The Engineer's Manual of Construction Site Planning

This handbook addresses problems facing the engineer when preparing to build, both during the contract bidding phase and after a contract has been concluded.

It offers clear guidelines for planning the resources and machinery on site, as well as the safe positioning of roads, cranes, storage and temporary buildings. Site planning activities are presented here in logical sequence, offering an efficient and safe design of the construction site and of the temporary works.

The book describes the process of engineering preparation of on-site construction works in all phases of the construction life-cycle, from the design phase - preparing the financial plan and procurement scheme for the owner before tendering the contract; the tendering phase; and after bid completion. A list of procedures is presented for planning the construction site in order to simplify the engineer?s work of site and temporary works planning.

The Engineer?s Manual of Construction Site Planning  is for all those involved in the planning of construction sites, construction managers, construction engineers and quantity surveyors, as well as for students in civil engineering and construction.

List of Figures viii

List of Tables x

About the Authors xi

Preface xiii

Introduction 1

Chapter 1: Initial data 5

1.1 The project (design) documentation 6

1.2 The bill of quantities and the bill of activities 7

1.3 Job descriptions and specifications 7

1.4 The contract conditions set out in the bidding invitation documents 8

1.5 The report of the construction site inspection 8

Chapter 2: Outline of site management planning in the bidding stage 15

2.1 The goal 16

2.2 The explanatory note 16

2.3 Construction site layout 19

2.4 The construction time schedule 21

2.5 Cost estimation of temporary works and construction site set-up 23

Chapter 3: Outline of site management after contract signature 28

3.1 The goal 29

3.2 Initial data 29

3.3 Construction site layout 30

3.4 Construction scheduling 35

3.5 Calculation of site work quantities and estimate of costs 46

Chapter 4: Suggestions for choosing construction cranes 51

4.1 General 52

4.2 Selection and positioning of tower cranes 53

4.3 Selection and impact areas of mobile cranes 77

4.4 Cranes working near overhead power lines 91

4.5 Hoist danger area 94

4.6 Operating cranes near buildings in use 95

4.7 Restrictions on crane work 97

4.8 Working in the danger area 98

Chapter 5: Suggestions for calculating resource requirements 99

5.1 Construction site temporary roads 100

5.2 Construction site storage 105

5.3 Temporary buildings 111

5.4 Temporary water supply 115

5.5 Temporary heating supply 116

5.6 Temporary power supply 121

5.7 Construction site lighting 126

5.8 Construction site transport 127

5.9 Load take up devices 130

5.10 Construction site fencing 135

Chapter 6: On-site safety requirements 137

6.1 General basics and responsibilities 138

6.2 The duties of building contractors 141

6.3 The obligations and rights of the labourer 144

6.4 Ensuring safety on the construction site 146

Chapter 7: Requirements for work equipment 155

7.1 General requirements 156

7.2 Mobile work equipment 158

7.3 Lifting devices 160

7.4 Dangers from energy 161

7.5 The usage of work equipment 163

7.6 Usage of work equipment for temporary work at height 164

7.7 Work with flammable and explosive materials 168

Chapter 8: Work healthcare 169

8.1 Allowable physical effort 170

8.2 The usage of personal protective equipment 170

8.3 Welfare facilities and first-aid 171

Appendix: Construction site layout symbols 173

Bibliography 177

Index 178

Jüri Sutt is Professor of Construction Economics and Management at the Tallinn University of Technology with 50 years of experience in construction management as a practising manager, researcher, consultant and lecturer which has included designing the construction technology for large mines in Siberia, a gas trunk pipeline in Libya and managing a construction firm.

Irene Lill, Head of Department of Building Production, Tallinn University of Technology graduated in Tallinn University of Technology as civil engineer. 

Olev Müürsepp, Associated Professor, Tallinn University of Technology graduated Tallinn University of Technology as civil engineer.