How is safety assessed by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Image source: plianced.com

According to Reddy Kancharla, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plays a crucial role in the construction of a building. OSHA assesses the safety of construction workers as well as everyone on site.

To create a safe environment, OSHA requires that workers undergo extensive training before they are allowed to visit the site. This ensures that all workers know safety procedures. Workers are not allowed on-site without this certification. In addition, an emergency action plan must be in place and followed at all times. During the construction of a building, if something should happen, such as an earthquake or other natural disaster, these procedures must take place immediately so that everyone can evacuate safely.

There are several reasons why OSHA inspects a project site, including:

1. accidents and injuries

2. catastrophes and disaster

3. complaints and referrals.

OSHA may conduct an inspection based on a complaint from a client, worker, or referral from another agency such as the EPA. According to OSHA policy guidelines, if they receive two or more worker-related injury or illness reports for the same company in one year, they must investigate.

Some examples of accidents that force an inspection include:

1. employees falling from scaffolding

2. workers being injured by electrical equipment

3. major injuries such as lost fingers or permanent disability.

Image source: technologyadvice.com

OSHA will also inspect the site if there has been a catastrophe that could put workers and clients in danger. Examples of catastrophes that could prompt an inspection include structural collapse, major chemical spills, and fires and explosions. If OSHA arrives to find any of these situations, they will shut down the site until it is deemed safe.

Furthermore, Reddy Kancharla notes that OSHA must determine whether or not the client has violated OSHA standards before deciding how to proceed. They can choose to either fine the client or send them a letter of non-compliance. If OSHA issues a citation, they can also propose penalties of up to $70,000. They can also require that corrective action be taken to have the violations eliminated.

Learn more about what Reddy Kancharla and his work by checking out this page .

Engineering marvels: The Panama Canal

As Reddy Kancharla continues with the series of blogs, he features one of the most popular engineering marvels globally, the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal is a man-made facility that has meant so much to the rest of the world. Because of its geographical location, economic experts saw the need to finally erase the divide between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. Before the canal was built, seafaring

Image source: youtube.com

vessels had to travel around the landmass of Cape Horn, which meant that they would have to go for 15,000 kilometers, for a total of 2 months at sea, just to get from one ocean to another, recounts Reddy Kancharla.

With the Panama Canal, this length was cut to only 80 kilometers, to the delight of the biggest seafaring traders of the day, because this meant that far greater opportunities became suddenly available to them because of such an improvement.

However, building a canal that could accommodate the biggest vessels that carried a host of precious goods that consumers awaited at the farther side of the world was easier said than done. The canal is about 400m wide, and it was made to operate at about 85 feet above sea level through an ingenious system of locks that had to be filled and drained as each vessel made its gradual and progressive entry.

Image source: britannica.com

The creation of the Panama Canal is one of the most complex works of engineering and labor ever documented. Its construction took a sacrifice that amounted to the loss of 25,000 lives.

Today, the canal generates annual revenue of $2 billion, and it will forever go down in history as one of the biggest creations that the world has benefited from.

Reddy Kancharla has a master's degree in civil engineering and more than 25 years of experience in civil construction, construction QA/QC, and geotechnical consultation. He also has a decade's worth of experience in senior management. For more related reading, visit this page.

How Dubai’s Palm Islands were made

Image source: businessinsider.com

Reddy Kancharla is a huge follower of great works of engineering. He then shares his knowledge through a series of blogs, which his readers truly enjoy. In this entry, he features Dubai’s Palm Islands, yet another brilliant feat of civil engineering.

Dubai’s Palm Islands are widely considered as an engineering marvel. Created from land reclamation, the entire body of land is man-made. Many people still cannot fathom how it is possible to create a stable platform on the sea.

The simple explanation is that sand, which is located deep down on the sea bed, is sucked up and brought upwards. This results in a mound that sits above the level of the sea, which is stable enough for structures to be supported by it.

Image source: desktopbackground.org

Technically, the method used is called dredging, a way to remove silt and other materials from a water environment. Before construction in Dubai began, dredging ships dragged large amounts of sand from the bottom of the sea to create Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, and Palm Deira. All of the sand needed for construction was taken from the bottom of the Persian Gulf.

The good news is that there are even more planned reclamations by the authorities in Dubai in the years to come, and the whole world is looking forward to seeing them.

When an area in the sea is reclaimed, this creates a very solid platform for structures to be built on. However, Dubai took this to a whole new level. Viewed from the sky, the islands take the spectacular shape of a palm tree, which is a work of art and engineering you won’t see anywhere else.

Reddy Kancharla is a civil engineer who features the greatest models of engineering in the history of man. For more interesting blogs, visit this page.

