CEnC 152 - Advanced Construction Methods and Equipment
Lesson 1.1 REVIEW ON CONSTRUCTION
LESSON SUMMARY
This lesson is a short review on the basics of construction. The topics cover the definition
of construction and its components such as the project and scope of work, as well as its
general process. This also reviews on the topic related to management as well as introduce
the students to Construction Management.
WHAT IS CONSTRUCTION?
The process of making something. In relation to Civil Engineering, it is the trade by which an
individual or group is hired to complete a scope of work related to an infrastructure project.
A. What is a Project?
In the context of Civil Engineering, a Project is any effort or work needed to complete an
endeavor or a structure, whether in part (unique or specified services) or in whole.
This could be any Type of Infrastructure Works such as:
a. Building
Any of the vertical construction that may serve a specific occupancy such as:
1. Residential
2. Commercial, Business and Mercantile
3. Industrial and Storage
4. Institutional
5. Recreational
b. Transportation
Any horizontal construction for the purpose of transportation:
1. Roads and Bridges
2. Railways
3. Port Facilities (Airports and Seaports) excluding vertical facilities such as
terminals and storage facilities
c. Utilitarian Facilities
Any infrastructure, vertical or horizontal, that houses production, treatment, or
distribution for utilitarian functions.
1. Electrical Plants
2. Dams and Water Sheds
3. Water Supply System
4. Water Treatment Facility
5. Sewage Treatment Facility
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CEnC 152 – Advanced Construction Methods and Equipment
Lesson 1.1. Review on Construction
B. Scope of Work
The Scope of Work may vary from:
a. New Construction
Any works done without any existing structures.
b. Addition Works
Any work done to increase the area or volume of an existing structure without
changes the existing structure.
c. Repair Works
Any works done to an existing structure to return it to its original state.
d. Renovation Works
Any works done to an existing structure to improve its performance without changing
its occupancy
1. Strengthening Works – any works done to a part or member element of an
existing structure
2. Retrofitting Works – any works done to a system of an existing structure
e. Conversion Works
Any works done to an existing structure with the intention to change occupancy
f.
Unique Services
Any specific works to be done to a new or existing structure.
1. Civil Works includes Foundation works, Main Structure – structural frame,
Envelopes without finishes, and Utility Roughing-Ins
2. Finishing Works includes Surface Preparation, Coat Application, and works that
involve the application finishing materials such as tiles and cladding.
3. Electrical Works includes the Installation of Conductors, Components, and
Equipment
4. Plumbing Works includes the Installation of Pipes, Components, and Fixtures
5. Mechanical Works includes the Installation of Mechanical Equipment such as
Elevators and Air-conditioning Units.
6. Electronics and Communication Works includes the Installation of Wires and
Equipment for communication
7. Interior Fit-outs includes the Installation of Cabinetry, Counters, and other Interior
Elements such as furniture.
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CEnC 152 – Advanced Construction Methods and Equipment
Lesson 1.1. Review on Construction
C. Project Process
Begins from the inception of the idea up to achievement of the established goals and
identified scope of work.
Normally a Project Process includes:
a. Inception of Idea / Project Initiation
This is where the project idea is crafted as well as its goals and objectives.
b. Preliminary Investigation
This is where the justification for the project or the possible success of the project is
checked. Initial data needed for the design development is also gathered.
1. Feasibility Study
Processes that involves the analysis of the Technical Requirements of the project,
Economic/Financial capacity of the owner or client, and Legal requirements for the
project to determine the potential of the Project and Investments including not only
the initial or execution cost of the Project but as well as its Operation Cost.
Geodetic/Land Surveys – refers to the technical description and topographic
information of the site.
ii Soil Capacity Tests – refers to the scientific process of testing the load bearing
capacity of the soil of the site.
iii Site/Location Analysis – refers to the potential impact of the project to the
community as well as it effects to environment, to society, and the community
near the site. Furthermore, this also refers to the studies of the viability of the
project with respect to the accessibility and potential constraints during
execution and operations.
iv Return of Investment Studies – refers to the analysis of the cost and potential
return of the initial investments to the project considering the Budgetary
Constraints and Operation Cost requirements.
a.) Budgetary Constraints – refers to the assessment of the financial capacity
of the owner/client/investors to support the execution of the project.
b.) Capacity to Operate – refers to the assessment of the financial
requirement of the owner/client/investors to support the operation and
maintenance of the project.
v Local and National Regulations – refers to the constrains, requirements, and
standards set forth by the Local and National Government that will apply to the
potential project.
i
2. Market Research
The process of determining the Demand for use of the project and the necessary
or potential for Supplying the demand.
