THEORY QUESTIONS :

1. Write a short note on good for construction drawings and shop drawings.
Ans -
● Most contractors request the Architect to issue GFC working drawings well in advance
so that activity planning can be done with great accuracy.
● However, Architects often issue drawings as and when needed in the course of the
construction, which sometimes hampers the speed of the project.
● Architects should, therefore,
issue the complete portfolio of GFC drawings to the Contractor immediately after the
commencement of construction to ensure timely completion. Ideally, Three sets of GFC
drawings should be issued to the Contractor - One for the Site Office, one for the Contractors
● Office, and one as a Site Working copy.Drawings issued for construction should always
be numbered and dated - especially all Revisions
should be marked R-1, R-2 etc. and dated - otherwise work may be carried out as per a wrong
drawing which may have been subsequently revised.
● Old drawings should be destroyed immediately after issue of the revised drawings.
Contractors are expected to thoroughly study the working
drawings before construction, and revert back to the Architect for any queries and clarifications.
● SHOP DRAWINGS showing the details of structural steel fabrication work, bar bending
schedules, or any special shuttering work have to be prepared by the Contractor and got
approved from the
Structural Engineering Consultant, under intimation to Architect.

2. Write a comprehensive note on Site Visits w.r.t the following points

a. Observations on a Site Visit
b. Frequency of Site Visits
c. Site Meetings : Agenda and Minutes of the Meeting

Ans -
● What Is To Be Observed And Noted By The Architect During His Visit To A Site?
1 First take a round of the construction site to note the following :
1. Note the Stage Of Work (Volume) as per the Tender
2. Note the Activities In Progress (Speed of construction)
3. Note the Workmanship of the work (Quality of construction)
4. Note the Risks and Hazards – and Safety violations if any.
5. Note the Hygiene and Sanitary provisions for Workers
6. Note the Materials In Stock on site – Check Materials Register
7. Note the Security Arrangements and Material Storage facilities.
8. Note the availability of required Machinery And Tools on site
7 Check if all required Documents And Plans are available on site
8 Check the Visitors Register, Measurement and Instructions Book
9 Enquire with Contractor, Supervisors, Laborers’, if any problems
 ● Frequency:
The Architects site visits to local construction sites may be once every week,
Visits to out-of-station sites may be fortnightly, monthly or as per mutual agreement
with the Owner and Contractor.
Site visits to overseas projects may be bi-monthly or quarterly.
However local visits could also be arranged for in case of clarifications being sought out
by the contractor when an architect may deem fit that the matter could be sorted out
better by a site visit than by discussion in the architect’s office. The same applies for out
of station visits wherein the Local Architect may visit the site for these clarifications.
Weekly site visits are, however, recommended for efficient monitoring of the progress
of the work, and are necessary to resolve any problems in construction on a regular
Basis.

● Meetings: Site meetings should be formally conducted by the Architect and should be
attended by the Contractor and the Client / Owner. Protocol should be maintained in the
conduct of site
● meetings- with an Agenda, reading of previous minutes, and confirmation for record
Minutes and all discussions and all decisions should be recorded, documented and circulated to
all
present.

3. Write a comprehensive note on Instructions on site w.r.t the following points

a. Need
b. Validity
c. Notice to Comply

Ans -
Need for Instructions: Broadly Instructions may be given:
● To vary the works
● To postpone the works.
● To remedy workmanship, goods or materials which are not in accordance with the
contract
● To sanction a variation made by the contractor In relation to the expenditure of
provisional sums.
● To open up work for inspection.
● To carry out tests.
● To exclude persons from the site.

Validity of Instructions: The contractor must comply with the instructions within certain
limitations. The contractor has the right to ‘reasonably object’ to an instruction, and instructions
can only be given as empowered by the contract. On receipt of an instruction, the contractor
may ask the Architect to inform them which conditions empower them to make that instruction.
Disagreement about the validity of an instruction may result in a dispute being deemed to have
arisen, and the dispute resolution procedures of the contract will then come into force.
Notice to Comply: If the contractor does not follow an instruction, the Architect may be
required to issue a 'Notice to Comply' to the contractor. If he still fails to comply, the Architect
can instruct others to carry out the work and the contractor will be liable for any additional costs
incurred. It is important therefore that such costs are properly recorded, and if possible a range
of quotes obtained.

