Activities and liabilities of Quantity Surveyor and Quality Manager

Quantity Surveyor: The prime intention of the quantity surveyor is to measure the amount of materials required for building work as well as estimate the cost of the materials.

Usually, a quantity surveyor performs the following activities :-

• Commercial omission of site
• Formulation of financial reports, budgets and forecasts
• Supervision, training and development of some junior staff
• Job review of assistant staff
• Utilization of health and safety requirements
• Fulfillment of paperwork as desired by the CSIs/procedures
• Synchronization of enquiries for and evaluation of subcontractors (in conjunction with designers, buyers and other disciplines as required)
• Assuring that all subcontract documentation effectively describes the detailed requirements
• Insurance cover (quotations and implications)
• Calculation and disclosure of monthly valuation for certificate
• Preparation of claims, variation orders and day work
• Settlement of new rates for supplementary works
• Calculation of finished work and validation of compliance with specified requirements for subcontractor payment.

Quality Manager: The purpose of the quality managers is to make sure that the product or service that an organization renders is suitable for purpose, reliable and satisfies both external and internal requirements.

A quality manager undertakes the following responsibilities :

• Offers technical guidance on construction materials
• Provides instructions to line management on quality management matters helping agents or project managers with the formulation of their quality plans for individual projects
• Inspecting the execution of quality systems with regard to the CSIs/procedures by audit and surveillance, and instructing proper management of any corrective actions necessary and supervising their implementation
• Implementing or arranging audits on vendors, suppliers and subcontractors in association with purchasing managers
• Guiding all staff on their quality management responsibilities.




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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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The uses of excavation supports or earth retaining structures

Excavation support or earth retaining structures are vital where deep excavation is created and arrangement of necessary slope is not possible. Given below, the details of different types of excavation supports.

What Are Excavation Supports?
Usually, to develop a structure either over the ground or underneath the ground, excavation of soil should be arranged in the ground.

The excavation may come in the form of shallow or deep on the basis of our need. But when the soil is dug deeply, there is a chance for collapsing of the soil from the sides of excavated area because of low strength.

To get rid of this issue and to create the cut vertically perfect, some temporary earth retaining structures known as excavation supports are essential.

The soil cut failure occurs if the limit of excavation surpasses its safe height limit and it is subjected to unconfined compressive strength of soil and cohesion.

From the table, given below, the safe height limit for various soil types are given on the basis of their unconfined compressive strength and cohesion limits.

Types of Excavation Supports: Usually, the following methods are mostly used for providing excavation supports-

• Soldier pile and lagging
• Soil nailing

Soldier Pile and Lagging: Soldier piles refer to I-sections which comprise of web among two flanges. These I-sections are drilled into the ground encompassing the boundary of an excavation. The piles are delivered to the point slightly under the necessary excavation depth.

The concrete with poor strength is utilized for the purpose of grouting of piles. The gap among each two nearby piles is restricted to 10 feet. Once that exaction is completed, the flanges of piles provide good support to the surrounded soil.

Wood lagging is applied among the piles. The lagging comprises of long timber sheets or planks which are arranged behind the front flanges of piles to provide well support to the soil among the piles.

The timber contains 2 to 4 inches depth, there, some excavation should be arranged by hand behind the front flange. To create stable bond among horizontal wood sheets and front flange, welded studs, clips etc. are utilized.

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co
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Common types of pipe fittings in a plumbing system

In this construction video tutorial, you will gather knowledge on various types of pipe fittings which are generally utilized in plumbing system. The video is very useful for the mechanical engineers and other construction professionals.

The role of a fitting in pipe systems is to attach straight pipe or tubing sections, adjust with various sizes or shapes and for other purposes, like regulating (or measuring) fluid flow.

In a plumbing system, the following types of fittings are used :-

Elbow – An elbow is set up among two lengths of pipe (or tubing) to facilitate changing the direction of flow. Normally, there are different types of elbows like 90° or 45° or 22.5°angle. The ends are machined for butt welding, threaded (generally female), or socketed. When the sizes for ends vary, it is called a reducing (or reducer) elbow.

