Down through the ages, mandkind has used the natural and renewable power of wind for windmills. A windmill is a machine that use sails or blades to harness the kinetic energy of wind and convert it to mechanical energy to grind grain and coin, saw timber, and draw up water for irrigation and water supply.

The first practical windmill dates from 9th-century found in Persia and was likely a vertical shaft with six to twelves sails. Windmills of this type were used throughout much of Islamic world, and introduced to Europe through Islamic Spain. In China, a similar of vertical shaft windmill with rectangular blades was used in the 13th century.

A difference design was introduced in northern France in the 12th century that became the standard for Europe. A horizontal shaft was mounted to an upright body and buck that could be rotated to face the direction of the wind.

By the end  of 13th century, windmills mostly were made of brick with a timber cap that rotated rather than the body of the mill. This made it possible to build windmills that were much taller, allowing sails to be larger, making it possible to work even in low winds.

A small auxiliary set of sails, called a fantail, at the rear of the cap helped keep the sails facing the direction of the wind. With the industrial revolution, windmills became less important sd  primary industrial energy force and were largely replaced by steam and the internal combustion engines.  They did experience a brief heyday during and after World War II due to the lack of fuel, electricity and other means to run machines. In Holland, about 100,000 were in operation by end of the 19th century. Today, there are bout 1000. In the US, where windmills were used on farms in the Midwest to pump water, there were about six million windmills by the end of the 19th century of which only 15,000 remain.

The modern generation of windmills, more properly called wind turbines, are used to generate electricity. The largest turbine can generate uo to 6MW of power.

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Project Management Made Easy - Content of the book

This book contains 13 chapters featuring most covered aspects of project management as follows:

• Chapter 1. Introduction
• Chapter 2. Creating a Project Management Methodology
• Chapter 3. Where does  the buck stop?
• Chapter 4. Can you manage your self out of a paper bag
• Chapter 5. Setting the stage for a successful project
• Chapter 6. The importance of Developing and Maintaining a Budget
• Chapter 7. Taking action – Execution of a Plan
• Chapter 8. Rules  to Manage by…
• Chapter 9. Your personality and Project Management Style
• Chapter 10. The cycle of Decision Making
• Chapter 11. Getting your project back on track
• Chapter 12. Keep in moving
• Chapter 13. Problems and Solutions

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The importance of software for construction Project Management

Construction Project Management includes getting construction project leads, selecting the construction area, design, architecture, cost involved and other aspects. With the use of construction project management software, it has now become easier to feed relevant information about the project in a single database and to build the reports for a client presentation later. Further, it helps to prevent and avoid mistakes by using construction software.

Benefits of Construction Project Management Software

Construction management software have many benefits besides reducing the need of paperwork and preventing logjams. It is the increased demand of real time data that has zeroed the paper reporting work. With real time reporting, contractors can track the cost of the project instantly as well as review the updated cost of the job from anywhere. In this way, you can monitor the construction budget more closely and effectively that further helps to provide clear updates to clients.

Together with making the payroll and tracking the job cost, a construction software also works for projects that include documents like submittals, RFI’s and change orders. These days construction software’s allow the paperwork to be created, reviewed, submitted and approved online, which removes the need to take print outs of documents and keeping a hard copy. The software not only makes the process easier and efficient, but also reduces the chances of errors.

You can also manage the documents that are now produced within the software through construction management software. After scanning the document, attach it to the transaction record and you can easily refer to it for answering queries.

How much does construction management software cost

Years ago, project management software were extremely costly and only big construction companies can buy them. But the increasing competition has dropped down the price of these software. These days, construction companies in any scales can invest construction management software for their efficient and successful business.

The use of software in Construction Companies becomes more and more common these days. This article try to point out some important factors that should be noted and reviewed before invest a Construction Software.

1. Factors Need to Consider and Evaluate before invest a Construction Software

1) Product varieties - How many are there? What makes them different?
2) Vendors - How many are there? What makes them different?
3) Product history - look for testimonials from trusted sources or check construction software reviews
4) Vendor history - testimonials
5) Product functionality - while most software does the same “stuff” the manner in which it does it will be different. What is right for one company may not work for another.
6) Product protocols - what reports are standard? Can it create the custom reports you need?
7) Product interface - this will come down to personal preferences more than anything, but is important that you choose software that is the most user friendly for your set of users. Again, this will vary based on your unique company.
Product integration - will there be any issues integrating it with your current processes? Do you need to change processes or search for a different piece of software?
9) Other - This will depend on the unique organizational structure, personnel, and processes of your organization.

