ENGINEERING WORKSHOP
STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME (SIWES) OFFICIAL REPORT
Prepared for
THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY
By
AUDU ALIOGHO (ENG/CVE/221139)
Student, Civil Engineering Department,
Benson Idahosa University
Undertaken at
BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY
BENIN CITY, EDO STATE
JULY 1ST 2024 – AUGUST 9TH 2024
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme
(SIWES) was carried out by AUDU ALIOGHO (ENG/CVE/221139) at
Benson Idahosa University Benin City, Edo State and that this work is
original and has not been previously submitted for assessment in any
other institution.
DEDICATION
This report is dedicated to the Almighty God for giving me the chance to
participate in this wonderful institution's work experience program, for
showing me such enormous grace, and for always being there for me
when I needed Him most.
-
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I first give thanks to the Almighty God for granting me his power, insight,
and knowledge.
Second, I want to express my gratitude to my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eze,
for always putting my academic, physical, and social well-being first and
for going above and beyond to ensure that I received a quality
education.
I would like to express my gratitude to the management and staff of all
the Engineering department at Benson Idahosa University Benin city in
Edo State for the wealth of information they have imparted to me and
my colleagues during this programme.
ABSTRACT
The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), which provides
students with the chance to bridge the gap between theoretical
information learned in the classroom and practical application in realworld engineering contexts, has emerged as a critical element of
engineering education. The importance of SIWES includes helping
engineering students develop their skill sets, cultivate a greater
awareness of the engineering industry, and become ready for their
future employment.
My industrial affiliations at Benson Idahosa University are summarized in
the technical report, along with my experiences during them. The
training lasts for a period of 6 weeks and includes a discussion of the
technical skills acquired during that time as well as evidence supporting
the program's value in preparing students for success in the real world.
Students have been able to work practically and develop knowledgebased skills thanks to the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme
(SIWES), which will be very helpful to them when they enter the labor
market.
I participated in the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES)
at Benson Idahosa University Benin city, Edo state and in this report, I've
talked about some of my experiences, knowledge I received, and
additional practical skills needed in the training process to become a
certified and competent Civil Engineer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CERTIFICATION
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BACKGROUND
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
INTRODUCTION TO SIWES
AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF SIWES
BENEFIT OF SIWES
HISTORY OF SIWES
HISTORY OF SCHOOL
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
SURVEYING
SITE VISIBILITY
A REVIEW OF THE VARIOUS CIVIL ENGINEERING LABORATORIES IN
BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY.
BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE
CHAPTER 2
SITE INVESTIGATION I
SITE PREPARATION
FORMWORK CREATION
CASTING
CURING
CHAPTER 3
SITE INVESTIGATION II
CURING II
SURVEYING II
SURVEYING III
CHAPTER 4
SITE INVESTIGATION III
TILING
SITE INVESTIGATION IV
SITE INVESTIGATION V
SITE INVESTIGATION VI
CHAPTER 5
PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE
ROAD SIGNS
FOUNDATIONS AND SETTING OUT
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
BACKGROUND
INTRODUCTION TO SIWES
There was a difficulty with the disconnect between students' theoretical knowledge and
practical abilities in the early phases of Nigerian education development. As a result, there
was a need to provide students with the chance to gain practical work experience. It was
developed to provide practical training alongside theoretical instruction for the pupils. The
Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) has a preliminary plan called the SWEP.
The curriculum collaborates with fields like engineering, medicine, natural science,
technology, agriculture, education, environmental science, and applied science. It is quite
mandatory, particularly for individuals who specialize in engineering.
OBJECTIVES OF SIWES
1. To make the workforce more energetic and at the same time making the financial area
more buoyant.
2. To furnish understudies with modern abilities and required insight while the course of
study.
3. To evaluate the interest and reasonableness of the understudies in what discipline of
work he/she is studying.
4. To plan experts who will be prepared for any functioning circumstances quickly after
graduation.
5. To empower understudies to try and apply the given knowledge.
6. To give understudies the information on genuine work situations.
7. To open the understudies to work techniques not showed in the study hall and to give
access to production equipment.
8. To illuminate understudies on the entanglements to keep away from in the business
world as well as to amplify profit in their different fields.
9. To make the progress structure school to the work market simpler for the students.
10. To make conditions and conditions, this can be essentially as close as conceivable to the
genuine work process.
BENEFITS OF SIWES
SIWES manages the cost of understudies with the accompanying open doors;
1. Value work strategy and gain insight in dealing with hardware and apparatus which may
not be accessible in our organization.
2. Mix hypothetical information secure in the homeroom with useful active utilization of
information.
3. Create and upgrade individual credits like decisive reasoning, imagination, drive, creativity
initiative, using time productively, show abilities and relational abilities.
4. Upgrade understudies' contact with expected businesses while on preparing.
5. Overcome any barrier between the information obtained in foundations and significant
creation abilities expected in work associations. 6. Value the job of callings in their different
fields as the makers of progress and riches and key supporters of developing the economy
and public turn of events.
