Civil Engineering Practice Essay Example
Civil Engineering Practice Essay Example

Civil Engineering Practice Essay Example

Available Only on StudyHippo
View Entire Sample
Text preview

The Promoter is searching for appealing alternatives that meet their needs in terms of favorable conditions and efficient operations, in order to expand industrial businesses. To find investment opportunities, a thorough analysis of rental performance and future scenarios is carried out. Once these opportunities are found, the Promoter and their team work together to create alternative projects that align with their objectives. This initial formulation is crucial as it guides the subsequent definition and development of the project scope. The Promoter depends on the expertise and creativity of their technicians, managers, and directors to generate a suitable range of alternatives that fulfill the stated requirement.

The initial selection of alternatives involves conducting comparative analyses on identified options. The goal is to choose the most beneficial alternative and discard the least attractive one. This process includes a feasibility analysis of each

...

alternative and establishing criteria to identify the most appealing options. Rejected alternatives are no longer considered, and there is no need to create detailed definitions for them.

The cost, schedule, profitability, and other pertinent advantages and disadvantages of each selected alternative are evaluated in terms of order of magnitude, while seeking differences among the options without establishing precise project parameters.

THE PROMOTER'S OBLIGATIONS

Prior to commencing a civil engineering project, it is imperative for a promoter to conduct several studies.

According to Alan Tort in 'Civil Engineering Project Management,' these studies may include, but are not limited to: Market Demand Studies to determine the needs the proposed project should meet, such as the size and quality of the project output or benefit; Economic and Financial Studies to determine the economic viability of th

View entire sample
Join StudyHippo to see entire essay

project for a specific period, considering the cost involved and the project's financing; Feasibility Studies to ensure the project is feasible in terms of engineering, estimate its probable cost, and determine appropriate methods for design and construction; Legal Studies to identify the necessary statutory or other powers required to construct the project, including environmental approvals. These studies are all interconnected.

The promoter may appoint economic advisers for market and financial studies to determine the optimal size and construction stage of the project. Feasibility studies will explore various options for output, assess the feasibility of phased construction, and analyze the impact on capital outlays. Legal advice is required for land acquisition, access, public rights of way alteration, water abstraction, waste discharge, planning approval, and addressing environmental concerns. Consultation with external organizations may be necessary.

Certain types of work may necessitate specific procedures, such as presenting the project in a public inquiry or obtaining parliamentary approval. When projects receive international funding, compliance with the extensive requirements of funding agencies like the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations Fund, or European Community regulations becomes essential. Fulfilling these requirements can be intricate and may entail hiring an experienced consulting engineering firm and financial and economic advisors. The process of conducting all the necessary studies and negotiating construction powers for a significant project can take two years or longer.

Even on a small project, it is rarely possible to complete these matters in less than a year.

FEASIBILITY STUDIES

The first step in designing a construction project usually begins with a feasibility study. This study is a planning document that has multiple purposes: it verifies and clarifies the owner's

requirements, evaluates different options, proposes and determines a solution, outlines the proposed scope of work, and provides a detailed cost estimate. Although small and medium-sized projects are not legally required to conduct a feasibility study, it is recommended to do an informal study. In practice, it is advisable to complete a feasibility study for all major construction projects.

If you haven't conducted a study to determine the size and configuration of a new school building, as well as find the most cost-effective approach to enhancing the water treatment facility, then you are not ready to begin the design stage. Insufficient planning can end up being more expensive in the long run compared to conducting a study. The study includes important planning information, such as the program, which is a crucial outcome detailing project requirements in terms of time, content, and cost. The program should answer questions like: What are the specific functions and requirements of the proposed project? How many individuals will use the facility? How many vehicles of what types will use the road? What will be the peak demand? What functions must be accommodated by the facility?

Determining the space requirements and performance standards for each component of the facility, as well as for the facility as a whole, is necessary. Additionally, identifying any special equipment or construction needs is crucial. Meetings and discussions are typically conducted to assess the needs and concerns of public employees and citizens who will use the facility in preparation for a major construction project. Similarly, when developing a program for a building project or a public works project, it is common practice to meet with state or

federal regulatory or funding agencies and analyze generic program specifications or regulations issued by those agencies. Various alternatives may also be considered.

The text discusses several aspects related to the project, including the available alternatives for meeting functional requirements, their costs and benefits, surveys and field tests, environmental impacts and mitigation, and the project's cost and financing.

In his book titled 'Civil Engineering Project Management,' Alan Tort explains that feasibility studies are necessary for most construction projects to determine the cost of operation and maintenance. It is advantageous for a promoter to hire an independent consulting engineer who can evaluate the technical feasibility and cost of the project. The consulting engineer should have expertise in the specific work required by the promoter and be able to provide economic solutions to potential problems based on their construction experience.

Hiring an independent consultant offers the advantage of making decisions solely based on professional judgment, which ensures the best interests of the promoters. It is crucial that this consultant has no affiliations with any other firm that may have a bias towards a specific type of development. In the initial stages, studies typically concentrate on multiple options for location, design, and execution of the project. These studies may explore different approaches like constructing a dam or river intake, drilling boreholes, or purchasing water from a neighboring company to establish a new water supply.

The work will involve data gathering, analysis, and the development and costing of alternative layouts and designs. This will assist the promoter in selecting the most suitable scheme. Site investigations are crucial and should be given adequate time and funding. Inadequate site investigations are a common

cause of construction costs exceeding the estimate. For large or specialist projects, trial constructions or pilot plant studies might be necessary, such as trial construction of earthworks, test borings for water, setting up a pilot plant for process investigation, or commissioning model tests of hydraulic structures.