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CEnC 152 – Advanced Construction Methods and Equipment
Lesson 1.1. Review on Construction
c. Design Development and Document Preparation
This is where the project design/instructions are formulated, checked, revised,
approved, and finalized into Documents.
d. Execution of Designs (Construction)
This is where the possible individual or group who will execute the project, design is
chosen. Once the executor is chosen, the project design is executed.
e. Turn Over of Completed Work
This is where the project design is turned over after completing its execution.
f.
Project Closeout: Post Evaluation and Monitoring (Optional)
This is where analysis of the completed project is done for improvements in the
execution of the next project.
WHAT IS MANAGEMENT?
Management is the systemic way of planning, scheduling, executing, monitoring, and
controlling the different aspects of a Project or Construction Process, so as to achieve a goal
of a given scope.
In the context of engineering projects, management is used to control cost, duration, and
quality of a project or construction work. Although the goal is the same, Project Management
and Construction Management differ in their scope or coverage. Project Management begins
from the inception until the completion of the project, while Construction Management begins
at the Execution of the Design Phase and ends upon the Turn Over of the Completed Work.
Project
Life Cycle
Project Process
Project
Management
Construction
Management
Inception of Idea
Initiation
Preliminary Investigation
Planning
Design Development and
Document Preparation
Construction
Execution
Turn Over of Completed Work
Closeout
Post Evaluation and
Monitoring
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CEnC 152 – Advanced Construction Methods and Equipment
Lesson 1.1. Review on Construction
WHAT IS A CONSTRUCTION MANAGER?
A Construction Manager (CM) is someone who manages or controls the cost, duration,
and quality of a project during the Execution Phase. The CM also prepares the management
system together with the criteria to determine an acceptable work, as well as help in checking
whether a Contractor is qualified to execute the design.
The CM serves as a third party between the owner/client and the contractor to serve
as a check and balance to the works of the Contractor, however does not necessarily reports
directly to the owner/client but rather reports to the Project Manager.
The CM is usually a separate individual or group from the Contractor, Design
Professionals, Project Manager, and Owner/Client. However, in some cases, the owner/client
or Design Professional may act as the CM to reduce cost in management. Although this may
lead to conflict of interest, it is still acceptable. In no case should the contractor serve as the
CM since there will be nobody to check the works if it is in line with the goal of the project.
WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF A CONSTRUCTION MANAGER?
a. Before Construction begins:
1. Prepares the management system based on the goals and scope of work.
b. During Construction:
1. Responsible for Monitoring and Controlling Cost – refers to the goal of completing
the work within the budget or set cost. This is affected by the cost of materials,
labor, and equipment to be used. This is also affected by the duration and delays
of the project. Finally, this can be affected by the quality of workmanship which
may lead to reworks, in case of unacceptable works, thus increasing cost.
2. Responsible for Monitoring and Controlling Duration – refers to the goal of
completing the work within a specific time frame. This is affected by the quantity
and availability of materials, labor, and equipment when they are needed. This is
also affected by the quality of workmanship which may lead to reworks, in case of
unacceptable works, thus extending the duration.
3. Responsible for Monitoring and Controlling Quality – refers to the goal of achieving
an acceptable or better quality of the completed work. This is affected by the quality
of the materials, quality of workmanship, and availability of labor, and equipment.
4. Reports to the Project Manager the construction progress and monitoring results.
c. After Construction ends (optional):
1. Prepares a post evaluation analysis of the completed scope of work for
improvement purposes.
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CEnC 152 – Advanced Construction Methods and Equipment
Lesson 1.1. Review on Construction
CONSTRUCTION, WITH OR WITHOUT MANAGEMENT?
When can we say that a Construction Project would require Construction Manager? This
actually depends on the preference of the Owner/Client and the recommendation of the
Project Manager. Another aspect to consider is the scale or magnitude of the project.
If the project is small enough where management is not critical, a Construction Manager
(CM) or even a Project Manager (PM) may not be required. Meaning to say that the
construction project personnel are not as widely spread such that a central figure, the CM, is
needed to keep them in line with the goal of the project. More often than not, the role of the
CM is taken over either by the Owner/Client, especially if they have the technical knowledge,
or by the Design Professional who knows the design more. This is done in order to reduce the
cost in management of the project.
On the other hand, if the project is large where coordination and management is critical, a
PM and CM is necessary. In the case of the CM, they will serve as the control tower of the
construction works. When multiple contractors are involved, the CM serves as that person
who makes sure that each contractor achieves the quality as required, that no delay to the
total progress of the construction project occurs, and that no additional cost is incurred. With
the presence of the CM, these three things are constantly checked and monitored.
So ultimately, is it really necessary to have a Construction Manager? The answer to this
is yes, if you wish to achieve a project within budget, schedule, and quality.
-End of Lesson-
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