4. Write a Short note on Verbal Instructions

Ans -

Verbal Instructions:
● Recording of Verbal Instructions: If an instruction is given verbally, either the Architect
should
subsequently confirm the instruction in writing, or the contractor should confirm it in writing,
and unless the Architect tells the contractor that the instruction is incorrect, then the
contractor’s description of the instruction will stand.
● Confirmation of Verbal Instruction: This confirmation is referred to as a confirmation of
verbal
instruction (CVI) or an Oral confirmation sheet. The contract should set out the exact
procedures and the timescales for issuing such an instruction and non-confirmity from it.
● Verbal Instructions Clause in Contracts: Contracts can be vague about the nature of
such
confirmations, other than that they should be given in writing. They should also be dated and
signed. There are various instruction pro-forma that can be purchased. It is sensible to send an
instruction by recorded delivery, or to confirm its receipt in the minutes of subsequent
meetings.
● Instruction Proforma: On some projects, there may an automated system in place for
capturing
and managing CVI’s and other instructions. Generally instruction Proforma should include:
Details of who is it issued by and whom is it issued to.
The date.
Details of the contract that permits the instruction.
The number of the CVI.
Details of the instruction.
The signature of the party issuing the CVI.
● Cost Borne due to Instructions: Where an instruction is given to open up work or to carry
out
tests, costs incurred will be added to the contract sum unless they were provided for in the
contract bills, or if the work opened up or tested proves to be defective. If such an instruction is
given because other similar work, materials or goods were defective, then no addition will be
made to the contract sum as long as the instruction Compiled by is reasonable.
● Disputes Arising due to Verbal Instructions given or Believed to be Given:
Work that has not been done which the Architect believes has been agreed.
Work that the contractor has done but the client does not wish to pay for.
Whether the instruction has been given to the right person, by the right person.
Whether the instruction is allowed under the contract.
Whether it has been properly valued and the value agreed.
Whether the consequences on the programme have been properly considered.
Whether an extension of time should be awarded.

5. List and explain the various factors that affect the quality of Construction

Ans -

1. CLIENT: Unclear requirements, Illogical preferences and Unrealistic expectations of the client
results into misunderstandings among stakeholders, delay in schedule and cost overruns -
affecting the quality of the end result.
2. COST: Cost overruns are a major hindrance to quality. To save upon costs, the first thing that
is
sacrificed is the quality of the material, products being used, people being employed and the
methods being chosen for construction.
3. CONTRACTOR: Misunderstandings between the designer and the contractor about the
quality of
the product required, is often the case that end results in not up to the desired expectation.

4. CONSTRUCTION: Construction Methods (Steel / Concrete / Wood / Composite) must be pre-

planned. Procurement of materials in required time and their quality check must not be ignored.

Construction phase is the phase which has the highest impact on how the design is being
executed and the quality is being achieved.
5. CONTRACT: The nature of the contract will affect the quality of construction. More control
over
quality can be expected in design/build or a project with construction management than in a
lump sum contract or a design-bid-build contract in which responsibilities and communication
among stakeholders is limited.
6. CONSULTANT: Quality is achieved when the teams work collaboratively. When
sub-consultants
are involved in the project from the very beginning and are brought together for making
important decisions, communication gaps are reduced and deliverables are produced with
higher awareness and higher quality.
7. CLIMATE: Considerations to face difficulties related to physical geography, ecosystem and
environment must be considered in the project. Construction technologies adopted to suit the
climate must be planned at the design stage. Not being able to do so, results into a delay of
time, cost overrun and reduced quality. Not being prepared for the harshness of Climate is a
major hindrance in quality.
8. COMMUNITY: Community support is required for any project to be successful. Good quality
will
win the confidence of the community and poor quality will turn the community and the project
stakeholders against each other.
9. CALENDAR: Time is money. The schedule of design as well as construction is important to
maintain the quality output. When project is delayed, quality of people, construction methods
and management procedures are not given priority in order to simply save as much time as
possible. This attitude results into more damage to the quality of the end result.
10. COMPLEXITY: Complexity of the project affects the quality the most. A house is different
from
an art gallery. The people involved in managing the complex buildings must be well trained to
implement quality strategies during the building process.
11. CORE PROCEDURES: Often, good quality management strategies employed in one project
are
not carried forward to another and a lot of knowledge is lost in transition. Documenting and
recording the best practices, will result into employing better told, techniques and people into
the next project improving the quality continuously.

