Ethiopian Construction Work Professionals - ETCONp

👉Who is the planning engineer, scheduling engineer and cost control engineer?

🏷The division will be based on the roles, responsibilities and management to which it belongs?

💫1. Planning Engineer

⏺Roles and Responsibilities:

🔰Development of the master project plan (Project Master Plan) to determine the scope of the project, and this differs from the Project management plan may be part of it, but the Project Master Plan is a brief document with details about the project, its vision, objectives, scope of work and outline of the time range for each network, and I am one of the people who were wrong in this title when we present something like this abbreviated is the Master Plan I call it the Project management plan
Create a workflow structure (WBS) to break down the project into manageable parts.
Identify the activities necessary to complete the project with the identification and sequencing of their relationships.

⏺Estimate the time required for each activity and establish a logical chronology.

⏺Prepare a time plan based on resource and potential constraints.

⏺Coordination with different departments such as design, implementation, and procurement to ensure the compatibility of the plan.

🏷Tools used:

Planning programs such as: Primavera P6, Microsoft Project: for planning and project management, Excel .....

⏺Subsidiary Management:
Planning Department, Project Management or Technical Department

💫3. Scheduling Engineer

⏺Role and Responsibilities:
Create a schedule: Create a detailed schedule of activities and tasks, and identify the relationships between them and the chronology of their implementation.

⏺Update schedule: Update the schedule regularly to reflect changes that occur in the project.

⏺Critical Path Analysis: Identify critical paths in the schedule that must be focused on to ensure that the project is completed on time.

⏺Performance Appraisal: Evaluate the actual performance of the project against the planned schedule.

💫3. Cost Engineer

⏺Roles and Responsibilities:
Prepare detailed cost estimates for the project based on the planned activities.

⏺Developing the overall budget of the project and monitoring compliance with it.

⏺Track actual costs and identify differences between them and budget.

⏺Cost variance management due to risks or changes in the scope of the project.

⏺Prepare monthly cost reports that include: Current spending,Estimated cost at completion (EAC) and Overall financial performance.

🚧Tools used:

⏺Cost management tools such as:

⏺Excel: Analyze data and reports.

⏺SAP or Oracle ERP: To track costs and manage budgets.

@etconp

👉Calculating Bitumen Asphalt Quantity for Pavement

🏷Understanding the Components Before we delve into the calculations, let's clarify the key components involved in asphalt pavement:

* Bitumen: This is the binder that holds the aggregate (rocks and sand) together. It's a sticky, black substance derived from petroleum.
* Aggregate: This is the granular material that provides the structural strength and stability to the asphalt pavement. It's typically a mixture of crushed stone, gravel, and sand.

🏷Factors Affecting Bitumen Quantity

💫The amount of bitumen required for a pavement project depends on several factors:

* Type of Pavement: Different pavement types (e.g., asphalt concrete, bituminous macadam) have varying bitumen content.
* Traffic Load: Heavier traffic loads necessitate a higher bitumen content to ensure durability.
* Climate: Extreme temperatures and weather conditions can affect the performance of asphalt, influencing the bitumen content.
* Aggregate Type and Grading: The type and size distribution of the aggregate affect how much bitumen is needed to bind it together.

🚧Calculation Steps

* Determine the Volume of Asphalt:
* Calculate the area of the pavement surface: Area = Length × Width
* Multiply the area by the desired thickness of the asphalt layer: Volume = Area × Thickness
* Calculate the Bitumen Content:
* The bitumen content is typically expressed as a percentage of the total asphalt mixture.
* This percentage is determined based on the factors mentioned earlier and is often specified in the project's design specifications.
* Calculate the Quantity of Bitumen:
* Multiply the volume of asphalt by the bitumen content percentage: Bitumen Quantity = Volume × Bitumen Content (%)
* Convert to Metric Tons (Optional):
* If you need the bitumen quantity in metric tons, multiply the volume of bitumen by its density (typically around 1.05 tonnes per cubic meter): Bitumen Quantity (tonnes) = Bitumen Volume (cubic meters) × 1.05 tonnes/cubic meter
Example
Let's assume we have a 100-meter-long road that is 7 meters wide. We want to lay a 5-centimeter-thick asphalt layer, and the bitumen content is specified as 5%.
* Calculate the volume of asphalt:
* Area = 100 meters × 7 meters = 700 square meters
* Volume = 700 square meters × 0.05 meters = 35 cubic meters
* Calculate the bitumen quantity:
* Bitumen Quantity = 35 cubic meters × 0.05 = 1.75 cubic meters
* Convert to metric tons:
* Bitumen Quantity (tonnes) = 1.75 cubic meters × 1.05 tonnes/cubic meter = 1.84 tonnes

⏺Therefore, for this specific example, we would need approximately 1.75 cubic meters or 1.84 metric tons of bitumen.

⭐️Note: This is a simplified calculation. In real-world projects, engineers and contractors use more sophisticated methods and consider various factors to accurately determine the bitumen quantity.

🚧Additional Considerations:

* Waste and Losses: Account for potential waste and losses during transportation, storage, and application.
* Quality Control: Regular testing and quality control measures are essential to ensure the asphalt mixture meets the desired specifications.
* Environmental Regulations: Adhere to local environmental regulations regarding bitumen handling and disposal.
By following these steps and considering the relevant factors, you can effectively calculate the quantity of bitumen asphalt required for your pavement project.