7. Value the association between their courses of study and other related disciplines in the
development of labor and products.
HISTORY OF SWEP/SIWES
The understudy work experience conspire (SWEP) began in 1974 with 748 understudies from
11 foundations of higher learning. By 1978, the extent of cooperation in the plan had
expanded to around 5,000students from 32 organizations. The modern preparation store,
notwithstanding, pull out from the administration of the plot in 1979 attributable to issues
of authoritative operations and the expanded monetary burden associated with quick
development of SWEP/SIWES (ITF, 2003). Thus, the Administrative Government funded the
plan through the Public College Commission (NUC) and the Public Board for Technical
Instruction (NBTE) and made due (SWEP/SIWES) for quite some time (1979 - 1984). The
supervising organizations (NUC and NBTE) worked the plan related to their respective
institutions during the period. The plan was accordingly assessed by the administrative
government resulting in Pronouncement No. 16 of August, 1985 which required that "all
understudy signed up for specialized engineering, specialized, business, applied sciences and
applied workmanship ought to have directed industrial attachment as a feature of their
investigations. In the equivalent vain, the ITF was coordinated by the Central Government to
take charge and resume liability regarding the administration of SIWES/SIWES in a joint
effort with the 2 directing organizations, for example Public Colleges Commission (NUC), the
Public Leading body of Specialized Training (NBTE) and the Public Commission for School of
Instruction (NCCE). Following the resumption of the executives of SWEP/SIWES by the ITF in
1984, the plan has witnessed fast development. Somewhere in the range of 1985 and 1995,
the quantities of organizations and the students participating in SWEP/SIWES rose from 141
to 57,433 separately. Somewhere in the range of 1995 and 2003, a complete of176
organizations and 210, 390 understudies took part in SWEP/SIWES. This rose to 204 while
the number of understudies from these foundations who partook in the plan was 535,210,
from 2003 - 2011 the establishments partook in the plan worked on up to 215 while the
quantity of student increased o 610,122 (ITF 2011) modern work insight in Human asset
Advancement in Nigeria.
HISTORY OF SCHOOL
Benson Idahosa University (BIU) is a private Christian University located in Benin City, Edo
State, Nigeria. It was founded by a charismatic Pentecostal preacher, Archbishop Benson A.
Idahosa in 1978. Benson Idahosa University offers a variety of courses in several faculties
like; Faculty of Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Engineering, College of Medicine,
Faculty of Law,etc. The Engineering Faculty is by far one of the most fascinating faculties
which offers theoretical and practical knowledge in all fields.
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
If proper procedures are followed, the civil engineering laboratories will
be a safe place to work. Some basic rules regarding dress code include;
1. Safety googles must be worn whenever working with chemicals,
heat, sharp objects or any substance that may get into your eyes.
2. Wear gloves when working with specimens or when handling
strong chemicals.
3. Tie back long hair, avoid baggy clothes and jewelries that will get
in contact with hot or heated materials.
4. Open toe shoes are not appropriate for the lab.
General Safety rules include;
1. Be serious, alert and no horse play when working in the
laboratory.
2. Read all instructions and follow all directions as instructed by
instructor.
3. Do not handle any lab equipment without permission.
4. If any spill occurs, notify the instructor immediately.
5. No food or drinks are allowed in the laboratory.
6. Wash your hands before and after every laboratory practice
7. Keep the lab area clean, free from dirt and arranged.
Regulations regarding first aid include;
1. Notify your instructor if you have any health issues or medical
problems.
2. Report any accident or injury to the instructor.
Rules and regulations regarding heat and fire include;
1. Googles must be worn when heat is involved.
2. Point test tube that are heated or being heated should be kept far
away to avoid explosion or splash.
3. Never heat a liquid in a closed container.
4. Never use bare hands to carry hot objects.
Rules and regulations to be followed when dealing with chemicals
include;
1. Never mix chemicals for the fun of it.
2. Never use dirty glassware.
3. Do not inhale or smell fumes directly from chemical containers.
4. Properly dispose waste materials.
Rules regarding handling of glassware and sharp objects include;
1. Handle glassware carefully and always wear googles when doing
so.
2. Report broken glassware and do not dispose broken glassware
improperly.
Rules regarding cleanup in the lab include;
1. Clean up work area after the work is done.
2. Return all equipment to its safety position after use.
It is important to come to a laboratory prepared in order to avoid
unforeseen conditions and accidents. This includes taking necessary
precautions.
SURVEYING I
Surveying is the process of measuring and mapping the Earth's surface
to gather data for plans, designs and construction projects. Surveyors
provide critical data and support the civil engineer's need to design and
build infrastructure projects, safely, efficiently and accurately. Surveying
equipment include ranging pole, leveling staff, level, tripod, GPS and so
on.
The major survey equipments are level, levelling staff and tripod and are
used to check height difference in land survey.