6. Explain the Architects role in controlling time of construction including his own prompt
response to contractor’s Queries

Ans -

PROMPT AND TIMELY RESPONSE

No matter how narrow or broad the scope of architect's responsibilities, the architect typically
has
an express obligation to take all actions with reasonable promptness so as not to cause a delay
in the
work. Even if "reasonable promptness" is not specifically defined in terms of the number of days
considered acceptable, the durations may be established by customary practice, by
confirmation or
clarification at early job meetings or by calling attention to specific requirements in the
appropriate
correspondence as individual situations may dictate. Most contracts do not have a time span
specifically mentioned, but many contracts do have a “no later than X days after submission”
type of
language which I Strongly recommend.

Common activities that the architect will normally be required to perform at such "reasonable"
speeds include the following (This is to ensure that the Architect’s Office does not get blamed of
the
Time Overrun)
a) Review and approve of shop drawings. And Endorsing the same with date added and copy
filed
b) Review and recommend/approve change orders. And Endorsing the same with date added
c) Prepare change order designs.
d) Approve requisitions for payment – Contractor’s Bill Checking: For this the usual procedure of
Recording measurements and checking and endorsing the same in the Measurement Book
upon
completion of a small job, to time Recording, Periodic Checking and Endorsing of
Measurements
in the Measurement Book is absolutely necessary. Generally when the Contractor raises a bill, it
is the primary duty of the Architect to see that the bill is checked for measurements on the site,
rates checked from the Contract Document and Arithmetic of Rate x Quantity checked and
Totaled before submitting the bill to the Client for Payment. The Architect must also follow up
on the client when the contractor gets to his notice that the client is delaying payment. The
clause for delayed payment must be thoroughly gone into before drafting the contract and
adhered to on delay of payment.
e) Issue documentation (meeting minutes, transmittals, etc.).
f) Make site inspection/ do testing. Detailed out Below includes Centre Line Checking, Quality
Tests for Soft and Hardened Concrete being cast, Checks before Columns, Beams and Slabs
are
cast.
g) Respond to contractor questions.
The architect should properly, and completely, respond to the usual and unique situations within
either the stated or implied time constraints. If not, he or she will risk bearing the responsibility
for
any resultant damages.
Few of the Important Inspections to be done by the Architect or his representative during the
course
of construction are as follows.
a. Centre Line Checking
General practice is to check when the footings are ready for concreting

7. Explain in brief the following

a. Centre Line Checking
b. Checking before column casting
c. Checking before slab and beam casting.

