Thursday, 29 April 2021

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.

Thursday, 8 April 2021

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.