Technical Exercise

Part A - Design

1. A structural steel portal frame is required to store black soldier flies in Kilifi. The
building parameters are as below:
a. Span = 15m
b. Length = 30m
c. Height to the eaves = 5m
d. Roof pitch = 15 degrees

i. Design the building components including the rafter and column member sizes, and all
necessary connections. Consider the dead, live and wind load cases.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vii.
ix.
xi.
ii
Design the foundations of the portal frame. Assume the allowable bearing capacity is
150 kN/m2.
 xii. Sketch the portal frame and indicate where bracings will be required.

xiii. What modifications will you make on the structure to improve the passive ventilation?
For proper ventilation, the ceiling height of floor is increased 1metre more than the normal ceiling height.

xiv. Cost the structure and prepare a bill of quantities for the structure.

2. A road is required to access the above building. An average of 10 no.s, 20mt trucks will be accessing the
site daily. The client requires the road to be made up of cabro, but also wants an alternative design of a
murram road to compare costs. As such:
a. Design the cabro road
b. Design the murram road
c. Provide cross sectional sketches of the road designs above with necessary parameters.

3. A reinforced concrete mezzanine floor is required at a level of 2.5m in the structure in Question 1. The plan
area of the proposed mezzanine floor is 5m x 6m.
a. Design the reinforced concrete frame and slab and detail the elements showing the required
reinforcement. The mezzanine is to be used for storage. Refer to BS 6399:1 for loading requirements.
Assume the clear height above the mezzanine is 2m.
b. Cost the structure and develop a BOQ for the piece of work.

Part B – Construction

1. State and explain 5 challenges that you have faced in your past experiences, how you overcame them
and what you learnt from that experience. This has to be site-based experience.

 Scope creep-I established a clear project scope and communicated it effectively to the project team and stakeholders.

 Poor communication-I ensured that all stakeholders are informed and involved in the project from the beginning and that
there was a two-way communication flow between the project team and stakeholders.

 Poor time management-I monitored the project schedule regularly and updated it as needed to ensure that the project is on
track. I also communicated any schedule changes or delays to stakeholders and ensured that the project team is equipped
to manage them effectively.

 Poor Resource Management-I planned for resource constraints and had a plan in place to deal with unforeseen changes or
conflicts that would affect resources.

 Improper Risk management-I reviewed the risk management plan regularly and updated it as needed to ensure that new
risks were identified and managed effectively.
 2. Comprehensively describe all the quality control measures that you will undertake to ensure total
quality control during construction. Assume the construction activities involve reinforced concrete,
masonry, fabricated structural steelwork and earthworks. Prepare a quality control checklist to ensure
all necessary items are accounted for when doing your daily supervision.
I will define the expectations and acceptance criteria
Before implementing quality control procedures, it's important that the quality standards are clearly defined so that all parties involved
in the project can have a clear understanding of what the client expects to see in the finished work. I will ensure these expectations
should include key acceptance criteria such as completing a project with zero defects that satisfy regulatory codes and client
specifications.

I will have an inspection plan in place

Inspections should take place regularly as a part of a thorough quality assurance plan at different points in the construction process.
However, before conducting any inspections I will create a plan that details what needs to be inspected and what an acceptable result
looks like. All completed work will meet client criteria, company expectations, and any other indications brought forth by invested
parties.

I will create a quality control checklist

Quality control criteria and expectations can be difficult to communicate and manage across teams without a standardized quality
control checklist. I will generate a checklist that simplifies the inspection process, making sure that critical aspects of quality control
are not looked over as well as clearly communicating areas of concern and what tasks each construction team member is responsible
for.

I will correct inaccuracies and deficiencies

The whole point of implementing quality control management procedures is to ensure that construction work meets company and
client standards. So perhaps the most important aspect of any quality control management plan is to make time and tools available to
make corrections and address deficiencies as they arise.

I will review and analyze problems and their solutions

During the process of monitoring progress and inspecting deliverables, issues and problems will be identified along the way. In
addition to mitigating these issues as they arise, I will include a step for construction project managers to review how each job went
and analyze how these problems can be avoided in their next construction project.

Quality Control
 CONSTRUCTION CHECKLIST
Instructions:
• The PM will provide a copy of the Quality Control (QC) Development and Construction
Checklists to the Architect and General Contractor (GC) during the identified project process step.
• The Architect has prime responsibility for quality assurance on the project.
• The Architect should ensure completion of both QC checklists with the assistance of the GC.
• These checklists are to be used throughout the duration of the project.
• The PM ensures that the QC checklists are applied during all new construction projects and that
all required verification information is gathered and filed upon completion of the project.

