Non-exhaustive Guidance to Civil and Structural Engineering Design and

Construction Works for Graduate Engineers, based on Actual Practice

by Eddie Naldoza
I.

DESIGN WORKS/ACTIVITIES (Consultants/Design Engineers)

1. Preliminary review and evaluation of the Building/Structure to be designed and

constructed

Review and assess the general arrangement of the building/structure

Plan for, design and develop a regular structural framing as much as possible for scheme or
conceptual structural layout
If irregular structural framing cannot be avoided, know and identify the weak points of the structure
or the main structural elements that will be significantly prone or be subjected to high stresses, and
examine the possible means on how to avoid failure of critical elements. Knowledge and Techniques
about this can be acquired through most structural engineering literatures
Know and understand the nature of the foundation or the condition of the founding level at the
location of the building. The nature and characteristics of the soil, required foundation parameters
and geotechnical aspects are in most cases being provided by the Geotechnical Engineer or are
included in the tender or contract documents. However if this or any data is not available you should
apply your own Geotechnical Engineering knowledge and skills to validate the foundation and soil
condition. Your own visual and physical inspection of the actual site may be required.
Consider material strengths and properties that are most commonly used with reasonable
justifications, i.e. concrete fc = 35MPa, steel fy = 460MPa, 500MPa, structural steel Fy = 275MPa,
375MPa, 500Mpa, concrete weight (dry) = 24KN/m3, (wet) = 25KN/m3 steel weight = 78.5KN/m3
Prepare a conceptual design by performing preliminary sizing of structural elements using
good/reasonable engineering judgment and instinct (or using other simple means and references).
For example, 200mm x 200mm Columns could hold up to 2-Storey Building, 300x300 for 3-Storey,
400x400 for 4-Storey and so on. 200 wide x 400 deep for Beams up to 5.0m span, 1.0x1.0x0.25m
thk minimum footing dimension, 125mm thk slab for span up to 2.0m, etc.
Assess the Loadings (Dead loads and Live loads) as per the codes/standards and specifications,
i.e. NSCP, ASCE/SEI 07-10, Eurocode. This is critical and must be assimilated and precise
representative of the actual loadings that will be applied on the structure, taking into consideration
all the safety factors and allowances
Assess and calculate the Wind Loads as per the codes/standards, i.e. NSCP, ASCE/SEI 07-10,
Eurocode
Assess and calculate the Earthquake/Seismic Loads as per the standards (assuming the building
is located at high seismic zone), i.e. NSCP, ASCE/SEI 07-10, Eurocode. For low to medium rise
buildings static seismic forces/loads and analysis may be adequate. For high rise buildings dynamic
loads and analysis is a must. Commonly used for dynamic analysis are Time History Analysis and
Response Spectrum Analysis. The codes and other texts provide detailed guidance on how to
perform these analyses

2. Analysis of the Structure

Know and understand the abilities and limitations of the structural analysis software to be utilized.
Prominent software used for structural analysis are Staad Pro, ETABS, Robot, Masterseries, etc
Model the structural frame simulating to the most realistic form or as close reproduction as possible
of the actual building/structure being designed using the chosen software. Apply all the loads as
previously assessed and combinations of loads as per the codes. Run the analysis and obtain the
results. Note that it is, in most cases, quite practical to select the maximum stresses (particularly for
small buildings) among common elements as the typical or design value to be used in the design
Resize or adjust the dimensions of your structural elements should you find them to be too small or
too large based on the results of your analysis. Deflections and Moments will be the main basis for
this. Shear will be less critical in most cases. Remember that strength and economy in structures
should come together as a final product and is widely considered as Best Practice approach by
Engineers

If you are more comfortable with hand calculations the basic Theory Of Structures formulas and
expressions would be very useful, i.e. P=F/A, M=wl2/8 , M=wl2/12, V= wl/2, etc
Prepare your Working Drawings. It is either at this stage or after the design that these drawings
become your Tender Drawing that can be used for quantity surveying/costing and estimation or
preparation of Bill of Quantities (BoQ), to be issued to the Client for their subsequent issuance to
Tenderers/Bidders (Contractors/Builders). Best software used in drawing production are AutoCAD
and Microstation
In the latest technology trend and development these models are also being linked to or used a
component of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to generate 3D (Design), 4D (Time), 5D (Cost)
and even 6D (Operation and Maintenance) models

