Civil Construction Tips
Posted on: 30 September 2020
Civil construction involves the construction of infrastructures such as bridges, roads, railways and dams. Simply put, it is an essential aspect of any country's development process. Below are some things you should know about civil construction projects.
Preliminary Investigations
Most civil construction works begin with a preliminary investigation to identify the viability of the project. For example, if the government intends to construct a road or railway line linking town A to town B, they will want to know whether the social-economic impact of the project will match the cost of construction. Besides, they will conduct an environmental impact assessment to establish the effects of the project on the environment.
Planning and Design Works
Geotechnical and civil engineers will survey the site to determine whether the current conditions allow construction works. For instance, when building tunnels, they will check the depth of groundwater sources. Besides, the engineers will conduct soil tests to know the required preparation works. For example, clay and peat soils could require excavation. The engineers will also create construction blueprints for the project.
Contract Award
After the design works are complete, government officials will create eligibility criteria for contractors who wish to bid for the project. For example, contractors may be required to have a specific amount of cash, bank documents showing they qualify for financing, insurance coverage and evidence that they have handled similar projects in the past. Contracts are awarded to contractors who provide high-quality work at a reasonable price.
Safety During Civil Works
Safety is a vital aspect of civil construction projects. As such, contractors are required to observe the following safety measures.
- All equipment and earthmovers should be in good mechanical condition and serviced on time.
- Site equipment should be operated by skilled personnel. For example, a truck driver should not operate an excavator.
- Workers using dangerous equipment or those working at heights should have a high-risk work licence.
- Contractors should conduct regular inspections to identify site hazards such as live electrical wires and slippery surfaces. Besides, they should check the weather forecast to know when they expect poor weather.
- Everyone at the site, including visitors, should have personal protective clothing.
Inspections
The project will undergo regular inspections before its completion. Typically, civil engineers will assess the contractors work to ensure that he or she follows the building blueprints. In some cases, the engineers will ask the contractor to make minor changes such as adding an extra pillar, increasing the height of a dam or widening a road.
Civil construction works require a lot of planning and preparation. Ultimately, the end goal of any project is to positively impact the lives of citizens and improve government service delivery.
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