Construction Engineering Tutorial Work 1 9

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Construction Engineering - Tutorial work - 1 - 9
Construction Engineering (Griffith University)
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Tutorial 1 (Week 3) – Engineering Economics

Q1 A contractor wishes to set aside enough money today in an interest-bearing account in
order to have $100,000 five years from now. Based on an interest rate of 8%, how much
should be set aside now?
Q2 How much must be deposited at the end of each year into a fund earning 10% interest
(compounded annually) in order to accumulate $200,000 for equipment replacement at the
end of 5 years?
Q3 An organisation invests $10,000 in the purchase of equipment, which will be used over
15 years and for which it will receive no salvage amount at the end of that time. Find the
annual cost of this investment, which should be included in the ownership costs, if
organisation’s MARR is 12%.
Q4 A crawler tractor costs $250,000, has an estimated salvage value of $50,000, and a 5 year
life. Using the double-declining-balance (DDB) method of depreciation, find the tractor’s
yearly depreciation and book value at the end of each year.
Q5 Find the annual depreciation and book value at the end of each year for the tractor from
the previous question using the sum-of-the-year’s-digits (SOY) method of depreciation.
Q6 A piece of equipment is available for purchase for $12,000. It has an estimated useful life
of 5 years, and has an estimated salvage value of $2,000. Determine the depreciation and the
book value for each of the 5 years using:
 The SL method
 The SOY method
 The DDB method
Draw a graph showing the distribution of equipment’s book value using the three different
methods. Comment on the graph and the accuracy of each method.
Q7 A piece of equipment is estimated to cost $67,000 new and to have a useful life of 7 years
with a salvage value of $7,000. The company believes a realistic return on investment would
be 12%. Tax, insurance and storage should amount to an additional 8%; find the equivalent
uniform annual ownership cost.
END OF TUTORIAL
2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Questions 1

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Tutorial 1 (Week 3) – Engineering Economics – Solutions

Q1 Cash flow diagram:
Where: i = 8% (0.08)
n=5
>
Q2 Cash flow diagram:
Where: i = 10% (0.1)

n=5
Q3 Cash flow diagram
Where: i = 12% (0.12)

n = 15
2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Solutions 1

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Q4 DDB Method
, where N = 5
Year Depreciation Book Value (End of year)

0 0 $250,000
1 $100,000 $150,000
2 $60,000 $90,000
3 $36,000 $54,000
4 $4,000 (NOT $21,600) $50,000 (NOT $32,400)
5 $0 (NOT $12,960) $50,000 (NOT $19,440)
*Book value CANNOT go below salvage value, thus once salvage value has been reached,
no further depreciation takes place using this method.
Q5 SOY Method
where: P = $250,000; S = $50,000; N = 5; m = current year; SOY = 1+2+3+4+5 = 15

0 0 $250,000
1 $66,667 $183,333
2 $53,333 $130,000
3 $40,000 $90,000
4 $26,667 $63,333
5 $13,333 $50,000

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Q6
SL Method

0 $0 $12,000
1 $2,000 $10,000
2 $2,000 $8,000
3 $2,000 $6,000
4 $2,000 $4,000
5 $2,000 $2,000
SOY Method
where: P = $12,000; S = $2,000; N = 5; m = current year; SOY = 1+2+3+4+5 = 15

0 $0 $12,000
1 $3,333.33 $8,667.67
2 $2,666.67 $6,000
3 $2,000 $4,000
4 $1,333.33 $2,666.67
5 $666.67 $2,000
DDB Method
, where N = 5

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0 0 $12,000
1 $4,800 $7,200
2 $2,880 $4,320
3 $1,728 $2,592
4 $592 (NOT $1,036.80) $2,000 (NOT $1,555.20)
5 $0 (NOT $622.08) $2,000 (NOT $933.12)
$14,000
$12,000
$10,000
Cost ($)
$8,000
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
$0
0 1 2 3 4 5
Time (Yr.)
Comments:
SL Method is the most inaccurate method because it shows equal depreciation each year
when reality the greatest depreciation occurs in the first couple of years, particularly the first.
SoY Method seems to be the most appropriate of the presented method but it does not
indicate the true level of depreciation in the first year.
The main problem of DDB Method is that it can depreciate below the salvage value before its
service life.

