new business processes

• Focus on core skills like development instead of manufacturing/ trading and

so on

True partnering with customers did not occur naturally. They are cultivated

over a long period by demonstrating respect for the customer’s personnel and by

recognizing the customer’s need to generate a reasonable profit.



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Quality increases

High Client satisfaction

increases

Supplier satisfaction increases

Low

Time 2000(Oct) 2001(OCT) 2002(OCT) 2003(OCT) 2004(OCT) 2005

(OCT) Time

Figure 4.1: Beneficial Results of Partnering

Buyer and seller are increasingly involved in creating strategic partnering,

because it makes for good business. Competitive advantages occur to both buyers

and suppliers who partner well because the opportunities to add value, and reduce

costs on both sides of the equation are enormous. Simply reducing uncertainty and

risk sometimes reduce costs. Two firms treat problems that arise as a joint

responsibility.

Joint action is taken to reduce costs, and this benefits both parties, who can

then be more competitive. The buyer knows that the supplier is being fair in their

pricing and this encourages the development of further business.

‘Building a business partnering with the customer’ which claimed by many

companies but achieved by few. Yet the supplier have to spend money and energy on

these matters, which are not directly aimed at taking more orders but doing more

business in the future.



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4.3 Partnering in Action

• Building relationship:

Supplier and customers co-operate on process developments that enable the

customers to reduce overall costs and provide the supplier with a long-term supply

contract that is not dependent on price negotiations. This technology can reduce

customer costs, improve reliability and product performance and increase customer

satisfaction. The problem is that technology changes rapidly and few companies have

the resources to achieve technical leadership without major investment in research

and development and recruitment of high quality technical staff. Increasingly, they

rely on the specialized technical expertise of their suppliers to contribute

developments in specific areas. Services such as warehousing, facilities management,

maintenance, research and development can often be handled more efficiently and

cost effectively by external suppliers working in long-term partnering.

• Co-operating to win business

Both partnering utilize each other’s specialist skills to develop a package of

services that provides the ultimate customer with the most effective solutions. Open

sharing of information such as joint work on new project design, discussion of

demand forecasting and exchange of tender cost data will be useful to both the seller

and buyer.

In cooperative relationships, the buyers and sellers work together to achieve

both mutual and individual objectives. For example, contractors are like a car dealer



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If the buyer does a good job of communicating needs to the supplier, and the

supplier does a good job of communicating needs to the buyer, they can mutually

work out all the opportunities before they become problems. By working together on

quality issues and through joint identification of areas of concern, a better quality

performance can be achieved. Long-term agreements allow for the planning of a

number of issues by both parties.

• Spreading the risk

A contractor, design engineers and supplier work in partnering to win a major

contract. Three parties realize that a successful project depends not just on the best

contract solution, but on careful assessment of long-term objectives and the

establishment of the right management structure to utilize and manage the project.

Without a fully support from supplier and design engineers, the contractor might

have become a “white elephant.”

Close co-operation between three partners ensures that the ultimate customer

obtains the right solutions and that the partners develop a reputation that enhances

their professional credibility.

• Reducing costs

Buyers and sellers co-operate on a joint development program to reduce

‘through-life’ costs of a number of key component. The seller contributes technical

expertise while the buyers provide the supplier with advice on improving the quality



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and cost effectiveness of its manufacturing processes. The supplier and design

engineer ensures long-term customer loyalty, while the contractor and developer

reduce their overall costs.

Risk is reduced for buyers since they get to know people in the supplier

organization, and know who to contact when problem arise. Communication is thus

improved. Good communication is critical. Good means open, honest and continual.

If either party has alternative plans to those being openly discussed then eventually

they will be found out and whole relationship will be in jeopardy. Communication

will be through numerous means such as telephone, faxes, short message send

(SMS), e-mail, questionnaires, quotations and drawings. This communication results

in the supplier being treated and feeling as a part of the buyer company. When a

friendly relationship builds up between the buyers and suppliers over the years, the

supplier almost becomes a part of the buyer’s organization.

• Developing a joint market

EFCO co-operates with design engineers to develop the new market for a

new system design. By providing high levels of technical and manufacturing support,

EFCO ensures that contractor understands how to make the best use of the new

concepts. By developing joint product marketing initiatives, the partners are able to

educate large-scale users.

As a result, the developers increase their market share and builds stronger

relationship with the ultimate customer, while EFCO expand the market for their

products.



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Partnering is built by experiencing good works together. Being partners is the

result of multiple accomplishments over considerable time. Most partnering is the

result of passing many tests under a wide range of circumstances. Persistent

performance is the keynote. Being a partner is one half of a sales relationship.

Converting a customer into a partner is the necessary other half.

• Differentiating services

A developer wishes to improve its service to purchaser by offering quality

home. The contractor works in partnering with leading manufacturers and design

engineers in each sector, helping contractor and developer to set up production

processes that will ensure the highest standards of customer services.

The supplier gets access to larger markets and higher levels of business, while

the developer is able to improve its cost position by offering purchasers added value

and differentiate their services from price competitors. Partnering occurred because

both partners recognized the business benefits that would result.

Partners have common objectives. Each partner wants to improve his pride

and profit. Partners have agreed on common strategies for achieving their objectives.

Partners are at common risk. Partners have a common defense against all others who

are not included in the partnering.

The basic business of partnering is two parties doing valuable things for each

other. If one partner stops contributing to the enterprise, the partnering stops. A

partnering can therefore be summed up at any time as an energy system whose net

worth is the total value of the things currently being done in it.



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The partners are sharing in improved profit, and shared experience of

learning together just how their profits can be improved. The act of learning together

is one of the strongest bonding agents in a customer-salesman partnering. It is the

growth element in the relationship because it ensures that both partners will grow. A

successful partnering is mutual support.

Each partner divides the relationship’s labor according to his individual

capabilities. These three benefits which accomplishing shared objectives, learning

together and supporting each other are the cornerstones of customer-salesman

partnering.

To make a partnering work, the salesman must be positioned as a consultant,

and the customer must be positioned as her client. The working partnering exists

when the suppliers are involved in the customer’s planning processes, and when the

customer also involved in the suppliers’ planning processes. This relationship is

close and mutually dependent.

How close the customer allows them to involve in their business that depends

on supplier relationships with the customer, and how much value the customer

believes supplier that they can add value to their business process. Therefore sellers

need to maintain contact, and build loyalty over a much longer period of time.