A level or levelling instrument is used to determine the relative heights
or elevations of points on the Earth's surface. Gravitational force affects
leveling in surveying in several ways like pulling plumb lines slightly off
center causing a small angular deviation, Altering instrument positions,
bending light rays thereby causing refraction which affects the accuracy
of optical leveling methods and so on. In surveying, the mean sea level is
a general datum used in surveying.
The following are the procedures to be followed in setting up a total
station with tripod stand as a major surveying equipment in order to
check height difference;
PROCEDURE:
1. Choose a stable and level set up location for the instrument.
2. Ensure the instrument is properly calibrated.
3. Set up the tripod and attach the instrument securely
4. Level the instrument using the leveling tool (level)
5. Perform a preliminary check to ensure the instrument is
functioning correctly.
6. Measure the height of the instrument using a tape
7. Set up a target at the point where the height difference is to be
measured
8. Using the leveling staff, take note of height differences while
measuring.
SPECIAL PRACTICE APPLICATIONS:
Surveying has various special practice applications;
1. Surveying ensures accurate placement and alignment of buildings,
bridges, and infrastructure in construction
2. Surveying supports design and implementation of projects like
roads, railway, canals and pipelines
3. Surveying informs soil stability and settlement analysis for
foundation designs
SITE VISIBILITY
Site visibility to the ability to have a clear understanding of the project's
progress, identify potential issues, and track performance in real-time.
Having good site visibility is important in civil engineering as it allows
stakeholders to make informed decisions, identify and mitigate risks,
and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Civil Engineering materials are materials used in building and
construction projects. Common civil engineering materials used in
construction include; block, cement, concrete, fine and coarse
aggregate, steel rods, etc. The difference between fine and coarse
aggregate is in its size and texture. Fine aggregates are smaller than
coarse aggregates. An example of fine aggregate is sand while an
example of coarse aggregate is gravel or granite.
Clay as a civil engineering material differ from late-rite in the sense that
it is a fine grained soil material with high plasticity often used as a
binding agent while late-rite is a soil or rock material with high strength
and durability used as a primary construction material which is more
stable and less prone to volume changes.
A REVIEW OF THE VARIOUS CIVIL ENGINEERING LABORATORIES
The Environmental and Water resources lab is utilized by structural
designing understudies to perform water quality and natural
examinations to decide boundaries required in the plan of treatment
and remediation frameworks for drinking water, homegrown and
modern wastewater, storm water spillover, and polluted soil and
groundwater. The apparatuses used in this lab includes; Thermometer
set, distilled water, set of beakers, Spectrophotometer, digital colony
counter, reagents, pH meter, etc.
A geotechnical or soil mechanics lab in civil engineering is a facility
equipped with different instruments and hardware intended to lead
trials and tests on soil and rock tests. Equipment used here include
thermometer set, beaker set, colony counter, spectrophotometer, etc.
A structural and concrete lab in civil engineering assumes a crucial part
in surveying the strength, sturdiness, and execution of development
materials and primary components. Equipment here include trowel,
spade, trisquare, etc.
A surveying laboratory in civil engineering is essential for instruction,
study, and real-world applications of land surveying, acquiring geospatial
data, and mapping. Equipment that can be found in the surveying lab
includes; tripod stand, leveling staff, hand GPS, etc.
The main apparatuses used in the water and environmental lab includes;
thermometer, beakers, colony counter, spectrophotometer,
turbidimeter and so on. Below is a brief explanation of the apparatus
and their uses;
temperature estimations utilizing thermometers assume a huge part in
different water and natural research center applications. Temperature
estimations are significant in geotechnical designing to figure out the
warm properties of soil and rock. In natural designing, thermometers are
utilized to screen the temperature of soil and groundwater, which can
influence the development and conduct of pollutants.
Distilled water is generally utilized in water and environmental labs
inside the field of structural designing for various purposes. Its
interesting properties, for example, its high virtue and absence of
pollutions, make it appropriate for explicit applications that require
exact and controlled conditions. In natural labs, refined water might be
utilized as a kind of perspective norm to evaluate the effect of
contamination or impurities in regular water bodies.
A set of beakers is a major lab device that has different applications in
water and ecological labs inside the field of structural designing. Beakers
are tube shaped compartments with level bottoms, utilized for holding
and blending fluids. Beakers are utilized to plan water tests for testing by
allotting the expected volumes and convergences of reagents for various
investigations. A set of beakers can briefly store tests and arrangements
before they are broke down or handled further. In a structural designing
water and natural lab, a set of beakers would be utilized broadly
because of the range of examinations and tests connected with water
quality, tainting, and ecological effect evaluations.
A BEAKER
Spectrophotometers are modern instruments utilized in water and
ecological research facilities inside the field of structural designing to
dissect the properties of fluids, including water tests. They work by
estimating the retention or transmission of light at different frequencies,
permitting scientists to measure the convergence of explicit substances
in a sample.
The digital colony counter is designed for counting bacteria/colony
accurately. This bacterias are put in a petri dish which comes in the
plastic and glass form. After placing the water/food samples on a petri
dish, it is placed on the panel. Then we use the digital pen to count the
bacteria carefully. It has the magnifier which makes the material placed
on the panel to be brighter/larger in appearance for easy counting.
