Average Basic Wages (ABW)

Dear Readers,

ABW means Average Basic Wages. ABW is playing vital role in costing and rate analysis of construction works.

To find an ABW we must know the Gang Composition. Gang means to execute the particular activity we need a workforce which comprise a set of manpower with different categories based on their skills.

Obviously, unit rate will not be same for each workman in the gang, since they are having different skills.

ABW is equal to Average Product of workmen and their wages.

ABW = {[Sum of (Manpower X Wages)] / No. Manpower}

Gang Composition is playing one of the important vital roles for rate analysis to get an optimum ABW. Gang Composition is directly related to productivity. A well-organized work, less labour is required.

ABW shall be calculated in two methods. One is if you know the gang composition and another one is without gang composition.

Following type can be used when we are identified a gang

Following type can be used when we could not identify a gang

Both Table shows different ABW for the same example. This is due to difference between Actual and Approximate. First table , we identified the gang composition. Second table is based on the approximate.

Man Day and Man Hour

Dear Readers,

Man Day (MD) is used in construction industry to estimate the manpower and costing purpose

MD refers Man Day; it is a unit of measurement for workforce. An industrial unit of production equal to the work one person can produce in a day.

Other Unit of Measurements are Man Hour and Man Month are commonly used in construction industry for the similar works depends upon the nature of work. It is used for estimation of the total amount of uninterrupted labour required to perform a task.

Man-hours exclude the breaks that people generally require from work, e.g. for rest, eating, and other bodily functions. They count only pure labour. Managers count the man-hours and add break time to estimate the amount of time a task will actually take to complete.

Eight Hour working is called One shift and one person working one shift (8 Hours) is called one-man day. Decide what constitutes a "man day." In most cases, a "man day" is eight hours, although that is up to a company to decide.

If the work gang comprises 10 workmen and working one shift is equal to 10 MD and if the gang works 6 days then it is 60MD.

In construction industry over time is exists. It is subject to the nature of job. Normally 3 Hours overtime is regular in all sites. However, benefits will not be applicable on overtime wages.

During MD rate calculations terminal benefits are subject to the duration and local site environment

MD rate arrives from

 ABW (Average Basic Wages)

 Over Time Wages

 PF & Admin. Charges of employer portion

 Terminal benefits

Reconciliation of Materials (Part-2)

Dear Readers,
This is continuation of previous post

• Wastage / Savings

o  Theoretical Consumption – Actual Consumption

• Percentage of wastage

o  Wastage / Theoretical consumption X 100

• Theoretical Consumption

o  Billable

•  Claimed from clients

•  Work in progress

o  Non Billable

•  Temporary structure

•  Enabling works

•  Due to drawing revision not useable

•  Laps, Chairs and Spacers

•  Splices and Lifting lugs

Actual Consumption = Total Receipt – Total Issue

Receipt

o  Purchases thru’ region / Head Office

o  Local purchases

o  Receipts from other sites

o  Receipts from other Agencies

o  Clients supply

Issues and Stocks

o  Physical stock (Including Cut Bits (Useable))

o  Issued to other sites

o  Issued to clients

o  Issued on chargeable basis

•  Interpretation

o  If Result is (- )ve means it is wastage

o  If Result is (+)ve means Savings

o  Results shall be compare with contractual limits

•Advantage of Material Reconciliation

o  To Minimize the wastage

o  Salvage of wastage / Scraps

o  For better planning on Material procurement

o  It is a Contractual Obligation

Reconciliation of Materials (Part-1)

Dear Readers,

Wish You a Happy Engineers Day

Materials reconciliation is playing vital role in construction industry. It is directly linked with contractual related. If we are not taken properly it will have a huge impact on project cost. However based on the proper documents and proper method we can come out this difficulties. Considering the contents it will be blocked in two or three parts.

•       What is meant by reconcile?

o   Getting two things to correspond / agree

•       Reconciliation

o   Reconciliation is the process of ensuring that any two related values agree after taking in to consideration the data relating to possible variance

o   Theoretically we can reconcile any two values whose relationship can be expressed in the form of a mathematical equation.

o   For Material reconciliation, it is the process of comparing the standard data with actual data after considering data relating to variances. (Difference between Theoretical Consumption Vs Actual Consumption)

o   Result of reconcile is either wastage or Savings

•       Basic Components for Reconciliation

o   Raw Material Receipt

o   Raw Material Stock

o   Raw Material Issue

o   Consumption of Material

Will be Continued....

