STEEL VS CONCRETE
PAGE .......................... 1
ISSUE 5
July
YEAR 2006
CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT : A PROFESSION IN DEMAND PAGE .......................... 2
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
PAGE .......................... 2
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Steel vs Concrete The best structural system for multi-story (three or above) residential, high-rise office buildings and parking garages is steel and is often the best value on the basis of cost per square foot, scheduling, useable space, and design flexibility. Steel offers benefits of improved time schedules due to its quicker frame construction time. Steel also offers more useable space and broad flexibility. Pipes and ducts can run easily through joi st webs and stanchion webs. Steel construction is easy to inspect because it is exposed. Design flexibility of long spans is possible with steel construction. Spans of over 100 ft are not uncommon. This is also an important factor in remodeling. The greater number of support columns needed in concrete construction often limits the moving of walls and partitions, and they reduce the amount of useable square footage. Cantilevering with concrete is expensive, demanding form set-up and carpentry to hold the concrete until it cures. Cantilevering with steel means only specifying an extended end . The intended use for a building will also influence whether steel or concrete is the best choice. In general steel buildings
work very well for storage buildings, indoor sports facilities, work shops, and aircraft hangers, but they are less suited for higher-trafficked buildings. Comparatively speaking, steel walls are less durable than concrete walls. This holds true in the face of natural forces (hurricanes, earthquakes) as well as for truck or forklift accidents. For owners who want to build a warehouse or other facility where trucks or forklifts will be used, this can be a very important consideration. While steel is reasonably durable, concrete remains the material of choice for buildings that require less upkeep and maintenance over the years. Concrete is less pervious to corrosion than its steel competitor. Hence, the reason that the majority of buildings found in the Caribbean on the windward coastline are in concrete. The dominance of singlestory commercial projects in the Caribbean indicates that concrete buildings are cost-competitive and extremely durable. When factoring in potential repairs and ongoing maintenance, the added fire safety and durability of a concrete building will usually be reflected in lower insurance premiums.
If the owner decides to sell the property, they will most likely find that a concrete building depreciates less and than a steel building will. The location of the project will also influence whether a steel building is even an option. Buildings in lightly populated areas generally have fewer code restrictions placed on them. The closer a building is planned to a densely populated area, the more stringent the fire codes, and building permitting requirements become. In some cases steel buildings can not be used in certain areas for this reason. Other times, fire codes may require steel buildings to be built further apart than concrete structures, requiring a larger plot of land for the project. The availability of steel and concrete has sparked much debate. In our region there are few steel mills so getting steel on to a job site in a nonmanufacturing territory like Dominica involves some process. However, concrete is readily available across the region and projects in concrete tend to involve much less material procurement stage.
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Construction Management: A Profession in Demand
SORELL CONSULTING: Engineering & Architecture
A skillset in management
Every firm, government agency, or other type of organization must have some sort of management structure in order to function effectively in the competitive marketplace. Over the years managers have proven to be a crucial part in the execution of business development strategies and problem solving techniques. The construction industry offers similar challenges to its managers. A construction manager is a person who plans, directs, and coordinates a wide variety of construction projects from residential to commercial to industrial. Construction managers have the ability to oversee a construction process from the conceptual development stage through to final construction. Construction managers, who are often engineers or architects, work with owners, and others who are involved in the construction process to evaluate and design appropriate construction delivery systems, such as,
cost-effective plans and project schedules. Management of resources (both equipment and labour) and time is crucial to the successful outcome of construction projects. The construction manager must measure long term success through achievement of short term calculated goals. In addition they oversee the selection of general contractors and trade contractors to complete specific pieces of the project which could include everything from structural metalworking and plumbing to painting and carpet installation. They determine the labour requirements and, in some cases, supervise or monitor the hiring and dismissal of workers. Further, Construction managers watch over the delivery and use of materials, tools, and equipment; and the quality of construction, worker productivity, and safety. They are responsible for obtaining all necessary permits and licenses and, depending upon the contractual arrangements, direct or monitor compliance with building and safety
codes and other regulations. The increasing complexity of construction projects is boosting the demand for management-level personnel within the construction industry. Sophisticated technology, increased competition, and the proliferation of laws setting standards for buildings and construction materials, worker safety, and environmental protection have further complicated the construction process. Many construction firms are now equipping their team with construction managers to demystify this process. Ironically, the complexity in the process is not eradicated for firms embarking on small projects and so all firms alike must engage in hiring professional staff to provide the competency required to become competitive.
Would you go shopping and purchase half of what you want. Well why be satisfied with only some technical services. Come to SORELL we are your one stop Engineering/Architectural full service store. AT SORELL SOLUTIONS ARE OUR BUSINESS
Sorell Consulting Ltd.
6 Fort Lane P.O. Box 1232 Roseau, Dominica (767) 449-9030 phone (767) 448-1733 fax
has realized this need and offer construction management services to firms not having proper management structures or not being able to afford these professional services on a fulltime basis. SORELL
SADICK EUSTACHE, TECHNICAL ASSISTANT - SORELL CONSULTING LTD.
[email protected] www.sorell.dm
