The high cost of overlooking quality assurance in construction

Any organization can’t afford to overlook quality assurance if it is determined to remain relevant and thriving in the industry it is in. This is especially true in the construction sector where finished projects are used by the public. A single misstep can prove costly and, in rare cases, even lethal.

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There are various ways to ensure quality in the construction process. Firstly, customer and building requirements, as well as local laws should be discussed in the initial phase of the project. This is to provide a measurable way of checking whether the construction is meeting the standards or not.

The quality of the materials should also be examined and scrutinized objectively, making sure that they pass safety requirements. Onsite workers also have to be trained in quality assurance to mitigate risk and determine potential areas of poor quality.

Some of the possible consequences of neglecting these quality measures are the following: 

• Additional costs: For contractors, repair or redoing of work can incur additional costs and usually delays the completion of the project. For clients, defects discovered later can cause repair or increased maintenance costs. 

•  Poor reputation: Construction companies bank on their reputation to gain new clients and retain old ones. Failure to meet customer standards can result in loss of business opportunities. 

•  Injury or death: Failing structures due to poor quality can be harmful to people and have expensive consequences and legal repercussions. 

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Reddy Kancharla is former engineer who has more than two decades of experience in civil construction, geotechnical consultation, and construction QA/QC. For more discussion on these topics, follow this Twitter page.

A Look at Four of New York’s Most Interesting Skyscrapers

New York is one of the world's most renowned urban centers. Through the years, the city's landscape has changed especially with the addition of new buildings to house businesses and residences. With hundreds of buildings in the city, there are a number of structures that stand out. Here's a look at four of New York's most interesting skyscrapers.

Image source: Time.com

One World Trade Center
One can easily spot this architectural and engineering wonder at the Manhattan skyline. At 1,776 ft., it's impossible to miss this skyscraper. The glass tower, which took the place of the original World Trade Center, fully operates on renewable sources of energy.
Comcast Building
Also known as "30 Rock," this is an art-deco style building that has been financed by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in 1939. Architecture fans will marvel at the slender and timeless exterior of the structure. Though most tourists visit the building for a studio tour, people can also check out the intricate and artistic interiors that have been maintained through the years. This building has long been the HQ of the TV network NBC that broadcasts shows like "30 Rock", "Saturday Night Live," and "Late Night."
Chrysler Building
Before the Empire State Building became the tallest skyscraper in 1930, the Chrysler Building was the holder of the title. Aside from being one of the earliest skyscrapers, the structure was known for its art deco-style just like other New York landmarks built in the ‘30s. However, in the eyes of many, it may not be the tallest skyscraper, but it remains to be an elegant and historical sight that enriches the view of New York.
Empire State Building
For 41 years, the building held the title of being the tallest in the world. Many structures have surpassed the Empire State, but it remains to be one of the most popular skyscrapers in the world. But just like its contemporaries, it followed an art deco-style that it maintained up to this day. In a crowded skyline, the classic sight completes the NYC view. It is a familiar sight in movies and other forms of pop culture. When it comes to noteworthy landmarks in New York, this building will never be missed.
In the coming years, new skyscrapers will rise in New York. Though these buildings have admirable features that will surely contribute to the beauty of the city, these four timeless buildings have played a huge part in the history of New York City.

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Reddy Kancharla has extensive knowledge of engineering theories and principles, practical solutions to engineering problems related to civil engineering and construction industry, and developing quality systems in the construction industry per various codes and standards. For more civil engineering-related posts, follow this Twitter page.

Did You Know: Fun Facts About The Empire State Building

An iconic structure in New York and of the USA in general, the Empire State building was once the world’s tallest skyscraper. It was constructed for that very purpose: to win the race to erect the tallest building on Earth. But it was not all hubris; this much-visited landmark has become a symbol of western culture, featured in various films and countless photographs.

Interestingly, the building broke ground at the height of the Great Depression in the early 1930s. While the rest of the country was reeling, New York was booming. It took just over a year to construct, and by the time it was inaugurated on the first of May in 1931, it bested the original two projects vying for the title of tallest: the Chrysler and the Bank of Manhattan buildings.

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For almost 40 years, the Empire State Building wore the crown, looming at 1,250 feet over Midtown Manhattan. It would relinquish the title only in 1970, with the completion of the first World Trade Center tower. The Empire State building takes up an entire city block, and even has its own zip code.

Art Deco, very popular at that time, was the design inspiration, and the idea is to make the building resemble a pencil. Architect William Lamb modeled it after two earlier structures: the Reynolds Building in North Carolina and the Carew Tower in Cincinnati. These two buildings are now often cited as the Empire State’s architectural ancestors.

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Reddy Kancharla has more than 25 years of experience in civil construction and geotechnical consultation. Currently based in Briarcliff Manor, he obtained his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Osmania University in Hyderabad, India and his master's degree from Texas Tech University at Lubbock. For more on his work and interests, check out this webpage.

Fun Facts About New York’s Jfk Airport

New York’s JFK airport is a state-of-the-art facility with four runways, six terminals, and is being used today by over 70 different airlines from all over the world. Here are some interesting facts you may not know about the country’s busiest international airport.

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1. JFK airport was once known as the Idlewild Airport. Or, more properly, the New York International Airport-Anderson Field. It was renamed in honor of President John F. Kennedy.