QC Checklist requirements and responsibilities:

• The Architect reviews each of the QC checklist items with the assistance of the GC and uses the
indicated Verification Criteria to verify that each item has been completed correctly.
• The Architect & GC provides the requested evidence (photographs, field reports, test results,
record drawings, contract documentation, etc.) verifying compliance.
• The Architect provides both completed QC checklists and documented evidence to the PM at the
completion of the project.

The checklists and documentation serve as a basis for the project Quality Assessment (QA) review.
All documentation should be brought to the QA review. This information is critical for an effective
QA assessment and any missing or incomplete information may negatively impact the QA score.
Item Discipline Name Verification Criteria
number
1 Project  Verify that you have the latest construction
Information drawings, specifications, and any relevant
permits.
 Confirm that you are aware of any specific
quality requirements or standards for each
construction activity.
2 Reinforced  Check concrete mix design and delivery
Concrete tickets for compliance with specifications.
 Verify formwork and shoring are properly
installed and braced.
 Inspect reinforcement bars for size, spacing,
and alignment.
 Monitor concrete placement, ensuring proper
curing procedures are followed.
 Check for the presence of air voids or
honeycombing in concrete.
 Verify proper placement of embedded items
(e.g., anchor bolts, inserts).
4 Masonry  Ensure that masonry units and mortar mix
meet specifications.
 Inspect mortar mixing and consistency.
  Check for proper masonry unit bonding and
alignment.
 Monitor for adequate curing of masonry
work.
 Verify that wall ties, flashing, and weep
holes are correctly installed.
5 Fabricated  Check steel material certificates for
Structural compliance with specifications.
Steelwork  Inspect welding procedures and
qualifications of welders.
 Examine welds for proper penetration, size,
and alignment.
 Ensure that connections are securely fastened
and bolted/welded as required.
 Verify that steel surfaces are properly
prepared and painted or coated.
 Confirm the alignment and plumbness of
structural steel members.
6 Earthworks  Monitor excavation and grading for
compliance with approved plans.
 Verify soil compaction tests are performed
as required and meet specifications.
 Check erosion control measures, such as silt
fences and sediment basins.
 Ensure proper backfilling and compaction
around foundations and utilities.
 Confirm that grading and drainage slopes are
in accordance with design.
7 General  Inspect safety measures, including the use of
Construction personal protective equipment.
 Verify that all workers are properly trained
and certified as needed.
 Check for cleanliness and organization of the
construction site.
 Review any relevant quality control
documentation and records.
 Address any non-conformities or issues
promptly and document corrective actions.
 Conduct regular meetings with
subcontractors and construction teams to
discuss quality issues and improvements.
8 Documentation  Maintain a daily construction log
documenting activities, inspections, and any
issues.
 Ensure that as-built drawings are updated
 regularly to reflect changes.
 Keep records of material testing and
inspection reports.
 Maintain a photographic record of key
construction phases.
 3. Budget Control in a project is a key aspect of construction management.
Explain how you would go about managing the client’s budget as a site
engineer as construction activities progress.

 Set up a Budget Monitoring System- I will stablish a system to track and monitor the
project budget. This can be done using spreadsheets, specialized construction budget
software, or project management software.
 Regular Review of Expenses- I will do a regular review of expenses for effective
budget monitoring. I will review the expenses incurred on a weekly or monthly basis
to ensure they are in line with the budget.
 Accurate Cost Estimation - Accurate cost estimation is the foundation of effective
budget monitoring. I will use reliable data and take into account all associated costs to
create an accurate cost.
 Monitor Actual vs. Budgeted Costs- I will track the actual project expenses and
compare them with the budgeted cost estimates. This will help to identify new areas
where costs are exceeding the budget.
 Identify Deviations – I will identify any deviations from the budget and investigate
the cause and take corrective actions if necessary to control the cost.

 Set up a Contingency Budget- I will set up a contingency budget to handle any unforeseen
costs that may arise during the construction process.