@etconp

💫One-Way Slab(L/B > 2)

💫Two-Way Slab (L/B ≤ 2)

🔰One-Way Slab
Load Transfer: Loads are transferred primarily in one direction (along the shorter span) to the supports.
Support Condition: Supported on two opposite sides (beams or walls).
Reinforcement: Main reinforcement is provided in one direction (shorter span) and distribution reinforcement in the other direction.
Span Ratio: Used when the longer span (L) to shorter span (B) ratio is greater than 2 (L/B > 2).
Thickness: Typically thinner compared to two-way slabs for the same spans.
Applications: Walkways, corridors, narrow rooms, or slabs supported by two parallel beams.

🔰Two-Way Slab
Load Transfer: Loads are transferred in both directions (shorter and longer spans) to the supports.
Support Condition: Supported on all four sides (beams or walls).
Reinforcement: Main reinforcement is provided in both directions (shorter and longer spans).
Span Ratio: Used when the longer span (L) to shorter span (B) ratio is less than or equal to 2 (L/B ≤ 2).
Thickness: Typically thicker than one-way slabs for the same spans.

🔰Applications: Floors in multistorey buildings, parking structures, and flat slabs with supports on all sides.
Key Differences
Aspect One-Way Slab Two-Way Slab
Load Transfer In one direction In two directions
Supports Two opposite sides All four sides
Reinforcement One direction Both directions
Span Ratio (L/B) > 2 ≤ 2
Typical Use Narrow spans Wider spans
The choice between the two depends on the structural requirements, support conditions, and span dimensions.

@etconp

👉When performing tensile test...

🏷Type of fracture you observe can reveal a lot about material's properties.

⭐️Let's quick Learn about it.

▬  𝗗𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲  ▬

● Cup-and-Cone Shape : Fracture surface is typically rough & fibrous, indicating significant plastic deformation.

● High Energy Absorption : Ductile materials can absorb a lot of energy before failing, making them tough & less prone to catastrophic failure.

● Elongation : Noticeable elongation & reduction in cross-sectional area occur before material breaks, observable as material necks down.

● Microvoid Coalescence : Fracture process involves the nucleation, growth, & coalescence of microvoids, leading to material's separation.

▪ Examples of Ductile Materials :
   - Copper
   - Mild Steel
   - Aluminum

▬  𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲  ▬

● Flat and Smooth Surface : Fracture surface appears smooth & shiny, often with a granular or crystalline appearance.

● Low Energy Absorption : Brittle materials absorb less energy before fracturing, making them more susceptible to sudden failure under stress.

● No Significant Elongation : Little to no necking or plastic deformation occurs before the material breaks.

● Cleavage Planes : Brittle fracture often occurs along specific crystallographic planes, known as cleavage planes, where atomic bonds are weakest.

▪ Examples of Brittle Materials :
   - Glass
   - Cast Iron
   - Ceramics
   - High-Carbon Steel

- - - - - - - - -

◆ Factors Influencing Fracture Behavior:
    - Strain Rate
    - Temperature
    - Microstructure
    - Material Composition

◆ Testing for Ductile and Brittle Fracture:
    - Tensile Testing
    - Charpy Impact Testing
    - Fracture Toughness Testing

◆ Real-World Example: Titanic Disaster 🚢
     - Sinking of Titanic is famous example of brittle fracture. Ship's hull was made of steel that became brittle at freezing temperatures of North Atlantic. When Titanic struck an iceberg, the hull plates fractured suddenly, leading to the catastrophic sinking of the ship.

@etconp

👉Bioconcrete

🏷Bio concrete is an innovative material that incorporates bacteria capable of producing calcite when exposed to water and oxygen.

These bacteria, encapsulated in the concrete, are activated when cracks form and naturally repair them. This process enhances the durability of structures, reduces maintenance costs, and contributes to sustainability by minimizing the need for conventional repairs.

Bio concrete has great potential for various infrastructure applications, offering an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution.

🚧Several processes are available for the production of bioconcrete:

- Adding bacteria of the genus Bacillus. Bacteria are placed in the concrete mixture in biodegradable capsules with calcium lactate to provide them with nutrients.

Once the capsule dissolves, the microorganisms come to life and in the process produce limestone that fills cracks in the concrete.
- The addition of spores of the fungus Trichoderma reesei. Without access to water and air, the fungi are at rest, but as soon as moisture and air enter the concrete structure through cracks, they begin to grow actively, producing calcium carbonate, which fills microcracks.

💫Advantages:

- Resistance to the action of adverse natural factors.
- Reducing the time, labor and financial costs of routine and major repairs of buildings and structures.
- Prevention of damage to concrete structures during operation.

Self-restoring concrete is not yet widespread in the construction industry, because its cost is 2 times higher than conventional concrete mixes.

But if you calculate the benefits in the subsequent operation of facilities built with bioconcrete, the benefits of this material become apparent.

Specialists in the construction industry are confident that the future belongs to such materials.

Via Yonatan Tadesse PMP

@etconp