Ans -

a. Centre Line Checking

General practice is to check when the footings are ready for concreting i.e. reinforcement is
entirely
tied up. However, the ideal practice would be to check it in two phases.
1. Check Formwork as well as soil strata
Before you allow placing of reinforcement, check the formwork and soil strata. It is necessary as
certain formwork defects can’t be corrected or are difficult to correct after reinforcement is
placed
in position.
2. Checking Reinforcement
Check, whether the reinforcement has been placed as per size and spacing, given in the
structural
drawings. Hence as a standard engineering practice, one should check the formwork before
reinforcement is placed or tied.
3. Centering and shuttering/Formwork:
Even before commencing the shuttering & centering/formwork for footin , the following points
need
to be checked
•Check the centre lines/margin from boundary etc. from reference column/bench mark pillar.
check
whether you are getting all statutory margins from the road and all rest boundary as per law and
as
drawing. Also, check orientation with respect to North.
•Ensure that the foundation is resting at a designed depth as per drawing.
•Size of formwork box should be as per drawing and it should be made up of approved
materials.
•The formwork should be dry and shall be cleaned carefully before applying mould release
agent.
The same type of release agent should be used throughout on similar formwork materials.
•The surface of formwork should be even and thinly coated with mould release agent.
•The mould release agent should not come in contact with reinforcement or the hardened
concrete
as it will affect the bond between steel and concrete.
•The height of shuttering should be same as that of the height of pedestal and joint should be
sealed
to prevent any leakage of the cement slurry.
•Footing box should be supported properly so that position of footing box does not get changed
during concreting.
•Centre of the footing should be marked with help of nail on planks or footing box.
b. Checking before Column Casting
Check the numbers and diameter of vertical bars and Spacing between vertical bars
Check Development length which depends on diameter of bar and given in the foot notes.
Lapping in alternate bars should come at same height.
Lapping should not come inside beam or slab. Lapping should be at l/3 or 2l/3 of column as per
structural notes
Spacing between stirrups is as per the drawing
Hook should be bent properly at right angles.
c. Checking before Beam and Slab Casting
Beam bottom's line, level & width and Beam side's line, level & plumb should be checked
Beam to beam measurements and Individual level & diagonal of each slab bay to be checked.
Slab thickness & beam depths should be checked.
Check for the sunk if any as per the approved drawings.
Junctions of columns & beam shall be checked so that they are watertight.
Formwork of staircase to be checked for dimensions of tread and riser, level of treads, plumb of
risers.
Reinforcement and cover shall be checked for beams and slabs as per R.C.C drawing
Proper number of chairs shall be provided for slab.
Dowels (if any) required to be provided for elevation features/future extensions to be checked
Electrical points, electrical piping (conduits)/fan hooks shall be checked as per drawing.
Parapet (Pardi) bars shall be left for balconies/staircase etc.
Reduction of column as per drawing shall be done if any.
Ring (stirrups) shall be provided at the free end of each column reinforcement
Gaps between plates /planks should be filled. Taping should be done at ply joints in care of ply
shuttering.
Approval of architect and R.C.C Consultant shall be taken prior to pouring.

In case of large slabs, position of concrete joints shall be decided in advance as per approval by
RCC consultant.\
Check the availability of required labour strength, mixer, lift, vibrators, masons, weigh batcher,
diesel/petrol and plastic sheets etc. before start of concreting.
Hidden beams /inverted beams/cantilever beams to be checked.

8. How does an Architect Monitor the time Schedule of Construction

Ans -

Time Management: This is the most critical part of planning where a Contractor has to
evaluate his options in executing each Item in the B.o.Q with respect to Time and Cost.
Increasing labor and machinery to reduce Time, versus executing the item with minimal labor
and machinery over a longer time span to reduce construction Cost and increase profit is the
dilemma before every contractor. On one side, there is a strict time deadline to be adhered to,
and on the other side the Contractor has to make a Profit. He also has to get approval for the
Time schedule Bar Chart from the Architect and Owner.
The general practice would be in the following steps
1. Graphical Schedule: The Contractor makes a schedule using any of the following techniques
a. Grant Bar Charts
b. Critical Path Networks - CPM
c. Program Evaluation Review Technique- PERT
d. Microsoft Project
e. Any Other Technique
2. Approval of Schedule: The Schedule presented graphically along with cash flow is to be
approved by the Site Supervision Engineering Team from the Architect’s Office
3. Monitoring the Schedule: The Site Supervision Team monitors the work on the site by
comparing it with the Schedule submitted and keeps the Client and Contractor informed of
the timely completion or delay of individual works and the effect of the same on the overall
time-run of the project.
4. Rectification or Making Good: The Architect’s team identifies the time delay and the
reasons behind the time delay. It asks for the Contractor to suggest Remedies to make good
this Time Delay or suggests the remedies if the contractor’s work is the reason behind the
delay. Sometimes payment delays, drawing delivery delays, sample and shop drawings
approval delays could also be the reasons behind the delay. In such cases the necessary
action by the concerned person could put the project back on the correct time Path
5. Monitoring the Schedule throughout the Project till Completion

9. Explain the Architects role in the following parts of monitoring construction on site
a. Material Management
b. Labor Management
c. Machinery Management
d. Money Management
e. Quality Checks and Testing

Ans -

a. Material Management: The Contractor has to plan the procurement of all the required
materials on site so that the work proceeds on schedule without any delays. The suppliers -
product manufacturers, whole-sellers (distributors) or retailers, if necessary, have to be
identified, prices have to be negotiated on 'project' basis to get the best options, and orders
have to be placed, most often with advance payments.

