LESSON 6: CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING

A. Definition

Project Management is the discipline, art and skill of planning, controlling and
managing of resources to bring about the successful completion of specific goals
and objectives of civil engineering projects. It relates to the provision of tools and
techniques that enable the project team to successfully attain its objectives.

Construction Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring

and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, managerial and practical
knowledge in order to develop, design, build and operate safe structures,
systems, materials and process that ultimately improve the quality of lives of
people.

Quantity Survey is the process of identifying the various work items of a certain
project, quantifying them and posting the corresponding units of measurements.

Cost Estimating is the process of determining the cost per work item by
multiplying the quantities and the unit costs to derive the cost per work item; then
adding the overheads and contractor’s margin (OCM); and summing up the total
cost of a project being estimated.

B. General Topics

1. Project Identification and Initiation – (1) For the contractor, it is looking for
construction projects via bid bulletins and invitations from project owners.
Then, formal show of interest in taking the project is enacted by sending a
communication or buying bid documents. (2) For the project owner, it is the
approval of a project then preparation of documents for open bidding or
negotiations.

2. Project preparation – if guaranteed of the project award, it is the time for the
contractor to meet with the project owners and mobilization of much needed
contractor resources.

3. Appraisal and Financing – on big projects, this may include getting good
prices and looking for low-interest and lenient loans.

4. Engineering and Detailed Design – consultancy work shall produce

deliverables (drawings, scheduling, specifications, costing) infused with good
construction engineering practices.

5. Construction – the very process of building the project considering the

intricacies and problems that will arise from the project.
 6. Operation and Maintenance – providing training for use and repair of
constructed facility on a special basis.

7. Post Project Evaluation – fulfilling the punch list of the project and
improvements for future projects learned on the completed project.

C. Scope of Sub-Specialties

1. Project Management

a. Management – includes planning and scheduling, organization, staffing,

directing and supervising, controlling, reporting, monitoring and
evaluation, coordinating, and reviewing

b. Resources – finding or looking for money/funds, materials,

manpower/labor, equipment/machineries, methods/technologies, and
information

c. Consulting services – independent or third-party services in construction

and procurement

2. Construction Engineering

a. Planning and Scheduling

b. Project Organization and Staffing
c. Coordination and Control – among disciplines: Architectural,
Civil/Structural, Sanitary, Electrical and Mechanical; and among parties:
Owner, Contractor, Suppliers, Manpower, and Authorities (government)
d. Monitoring and Evaluation
e. Reporting and Documentation
f. Procurement – acquisition of goods, labor, sub-contractors, consultants
and RA 9184, “Government Procurement Reform Act”
g. Contract Administration – mediation and arbitration
h. Financial Management
i. Project safety – includes safety policies, PPEs, standards, procedures,
and research and development
j. Project Completion, Acceptance and Turnover

3. Quantity Survey and Cost Estimating

a. Contract Documents
b. Work Items – i.e. DPWH Bluebook work items
c. Cost Development – includes materials, equipment, labor, sub-contract
and other costs
d. Overheads and Contractor’s Margin (OCM)
e. Project Cost Estimate
 D. Construction Process of Vertical Structures

START

Layout and Staking

Excavation

Foundation

Columns

Beams Walls

Slabs Electrical Plumbing Mechanical

Roofing

Painting

Floor Finishing Fenestration (doors, windows, fire exits)

Fixtures

Testing and commissioning of special/critical equipment (Fire protection

system, CCTV and IT systems, elevators, generators, etc.

FINISH

The timeline shown is usual of buildings for dwelling and recreation. The
representation will vary from project to project due to size and if special
requirements force different timings.

SOURCES and REFERENCES:

1. Manual of Civil Engineering Specializations, 2013, by the Philippine Institute of
Civil Engineers
2. RA 9184, “Government Procurement Reform Act”