The Agar chemical can be used in case of the bacteria not appearing
bigger after using the magnifier. After 24 hours of application, the
bacteria appears bigger. The chemical allows the bacteria to curshaw. It
helps reduce error.
Distilled water is used to disinfect the bacteria. It acts as a disinfectant.
Precautions taken when using the colony counter
1. Distilled water was used for sterilization before carrying out any
practical to prevent result alteration
2. Distilled water was equally used after the practical
3. Curshawing was done for easy countability, easy magnification and
to reduce error
Reagents, with regards to water and ecological labs inside structural
designing, are compound substances utilized for different logical and
testing purposes. These reagents are fundamental for leading
examinations, investigations, and appraisals connected with water
quality, ecological effect, and consistence with administrative principles.
Reagent’s Bottle
pH meters are fundamental instruments in water and ecological
research facilities inside the structural designing field. They are utilized
for estimating the acridity or alkalinity of fluid arrangements, which is
measured utilizing the pH scale. pH estimations assume a basic part in
evaluating water quality, grasping natural cycles, and guaranteeing
consistence with administrative guidelines.
The Impact Jet apparatus is a research facility instrument utilized in
structural designing, especially in water and natural labs, for different
testing and examination purposes. It permits analysts and architects to
reenact and concentrate on the effect of water jets on various materials
and designs.
The Impact Jet Apparatus
A flocculator jar test machine is a particular research facility instrument
utilized in structural designing water and ecological labs for evaluating
the coagulation and flocculation processes in water and wastewater
treatment. It decides the ideal measurement of coagulants and
flocculants expected to explain and sanitize water.
A Flocculator Jar Test Machine
The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) digestion apparatus is a
significant research facility instrument utilized in water and ecological
labs inside structural designing for evaluating the contamination level
and natural substance of water and wastewater tests. This device helps
in deciding how much oxygen expected for the synthetic oxidation of
natural and inorganic substances in an example.
Bernoulli's device, which exhibits the standards of liquid elements in
light of Bernoulli's situation, can be an important instructive and trial
apparatus in water and natural research facilities inside structural
designing.
Bernoulli’s Apparatus
A Hydraulic bench is a flexible research facility contraption utilized in
water and ecological labs inside structural designing for different
exploratory and instructive purposes. It recreates and concentrates on
liquid stream standards and water driven processes.
BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE
Planning, designing, building, maintaining, and managing infrastructure
and environmental systems are all included in the large and complex
subject of civil engineering. An elementary summary of some key
knowledge in civil engineering is provided below:
 Weight of one bag of cement - 50kg
 Density of cement - 1440kg/m^3
 Minimum thickness of slab - 0.125m
 Centre to Centre distance (C/C) is the space between two steel
rods in a slab I.e. the in to in dimension between the two steel
rod.
 Damp Proof Course (DPC) thickness should not be less than 2.5cm
 Development length is the distance between steel rods in beams.
 Slope of stairs should be between 25-40 degrees angle
 The riser should be between 150-200mm and the tread should be
between 250-300mm
 The number of bricks required for 1m^3 is 550 bricks
 M20 concrete grade is usually used for construction of slab
 The unit weight of steel formula is D^2/162 in kg/m
 Lapping should not be provided for steel rod that has diameter of
more than 36mm
 Maximum free fall of concrete should be 1.5m
 The comprehensive strength of brick is 7.5N/m^2
 Number of bars in a slab = length of opposite sides/spacing (C/C) +
1
 Damp proof course is a barrier usually formed by a membrane
built into the wall of a property usually 150mm above ground level
 Hook bends should be 135 degrees to design beam for residential
buildings
 In column rebar, the rod spaces should not be equal all through.
At the bottom the length of spaces should be the same at the top
and the bottom. Below is a diagrammatic explanation of column
rebar
 Lapping in column should be 95 degrees and in the ratio 1:6. In
order to provide continuous reinforcement over the whole length
of the column or beam, two reinforcing steel bars are overlapped
and tied together in a process known as lapping.
 Coarse aggregates are mixed with fine aggregates to avoid
honeycomb and voids
 Clay is not used in block making because cohesion is decreased
and water is retained for the cement hydration process as a result
of water adhering to the clay surfaces. Additionally, the
compressive strength is further impacted by the clay minerals' low
strength.
 In earthwork, excavation for basement above 3m should be in
stepped form
 Cement should be stored in dry places that is 6 inches above
ground level
 Water used for both mixing and curing should be free from
injurious amounts of oil, acid, salt, sugar, and organic materials
 The normal setting time for cement is 2 hours
 If there's no hardcore, board thickness should be increased to 6
inches above DPC
 Land topography matters
 Normal building height is 315cm or 3.15m from DPC
 Water-cement ratio for M20 grade is from 0.4-0.6
 Formula to get water-cement ratio = weight of water/weight of
cement.
