The Road To Success On Your First Civil Engineering Project
- Written by News Company
Whether you’ve launched a new business or have expanded, the first civil engineering job of designing and building a new road is very exciting. However, it’s also a time where you need to take responsibility in order to give your firm the best shot at success.
Get this right, and it could set you on the path to a number of lucrative contracts. Get it wrong, though, and it could spell disaster for the business. Focus on the following factors and you won’t go far wrong.
Budgeting
Before taking on a project, you need to know whether it’s doable. Even when the opportunity to work on a road is enticing, it’s vital that the numbers add up. If the client doesn’t have the capital to pay for the type of work being requested, politely say no. Other jobs will surface.
In the meantime, it’s likely that the contract will paid upon project completion. This can create a cash flow problem in the early phases, which is why boosting your efficiency is vital. On a separate note, borrowing money could be essential, Invoice financing can be particularly useful at this time. Do not fear alternative lending.
When the money is right, you can think about the project itself.
Architectural Design
You don’t need reminding about the need for accurate architectural planning. When your plans are clear and correct, clients gain a better insight before giving the green light. Meanwhile, it ensures that the project can be delivered in the quickest possible time while keeping to the budget.
In addition to CAD and traditional programs, technology has opened the door to advanced designs. Aerial LiDAR point clouds can transform your approach. This allows for mature datasets to work on existing surroundings as well as projects in new spaces. With these winning foundations in place, the entire project should run smoothly.
Of course, as with all aspects of the project, hiring the right people for the job is vital too.
Excavation
Before building a road, tunnel, or similar structure, you must first create the space. Excavation is, therefore, a precursor to the construction work. Due to the costs and potential risks involved, it’s imperative that you handle this aspect in style.
Frankly, only a professional service will do. Choosing the right experts in drilling and blasting ensure that this process is completed in an accurate, legal, and safe manner. Given the materials used in this procedure, taking the DIY approach is not an option. Your experience could potentially produce irreparable damage to the area as well as your reputation.
Overlooking the importance of successful excavation simply won’t do.
Construction Techniques & Timings
Constructing a new road is a major development. Meanwhile, altering a main road by adding an extra lane or laying a new surface can be very tough to organise. This is especially true when a part of the road is still in use. As such, the right techniques and schedule must be in place.
Equipment used for the project include motor graders, asphalt mixing, road rollers, and forklifts. Moreover, it’s likely that you’ll need to consider the use of road lighting as a lot of the work will be handled overnight when the roads are less busy. This is another reason that the organisation elements need to be top notch.
The right techniques, equipment, and organisation will lead you to success.
Material Choice
To the general public, a road is a road. In fact, the local authority may take the same line of thought too. In reality, though, the choice of materials used for the paving will have a telling impact on the final outcome. The influence could extend to the aesthetic, durability, and safety.
There are various materials to choose from. The list includes but is not limited to asphalt, concrete, composite pavement, gravel, and bituminous surfaces. As well as making a smart choice in this aspect, it’s important to think about the aggregates and how this can impact the final design and performance. Otherwise, you could be left with unhappy clients.
The choice will largely be influenced by the type of road (residential or motorway) and location.
Testing
Before the road is used by the public, it’s vital that you run various tests on the road. After all, the structural integrity. Is imperative as you cannot afford to have a road that puts motorists at risk. The is a crucial final step in the project.
The first task is to use seismology equipment to measure vibration levels within the new pavement when cars use it. If the levels are dangerously high, the pavement surface can be ground to a more suitable and smooth level. Other steps include checking the drainage properties as well as the grading and various markings.
Once this has been completed, the project is finished. Now it’s time to get paid!