Therefore, selling industrial products requires a long-term selling plan. A plan based

on years of association between the buyer and seller.

If suppliers are to get competitive advantage by dealing more

comprehensively with key accounts, they must have a long-term plan. Built on trust

and demonstrated performance require open line of communication between multiple

layers of the buying and selling organization. Deep-seated confidence takes time to

build. It is based on repeated use, and the assurance which comes from not being let

down.



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is the growth element in the relationship because it ensured that both partners will

grow.

A successful partnering is mutual support. Each partner divides the

relationship’s labor according to his individual capabilities. These three benefits

which accomplished shared objectives, learning together and supporting each other

are the cornerstones of customer-salesman partnering.

The partners can help their relationship by motivating each other when the

going gets tough, keeping each other honest and playing the outfield for each other

so that outsider will find it hard to score points against the partners. From a seller’s

point of view, he can sell more, sell more often or justify a premium price for what

he sell of which help him improve his own profit in sales. To make a partnering

work, the salesman must be positioned as a consultant and the customer must be

positioned as his client.



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CHAPTER V

CONTRACTORS’ EXPECTATION IN IMPLEMENTING

EFCO HAND E-FORM RC SHEAR WALL DESIGN.

4.1 Introduction

Why New Construction method (EFCO E-Form RC Shear Wall Concept) Can Beat

Old Conventional Method (Beam and Column concept)?

Conventional design structure use wood products for formwork forming

where require intensive labors to perform it. Normally, its structural design

emphasised heavy rebar component with minimum concrete frame. Its walls remain

infilling with brick walls which require a lot of skill workers for brick laying works

and plastering works. Currently, the market prices of rebar, wood, timber planks,

skill labor, brick, sand have been increasing. This will result in falling profit for the

house development. Developer will try other alternative means of method to gain

profit in competitive market. New construction technology intent to reduced

construction capital is the better way to mark up the profit for housing development.



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EFCO form work method for shear wall design is the pioneer leading provide

new structure framework in residential landed housing project. RC shear wall design

have provide several advantages in rectify the old conventional method. These

advantages are the main expectation for the developers and contractors in achieving

effectives of process in this new technology.

5.2 The Advantages of EFCO E-Form RC Shear Wall Design

5.2.1 Reduce Rebar Content

New design which is used EFCO E-form RC shear wall are more emphasised

in BRC building structure. When BRC quantity increases, it result BRC material cost

for overall project increases. On the contrary manner, the rebar tonnage is reduced.

Finally, the rebar material cost reduced and Rebar labor fixing cost reduced. ( Tan,

2004)

In construction market, rebar labor fixing rate is higher than BRC labor fixing

rate. Rebar labor fixing productivity is lower than BRC labor fixing. When Bar

bender fixing cost reduces, overall steel material and labor rate also be reduced.

Figure 5.1 shows the comparison of quantity steel and BRC between the

conventional method and the EFCO E-form RC shear wall method which is used in

sunflower double storey terrace house in Taman Pulai Utama, Johor. From the result,

it is indicated that the conventional method is used more rebar and A7 BRC which is

3.2 tonnages and 0.602 tonnages separately. The total amount of steel bar in

sunflower double storey terrace house which is used conventional method is 3.8

tonnages per unit house. While the EFCO E-form RC shear wall designs required

0.646 tonnages rebar, 0.973 tonnages A9 BRC, 1.057 tonnages A7 and 0.373



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tonnages of B6 BRC per unit house. The sum of rebar, A9 BRC, A7 BRC and B6

BRC are 3.049 tonnages. The steel reinforcement’s cost in conventional method is

RM 9394.40 per unit which is compared to the EFCO E-form RC shear wall designs

is RM 6620.00. It is shows that the construction price for the new method has been

reduced for RM 2774.40 per unit house compare to the conventional old method.

STEEL

REINFORCEMENT

Kg QTY RATE Kg AMOUNT QTY RATE Kg AMOUNT

A. REBAR Kg 3200.00 2.50 3200 8000.00 8000.00 2.50 646 1615.00

B. BRC BRC A9

WEIGHT 4.99kgMS 0.00 9.00 0 0.00 195.00 9.00 973 1755.00

BRC A7

WEIGHT 3.02kgMS 199.20 7.00 602 1394.40 350.00 7.00 1057 2450.00

BRC B6

WEIGHT 3.73kgMS 0.00 8.00 0 0.00 100.00 8.00 373 800.00

TOTAL 3802 9394.40 3049 6620.00

CONVENTIONAL

METHOD

EFCO-EFORM RC

SHEAR WALL METHOD

Figure 5.1: Comparison Steel Reinforcement Price between the Conventional

Method and EFCO E-Form RC Shear Wall Design

5.2.2 Building is Lighter

The new design which is EFCO E-form RC shear wall design provides lesser

steel content. It is also less weight from brick wall of which provide loading to the

foundation. So its advantages in reduce the total weight for the building. There will

be less loading to be transfer to the foundation and directly reduce the burden of the

ground to support the weight of the building. Finally, there will be less loading for

the RC pile foundation system. Directly, the number of piles reduces. It has some

cost saving for foundation work, so the costs of rebar, concrete, formwork, labor,time, and machinery cost, interest, finance are also reduce.



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5.2.3 Increase Formwork Cycle

In the new structure design, the structure engineer designs for repeat

structure. It is because all RC shear walls are similar in transfer the same loading to

the ground. There are 70% to 90% of the building brick wall volume are converts to

reinforce concrete wall in the new design. When the structure is designed without

beams or fewer beams, the formwork casting time can be reduced. The time frame

for RC shear wall structural curing are less where compare to the conventional beam

and column method. So the number of formwork cycle will be increased.

The EFCO hand E-form panel applies alloy steel material in fabricate the

framework. It has provided strong frame work of which can prevent the formwork

from wear and tear. This strong formwork panel is designed for longer lifespan can

be handling for the repeatedly cycle up to 800 times.

5.2.4 Material Cost Reduced

In EFCO E-Form RC shear wall method, 70% to 90% of brick wall quantity

reduced. Brick work will covered approximately 30% of the progress work. Through

new technology, it reduced cost for bricks laying and material wastage. Material

wastage like sand, cement and lime also can be reduced. The hoisting time of

material also reduced. It also leads to effectively in site maintaining and

coordination.