2. Who are involved the Construction Software

1) End users - this group consists of anyone that will be responsible for using the software, particularly those responsible for inputting data
2) Management - Mid and upper level managers will be the ones that use the software primarily for reporting purposes. As such, it is important to know what kinds of data are relevant for the particular company.
3) Accounting - Changes in software will impact how data is recorded and reported for accounting purposes. Thus, the accounting department (or third party accountant) will need to be involved in identifying the best software.
4) Payroll - Regardless of if your company has an internal payroll department or uses an external payroll service, they will need to provide valuable input in terms of selecting new construction accounting software.
5) IT (Information Technology) - Your IT department will play an integral role in installing the new software while allowing the company to not miss a beat. Thus, they will need to know what is required from them for any potential software solution to identify areas where current hardware may not mesh with the new software.
6) Other Departments - this includes any other departments in your company that will be impacted by new software. Which departments these are will depend on your organizational structure and company size.
7) Sub-contractors - These indidivuals need to be aware of how your change in software will impact their business operations with your company.
Suppliers - as with sub-contractors, your suppliers will need to know what changes are required on their end to allow you to make the most of your new software.
9) Vendors - When selecting software, be sure to pay as much attention to selecting the right vendor as you do selecting the right software. Check their service history, ongoing relations with clients, and so on to ensure you aren’t without the support you need down the road.
10) Other members, as deemed necessary based on the size of your company and your company’s unique operational procedures.
Hope that this small article can helps for your investment on Construction Software.

1. What is a Construction Project Manager?

The title Construction Project Manager is used to define any supervisory level managers who supervising construction projects. He may also be called as construction superintendent, general construction manager, executive construction manager, constructor or even contractor or sub-contractor. He could be a salaried employee of a construction company or engaged to manage a particular construction project.

2. Main activities of Construction Project Managers

The construction project manager has to be involved in the project from the beginning through to its completion. By employing his knowledge and expertise in terms of the efficient use of required resources, he has to ensure the achievement of predetermined objectives of cost, time, and quality. To make sure of these objectives, he has to decide which construction methods are appropriate for cost effective scheduling. He has to discuss architectural and engineering drawings with design engineers to effectively plan and harmonize every facet of the project. This may include preparation and use of complicated flow charts and bar charts, and various graphs for data representation. Nowadays, project managers use computers to analyze, conceptualize and implement plans and designs.

Project Manager is in charge of Construction project management. His qualification is construction management or civil engineering or construction science. He has to ensure that the entire project is completed on time, without exceeding budgetary limits. It is a high pressure job. The manager has complete control and is responsible for everything related to the construction project.The construction project manager has to plan a logical, phase wise implementation of the project, assigning predetermined timeframes for the completion of each phase. He has to take all measures to see that the time frame is adhered to.

These days, there is a great demand for people with a good academic foundation in the field of construction management. Employers generally prefer a degree in construction science, with special focus on the management aspect. It is a four-year degree course offered by over 120 colleges in the country.

Coursework for a degree in construction science is very comprehensive. Some of the subjects covered would be engineering and architectural sciences, mathematics, statistics, computer science, project control and development, site planning, building design, construction methods, construction materials, value analysis, cost estimating, contract administration, building codes and standards and inspection procedures.

The American Institute of Constructors (AIC) and the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) also give certification after written examinations and verification of education. The AIC awards the Associate Constructor (AC) and Certified Professional Constructor (CPC) designations and the CMAA awards the Certified Construction Manager (CMM) designation.

3. Construction Project Manager - Really bright career prospects

There are bright career prospects for a professionally qualified construction project manager. Practical work experience is of vital importance before a position of independent functioning will be offered. A few years experience at a junior-grade position on construction projects is a prerequisite required by most employers. The position would fetch a handsome salary package and commands a respectable position in society.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers conducted a salary survey in July 2005 and found that candidates with a degree in construction management got an average annual salary figure of $42,923.

The construction industry consists of many branches, which distribute together to create construction projects. The job market in the construction industry is developing rapidly making the construction industry one of the hottest careers in job market. Herein after is the list of hot jobs in Civil Engineering Field.

1. Construction Engineers:

This job profile involves a lot of planning, including structural planning and its development, etc. However, due to the safety concerns in the construction industry, the construction engineers usually tend to focus more upon the paper work like viewing and studying the contracts, keeping a check on the available construction materials, etc. The average salary of the construction engineer ranges from $55000 to $60000.

