Construction technology and environmental services (L2)

Question 1

On the Franklaw project, why was a different size valve required?

Answer 1

o There are 3nr actuated inlet control plug valves on each inlet stream
o The size of these changed from 800mm to 750mm
o It was flagged by the Contractor’s supplier that the 800mm valves will not be able to accurately control the forward flow rates down to the required low flow rate (15MLD) without operating outside its design flow range
o Proceeding with the 800mm valve would be a risk to the project if the forward flows could not accurately be controlled down to the required flow rate

Question 2

Why were the original valves no longer suitable?

Answer 2

o There are 3nr actuated inlet control plug valves on each inlet stream
o The size of these changed from 800mm to 750mm
o It was flagged by the Contractor’s supplier that the 800mm valves will not be able to accurately control the forward flow rates down to the required low flow rate (15MLD) without operating outside its design flow range
o Proceeding with the 800mm valve would be a risk to the project if the forward flows could not accurately be controlled down to the required flow rate

Question 3

What was the time impact arising from this?

Answer 3

o Due to the size of these valves, they are not off the shelf components and so are on long lead in times
o Due to this and time spent modelling alternative sizes before the change was instructed and order could be placed
o The matter impacted on both programme and cost which has impacted the pain/ gain position of the project

Question 4

What was your role in this?

Answer 4

o My role was to commercially manage this change operating the appropriate change procedure under the contractor
o For example, aiding in the responding to the Contractor’s early warning, help drafting the instruction and assessing the compensation event through to implementation.

Question 5

On the Williamsgate project, why was a steel frame the most suitable option?

Answer 5

o Mainly due to the need for a large uninterrupted floor space (steel frames can span over long distances without intermediate support columns that concrete frames require)
o Steel is also strong and ductile making it resistance to accidental damage as would be needed in a workshop environment
o Given the use of the facility there wasn’t a requirement for thermal performance which can be assisted by the thermal mass of concrete
o Steel frames also offer greater flexibility for future modifications or expansions should the workshop facility need to be extended

Question 6

Were any other options considered?

Answer 6

o I wasn’t involved with this stage of the project
o However, a concrete frame may have been considered as an alternative to steel

Question 7

What was your role in this?

Answer 7

N/A

Question 8

Can you give me an example of a time when you have considered the safety or sustainability implications of technology?

Answer 8

At UU we use:
o UV technology
 Reduces need for chemicals and so is more sustainable however
 There is the safety risk associated with UV exposure and risk of burns
o SuDS
 Reed Beds or attenuation lagoons to manage storm water over a concrete tank
* reduces carbon and
* safer to construct compared to concrete tanks

Question 9

If you were considering types of foundations such as piling, what options are there and what information would you need to assist with the decision making on this element?

Answer 9

o With regards to types of pile foundation they can be classified by their
 basic design function i.e. end-bearing or friction or
 method of construction i.e. displacement/ driven or replacement/ bored
o Information needed to assist with this decision includes
 Nature of the load requiring support – will impact length of pile (driven piles can achieve greater depths)
 Ground conditions – if hard layers are not deep an end-bearing pile may be used
 Presence of water – higher water table may necessitate a driven pile
 Sensitivity to noise and vibration – will impact if a pile is driven or bored
 Site conditions – congested sites may necessitate bored piles

Question 10

Can you tell me about a time that legislation or regulation has impacted on the choice of construction technology?

Answer 10

o For example, on the Williamsgate project the Project Manager instructed a change to the Works Information for a start-up-to-waste solution
o This change meant that various components such as ladders within some manholes could now come into contract with drinking water which was not of concern prior to this change
o Therefore, the solution subsequently became subject to compliance with Regulation 31 of The Water Supply Regulations 2016
o Such that the martial of various components would need changing to be compliant with Regulation 31

Question 11

Can you give me an example from one of your projects in relation to the impact of the building services on the method/type of construction?

Answer 11

o On the Watchgate project, the addition of new monitoring and control systems required the installation of additional electrical cabling
o However, existing cable trays and runs impacted the construction method due to limited capacity and the need for cable segregated which necessitated
 Upgrades to the existing cable try system
 structural adjustments to supporting framework
 carful planning of new cable runs to ensure segregation of certain cables and
 modifications to the building’s interior surfaces such that new supports could be added