Wednesday, October 19, 2011

HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN CONSTRUCTION - MAKING OUR WORK ACCURATELY FAST

October 19, 2011
MABUHAY!

Heavy equipment machines are very, and I would like to put the emphasis, VERY IMPORTANT in our modern construction works. With projects nowadays getting more bigger and more complex in scope, what is hard for manual labor to accomplish a large construction project during ancient time say the pyramid of Giza, Great Wall of China or Angkor Wat in Cambodia, in terms of speed, stability, and economy, is now achievable through modern mechanized equipment. Our task of lifting very heavy loads, transporting materials and manpower to very remote projects sites, construction of skyscrapers reaching the sky, tunnels under large bodies of waters, bridge crossing continents and the like are now possible. And maybe someday, we will be the eyewitness of humans building something in outer space.

backhoe
The backhoe will lift and transport the container van to the mobile crane

Sunday, October 9, 2011

INNOVATION: SKIM COAT AND CONCRETE MORTAR BINDER FOR CONCRETE SURFACE CORRECTION

MABUHAY!

Another great product that is very popular nowadays in the area of concrete surface correction is the SKIM COAT. It is an innovative thin plastering mortar formulated to achieve the optimal and consistent concrete surface smoothness on columns, beams or precast walls from 2 to 4mm deep. MORTAR BINDER, on the other hand, is used as a base coat plastering mortar where thicker conventional plastering is required.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION: INSTALLATION OF ANTI-TERMITE RETICULATION PIPES

September 27, 2011
MABUHAY!

Every day gives us an opportunity to learn new things. 

At the height of typhoon Pedring today,   I learned about the installation of ANTI-TERMITE RETICULATION PIPES- a built-in tool in termite protection technology for your houses and buildings. Termites are common household pests that feed on wood or their by-products such as paper, etc. Termites live underground so embedding perforated pipes that will serve as a conduit in emitting anti-termite chemicals just underneath the concrete slab on fill is a great idea. This pest control technology is getting very popular in the Philippines.

THE MATERIALS:
25mm dia. Perforated Polyethylene pipe (PE) as a conduit
50mm dia PVC pipe as protection cover (Cut in half)
polyethylene pipes and pvc pipes

drilled hole in the pipe
A small hole drilled on the pipe that will serve as an outlet of the pest control chemical
CLICK this LINK to read the related article: Quality Issue: Concrete Hairline Cracks

LAYING OF PIPES:
cutting the PE pipe
Cutting the pipe

reticulation pipe laid on top of gravel bedding
reticulation pipe laid on top of gravel bedding

bracing the pipe with dowel reinforcing bar to prevent them from unnecessary movement during concreting

Securing the pipe with GI tie wire
Securing the pipe with GI tie wire

Securing the pipe with GI tie wire

Properly align the PE pipe
Properly align the PE pipe

Properly align the PE pipe


Properly align the PE pipe


CLICK this LINK to read the related article: Construction Industry's Hottest Jobs

COVERING THE PERFORATED PIPES:
Cover the reticulation pipe with 2" dia PVC pipe cut in half
Cover the reticulation pipe with 2" dia PVC pipe cut in half 

Cover the reticulation pipe with 2" dia PVC pipe cut in half

The PVC pipe cover will protect the small hole of the reticulation pipe
The PVC pipe cover will protect the small hole of the reticulation pipe

inspecting the alignment of the reticulation pipe

securing the PVC pipe cover
securing the PVC pipe cover

securing the PVC pipe cover

securing the PVC pipe cover

workers aligning the pvc pipe cover

workers aligning the pvc pipe cover

Completing the rest of the reticulation pipe installation
Completing the rest of the reticulation pipe installation

Completing the rest of the reticulation pipe installation

Completing the rest of the reticulation pipe installation

Completing the rest of the reticulation pipe installation

SEALING PIPE ENDS:
Use a portable blow torch to seal off temporarily the end of the pipe. When the building is near to completion say 95%, the pipe end will be cut and provided with end cap fitting. Then the pipe will be filled with termite control chemical

seal off the PE pipe end by blow torch

seal off the PE pipe end by blow torch

seal off the PE pipe end by blow torch

seal off the PE pipe end by blow torch


PE pipe end cap
PE pipe end cap


PREPARATION FOR CONCRETE POURING:
After the reticulation pipe is installed completely, dampproofing will be placed on top of the gravel bed.
covering the gravel bedding with polyethylene sheet damp proofing

covering the gravel bedding with polyethylene sheet damp proofing

This construction method for a built-in termite control technology is a long-term solution for your house and building. Imagine a large amount of money to be spent for the repair of the damages incurred brought about by these little pests.

I would like to thank MR. JOELIBERT M. MARCELINO of MAPECON PHILS., INC. and his crew for answering my all queries regarding this technology.

CLICK this LINK to read the related article: Concrete Construction Productivity Bootcamp 2018



Monday, October 3, 2011

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY'S HOTTEST JOBS!