Hardness of Bolt

Dear Readers,

Generally the grades of bolts are starts from 4.6 to 12.9. Also known as Ordinary bolt (Commercial Grade),  HT Bolt (High Tension) & HSFG Bolts (High Strength Friction Grip). 

The bolt designation system is based on two numbers. The first number represents the ultimate tensile strength of the bolt, 400 MPa, 800 MPa or 1200 MPa respectively. The second number represents the point at which the bolt will permanently stretch. A 4.6 grade bolt permanently stretches at 60% of its ultimate, an 8.8 grade bolt at 80% and a 12.9 grade bolt at 90 % of its ultimate.

Technically it can be quoted that the first number is the tensile strength of the bolt material (N² )/100. 

The second number is = 1/100.(the ratio of the Proof (or Yield ) stress and the Tensile strength expressed as a percentage = 100.[Yield (Proof stress) /Tensile strength] /100

For Example the tensile and proof strength of the steel for a 8.8 bolt is therefore calculated as follows

Tensile strength = 8 X 100 N/mm² = 800 N/mm² and Proof strength = 0.8*800 * 100 /100 = 640 N/mm² (generally speaking 80% of 800N/mm2)

The lowest grade is 4.6, commonly known as commercial grade. Next comes grade 8.8, known as structural grade, and finally, the highest grade is 12.9, known as HT / HSFG bolt. 

Available grade of bolts are 4.6, 4.8, 5.6, 5.8, 6.8, 8.8, 9.8, 10.9 & 12.9

Generally foundation bolts are made from 4.6 or 4.8 Grade

Hardness of bolts are as follows

Specific Gravity

As you well aware that all materials having individual properties and weights based on the density. How we can compare the different materials in a same platform. Since water has a density of 1 gram/cm3, and since all of the units cancel, specific gravity is the same number as density but without any units (adimensional).

A 1000kg of pure water = 1 cubic metre. Pure water was chosen as the 'base line' for specific gravity and given the value of 1. The specific gravity of all other materials are compared to water as a fraction heavier or lighter density. For example, beryllium has a specific gravity (sg) of 1.84 (1840 kg/cu.m) 

As specific gravity is just a comparison, it can be applied across any units. The density of pure water is also 62.4 lbs/cu.ft (pounds per cubic foot) and if we know that a sample of aluminium has a sg of 2.5 then we can calculate that its density is 2.5 x 62.4 = 156 lbs/cu.ft.
Note, kg/cu.m divided by 16.02 = lbs/cu.ft

One handy metric link between units to remember is that 1 Litre [1000cc] of pure water weighs 1 kilogram. Equally, 1 millilitre of pure water has a mass of 1 gram or 1mL = 1g. The upper-case L for litre is preferable as the lower case can be confused with the figure one, however it is common to see ml for millilitres on bottles.

Direction of Winds

Wind direction is the directions from which the wind is blowing or the direction from which the air is moving. Wind Direction indicates the compass direction from which the wind is blowing. Wind direction is illustrating using degrees from true north (360^o) to record direction.  The compass is divided into 360 degrees around the circle. The North position equals zero, and the degrees increase as you move around the compass clockwise until you reach 360 degrees back at the North position.

From the above picture on the compass below the letter N stands for North, S stands for South, E stands for East, and W stands for West. In order to be more specific, the letters NE are used for Northeast, SE for southeast, SW for Southwest and NW for Northwest. It is further divided NNE & ENE between first quarter. NNE stands for North Northeast and ENE stands for East Northeast. Please refer below table for abbreviation and the degrees.

Rules and Acts of Labour Welfare in India

Dear Readers,

As You may agree that without Labour workforce Industrial growth will not be achieved. Construction Industry depends on Labour. 

We should know the Acts and Rules for Labour welfare. It is governed by Indian Government. Following Acts and rules are made by Indian government.