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Q7 Cash flow diagram
Where: i = 12% + 8% = 20% (0.2)

n=7
Determine present value of salvage:
Therefore the new present value = $67,000 - $1,953.57 = $65,046.43
Determine annual cost:
END OF SOLUTIONS

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Tutorial 2 (Week 4) – Engineering Economics 2

Q1 A construction company has to decide between two options; to purchase or to lease an
asphalt plant based on the net present value comparison method. Detailed cost estimates are
shown below. Determine which option is the most cost effective and by how much. The bank
interest rate is 12%.
Purchase option:
Initial cost is $150,000. Salvage value at the end of 5 years is $30,000. Annual maintenance
cost is estimated at $5,000 at year end.
Leasing option:
Annual lease is $30,000 increasing by 15% each year (payable at the start of year). The plant
will be maintained by the lessor.
Q2
a) A construction company borrowed $10,000,000 from the bank. It was agreed that the
loan must be settled in 8 years, and the interest rate was fixed at 9%. Calculate the
year-end repayment amount if the company wished to settle the loan in 8 equal year-
end payments.
b) If the company made big profits at the end of the 3 rd year and increased the year-end
repayment to $3,000,000 for that particular year, what will be the new instalment
amount for the remaining 5 years?
Q3 A crawler tractor costs $180,000 has an estimated salvage value of $30,000 and has a 6
year life. Find the annual depreciation and book value at the end of each year using:
a) straight-line method
b) sum-of-the-years’ digits method
c) double-declining-balance method
END OF TUTORIAL

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Tutorial 2 (Week 4) – Engineering Economics 2 – Solutions

Q1
Purchase option:
Leasing option:
Difference:
Leasing – purchasing = $158,254.85 – $151,001.08 = $7,253.78
Therefore the purchasing option is the most cost effective by $7,253.78

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Q2
a)
b)
Convert first three payments to present value (including $3m 3rd year payment):
Determine present value for remaining 5 years:
Transfer new present value into 3rd year:
Determine annual payments for last five years:

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Q3
SL Method

0 $0 $180,000
1 $25,000 $155,000
2 $25,000 $130,000
3 $25,000 $105,000
4 $25,000 $80,000
5 $25,000 $55,000
6 $25,000 $30,000
SOY Method
where: P = $180,000; S = $30,000; N = 6; m = current year; SOY = 1+2+3+4+5+6 = 21

0 $0 $180,000
1 $42,857 $137,143
2 $35,714 $101,429
3 $28,571 $72,858
4 $21,429 $51,429
5 $14,286 $37,143
6 $7,143 $30,000

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DDB Method
, where N = 6

0 0 $180,000
1 $60,000 $120,000
2 $40,000 $80,000
3 $26,667 $53,333
4 $17,778 $35,555
5 $5,555 (NOT $11,852) $30,000 (NOT $23,703)
5 $0 (NOT $7,901) $30,000 (NOT $15,802)
END OF SOLUTIONS

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Tutorial 3 (Week 5) – Earthmoving

Summary
 Production = (volume/cycle)x(cycle/hour)
 Cost/unit production = (equipment cost/hr)/(equipment production/hr.)
 Bank vol. [Bm3]: Material in its natural state before disturbance
 Loose vol. [Lm3]: Material has been excavated or loaded
 Compacted vol. [Cm3]: Material after compaction
 Swell is a soils increase in volume when it is excavated and is due to air fill and void
space increase (Bm3→Lm3)
 Swell (%) = ((γB/ γL)-1)x100
 Shrinkage is a soils volume decrease when its compacted
 Shrinkage (%) = (1-(γB/ γc))x100
 Load Factor (LF) = ((γL/ γB) or 1/(1+swell)
 Shrinkage Factor (SF) = ((γB/ γC) or 1-shrinkage

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Q1 Observations indicate that an excavator carries an average bucket load of 2.3 Lm3 per
cycle. The soil’s load factor is 0.80. Cycle time averages 0.35 min. Job conditions are rated as
fair, and management conditions are rated as good. Estimate the hourly production in Bm3 for
the excavator. You will need to use Table 2-1 provided in the summary.
Q2 The hourly cost of a hydraulic shovel is $65 and of a truck is $35. If an equipment fleet
consisting of one shovel and six trucks achieves a production of 229 Bm3/hr, what is the unit
cost of loading and hauling?
Q3 A soil weighs 1089 kg loose, 1383 kg in-place and 1633kg compacted. Find the swell and
shrinkage of this soil.
Q4 A soil weighs 1471 kg loose, 1839 kg in-place and 2047kg compacted. How many bank
cubic meters of this material can a 7.6 m3 (heaped load) truck haul assuming no weight
limitation?
Q5 A contract requires 50,000m3 of compacted fill. The imported fill has load and shrinkage
factors of 0.725 and 0.8, respectively. This soil is to be hauled in trucks having rated heaped
capacity of 10m3. How many truck-loads are required for this contract?
Q6 A soil weighs 1483 kg loose, 1839 kg in its natural state, and 2166 kg compacted. Find:
a) The soil’s load factor and shrinkage factor.
b) How many truck loads of truck hauling an average volume of 4.6 LCM would be
required to haul 764,600 CCM of the soil to a dam site?
Q7 Calculate the volume excavation in bank measure required for the basement shown
below. Excavation depths are in (m).
END OF TUTORIAL

