Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 12
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Building Construction
Curriculum Theme: Building Elements and Structures
Previous Lesson: Suspended Upper Floor: Definition of concrete upper floor, Methods of concrete floor construction.
Topic: SUSPENDED UPPER FLOOR
Subject Matter: Functions of upper floor (support, space use, safety), Suspended timber upper floor (joists and supports)

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define an upper floor.
List at least three functions of an upper floor.
Explain the basic construction method for a suspended timber upper floor.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of proper upper floor construction for safety and structural integrity.
Participate actively in discussions about different types of suspended floors.

Psychomotor Domain:

Identify key components of a suspended timber upper floor from a diagram or sketch.
Sketch a simple diagram illustrating a suspended timber floor.

Collaborate with peers to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different suspended floor systems.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Building Construction for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 2.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Spirit level
Wooden float
Line and pegs
Builder’s square
Diagrams or charts showing suspended timber and concrete upper floors
Pictures of various floor constructions

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding suspended upper floors is important for pupils as it forms a fundamental part of multi-storey building construction. This knowledge helps pupils grasp how buildings are designed to provide additional space and support, while ensuring safety and stability.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have basic knowledge of building components, including foundations, walls, and ground floors.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

SUSPENDED UPPER FLOOR

Definition of Upper Floor

An upper floor is a structural element in a building that separates one storey from another, providing a level surface above the ground floor. It serves as a horizontal partition that creates additional usable space within a multi-storey structure.

Functions of Upper Floor

The following are the main functions of an upper floor:

Support: Upper floors provide support for occupants, furniture, equipment, and partitions on the level above.
Space Use: They create additional usable floor area, enabling the construction of multi-storey buildings for various purposes like residential, commercial, or institutional use.
Safety: Properly constructed upper floors ensure the safety of building users by providing a stable and secure platform, preventing falls, and resisting loads.
Separation: They act as a barrier between different levels, helping with sound insulation and fire resistance between floors.

Types of Suspended Upper Floors

Suspended upper floors can be broadly classified based on the materials used in their construction:

Suspended Timber Upper Floor
Suspended Concrete Upper Floor

Suspended Timber Upper Floor Construction

A suspended timber upper floor typically consists of a framework of timber joists supported by walls or beams. Key components include:

Floor Joists: These are horizontal timber members that span between supports (walls or beams) and carry the floor loads. They are usually spaced evenly.
Wall Plates: Timber members placed horizontally on top of load-bearing walls to provide a level and continuous bearing for the joists.
Herringbone Strutting: Small timber pieces fixed diagonally between joists to stiffen the floor and distribute concentrated loads.
Trimming Joists: Stronger joists used to support the ends of cut joists around openings (e.g., for staircases or chimneys).
Trimmers: Short joists fixed between trimming joists to form the sides of openings.
Floor Boards/Plywood: The covering laid over the joists to form the finished floor surface.

Suspended Concrete Upper Floor Construction

Suspended concrete upper floors are common in modern construction due to their strength, durability, and fire resistance. They are typically constructed using reinforced concrete and can be:

Solid Slabs: A uniform thickness of reinforced concrete spanning between supports.
Ribbed Slabs: Consist of closely spaced ribs or beams cast integrally with a thin slab.
Precast Slabs: Concrete floor units manufactured off-site and lifted into position.
Beam and Block: Precast concrete beams spanned by infill blocks, with a concrete topping.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and reviews the previous lesson on ground floor construction. The teacher then introduces the topic of suspended upper floors by asking pupils what they think supports the floor above them in a multi-storey building.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the greetings, recall the previous lesson, and offer ideas about how upper floors are supported.
Learning Point: Pupils connect previous knowledge to the new topic and are introduced to suspended upper floors.

Step 2: Definition of Upper Floor

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines an upper floor clearly, explaining its role as a structural element that creates additional levels in a building. The teacher uses diagrams to illustrate.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, observe the diagrams, and take notes on the definition.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what an upper floor is in building construction.

Step 3: Functions of Upper Floor

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Listing/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the various functions of an upper floor, such as providing support for loads, creating usable space, ensuring safety, and separating levels. The teacher encourages pupils to suggest other functions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, contribute their ideas, and list the functions in their notes.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and understand the importance of the different functions of upper floors.

Step 4: Types of Suspended Upper Floors

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Categorization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the two main types of suspended upper floors: timber and concrete, briefly mentioning their primary materials.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and note the different types of suspended floors.
Learning Point: Pupils recognize the main categories of suspended upper floors.

Step 5: Suspended Timber Upper Floor Construction

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the construction of a suspended timber upper floor, detailing components like joists, wall plates, herringbone strutting, trimming joists, and trimmers. The teacher uses diagrams or models to demonstrate how these parts fit together.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the diagrams, ask questions for clarification, and take notes on the construction method and components.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the structure and components of a suspended timber upper floor.

Step 6: Suspended Concrete Upper Floor Construction

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides an overview of suspended concrete upper floor construction, mentioning common types like solid slabs, ribbed slabs, and precast units. The teacher highlights the use of reinforcement.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation and ask questions about concrete floor construction.
Learning Point: Pupils gain basic knowledge of suspended concrete upper floor types and construction.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

What is an upper floor?
List three functions of an upper floor.
Mention two main types of suspended upper floors.
Identify two components of a suspended timber upper floor.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of properly constructed upper floors for structural integrity and safety. The teacher assigns homework: “Draw a simple sketch of a suspended timber upper floor and label its main components.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding and are given a task to reinforce learning.

Lesson Keywords

Upper floor – A structural element separating levels in a building.
Suspended floor – A floor that is not directly supported by the ground beneath it.
Joists – Horizontal timber members supporting floor loads.
Trimmers – Short joists supporting cut joists around openings.
Wall plate – Timber member on a wall providing support for joists.
Strutting – Bracing between joists to stiffen the floor.
Concrete slab – A flat, horizontal concrete element forming a floor.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can challenge them to research different methods of sound insulation in upper floors. For pupils who require more support, the teacher will provide additional diagrams and simplified explanations, ensuring they can identify the main components and functions.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should use clear, large diagrams or actual models of floor components to aid understanding. Encourage pupils to ask questions and relate the concepts to buildings they see around them. Practical examples of good and poor construction practices can also be used to highlight the importance of proper building techniques.