When carrying out feasibility studies, it is crucial to thoroughly analyze the data that forms the basis of the project. A meticulous examination of the data used by the project promoter has often led to significant cost savings. It is vital to ensure its accuracy, reliability, and correct interpretation. If the promoter lacks their own chief engineer, they must hire a consulting engineer who will be responsible for designing and overseeing construction for the project. Entering into a contractual agreement with the consulting engineer will be required.

In exchange for the services provided, the consulting engineer will receive a professional fee. This payment designates the consulting engineer as the project's engineer. The promoter agrees to rely on the engineer's guidance regarding engineering matters. During the design phase of a design-bid-build project, the designer's role is to transform the functional requirements outlined in the program into a collection of construction documents that can be bid upon. The design phase typically involves tasks such as surveys and field tests to gather additional information about site conditions. The extent of this task depends on the level of field organization carried out during the planning stage. Furthermore, there may be further consultations with project users, neighboring properties, and other affected individuals or groups.

The text describes the process of preparing sketches and drawings for a construction project. This includes creating various types of

drawings such as site plans, floor plans, and facade drawings to depict the size and layout of the project. Additionally, the text mentions the analysis of important building components such as foundations, structures, electrical systems, and HVAC systems. The final stage involves preparing plans, specifications, and bid documents, where plans refer to construction drawings and specifications refer to written materials that specify the materials, construction techniques, and other relevant information. Updated cost estimates are then prepared based on these final plans and specifications. In terms of design stages, major projects are typically divided into three phases: preliminary design, design development, and construction document preparation. Specific deliverables must be prepared and submitted for approval during each phase. The preliminary design stage is where significant project decisions are made. Once this has been approved by the owner, the designer proceeds with detailed design development. After the owner's approval of the design development documents, the designer can move forward with preparing the construction documents.

The construction documents comprise detailed plans and specifications that competing contractors will utilize to submit their bids and the chosen contractor will adhere to during construction. A thorough set of plans and specifications should yield accurate bid prices and enable a seamless and efficient construction process. Conversely, insufficient or incomplete plans and specifications can result in issues like expensive change orders and dangerous construction flaws. If a project owner has appointed a project manager for the project, they will aid in reviewing the design deliverables created by the project designer at the end of each design phase.

It is advisable to hire a construction manager before finalizing the plans and specifications for bidding in

order to oversee the project's construction stage. A construction manager with expertise can conduct a "constructability review" of the construction documents, which helps identify and address potential issues or opportunities that the designer should consider. It is essential to hire a consulting engineer as they serve as the foundation for a successful project. Depending on available resources, selected consultants can offer various services such as design, project management (including cost and risk management), value management, partnering facilitation, and even facilities management. The main benefits of hiring a consulting engineer include their impartial judgment and advice, as well as their specialization in designing and constructing new works. To select consultants for large-scale construction projects, one can advertise an "Expression of Interest" in newspaper pages.

The consultant's brief should provide a precise description of the services required by the consultant. These services are determined by the adopted strategy and whether they are to be provided individually or as a combination. The project sponsor must also ensure that any authority given to the project manager is clearly defined, especially in relation to the following: _ Order variations and make changes; _ Certify interim payments; Grant extensions of time; The following shows the principal design options commonly used. Design by Promoter or a Consultant The entire design, including all drawings and specifications, is completed before seeking construction tenders - except for drawings not needed for tendering purposes, such as for concrete reinforcement. A promoter may have enough staff to do the design work in-house or may outsource all of it to a consultant or divide the work between them. In schemes involving various types of engineering, design may be

outsourced in separate "packages" to different specialist consultants. For example, the design of an industrial estate may be divided into packages for roads and drainage, water supply and sewerage, power supplies, and landscaping.

In the case of large schemes, the promoter may hire an experienced overall consultant to coordinate the contributions of specialist design consultants. Some design elements, such as heating and ventilating systems or building cladding, may be delegated to the construction contractor or subcontractors. For certain projects, specialist suppliers may need to tailor their products or services accordingly. The advantages of this arrangement include allowing the promoter to thoroughly review all aspects of the design before construction commences. Additionally, this approach promotes competitive tenders for construction based on clearly defined criteria, thereby encouraging construction contractors to offer lower prices. By minimizing the risk of necessary alterations during construction, there is a better chance of the project cost remaining within the tendered price. The promoter also has the flexibility to decide whether to proceed with construction after reviewing the tendered prices and accepting a tender. The promoter initiates outline designs and provides a specification of requirements. They then appoint a firm or firms of specialist designers to execute the detailed design and engage a management contractor to coordinate both the detailed design and construction activities. This type of arrangement is commonly observed in certain management contracts.

Layout Design by Promoter; Detailed Design by Contractor: The promoter specifies functions and design standards and supplies layout plans.

After the initial planning phase, the contractor proceeds to create a detailed design and then moves on to the construction phase. The scope of the works can range

from something small like designing a retaining wall to something more extensive like designing an intake and drainage pumping station or a water tower's structural and reinforced concrete design. The advantages of this approach are that the contractor can customize the designs to align with their construction equipment and methods, allowing them to offer the lowest price during the tender process. Additionally, any costs incurred for design changes during construction are not borne by the promoter.

The disadvantages of a functional specification by the promoter, followed by design by the contractor, include the potential for the design to benefit the contractor more than the promoter and the loss of control over design details by the promoter. In order to account for design risks, the contractor may need to increase their price. The promoter is responsible for specifying the desired functions of the project, such as size, quality, and performance criteria. Additionally, they provide drawings and draft layouts showing the intended works' location, as well as potential standards for design. The scope of works can range from designing a road to civil works and plant design for sewage treatment works.

Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New