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Tutorial 3 (Week 5) – Earthmoving – Solutions

Q1
Excavator = 2.3m3/cycle
Cycle Time = 1cycle/0.35min.
LF = 0.80
Job eff. Factor = 0.69 (Table 2.1)
Need to apply job efficiency factor and load factor to convert to Bm3.
( )
Q2
Hydraulic shovel cost = $65/hour
Trucks cost = $35/hour x 6 trucks = $210/hour
Production (one shovel + 6 trucks) = 229Bm3/hour
*The unit for hours is applied to each item in the equation, however is completely cancelled
out
Q3
Loose = 1089kg
Bank = 1383kg
Compacted = 1633kg
*Assumed same volume and thus density is not required
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
Q4
Loose (Lm3) = 1471kg/m3
Bank (Bm3) = 1839kg/m3
Compacted (Cm3) = 2047kg/m3
Truck capacity = 7.6Lm3
( ) ( )

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Q5
LF = 0.725
SF = 0.8
Volume (Cm3) = 50,000Cm3
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
*Trucks can only haul loose material and round up to the nearest load
Q6
a)
b)
Volume (Cm3) = 764,600Cm3
*Exact values should be used throughout calculations and rounded at the end.
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
Q7
( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( )
END OF SOLUTIONS

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Tutorial 4 (Week 6) – Excavation
Summary
 Actual Volume = Heaped vol. × Bucket Fill Factor (Table 3.2)
 Production Estimating for hydraulic shovel and backhoe
Production (P) = C × S × V × B × E [Lm3/hr]
Cycle/h
Job efficiency
Swing factor
Bucket fill factor
Heaped bucket volume
 Reference tables from text book:

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Q1 Estimate the actual volume of common earth in bank measure carried by a hydraulic
excavator bucket whose heaped capacity is 1.91 Lm3.
Q2 Estimate the actual bucket load in bank measure for a hydraulic backhoe whose heaped
capacity is 1.6 Lm3. The machine is excavating sand and gravel.
Q3 Estimate the hourly production in bank measures of a hydraulic shovel loading sand and
gravel into trucks. The machine is equipped with a front dump bucket having a heaped bucket
capacity of 2.3 Lm3. Average swing angle is 75 degrees, job conditions are good, and
management conditions are excellent.
Q4 A hydraulic shovel with a bottom dump bucket and a 2.68Lm3 heaped capacity is
excavating tough clay. The swing angle is 120 degrees, and job efficiency is 75%. Estimate
the shovel’s hourly production in bank measure.
END OF TUTORIAL

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Tutorial 4 (Week 6) – Excavation – Solutions

Q1
Heaped volume = 1.91Lm3
Bucket Fill Factor (Common earth) = 0.95 (from table 3.2)
Convert to bank volume: LF = 0.8 (from table 2.5)
Q2
Bucket Fill Factor (Sand and gravel) = 0.95 (from table 3.2)
Q3
Hourly Production (P) = C S V B E
C = 170 cycles/hr (Table 3.3)
S = 1.05 (Table 3.3)
V = 2.3Lm3
B = 0.95 (Table 3.2)
E = 0.78 (Table 2.1)
Q4
S = 0.94 (Table 3.3)
V = 2.68Lm3
B = 0.80 (Table 3.2)
E = 0.75 (Provided in question)
END OF SOLUTIONS

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Tutorial 5 (Week 7) ± Mid Semester Exam Revision
Summary
 Refer to previous weeks summaries for formulas and tables
Q1 The expected return on an investment opportunity is considered as 15%. Additionally, tax

