3.1.

2 PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The construction project manager plays an essential role in overseeing all aspects of a
construction project, from planning to execution, monitoring, control, and closure. They are
responsible for managing day-to-day activities, client relations, and ensuring project success
through effective time management, planning, execution, monitoring, and control.

Additionally, they focus on maintaining strong relationships through clear

communication and providing a winning formula for project delivery. At the Opete site, the
project manager, alongside project engineers, actively managed the project, demonstrating
essential skills in project management and addressing risks and challenges effectively.
Depending on the stage of the contract, the role played by the construction project manager
evolves from the pre and post tender to the final close of the project. This involves:

• Time management.
• Ensuring project success which has to do with: planning, execution, monitoring, and
control.
• Safeguarding strong relationships through effective communication.
• Providing a winning formula.

3.1.3 DIVISION AND PLANNING OF LABOUR

The effective division of labor is crucial for ensuring the staff at EL-MAREVE Company
Limited are utilized efficiently, especially when various activities were conducted
simultaneously. To achieve this, the project manager has to focus on the following key aspects:

• Knowing the staff's strengths and weaknesses: The project manager should have a
thorough understanding of their team's skills, expertise, and capabilities to assign the
right personnel to the right tasks.
• Assessing the current job requirements: The project manager must carefully evaluate the
tasks that need to be completed at a given time and determine the appropriate resources
and skills required.
• Matching personnel to tasks: By aligning the staff's strengths with the job requirements,
the project manager can ensure optimal utilization of the labor force and maximize
productivity.
• Providing necessary tools and equipment: Ensuring that the site personnel have access to
the required tools and equipment will help minimize delays and maintain the project's
efficiency.
• Effective communication and briefing: Thoroughly briefing the site personnel on the
tasks at hand will help them understand their roles and responsibilities, leading to better
coordination and execution.
 By focusing on these key elements, the project manager can effectively manage the
division of labor, ensuring the staffs are utilized to their full potential and the project is executed
smoothly.

3.1.4 PREPARATION FOR THE STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION

During my placement at Opete, I had a hands-on experience in the practical aspects of

construction, which significantly broadened my engineering knowledge within the construction
industry. Here are the key learnings I acquired during my time at Opete:

• Concrete Casting Process: I gained insights into the process of concrete casting and its
critical role in construction projects, highlighting the importance of this technique in
building structural elements.
• Calculation of Concrete Volume: I learned how to calculate the volume of concrete
needed for casting structural members like beams and slabs, a fundamental aspect of
construction planning and execution.
• Working Under Pressure: I developed the ability to work efficiently under pressure and
tight schedules, demonstrating your capacity to handle tasks with minimal supervision
and ensuring precision in your work processes.
• Compaction of Backfills: I observed the compaction process of backfills in foundations,
reinforcing my theoretical knowledge from university studies with practical application in
construction projects.
• Formwork Construction: I witnessed the construction of formwork for various structural
elements like beams, columns, lifts, staircases, and slabs, understanding the critical role
of formwork in shaping concrete structures.
• Reinforcement Arrangement: I observed how reinforcements are arranged, erected, and
placed for columns, beams, foundations, slabs, and cantilevers, emphasizing the
importance of structural integrity in construction.
• Casting of Structural Elements: I witnessed the casting process of slabs, columns, beams,
and foundations, gaining firsthand experience in the construction of essential building
components.
• Blinding Process: I learned about the blinding process in construction and its purpose,
enhancing your understanding of the preparatory steps involved in building projects.
• Importance of Documentation: Thorough lectures on the significance of documenting
reports and inventory provided me with insights into the essential administrative aspects
of construction projects, emphasizing the importance of accurate record-keeping.

These experiences at Opete not only enriched your practical skills but also deepened your
understanding of the real-world application of engineering principles in the construction
industry.
3.2 ANALYSIS AND DESCRIPTION OF TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

The use of equipment and tools is indeed crucial in construction projects, as they play a
vital role in improving efficiency, speed, and performance of various operations.

3.2.1 GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS USED

Based on the detailed information provided in the search results, here is a summary of the
key tools and equipment you were exposed to during your internship:

• Measuring Tools:
i. Measuring tape - Used to measure lengths and sizes of construction elements.

Fig.

ii. Laser measure - Provides more precise measurements compared to a regular

measuring tape
iii. Measuring wheel - Used to measure lengths of flat surfaces like plots and fields.

Fig.
 • Power Tools:
i. Power drill - Used to make holes, attach drill bits, and tighten/loosen fasteners.
ii. Nail gun - A tool that uses compressed air, electricity, or gas to drive nails into
wood or other materials.
iii. Air compressor - Provides a constant supply of air to power pneumatic tools like
jackhammers and impact wrenches.

