Lesson 6 TBD 2212

Eng. J.
Kimarai
CONSTRUCTION PLANT & EQUIPMENT
LESSON 6
 Work Output during Compaction
Compaction is executed through the use of different types of rollers like PTR
and CDR.
A roller is a compactor used to compact soil, gravel, concrete, or asphalt in the
construction.
Earth compaction equipment play a significant role in the execution of modern
high cost time bound construction projects like earthen dams, roads, canals etc.
The modern earth compaction is a self-propelled, rubber tired piece of
construction equipment used to shape the ground surface for a highway, airport,
embankment, earthen dam etc., like a vibratory roller. A Vibratory roller
consists of a smooth steel drum in which vibrations are generated by an
unbalanced eccentric mass mounted on the axle of the roller or on the frame
support by the axle.
Vibratory rollers are applied to fine grained soils and also to sand-gravel
mixtures. Vibratory rollers are employed for compaction in confined areas, such
as highway shoulders, trench compaction, road widening works, building site
preparation sports and play grounds. Their work output is defined by the
following aspects: [efficiency factor (C), drum width (W), Average speed
(S), number of passes (P), and layer thickness (t)
Hence, output Q (m3) = (c*w*s (m/hrs.)*t)/P
With the work output results of a roller, the productivity that it will offer to a
contractor will thus be easily calculated.
For example:
b) Determine the productivity (cubic meter/hour) of a roller given the
following data. (8 marks)
Working day - 10 hours
Working week – 5 days
Roller width (w) – 2.4 m
Minimum number of passes (N) - 4Roller speed(s) – 1.5kph
Maximum compacted thickness (D) - 0.015M
Efficiency of the roller (E) - 80%
Eng. J. Kimarai
 Work Output during Mixing

The productivity of a mixer in obtaining different number of batch mixes is
affected by the mixer capacity the working schedule and the efficiency of the
mixer.
For instance, if a total mix of 200m3 is required at site, and the mixer available
is of 0.045m3 capacity allowing a 80% efficiency and the time allowed for each
mix from the filing to the pouring is 3 minutes (cycle time), a strict working
schedule would need to be established to ensure the production of this total mix
would be achieved. An example would be fixing the number of working hours
per day, and a maximum number of days a week.
Procedure:
 Identify the number of batches to be prepared in an hour with the cycle
time efficient for one batch.
 Calculate the volume of mix to be available from the mixer production
and its efficiency.
 Calculate the total mix to be prepared within the allocated number of
working hours and within the identified number of days.
Example
A concreting site requires 200m3 concrete. A mixer of 0.50m3 capacity is used.
The cycle time of the mixer is 4 minutes with an efficiency of 80%. Concreting
is programmed to take 7 working days, with each day comprising of only 6
working hours. Determine whether the mixer is adequate.
Acquisition Methods of Construction Plant & Equipment
Contractors are constantly concerned about whether to purchase or lease
construction equipment.
Under some conditions, it is financially advantageous to purchase whereas
under other conditions, it is more economical and satisfactory to rent any
construction equipment. As a result, the construction company can acquire a
construction plant and equipment through either of the following methods:
 Cash or outright purchase
 Renting
 Leasing
Eng. J. Kimarai
Cash or Outright purchase.
Buying results in direct ownership of the equipment.
The acquisition of equipment by buying is done either through cash purchase by
using company funds or financing purchase.
The outright cash purchasing is done when sufficient funds are available.
Buying or financing an equipment is most sensible if the equipment is essential
to your core fleet and expected to provide essential service for a long time.
If the contractor decides it’s worth the large outlay of funds to buy or finance
equipment, then they will find that owning the equipment can long-term tax-
benefits, principally from deduction of interest expense and depreciation of
equipment.
Assignment 2:
List 4 advantages and 5 disadvantages of owning construction plant and
equipment during an execution of a project. Offer a concrete conclusion based
on whether a contractor would benefit more from owning construction
equipment. (10 marks)
Advantages of owning equipment.