Reducer – A reducer is provided for accommodating a change in pipe size to match hydraulic flow requirements of the system or adjust with current piping of a diverse size. Generally reducers remain concentric, but eccentric reducers are also utilized if required to sustain the top- or bottom-of-pipe level.

Coupling – A coupling attaches two pipes. If their sizes fluctuate, the fitting is called as a reducing coupling, reducer, or an adapter. Two types of couplings are available like “regular" and "slip".

A regular coupling contains a small ridge or stop inside, to avoid over-insertion of a pipe, and consequently under-insertion of the other pipe segment (which may occur in a defective connection). A slip coupling alias a repair coupling is purposely developed devoid of this internal stop, to facilitate it for being slipped into place in rigid locations.

Union - A union is required to disconnect the pipes securely for maintenance purpose as well as for substituting the fixtures. With union, connection and disconnection can be smoothly done several times as per requirement. It comprises of three parts like a nut, a female end and a male end. If the female and male ends are united, the joint is sealed with nuts by pressing the two ends firmly together.

Tee - A tee is applied to unite (or separate) fluid flow. There are female thread sockets, solvent-weld sockets or opposed solvent-weld sockets and a female-threaded side outlet for it. It is possible to attach pipes having various diameters or adjust the direction of a pipe run, or both.

Cross – Crosses contain one inlet and three outlets (or contrary), and frequently comprise of solvent-welded socket or female-threaded ends. Cross fittings may strain pipes when temperature fluctuates as they are situated at the center of four connection points.

Plug - A plug sets within the pipe segment or fitting to which it is associated. In a threaded plumbing system, plugs contain male threads. Different plug types are available which range from mechanical, pneumatic-disk, single-size pneumatic rubber, multi-size pneumatic and flow-through, and high-pressure.

Cap - Caps, normally liquid- or gas-tight, provide a cover to the open end of a pipe. A cap is connected with the outside of a pipe, and may contain a solvent-weld socket end or a female-threaded interior. The outside of an industrial cap may come in various shapes like round, square, rectangular, U- or I-shaped, or may have a handgrip.

To gather more information, watch the following exclusive video tutorial.

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co

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CSiBridge 2017 – The newest software for 3D bridge analysis

Computers and Structures, Inc. is the developer of CSiBridge. It is a very useful software for integrated 3d bridge analysis.

Modeling, analysis and design of bridge structures are incorporated into CSiBridge to transform the bridge design process to the next level.

The engineers can apply CSiBridge to easily determine complicated bridge geometries, boundary conditions and load cases. The bridge models are described parametrically with the jargons which are common to bridge engineers like layout lines, spans, bearings, abutments, bents, hinges and post-tensioning. The software has the capability to generate spine, shell or solid object models which are automatically updated with the modification in the bridge definition parameters.

With CSiBridge design, it becomes easier to design and retrofitting of steel and concrete bridges rapidly without any difficulty. By using the parametric modeler, the users get the ability to develop simple or complicated bridge models as well as create rectifications competently and at the same time total control on the design progression. Lanes and vehicles are described rapidly and comprise of width effects.

With the use of simple and practical Gantt charts, it is possible to simulate modeling of construction sequences and scheduling.

There is a simple wizard method in CSiBridge that offers the useful process to generate a bridge model.

CSiBridge is supported with the SAPFire® analysis engine along with staged construction, creep and shrinkage analysis, cable tensioning to target forces, camber and shape finding, geometric nonlinearity (P-delta and large displacements), material nonlinearity (superstructure, bearings, substructure and soil supports), buckling and static and dynamic analysis. All of these can be used with a single comprehensive model. Besides, AASHTO LRFD design is contained with automated load combinations, superstructure design and the newest seismic design.

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co

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How to estimate the quantity or number of dump trucks necessary for cut & filling of soil

This construction video tutorial provides detailed guidelines for computing the quantity or number of dump trucks essential for cut filling of soil.

Cutting and filling stands for the method of shifting soil from one place to another for leveling the ground properly.

A ‘cut’ is formed if the soil is cut from beyond the required ground height and a ‘fill’ is formed if the soil is employed to stuff a hole to preferred ground level. Cutting and filling is most recognized method that is applied to develop a uniform ground surface.