• Hand Tools:
i. Hammer - Used for driving nails, pulling out nails, and other general
construction tasks.
ii. Pliers - Used for gripping, cutting, loosening, or tightening objects.
iii. Adjustable spanner - A wrench with a movable jaw that can be adjusted to fit
different fastener sizes.
iv. Shovels, head pans, wheelbarrow - The shovel and spade are tools used to dig as
well as move loose, granular materials. Used extensively in the mixing of minor
concrete and for loading. Head pans and wheelbarrows are used in the
transportation of construction materials.

Fig.

v. Bolster - A hand tool with a beveled edge used to break hard materials like
stone, metal, and brick.
vi. Pickaxe - A tool with a hard-pointed edge used to break concrete or other
hardened surfaces.
vii. Plumb - This is an instrument used for ensuring blocks, erected column
formwork is placed straight and well aligned. It has a flat surface usually in the
shape of a rule with an indicator. It can be metal or wooden.

Fig.

viii. Rake - Used to spread, push, and level materials like grass, soil, debris, and
gravel.
ix. Builder’s square - The builder square is used to determine perpendicularity. It is
used when a block is laid adjacent or perpendicular to another block or wall, the
two perpendicular edges of the square are placed on the perpendicular blocks to
confirm their straightness.

Fig.

x. Rammer - A hand tool used to compact and compress soil.

 xi. Line - It is an equipment that works with the same principle as a plump. It
ensures the straightening of blocks, erected columns, formwork etc.
xii. Hand trowel - This is a small hand tool used for digging, applying, smoothing,
or moving tiny amounts of viscous or particulate material.
xiii. Straight edge - This is a hand tool which ensures accurate, straight, and flat
edges and surfaces are obtained.

• Site Preparation and Material Handling Equipment:

i. Forklifts - Used to lift and transport palletized materials around the construction
site.
ii. Cranes - Utilized for lifting and transporting heavy construction materials and
equipment.
iii. Excavators - Used for digging trenches, foundations, and other earthmoving
tasks.
iv. Bulldozers - Employed for site clearing, leveling, and moving large amounts of
soil or debris.
v. Tipper - Used for carrying aggregate, crushed rock, soil, and other bulk
materials to and from construction sites.
vi. Compactor machine - This is a type of construction machine used to apply
pressure to soil that reduces air pocks and allows the soil to handle heavier
weights on even surfaces. The two main types of compactors are roller
compactors and flat plate compactors. This was used in compacting the soil
surface before hardcore filling and casting of ground floor slab.

Fig.
 vii. Concrete mixer - Machines that combine cement, aggregate such as sand or
gravel, and water to form concrete. They can prepare concrete mixtures of
varying strength (depending on the concrete mix ratio) precisely and quickly.

Fig.

These tools and equipment are essential for various construction activities, from site
preparation and material handling to the actual building process.

The exposure to these during my internship has provided me with valuable practical
knowledge and experience in the construction industry.

3.2.2 MATERIALS USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COMMERCIAL

BUILDING

Various materials and resources were used for the construction of the commercial building at
Opete. These include:

i. Cement blocks (6 inches in size): Cement blocks are commonly used in

construction for building walls and other structural elements due to their
durability and ease of installation.
ii. 2. Reinforcement of varied sizes and lengths (Y16, Y20): Reinforcement bars
like Y16 and Y20 are essential for reinforcing concrete structures, providing
strength and stability to the building.
 iii. Portland cement: Portland cement is a key ingredient in concrete, used for
binding materials together in construction projects like foundations, walls, and
floors.
iv. Sand (white and red sand): Sand is a crucial component in construction for
making concrete, mortar, and plaster, providing bulk and stability to building
materials.
v. Granite: Granite is a durable and aesthetically pleasing material used in
construction for countertops, flooring, and decorative elements.
vi. Hardcore: Hardcore, also known as rubble or aggregate, is used as a base
material for roads, foundations, and other construction applications to provide
stability and support.
vii. Plumbing pipes: Plumbing pipes are essential for water supply and drainage
systems in buildings, ensuring proper distribution of water and waste
management.
viii. Water: Water is a fundamental resource used in construction for mixing
concrete, curing materials, and general construction purposes.
ix. Wood: Wood is a versatile material used in construction for framing, flooring,
doors, and various other structural and decorative elements.

There were a few challenges faced during my placement at Opete, one of which was:

3.3.1 UNFAVORABLE ONSITE WEATHER CONDITIONS

CHALLENGE: Weather, climate, and atmospheric conditions like hot temperatures on

extremely sunny days, low temperatures, dust and particles and rain affected site activities and
posed health and safety risks.

SOLUTION: Raincoats were used on rainy days, eye googles were used on extremely dry
and sunny days, and evacuation of workers was carried out in unbearable conditions all
enforced by the site supervisor.