 Volume of one bag of cement = 0.0347m^3 or 1.225cft
 Standard door dimensions are typically 2.1 meters tall, 0.9 meters
wide, and 0.24 meters thick. The average door width is 0.8 to 0.9
meters, compared to 0.7 to 0.8 meters for bathroom doors and 0.8
meters for kitchen doors.
 The minimum width of verandah is 1.5m
 A single mesh is advisably used for residential buildings while a
double mesh is used for commercial buildings
 Curing of concrete should not be less than seven days
 Water absorption in concrete should not be more than 15% I.e.
materials to be used for construction should not absorb more than
15% of water
 Electrical conduits or pipes should not be run in columns
 Water-cement ratio determine the strength of concrete
 The minimum size of column in commercial buildings is 9”x 9”
 The minimum size of footing is 2’x 2’.
 Provide grouting after slab casting for filling up the void with a
material known as grout
 Cube test is a factor used to determine design mix
 N and R as indicated on cement bags stand for normal and rapid
where rapid indicates the speedy setting of the cement
 S.I unit for measurement is meter and millimeter
 Setting out or profiling simply means reproducing structural plans
physically in the real world.
CHAPTER 2
SITE INVESTIGATION I
The site investigation aimed at determining the suitability of the site for
construction of a rampat. A rampat is an inclined plane used to provide
access to a building. In order to effectively design the rampat,
measurements were taken following the procedure below;
PROCEDURE
1. Identify locations for measurements
2. The steel tape should be employed for shorter distances and the
survey tape for longer distances
3. For convenience, measurements should be done by three
personnels; one holding one end of the tape, the other holding
the other end and the last one taking readings
4. Accurately record all measurements in a notebook
5. Double check measurements for accuracy and consistency.
SITE PREPARATION
Site preparation for construction of a rampart involves several key steps
like site clearance, excavation, site compaction, quality control to ensure
a safe and stable foundation for the structure.
Below shows a detailed procedure on how we prepared the site for the
construction;
1. Using a spade, remove all vegetation, debris, and obstructions
from the site.
2. Using a Measuring tape and pegs, measure and mark the points or
boundary of the site
3. Using a line, establish the layout and alignment of the structure.
Also use the line as a guide during the excavation
4. Gradually grade the site to achieve the desired elevation and
slope, and excavate any necessary areas for the rampart's
foundation.
5. Remove any unsuitable material, such as soft or unstable soil, and
replace it with suitable material.
6. Gradually grade and prepare the site to receive the rampart's
foundation and structural elements.
7. Inspect and test the site preparation to ensure compliance with
design specifications and safety standards.
FORMWORK CREATION
Form-work creation involves building a temporary structure to shape
and support concrete. It involves various steps from design to the
finishing. The factor of safety (FS) in the form-work is a design parameter
that ensures the form-work structure can withstand various loads and
stresses without failing. Here is a step by step guide on how we created
the form-work for the rampart;
PROCEDURE
1. Determine the rampart's shape and size
2. Using a table saw, cut the plywood and assemble them as per
design specifications
3. Construct the form-work structure structure on site, ensuring it is
level, plumb and securely fastened
4. Install bracing systems to provide additional support and stability
to the form-work
5. When placing form-work, setbacks like eaves, sock-away pit, car
park, etc should be put into consideration
CASTING
Casting is the process of pouring liquid concrete into a form-work to
create a structure. Before casting, leveling is done on the site. Factors
like mix design, materials selection, temperature and weather are put
into consideration before the casting is done. When casting, a damp
proof membrane or mesh is used to prevent water penetration, improve
durability, reduce shrinkage cracks in concrete. For water-logged areas,
de-watering is done before casting provided the water is in excess.
Slump and workability test is used to check material proportion before
casting.
Below are the procedures taken to cast the rampart;
PROCEDURE
1. Mix the concrete following the design specifications
2. Eliminate air pockets by compacting the concrete
3. Using a trowel and rammer, finish the surface
4. Allow to set
CURING
Curing is the process of allowing concrete to set and harden properly
after it has been placed and finished. It involves controlling the
temperature, humidity and moisture levels to ensure that the concrete
slowly and evenly cures.
Here are the steps taken to initially cure a rampart
PROCEDURE
1. Keep the rampart moist by spraying water or using a misting
system.
2. Cover the rampart with a curing blanket or plastic sheeting to
maintain humidity.
CHAPTER 3
A REVIEW OF THE STRUCTURAL AND CONCRETE LAB
In order to understand and test the properties of materials, structural
elements, and the overall behavior of structures under various loads, the
following tools and equipment are used;
1. Aggregate impact machine is used to determine aggregate impact
value of coarse aggregate. The hammer of the tester fall freely from
380mm height on coarse aggregate for 15 times per 15 seconds. The
crushed aggregate removed from the cup, then sieved and weighed
2. A spade is used for digging as well as weeding
3. A trowel is used for scooping and spreading concrete or mortar
4. Pegs are used to mark the position of a point on ground after
measured
5. Head pans are used to transport mortar and concrete to work area
6. Spirit levels are precision tools used in erecting walls , hanging doors
or laying floor tiles.