is 5% and insurance cost is 5%. Find the MARR.
Using the MARR, how much must be deposited at the end of each year into a bank in order to
accumulate $100,000 after 15 years?
Q2 A crawler tractor costs $25,000 has an estimated salvage value of $5,000 and a 5-year
life. Using the double-declining-balance method of depreciation, find the tractor’s yearly
depreciation and book value at the end of each year.
Q3 The average load of an excavator is 4.0 Lm3 per cycle. The soil’s load factor is 0.80,
cycle time average is 1.5 minutes and the job efficiency factor is 0.9.
a) What is the hourly production in Bm3 for the excavator?
b) If the hourly cost of the excavator is $75 and one truck is $55. If one excavator and
eight trucks are required to achieve the production, find the unit cost of production.
Q4 A soil weighs 1089 kg/m3 loose, 1839 kg/m3 in its natural state, and 2166 kg/m3
compacted. Find the following:
a) Load factor and shrinkage factor of soil.
b) Swell and shrinkage of soil
c) How many truckloads are required for hauling 500,000 BCM of the soil to a
construction site if the capacity of truck is 5m3 ?
Q5 Estimate the time required to load 306 m3 of loose gravel into trucks using a clamshell
having a heaped bucket capacity of 0.75m3 with an estimated cycle time of 25 seconds.
Q6 A small hydraulic shovel is excavating hard clay. Heaped capacity of the front dump
bucket is 1.25m3. The bucket fill factor is 0.90, job efficiency is estimated to be 40 min/hr
and the average swing angle is 180°. Estimate the hourly production in bank measure.
END OF TUTORIAL

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Tutorial 5 (Week 7) – Mid Semester Exam Revision – Solutions

Q1
MARR = 15% + 5% + 5% = 25%
Cash flow diagram:
where: i = 25% (0.25)

n = 15 years
Determine annual payments required:
Q2 DDB Method
, where N = 5

0 0 $25,000
1 $10,000 $15,000
2 $6,000 $9,000
3 $3,600 $5,400
4 $400 (NOT $2,160) $5,000 (NOT $3,240)
5 $0 (NOT $1,296) $5,000 (NOT $1,944)

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Q3
a)
Excavator = 4.0Lm3/cycle
Cycle Time = 1cycle/1.5min.
LF = 0.80
Job eff. Factor = 0.9
Need to apply job efficiency factor and load factor to convert to Bm3.
b)
Excavator cost = $75/hour
Trucks cost = $55/hour x 8 trucks = $440/hour
Production (one excavator + 8 trucks) = 115.2Bm3/hour
Q4
a)
b)
c)
Volume (Bm3) = 500,000Bm3
*Exact values should be used throughout calculations and rounded at the end.

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Q5
Bucket Fill Factor (Gravel) = 0.95 (from table 3.2)
Q6
S = 0.83 (Table 3.3)
V = 1.25 Lm3
B = 0.90 (Table 3.2)
E = 40/60 = 0.67 (Provided in question)
END OF SOLUTIONS

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Tutorial 6 (Week 9) – Loading and Hauling
Summary
 Total Cycle Time = Fixed time + Variable time
- Fixed time (Loading & dumping): Components of cycle time other than travel
time.
- Variable time (Haul, return & turning): The travel time required for a unit to haul
material to the unloading site and return.
Hauling
Time
Loading Dumping
Return
Time
 To determine maximum speed of vehicle, total resistance to movement of vehicle is

required.
 Total Resistance [kg] = Grade Resistance (G.R.) + Rolling Resistance (R.R.)
 Rolling Resistance (R.R.) is primary due to tyre flexing and penetration of the travel
surface and is determined by:
- R.R. [kg] = Rolling Resistance Factor (R.R.F.) [kg/t] × Weight [t]
- R.R.F. [kg/t] = 20 + (6 × cm Penetration)
 Grade Resistance (G.R.) represents that component of vehicle weight which acts
parallel to inclined surface.
- G.R. [kg] = Grade Resistance Factor (G.R.F.) (kg/t) × Vehicle weight (t), or
- G.R. [Kg] = Vehicle (kg) × Grade
- G.R.F. [kg/t] = 10 × Grade (%)
 Total resistance to movement of vehicle can be expressed in [Kg]. However, simpler
method for expressing as grade is as a percentage (%). This method of expressing is
referred to as effective grade, equivalent grade or percentage total resistance:
- Effective Grade (%) = Grade(%) + R.R.F. [Kg/t] / 10
 Maximum usable pull (traction force) = Coefficient of traction × weight on driving
wheels
 Compactor Production (CCM/hr) = (10 × W × S × L × E)/P
- P = number of passes required
- W = width compacted per pass (m)
- S = compactor speed (km/hr)
- L = compacted lift thickness (cm)
- E = job efficiency

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 Reference tables:

