UNIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS

MAY 2015

PROGRAMME MSc Project Management

MODULE NAME Construction Management

DATE Saturday MODULE CODE CIVE 6207

9 May 2015

TIME 09.30 – 12.30 DURATION 3 hours

NO. OF 5 NO. OF QUESTIONS 5

QUESTIONS SET TO BE ATTEMPTED

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

Answer FIVE (5) questions.

All questions carry equal marks.

 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT – CIVE6207

Question 1

(a) What is construction management?

[4 marks]

(b) Describe how the appointment of a professional construction manager will pay
off on a building project?
[10 marks]

(c) Construction managers can be individuals or firms. Explain what a construction

firm should look for in terms of qualifications when selecting a construction
manager?
[6 marks]

Question 2

In order to control the parking slots at the University of Mauritius, the building
committee has decided to construct a security post at the entrance, details of which are
provided.

Construction of a security post.

The building will be square in shape and made of reinforced concrete foundation,
surface bed, columns, beams and a 150mm thick slab. The cladding will be cellular block
wall of width 150 mm. All openings will be in Aluminum. The internal dimensions of the
structure will be 2.5 metres by 2.5 metres.
(a) Use only 10 activities to describe the construction works.
[5 marks]
(b) Quantify and explain the resources that the contractor will require if the works
are to be completed in 30 working days. [All assumptions made should be clearly
stated]
[5 marks]
(c) Based on resources listed in Question 2(b), determine the duration, to the nearest
working day, of each of the activities listed in Question 2(a).

[5 marks]

(d) Using information gathered from Questions 2(a) to (c), explain how the
construction could be completed in less than 30 working days without
jeopardizing the cost and quality of the works bearing in mind that this is a very
small construction site.

[5 marks]

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 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT – CIVE6207

Question 3

(a) What is Project Risk?

[5 marks]

(b) Several factors expose projects to normal than higher risk. Describe any FIVE such
factors.
[15 marks]

Question 4

(a) The costs of a constructed facility to the owner include both the initial capital cost
and the subsequent operation and maintenance costs. Each of these major cost
categories consists of a number of cost components. For each of the above-
mentioned categories describe FIVE such cost components.
[5 marks]

(b) Construction cost constitutes only a fraction, though a substantial fraction, of the
total project cost. However, it is the part of the cost under the control of the
construction project manager. The required levels of accuracy of construction cost
estimates vary at different stages of project development, ranging from ball park
figures in the early stage to fairly reliable figures for budget control prior to
construction. Since design decisions made at the beginning stage of a project life
cycle are more tentative than those made at a later stage, the cost estimates made
at the earlier stage are expected to be less accurate. Generally, the accuracy of a
cost estimate will reflect the information available at the time of estimation.
Construction cost estimates may be viewed from different perspectives because of
different institutional requirements. In spite of the many types of cost estimates
used at different stages of a project, cost estimates can best be classified into three
major categories according to their functions. A construction cost estimate serves
one of the three basic functions: design, bid and control.

Describe the importance of the design estimates, bid estimates and the control
estimates.
[9 marks]

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 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT – CIVE6207

(Question 4 continued)

(c) Numerous computer aided cost estimation software systems are now available.
These range in sophistication from simple spreadsheet calculation software to
integrated systems involving design and price negotiation over the Internet.
While this software involves costs for purchase, maintenance, training and
computer hardware, some significant efficiencies often result. In particular, cost
estimates may be prepared more rapidly and with less effort.

Explain any SIX common features of computer aided cost estimation software that
will make cost estimation more efficient.

[6 marks]

Question 5

(a) Describe any THREE tendering processes used within the construction industry.
[6 marks]

(b) Construction is the most dangerous land-based work sector in most countries
world-wide. Describe the means and methods you would use to make a
construction site safe?
[14 marks]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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