Cut & Fill Survey Drawing
When we start a new contract I often get the job of confirming the data handed to us by the client. In most cases this involves me carrying out a survey of the site as it exists before we begin work. This can then be compared with the survey commissioned by the client and if things agree (in most cases they do) we can get to work knowing that no surprises are ahead of us.
When the contract involves a substantial amount of earthworks, moving material around site, I have to carry out a second survey after the earthworks are complete. This second survey proves that we have placed the material in the correct areas and to the required levels. It also enables us to calculate a total volume of material moved, with this figure being used when applying for payment.
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Posted: April 14th, 2009 by Chris
| Filed under Earthworks
Quality Control
Here we are, eventually, at the final post of my 4-part blog describing the roles of a site-based Civil Engineer. The posts have been broken down into the following subjects:
As with almost everything that is produced in this country, and pretty much all over the world, we must build our structure to an approved design and specification. Each client we work for may have a different specification but all will provide a copy to allow you to refer to anything from stone layer thicknesses to concrete strengths. A lot of the time the Local Authority will assign a Clerk of Works to the site and he/she will visit periodically over the course of the contract to check we are following the specification and advise us on any issues.
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Posted: February 6th, 2009 by Chris
| Filed under Civils
Total Station on Tripod - Credit: flickr dandiffendale
This is the second of a 4-part series of blogs that will hopefully give some insight into what I do as a site-based Civil Engineer. The posts are broken down into the following subjects:
You can say that this post covers my primary role as a Civil Engineer. For any work to be carried out on a construction site the workforce must be told what to build and where to build it. It is my responsibility to do this and to ensure it is done swiftly and correctly. Essentially my job is to translate the construction drawings issued to us by the client and create offsets and other markings that the workforce can understand and follow.
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Posted: January 14th, 2009 by Chris
| Filed under Civils, Drainage, Roads
Construction Drawings
This is the first in a 4-part series of blogs that will hopefully give some insight into what I do as a site-based Civil Engineer. The posts are broken down into the following subjects:
- Setting up a Contract
- Setting Out and Levelling
- Materials, Labour and Plant
- Quality Control
Before you can begin construction on anything you need to know what you will be building. We get issued construction drawings by the client that define everything we need to know about a contract. These drawings will usually contain an overall plan of the site, a breakdown of new sewers, new ducting and new kerb-lines and paving. Further drawings will show cross-sections and typical details such as inspection chamber construction and pavement construction thicknesses. Not all drawings are correct and it is our job to pick out any errors or vague areas for confirmation by the client as soon as possible, spotting them too late can lead to delays and additional costs to the contract.
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Posted: January 13th, 2009 by Chris
| Filed under Civils