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Q1 The haul road from the borrow pit to the fill has an adverse grade of 4%. Wheel–type
hauling units will be used on the job and it is expected that the haul road rolling resistance
will be 50 kg/t.
a) What will be the effective grade for the haul?
b) Will the hauling units experience the same effective grade for the return trip?
Q2 An off-highway truck weighs 18,144 kg empty and carries a payload of 29,030 kg. The
loaded truck travels up a 5% grade over a road having a rolling resistance factor of 50 kg/t.
a) What is the total resistance (kg)
b) What is the effective grade?
Q3 A wheel tractor-scraper whose weight on the driving wheels is 16,330 kg has a gross
weight of 29,030 kg. If the road surface is wet earth having a rolling resistance of 60 kg/t,
what is the maximum grade the scraper could ascend?
Q4 A rubber-tired tractor has a total weight of 18,000 kg and the maximum rimpull is
9000kg. If the tractor is operating on wet sand with a coefficient of traction of 0.30:
a) What would be the traction force? Would you expect the wheels to slip?
b) If the tractor is operating on dry clay, would the full power of the engine be used?
Q5 A power-shift crawler tractor is excavating tough clay and pushing it a distance of 29m.
Maximum reverse speed are; first range 4.8 km/hr, second range 8.1 km/hr, and third range
12.9 km/hr. Rated blade capacity is 7.65 Lm3. Estimate dozer production if the job efficiency
factor is 0.83.
Q6 Why might the laboratory and field optimum moisture contents vary for a particular soil?
Q7 Estimate the production in compacted cubic meters per hour of a self-propelled tamping
foot roller under the following conditions:
 Average speed = 8.0 km/hr
 Compacted lift thickness = 15.2 cm
 Effective roller width = 3.05m
 Job efficiency = 0.75
 Number of passes = 8
Q8 32km of gravel road require reshaping and leveling. You estimate that a motor grader will
require 2 passes at 4.8 km/hr, 2 passes at 6.4 km/hr, and 2 passes at 8.9 km/hr to accomplish
the work. How many grader hours will be required for this work if the job efficiency factor is
0.75?
END OF TUTORIAL

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Tutorial 6 (Week 9) – Loading and Hauling – Solutions

Q1
Grade = 4%
RRF = 50 kg/t
a)
b)
*Grade for return trip is negative as it is going downhill
There is not the same effective grade for the two cases.
Q2
Truck mass = 18,144kg
Payload = 29,030kg
Grade = 5%
RRF = 50kg/t
a)
b)

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Q3
Total mass = 29,030kg
Mass on driving wheels = 16,330kg
RRF = 60kg/t
Coefficient of traction (wet earth, driving wheels) = 0.45 (table 4.2)
Traction force = coefficient of traction × weight on driving wheels

= 0.45 × 16,330kg = 7348.5kg
Q4
a)
= 0.3 × 18,000kg = 5,400kg
Maximum rimpull = 9000kg > 5400kg
The power of the engine is greater than the traction force, so the wheels will slip on this
surface.
b)
Coefficient of traction (dry clay) = 0.6
= 0.6 × 18,000kg = 10,800kg
Maximum rimpull = 9000kg < 10,800kg
The power of the engine is smaller than the traction force, so the wheels will not slip on this
surface and the full power of the engine can be used.

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Q5
Distance = 29m
Capacity = 7.65Lm3
Job efficiency = 0.83
Fixed time = 0.05min (table 4.4)
Speed (haul) = 2.4km/h (table 4.5 – hard materials 30m or less)
Speed (return) = 8.1km/h (table 4.5 – 30m or less, max 2nd range speed)
Q6
The compactive effort delivered by a piece of compaction equipment is seldom exactly the
same as that of either the standard or modified laboratory compaction test. Therefore the
field optimum moisture content for a particular soil/compactor combination rarely exactly
matches the laboratory optimum moisture content for the soil.
Q7
W = 3.05m
S = 8.0km/hr
L = 15.2cm
E = 0.75
P=8
Q8
Apply efficiency factor:
END OF SOLUTIONS

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Tutorial 7 (Week 10) – Rock Excavation
Summary
 Rock investigation:
Where:
- H = thickness of layer (m)
- D = distance from sound source to first intersection of line of graph (critical distance)
- V1 = velocity of upper layer (∆d/∆t)
- V2 = Velocity of second layer (∆d/∆t)
 Drilling pattern and rock yield:
- where H = effective depth (90% of original hole depth)
 Rock ripping production:
Where:
- D = average penetration (m)
- W = average width loosened (m)
- L = length of pass (m)
- E = job efficiency
- T = time for one ripper pass (minutes)

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Q1 Given the refraction seismograph test data in the table below; calculate the seismic wave
velocity in each soil layer. Find the depth of upper layer.
Time 2.5 5.0 7.5 8.8 10.0 11.3 12.5