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From labor point of view, skim coating work is easily work comparison with

plastering work. Cost of plastering is expensive than skim coating, because the skill

level of plastering is higher than skim coating due to uneven surface of brick laying

or due to the quality of wooden formwork for beams and columns. Skim finish

provided beautiful surface than plastering in additional that cost reduce for final

finishing.

It is the bigger reinforce concrete structural frame, it provide stronger

building structure. In the quality condition, the RC shear walls result in lesser

plastering hairline crack. So the defect problem can be overcome. Building with no

defect and free maintenance is a good promotion for the purchase marketing.

Resident purchaser will feel more confident with the quality of the company while it

promotes a good reputation to the company. The management has more time to focus

on core business because the complaints from purchasers are lesser.

QTY RATE AMOUNT QTY RATE AMOUNT

A. BRICK WALL MS 346.48 22.00 7622.56 65.50 22.00 1441.00

LABOR + MATERIAL

B. PLASTERING MS 692.96 11.00 7622.56 131.00 11.00 1441.00

LABOR + MATERIAL

C. SKIM COATING MS 199.59 4.00 798.55 761.55 4.00 3046.2

LABOR + MATERIAL

16043.48 5928.20

EFCO-EFORM RC

SHEAR WALL METHOD

TOTAL

CONSTRUCTION

ACTIVITY METHOD

CONVENTIONAL

Figure 5.2: Comparison Construction Material Price between the Conventional

Method and EFCO E-Form RC Shear Wall Design

Figure 5.2 shows the comparison of construction activity and the price

between the conventional method and the EFCO E-form RC shear wall method



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which is used in sunflower double storey terrace house in Taman Pulai Utama, Johor.

It is indicated that both conventional method and EFCO E-Form RC shear wall

consisted construction activities of brick work, plastering work and skim coating

work. But the EFCO E-Form RC shear wall showed to have fewer amounts than the

conventional method where the differences is RM 10115.28. From the result, we can

conclude that the RC shear wall is a very productivity method compare to the

conventional method.

5.2.5 Workers Safety Factor Increased

Labor productivity increases for all type of trades due to clean and neat site.

The EFCO E-form panels generally involve few workers in accomplish the

construction work. Only a group of workers will responsible in fix BRC, set up the

formwork, concreting and formwork stripping. When compare with conventional

type, it need many types of skill workers such as bar bender, carpenter and masonry

workers. System formwork is durable and safe to use which is provided neat and

safety site. Workers work in a safety site without a big amount of worker result in

site congested. Finally the site insurance charge reduced.

5.2.6 Reduction in Dependence on Foreign Workers

The EFCO Hand E-Form RC wall approach to diverted the labour intensive

construction method to the new fabricated method on site where effectively reduce

the construction dependency on foreign labour in the local construction industry. It is

only need a small gang of workers to performed the fabrication and dismantle work.



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The same group of workers also worked in BRC fix and casting work. It had reduced

60% of labours in conventional method.

5.2.7 Site Maintaining Cost Reduced

It is required lesser coordination and supervising when implementing the

daily elect work. The innovation of the hand e-form will reduce coordination cost for

example supervises the workers in various type of construction work. This

advantages criteria will ended up with lesser site personnel instead of need to employ

many supervisor for different type of work. System formwork enhances the quality

of the structure. Without untidily material in site, it can provide neat and clean site.

Labor productivity will increase when neat and clean as well as safety site.

5.2.8 Site Overhead Reduced

Construction period is shortened or causes of project delay are lesser. The

coordination and supervision cost reduce. The numbers of site personnel reduce.

Cost machineries for site clearing reduced from clean site not required site clearing

maintenance from time to time.



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5.2.9 Uniform Building by law 1984

44. (1) The height of rooms in residential buildings other than shop houses

shall be for living rooms, not less than 2.5 meter.

(2) The average height of rooms with sloping ceilings in residential buildings

other than shop houses shall be for living rooms, not less than 2.5 meters. (Ngoh Kim

Siah, 2004)

Table 5.1: Different Height between Conventional Method and RC Shear Wall

Method

DESCRIPTION CONVENTIONAL METHOD EFCO E-FORM RC

SHEAR WALL METHOD

MINIMUM HEAD

ROOM REQUIRED 2500 mm 2500mm

ASSUMPTION BEAM SLAB THINKNESS AVERAGE

"+ SLAB DEPTH 450 mm - 700 mm 110 mm TO 175 mm

MINIMUM FLOOR

HEIGHT 2950 - 3200 mm 2610 - 2675 mm

The difference in building height between conventional method and EFCO E-Form

RC shear wall method is 340 to 525 mm.

What the above figures mean?

When the developers reduce the floor height, they have additional cost saving

in materials such as tiling (when developer provide full floor height tiling), painting,

formwork, rebar, concrete, crane, brick, plastering, skim coat and other type of

machinery, building weight, numbers of piling, labors, overhead, site maintenance,

capital investment, time, interest and finance cost.



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5.2.10 Step Progress Claim is Different

Table 5.2: Step Progress Claim for RC Shear Wall Design

DESCRIPTION % DURATION DAYS

THE FOUNDATION WORKS ( 4 - 6 BLOCKS) 15 6 WEEKS 42 DAYS

THE REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAMEWORK OF

HOUSE (4 BLOCKS) 25 12 WEEKS 84 DAYS

THE WALLS WITH DOOR FRAME & WINDOW

FRAMES PLACED IN POSITION (4 BLOCKS) 15 4 WEEKS 28 DAYS

THE ELECTRICAL WIRING, PLUMBING

(WITHOUT FITTINGS), GAS PIPING (IF ANY),

INTERNAL SKIM COATING/ PLASTERING.

THE ROOFING, EXTERNAL PLASTERING 10 8 WEEKS 56 DAYS

THE ROAD, DRAIN, SEWERAGE WORKS 15 8 WEEKS 56 DAYS

TOTAL 80 38 WEEKS 266 DAYS

Table 5.3: Step Progress Claim for Conventional Method





BRICK WALL 10 15 WEEKS 105 DAYS

ROOFING 10 6 WEEKS 42 DAYS

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL PLASTERING 10 23 WEEKS 161 DAYS

SEWERAGE 5 6 WEEKS 42 DAYS

DRAINAGE 5 6 WEEKS 42 DAYS

THE ROAD WORKS 5 2 WEEKS 14 DAYS




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From the above table (Richard Ong, 2004), it is indicated that the progress

claim for the 2 method are difference. For the RC shear wall method, the foundation

works covered 15% of overall, reinforced concrete framework is 25%, walls with

door frame, electrical wiring, plumbing and internal skim coat covered 15%, roofing

and external plastering is 10% and finally 15% for the road, drain and sewerage

works. In conventional method, normally, foundation is 20 %, reinforced concrete

frame is 15%, brick works covered 10%, roofing is 10%, internal and external

plastering is 10%, sewerage works is 5%, 5% for drainage works and finally 5% for

the roads works.