7. The vicat needle apparatus is used to determine the consistency,
initial and final setting time of cement
8. The slump cone is used to determine the workability of concrete.
They include true slump, shear slump and collapsed slump test
9. The casting cube is equally used to determine the workability of
concrete.
In the case of the casting cube and the slump cone for workability test,
the concrete is layed three times for three turns and tampered with a
tampering rod 35 times in a casting cube whereas for a slump cone, it is
layed four times for four turns and tampered 25 times
SITE INVESTIGATION II
It is important that as a civil engineer, you know why things are the way
they are and why they have been put in place. Below are some certain
observations taken during the site investigation and why they are so;
It is advisable to know when to use a 13A socket and a 15A socket during
electrical installation in a building. A 13A socket can take a total load
power of 3KW. Every appliance has a power rating, you just have to
simply locate the manufacturer's guideline to know it. Since the ratings
come in form of power(W) simple divide the power by the Alternating
voltage which we know is fixed for Alternating currents from the
transformers. So with this easy calculation, you can identify what
appliance works for your socket. The same procedure and basics applied
for a 13amp socket also applies to a 15 amp socket but then the power
rating is increased from 3000Watt to 3500watts I.e 15*230v
approximately. This means you can freely connect appliances of up to
3200watts and still have room for other appliances. The difference
between a 13A and a 15A is in their power capacity and their number of
outlets.
What causes melting or heating of our sockets is because we use the
higher rated appliances for lower power rated sockets. for example,
using a 15A plug on a 13A socket causes overload in the socket this
cause a rapid increase in temperature and eventually the socket and
plug get stuck to each other or the socket fuse explodes.
Curing concrete increases its ductility. When concrete is ductile, it is
damage tolerant and resilient into structures. Ductility is a physical
property of a material that describes its ability to be stretched, pulled, or
drawn into a thin wire or thread without breaking. It is the measure of
how much a material can be deformed or elongated under stress before
it fractures.
Where a concrete or masonry wall or slab needs to be tied to another
element, starter bars are often used to tie the two pieces together in a
structurally sound way that maintains integrity and lateral strength.
These starter bars are made of reinforcement steel, also known as rebar,
and they come in a wide variety of diameters and lengths, to suit all
types of construction project. It’s vital to maintain structural integrity at
all points in the construction of a building or structure, and starter bars
are just one element of steel reinforcement that is used in construction
projects. Starter bars are single struts of steel rebar that are fixed into
footings, slabs or walls in order to provide a reinforcement overlap when
constructing a joining wall or slab. They are typically spaced at fixed
intervals and can protrude vertically or horizontally from a slab,
depending on what is being joined to an existing element.
In building construction, an expansion joint is a mid-structure separation
designed to relieve stress on building materials caused by building
movement. Building movement at expansion joints is primarily induced
by: thermal expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes.
CURING II
Curing is the process to control moisture loss during hydration of
cement. Hydration takes time – days, or even weeks rather than hours.
To achieve its potential strength and durability, curing needs to be done
for an ideal period of time.
PROCEDURE
1. Using buckets of water, pour water on the concrete continually
2. Maintain the moisture by continually pouring water on the
concrete
SURVEYING II
Surveying is an engineering operation that involves assessing and
recording details about an area of land. These observations can then be
used to help plan construction projects. The main purpose of surveying
in civil engineering is to determine the three-dimensional relationships
between different locations.
The mean sea level is a general reference datum in surveying. The
perfect horizontal level of the sea indicates the perpendicularity of the
gravitational force of the earth on the sea. Mean sea level (MSL, often
shortened to sea level) is an average surface level of one or more among
Earth's coastal bodies of water from which heights such as elevation may
be measured.
A benchmark is a post or other permanent mark established at a known
elevation that is used as the basis for measuring the elevation of other
topographical points. The various types of benchmarks include
temporary, permanent, GTS and arbitrary.
Temporary Benchmarks (TBMs) are set up temporarily for the duration
of a project. These are particularly useful during the initial phases of
construction and are often marked using stakes, pins, or other
temporary markers.
The Great trigonometrical Survey (GTS) benchmarks are permanent
benchmarks fixed by national survey organizations. GTS benchmarks are
highly reliable due to their rigorous establishment process and
longstanding stability.
Often installed by government agencies, permanent benchmarks are
meant to last and provide a long-term reference point for surveyors.
They are usually made of durable materials like metal or concrete.
When no official benchmarks are available, surveyors may set arbitrary
benchmarks at convenient locations. Though less official, they are
practical for small-scale or less critical projects. These benchmarks serve
as foundational reference points for all critical surveying activities.
A backsight (B.S.) is a rod reading taken at a point of known elevation,
such as a benchmark or turning point. Another term for backsight is plus
sight. A foresight (F.S.) is a rod reading taken on a point for which the
elevation is to be established. A foresight is sometimes called a minus
sight. Intermediate sights are all readings taken between back sight and
fore sight. Height of instrument means the height of the observer's eye
when using a hand level.