3. Design of the Structure (Reinforced Concrete)

Most software have the ability to design the elements straight away. However, it would be practical
to device your own calculation spreadsheet as this would be beneficial for speedy execution of
repetitive exercises that is most commonly happening in structural design. Some useful tools and
software are Prokon, RAM Elements, MIDAS, MathCAD, etc
Using the preliminary material properties, conditions and element sizes considered, apply or input
all of them into your spreadsheets or perform structural design calculations by hand and review the
results
If the results of the design obtained proved too small or too large main structural elements, or if the
main elements are requiring too many or too little steel reinforcements, go back to your model and
resize the elements to most suitable and more economical dimensions then rerun the analysis. In
time, you would develop your skills through experiences in these aspects and would be able to size
your structural elements just exactly as required.
Bear in mind that steel is more expensive than concrete so it would always be practical to resize
your concrete dimensions rather than increasing the amount of the steel reinforcement, but only to
some extent that would not affect the total weight of the building or increase the dead loads. Do not
be too concerned about the consequent effects on formworks requirement of the enlarged element
sizes. Also depth is more crucial than width, so if you would require resizing, increase the depth to
enlarge, decrease the width to reduce
Prepare the Detailed Design Drawings of the structural framing with the most appropriate element
sizes as a result of your structural design calculations.
Prepare RC detailing of structural elements taking into particular account the required anchorage
lengths, splices/lap lengths and spacing of steel reinforcements in accordance with the
codes/standards, i.e. NSCP, ACI 3818M-14
Ensure in your RC details that you have taken into account or have allowed for sufficient gaps and
spaces between bars or have avoided steel congestions in order for the construction (concrete
casting) on site to proceed without much problems or difficulties or avoiding any site adjustments,
due to foreseeable restriction/constriction in the flow and compaction (vibration) of concrete when
poured.
Also ensure that the arrangement of bars/steel reinforcements are manageable or not too
complicated or can easily be installed without much difficulty
Ensure that you have fully addressed the durability and ductility requirements of reinforced concrete.
Durability of concrete (against chloride ingress, sulfate attack, carbonation and steel corrosion)
mainly deals with proper specification for:
a. Design Concrete Mixes
suitable cement type appropriate to exposure condition (OPC, OPC+PFA, GGBS, SRC)
(OPC-Ordinary Portland Cement, PFA-Pulverised Fuel/Fly Ash, GGBS-Ground Granulated
Blast-furnace Slag, SRC-Sulfate Resisting Cement)
suitable aggregate materials (Gabbro, Granite, Limestone)
concrete protection system or coating or membrane to be applied
b. Concrete strength
c. Concrete cover appropriate to exposure condition
d. Workability of concrete during pouring/casting and adequate compaction/vibration
e. Proper curing

II.

Ductility of reinforced concrete mainly deals with:

a. Appropriate combination of concrete and steel strengths to prevent brittle failure, i.e. low
compressive strength concrete with high yield steel reinforcements, medium compressive
strength concrete with medium yield steel, high compressive strength concrete with low yield
steel, etc. Note that High strength concrete with high yield steel may lead to brittle failure
b. Proper detailing and arrangement of steel reinforcements
c. Adequate splice/lap lengths and development/anchorage lengths
Detailed Design Drawings
Most of time, these drawings also form part of either Contract/Tender Documents, Tender
Clarifications, Tender Addendum or if no further changes to be incorporated this would serve as the
final Approved/Issued For Construction (AFC/IFC) Documents to be used and implemented for
construction on site. This must be submitted to the Client or Building Official for Approval before
issuing to the Contractor.
After the tender evaluation and once the Contract has been awarded to the Builder/Contractor,
prepare yourself to a series of Request For Information (RFI) that would be sent to you by the
Contractor. You will be required by the Client to answer or provide your response to these RFIs
diligently and professionally. So that no claims for delays could be issued by the Contractor against
the Client.

CONSTRUCTION WORKS/ACTIVITIES (Contractor/Builder/Site Engineers)

1. Construction/Site Implementation; Preliminary and General Works and Activities of

Contractor/Site Engineer

Contractor to review the Contract Documents, particularly the scope, time and budget for the project
and prepare plans and programs for timely completion and delivery within budget and scope.
Review interfaces as well with stakeholders of the project
Plan for construction activity, methodology and technique, equipment, workforce/manpower/labor
requirement and materials to suit allocated budget.
Prepare and submit Quality System, Quality Control and Quality Management Plan (QA/QC
Engineers are most of time responsible for this but Site Engineers inputs would be vital)
Prepare and submit Health, Safety and Welfare at Construction Work Plan or Safety Management
Plan (Safety Officers are most of time responsible for this but Site Engineers inputs would be vital)
Sometimes the Client would require the Contractor to develop, provide or submit an Environmental
Impact Study, Traffic Impact Study, etc. depending on contract agreement/arrangement
Prepare and submit Site Layout Plan showing access and egress to site of all manpower, equipment
or plants, site boundaries and road diversions if required
Prepare and submit Construction Programme. This starts with the preparation of Work Breakdown
Structure then with a Baseline Programme then the Detailed Programme. This is the Planning
Engineers job but in small projects Site Engineers could also do this. This is where your knowledge
in Critical Path Method (PERT-CPM) and Gant Charts come into use. However, due advancements
in technology this can now also be prepared and done handily through software. The most
prominent software that is widely used for this is Primavera P6 or MS Projects. The Client may
sometimes require this to be cost-loaded and resource-loaded already prior to submission.
Primavera P6 can do both cost-loading and resource-loading
Prepare and submit Procurement Plan/Programme based on Construction Programme
Prepare and submit Prequalification Document submittals for material fabricators, suppliers,
specialist and subcontractors
Prepare and submit Material submittals for concrete, steel reinforcements, formworks, accessories
and other materials that would be used for the works
Review the AFC/IFC drawings. Prepare the Shop Drawings based on AFC/IFC drawings (as well
as the other corresponding Submittals/Transmittals) and submit them for the Consultants/Clients
review and approval. Revise the submittal complying and incorporating the Consultants/Clients
comments until final approval is obtained. Sometimes the Consultant/Client may allow you proceed