4. HSE is important in all construction activities. State and explain how you
to ensure the contractor will pass the HSE assessment. You are also
required to briefly explain the key aspects of HSE in engineering and
construction and how to ensure these are implemented during
construction activities.
Ensuring a contractor passes HSE test
 1. Prequalification Process:
 Before selecting a contractor, conduct a thorough prequalification process. This
involves evaluating their past safety performance, relevant certifications, and
HSE policies and procedures.
2. Contractor Selection:
 Choose contractors who have a strong track record of HSE compliance. Look
for those who have experience working in similar environments and industries.
3. Contractual Agreements:
 Clearly define HSE expectations and requirements in the contract documents.
Specify that the contractor must adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and
company-specific HSE policies.
4. HSE Training and Orientation:
 Ensure that the contractor provides comprehensive HSE training to their
employees before they start work. This should cover site-specific hazards,
emergency procedures, and the proper use of personal protective equipment
(PPE).
5. Hazard Assessment:
 Conduct a thorough hazard assessment of the work site in collaboration with the
contractor. Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies.
6. Regular Inspections and Audits:
 Conduct regular site inspections and HSE audits to monitor contractor
compliance. Address any non-compliance issues promptly and document all
findings.
7. Communication and Reporting:
 Establish clear lines of communication between your organization and the
contractor. Require them to report all incidents, near misses, and safety
concerns immediately
Key elements of HSE
1. Risk Assessment: Identify potential hazards and assess the associated risks before
starting construction activities. This involves evaluating the likelihood and severity of
accidents or environmental harm.
2. Safety Training and Education: Provide comprehensive training and education to all
construction personnel on safety procedures, equipment usage, and emergency response
protocols.
3. Safety Equipment and Personal Protective Gear: Ensure that workers have access to
and properly use safety equipment such as helmets, gloves, safety goggles, and
harnesses to reduce the risk of injury.
4. Safe Work Practices: Develop and enforce safe work practices that address specific
risks in construction activities, including fall protection, electrical safety, and material
handling.
5. Emergency Preparedness: Establish emergency response plans and conduct drills to
ensure that workers know how to respond to accidents, fires, chemical spills, and other
emergencies.
 6. Environmental Protection: Implement measures to minimize the environmental
impact of construction activities, such as proper disposal of hazardous materials, erosion
control, and pollution prevention.
7. Compliance with Regulations: Ensure that construction activities comply with local,
national, and international safety and environmental regulations. Regularly update
procedures to align with changing standards.
8. Monitoring and Inspection: Regularly inspect construction sites to identify and rectify
safety and environmental issues. This includes monitoring equipment and machinery for
proper maintenance.
9. Communication and Reporting: Foster open communication among all stakeholders,
including workers, subcontractors, and regulatory agencies. Encourage the reporting of
safety and environmental incidents and near-misses.
To ensure that these aspects of HSE are effectively implemented during construction activities,
follow these steps:
1. HSE Management System: Develop a comprehensive HSE management system that
outlines policies, procedures, and responsibilities for safety and environmental
protection. This system should be communicated to all project participants.
2. HSE Leadership: Appoint dedicated HSE professionals who are responsible for
overseeing HSE implementation and promoting a safety culture within the organization.
3. Training and Awareness: Provide regular HSE training for all employees and
subcontractors. Ensure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities
regarding safety and environmental protection.
4. Documentation and Records: Maintain detailed records of safety and environmental
assessments, incidents, inspections, and corrective actions. Use this data to continuously
improve HSE performance.
5. Auditing and Review: Periodically conduct HSE audits and reviews to assess the
effectiveness of the HSE program and identify areas for improvement.
6. Continuous Improvement: Encourage a culture of continuous improvement by
actively seeking feedback from workers and stakeholders and using it to refine HSE
practices.
7. Enforcement: Implement a strict enforcement policy for HSE compliance, including
consequences for violations of safety and environmental protocols.
8. Communication: Regularly communicate HSE goals, achievements, and challenges to
all stakeholders, including employees, contractors, and regulatory authorities.
9. Adaptation to Project Changes: Modify HSE plans and procedures as needed to
accommodate changes in project scope, location, or conditions.
 5. Consider the scenarios below and explain how you will go about solving
them.

a. You are working on a project that involves structural steelwork

with concrete footings. Foundations holding down bolts have been
cast on the concrete column stub and concrete has cured. The
fabricated structural steel is delivered to site and during
installation of the columns, you realize that some holes on the
steel column base plate do not align with the foundation bolts in
the concrete. How will you go about solving this problem ensuring
minimal costs to the client for your solution?

 I will determine the root causes of the misalignment. Common causes may include
fabrication errors, inaccuracies in the foundation work, or transportation and handling
issues. Understanding the cause is crucial for preventing similar problems in the future.