Leveling is the determination of height difference between points on the
Earth's surface.
SURVEYING III
Surveying is used for gradient and landscape requirements in civil
engineering. Surveying is mostly carried out with a total station and
leveling staff. Common errors when setting out and setting up the
instrument include calibration errors, distance and bearing inaccuracies
and errors related to levelling bubble.
In a case whereby a point B is marked on a road, the following formulas
can be used to perform calculations with respect to B;
To determine height of instrument;
H.I = RL + B.S
To determine elevation of B;
Elev. Of B = H.I - F.S
In the case where the staff is inverted;
H.I = elev. Of B + B.S
Elev. Of B = H.I + F.S
To check if levelling was done correctly;
Sum of B.S - sum of F.S = last RL - First RL
Where;
F.S = Foresight
B.S = Backsight
RL = Reduced level
H.I = Height of instrument
SITE INVESTIGATION III
In engineering terms, a pavement means a man-made surface on
natural ground that people, vehicles, or animals can cross. In other
words, it simply means that any ground surface prepared for
transportation counts as a pavement. Common causes of pavement
failures include poor soils, improper materials, improper design, failure
to put in traffic usage and drainage into consideration during its
construction, lack of construction oversight, etc.
An axle is a rod or shaft that rotates the wheels and supports the weight
of a vehicle. Knowledge on the vehicle axle type can assist when
constructing pavements.
PROCEDURE
1. Prepare all materials and equipment required for the pavement
maintenance
2. Transport aggregates from the store to the location where the
maintenance is to be carried out
3. Mix together the aggregates and cement to get concrete
4. Pour the concrete mix into the potholes
5. Using the rammer, compact and smoothen the surface of the
concrete
TILING
Tiling involves the installation of tiles which can be made of materials
such as ceramic, glass or porcelain onto surfaces. This is done to
enhance appearance, reduce roughness and beautify the area. They are
several types of tiles used depending on the type of structure where the
tiling is to be performed on. For the rampart tiling, floor tiles are used.
PROCEDURE
1. Prepare the rampart surface by clearing, leveling and removing
debris. This can be done using the hammer, line, spade and spirit
level.
2. Plan the layout
3. Mix mortar and apply on the surface
4. Lay the tiles carefully and press down firmly
5. Cut tiles as needed to fit around edges and obstacles using the tile
cutter
6. Apply grout to fill the gap between tiles
TILE EVALUATION AND EXAMINATION
After the tiling process is done, it is important to inspect for alignment,
levelness, spacing, as well as grout lines. The awareness of the current
state of the tiles can help in knowing various factors associated with the
structure like; maintenance type, safety factors, longevity, etc.
RESULTS
1. The tiles were aligned correctly
2. The tiles were level
3. Grout lines are uniform
4. The cut tiles fitted the edges and corners perfectly
SITE INVESTIGATION IV
Building structures are erected primarily for shelter purposes. As time
passed there was need to erect building structures required for
commercial and industrial purposes. The exact need for this structures
indicated that there was a priority needed to be placed in its
construction progress so as to provide it with rigid and integral support.
Collapse of buildings is as a result of its integrity compromise and factors
that distort this building integrity includes; poor foundation, improper
use of materials, unsuitable mix ratios, poor quality of materials and
thermal expansion.
1. Poor foundation: a foundation that cannot support the weight of
a building and its contents will lead to structural failure. When soil
analysis isn’t done before foundation construction, it can lead to
differential settlements or foundation cracks as a result of soil
liquefaction or erosion. Poor drainage around the foundation can
allow water to seep in, weakening the soil and the foundation
itself
2. Improper use of materials: when materials are used in such a way
that they are not suitable for the intended environment well as
when not in the right proportion, it can lead to material
degradation thereby reducing the building lifespan
3. Unsuitable mix ratios: this can reduce the strength of concrete
making it more porous allowing water and other substances to
penetrate easily thereby reducing the building’s lifespan. It can
also cause excessive shrinkage during curing leading to cracking.
SITE INVESTIGATION V
As discussed previously, factors that were responsible for building
collapse continues;
1. Poor quality materials: the quality of the materials used matters a
lot as the type of project determines the type of material quality
intended for it. Use of low grade and substandard materials do
not only deteriorate the integrity of the building but are behind
structural degradation and cracks
2. Thermal expansion: all building materials experience expansion
and contraction due to temperature changes. Expansion joints and
other necessary requirements are put in place in buildings to
account for these expansions. Failure to account for these
expansions during construction can lead to its collapse.
Other factors that are behind the collapse of buildings include natural
disasters and soil incompatibility
CHAPTER FIVE
PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE
Maintenance actions help slow the rate of deterioration by identifying
and addressing specific pavement deficiencies that contribute to overall
deterioration. Rigid pavements are those which possess noteworthy
flexural strength. When rigid pavements are constructed, a reinforced or
non-reinforced in-situ concrete slab is laid over a granular sub-base.
Loads are supported by the flexural strength of the pavement, which
acts like a stiff plate, transferring the load over a wider area of subgrade. Concrete roads are a rigid road paving type, and there will usually
be joints in the concrete to control cracking.