From the result, the RC shear wall design combined together brick work and

RC wall which is in conventional method. In other words, when the contractor claims

the reinforced frame work in RC shear method, it is already covered RC plus brick

works. It is revealed that the RC shear walls have the advantages in fast claim when

the contractor claim RC works.

The second advantage is the comparison between the duration for the 4

blocks of double storey terrace houses in both methods. For the RC shear wall

design, it is only needed 38 weeks (266 days) to complete the construction works.

While the conventional method needed 72 weeks (504 days) to complete for the

same unit of houses. The difference is 238 days which is about 3/4 year. The EFCO

hand E-Form RC shear wall design promotes fast track system to accelerate the

duration of the project completed in a short term of period.

5.2.11 Quality Control

With the durable, all steel Hand-E-Form panels, each successive home built

are as high quality as the first. When contractor build a house using pre-engineering



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and pre-fabricated alloy steel Hand-E-Form panels, it offers greater control of

accuracy and workmanship during construction. This result in a higher quality

structure compared to the conventional method using a lot of timber formwork.

Timber formwork needs constantly fabrication. The quality of timber

formwork very much depends on the individual skills of workers of which made the

quality of each home built are different.

Wood is getting scarcely. Wood will decay when there is too much moisture.

That presents particularly when it is in contact with the ground. Meanwhile a

carpenter used a lot of nails to make the structural parts of wood built forms.

Fasteners, including nails, are the weakest part of any construction joint.

Meanwhile, the potential failures of wood formwork, it represents a great

hazard to workers whom working around and on it. Unskilled workers always over

secure the wood forms. Too many nails will weaken lumber, and increase difficulty

of removing the forms, and reduce the usage of the plywood and timbers.

5.3 The Advantages of EFCO Alloy Steel Panels Instead of Wood Built Form

The choice between wood and EFCO alloy steel panels depends on how much

the form will be reused.



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5.3.1 Tidier and More Workman Like

The job site where EFCO alloy steel panels were used was immeasurably

tidier and more workmanlike than the job sites where wood forms used. In a large

jobs, where several areas would be under construction at the same time, for example

(Taman Pulai Utama, Taman Sri Kluang, Taman Kluang Baru II, Taman Saujana,

Taman Bukit Perdana, Taman Megah, Evergreen Height, Taman Seremban Jaya

(BCB Housing Project), it was easy to visualize the mountains of wrecked form

lumber that would have lying about in various stages of abandonment, and felt that it

would be worth money have the advantage of a clean and orderly job site.

5.3.2 Speed in Erecting and Dismantling Forms

After a carpenter and workers have a week or so of experience, it was

positively fascinating to stand and watch them put together a new section of panels.

After the workers had master the erecting and dismantle panel, the construction

works become more in fabricate process. The speed of work depends on the effective

workers for more cycle could be done.

5.3.3 Good Appearance

The alloy steel panels in their various symmetrical shapes leave not only a

smooth surface to the finished concrete; it leaves also a pleasing pattern. There was

little touching up, finishing and cement washing of the surface. This in itself means



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more than meets the eyes. I felt there was some cost saving in having uniformly nice

surfaces that need little touching up.

5.4 The Advantages of EFCO Alloy Steel Panels Instead of Normal Mild Steel

Form

Normal mild steel is heavy than EFCO alloy steel panels. If the contractors

intend to use normal mild steel form to perform handset forming, it is need to

produce many small pieces of panels. Too many small panels have too many joints.

It will cost more in finishing cost. Small panels need a lot of accessories. A lot of

accessories mean wear and tear, and damage as well as missing cost is higher. It will

also slow down formwork labor productivity.

Alloy steel is the top of the line for value and performance in handset forming

due to its lightweight. If the project is well planning in advance, it may be able to use

600mm X 1500mm panels alone at 70% to 80% of the form done. With the other

twelve largest panels, it will make up about 90% of the square meters of Hand-E-

Form panels. This further helps increase formwork labor productivity.

When the formwork manufacturer make a little extra investment in tooling

can make a lot of difference in manufacturing process of which produces the

different quality of formwork equipments. Not all brands of manufacturing

equipment and tooling, including production dies, are the same and, very seldom, are

the initial investment the determining factor.

The advantages of EFCO hand E-form



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5.4.1 Versatile and Adaptable

Hand-E-Form panels can be stand up, lay on vertical or horizontally. Besides

that, it is also allow to form around a curve, do high walls, low walls, straight wall,

round walls, basement walls, retaining walls, abutments, treatment plants, form step

footings, foundations, do corners, pilaster, tunnels, culverts, scale pits, pre-cast

components, water reservoirs, and so on. It is doesn’t need to modify the face sheet

and panel. It can be replace, and add new panels, and use with old.

Formwork needs to be very flexible. For contractors who intend to own the

formwork, they must consider their future formwork must have the characteristics of

that allow the contractor to use the formwork from one project to another project.

The versatile and adaptable factors are very important. In order to achieve the

best result, the contractor needs to think of the entire project when selecting the type

of forms and form material(s).

5.4.2 One-man Operation

The EFCO E-Form panel is the most lightweight panel. It is only 29kg per

square meter, it includes a panel with the steel alloy face sheet, steel stiffeners and

side flanges of which all welded together, and so it can be set in one piece. It is

already has built-in Wales, studs and sheeting, stiffeners. It helps contractors save the

current fabrication cost. It required no wedges or nails for alignment. Only single

steel aligners, never double, are required to straighten the form set-up.



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Form systems, which one man alone with two hands could strip, move,

assemble, align and plumb. One man can do all operations. It eliminates the buddy

system to one-man operation, and no crane is needed during fixing the formwork.

This reduces inefficiencies when a few workers are standing around waiting for

another to return or waiting for a crane.

System formwork breaks the work down into simple tasks similar to factory

process eliminated the buddy system to one-man operation.

