Daily life of civil site Engineer : Challenges, Tools, Tips

Which Challenges, Tools, and Tips Do Civil Site Engineers Have to Face?

Provided that once in your life you have walked or driven past a construction site to find there a person wearing a helmet, looking at drawings, and issuing instructions- there is a great probability that you have come across a civil site engineer doing his or her job.

But have you ever thought what their day actually looks like?

All right, I will explain it to you, not using technical terms, but as you would explain to a friend, over a cup of chai.

A. Who is Civil Site Engineer?

It is his/her duty as a civil site engineer to ensure that what has been made on paper is constructed well on the field. They are the interface between the architects, designers, in laborer's and the management team of the project.

Quality control of concrete, structural safety and quality of construction, site engineer is present, on every day.

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B. The Common Day-To-Day Operation

There is no set time to wake-up or time to go to bed and no day is similar as the other, but a typical day as a site engineer in India would look as follows:

6:30 AM - up and at it

Site engineers have the habit of rising early in the morning. Some fast food in the morning, lunch packed (or ordered in the canteen of the site), checking emails or messages left in the previous evening and their way!

8:00 AM Instituting of the site begins

There is a site walk in the morning. This is the time when the engineer looks up what is going on today, excavation, concreting, brickwork, plastering etc.

They observe:

Whether the work has been initiated timely

Assuming that right materials are in use It is advisable not to use dining room chairs in which the backs and the seats are separated by a gap. This is because of the danger posed by people sticking their heads out through such a gap when they fall in addition to the results of such a fall.

9.30 AM- Toolbox Meeting

A brief safety or planning session with the supervisors and the workers. This is to prevent confusion and accidents.

The execution and monitoring will be between 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

At this period, the engineer makes sure that:

Everything is accomplished according to the drawing

Proper measuring and usage of materials is done

There is quality maintenance

They can also deal with RFI (Request of Information) or liaise with structural or MEP team.

1:00 PM- Lunch Time

A majority of engineers go out to eat near the premises. Leaving the car and taking a minute of sleep, and others grab chai with their teammates, it does not matter, it is a minor thing that calms them down.

2:00 PM to 5:00 PM- Documentation and follow up

The afternoon time is normally utilized to make sure that the work is going on in accordance to the schedule. They also:

Site photos Take

Issue update work progress reports

Write a daily site diary entry

5:30 PM Wrap-Up and Tomorrow planning

The engineer also prepares tomorrow and secures material as required, updates the contractor or the project manager before she/he leaves the work site.

There are days that extend past 7PM particularly when there is concrete pour or an emergency. That is the part of the job.

C. General Site difficulties

The profession of site engineer is a good one albeit a rather challenging one:

1. Labour Management

Managing the various categories of workers, masons, carpenters, helpers takes time. Communication is often confused.

2. Weather Woes

Concreting cannot proceed when there are rains. Curing may be affected in times of extreme heat. Weather is a frequent dictator of work speed.

3. Last-Minute Changes

It occasionally happens that a drawing is changed in mid course to execution. The engineer must deal with the changes yet making sure not to waste the old work.

4. Long Hours and stress

Time may be restricted. Engineers spend much time cutting short breaks or late. However, as time goes by, they realize how to balance things.

D. Key Equipment That Every Site Engineer Must Have

No matter whether you are a new graduate or the hardened hand, these tools make life go easier at the site:

Measuring Tape & Spirit Level – Key Basic

Laser Level or Total Station- To be used in precise laying out.

Mobile Phone/ Tablet: To take photos, read drawings and use construction apps.

Safety Equipment's - Helmet, shoes, gloves, and jacket.

Daily Diary 1- To record important site events, problems and development.

Most of them also employ various devices today (BIM app, construction management software, and even drones) on larger construction sites.

E. Advice to Aspiring or Newly qualified Site Engineers

The following are some straightforward advice of a person, who has spent years on sites:

1. Be Always Early

Being 15 minutes early offers you an advantage. Before the crowds, you will be able to verify everything in a relaxed manner.

2. Treat the workers well

They do not necessarily write or read in English, nor do they know how to read drawings but they are brilliant people with incredible practical knowledge. Take lessons out of them.

3. Ask Questions

It is always good to clarify any question that you do not understand by asking either your senior or even the labour supervisor.

4. Keep Learning

Learning about steel bar bending or the ratio of concrete mixes - the more you study, the more self assured you are.

5. Be Safe and Safety Be Safe

It would be tempting to ride without either gloves or a helmet, but as long as the safety is not sacrificed.

F. Final Thoughts

A civil site engineer also has a very difficult life full of education and adventure. You are witnessing actual structures take the shape of life every day you to go school- first in the drawing form and finally something to the touch and walk on.

Air conditioning and fancy desk may not always be available to you, but you will be proud to say:

I participated in the construction of that.