ETCONp - Ethiopian Construction Work Professionals

👉𝑭𝒍𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔

🏷Term describe a method of dealing with inflation in construction contracts.

🚧𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 is recognised as representing an increase in prices, converse can also apply (Deflation)

⏺Contracts use various descriptions for fluctuations clauses:

-Fluctuation
-Price Variation
-Price adjustment for inflation

▶️Traditional approach to project procurement is employer produce a set of specified requirements, following a formal tendering process to accept an offer from a contractor to carry out construction work to realise those requirements within an agreed contract period & contract sum

⭐️𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦 may be adjusted as necessary & within contract T&Cs to take account of variations but is normally regarded as a fixed (firm) price.

⏺Employers seek to add certainty to their financial commitment to demand fixed price contracts where contractor invariably assumes risk of increases (or decreases) in these items cost as a result of inflation.

⏺General rate at which prices of materials & goods varies, usually upwards & consequent purchasing power of money decreases.

⏺Alterations to items price can be caused by variations in taxation, ‘excise’ duties for domestic goods, ‘customs’ duties on imported goods

▶️Contracts of short duration, risk may not be great, for longer contract durations or where contract sum is of a size that makes impact of inflation more significant, consequences may be more difficult to anticipate.

📜Purpose of contract’s fluctuations provision to enable adjustment to take place by introducing a mechanism to be followed when circumstances are appropriate.

》Fluctuations in different types of contracts

⏺Common situation is where contract sum is described as ‘fixed’ or ‘firm’ price & it appear on first inspection that it isn't subject to adjustment for these items.

⏺However these contracts may include adjustment provision for changes in contractor’s input cost for reasons beyond their control.

》Fluctuating price contracts are used in a variety of circumstances:

•Lump sum contracts
•Term works contracts
•Term service contracts
•Supply contracts
•Reimbursement contracts
•Application to DBFO/ PFI contracts
•Calculation of increased costs due to delay & allocation of responsibility
•Changes in costs due to currency exchange rates

●Calculation methodologies on standard forms

》JCT lump sum contract
-Option A:Clause A.5 of Schedule 7
-Option B: labour & materials cost & tax fluctuations
States that contract sum is based on rules & decisions of the Construction Industry Joint Council or other wage fixing body
-Option C: JCT Formula rules, relies on a series of indices that were published by the National Economic Development Office (NEDO).

》NEC lump sum contracts
Doesn't use term fluctuations
ECC’s approach isxto use Secondary Option X1 – price adjustment for inflation.

》FIDIC Conditions of Contract for Construction (Red Book) contain a formula agreed by parties

@etconp

👉What is Heat of Hydration?

⭐️Heat of hydration is the heat generated by the chemical reaction between cement and water during the hydration process.

⏺This heat can cause a significant increase in temperature within the concrete, potentially leading to thermal cracking.

🏷Factors Affecting Heat of Hydration

🚧1. Cement Type: Different types of cement have varying heat of hydration values.

⏺For example, Type III cement has a higher heat of hydration than Type I cement.

🚧2. Cement Content: Increasing the cement content can increase the heat of hydration.

🚧3. Water-Cement Ratio: A lower water-cement ratio can increase the heat of hydration.

🚧4. Aggregate Type: The type of aggregate used can affect the heat of hydration.

⏺For example, aggregates with high thermal conductivity can increase the heat of hydration.

🚧5. Temperature: Higher temperatures can increase the rate of hydration and heat generation.

Yonatan Tadesse (PMP)®

@etconp

👉What is the basic and important checklist for Beams in construction ?

🏷1. Design and Dimensions
Ensure the beam's size (length, width, and depth) are as per the structural drawings.

⏺Verify reinforcement details (number, size, and spacing of bars).

🏷2. Shuttering (Formwork)

⏺Check for proper alignment and tight joints to avoid concrete leakage.

⏺Apply shuttering oil for easy removal.

⏺Ensure supports and bracings are stable.