There is a risk associated with cutting and filling the land specifically when the desired land for filling is utilized for your house foundations. Each time earth is shifted the natural compaction is affected, and soil under this condition is frequently defined as ‘fluffed’ or ‘aerated’.

The soil should be compacted to resist settling so that it becomes safe for being used in foundation. If it's improperly compacted, settling soil can lead to cracked foundations.

Cutting and filling is usually done with earth moving equipment like skid-steer loaders or bulldozers. Based on the size and shape of your site, it is recommended to apply a drum roll style compactor or a plate compactor.

To get the complete calculation process, watch the following video.

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co

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Variations among rough cost and detailed cost

This construction video tutorial sheds light on definition of rough cost and detailed cost and variations among them.

Rough cost estimate plays an important role in construction. If there are huge variations among the rough estimate and the cost of construction that may impact the decision to begin a project. If the rough cost is too high, project may be left devoid of creating its detailed estimate.

Alternatively, if the rough cost is too low then project may begin but once the detailed estimate is made, design and drawings are cancelled because of shortage of fund.

Detailed cost estimates should be made cautiously. These briefly estimate the cost of different items work that set ups the entire project. Detailed estimates are accomplished once the detailed working drawings are made together with specifications. If any error occurs in rough cost estimate, then it will provide great influence in detailed cost estimates.

In this video, example is given for a plinth area having 400 sft. Plinth area belongs to the built up covered area that is computed at floor level of the basement or of any story of building.

The rate is charged as Rs. 400 per square feet and it includes 8% of electricity, 4% of water, 4% of sanitary, 4% Gas etc.

Detailed cost includes earth work, concrete work, brickwork in foundation, DPC (damp proof course), brickwork concerning superstructure, cement plaster, white washing.

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co

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How to Locate a Home Renovation Contractor

In order to start a renovation plan toward your home, you have to initially hire an architect. He takes the liability to create the designs which should be attended by a construction team. Then, it is required to find out and employ a professional home renovation contractor. This person will lead the construction team liable for building your renovation. A good contractor plays an important role toward any home renovation project. Given below, some useful tips on how to select a good contractor.

1. Search for a most experienced and knowledgeable contractor
Restrain from employing a novice contractor to supervise a renovation project on your home as there may occur very foul things which can lead to a severe amount of damage and it will be very exorbitant for you to resolve. If you prefer to hire an experienced a contractor, everything will be as per your plan.

You are going to incur significant amount of money for reconstructing your home. So, It is suggested to opt for a contractor who has been performing this type of work for a prolong period. Preferably, you should only give importance on hiring a contractor who should possess at least five years of working experience as a full-time contractor. It will make sure that the project will continue smoothly.

2. Get references from some of the people in your life who you trust
You should probably know some people who have already employed a contractor at some point in the past. If so, it will better to confer with these people and get help from the suggestions they provide. Are they satisfied with the work provided by their contractor? Did the person take a rational rate for the work they did? Did he show up on time? These are all critical things you should find out. Click on the link to search for the contractors online (renovationexperts.com).

3. How speedily will the contractor be capable of completing his work?
You do not prefer to wait around perpetually for your contractor to complete his or her work. So, make an estimate for the probable completion period of your project.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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How to estimate materials for a underground sewer pipe

By watching this construction video tutorial, one can learn how to make calculation for sewer line in a building construction.

In fact the sewer line belongs to an underground pipe that works to discharge sewage from residential building or residential area as well as commercial buildings or any other type buildings.

On the basis of materials, there exist different types of sewer pipes like clay pipe, concrete pipe, cast iron & transite pipe, orangeberg and plastic PVC or ABS.

The video covers the following topics :-

1) Excavation.
2) Dry bajri at the base of trench.
3) How many number of pipes?.
4) How many joints?
5) Refilling of trench?

In this video tutorial, the solution is given to the following problem :-

Problem : Calculate materials for sewer line having length 300 ft. The length of the pipe is 6 ft. The sewer line also contains a slope of 1:200. Guess the ground as level.

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co

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