Ammico Placement Professional Learning - Assignment Example

Date Hours worked Hours from- to Type of work Description of work Reflections/comments/observations 1 7.5h 8am to 16.oo hrs Induction and safety -Induction to the industry, its aims and objectives. -Environment, health and safety policy induction The company palaces a huge emphasis on safety and environmental health and safety. 2 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Induction (continued) -Information on organization and responsibilities related to safety The organizational structure enables each employee to know their immediate boss to facilitate better communication and operations. 3 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Pile testing Static load testing -Reviewed and inspecting of check points -helped in setting up the loading equipment which included hydraulic jacks, pipes, coupling and hoses Learned the practical applications of pile testing 4 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Pile testing -Drilled the test pile -covered the steel reinforcement with PVC sleeves - Learnt the practical application of pile testing. 5 7.5 8am to 16hrs Pile testing Set up reference beams to measure pile movement -sat up beam supports to avoid ground movement -set up dial gauges on the reference beams The work was labor intensive and required a lot of care. 6 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Excavation and plastering -helped in the excavation of the double and triple basement area -I helped to clean the diaphragm wall surface Working with a the high pressure water pump validated the theories of fluid mechanics I had learned 7 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Excavation -Helped in the excavations in Phase 2A-zone 1, Phase 2A-zone 2 and Phase 3 for the installation of earth retaining structures. Very deep excavations that require much care and adherence to safety measures. 8 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Ground anchorage -I assisted in preparations for the installation of secant walls and diaphragm walls along the perimeter of the deep excavations to provide support and improve integrity of adjacent soils. The work is sensitive and requires attention to detail. 9 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Installation of diaphragm walls -800mm thick diaphragm walls had been proposed and a number of steps and equipment are used in their construction. I assisted in the construction of the guide wall which assists in correct alignment of the panel excavation. The work require highly skilled labor 10 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Level for installation of piles -I assisted in the installation of piezometers at various locations on site. I took readings to assist in determining the ground water level. The pressure readings should be taken with care in order to achieve the correct average value. 11 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Pre excavation for diaphragm wall installation -I assisted in the pre excavation of the trench to around 3M using a hydraulic excavator. Filled the trench with bentonite to prevent collapse of soil. I learnt how to operate a hydraulic excavator. 12 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Panel excavation for the diaphragm wall -I participated in the excavation of the panel to the full design depth. Experience is key in undertaking this task. 13 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Panel excavation for diaphragm wall - I participated in the monitoring and control of the properties of bentonite slurry during the drilling process. Attention to detail is required 14 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Placement of spacer beams and steel reinforcement cages -I took part in verifying the depth of the panel then assisted in the placement of spacer beams on the sides of the borehole. The operation should be undertaken with maximum precision to reduce the probability of error. 15 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Placement of steel reinforcement cage -I assisted in the placement of the pre fabricated steel reinforcement cages were then lifted and placed in the excavated panel. Precision is important. 16 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Concreting of panel -placed C30 Concrete through a top metal hopper into a rigid leak proof tremie pipe. Removed the spacer beams just before the initial setting time. Concrete placing should be done as quickly as possible before setting begins. 17 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Installation of ground anchors -Ground anchors were installed every 30-40m along the constructed diaphragm wall to achieve a rigid tie back and to ensure minimal movement of the diaphragm wall. This is a good safety measure desirable where there are subsequent excavation operations. 18 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Pile location -helped in demarcation and location of piles with the help of approved drawings. Proper understanding of the working of the surveying equipment is mandatory. 19 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Pile location I helped in determining reference points by using surveying equipment It helped me practice the use of surveying equipment 20 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Installation of concrete soldier piles -helped install concrete soldier piles to support the cantilever walls Tedious but educative 21 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Installation of concrete soldier piles Helped to install a wailing beam system Tedious but educative 22 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Shotcrete shoring Helped to vertically excavate the soils -I helped to install tiebacks into the soil Increased my knowledge of the subject 23 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Shotcrete shoring -I helped place steel mesh in the soil face that had been excavated -helped in spraying concrete over the soil Process helped me understand the advantages of Shotcrete shoring 24 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Installation of temporary steel casing -Installed a steel casting with a diameter greater than the pile This was more of a control measure. 25 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Drilling -I helped in the drilling of the pile borehole to the required design depth. The borehole bottom was then cleaned using a flat bottom cleaning bucket. The work was easier with the help of machinery. 26 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Checking the depth of the borehole -I assisted in the determination of the depth of the borehole. Used a total station and measuring tape with a suspended weight. This operation needed understanding of the working of a total station. 27 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Placement of steel cage -A steel cage fabricated according to the working drawings was lowered into the cleaned borehole. A gap of about 100mm was left between the tip of the steel reinforcement and the bottom of the excavated borehole. Great attention should be paid to ensure that the reinforcement is placed in the right position. 28 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Concreting of pile borehole -helped to lower a tremie pipe into the borehole. Concrete work should be done as quickly as possible. 