5.4.3 Simple Mechanics

The equipment includes only HEF clamps, spreader tiepins, spreader ties,

rubber seated aligner clamps, pipe braces, aligner tubes, and panels. EFCO Forms are

very simple and handy as far as assembly is concerned which results in a high

productivity rate.

As the system is very simple, there is not a lot of equipment to handle, lose

and replace. Accurately inventory counts that make it easily kept track of the stock.

Simple storage that makes it very easily stored in small area, and it is easy to be kept

for future reuse. It is ready to be use as soon as it arrives on the job site. Transports

easily, transports twice as many square meters in the same truckload of which

comparison with other concepts. Size and weight of panels provide for easy

breakdown, packaging and demobilization of large quantities of materials.



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5.4.4 Lesser Finish Costs

EFCO have a high quality manufacturing process. EFCO face sheet used

laser cut, and form the panels with steel frame through robot welding. EFCO face

sheet is over steel flange, which is producing a better form joint. This “single” tight

joint with no offsets which help produce a dimensionally accurate. It provides a

consistently smooth concrete finish.

Finish cost decreased directly associated with patch and rub due to the forms

leave minimal, sharp lines, which are easily knocked down with a stone. No grinding

and excessive rubbing of residual patterns left by lumber forms or steel forms with

lumber inserts. Patching of tie holes is minimal due to the flat configuration of the

tie.

5.4.5 Flat Spreader Tie System

Spreader ties can be removed without disturbing the form set-up. EFCO

spreader tie has a very small tie hole, 2mm width and 25mm length. It means that

there is a lesser patching cost, lesser water leakage problem for external wall.

It also provides faster installation, and generates higher productivity, because

it have lesser chance to hit BRC or rebar compared to normally 16mm, 32mm or

40mm diameter of tie rod and wind nut concept.



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It is no needs embedded items such as PVC tubes and cones. It helps to save

labor, material and coordinating cost. Its spreader tie also has a built-in function of

which help control the wall thickness as well as increasing the labor productivity.

The disadvantages of RC Shear wall design.

5.4.6 Concrete Surface Increases

Concrete volume increases. Concrete cost increases. Concrete volume per

pour is very little, because the pour speed of concrete is very slow. Concrete needs

properly vibration in order to avoid honeycomb. Crane usage frequency increases.

Crane cost increases. Concrete labor rate increases.



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Table 5.4: Quantity and Total Price of Concrete for One Unit Sunflower Double

Storey Terrace House in Conventional Method.

CONVENTIONAL METHOD

DESCRIPTION UNIT QTY RATE AMOUNT

A. CONCRETE

FOOTING AND STUMP MC 11.60 164 1902.40

GROUND FLOOR BEAM MC 4.30 164 705.20

GROUND FLOOR COLUMN MC 4.80 164 787.20

GROUND FLOOR SLAB MC 16.70 164 2738.80

FIRST FLOOR SLAB & BEAM MC 17.76 164 2912.64

FIRST FLOOR COLUMN MC 1.00 164 164.00

ROOF BEAM MC 4.40 164 721.60

UPPER ROOF BEAM MC 2.87 164 470.68

STAIRCASE MC 1.80 164 295.20

RC CUTTER MC 1.25 164 205.00

WALL (ROUND + 1st FLOOR) MC 0.00 164 0

TOTAL 66.48 10902.72



95

wall needs to be dismantled and rectified it to the correct portion. The inaccuracy of

wall setting lead to the delay of the progress and of formworks transfers cycle.

Besides, the EFCO panel also disable for extra dimension fix. There is a case

in Taman Pulai Utama where for the expansion joint, the workers join the empty

space with wood fix between the 2 panels.

5.5.2 The Progress Claim Issue

In previous chapter had mentioned that one of the advantages of the RC shear

wall design is a fast amount progress claim for the frame works out of overall the

project. Although there is an advantage in progress claim, but it is also result in delay

for the particular claim. For example, below chart show that the comparison for the

first and second description progress claim where after the foundation have been

claimed, the developer need to wait for extra time (1 month) to claim the second

claim for RC frame work.

This is the condition affected the developers’ financial control for those very

depend on claim for business turnover. The developer or contractor attempt to

acquire more formwork to achieved the claim target on time. It is effected the

increase of material cost for the project overhead.



96

Table 5.6: Progress Claim and Construction Period 4 Blocks of Sunflower

Double Storey Terrace House in RC Shear Wall Method





THE WALLS WITH DOOR FRAME & WINDOW

FRAMES PLACED IN POSITION (4 BLOCKS) 15 4 WEEKS 28 DAYS

THE ELECTRICAL WIRING, PLUMBING

(WITHOUT FITTINGS), GAS PIPING (IF ANY),

INTERNAL SKIM COATING/ PLASTERING.

THE ROOFING, EXTERNAL PLASTERING 10 8 WEEKS 56 DAYS

THE ROAD, DRAIN, SEWERAGE WORKS 15 8 WEEKS 56 DAYS


Table 5.7: Progress Claim and Construction Period 4 Blocks of Sunflower

Double Storey Terrace House in Conventional Method





BRICK WALL 10 15 WEEKS 105 DAYS

ROOFING 10 6 WEEKS 42 DAYS

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL PLASTERING 10 23 WEEKS 161 DAYS

SEWERAGE 5 6 WEEKS 42 DAYS

DRAINAGE 5 6 WEEKS 42 DAYS

THE ROAD WORKS 5 2 WEEKS 14 DAYS




97

CHAPTER VI

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:

THE ACCEPTANCE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY TO THE END USER.

6.1 Introduction

This chapter discusses the data collection process involved in the study. The

data for this research was collected through the use of questionnaires targeting house

purchaser in Melaka and Johor, Malaysia.

This chapter presents the third part of objectives for this study. The chapter

will discuss on procedures included process of data collection from questionnaires,

identification of respondent, a survey and analysis of data collected using StatisticalPackage for the Social Sciences (SPSS) with version 12.



98

6.2 Identification of Respondents

Relevant information has been studied for this report. This literature review

on variety of information resources was done. The information is obtained through

the reading of relevant journals, books, other researches, Internet, articles and papers.

Besides, several interviews are conducted between supplier, developers and

contractors to collect information for current progress condition. The literature

review also provided foundation for designed questionnaires that adopted in this

study.