🏷3. Reinforcement

⏺Ensure correct placement of top, bottom, and extra bars.

⏺Verify stirrups spacing and diameter.

⏺Maintain proper lap length for overlapping bars.

🏷4. Clear Cover

⏺Use cover blocks to maintain required gaps:

⏺Bottom: 25-50 mm

Sides: 25 mm

⏺Top: 25 mm.

🏷5. Concreting

⏺Use the correct concrete miX.

⏺Pour concrete evenly and compact using a vibrator.

⏺Ensure smooth finishing on the top.

🏷6. Curing

⏺Start curing immediately after concreting.

⏺Continue curing for at least 7-14 days.

🏷7. Formwork Removal

⏺Remove the formwork only after the concrete has gained enough strength:

⏺Sides: 1-2 Days bottom: 7-14 days.

🏷8. Inspection

⏺Check for honeycombing or cracks and repair if necessary.

⏺Ensure no deflection or sagging after removing supports.

@etconp

ዓድዋ፣ ጀግና አርበኞች የጥቁር ሰው ሉዓላዊነትን ያወጁበት ታሪካዊ ድል፣ እንኳን ለ 129ኛው መታሰቢያ በዓል በሰላም አደረሳችሁ።

Adwa, the day that solidified the victory of Africans over imperialists. Happy 129th Adwa Victory Day!

ምንግዜም ለሃገር ልጅ በሃገር ልጅ!!

@etconp

👉What are the environmental KPIs in a construction project?

🏷Environmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in a construction project help measure the project's sustainability and environmental impact.

⭐️Here are the key environmental KPIs commonly used:

🚧1. Energy Efficiency & Carbon Footprint

⏺Energy consumption (kWh per m² or per unit of work) – Measures energy use on-site.
Carbon emissions (CO₂ emissions per ton of material or per project) – Assesses the carbon footprint of operations.
Renewable energy usage (%) – Tracks the proportion of energy sourced from renewables.

🚧2. Waste Management

⏺Waste generated (tons per m² or per project phase) – Measures the total waste produced.

⏺Waste diversion rate (%) – Percentage of waste diverted from landfills (recycled/reused).
Hazardous waste generation (kg per project) – Tracks hazardous materials disposal.

🚧3. Water Management

⏺Water consumption (liters per m² or per project) – Measures water use efficiency.

⏺Water recycling/reuse rate (%) – Tracks efforts to conserve and reuse water.

⏺Pollution incidents (number per project) – Monitors spills, leaks, or contamination events.

🚧4. Material Usage & Sustainability

⏺Sustainable materials usage (%) – Measures the percentage of eco-friendly materials.
Recycled content in materials (%) – Tracks the proportion of recycled materials used.
Embodied carbon of materials (kg CO₂ per ton) – Assesses emissions from material sourcing and production.

🚧5. Biodiversity & Land Use

⏺Land disturbance (hectares affected) – Measures impact on natural land.

⏺Biodiversity protection measures (# of initiatives) – Tracks efforts to protect local ecosystems.

⏺Tree planting/green area development (m² added) – Evaluates efforts in ecological restoration.

🚧6. Air & Noise Pollution
Dust emissions (PM10 or PM2.5 levels) – Measures particulate matter released into the air.

⏺Noise pollution levels (dB at project boundary) – Monitors construction noise impact.

⏺Air pollution incidents (number of exceedances of legal limits) – Tracks violations of air quality standards.

🚧7. Compliance & Certification

⏺Environmental non-compliance incidents (# per project) – Measures regulatory violations.

⏺Green building certifications (LEED, BREEAM, etc.) – Assesses adherence to sustainable building standards.

⏺Stakeholder engagement in sustainability (%) – Evaluates awareness and training participation.

Via Yonatan Tadesse (PMP)®

@etconp

👉UNDERSTANDING COST TYPES

⭐️1.Direct Cost vs. Indirect Cost
Direct Cost

⏺These costs are directly linked to a specific project, task, or activity.