2. JFK has its own, pet-only terminal called the ARK at JFK. This animal terminal provides services for a variety of pets, including dogs, cats, and even horses.

3. The airport’s Terminal 5 or T5 is shaped like an airplane and was designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen. Rumor has it that there are plans of adding a 500-room hotel in the terminal soon.

4. The biggest U.S. heist occurred at the JFK airport in 1978, when one of the top New York mafia families planned a robbery in one of the airport’s cargo shed, getting away with roughly $21-million- worth of cash and jewelry.

5. Part of the JFK grounds is currently being used both by the U.S. Army and NASA. It has its own private military station from which the Air Force One plane takes off. Also, in case of emergency, NASA space shuttles can use one of the JFK runways as a backup landing area.

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Reddy Kancharla has more than 25 years of experience in projects involving civil construction, geotechnical consultation, and construction QA/QC. He was involved in the construction of Terminals 1, 4, 5, and 7 of the JFK Airport. For more on his work and interests, follow this Twitter page.

Interesting Facts About the New Yankee Stadium

The new Yankee Stadium is one of the best sports stadiums in the world. Located in Bronx, New York, it is the home stadium of the New York Yankees—which is considered the “greatest” franchise in the baseball world.  While a lot of sports fans miss the original Yankee Stadium, many people praise the technology and architecture of the new stadium. Here are some interesting facts about the new Yankee Stadium.

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The new Yankee Stadium replicates the original Yankee Stadium. The new stadium is located just across the old stadium, which opened in 1923.  The New Yankee Stadium still has the overall look of the old one but is equipped with advanced technology and a more modern architecture. The current stadium offers 63 percent more space than the original one.

The first game in the new stadium was an exhibition game between the Yankees and the Chicago Cubs. The game took place on Apr. 3, 2009, and the Yankees won against the Cubs 7-4.

It has a Monument Park. The Monument Park, located behind the center field, is a place where good Yankee players are honored.  Fans can visit the Monument Park before the start of each game.

Jay-Z and Eminem were the first musical artists to perform in the new stadium. The concert, which was held on Sept. 13 and 14, 2010, also featured artists Chris Martin, 50 Cent, Drake, and Kanye West.

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Reddy Kancharla has worked on several high-profile buildings in New York City, including the New Yankee Stadium and the 7 World Trade Center. Follow this Twitter page for more construction updates.

A Home Preparation Guide For Earthquakes

As much as possible, geotechnical consultants will advise construction companies not to build homes near fault lines. Such areas are more prone to damage from tectonic shifts. However, sometimes real estate development push through and homeowners are just advised to learn how to prepare in the event of an earthquake.

In order to help homeowners during such emergencies, civil construction professionals have listed several guidelines:

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Have a grab-and-go emergency kit: There is no time to think during earthquakes. Experts suggest leaving home at the first signs of the earthquake. Open, expansive places are ideal as there would be less risk of being crushed by a falling building. It is, therefore, important to have one’s essentials in a bag. This emergency kit should be kept near the door and free of non-essentials. Among the items that should be inside this bag are food, bottled water, first aid supplies, medication, communication devices, contact lists, cash, and extra clothing.

Secure heavy furniture: Furniture pieces can easily be dislodged and cause injury. Homes that are built on fault lines should be affixed to the wall. Homeowners should ask constructors the best way to secure items such as bookcases, appliances, beds, pianos, and dressers.

Place breakable objects on low areas: Some people forget that putting glass or other breakable items on high shelves can hurt people in the event of an earthquake. Homeowners should, therefore, keep breakable and heavy objects as close to the floor as possible to prevent injury. The kitchen, in particular, is a highly dangerous place as there are many breakable items inside. Make sure that knives and other similar items are properly stored in secured cabinets.

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Turn off the gas: This is not only for high-risk homes but is a general safety practice. Homeowners should always know where their gas outlets are and how to turn them off. At the first signs of an earthquake, these gas outlets should be immediately turned off.

Reddy Kancharla is a civil construction industry professional and geotechical consultant. For similar reads, visit this blog.

Understanding the different types of building foundations

The foundation is an integral part of any building; it transfers loads of the structure to the ground to make sure that it would be able to stand for a very long time, if not a lifetime. There are two categories of foundations, namely shallow foundations, which is also sometimes called spread or open footings, and deep foundations. 

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Under these categories, there are different types of foundations, including: 

Individual footings: One of the most simple and common types of foundations, this shallow foundation makes use of columns that have individual footings, in which the entire load of a building will be distributed. 

Strip footings: Usually found in load-bearing masonry constructions, strip footings are shallow foundations used when the building loads are intended to be carried by the walls instead of individual columns. 

Raft foundations: Also called mat foundations, this type of shallow foundation is used for low-rise buildings designed with a basement. The basement floor slab serves as the foundation of the structure, with the load evenly spread over the large area. 

Pile foundations: The most common deep foundation, it uses piles, which are long shafts made of a strong material, such as wood, steel, and concrete. Pile foundations are used in high-rise buildings, or if the top layers of the site soil are weak, thus, there is a need to bypass these layers and transfer the structure’s loads to a stronger layer underneath.

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Reddy Kancharla is a former civil engineer with years of extensive experience in civil construction, geotechnical consultation, and construction QA/QC. Learn more about these concepts by subscribing to this blog.