6.3 Questionnaire Design

The questionnaire was designed into three sections. (Please refer Appendix A

for the sample of questionnaire form)

a. Section A (Personal particulars)

It captures the background details of the respondents such as profession,

gender and race.

b. Section B (Information about the respondents’ preference)

This section is obtained information about the respondents’ category of house

purchased. The purpose of the house purchased. How much is the amount of

purchase. Finally is purchasers’ property location.



99

c. Section C (The respondents’ knowledge about the RC wall design)

This section is to evaluate the respondents’ reaction on RC shear wall design.

The questions is created to test the respondent opinion in RC shear wall design

and find out their preferences in order to upgrade the EFCO E-form shear wall

design suitable for them. This section also intended to collect the comments from

respondent to improve the current circumstance of RC shear wall design system.

6.4 Data Collection

A questionnaire (Appendix A) was prepared to identify the current condition

RC shear wall design in the current market. The RC shear wall was implemented in

the market for quite some time but very few study was carry out to discover the

efficiencies of this method. The study is aimed to explore the opinion of the

respondents about the method and to improve the effectiveness of the method

simultaneously. The questionnaires have been sent to 100 various company sales

offices within Johor and Melaka State.

6.5 Size of Sample

The questionnaires were handed out to purchasers through the BCB berhad

sales office in Taman Pulai Utama Johor, Malpakat sales office in Taman Dato

Chellam Johor and NSK sales office in Taman Merbok Melaka. However, only 50

had been completed and returned. This gives responding rate of 50%. Time



101

6.6.1 Frequency Analysis

The Frequencies procedure provides statistics and graphical displays that are

useful for describing many types of variables. For a first look at data, the Frequencies

procedure is a good place to start. For a frequency report and bar chart, it can arrange

the distinct values in ascending or descending order or order the categories by their

frequencies. The frequencies report can be suppressed when a variable has many

distinct values. It is accomplish by label charts with frequencies (the default) or

percentages.

6.6.2 Analysis of the Interaction of Variables

Two variable design designs allows using research resources efficiently,

analyse the interaction among variables and increase statistical power. Two variable

designs can help us to understand how combinations of variables influence the result.

It combine different levels of the two variables and result in observe the combined

effect of the variables which would not able to see in single variable study. These

unique results represent the interaction of the two variables. An interaction represents

a pattern of results that the independent variables by themselves cannot explain.



102

6.7 Findings

6.7.1 Frequency Analysis of Data Collection

100 set of questionnaire were sent out and 50 set of it have been completed

and returned. Out of the 50 respondents who provided information on their

profession or designation, 7 were the self employed, 16 were the professional, 17

were involve in service sector and finally 10 were from others profession .Figure 6.1

shows the composition of respondent by profession given in percentage.

Respondents' Profession

Self Employed

14%

Professional

32%

Service34%

Others

20%

Self Employed

Professional

Service

Others

Figure 6.1: The Composition of Respondent by Profession

14% (14 nos.) of respondents were from self employed. 32% (16 nos.) of

them were professional. 34% (17 nos.) were those involved in service sector and

20% or 10 person were from others profession. Table 6.2 shows that occupation of

the respondents.



103

Table 6.2: Respondent’s Occupation

Occupation Frequency Percent Cumulative Percent

Self Employed 7 14.0 14.0

Professional 16 32.0 46.0

Service 17 34.0 80.0

Others 10 20.0 100.0

Total 50 100.0

Based on bar chart 6.2, 44 of the surveyed respondents were male and 6 of

them were female. It is indicated that most of the respondents own property in survey

area were male.

Respondents' Gender

44

6

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Male Female

Figure 6.2: Respondent’s Gender



104

Respondents' Race

Malay

36%

Chinese

44%

Indian16%

Others

4%

Malay

Chinese

Indian

Others

Figure 6.3: Respondent’s Race in Survey Area

The most surveyed respondents were Chinese which covered 44% overall of

the respondents. The second is the Malay which is 36%. 16% of the respondents

were Indian and 4% included in others.

As conclusion, majority of the respondents were Chinese and Malay.



105

Type Of House To Purchase

4

17

5

8

16

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

S i n g l e S t o r e y T e r r a c e

H o u s e

D o u b l e S t o r e y T e r r a c e

H o u s e

S e m i D e t a c h e d H o u s e

B u n g a l o w

C l u s t e r H o u s e

Single Storey

Terrace House

Double StoreyTerrace House

Semi DetachedHouse

Bungalow

Cluster House

Figure 6.4: Category of House Purchase by Respondents

Table 6.3: Category of House Purchase by Respondents

Type Of House Frequency Percentage Cumulative Percent

Single Storey

Terrace House4 8.0 8.0

Double Storey

Terrace House17 34.0 42.0

Semi Detached

House5 10.0 52.0

Bungalow 8 16.0 68.0

Cluster House 16 32.0 100.0

Total 31 100.0



106

From the above figure, majority the purchasers purchased Double Story

Terrace House (34%) and Cluster House (32%). There were 16% of respondent

purchased bungalows; however, there were 10% of purchaser purchased semi

detached house and 8% purchased single storey terrace house. In other words, most

of the respondents proper to purchase double storey terrace house and cluster house.

41

9

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

For residential For investment

The Purpose of House Purchase

Figure 6.5: Purposes to Purchase House

The survey indicates that commonly respondents were bought house for

residential purposes which is 41 of purchasers aim for it. For the rest of 9 were for

the investment purposes.



107

Amount of The Purchase

8%

12%

22%58%

50000-100000

100001-200000

200001-300000

>300001

Figure 6.6: The Amount of the Respondents’ Purchase

This survey also identified that 58% or 29 out of 50 respondents purchased

houses value RM300001 and above. Another 22% or 8 people were answered that

the house value is between RM200001 to RM300000. 12% of them purchased

house’s value between RM100001 to RM200001 while 8% of them were purchased

house value between RM50000 to RM100000.



109

Out of the 50 respondents, 23 were familiar with RC shear wall design and 27

were not familiar with RC shear wall design. Basically it is shows that not many

respondents were knowledge with RC shear wall design. The Figure 6.8 shows the

distribution of respondent according to those familiar and unfamiliar with RC shear

wall design.

32

18

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Yes No

Agree With The Implementation of RC Sh ear

Wall method

Figure 6.9: Respondents’ Opinion in Implementation of RC Shear Wall Method

in Their Property

From the above figure, we can interpret that most of the respondents feel that

they can accept implementation of RC shear wall for their house purchased. There

were 32 of response (64%) agreed with the new technology system but 18 (36%)of

them reluctant to this technology. This is showing that although some of the

respondents were not familiar with this system but they still can accept the system

for their property.