29 7.5hrs 8am to Concreting of pin borehole Continued to help in the concreting of the pin borehole Time is an important factor in concrete work. 30 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Removal of the temporary casing -The empty portion above the top of the concrete was backfilled with soil then the temporary casing withdrawn using a vibro-hammer. Care was taken to ensure that the concrete was not lifted. 31 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Backfilling the borehole -I assisted in backfilling the borehole using excavated material once the pile installation was complete. Mechanical plant came in handy. 32 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Cutting of the pile head -Once piling work was complete, an excavation was carried out in the piling area to find the cut-off level as per the drawings. The point was marked then a disk grinder used to make a horizontal groove. The pile installation process was educating. 33 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Cutting of the pile head A hydraulic pile breaker attached to an excavator was used to break and remove the concrete above the cut-off level. Care to be taken in handling the machine. 34 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Background anchor installation - Anchor assembly Assembled the tie back ground anchors that consisted of stranded steel wires, spacers, grout tubes, anchor head plate, wedged and stressing blokes. A lot of skill is required in undertaking his task. 35 7.5hrs 8am hrs 16hrs Anchor installation Used a micro drilling rig, a grout pump and compressor in the final stage of installation A lot of skill is required. 36 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Background anchor installation -Installed layers of tie-background anchors Precision is key in anchor installation. 37 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Drilling of bore holes I helped in the drilling of the anchors. We used a DTH hammer built on a cassagrande rotary rig The work was a bit tedious especially on rocky ground 38 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Grouting of anchors -I assisted in the grouting whereby the grout was mixed at the site and pumped using a grout pump. The work was quite tedious, but the pump helped to make the work easier. 39 8am to 16 hrs Grouting of anchors (continued) -helped to add admixtures followed by pumping grout through a grout tube placed in the anchor assembly 40 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Lock off of anchors -once all the tests to which the grouted anchors are subjected to were complete, they were locked off at the load which shall be subjected to the device. A good learning experience 41 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Lock off anchors (continued) Anchors satisfying the criteria were subjected to strands cropped and protected by denotape wrap. A good learning experience. 42 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Anchor distressing -On each anchor, unit strands were distressed using a jack and by applying a load slightly greater than the lock off load. It was important that this was done by skilled personnel. 43 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Anchor distressing (continued) -helped loosen and remove the wedges. Skill and experience were necessary. 44 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Excavation -Excavations using hydraulic excavators when excavating loose soil. Deep excavations are dangerous and care and safety measures should be put in place while carrying them out. 45 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Excavation(continued) We used excavator mounted rock bearers to work on hard rock The excavators consumed a lot of energy. 46 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Transfer of excavated material The excavated materials were shifted to temporary storage areas for temporary storage. Dumping trucks were used to carry out this operation. 47 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Backfilling -using suitable engineering material, backfilling was performed and compaction done to 95% maximum dry density. Plane and sheep’s foot rollers were used for compaction. 48 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Backfilling -This was carried out in layers not exceeding 200mm up to the foundation level. The levels were then checked using leveling machines. 49 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Demolition of existing secant walls -This was done using the excavator with minimal vibrations. We demolished both the primary and secondary concrete This was done to pave way for subsequent construction activities. 50 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Installation of soil nails -soil nails were installed to exposed soil to ensure its stability. This operation was important for safety. 51 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Dewatering for excavation Helped to construct drains below the excavation level after encountering the water table. This operation is important to maintain uplift pressure due to ground water level at any point below the excavation less than the overburden pressure. 52 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Dewatering - constructed sumps along the drains and filled them with appropriate screening material. Carried out to maintain uplift pressure lower than overburden pressure. 53 7.5 hrs 8am to 16 hrs Dewatering Helped in filling with aggregate materials Approved filler material should be used. 54 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Dewatering (continued) We used Submersible pumps to remove water and convey the water to de-silting tanks placed on the ground outside the excavation area. A lot of expertise is required in this operation. 55 7.5 hrs 8am to 16hrs dewatering I helped to direct the water from the excavation to the drainage system of the municipality Prior arrangements had to be made with the concerned parties. 56 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Dewatering -French drains were constructed around the perimeter of the diaphragm wall and connected to the steel pipes. This was facilitated by cutting an opening in each pipe. 57 7.5 h 8 am to 16hrs dewatering I helped in the construction of cross drains across the site and filled them with screening material This also provides a level surface with adjacent areas. 58 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Dewatering (continued) -I assisted in the installation of ground monitoring system to monitor ground water level on daily basis. Piezometers were used in this task. 59 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Pump out Test -I helped in pipe testing to ensure that it conforms to the standards. The test was carried out in accordance with BS 5930:1990 section 27 60 7.5h 8am to 16hrs Piezometers -I assisted in the installation of piezometers at various locations for ground water monitoring. Their location was approved by the engineer. How did the work placement assist you in your professional learning? Placement at Ammico contracting company has played a big role in my development as a professional learner.it has helped me put the knowledge I had accumulated into practice. It also enabled me to see how the things we learn are applied in the real world of civil engineering. How did the work placement expand your understanding of the profession? Prior to the work placement, my knowledge in civil engineering was limited to the theory that we had learned. The work placement at Ammico contracting company enabled a better understanding of processes like shoring, piling and shoring, ground anchor installation, shotcreting, installation of piezzometers, dewatering and soldier pile installations. Read More