(ms)
Dist. 3.05 6.10 9.15 12.20 15.25 18.30 21.35

(m)
Q2 Trial operation indicate that a rectangular pattern with holes 6.1m deep spaced on 2.44m
centers will yield a satisfactory rock break with an effective depth of 5.8m. Determine the
rock volume produced per meter of drilling
Q3 A tractor mounted ripper will be used for excavating a limestone having a seismic
velocity of 1830m/sec. Field tests indicate that the ripper can obtain satisfactory rock
fracturing to a depth of 0.61m with one pass of a single shank at 0.91m intervals. Average
ripping speed for each 122m pass is 2.4km/h. Maneuver and turn time for each pass averages
0.3min. Job efficiency is estimated at 0.70. Machine cost including the operator is $130/h.
Estimate the hourly production and unit cost of excavation.
Q4 A site is 91.4m by 121.9m and must be excavated an average depth of 3.658m. The
drilling equipment to be used will consist of an air-powered track drill and air compressor.
The average drilling rate is estimated at 30.5m/h. Trial blasting indicates that holes drilled in
a 3.658m rectangular pattern will provide adequate fracturing. A hole depth of 4.115m must
be drilled to yield a 3.658m effective depth. The blasting agent to be used is ANFO with a
powder factor of 0.297 kg/Bm3. Primer with an electric blasting cap will be used in each hole.
A labour force of one drill operator and one compressor operator will be used for drilling.
One blaster and one helper will be employed for the blasting.
Cost information for the excavation is shown below:
Labour: Blaster $18/h
Helper $15/h
Drill Operator $17.50/h
Compressor Operator $18/h
Equipment: Track drill and compressor $63/h
Materials: ANFO $0.705/kg
Primer, cap and stemming $3/hole
a) Estimate the hourly production (Bm3/h)
b) Determine:
i) The unit cost of drilling ($/Bm3)
ii) The unit cost of blasting ($/Bm3)
iii) The total unit cost for the excavation ($/Bm3)
END OF TUTORIAL

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Tutorial 7 (Week 10) – Rock Excavation – Solutions

Q1
Graph the data:
Determine the velocities:
Determine the depth of the upper layer:

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Q2
Diagram for visualisation:
Hole depth = 6.1m

Effective depth = 5.8m
*If effective depth is not given, use 90% of hole depth
*Note the units are not m2 for the second part
Q3
D = 0.61m
W = 0.91m
L = 122m
E = 0.70
Machine and operator cost = $130/h
Determine time taken for each pass:
Determine production:
Determine unit cost:

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Q4
a) Determine production values:
b) Costs
i) Determine drilling cost:
Labour cost = one drill operator ($17.50/h) + one compressor operator ($18.00/h) = $35.50/h
Equipment = $63.00/hour
ii) Determine blasting cost:

Material cost
Primer, cap and stemming = $3/hole
Labour cost = one blaster ($18/h) + one helper ($15/h) = $33/h
iii) Determine total cost:
END OF SOLUTIONS

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Tutorial 8 (Week 11) – Concrete Formwork
Summary
 Calculate pressures
- Hydrostatic Pmax = γh (kN/m2)
- Stiffening Pmax = γR + 5 (kN/m2)
- Arching (width < 500mm) Pmax = 3R + 0.1d + 15 (kN/m2)
- γ = unit weight of concrete (typically 24kN/m3)
- h = height of wall
- R = rate of pouring (m/hr)
- d = wall thickness (mm)
- take the smallest value of the three calculated pressures as design pressure
 Checking bending
- f = allowable flexural stress

- b = load checking distance (typically 1000mm)
- h = thickness of formwork
- w = design pressure
 Checking shear
- = allowable shear stress

max
- Adopt smaller value of L(span) and L(shear) when checking deflection
 Checking deflection
- L = span determined from bending and shear checking

- E = elastic modulus of formwork material
- I = second moment of inertia
- For deflection to be okay, it must satisfy either:
- ∆ < 0.003L if L ≤ 1m
- ∆ < 3mm if L > 1m