110

Acceptance o f RC Shear Wall in the Well Mar ket Area

36, 72%

14, 28%

Yes

No

Figure 6.10: The Respondents’ Acceptance of RC Shear Wall in Well MarketArea

Figure 6.10 shown 72% or 36 of 50 respondents can accept the RC Shear wall

design in the well market area. Only 28% or 14 respondents said that they can’t

accept the RC shear wall design although the house property is in the well market

area. This is indicated that well market area is also a consideration issue to the

implementation of RC Shear wall.

20

30

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Yes No

Possibility For Respondents to Renovate Their

House

Figure 6.11: Possibility for Respondents to Renovate their House



111

he results from this Figure 6.11 showed that among them, there were only 20

(40%) of 50 respondents plan to renovate their house. 30 of them planning to

renovate their house. This figure pointed that there is an others condition affect this

figure because Malaysians normally will do renovation for their house.

Below are analyses for 20 respondents whose plan to do renovation. Future

analysis is based on 20 respondents.

9

11

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Infront The Car Porch,

Behind The Kitchen

Infront The Car Porch,

Behind The Kitchen, Inside

of House

Area To Renovate

Figure 6.12: Respondents’ Preferable Area for House Renovate

Analysis shows that there is nearly equal numbers of respondents were either

renovates 2 path of area, in front the Car porch area and behind the kitchen area or

both 3 part of area, in front the car porch area, behind the kitchen and inside the

house. Majority of respondent (11, 55%) plan renovate both 3 area. However, there is

9 of 20 respondents plan to renovate 2 path of area.



112

Acceptance For In terior Renovation No t

Allow

2, 10%

18, 90%

Yes

No

Table 6.13: The Acceptance of Respondents for Interior Renovation is Not

Allow

From the 20 respondents plan to renovate house, the figure shows that 90% ofrespondents were disagree for the house that is not allowed for interior renovation.

Only 2 of them (10%) agreed for renovation is not allowed. According to analysis in

figure 6.13, most of the respondents plan to renovate their house cannot accept the

house that not allow to renovate for interior design. The others 30 respondents could

accept the house cannot be renovate.



113

Area To Renovate

0%

60%30%

10%

Wall between dining room and living Wall between family hall and dining roomToilet Wall Wall between bedrooms

Figure 6.14: Area to Renovate

Figure 6.14 shown that most of the respondents (60%) were commonly

dismantle wall between dining room and living room for renovation. 30% of them

preferred to dismantle wall between family hall and dining for enlarge the space.

10% of the respondents dismantle wall between bedrooms for renovation. Finally

there is no respondents dismantle toilet wall for renovation.

Respondents' Preferable If Both Method

allows renovation.

15, 75%

5, 25%

RC shear wall

design

Conventional

method

Figure 6.15: Respondents’ preferable if both methods allow renovation



115

out that through a well-developed housing project which reduced purchaser

renovation work could increase respondents’ preferences in RC Shear wall design.

Construction businesses should begin to realize that their success is

increasingly dependent on the organizations they supply to and buy from, and that

for continued success they need to cooperate and collaborate across customer-

supplier interfaces.

Yes

No

Bars show

50000-100000 100001-200000 2

rchase?

00001-300000 >300001

How much i s the am ount of pu

0

10

20

30

C o u

50000-100000 100001-200000 200001-300000

How much is the amount of purchase?

>300001

n t

Acceptance RC

Shear Wall

Design in well

Market AreaRespondents

Figure 6.17: Interactive Analysis between the Amounts of the House Purchased

and Acceptance RC Shear Wall Design in Well Market Area

From the analysis, it is shown that for every amount of purchase from 5000 to

exceed 300000, the respondents can accept RC shear wall design in the well market



116

area. This can be an important information to the developer when select the

construction method for project development.

Yes

No

Plan to renovate house

Bars show counts

Melaka Johor

The location of your property

0

10

20

30

C o u n t

Figure 6.18: Interactive Analysis between the Location of Property and

Respondents’ Plan to Renovate House

Analysis showed that there are two main situations in two difference location

in Melaka and Johor. In Melaka, most of the respondents were planning to renovate

their property but only a few were not for it. In Johor state, it is shown that most of

them were bought luxury property were not planning to renovate their property.



117

Yes

No

Do u agree with the imp lementation of RC shear wal l design method to your property?

Yes No

u famili ar with RC shear w all design method?

5

10

15

20

25

C

t

Bars show counts

o u n

Do

Figure 6.19: Interactive Analysis of Respondents’ Familiar RC Shear

Wall Method and Agree with the Implementation of RC Shear

Wall Design Method

Yes

No

Plan to renovate house

0

5

10

15

C

Bars show counts

o u n t

Single StoreyTerrac

Doubl

e

e e Hou

alow

er H ouse

urchase?

BungHouse

Storey Terrac Clustse

Semi Detached House

w hich category of house do u p

Do you familiar with RC shear wall design method?

Do you agree with the implementation of RC shear

wall design method to your property?

SSTH DSTH B SD CH

SSTH – SINGLE STOREYTERRACE

HOUSE

DSTH – DOUBLE STOREYTERRACE HOUSE

B - BUNGALOW

SD - SEMI DETACHED

HOUSE

15

10

Which category of house do you

purchase?

5

Figure 6.20: Interactive Analysis of Respondents’ Familiar RC Shear

Wall Method and Agree with the Implementation of RC ShearWall Design Method



121

From the First Objective which is study the Construction Process of the

EFCO E-form RC Shear Wall Design, it is found that the process of the construction

is begin from site preparation, setting out, foundation, process to fabricate the EFCO

panel form, concrete issue until to the whole building completed. Besides, from the

research, there are some modification were found to improve the effectiveness of the

method. The modifications are to upgrade one direction wall in to two direction

wall. This two directions wall has good criteria as a support the transfer loading from

slab to the foundation. Rectification of the method to not fully implement RC shear

wall design where the developers use 80 % of RC shear wall design and remain 20 %

brick wall design in order to satisfied customers’ renovation habits.

From the in second objective, it is shown that is not easy to promote the new

products to the construction industry. The responsibilities of formwork suppliers are

to move the market from perfect competition toward oligopoly or monopoly. Only

through monopolistic conditions together with outstanding reputation, they

consistently get higher prices than others competitors during market booming.

