Construction Challenges for Bridges in Hilly Areas - part II

Finance Management

No project or project management can be meaningful without this. If in case it is a Government work then the manager should get his budget fixed on monthly basis, and on the basis of work done or minimum to be fed at site and depending on the decision of higher authorities plays vital role. Key to measure financial planning lies in taking all above actions and planning to execute proper suitable measures at appropriate times to make sure that individual inputs are achieved to the maximum and capital investment kept at the lowest level.

Quality Management

Quality of work at any construction site is most important activity that every manager should always struggle to improve. While training the staff should also be provided to update the quality control measures and it should become part of the work culture. However, the site laboratory be established to check the quality of concrete.

Tests should be analyzed at site based on the size of job. Combine design should be prepared based on the latest code and to produce the concrete of desirable strength. Compaction of concrete be given more attention before final setting. Latest guidelines issued by IRC and MORT&H be followed for systematic quality assurance. Quality assurance on ground improve the aesthetic of structures.

Safety of employees at site should be observed very seriously and at every level. All the workers be given briefing about the safety requirements based on the site hazards. Especially when the simply supported structure is attempted on deep gorge, suitable arrangement should be made to avoid any accident at site during insitu casting of superstructure. Also in case of foundation if the deep excavation is involved, the quality of surrounded soil be kept in view. There are incidents where few workers got buried in deep excavation due to sudden slide, this should be taken care. In case the well foundation is being attempted using double drum winch care need to be taken during grabbing process. During the diving process the proper coordination needs to be made between the diver and attendant to intimate about the problems if any, for which local signaling arrangements used, this can be finalized at site based on convenience. In case the pneumatic sinking is being used for well foundation, following safety measures, may be observed:

• Slow decompression
• Accelerate circulation of air
• Replacement and spare equipment
• Lighting inside working chamber
• Signaling arrangement
• Caution about incidental loading

These precautions should be seriously followed to avoid any catastrophes at site. Safety management is also important in case on staging shuttering for superstructure. There are cases in the past where the collapse of shuttering/staging has led to loss of life. This needs check in before casting the superstructure. In case steel truss is being used as a staging arrangement, design and launching arrangement be thoroughly checked.

Documentation Management

Document management during the contract is an art in itself. Proper and systematic management of documents is utmost requirement for department as well as contractor. All the details should be property vetted by both the parties. Better documentation will avoid any disputes during the currency and after completion of contract (i.e arbitration cases areavoided). This needs special attention of the managers of both sides. Most of the cases being dealt by the arbitrator in our country, due to lack of understanding between two parties which, are further affected by improper documentation. In fact better documentation reflect the system of management in any project. Control estimate is required to be prepared annually to assess the job position. This should include work done till date and balance work in terms of money. This will be a guiding principle to progress the job in later period till completion. This practice is a must in all major bridge under construction. As project management has evolved, documentation has become a key skill particularly as projects become more complex and difficult. Organized documentation is the best defense against claims. Documentation that every project manager must have at their disposal are as follows:

• Proposal and Bid Estimates – These documents describe how the contractor envisioned the construction of the project and his plan to accomplish the work. It includes information about costs and schedule as well as construction methods.
• Project Schedule - This is one of the most overlooked project records and it can provide the best documentation in a claim situation. The original baseline schedule sets the mark for monitoring the effects of any delays or unforeseen project disruptions.
• Project Change orders – Any variances from the original contractual requirements must be documented and separated from the original scope of work requirements. Daily reports, time sheets, letters of correspondence and meeting minutes or any other documentation discussing agreements made between parties should be readily available.

Personnel Management

Manager should put the engineers, to activities they can perform better. Individual differences should be studied in detail to assign the suitable job to engineers, administration and account staff. Manager should be a good Psychologist to assign the work based on the inclination of the people at work. A considerable free hand be given to see what an individual can produce. He should be guided from time to time and work be kept on progress.

Decision making circulated, critical activities be cleared by manager after proper deliberations. Also care must be taken to select a new entrant suiting to the job for requirement.

Conclusion

With the changing scenario and the urgent need to manage the bridge project effectively. Construction management is basically a tool to complete the project effectively within fixed amount but in less time. Manager should have knowledge sequence of all the activities. Decision making for both sides the contractor and the client needs to be fast and time bound otherwise the project will get delayed which will have cost overrun. Control in form of reviewing monitoring has a catalyst effect to boost the development.