2. Architects:

The architect usually advises the construction contractor by preparing drawings and instructions with respect to the planned structure. The average income of the architect may range anywhere from $70000 to $80000. Architectural firms are always on the lookout for new talent and architects can also progress into high paying fields like real estate, project management, etc.

3. Construction Surveyors:

Civil engineering is incomplete without the aspect of surveying involved. Surveying is nothing but using scientific methods in order to determine the area and the feasibility of the construction project. This simply means that the surveyors form the brain by determining the points, angles and distance of the construction site. The average salary of the surveyor ranges from $60000 to $70000.

4. Health and Safety Manager:

This is one of the most responsible jobs out there in the construction industry. Safety is main concern on construction sites due to the accident-prone nature of the work involved. The construction safety manager is responsible for maintaining and keeping the safety of the workers in mind, especially during the construction work. He has to make sure that he maintains the safety standards according to the rules and the regulations that have been prescribed by the State or the District Safety departments.

Nowadays the demand for houses, office buildings and other structures is increasing creating a huge demand for jobs in the construction industry. There are many other fields that you can consider such as construction accounting, construction estimating, construction management, CAD…

Risk management is activity directed towards the assessing, mitigating (to an acceptable level) and monitoring of risks In some cases the acceptable risk may be near zero. Risks can come from accidents, natural causes and disasters as well as deliberate attacks from an adversary. The main ISO standards on risk management .In businesses, risk management entails organized activity to manage,uncertainity  and threats and involves people following procedures and using tools in order to ensure conformance with risk-management policies. The strategies include transferring the risk to another party, avoiding the risk, reducing the negative effect of the risk, and accepting some or all of the consequences of a particular.

Project Risk Management

A risk is something that may happen and if it does, will have a positive or negative impact on the project. A few points here. “That may happen” implies a probability of less then 100%. If it has a probability of 100% - in other words it will happen - it is an issue. An issue is managed differently to a risk and we will handle issue management in a later white paper. A risk must also have a probability something above 0%. It must be a chance to happen or it is not a risk. The second thing to consider from the definition is “will have a positive or negative impact”. Most people dive into the negative risks but what if something goes right?

Risk Identification

There are different sorts of risks and we need to decide on a project by project basis what to do about each type. Business risks are ongoing risks that are best handled by the business. An example is that if the project cannot meet end of financial year deadline, the business area may need to retain their existing accounting system for another year. The response is likely to be a contingency plan developed by the business, to use the existing system for another year. Generic risks are risks to all projects. For example the risk that business users might not be available and requirements may be incomplete. Each organisation will develop standard responses to generic risks.

Risk Response

Avoid the risk. Do something to remove it. Use another supplier for example. Transfer the risk. Make someone else responsible. Perhaps a Vendor can be made responsible for a particularly risky part of the project. Mitigate the risk. Take actions to lessen the impact or chance of the risk occurring. If the risk relates to availability of resources, draw up an agreement and get sign-off for the resource to be available. Accept the risk. The risk might be so small the effort to do anything is not worth while.

A risk response plan should include the strategy and action items to address the strategy. The actions should include what needs to be done, who is doing it, and when it should be completed.

Risk Control

The final step is to continually monitor risks to identify any change in the status, or if they turn into an issue. It is best to hold regular risk reviews to identify actions outstanding, risk probability and impact, remove risks that have passed, and identify new risks.

Risk management is not a complex task. If you follow the four steps, you can put together a risk management plan for a project in a short space of time.

What is a garage

Garages are used to park cars. This can be a private lot at an airport or a mall, or a storage shed with a garage door at a private home. A car garage can be used strictly for model cars at wealthy homes, or it can be a place for car repair at a car shop. With or without car covers, a garage is always a place for storage, and usually for cars and other vehicles. In the next paragraph, we will talk about how to build a garage for your private house.

Garage Building Guide

Here are four steps for building a garage:

• find a suitable location,
• lay the foundation,
• frame the garage,
• install the roof.

A garage is an unheated space that is used to store a car or other equipment. Garages are usually located fairly close to a primary residence, for the convenience of the homeowner. Using a garage increases the life of a vehicle and can be used to store equipment and supplies securely.

The first step before you even start to build a garage is to obtain permission. If you live in an urban area, there are specific zoning rules and regulations that must be met in order to build a garage. Complete the required forms and make sure that all the legal requirements are met before you begin. The government can tear down an illegally built garage, costing you time and money. In a rural setting, there are fewer restrictions, especially if the land is yours.