 More economical if the equipment is used sufficiently.
 The equipment is readily or immediately available at the disposal; of the
owner.
 The equipment is better maintained or better in good mechanical
conditions.
Disadvantages of owning equipment.
 It is more expensive than renting.
 Substantial or hefty investment is required for ownership.
 The ownership may influence the owner to continuously use the
equipment in lieu of more modern equipment.
Eng. J. Kimarai
 The ownership may influence the contractor to do the kind of work using
his equipment but that which may require other different equipment.
 The ownership may influence the contractor to use the equipment beyond
its economic life.
Renting
It is a method of acquiring an equipment for a shorter duration. It is an

alternative to direct ownership (i.e. through buying) of the equipment for a
shorter period. Renting entails a short-term agreement or contract to use a
capital equipment weekly or monthly, with the rental terms decreasing as the
term lengthens. The following are some of the other reasons for renting:-
 To fill in for peak periods, broken machinery, or special projects.

 To try out equipment before buying or leasing it.
 To lessen the risk of buying costly equipment that won’t be needed later.
Advantages of Hiring Equipment
 Plant can be hired as required or for a short period.

 Hire firms are responsible for repair and replacement.
 Increase in liquidity.
 Greater efficiency.
 The contractor is not left with expensive plant and equipment after the
completion of the [project.
 Hire rates may include operation, fuel and charges.
Disadvantages of hiring equipment.
Eng. J. Kimarai
 The plant may not be obtainable from the plant hire firms at the period(s)
which suits a particular contract program. In other words, disappointment
may be the case.
 It is often more costly in the long run to hire than to own.
 The plant may get to the site of the person hiring it and not functional,
and hence wasting time and resources of the borrower.
Leasing
This is another method of acquiring equipment, for a long period of time as

compared to renting. It is a long term alternative to direct ownership of the
equipment. The leasing company (i.e. the owner of the equipment) is known as
the lessor whereas the user of the equipment is known as the lessee. Lease is a
contract between the lessor and the lessee wherein the lessee uses the
equipment owned by the lessor by paying the rentals over the lease period.
Leasing can be an attractive option if you use the equipment frequently but do
not have the cash or resources to purchase the equipment outright or make the
down payment. However, leasing carries higher interest rates and contractors
are usually responsible for the insurance and personal property taxes on the
equipment being leased.
However, leasing can:-
 Provide 100% financing, including the cost delivery and installation of

equipment.
 Lease payments can be made monthly, yearly or at other time intervals as
agreed upon between the two parties.
 The lease pay7ment need not be necessarily uniform over the lease period
and there is flexibility of coordinating the payment schedule (to be made
Eng. J. Kimarai
by the lessee) to that of the revenues generated from the use of equipment
by the lessee.
Types of leases.
i. Finance Lease
It is generally offered by a financial institution (usually a bank or a finance

company) and threw equipment is leased to the lessee. The lease period may
extend up to the operating life of the equipment. The rental paid by the lessee
over the lease peri0d covers the cost of equipment less the estimated residual
value at the end of the lease period, along with the profit margin of the lessor.
The lessee has the option to purchase the equipment with a discounted price or a
predetermined price at the end of the lease period. Usually the lease contract
cannot be cancelled till the lessor has recovered the investment cost at the end
of the lease period. The finance lease is stated on the lessee’s balance sheet.
ii. Operating Lease
This is offered by the manufacturer or the dealer of the equipment.
In operating lease, payment charges are lower as compared to finance lease. In

this type of lease, lessor (manufacturer or dealer of the equipment) provides the
skilled service personnel required for carrying out the repair and maintenance
operations and this type of arrangement is more suitable for sophisticated
equipment requiring specialized repair and maintenance.
Thus, in this type of lease, lessee does not hire service personnel required for
carrying out services and maintenance operations. Usually, the lessee returns the
equipment to lessor at the end of the lease period.
Eng. J. Kimarai
Unlike finance lease, operating lease is not stated on the lessee’s balance sheet
and is often referred to as off-balance sheet financing.

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Eng. J.

 Work Output during Mixing

Advantages of owning equipment.

It is a method of acquiring an equipment for a shorter duration. It is an

 To fill in for peak periods, broken machinery, or special projects.

Advantages of Hiring Equipment

 Plant can be hired as required or for a short period.

This is another method of acquiring equipment, for a long period of time as

However, leasing can:-

 Provide 100% financing, including the cost delivery and installation of

It is generally offered by a financial institution (usually a bank or a finance

ii. Operating Lease

This is offered by the manufacturer or the dealer of the equipment.

In operating lease, payment charges are lower as compared to finance lease. In

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