59

The schedule of deliveries of required material has to be planned in tune with the item wise
activities scheduled on a day-to-day basis in the bar chart. Most Architects will NOT excuse
delays in
the work schedule if any Contractor offers an excuse that the project is delayed because the
required material could not be procured on site in time.
The Contractor also has to plan for the storage and security of the material procured on the
construction site. Precious material like Cement can be wasted if not stored in dry sheds
properly -
away from any contact with moisture - on raised platforms and away from side walls of the
leakage
proof storage shed - protected from the rain at all times.
Cement, moreover, has to be stored in time-marked stacks where consumption has to be
controlled
to avoid expiry. Cement older than three months is NOT fit for construction
Steel has to be stored in a dry area to prevent rusting. If Structural Steel acquires a rust coating
on
the construction site, it will have to be sand-blasted before use - at the Contractor's cost. Steel
delivery on site and its consumption, therefore, has to be carefully planned. Steel - both,
reinforcement and structural has to be PROTECTED from THEFT. Steel Yard, therefore, has to
be
separately secured on the work site.
b. Labor Management - workers, helpers, supervisors, and Construction Site Managers - is
always a challenge to any Contractor. It is not only necessary to deploy minimum or
optimum number of personnel on the project site, but it is also necessary to evaluate the
capabilities, temperaments, and skills of each person selected for work on the project in
hand. Conflicts and quarrels between the Contractors personnel on the site can often result
in delays and sub-standard quality in the project.
The Architect has the right and privilege to approve or reject any of the Contractors supervisory
personnel, and even skilled and unskilled labor, if found to be unsuitable.
The challenge before any Contractor is to deploy the right number of laborers with the required
skills and expertise to execute the project in the minimum cost and time. The Quality of the
project
is most often dependent on the Site Supervisors of the Contractors, and the project manager,
and
many Architects often demand known Site Engineers and Project Managers to ensure the
required
and assured Quality of work.
c. Machinery Management: For any Building Contractor planning and scheduling of a
construction project, the use and deployment of appropriate construction machinery is very
important in the establishment of 'efficiency' in construction management. Time and motion
studies of work activities have proved that Optimum use of machinery with appropriate
number of labor have given the best results in terms of speed and quality.
For instance, using RMC versus conventional site mixers for concrete work reduces the COST,
and
increases the Speed, and provides a better Quality of the concrete.
d. Money Management: At the beginning of any new construction project, every Contractor
has to organize adequate finance to begin the project and continue the work until the first
R.A. Bill is raised and settled. Most Contractors have an overdraft facility with their Banks to
provide the initial capital to begin a project. The Contractor has to calculate his liability of
interest payment on the overdraft, against his anticipated profit from the work, to decide
the amount of overdraft.

60
Most Contractors, therefore, request an interest free Mobilization Advance from the Owner /
Architect to bridge the time period from commencement of work to the receipt of the first RA Bill
of
work. The intelligent Contractors also negotiate Material Advance payments, Ad-Hoc payments
against RA Bills, and have other financial arrangements with the Owner to ensure timely
payments.
The Architect of the project generally supports and endorses the proposals of the Contractor
with an
objective to expedite and economize the project as far as possible.
e. Quality Checks and Testing : The terms and conditions of reference in the Tender / Contract
requires the Contractor to Test / Certify many Materials and works carried out on site - at
his own cost - in the course of the project. The Contractor, therefore, has to tie up with a
Test Laboratory approved by the Architect, to get the necessary tests done and provide the
Test reports to be submitted with his R.A. Bills.
If any material or workmanship fails to achieve the Quality standard required in a Test, the
Contractor does Not get paid for the work - which may also have to be re-done. Quality is the
primary responsibility of the Contractor as per the Tender conditions and Contract, but Quality is
also the joint responsibility of the Architect as the project Site Supervisor. Different construction
technologies will have their own Quality Standards, and the Tender conditions require the
Contractor to adhere to the I.S. Codes of the B.I.S.