The most suitable location for a garage has a straight path to a road or driveway, is close to the primary residence, and does not require the removal of any trees or large shrubs. Take the time to determine the location of any gas, electrical, water, or sewer lines on your property. This information is very important. Although the foundation does not require deep drilling, if the garage is built over any pipes or cables and there is a problem, it may be necessary to dig up the floor.

To lay the foundation, rent a bulldozer and survey equipment. Measure the space required and dig down to create a level surface with the required dimensions to create a foundation when you build a garage. Use the survey equipment to ensure that it is as close to level as possible. Install boards around the perimeter and base, creating a box to hold the concrete. Lay down a layer of gravel and then arrange for the concrete to be poured.

Framing the garage requires the use of wood or prefabricated walls to create the structure. Most people use a team at this stage, as the work moves faster with more people helping. Make a large mark on the floor to indicate where the garage door(s) will be. This will ensure that they are not accidentally closed in.

This is highly recommended this resource for your garage.

Concrete Admixture is one ingredient of concrete that is added to the mix before or during mixing to modify concrete properties. Concrete admixture are used to modify the properties of fresh and hardened concrete in order to achieve the desired objectives or purpose of the concrete mixture. It is also used for economic purpose when admixture allows reduction of concrete ingredients proportions or permits saving in construction practices. Concrete admixtures have their history for hundred of years. The latest generation is polycarboxylates or polymer based admixture.

Polycarboxylates or polymer based concrete admixtures are High Range Water Reducing admixture (HRWR) or we can also say “Ultra” High Range Water Reducer. Used at low dosage, polycarboxylates admixtures still can reduce water as much as high dosage of conventional admixtures.Used at higher dosage, polycarboxylates admixtures can produce Self Compacting Concrete SCC (concrete with very high flowability but still with good cohesion). Because of their strong water reduction capacity, they are particularly designed for production of High Strength Concrete.Polycarboxylates HRWR mode of action is based on steric hindrance, this means particle separation due to long polymer molecules.

Polycarboxylates or polymer basedadmixtures like any newest generation admixtures are expensive products compared to traditional admixtures (Melamine, Naphtalene or lignosulfonates based) but their performances (even at low dosage rate) can allow cement reduction which could make the mix more cost effective.For lower grades of concrete (lower than 40 MPa on cylinder samples), conventional admixtures are still generally the best solution (especially economically). Use of Polycarboxylate admixturesin RMC (ready-mix-concrete) is normally less required than in Precast concrete because of generally lower concrete grades. This admixture type is very suitable for underwater anti-washout concrete.

About the Author: Do Nguyen Hung (hungsika) is Expert Author on Civil Engineering and Construction Project Management. Read more his articles are published on Civil Engineer Site.

In order to prevent concrete structures from damage caused by plastic shrinkage, thermal shrinkage, settlement, movement…, concrete joints are required. There are 3 common types of concrete joints as outlined bellows.

1. Contraction (Control) Joints

Contraction Joints are purposely installed joints designed to regulate cracking that might otherwise occur due to the unavoidable, often unpredictable, contraction of concrete. These joints are often called control joints because they are intended to control crack locations. The necessary plane of weakness may be formed by reducing the concrete cross-section by tooling or saw cutting a joint within 24 hours of placing. Contraction joint movement is supposed to be small.

2. Construction Joints

Construction Joints are made before and after interruptions in the placement of concrete or through the positioning of precast units. Locations are usually predetermined so as to limit the work that can be done at one time to a convenient size, with least impairment of the finished structure, though they may also be necessitated by unforeseen interruptions in concreting operations. Depending on the structural design, they may be required to function later as expansion or contraction joints, or they may be required to be soundly bonded to the first so as to maintain complete structural integrity. Construction joints may run horizontally or vertically depending on the placing sequence prescribed by the design of the structure.

3. Expansion Joints

Expansion Joints are designed to prevent the crushing and distortion of the abutting concrete structural units that might otherwise occur due to the transmission of compressive forces that may be developed by expansion, applied loads, or differential movements arising from the configuration of the structure or its settlement. Expansion joints are made by providing a space over the entire cross section between abutting structural units. Expansion joint movement may be high (up to 30 % of joint width).

Sealant for above joints are needed for any concrete structures. Concrete joint sealant will be discussed on next coming articles.

About the author: Do Nguyen Hung (hungsika) is a Senior Civil Engineer. He is Expert Author on Civil Engineering Career and Online Learning.