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Q1 A 250mm thick basement wall has a total length of 50m and height of 3.5m. Calculate the
rate of pour based on a concrete pump capacity of 15 cubic meters per hour.
Q2 A 300mm thick wall, 15m in length and 4m high, is poured at the rate of 1.20 m/hr.
Assume concrete unit weight 24 kN/m3. Calculate the maximum pressure developed in the
concrete to be used in formwork design.
Q3 A concrete column 450x450mm square and 8m high is poured in 15 minutes. Calculate

the resulting pressure design for the formwork.
Q4 Form are being designed for a 2.4m high concrete wall to be poured at a rate of 1.20m/hr.
Sheathing will be 1.2x2.4m sheets of 16mm thick plyform. Determine stud spacing if
allowable flexural and shear stresses are 10.0 and 1.20 N/mm2, respectively. Assume elastic
modulus value of 7.0 kN/mm2 and ignore the arching effect.
Q5 Calculate the rate of pore for a section of an elevator shaft in the central core on the tenth
floor of a high-rise building. Assume the distance from the ground to the top of the wall form
is 40 m. A tower crane, using the two buckets, each with a capacity of 1.1 cubic meters, has a
rate of travel of 30m/min up and 45m/min down. Assume pick-up time is 20 seconds and
dump time is 3 minutes. Pour conditions are: wall height = 4.0 m, wall thickness = 250 mm,
and wall length = 30 m.
END OF TUTORIAL

lOMoARcPSD|4172617
Tutorial 8 (Week 11) – Concrete Formwork – Solutions

Q1
d = 250mm
l = 50m
h = 3.5m
Pump capacity = 15m3/hr
Q2
d = 300mm
l = 15m
h = 4m
R = 1.2m/h
γ= 24kN/m3
Hydrostatic
Pmax = γ
h = 24kN/m3 x 4m = 96kN/m2
Stiffening
Pmax = γR + 5 = 24kN/m3 x 1.2m/h + 5 = 33.8kN/m2
Arching (width < 500mm)

Pmax = 3R + 0.1d + 15 = 3 x 1.2m/h + 0.1 x 300 + 15 = 48.6kN/m2
Therefore the maximum pressure to be used in the formwork design is 33.8kN/m2

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Q3
d = 450mm
l = 450m
h = 8m
t = 15minutes = 0.25hrs
γ= 24kN/m3
Determine rate of pour:
Determine pressures:
Hydrostatic
Pmax = γ
h = 24kN/m3 x 8m = 192kN/m2
Stiffening
Pmax = γR + 5 = 24kN/m3 x 32m/h + 5 = 773kN/m2

Pmax = 3R + 0.1d + 15 = 3 x 32 m/h + 0.1 x 450 + 15 = 156kN/m2
Therefore the maximum pressure to be used in the formwork design is 156kN/m2
Q4
h = 2.4m
R = 1.2m/h
γ= 24kN/m3
Hydrostatic
Pmax = γ
h = 24kN/m3 x 2.4m = 57.6kN/m2
Stiffening
Pmax = γR + 5 = 24kN/m3 x 1.2m/h + 5 = 33.8kN/m2

No information is given on thickness so this method cannot be used

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Check bending:
f = 10N/mm2
b = 1000mm (checking for loading on 1m of plywood)
h = 16mm
w = 33.8
2
max = 1.2N/mm
2
E = 7kN/mm
Use a span (L) of 350mm
Check shear:
350mm < 630mm so adopt L = 350mm
Check deflection:
As allowable deflection is lower than actual deflection, a smaller span should be used, try
300mm
The stud spacing should be 300mm

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Q5
Cycle times:
Total cycle time = 5.56min

*Filling time does not need to be considered as two buckets are being used (one bucket is
filled while the other is emptied).
END OF SOLUTIONS

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Tutorial 9 (Week 13) – Final Exam Review

Summary
 See summaries from previous tutorials
Q1 A construction company has to decide between two options; to purchase or to lease an

asphalt plant based on the net present value comparison method. Detailed cost estimates are
shown below. Determine which option is the most cost effective and by how much. The bank
interest rate is 12%.
Purchase option:
Initial cost is $150,000. Salvage value at the end of 5 years is $30,000. Annual maintenance
cost is estimated at $5,000 at year end.
Leasing option:
Annual lease is $30,000 increasing by 15% each year (payable at the start of year). The plant
will be maintained by the lessor.
Q2 A construction company has to decide between buying a new asphalt paver and a second
hand one. The income and expenditure estimates for these are presented below. The interest
rate is 9%. Compare the two options on the basis of (a) present worth and (b) annual cost
methods. Which option is best on economic grounds?
New paver Second-hand paver
Purchase price 400,000 150,000
Annual operating cost 50,000 60,000
Period of operation (years) 6 4
Salvage value 80,000 30,000
Annual income 180,000 160,000
Q3 The plot of area shown below will have to be excavated for the construction of a
basement. The figures within brackets are the depth of cut required at those locations in
metres. Calculate the amount of total excavation. Find loose and compacted volume of total
excavation. Use shrinkage factor and load factor as 0.7 and 0.5, respectively.