 Depending on the severity of the misalignment, there are several considerations I would
take:
a. Reaming or Enlarging Holes: If the misalignment is minor (within allowable tolerances), the
holes on the steel base plate can be slightly enlarged or reamed to accommodate the foundation
bolts. This is a cost-effective solution if the misalignment is minimal.
b. Welding Anchor Plates: Welding anchor plates onto the base plate can provide a way to
attach the steel column securely to the foundation bolts, even if they are misaligned. However,
this should be done carefully to ensure the welds meet safety standards.
c. Shim Plates: I will install shim plates between the base plate and the concrete surface to
adjust the elevation and alignment of the column. This is a common method for minor
misalignments.
d. Redrilling Anchor Bolts: In cases of severe misalignment, redrilling the anchor bolt holes in
the concrete might be necessary. This is a more involved and costly solution but may be required
for structural stability.
 After scrutiny, I will prepare a detailed cost estimate for each proposed solution,
including materials, labor, and any engineering or design fees. Compare these costs to
determine the most cost-effective option.
 Finally, I will present the proposed solutions and their associated costs to the client.
Explain the potential impact on the project timeline and any additional structural
assessments required. Collaborate with the client to make an informed decision.
 b. Fabricated structural steelwork is delivered to site. The
structural steel installers begin to install the steel components
that make up a portal frame. They follow the process below:
i. Installation of columns
ii. Installation of rafters
iii. Installation of purlins and roofing sheets
iv. Installation of side cladding rails and cladding sheets
Explain where they went wrong in the structural steel installation
procedure, stating the correct approach giving your reasons.

Installation of side cladding rails and cladding sheets should have immediately after the
columns.
i. Installation of columns.
ii. Installation of side cladding rails and cladding sheets.
iii. Installation of rafters.
iv. Installation of purlins and roofing sheets
When installing your steel sheeting, the panels are laid against the framework (the legs
and diagonal bracing) and bolted directly into the material. Once your sheeting is bolted
into the framework of your building it is secured and the installation crew can move onto
the sheeting for the roof.
 c. During construction, you notice that some engineering
specifications or details are missing from some of the drawings. You
have contacted the relevant consultant but you don’t get any
response or feedback. The details are required for the construction
to proceed and so that you can meet the timelines. Explain how you
will go about managing the situation.

 Document the Issue: The first step is to document the specific areas where
engineering specifications or details are missing. I will do this in detail, including
the drawings in question, the exact information that's missing, and the potential
impact on the construction process and timeline.

 Review Existing Resources: I will examine the available project documents:

contracts, agreements, and communication records, to ensure that the consultant is
indeed responsible for providing the missing information. This will help me in
establishing a clear understanding of each party's responsibilities.

 Attempt to Reestablish Communication: I will make another attempt to contact

the consultant via multiple communication channels (email, phone calls, certified
mail). I will clearly state the urgency of the situation, the missing details, and the
project's timeline. Request a response within a specific timeframe.

 Engage the Project Team: I will share the issue with the project team: the project
manager, architect, contractors, and any other relevant stakeholders. Then gather
their input on potential solutions and mitigation strategies. Their insights may help
identify temporary workarounds or alternative sources of information.

 Consider Independent Expertise: If time is of the essence and the missing details
cannot be obtained from the unresponsive consultant, I might consider hiring an
independent professional expert to help us surge through the situation.

d. The main contractor is excavating for the placement of structural

footings. How would you determine that the depth of excavation is
sufficient? Supposing upon excavation, you get groundwater
constantly seeping into the excavated spaces, how would you manage
the situation?
  I will perform bearing capacity test(s) of the soil: In-situ tests will be carried out at site to
determine the bearing capacity of the soil at different depths. The depth at which we get
the bearing capacity of soil greater than the bearing stress that structure would create, that
depth will be considered as the depth of foundation.

 I will employ the simplest technique of groundwater control to save on cost and time;
Sump pumping – The is the most basic form of groundwater control, which is simply a method
where groundwater is collected using a sump and pumped away from the construction site. This
type of groundwater control can is inexpensive. I however might use pre-drainage methods
(wellpoints, deep wells, and ejector wells) in situations where sump pumping may pose a threat to
the instability of the ground or adjacent structures.

e. The main contractor has been given storage to place his materials
and equipment at site. The milestone deadline is fast approaching
and the contractor complains of his materials and equipment
missing from the storage provided. If not resolved soon, the
problem will escalate resulting in cost and time overruns. To
prevent this, explain how you would manage the situation.

