vacation work report
TRANSCRIPT
Table of Contents
1. Introduction 1
2. The Individuals that have inspired 1
3. Knowledge gained through experience 3
4. Conclusion 4
5. Evidence of a legacy 5
List of Figures
Figure 1: Borrow Pit 2.2 at Km 28 5
Figure 2: Grader processing G9 layer at section 10 5
Figure 3: Priming of Base 6
Figure 4: Slushed Base vs Prime Base 6
Figure 5: Reclaimer processing G7 6
Figure 6: Pad Foot & Smooth Drum Roller 6
Figure 7: Excavator loading Truck 6
Figure 8: Materials Refinement 6
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Vacation Work Report
Footprint left by: Raees Bagdadi
Title: Student Civil Engineer
1. Introduction
The Journey began on the 22 June 2015 to the 2 July 2015 in association with Basil Read.
During the course of this exciting endeavour that was undertaken, I have gained a lot of
knowledge in the field of road construction from the various new colleagues that I had
acquired along this epic journey. My group and I were allocated the task of being junior
project managers for a road construction project based between Greylingstad and
Standerton. The content of this report shall include the various people that I have met along
my travels and the knowledge I have acquired from them. A description of the activities
undertaken in order to reach the project aim and objectives of this task will be provided.
Illustrations of the nature of work encountered will be displayed. A conclusion will be
drawn as to how this journey has impacted and kick started my career in the field of civil
engineering.
2. The Individuals that have inspired
People give meaning to life, without social interaction life becomes insipid and meaningless.
The people who have inspired and provided support along this journey include my fellow
colleagues, supervisors, directors, project managers and technical advisors. They have given
meaning and a sense of purpose through this endeavour which has had a tremendous
impact on my life in a profound manner by transferring and imparting knowledge to me
which can be considered as a priceless gift. My group consisted of four other individuals
who had a similar mission as I had. My fellow colleagues Mpho, Vusi, Attie and Rulani were
an eager bunch that had a great zeal for knowledge which were always willing to assist me
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with matters pertaining the task at hand. The safety, health, environmental and quality
assurance director (SHEQ), Vanessa Duncan was our supervisor through this undertaking
who kept us on our toes at all times ensuring that we comply with all standards and
protocols within the industry. As the director of the SHEQ department within basil read she
has ensured that we delivered work of the highest quality conforming to the ISO 9000
series. I had noticed a huge emphasis that was placed upon the health and safety of all
individuals involved, which conformed to the OHS Act by ensuring that at all times personal
should always wear their PPE gear when in the field, which was very admirable as it exhibits
the care and consideration that the company treats its employees with. With regards to the
environmental aspect around the construction site, an environmental officer was allocated
to promote awareness to the employees of endangered and rare species as well as to
protect these species by implementing mitigation measures which conform to the ISO
14000 series.
In the field of construction whilst paving the way for the future I had encountered the head
foreman known as Laurenz Du Plessis which became my mentor and supervising site agent.
He has been allocated the task of controlling the volume of road production per day for the
various layers of the road construction process. A lot of the technical aspects with regards to
road construction were provided to me by Laurenz. He ensured that the quality of the road
works produced were in accordance with the Colto specifications for road construction.
The project manager for this huge 56 Km construction site is Herkie Sandenburg. He has
provided insight to us regarding the project management aspects of construction.
Construction site management plays a crucial role in the success of a project. He has
ensured that the project gets done of the required quality that the client desires, within the
time limit and within the budget that basil read provides. He has also described to us the
importance of assessing the risks involved when planning the project. Risk assessment plans
and mitigation measures should be provided by foreseeing expected problems.it is
important to plan ahead so as to avoid drastic impact on the schedule of the project. Gantt
charts, blueprints and the cost analysis concepts are of crucial importance when managing a
construction site and it is vital for a project manager to interpret and analyse them in order
to run a successful project.
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During the time spent at the head office of basil read, I had encountered a quantity surveyor
by the name of Rozelle Pieterse who clarified the technical aspects with regards to cost
analysis. She had showed me how to compare between the allowables set aside for the
project to the actual cost incurred during the project duration. Knowing these two variables
one can determine whether a profit or a loss is being made. A forecasted cost at completion
can be determined for the project duration based on the activities and outstanding work of
the project.
Whilst working at the head office of Basil Read, we had the honour of meeting the chief
operation officer of the construction Antonie Fourie. He had shed some light regarding our
project aim and objectives during the vac work period. Our task was to determine whether
the road construction project taking place in Standerton was operating at a profit or a loss
for the various activities being undertaken for the brief period that we were there. The aim
of this procedure was to forecast the cost at completion for the road project for the various
activities that had been observed. Our findings were then presented to Bruce Morton which
is the managing director of the roads division.
3. Knowledge gained through experience
From this unique journey that has been undertaken I have gained so much of knowledge
and I have developed an understanding in terms of road construction. It has improved my
project management skills and has given me a broad perspective as to what is required in
the field of road construction. With regards to the technical aspects of road construction I
have realized that the Colto specifications is a vital element that should be understood and
conformed to when dealing with road construction from an engineer’s perspective. It is very
different to the design process of roads where the TRH series is utilized. When dealing with
the costing aspects with regards to road construction it is crucial to account for all variables
that will have a significant impact to the success of the projects. Variables such as plant
utilization, materials costing as well as labour costing are crucial factors that have to be
considered from a project management point of view. Although there are multiple other
variables that have to be considered our focus was strictly concerned with the cost analysis
for the various layers of road construction. I can now understand the various processes that
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are involved within road construction such as the milling, processing of G9, G7, G5, and G1
layers of the road. Priming is a finish applied to the G1 base and the Asphalt can then be
laid. Stabilization can be expected at the sub base level G5, where binder is applied to the
layer. The materials that are used for the construction of the road should preferably come
from the vicinity of the project site. The plant that is used to construct the road is of vital
importance. Regular maintenance should be conducted on the various plants as it has a
major contribution to the project duration. The tipper trucks are of utmost importance as it
would determine the production volume of the road that is being constructed. Bigger tipper
trucks as well as the amount of tipper trucks involved during the construction phase have a
direct influence on the project duration.
During the first and second day on site I had dealt with the processing of the G9 and G7
layers which are the lower selected and upper selected layers respectively at section 10 of
the construction site. On the third day on site I had visited the borrow pits to analyse the
material refinement processes used for construction. This helped in understanding the
materials costing aspects as well as the tipper truck routines and procedures. During the
fourth day spent on site I had dealt with the G5 sub base processing. On the fifth day I had
covered all aspects with regards to the processing of the G1 base which included slushing.
On my sixth day I had dealt with the priming of the G1 base. My final day on site included
the observation of the milling process. The other two days were reserved for office work
where the cost analysis was performed. The quantity surveyors were consulted for
clarification of matters.
4. Conclusion
I would like to thank the management of Basil Read for this wonderful opportunity. I have
really benefitted a lot from this experience. It has been a great team building exercise with
my fellow colleagues. I have had the opportunity to meet many extra ordinary people along
the way which has been very enlightening. It has boosted my morale and confidence level
within the field of engineering as it is exactly the kind of work I see myself doing. I am
passionate about this career and I look forward to building legacies with Basil Read again in
the near future.
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5. Evidence of a legacy
Figure 1: Borrow Pit 2.2 at Km 28
Figure 2: Grader processing G9 layer at section 10