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Q4 An off-highway truck weights 20,000 kg empty and carries a payload of 30,000 kg. The
loaded truck travels over a flat road having a rolling resistance factor of 50 kg/t. Find:
a) total resistance (kg)
b) effective grade
Q5 Three different types of graders will be used for leveling three different sections of a 45.0
km gravel road. Using information given in the following table, estimate grader hours. Job
efficiency factor is 0.80.
Q6 A 600.0 mm thick concrete wall, 40.0 m in length and 5.0 m in height is poured at the rate
of 12.0 m3/hr. Assume concrete density is 24 kN/m3. Calculate resulting design pressure for
the formwork.
Q7 Trial blasting indicates that 15.0 cm holes; each of 10.0 m length, drilled in a 3 m by 2 m
rectangular pattern will provide adequate fracturing. The average drilling rate is 20.0 m/hr.
Estimate the yield, drilling yield and hourly production. Considering only blasting operation,
estimate unit cost of rock excavation by using following information:
The blasting agent is ANFO; powder factor is 0.30 kg/Bm3. One blaster and two helpers will
be employed for blasting. Use following cost table:
Labour: Blaster $20/hour

Helper $15/hour
Material: ANFO $0.9/kg
END OF TUTORIAL

lOMoARcPSD|4172617
Tutorial 9 (Week 13) – Final Exam Review – Solutions

Q1
Purchase option:
Leasing option:
Difference:
Leasing – purchasing = $158,254.85 – $151,001.08 = $7,253.78
Therefore the purchasing option is the most cost effective by $7,253.78

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Q2
a) Present worth method
New paver:
Second hand paver:
Therefore the new paver is worth more in today’s money so is more economical using this
method.

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b) Annual cost method

New paver:
Second hand paver:
Therefore the second hand paver is worth more per year so is more economical using this
method.
Q3

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Q4
a) Total resistance
b) Effective grade
Q5
Q6
d = 600mm
l = 40m
h = 5m
Pouring rate = 12m3/h
γ = 24kN/m3
Determine rate of pour:
Hydrostatic
Pmax = γh = 24kN/m3 x 5m = 120kN/m2
Stiffening
Pmax = γR + 5 = 24kN/m3 x 0.5 m/h + 5 = 17kN/m2

Arching cannot be considered as the thickness is over 500mm

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Q7
Effective depth (h) = 10m x 0.9 = 9m
Yield:
Drilling yield:
Hourly production:
Unit cost of production:
Labour cost = one blaster ($20/h) + two helpers ($15/h) = $50/h
*This unit cost is for blasting only
END OF SOLUTIONS

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Tutorial 1 (Week 3) – Engineering Economics

2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Questions 1

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Tutorial 1 (Week 3) – Engineering Economics – Solutions

Q2 Cash flow diagram:

Where: i = 10% (0.1)

Q3 Cash flow diagram

Where: i = 12% (0.12)

2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Solutions 1

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Year Depreciation Book Value (End of year)

where: P = $250,000; S = $50,000; N = 5; m = current year; SOY = 1+2+3+4+5 = 15

Year Depreciation Book Value (End of year)

2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Solutions 2

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Year Depreciation Book Value (End of year)

where: P = $12,000; S = $2,000; N = 5; m = current year; SOY = 1+2+3+4+5 = 15

Year Depreciation Book Value (End of year)

2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Solutions 3

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Year Depreciation Book Value (End of year)

2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Solutions 4

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Q7 Cash flow diagram

Where: i = 12% + 8% = 20% (0.2)

Determine present value of salvage:

Therefore the new present value = $67,000 - $1,953.57 = $65,046.43

Determine annual cost:

2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Solutions 5

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Tutorial 2 (Week 4) – Engineering Economics 2

2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Questions 1

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Tutorial 2 (Week 4) – Engineering Economics 2 – Solutions

Leasing – purchasing = $158,254.85 – $151,001.08 = $7,253.78

Therefore the purchasing option is the most cost effective by $7,253.78

2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Solutions 1

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Determine present value for remaining 5 years:

Transfer new present value into 3rd year:

Determine annual payments for last five years:

2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Solutions 2

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Year Depreciation Book Value (End of year)

where: P = $180,000; S = $30,000; N = 6; m = current year; SOY = 1+2+3+4+5+6 = 21

Year Depreciation Book Value (End of year)

2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Solutions 3

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Year Depreciation Book Value (End of year)

2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Solutions 4

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Tutorial 3 (Week 5) – Earthmoving

2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Questions 1

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2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Questions 2

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Tutorial 3 (Week 5) – Earthmoving – Solutions

2104ENG Construction Engineering Tutorial Solutions 1

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