Chapter Five: essential basic field construction skills

1 CHAPTER FIVE:ESSENTIAL BASIC FIELD CONSTRUCTION SKILLS

In this chapter, a number of select and essential filed construction skills needs have been summarized for adherence in the implementation of Water Supply and Sanitation Projects regarding Dam construction, Boreholes, Intakes, Storage tanks, Transmission mains, Water points and Sanitation works.

1.1 Dam Construction

During the construction of the embankment earth fill or rock fill dams, the following are the key issues to be taken into account at each stage of the project implementation. The construction works should be conducted as per design specifications.

(a)Construction Supervision Guidelines

Supervision of the embankment dam is very critical due to the fact that weather is the major constraint which needs care during construction planning stage. The following are the key issues to be observed in order to achieve the intended output of the project:

(i) The supervisor should make sure that the project has been designed according to the defined standards. Therefore, in case of a separate supervisor from the designer of the project, thorough review of the project should be done and feedback submitted to the client at the agreed time.

(ii)The supervisor and the contractor should be familiar with the project at the initial stages of project implementation to avoid setbacks which may be caused by differences in project understanding.
(iii)The project cost and work plan should be well communicated to the client to make sure there is sufficient fund to run the project smoothly. Delay of fund release may result in project delay and damages may result from weather impact (probable seasonal rains).
(iv)Mobilization of equipment should be well communicated to the contractor so as to facilitate timely commencement of the project.
(v)In the construction contract, the delay caused by any irresponsibility of either party should be penalized so as to minimize the possibility of large liquidated damages caused by weather factors and sometime abandonment of the project.
(vi)The supervisor should define all resources related to the project and keep updating the client on time basis so as to avoid any delays related to miscommunication between the parties.
(vii)The client (of the project) should set a reasonable number of technical personnel to be involved in the project implementation team as counterpart staff so as to activate ownership of the project, hence reduce Operation and Maintenance costs of the project.
(viii)In the contract it should be explicitly stated that the contractor does not require to remove any equipment or plant from the site without prior notification to the supervisor and approval writing in communication with the client.
(ix)All technical specifications of the project should be approved by the supervisor of the project.