with the procurement or enabling works or preliminary works if the comments are minor, but the
submittal status would still be Approved as Noted or Approved with Comments or Approved,
Subject to Incorporation of All Comments as Noted. If not then the submittals could be under Revise
and Resubmit status and the works or activities could not proceed until acceptable compliance is
reached and the necessary approvals (or provisional approvals) are obtained
If some inconsistencies or vague/unclear/lacking detail found or information on the AFC/IFC
drawings that you consider could affect the construction, safety or stability/robustness or the
outcome the structure or if it is somewhat impossible to construct, issue RFIs to the
Consultant/Designer or propose a more reasonable methodology for their approval
Prepare and submit Method Statements for each activity or a general method statement for all or
entire activity. This should be in line with your Safety Management Plan. The process and procedure
will be the same as for Shop Drawing and Material Submittals

2. Particular Works and Activities of Site Engineer

Prepare excavation plan including worksite access plans. Assess for any additional requirement for
supports or protection of excavation
Prepare and submit Inspection Request (IR) and Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) for each and any
particular work or activity to be inspected and approved by the Consultants/Clients Engineer prior
to proceeding with succeeding activity. Ensure that your Shop Drawings and Method Statements
are already approved before proceeding with any works/activity and submitting the IRs and ITPs
Engage the Surveyor to do the setting-out and levels of the location, worksite and building footprint
Carryout initial site investigation for possible buried existing utilities/services or archaeology and
overhead power cables. Then do site clearing and grubbing.
Proceed with Excavation. Supervise or monitor the excavation works and the nature or condition of
the ground. If from the Geotechnical Investigation/Soil Investigation Report it has been anticipated
that Groundwater may be encountered, have your Dewatering measures/system/equipment in
place. If excavation would reach more than 1.5m deep prepare for excavation protection measures.
Excavation levels are the most critical in this works, make sure you reach the desired level (founding
level) just exactly at the condition of the soil anticipated. If the soil is too soft or the founding level is
with questionable soil, consult the Geotechnical Engineer for recommendation or further verification
Prepare Bar Bending Schedule or Rebar Cutting List. In most cases this is done by the steel
fabricator/supplier or subcontractor
Prepare the site for Blinding Concrete laying (or screed/lean concrete). Blinding concrete layer are
usually SRC Grade 20MPa, otherwise OPC or OPC+PFA C25 (Grade 25MPa). The purpose of this
is basically to create an even level and smooth surface as bedding for footings and foundations and
to provide resistance to sulfate attack and chloride ingress for the footings/foundations. Some
projects would require application of Anti-termite Protection then covered with 1000mm
Polyethylene sheet prior to laying of blinding concrete
Some projects would require additional concrete protection as Bituminous Membrane plus Primer
(either cold applied or torched). This is applied horizontally on top of the blinding layer then protected
from damage by 30mm lean concrete screed, then vertically on the sides of all buried concrete
surfaces covered with protection board. Protection boards are usually made of 6mm Bituminous or
Polypropylene material.
Procure or order for steel or fabricated (cut and bent) reinforcements. Manage the delivery, proper
handling and storing of steel materials
Supervise/monitor the installation and fixing or steel reinforcements
Prepare or review the formworks shop drawings (mostly being done by formwork
specialist/subcontractor). Note that for suspended beams and slabs this (scaffolds and bottom
shutters) should come first prior to installation and fixing of steel reinforcements.
Ensure that the Design Concrete Mixes are correct as specified, especially for Structural Concrete.
Ensure workability of concrete through correct water/cement ratio and slump.
Procure or order concrete once the steel reinforcements fixed and formworks are ready, as
inspected and approved by the Consultant. Order for concrete pumps if required but make sure you
have done this ahead of time as the pumps must be in position prior to concrete delivery.

Ensure that you have the complete workforce/labors, tools and equipment in position. Vibrators are
crucial, make sure you have ample of them as well as the Finishers. Standby tools and equipment
must be in place, adequate lights during concrete pours at night is required.
Manage/supervise the delivery of concrete. Make sure that you have a properly allocated place for
onsite sampling and testing. Ensure access to site and to the location of pour are prepared and all
ok. Mind the timings and the weather, this will be vital during concrete casting.
Before any concrete is poured all mixers are direct to the sampling and testing station to check the
delivery note (with corresponding design mix), time of batching and delivery against time of pour,
concrete temperature, ambient/shade temperature, slump. Perform or witness/inspect (if by
conducted by 3rd party laboratory) proper sampling and onsite testing of fresh concrete. Reject
concrete that do not comply with the requirement (particularly slump) or require the supplier for any
rectification if still possible.
When the sampling and testing are all ok, get ready to pour the concrete. Make sure to follow your
Method Statement and casting sequence . . . . . .

(TO BE CONTINUED . . . lack of time )