Levels of a Project Schedule

 Dear Readers,

The project's success relies on various activities, with effective scheduling being crucial. A project schedule refers to a tool used to communicate the timeline of a project, including its tasks, dependencies, assigned resources, and milestones. It serves as a roadmap for the project.

Key components of a project schedule are Project Milestones, Timeline, Tasks, Dependencies, and resources. Schedules are typically developed from the top down, like a pyramid. Starts from Level-1 (L1), Level-2 (L2), and will go up to Level-5 (L5).

L-1 Schedule = (Level 1) Management/Milestone Level Schedule 

L-2 Schedule = (Level 2) Master Schedule 

L-3 Schedule = (Level 3) Project Level Schedule 

L-4 Schedule = (Level 4) Control Level Schedule 

L-5 Schedule = (Level 5) Detail Level Schedule or Look-ahead Schedule

L1 may be a short table of milestones corresponding to "Top Management Summary." 

L2 is a Master Schedule. It provides an integral plan of the Project activities for Project management. It is a "Project Management Summary." 

L3 is a Project Level Schedule. It is a summary of activities from the level 4 schedule 

L4 is a Control Level Schedule. It covers the whole project and doesn't go into the task-level detail, but should provide enough of a breakdown for clients to see what is happening at every step.

L5 is a Detail Level Schedule. It shows the lowest level of detail necessary to complete the Task. These schedules are temporary documents based on the 'Look-ahead' schedule and used to coordinate work in an area. 

The schedules above help communicate the project plan and timeline to all stakeholders. They guide the project team through the sequence of activities and deadlines during execution, while also serving as a baseline to track progress, spot delays, and make adjustments as needed.

Common formats used to prepare and monitor the project schedules are Gantt chart, WBS & CPM

Gantt chart: A popular visual representation that uses a horizontal bar chart to show the timeline of tasks and their dependencies. 

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): It is a hierarchical chart that breaks down a project into smaller, more manageable tasks, helping to map dependencies. 

Critical Path Method (CPM): A technique to identify the longest sequence of tasks that determines the minimum project duration. Any delay to a task on the critical path delays the entire project. 

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it beneficial and helpful as a beginner in the construction industry. If you found this article useful, please don't forget to share it with your friends and colleagues.

Welding Terms Part-8 (P)

This is a continuation of Part 7. Welding is a highly technical field that relies on specialized acronyms and abbreviations to ensure effective communication and execution of tasks. The following terms are commonly used in welding work.

Paralleling – Running multiple power generators to form a large capacity power source with redundancy. Often used for mission-critical operations such as oilfield and emergency backup power. 

Parent Metal – Also called "base metal", this is the metal or steel that you are actually welding on.

Pass – A single progression of a welding or surfacing operation along a joint, weld deposit, or substrate. The result of a pass is a weld bead, layer, or spray deposit.

Peel test – A destructive method of inspection that mechanically separates a lap joint by peeling.

Peening – The mechanical working of metals using impact blows.

Penetration – Is the fusion or depth into the parent metal from its surface, or the amount of fusion through an open-faced joint.

Penetrant Inspection – A non-destructive testing method that detects surface flaws using either fluorescent or dye penetrants. Fluorescent penetrants glow under black light, while dye penetrants produce bright red indications when drawn to the surface by a developer. The process involves cleaning the surface, applying the penetrant, waiting for it to be absorbed, removing excess penetrant, and applying the developer to reveal any defects.

Percussive Welding – A resistance welding process in which a discharge of electrical energy and the application of high pressure occur simultaneously, or with the electrical discharge occurring slightly before the application of pressure.

Perlite – Perlite is the lamellar aggregate of ferrite and iron carbide resulting from the direct transformation of austenite at the lower critical point.

Pilot Arc – A low-current continuous arc between the electrode and the constricting nozzle of a plasma torch that ionizes the gas and facilitates the start of the welding arc.

Pitch – Center-to-center spacing of welds.

Plasma – A gas that has been heated to at least partially ionized conditions, enabling it to conduct an electric current.

Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC) – An arc cutting process using a constricted arc to remove the molten metal with a high-velocity jet of ionized gas from the constricting orifice.

Plasma Arc Welding (PAW) – An arc welding process that uses a constricted arc between a non-consumable electrode and the weld pool (transferred arc) or between the electrode and the constricting nozzle (non-transferred arc). Shielding is obtained from the ionized gas issuing from the torch.

Plasma Spraying (PSP) – A thermal spraying process in which a non-transferred arc is used to create an arc plasma for melting and propelling the surfacing material to the substrate.

Plug Weld – A circular weld made through a hole in one member of a lap or T joint.

Poke Welding – A spot welding process in which pressure is applied manually to one electrode. The other electrode is clamped to any part of the metal in much the same manner that arc welding is grounded.

Polarity – When you turn on a welding machine, an electrical circuit is formed. The circuit has either a positive or negative pole, and this property is referred to as polarity. In straight polarity or normal polarity, the workpiece is positive and the tool is negative. When the workpiece is negative and the tool is positive, this type of polarity is commonly known as reversed polarity.

Porosity – A hole-like discontinuity formed by gas entrapment during solidification.

Ports – In a MIG gun, there are small orifices (holes) that allow the flow of shielding gas. The nozzle then directs the gas out over the weld puddle.

Positions of Welding – All welding is accomplished in one of four positions: flat, horizontal, overhead, and vertical. The limiting angles of the various positions depend somewhat on whether the weld is a fillet or groove weld.

Positioner (Rotating Table / Work center) – These are usually found in the bigger, more prestigious fab shops. They can turn, tilt, rotate, revolve, and that allows you to make most of the welds in the flat or horizontal welding positions.

Post-Heating – The application of heat to an assembly after welding, brazing, soldering, thermal spraying, or cutting operation.

Post-weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) – Any heat treatment after welding.

Post-weld Interval – In resistance welding, the heat time between the end of weld time, or weld interval, and the start of hold time. During this interval, the weld is subjected to mechanical and heat treatment.

Power Efficiency – How well an electrical machine uses the incoming electrical power.

Preform – The initial press of a powder metal that forms a compact.

Preheating – The application of heat to the base metal immediately before welding, brazing, soldering, thermal spraying, or cutting.

Preheat Temperature – The temperature of the base metal immediately before welding is started.

Pressure Controlled Welding – The making of many spot or projection welds in which several electrodes function progressively under the control of a pressure sequencing device.

Pressure Welding – a welding process where pressure is used to make a weld.

Pre-weld Interval – In spot, projection, and upset welding, the time between the end of squeeze time and the start of weld time or weld interval during which the material is preheated. In flash welding, it is the time during which the material is preheated.

Primary Power – Often referred to as the input line voltage and amperage available to the welding machine from the shop's main power line.

Procedure – The detailed elements (with prescribed values or ranges of values) of a process or method used to produce a specific result.

Procedure Qualification – Demonstration that a fabricating process, such as welding, made by a specific procedure can meet given standards.

Projection Welding – A resistance welding process between two or more surfaces or between the ends of one member and the surface of another. The welds are localized at predetermined points or projections.

Protective atmosphere – A gas envelope surrounding the part to be brazed, welded, or thermal sprayed, with the gas composition controlled with respect to chemical composition, dew point, pressure, flow rate, etc. Examples are inert gases, combusted fuel gases, hydrogen, and vacuum.

Puddle – The puddle is the same as the weld pool. It is the molten filler metal that is combining with the parent metal.

Pull Gun Technique – Same as backhand welding.

Pulse – A current of controlled duration through a welding circuit.

Pulsed Power Welding – Any arc welding method in which the power is cyclically programmed to pulse so that the effective but short-duration values of a parameter can be utilized. Such short-duration values are significantly different from the average value of the parameter. Equivalent terms are pulsed voltage or pulsed current welding.

Pulsed Spray Welding – An arc welding process variation in which the current is pulsed to achieve spray metal transfer at average currents equal to or less than the globular to spray transition current.

Pulsing – Sequencing and controlling the amount of current, the frequency, and the duration of the welding arc.