⏺They vary depending on the project’s scope and progress.

⚡️Examples: Raw materials used in construction (cement, steel, bricks) Wages of laborers and site engineers assigned to a project Subcontractor costs for specific project tasks Equipment or machinery rented for a particular project

⭐️Indirect Cost

⏺These are overhead costs that support multiple projects but are not tied to a specific activity.

⏺They remain relatively constant regardless of individual project progress.

⚡️Examples: Office rent, utilities, and administrative salaries IT infrastructure and software licenses Safety training, legal compliance, and insurance Company-wide marketing and management expenses

📜2.Fixed Cost Vs Variable Cost

🔰Fixed Cost

⏺Costs that remain constant regardless of project activity or production levels.

⏺They do not fluctuate with the volume of work performed.

⚡️Examples: Office rent and administrative salaries,Equipment depreciation ,Long-term leasing of machinery or site offices Insurance and permit fees.

🔰Variable Cost

⏺Costs that change depending on the level of production or work performed.

⏺These expenses fluctuate as project activity increases or decreases.

⚡️Examples: Wages of temporary laborers hired per project phase,Fuel costs for site equipment and vehicles,Cost of materials (cement, steel, sand) based on demand ,Utility bills (electricity, water) that vary with usage

🔰3.Operational Cost

⏺These are ongoing expenses required to maintain daily business or project operations.
Unlike capital costs (one-time investments in assets), operational costs are recurring.

⚡️Examples: Salaries of permanent employees
,Maintenance and repair of machinery and equipment
Fuel, utilities, and transportation expenses,Office supplies, communication, and IT support

@etconp

👉Moment of Inertia in Construction Engineering

⭐️A Key to Structural Stability

🚧The moment of inertia is a crucial property in structural engineering that defines a member's ability to resist bending and rotational forces.

🏷It directly depends on the shape, size, and material distribution within a cross-section.

⏺In Construction engineering applications,understanding and accurately calculating the moment of inertia is essential for designing beams, columns, slabs, and other structuralelements to ensure their strength, stability, and performance undervarious loads.

▶️By optimizing the moment of inertia, engineers can minimize deflections, enhance load-bearing capacity, and ensure efficient trial usage, leading to cost-effective and durable structures.

⏺Whether it's designing high-rise buildings or long-span bridges, thecorrect consideration of this property is fundamental to achievingstructural integrity and longevity.

⏺Key Benefits of Moment of Inertia Calculations:Improved structural performance and safety.

⏺Reduced material costs through optimization Enhanced deflection control and durability

❇️Understanding the moment of inertia is not just about calculations-it's about building safer and more efficient structures.

@etconp

👉As the frequency of earthquakes rise in Ethiopia, the urgency for stronger, more resilient infrastructure has never been clearer.

🚧Structural engineers are increasingly turning to the expertise of earthquake engineers, adapting their knowledge and advanced technologies to create buildings that can better withstand seismic forces.

⭐️The result is a growing focus on seismic-resistant construction, which plays a crucial role in protecting people, property, and infrastructure in earthquake-prone regions.

⏺Several innovative technologies and methods have been developed to improve the resilience of buildings to seismic forces.

▶️These approaches aim to reduce the impact of ground motion, prevent building collapse, and mitigate the long-term effects of an earthquake on communities.

⏺One of the most groundbreaking innovations in earthquake engineering is Base Isolation technology.

⏺This technique involves decoupling a building from the ground’s motion during an earthquake.

🏷By installing isolators—typically made of rubber and steel—between a building’s foundation and the ground, the building can move independently from the seismic forces.

▶️These isolators absorb the seismic energy, preventing it from transferring into the building structure.

⏺As a result, the building experiences much less motion and is less likely to suffer significant damage or collapse.

🏷Another critical element in seismic-resistant construction is the use of reinforced concrete and steel frame methods.