1. Document the Complaint: I will document the contractor's complaint: the details of
what's missing, the estimated value, and any evidence provided by the contractor (e.g.,
inventory lists, photographs, or witness statements).
2. Review the Security Measures: I will evaluate the security measures in place at the
storage area. This includes checking for any signs of forced entry, reviewing access
 logs (if available), and assessing the adequacy of locks and surveillance systems.
3. Engage Security Personnel: If the storage area has security personnel, I will involve
them in the investigation. They might provide insights into any suspicious activities or
individuals in the vicinity.
4. Check Inventory Records: I will cross-check the contractor's inventory records with
my own records, if available. This will help identify any discrepancies and track the
movement of materials and equipment.
5. Interview Witnesses: If there would be any witnesses who might have observed the
situation, I will interview them to gather information. Their accounts might help in
understanding what happened.
6. Review Contracts and Agreements: I will examine the contracts and agreements
between the main contractor and the project owner regarding storage provisions. This
will clarify responsibilities and liabilities related to storage security.
7. Report to Management: I will prepare a comprehensive report detailing the findings
of the investigation, including any discrepancies, security vulnerabilities, and actions
taken thus far. Then share this report with higher management and relevant
stakeholders.
8. Implement Corrective Measures: Based on the investigation's findings, I will
implement corrective measures to secure the storage area and prevent future incidents.
This might involve improving security measures, enhancing access control, or
reevaluating the storage location.
9. Resolve the Issue Amicably: I will engage in negotiations with the main contractor to
reach an amicable resolution. This would include compensation for the missing
materials and equipment or an agreement on how to proceed with the project without
them.
10. Monitor Progress: I will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that the
issue is fully resolved and that security improvements are effective. Then stay in regular
communication with the contractor to maintain a positive working relationship.
11. Preventive Measures: I will implement long-term preventive measures to avoid such
incidents in the future. This might include regular security audits, strict access control,
and improved documentation and reporting procedures.
 6. . State and explain the main elements of a site progress report
My report will likely contain the elements described below;

1. Introduction
Review the project’s details: purpose, scope, and activities. The introduction may also contain the
following:
 date the project began; date the project is scheduled to be completed
 people or organization working on the project
 people or organization for whom the project is being done
 overview of the contents of the progress report.

2. Project status
This section (which could have sub-sections) should give the reader a clear idea of the current
status of your project. It should review the work completed, work in progress, and work remaining
to be done on the project, organized into sub-sections by time, task, or topic. These sections might
include
 Direct reference to milestones or deliverables established in previous documents related to
the project
 Timeline for when remaining work will be completed
 Any problems encountered or issues that have arisen that might affect completion,
direction, requirements, or scope.

3. Conclusion
The final section provides an overall assessment of the current state of the project and its expected
completion, usually reassuring the reader that all is going well and on schedule. It can also alert
recipients to unexpected changes in direction or scope, or problems in the project that may require
intervention.
4. References section if required.

7. The attached layout is a proposed BSF colony maintenance facility to be

built in Kilifi. The main activities include civil works (drainage, roads
and earthworks), concrete works, masonry and structural steel works.
Assess the drawing and come up with a construction schedule, planning
out all activities given the client requires the facility up in 5 months.
You are required to allocate resources and timelines to the activities.
 Construction Schedule

Project Name: Proposed BSF colony Start Date:18th Nov,2023 Total Duration: 5 months
maintenance facility
Project Manager: TONY FRANK End Date: 18th Apr, 2024
TASK STATUS ASSIGNED TO START END DATE DURATIO COMMENT
DESCRIPTION DATE N S
Planning Not started Project team 18th Nov 18th Dec 30 dys Quality
Raw material Not started Project team 18th Dec 1st Jan 14 dys control
accumulation inspection
Ground breaking Not started Technical 1st Jan 8th Jan 7 dys should go on
excavation machine throughout
operators the project.
Drainage trenching for Not started Technical 8th Jan 12th Jan 4 dys This will be
the access road machine done by
operators constant site
Backfilling and Not started Technical 12th Jan 16th Jan 4 dys meetings
compaction machine between the
operators Civil
Cabro blocks Not started Construction 16th Jan 19th Jan 3 dys Engineer,
installation workers Project
Basement creation Not started 19th Jan 29th Jan 10 dys manager,
Formwork Not started Carpenters 29th Jan 3rd Feb 5 dys Clerk of
Concrete mixing and Not started Construction 3rd Feb 18th Feb 15 dys works and
pouring workers foreman.
Scaffolding Not started Carpenters 18th Feb 23rd Feb 5 dys
Masonry blocks laying Not started Masonry workers 23rd Feb 8th Mar 14 dys
Installation of Not started Welders 8th Mar 15th Mar 7 dys
columns
Installation of side Not started Welders 15th Mar 22nd Mar 7 dys
cladding rails and
cladding sheets
Installation of Not started Welders 22nd Mar 29th Mar 7 dys
rafters
Installation of Not started Welders 29th Mar 5th Apr 7 dys
purlins and roof
sheeting
Finishing and Not started Electricians, 5th Apr 14th Apr 8 dys
interior works plumbers,
painters
Project closeout Not started Administrative 14th Apr 17th Apr 3 dys
procedures and staff
turnover