1.      Unorganised Workers Social Security Rules, 2009

2.      The Unorganised Workers Social Security Act 2008

3.      The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976

4.      The Cine Workers’ Welfare Fund Act, 1981

5.      The Cine Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1981

6.      The Cine Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers (Regulation of Employment) Rules, 1984

7.      The Cine Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1981

8.      The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979

9.      The Contract Labour Regulation Rules

10.  The Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970

11.  The Beedi & Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966

12.  BEEDI WORKERS WELFARE CESS ACT 1976

13.  THE BEEDI WORKERS WELFARE FUND ACT, 1976

14.  The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry latrines Prohibition Act, 1993

15.  The Iron Ore Mines, Manganese Ore Mines & Chrome Ore Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1976

16.  The Limestone & Dolomite Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1972

17.  The Mica Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1946

If any other rules are missed please send us through your comments or email us

Source :- https://labour.gov.in/labour-welfare

Light Beam

Unit weight of Light Weight Beam (ISLB) below. Weight is Kg/Meter

1.       ISLB 75 X 50       6.10

2.       ISLB 105 X 50     8.00

3.       ISLB 125 X 75     11.90

4.       ISLB 150 X 80     14.20

5.       ISLB 175 X 90     16.70

6.       ISLB 200 X 100   19.80

7.       ISLB 225 X 100   23.50

8.       ISLB 250 X 125   27.90

9.       ISLB 275 X 140   33.00

10.   ISLB 300 X 150   37.70

11.   ISLB 325 X 165   43.10

12.   ISLB 350 X 165   49.50

13.   ISLB 400 X 165   56.90

14.   ISLB 450 X 170   65.30

15.   ISLB 500 X 180   75.00

16.   ISLB 550 X 190   86.30

17.   ISLB 600 X 210   99.50

Tapered Flange Beam

Tapered Flange Beam is also known as I-beams, as the name states are manufactured in the shape of a capital "I". The vertical middle section of the beam is known as the 'web' and the horizontal components are called 'flanges'. The vertical “web” of a beam is significantly longer than horizontal “flange”.

 The core of the I-beam, better known as the web, will ensure that resistance against shear forces is provided. Except for the web, the I-beam also consist of flanges, taper or parallel flange, on either side of the web and at both ends. The flanges provide resistance to bending moments.

Please see below the dimensions and weights for the taper flange I-beam.

Tapered Flange Beams are commonly used in residential and non-Residential Construction. In the construction industry I-beams are used as cross sections providing strength to girders, it also provides support to joists which in turn support ceilings and/or floors. They are also widely used in the construction industry as a support for buildings to ensure that the structure is strong enough. Even though I-beams can resist bending, it should preferably not be used in cases where torque forces are present along the axis or length of the beam as they are not torsion resistant.

Stick Welding

Stick Welding is a slang term commonly used for Shielded Metal Arc Welding or “SMAW”. Here Stick means Covered Electrode, Stick Welding is most widely used of the various arc welding processes, utilizes a fixed length electrode and an electric power source to join a variety of different metals.

The history of Stick Welding can be traced back to 1800s. In 1800, British chemist and inventor Sir Humphry Davy developed an arc between two carbon electrodes using a battery.

Gas welding and cutting was introduced in the mid-1800s. It was in the 1880s that arc welding with the carbon arc and metal arc was developed.

In 1881, French electrical engineer Auguste De Meritens used the heat of an arc to join lead plates for storage batteries.

His student Nikolai N. Benardos was awarded a patent for welding. In 1890, C.L. Coffin of Detroit was granted the first U.S. patent for an arc welding process using a metal electrode.

Around 1900, British inventor Strohmenger introduced a coated metal electrode. He used a thin coating of clay or lime and noticed that it provided a more stable arc.

During the period of 1907 to 1914, Oscar Kjellberg of Sweden came up with a coated electrode which looked like a stick. Later on, pieces of iron wire dipped in thick mixtures of carbonates and silicates were used to make stick electrodes.

Stick Welding is a process that uses a flux-coated electrode to form the weld. The electric current passes through the coated electrode or welding rod and arcs at the point of contact with the base metal.

As the electrode begins to melt, the flux coating around it creates a cloud of gases that shields the molten metal and prevents it from oxidizing.

Stick welders have four main components.

1.      A ground lead or clamp.

2.      A welding lead or stinger.

3.      A constant amperage power source.

4.      The electrode or welding rod to weld with.

Limitations:

Operator duty cycles are low compared with semi-automatic and automatic processes; this makes the cost per pound of deposited weld metal high with Stick Welding

Deposition rates are generally lower than for other welding processes.

The process is considered to be manual as it is not easily mechanized.

Stick Welding is not suitable for reactive metals such as titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and columbium because the shielding does not prevent oxygen contamination of the weld.

New Year Wishes-2019

Dear Readers,

May each day of the coming year be vibrant and cheerful. May each day bring along many reasons for smiles and celebrations.

Happy New Year!

Dear Readers

If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people. Happy New Year 2019.

Crane & Craneman

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