Table of Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. The Individuals that have inspired 1

3. Knowledge gained through experience 3

4. Conclusion 4

5. Evidence of a legacy 5

List of Figures

Figure 1: Borrow Pit 2.2 at Km 28 5

Figure 2: Grader processing G9 layer at section 10 5

Figure 3: Priming of Base 6

Figure 4: Slushed Base vs Prime Base 6

Figure 5: Reclaimer processing G7 6

Figure 6: Pad Foot & Smooth Drum Roller 6

Figure 7: Excavator loading Truck 6

Figure 8: Materials Refinement 6

1

Vacation Work Report

Footprint left by: Raees Bagdadi

Title: Student Civil Engineer

1. Introduction

The Journey began on the 22 June 2015 to the 2 July 2015 in association with Basil Read.

During the course of this exciting endeavour that was undertaken, I have gained a lot of

knowledge in the field of road construction from the various new colleagues that I had

acquired along this epic journey. My group and I were allocated the task of being junior

project managers for a road construction project based between Greylingstad and

Standerton. The content of this report shall include the various people that I have met along

my travels and the knowledge I have acquired from them. A description of the activities

undertaken in order to reach the project aim and objectives of this task will be provided.

Illustrations of the nature of work encountered will be displayed. A conclusion will be

drawn as to how this journey has impacted and kick started my career in the field of civil

engineering.

2. The Individuals that have inspired

People give meaning to life, without social interaction life becomes insipid and meaningless.

The people who have inspired and provided support along this journey include my fellow

colleagues, supervisors, directors, project managers and technical advisors. They have given

meaning and a sense of purpose through this endeavour which has had a tremendous

impact on my life in a profound manner by transferring and imparting knowledge to me

which can be considered as a priceless gift. My group consisted of four other individuals

who had a similar mission as I had. My fellow colleagues Mpho, Vusi, Attie and Rulani were

an eager bunch that had a great zeal for knowledge which were always willing to assist me

2

with matters pertaining the task at hand. The safety, health, environmental and quality

assurance director (SHEQ), Vanessa Duncan was our supervisor through this undertaking

who kept us on our toes at all times ensuring that we comply with all standards and

protocols within the industry. As the director of the SHEQ department within basil read she

has ensured that we delivered work of the highest quality conforming to the ISO 9000

series. I had noticed a huge emphasis that was placed upon the health and safety of all

individuals involved, which conformed to the OHS Act by ensuring that at all times personal

should always wear their PPE gear when in the field, which was very admirable as it exhibits

the care and consideration that the company treats its employees with. With regards to the

environmental aspect around the construction site, an environmental officer was allocated

to promote awareness to the employees of endangered and rare species as well as to

protect these species by implementing mitigation measures which conform to the ISO

14000 series.

In the field of construction whilst paving the way for the future I had encountered the head

foreman known as Laurenz Du Plessis which became my mentor and supervising site agent.

He has been allocated the task of controlling the volume of road production per day for the

various layers of the road construction process. A lot of the technical aspects with regards to

road construction were provided to me by Laurenz. He ensured that the quality of the road

works produced were in accordance with the Colto specifications for road construction.

The project manager for this huge 56 Km construction site is Herkie Sandenburg. He has

provided insight to us regarding the project management aspects of construction.

Construction site management plays a crucial role in the success of a project. He has

ensured that the project gets done of the required quality that the client desires, within the

time limit and within the budget that basil read provides. He has also described to us the

importance of assessing the risks involved when planning the project. Risk assessment plans

and mitigation measures should be provided by foreseeing expected problems.it is

important to plan ahead so as to avoid drastic impact on the schedule of the project. Gantt

charts, blueprints and the cost analysis concepts are of crucial importance when managing a

construction site and it is vital for a project manager to interpret and analyse them in order

to run a successful project.

3

During the time spent at the head office of basil read, I had encountered a quantity surveyor

by the name of Rozelle Pieterse who clarified the technical aspects with regards to cost

analysis. She had showed me how to compare between the allowables set aside for the

project to the actual cost incurred during the project duration. Knowing these two variables

one can determine whether a profit or a loss is being made. A forecasted cost at completion

can be determined for the project duration based on the activities and outstanding work of

the project.

Whilst working at the head office of Basil Read, we had the honour of meeting the chief

operation officer of the construction Antonie Fourie. He had shed some light regarding our

project aim and objectives during the vac work period. Our task was to determine whether

the road construction project taking place in Standerton was operating at a profit or a loss

for the various activities being undertaken for the brief period that we were there. The aim

of this procedure was to forecast the cost at completion for the road project for the various

activities that had been observed. Our findings were then presented to Bruce Morton which

is the managing director of the roads division.

3. Knowledge gained through experience

From this unique journey that has been undertaken I have gained so much of knowledge

and I have developed an understanding in terms of road construction. It has improved my

project management skills and has given me a broad perspective as to what is required in

the field of road construction. With regards to the technical aspects of road construction I

have realized that the Colto specifications is a vital element that should be understood and

conformed to when dealing with road construction from an engineer’s perspective. It is very

different to the design process of roads where the TRH series is utilized. When dealing with

the costing aspects with regards to road construction it is crucial to account for all variables

that will have a significant impact to the success of the projects. Variables such as plant

utilization, materials costing as well as labour costing are crucial factors that have to be

considered from a project management point of view. Although there are multiple other

variables that have to be considered our focus was strictly concerned with the cost analysis

for the various layers of road construction. I can now understand the various processes that

4

are involved within road construction such as the milling, processing of G9, G7, G5, and G1

layers of the road. Priming is a finish applied to the G1 base and the Asphalt can then be

laid. Stabilization can be expected at the sub base level G5, where binder is applied to the

layer. The materials that are used for the construction of the road should preferably come

from the vicinity of the project site. The plant that is used to construct the road is of vital

importance. Regular maintenance should be conducted on the various plants as it has a

major contribution to the project duration. The tipper trucks are of utmost importance as it

would determine the production volume of the road that is being constructed. Bigger tipper

trucks as well as the amount of tipper trucks involved during the construction phase have a

direct influence on the project duration.

During the first and second day on site I had dealt with the processing of the G9 and G7

layers which are the lower selected and upper selected layers respectively at section 10 of

the construction site. On the third day on site I had visited the borrow pits to analyse the

material refinement processes used for construction. This helped in understanding the

materials costing aspects as well as the tipper truck routines and procedures. During the

fourth day spent on site I had dealt with the G5 sub base processing. On the fifth day I had

covered all aspects with regards to the processing of the G1 base which included slushing.

On my sixth day I had dealt with the priming of the G1 base. My final day on site included

the observation of the milling process. The other two days were reserved for office work

where the cost analysis was performed. The quantity surveyors were consulted for

clarification of matters.

4. Conclusion

I would like to thank the management of Basil Read for this wonderful opportunity. I have

really benefitted a lot from this experience. It has been a great team building exercise with

my fellow colleagues. I have had the opportunity to meet many extra ordinary people along

the way which has been very enlightening. It has boosted my morale and confidence level

within the field of engineering as it is exactly the kind of work I see myself doing. I am

passionate about this career and I look forward to building legacies with Basil Read again in

the near future.

5

5. Evidence of a legacy

Figure 1: Borrow Pit 2.2 at Km 28

Figure 2: Grader processing G9 layer at section 10

6

Figure 3: Priming of Base

Figure 4: Slushed Base vs Prime Base

7

Figure 5: Reclaimer processing G7

Figure 6: Pad Foot & Smooth Drum Roller

8

Figure 7: Excavator loading Truck

Figure 8: Materials Refinement