Besides that, the supplier also apply partnering concept as a tactic to promote the

material effectively. This concept emphasised the win-win situation to those involves

in the business to achieved goal interactively.

The Third Objective which is related Study the Contractors’ Expectation in

Using EFCO E-Form Panel. The Expectation is Considered Financial Saving,

Workmanship, Quality, Work Progress and Site Condition. The expectation of the

contractors about this method is related with advantages and disadvantages in the

real site progress. By conducted several interviews, objective three had successfully

achieved. From the comparison between the conventional method and RC shear wall

method, it is result that to construct one unit house in RC shear wall method is more

cost effective than the conventional method.

Finally for the objective 4 in identify the Acceptance of New Technology tothe End User, the survey reveals that the most of the respondents purchased the



122

luxury house such as bungalow, semi detached house and cluster house could accept

the RC shear wall design. It is because this category of respondents can accept where

the interior renovation is not allowed and they are also not plan to renovate the

house.

To conclude the data analysis, the marketing strategy plays an important role

in promoting the sales of the houses. Most of the luxury houses is constructed by

Malpakat development received a very good sales because of the good marketing

package promote by them which effectively attract buyers to purchased the house.

7.3 Recommendation

In order to implement the new technology effectively, there should be trust

among all parties. The partnering system between supplier, consultant and contractor

have shown where in this competitive market, cooperative between all parties are

need to take place in realize win-win situation instead of negative scenario of ‘dog-

eat-dog’. Also, from the result of analysis, most of the advantages in implementing

the EFCO E-form RC shear wall design were lead to the confident factor for

developers’ expectation to perform it well. Besides, within the research, some of the

weaknesses were recognised and it needs to be rectified in order to enhance the

effectiveness of the method. Finally is the most important part where the end user

expectations need to be considered.



123

REFERENCES

R.Lyman Ott, Michael Longnecher (1994). “An Introduction to Statistical Method

and Data Analysis Fifth Edition, Duxbury. 124-200.

David J. Pittenger (1990). “Behavioral Research Design and Analysis”, McGraw

Hill. 87-92.

Elaine C. Nocks and Gilles O. Einstein (1986). “Learning To Use The SPSS Batch

System.” New Jersey: Prentice-Hill.

Sagar V. Kamarthi, Victor E. Sanvido, Soudar R.T. Kmara (1983).“Neuroform –

Neural Network System for Vertical Formwork Selection.” Journal of

Materials Management , pp. 2-10 Fall.

Hosking, D. M. (1988). “Organizing, Leadership, and Skillful Process.” Journal of

Management Studies. 25, 147-166.

Neil Frude (1987). “A Guide to SPSS/PC+.” London: Macmillan Education Ltd.

Zaidatun Tasir dan Mohd Salleh Abu (2003). “Analisis Data Berkomputer SPSS 11.5

for Windows” Kuala Lumpur: Venton Publishing

Zukarnain Zakaria and Hishamuddin Md. Som (2001). “ Analysis Data

Menggunakan SPSS Windows”. Skudai: UTM.

Industrialised Building Systems. Http: //www.cidb.gov.my



124

Formwork and False work Equipment. Http: SCI Global.com

Emerging Construction Technology – Stay in Place Formwork. Http: SIP.com

EFCO Hand E-Form Panel. Http: EFCO.com

Industrialised Building Systems, Roadmap 2003-2010. cidb

Malaysian Construction, Industry Master Plan Framework 2005-2015. cidb



125

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Vivian Ho, Territory Manager. EFCO (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

Wong K.K, Contractor. Bentuk Mahir Sdn Bhd.

Tan S.L, Managing Director. BCB Berhad.

Richard Ong, PA. BCB Construction Sdn Bhd.

Lam K.Y, Director. Reliacon Project Consultant.

Ngoh K.S, Managing Director. NKS Development Sdn Bhd.

Steven Lew, Sales Representative. Chuan Kee Trading.

Tai Y.C, Manager. Twin T Enterprise.



127

Section A: Personal particulars

(Please tick (√) at the answer you choose for the following questions :)

1. What is your profession?

• Self Employed

• Professional

• Service

•Others: ___________________

2. Gender

• Male

• Female

3. Race

• Malay

• Chinese

• Indian

• Others: __________________________

Please state your name, address and contact number.

Name: _____________________________________________________________

Address:

_____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Telephone Number: __________________ E-Mail Address: _____________

Date of Valuation:

____________________________________________________



128

Section B: Obtain information about the respondents’ preference?

4. Which category of house do you purchase?

• Single Storey Terrace House

• Double Storey Terrace House

• Semi Detached House

• Bungalow House

• Cluster House

5. What is the purpose of buying the house?

• For residential

• For investment

6. How much is the amount of purchase?

• RM 50000 - RM 100000

• RM 100000 – RM 200000

• RM 200000 – RM 300000

• > RM 300000

7. Your property is located at ___________.

• Melaka

• Johor



129

Section C: identify the respondents’ knowledge about the RC wall

design.

8. Do you familiar with RC shear wall design method?

Yes

No

9. Do you agree with the implementation of RC shear wall design method to

your property

Yes

No

10. If your house/property is located at the most well property market area, can

you accept it to be build in RC shear wall method?

Yes

No

11. Do you prefer your house/property to be built with nice flat ceiling and

wall?

Yes

No



130

12. Do you have any plan to renovate your house/ property?

Yes

No

If no, proceed to question 20.

13. Which parts of your house do you want to renovate?

• In front car porch area, Behind kitchen area

• In front car porch area, behind kitchen area and inside

the house area.

14. Can you accept your house/property, which interior renovation is not

allowed?

Yes

No

15. Which parts of your house do you plan to dismantle to enlarge the space

inside in the house?

• Wall between dining room and living room.

• Wall between family hall and dining room.

• Toilet wall.

• Wall between bedrooms.



131

16. If both methods, RC shear wall design and conventional beam and column

method enable renovation work, which method would you prefer?

RC Shear Wall Design

Conventional Beam and Column Design

17. Appreciate any comments which you feel the application of precast

concrete technology in improving our construction building industry.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your cooperation

Any enquiry, please contact:-

LIM WAI SHIEN

72, JALAN BESAR, BT 10, LABU

71900. SEREMBAN.

NEGERI SEMBILAN DARUL KHUSUS.



132



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