Push Angle – The travel angle at which the electrode is pointing in the direction of travel.

Push Welding – A technique in welding where the welding gun is pushed forward in the direction of the weld, resulting in better visibility and control over the weld. This technique is commonly used in Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and is preferred for creating clean, spatter-free welds.

Abbreviations Used in Construction Industry - Part 6 (T to Z)

Dear Readers, 

This is the continuation of Part 5 and the final segment of construction industry acronyms. Construction management is a highly specialized field that necessitates the use of specific acronyms and abbreviations to facilitate clear communication and efficient management of complex projects. Construction estimating abbreviations play a vital role in calculating the costs of materials, labor, and equipment required to successfully complete a project.

In the realm of construction project management, acronyms play a crucial role streamlining communication and enhancing efficiency among project managers, contractors, and other stakeholders.

351) TA – Technical Advisor.

352) TB – Tie Beam.

353) TBC – To be Confirmed.

354) TCP – Traffic Control Plan – It is a crucial document utilized in the construction industry to ensure the safe and efficient management of traffic in and construction sites. It comprises a comprehensive set of drawings and specifications detailing how traffic will be controlled during various phases, employing signage, signals, pavement markings, and barricades.

355) TIG – Tungsten Inert Gas and is technically called gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW).

356) Thk. – Thick.

357) TLT – Toilet.

358) TOB – Top of Beam.

359) TOC – Top of Concrete.

360) TOS – Top of Slab / Steel.

361) TOW – Top of Wall.

362) TPI – Third Party Inspection / Inspector.

363) TQM – Total Quality Management.

364) TST – Total Station Theodolite. 

365) TYP. – Typical. In plans and drawings, the term “TYP.” indicates that a particular characteristic or detail applies to the same elements on the same page, view, or drawing. The term is analogous to “ditto.”

366) UB – Universal Beam.

367) UC – Universal Column.

368) UL – Upper Level.

369) UNO – Unless Noted Otherwise.

370) UOM – Unit of Measurement.

371) UPS – Un-interrupted Power Supply.

372) U/S – Underside.

373) UT – Ultrasonic Test.

374) UTS – Ultimate Tensile Strength. The maximum stress a material subjected to a stretching load can withstand without tearing.

375) UV – Ultra Violet.

376) VAT – Value Added Tax. 

377) VE (Value Engineering) – A process for improving the value of a construction project while reducing costs.

378) VI – Visual Inspection.

379) VO – Variation Order.

380) VOC – Volatile Organic Compound – This is an organic chemical with a high vapor pressure at room temperature. VOCs are usually responsible for the Odor of scents, perfumes, and pollutants. Some VOCs are harmful to humans and the environment. In the context of indoor air quality, these compounds may not be acutely toxic but can have long-term impacts on health.

381) VR (Virtual Reality) – The Use of Technology to Create an Immersive, Computer-Generated Experience.

382) Water Management – The Management and Control of Water in a Construction Project, Including Drainage and Runoff.

383) WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) – A Hierarchical Breakdown of a Project into Smaller, More Manageable Components.

384) W&C – Wrapping & Coating.

385) WIP – Work in Progress.

386) Wldr. – Welder.

387) WLL – Working Load Limit.

388) WMF – Wire Mesh Fence.

389) WO – Work Order.

390) Workforce Management – The Process of Managing and Coordinating the Construction Workforce.

391) WP’s / WI’s – Work Procedures / Method Statements / Work Instructions. It is used to prepare before commencement of execution / works.

392) WPQR – Welding Procedure Qualification Record

393) WPS – Welding Procedure Specification.

394) WQT – Welder Qualification Test.

395) WRM – Weekly Review Meeting.

396) WTP – Water Treatment Plant. 

397) WWF – Welded Wire Fabric – Sometimes called welded wire mesh, this is a grid of uniformly placed wires that provides flexural strength in concrete slabs, similar to rebar.

398) XRD – X-Ray Diffraction.

399) Yield Strength – it is the measurement of the amount of force that can be exerted on a material before it permanently deforms. Another name of yield strength is “Elastic Limit”.

400) ZOI – Zone of Influence.