⏺These materials are ideal for withstanding lateral forces, which occur when seismic waves cause buildings to sway.

⏺Reinforced concrete, which includes steel bars embedded within the concrete, provides additional strength and flexibility, allowing the building to absorb and redistribute the forces generated by an earthquake.

🏷Moreover, damping systems are another essential tool in modern seismic design.

⏺These devices reduce the sway of buildings during an earthquake, minimizing the risk of structural damage.

⏺Tuned mass dampers (TMDs) are large masses, often placed at the top of tall buildings, that move in opposition to the building’s sway.

⏺This counteracting motion helps to reduce the overall movement and keep the building stable.

📜In earthquake-prone regions, it is crucial to adopt building practices that prioritize the safety of people while minimizing the environmental impact of construction.

▶️By embracing innovations like base isolation, reinforced concrete and steel frames, and damping systems, cities can become more resilient to natural disasters while creating a sustainable future for their residents.

Via Yonatan Tadesse PMP®

@etconp

👉ከዛሬ ጀምሮ ተግባራዊ የሚሆን የወንዞች ዳርቻ ልማትና ብክለት መከላከል ደንብ ይፋ ሆነ።

ከዛሬ ጀምሮ ተግባራዊ የሚሆን የወንዞች ዳርቻ ልማትና ብክለት መከላከል ደንብ ይፋ መሆኑን የአዲስ አበባ አስተዳደር የደንብ ማስከበር ባለስልጣን አስታወቀ።

በአዲስ አበባ የሚገኙ ወንዞችን ለከተማዋ ነዋሪዎች ምቹና የመዝናኛ ቦታ እንዲሆኑ ለማድረግ ያግዝ ዘንድ የወንዞች ዳርቻ ልማት እና ብክለት መከላከል ደንብ ቁጥር 180/2017 ይፋ ሆኗል።

ደንቡን በተመለከተ በአዲስ አበባ ከተማ አስተዳደር የአካባቢ ጥበቃ ባለሥልጣን፣ የደንብ ማስከበር ባለሥልጣን እና የከተማ ውበትና አረንጓዴ ልማት ቢሮ በየደረጃው ለሚገኙ አመራሮች፣ አስተባባሪዎች እና ባለሙያዎች የግንዛቤ ማሥጨበጫ ስልጠና አካሂደዋል።

ምንጭ:- በአዲስ አበባ ከተማ አስተዳደር የከተማ ውበት እና አረንጓዴ ልማት ቢሮ።

@etconp

👉Small article about Cement

💫Cement is a fundamental building material that acts as a binding agent.

🚧It's a fine powder that, when mixed with water, undergoes a chemical reaction that causes it to harden and bind other materials together.

🏷Composition:

- Cement is primarily made from limestone (calcium carbonate), clay, and other minerals.
- These raw materials are heated in a kiln at very high temperatures, transforming them into a substance called "clinker."
- The clinker is then ground into a fine powder, and gypsum is added to regulate the setting time.

🌟How it works:

- When cement is mixed with water, a chemical reaction called hydration occurs.
- This reaction causes the cement to harden and bind aggregate materials like sand, gravel, or crushed stone together.
- The result is a strong, durable material known as concrete.

📜Types of cement:

- There are various types of cement, each with specific properties tailored for different applications.
- Portland cement is the most common type, used in general construction.

❇️* Other types include:

   - High-strength cement: For projects requiring high load-bearing capacity.
   - Rapid-hardening cement: For situations where quick setting is needed.
   - Low-heat cement: For massive structures like dams, where heat generation during hardening is a concern.
   - Sulfate-resistant cement: For applications exposed to sulfates, which can damage concrete.

🎲Uses of cement:

* Cement is a crucial component of:

   - Concrete: A mixture of cement, water, and aggregates.
   - Mortar: A mixture of cement, water, and sand, used for bonding bricks or stones.
   - Grout: A thin mixture of cement, water, and sometimes sand, used to fill gaps and cracks.

@etconp