Flexible pavements have base courses of broken stone pieces either
compacted into place together with bitumen to form asphalt. These
types of pavements are called “flexible” since the total pavement
structure “bends” or “deflects” due to traffic loads.
PROCEDURE
1. Prepare all materials and equipment required for the pavement
maintenance
2. Transport aggregates from the store to the location where the
maintenance is to be carried out
3. Mix together the aggregates and cement to get concrete
4. Pour the concrete mix into the potholes
5. Using the rammer, compact and smoothen the surface of the
concrete
ROAD SIGNS
Road signs, also known as traffic signs, are signs posted above or next to
roads to provide information or instructions to drivers. Road signs are
important for road safety and to help keep everyone safe on the
road. They communicate rules and information to drivers and
pedestrians, which can help maintain order and reduce accidents. Road
signs are divided into three which are mandatory, warning and direction
signs.
In the case of ongoing construction activities road signs help to give
timely warning of hazardous situations when they are not self-evident
and to also regulate traffic by conveying message to drivers when to
STOP, GIVE WAY or LIMIT their speeds etc.
Road signs are categorized into three mainly; mandatory, warning and
direction signs
Mandatory signs, also known as positive instruction signs, are used to
instruct people on what they must do in a given situation or area. They
are often blue with a white symbol and are used in many workplaces,
such as construction sites, factories, and schools. Examples are stop,
yield and no entry signs
Warning road signs indicate potential hazards, obstacles, or conditions
that require special attention ahead. They are used to protect drivers
and passengers from danger, prevent road accidents, and maintain
uniformity on the road. Examples are pedestrian crossing, slippery,etc.
Direction road signs, also known as direction, position, or indication
signs, are used to guide drivers to their destination or to indicate where
they are. They can also help manage traffic in parking lots, on public
roads, and on facility grounds. Examples are roundabout, one way street
sign, etc.
Some different road signs include;
1. The pedestrian crossing sign is a common traffic sign in urban and
suburban areas that warns vehicles that there are pedestrians in the
area.
2. Slow down traffic signs may be installed in areas that require drivers
to be alert and extra careful.
3. School crossing ahead signs are all about alerting drivers to
upcoming school zones in the distance.
4. Slippery sign is put in place to warn drivers when there may be some
slippery, slick conditions ahead.
5. The no U-turn sign is a regulatory sign. No U-turn signs are posted at
intersections to indicate the driver is not legally allowed to make a
U-turn (a turn in the road to go the opposite direction).
6. A No Parking Sign is a prohibition message type of traffic restriction
sign which is used for being mounted and visible around areas where
there is a need to stop drivers from parking their vehicles and
conveys the message "No Parking" which means parking is not
allowed or prohibited.
7. The turn left ahead sign indicates that all vehicular traffic must turn
ahead in the left direction that the arrow is pointing.
8. The Animal Crossing sign indicates to motorists that they are
approaching an area where animals often cross the roadway
9. Falling Rock signs indicates a risk of falling rocks onto the junction
from either side; its variants show whether they may fall from the
right or the Left.
10. The roundabout ahead sign indicates that there is a round-about
ahead and the driver to take relevant lane well before maneuvering
the round-about.
11. The turn right ahead sign indicates that all vehicular traffic must turn
ahead in the right direction that the arrow is pointing.
12. The “Road Work Ahead” sign is a sentinel on roadways,
indispensable in the intricate traffic signage system. Designed to act
as an early warning mechanism, this sign informs motorists of
impending construction or maintenance activities further down their
path.
FOUNDATIONS AND SETTING OUT
Setting out is a process in building construction which involves the
following steps:
1. Translating architectural plans onto the designated building site
2. Marking the positions and levels of foundations, walls, columns, and
other structural elements on the site
3. Taking referencing from an already established baseline
4. Transferring construction plans from paper to the actual construction
site
5. Marking out the location, elevation, and orientation of the proposed
structure on the ground
In building construction, profiling refers to establishing the building line
(profile, perimeter of a building) and ensuring it is square and level. It
involves pegging the four outside corners of the building and
determining the location of the building in relation to other buildings
and boundaries.
Blinding in construction refers to a layer of concrete, sand, or mortar
that is laid over a surface prior to installing permanent fixtures or
flooring. This is usually done in foundations. The recommended depth as
at which the foundation for bungalows should be constructed is 750mm.
Damp proofing in construction is a type of moisture control applied to
building walls and floors to prevent moisture from passing into the
interior spaces.
CONCLUSION
The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) has provided
an invaluable opportunity to bridge the gap between theoretical
knowledge and practical application. Through hands-on experience in a
real-world industrial setting, I have gained insights into professional
practices, workplace dynamics, and the practical challenges faced by
industry professionals. This experience has not only enhanced my
technical skills but also developed my problem-solving abilities,
teamwork, and communication skills. Overall, SIWES has been a critical
component of my educational journey, contributing significantly to my
professional and personal development.