Construction innovations A glimpse of digital project management

Image source: blog.capterra.com

According to Reddy Kancharla, one of the most popular innovations in construction today is digital project management. This shift of project management to digital form has become possible through technological advancement. Specifically, the innovation is that while traditionally project management has been conducted on paper, information can be easily entered into digital form and uploaded to any computer.

However, there are still some barriers to overcome in the construction industry before digital project management becomes more widespread. For example, many companies still rely on paper-based plans. That's the main reason why construction project management is still in a transitional phase.

Image source: digitalconstructionworks.com

Although this industry is slow to adopt new technology, some companies have succeeded in establishing digital project management as an integral part of their business model.

For instance, the company Perspica has developed software to help with construction project management. The program is based on big data technology and uses advanced metrics for analytics. It's designed to improve cost estimate accuracy, track progress, optimize resources and monitor change orders.

This type of digital project management is just one example of how innovative technology can better manage a construction project. However, Reddy Kancharla points out that managers in the industry need to understand what digital project management means and how it can be applied before they start implementing new technology on existing projects.

For more updates, visit this Reddy Kancharla blog.

The top causes of structural failure

As he has made observations in his many years of overseeing building projects, Reddy Kancharla has been quite exposed to the biggest problems that make structures fail. In this blog post, he details the top causes of structural failure.

Faulty design

Image source: bestructural.com

Engineering is always a result of a harmonious, cooperative effort among teams with unique specialties and contributions. Great engineers ensure that the actual plans make sense and that they are doable. Sometimes, building design is flawed, to begin with, when the planning stage shows irregularities in the specifications. To eliminate faults in the design, engineers challenge each other’s designs and put them through various scrutinies so that execution is nearly flawless, notes Reddy Kancharla.

Sub-standard materials

Certain standards are followed in construction, and this can boil down to the gradient of materials used, the sizes of screws, and even the type of metal and concrete components needed to create a structure that lasts. If the final product fails and it is discovered that any bit of material used does not follow the minimum standard specs, there are certainly going to be liabilities.

Image source: destinyrestored.org

Useful life

Any building construction has a natural tendency to degrade over time. Like any material, this has a useful life, clearly determined as early as the project’s planning stage. However, with age, a structure wears down. Mainly, this is due to the weather and years upon years of use, among other various factors. For this reason, old buildings eventually have to be scheduled for implosion at some point.

Reddy Kancharla has a master's degree in civil engineering and more than 25 years of experience in civil construction, construction QA/QC, and geotechnical consultation. For more related blogs, visit this page.

What a strong construction team looks like

When it comes to construction projects, a huge part of their success is dependent on the skills, efficiency, and trustworthiness of the workers. With a strong construction team, the plans of architects and engineers can be realized with minimal issues. On that note, Reddy Kancharla shares a few insights on what makes a strong construction team with everyone.

Image source: Pixabay.com  

A strong construction team always emphasizes safety protocols.

While all the effort and know-how in a team are important, they arguably pale compared to the value placed on everyone's safety and well-being. Reddy Kancharla notes that safety protocols on a project site should never be overlooked nor underestimated. All the good construction teams follow and enforce all relevant protocols, and they make sure everyone else in the area is aware of the proper safety measures.

A strong construction team always integrates collaborative practices.


With collaborative practices, Reddy Kancharla refers to aspects of construction that include procurement routes, co-location, problem resolution procedures, as well as information management processes. Since construction brings together diverse roles and disciplines, these collaborative practices are important for better coordination.

A construction team has a solid management group.

Foremen or construction managers greatly determine the lifecycle of construction projects. This is why it's always important to have dependable foremen and managers. It's also important to have someone in charge of working with external vendors and ensuring that the various crews and teams are on track and within budget. Members of the management team should have more than just skills and experience; they should also have a good track record in managing complex projects, Reddy Kancharla adds.

Image source: Pixabay.com  

Always communicate

Communication is always at the heart of good management. Your team can bring the project through successful completion when they see people are in charge, talk to them, and motivate them to get the job done.

Reddy Kancharla has more than 25 years of experience in civil construction, geotechnical consultation, and construction quality assurance and control. He also has a decade of senior management experience. For similar updates, follow this Twitter page.

How skyscrapers are built to last

Image source: businessinsider.com

It’s always an awe-inspiring experience to just look at a skyscraper and marvel at its presence, says Reddy Kancharla. Because they serve as a symbol of greatness for the community, these are also built to last many years.