MABUHAY!

Are you considering a career move for a "greener pasture" from your old job or still looking for a career to settle your skills? 
Well, here are some of the hottest jobs in the construction industry that you might wanna try:

1. WELDER
welder welding steel trusses
    JOB DESCRIPTION:
I believe that welder is one of the most in demand job around, both locally and abroad. Contrary to the knowledge of many, this skill is not only for male but also available for female. Some companies even prefer female welders than men because of their steady feminine stroke. Another good thing is, there are a lot of welding fields to choose from and all of them are in demand in the market. You can choose from SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding), GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding), mig welding, tig welding, pipe welding and so on.
     EDUCATION REQUIRED:
Technical training from 3 to 6 months depending on the level of welding position you want to be certified in which 6G position is the highest. The higher the level commensurate the level of compensation expected.

2. NDT (Non Destructive Testing) Technician
NDT technician conducting dye penetration test


     JOB DESCRIPTION:
 If welder is in demand, NDT technician is likewise in demand because they are responsible for testing the quality of welding joint. The most common NDT are dye penetration, ultrasonic test (UT) and radiographic test (RT).
     EDUCATION REQUIRED:
Formal education of 3-year NDT technician course or a 3-6 months crash program technical training.

CLICK the LINK below to read the related article:  
Construction Workers - UNSUNG Heroes!

3. QUANTITY SURVEYOR
     JOB DESCRIPTION:
Quantity surveyor handles estimate to be used in bidding a construction project. This job involves mainly of costing, contract documentation, review quotation from various subcontractors and suppliers.
     EDUCATION REQUIRED:
A bachelor's degree in any engineering (usually) or architecture course wherein an in-depth familiarity of math and accounting skills is a must.

4. 3D MODEL MAKER
      JOB DESCRIPTION:
Clients and design consultants need to see the end result of a proposed project in terms of its architectural facade in relation to its functionality and cost before going to actual construction. That is why the age of Building Image Modelling (B.I.M.) was born and the person behind its operation is the 3D model maker. His task is to produce a computer generated 3D image of the proposed project in order for design consultants to come up with timely and accurate decisions.
     EDUCATION REQUIRED:
A thorough knowledge in operation of 3D software such as AUTOCADD, ArchiCADD and the like is a must. Skills in architecture and engineering is an added advantage.

5. PROJECT SCHEDULER
      JOB DESCRIPTION:
Project scheduler's main task is to come up with a construction schedule that will manage the limited resources of the project such as money, time, manpower, materials, machines etch. He monitors the status of the construction and properly coordinate the entry of various trade contractors and suppliers.
     EDUCATION REQUIRED:
A bachelor's degree in engineering or architecture (some company prefers licensed professionals) with a in depth knowledge of MS Project, Pimavera, Excel etc.

6. BUILDING ADMINISTRATOR OR BUILDING MANAGER
      JOB DESCRIPTION:
A building administrator's job is to manage various utilities, facilities or provide amenities for the comfort, security or even enjoyment of the building tenant or end user. He regulates and facilitates collections of various fees and implement house rules.
     EDUCATION REQUIRED:
A bachelor's degree on building and property management.

7. COST ENGINEER
     JOB DESCRIPTION:
A cost engineer manages a project's monetary  status in regards with expenditures versus accomplishments, prepares progress billings, reviews quotations from suppliers or subcontractors and monitors variation orders. His work is somehow limited to an ongoing project where he is assign.
     EDUCATION REQUIRED:
A bachelor's degree in any engineering (usually) or architecture course wherein an in-depth familiarity of math and accounting skills is a must.


8. SAFETY OFFICER
     JOB DESCRIPTION:
A safety officer's primary objective is to monitor and prevent any untoward accident that may happen in a construction project. He strictly implements rules and regulations that will promote healthy and favorable work condition.
      EDUCATION REQUIRED: 
Attending a Occupational Safety and Health Seminar in construction which is sometime available for only about a week.

9. QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL(QA/QC) ENGINEER
    JOB DESCRIPTION:
A QA/QC engineer must see to it that the construction materials or methodology to be used in a certain scope of work strictly adheres to the specification or permissible codes or standards. They perform work inspection and testing. They are also commonly  involved in the turn-over of the completed works to the owner or his authorized representatives.
     EDUCATION REQUIRED: 
A bachelor's degree in engineering or architecture (most company prefers licensed professionals).

CLICK the LINKS below to read the related articles :  
Quality Issue : Paint Peel-Off
Quality Issue: Concrete Hairline Cracks

10. ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEER
    JOB DESCRIPTION:
An architectural engineer, also known as field or site architect, is most of the time in charge with architectural finishing works in a construction project. He also submit shop drawings or facilitates the approval of materials to be approved by design consultants.
     EDUCATION REQUIRED: 
A bachelor's degree in architecture (most company prefers licensed).

For job seekers out there, try CLICKING these links for employment opportunities:
https://www.workabroad.ph/index.php
http://www.jobsdb.com/