How do civil engineers build them to last? Here are some key elements:

1. Tube systems

Over the years, tube systems have evolved with a number of innovations here and there. The really tall skyscrapers make use of this technology, and these operate on the principle that, as a building goes higher, it requires a much larger footprint. Also, as you run along its length vertically, the structure tapers off slightly towards the top. Skyscrapers that are sure to last for many years are able to withstand their own weight because these are constructed with wider bases, notes Reddy Kancharla.

2. Sway mechanisms

Very tall buildings generally sway in the wind, which is simple enough to understand with a little knowledge of physics and wind dynamics. In order for a skyscraper’s occupants to feel less of the sway, many skyscrapers are fixed with dampeners installed near the top of the building. These concentric steel plates stacked on top of each other react to the wind by swinging in the opposite direction, at the same frequency as the wind, so that movement is reduced.

3. Cabling systems

Image source: theguardian.com

As beautiful as they are, skyscrapers are primarily a venue where corporate activity needs to thrive, shares Reddy Kancharla. They also need to be able to contribute to the economic pace, rather than become a hindrance to it. A skyscraper won’t be of any help if people complain of long lines on elevators and if these take a lot of time to bring people to their respective floors and work stations. Today, skyscrapers make use of light cabling systems to speed up transport. Elevators are also designed to cater to serving specific floors to avoid delays.

Reddy Kancharla has been involved in many projects over the years. These include various high-rise developments in New York City, the USTA National Tennis Center, Yankee Stadium, the Giants/Jets Stadium, and Terminals 1, 4, 5 and 7 of the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Airport. For more about his work, visit this page.

What civil engineering is all about

Image source: thebalancecareers.com

 

Many industry practitioners like Reddy Kancharla have made a name for themselves in civil engineering. However, a lot curious minds would like to know more about this branch of engineering. Mr. Kancharla explains this in this blog.

Civil engineering is the branch of engineering that is concerned with civil works. Mostly, this is everything you see that has been built around us in the communities that we live in. Look outside your window and you are likely to see your neighborhood’s row of houses. These are all connected by roads. Further up the horizon, you will see big bridges and tall buildings. All of these are the result of civil engineering.

The people responsible for the creation of all of these are called civil engineers. They design, create, and connect the world around us, quite literally. They are tasked with the huge obligation of making bare land livable for people, by making community-ready surroundings available to them.

Image source: livescience.com

If you are a civil engineer, you belong to any one of a multitude of jobs and types of engineering. Civil engineers come from various backgrounds, but they undergo a lot of years of study, which includes learning, training, and getting qualifications.

If you wish to be a civil engineer, you must be mentally prepared, because you will surely have your work cut out for you. You will have to undergo a required set of challenging academic subjects and graduate from your course. Later on, you will need to acquire a license to practice your trade. Some civil engineers can take up to 16 years in finishing their studies alone! This means that if you intend to be a civil engineer, you really have to be committed to your dream.

Reddy Kancharla has a master's degree in civil engineering with a professional career spanning 25 years in civil construction. He has a broad comprehension of engineering theories, principles, and practical solutions of engineering problems relating to civil engineering and the construction industry, and developing and implementing quality systems per ISO standards. For more information, visit this page.

Toward a better normal: Practical tips for a healthy and safe construction site

Now that many construction projects have resumed, governing authorities and construction firms have made it a priority to ensure the safety of all workers and stakeholders. Reddy Kancharla explains that a lot of project sites have changed for the better. He shares these practical tips for healthier and safer workplaces.

Image source: Pexels.com

Follow local health policies
States might have different protocols to address the situation under their jurisdiction. Firms must always be updated with the rules to ensure smooth operations. Aside from regular testing, physical distancing, and sanitation protocols, many areas are still prohibiting large meetings and gatherings in enclosed spaces. However, many authorities are encouraging flexible hours at work to lessen the number of people in a project site. Extra barriers should also be installed to limit close contact between co-workers.

Train workers to enforce a health and safety plan
Even medical professionals are still discovering new information about the novel coronavirus. Now that many industries are reopening, employees should be informed about what they should do to keep their workplace safe. Project sites should have a designated health officer or a trained personnel that people can contact when there are safety concerns. Even with this point person, Reddy Kancharla says that workers should regularly receive training that will allow them to assess potential risks in the project site.

Image source: Pexels.com

Keep the site clean
Now that safety protocols are more stringent, project sites should be regularly cleaned and disinfected to provide a safe environment for workers. Entrances, bathrooms, sanitation stations, and meeting areas should be regularly disinfected. Aside from encouraging employees to practice good hygiene, it's also important for firms to assure their people that the place they go to every day is clean.

Reddy Kancharla has more than 25 years of experience in civil construction, geotechnical consultation, and construction QA/QC, and more than a decade in senior management for civil engineering firms. Subscribe to this Twitter page for more updates.