AMBO UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE

OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

FINAL INTERNSHIP REPORT

HOSTING CAMPANY – SAYLEM CONSTRUCTION PLC

DURATION OF INTERN – FEBRUARY 1 TO JUNE 30 / 2015

PREPARED BY BULBULE MENGISTU

ID NO –R/4073/04

SUBMISSION DATE
DECLARATION OF THE STUDENTS AND APPROVAL OF

SUPERVISORS AND MENTOR

Internship student BULBULE MENGISTU has assigned to Saylem

Construction PLC from February to June 2015 to gain practical experience in
the civil engineering activates.

Fortunately I was assigned in both site works and office works. This enables me
to be came an experience and introduce myself to the work environment.
Having this chance, my communication skills and related issues, professional
skills have been increased and also change my theoretical knowledge to
practical. This will enables me to get a great opportunity in my professional
practical view skill advancement.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT

First of all I would like to thanks and have a great respect, Love and prosperity
to my almighty GOD who helps me in every aspect in my life.

Next to this I would like to thanks AMBO UNIVERSITY who prepared such
appreciating program to me and I would like to express my deep gratitude to the
University –Industry –Linkage –Office for the organizing the whole internship
program and their effort to make sure that whether the whole internship
program achieves it desire goals or not.

I would also like to thanks and respects my Mentor SOLOMON who came from
Ambo University till my internship place and he gave me many advices and
important issues regarding about my internship program. As a chance our site
didn’t have Site Engineer rather than Forman on the site. As a chance when my
advisor SOLOMON came to my internship place for supervision I told to him
as my site didn’t have Site Engineer and he also asked another Site Engineer out
of my site as I go to there and as he helped me.

In addition to these I would like to thanks my Gang Leader (Capo) who is

volunteered to help me every time on the site and my friends those came from
another University for this internship program.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Generally, I understood that Engineering without practical experience
cannot be upgraded in each field of subject matter.
This final internship report describes my general work on the
internship period and also describes my experience I gained from this
internship period of time.

This report contains FIVE CHAPTERS and topics such as;

 Background of the Company

 Overall internship experience
 Practical and Theoretical experience
 Communication Skills
 Leadership working ethics
 Entrepreneurship Skills
 Conclusions and Recommendations
 References

This can be supplemented latter in my experience to further enhance

my performance and keep my heart of development in the way of
constructions.

TABLE CONTENTS Page No

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT................................................................................

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................

CHAPTER ONE

1 INTRODUCTION...............................................................

CHAPTER TWO

2 BACKGROUND OF INTERSHIP HOSTING CAMPANY..............................

2.1 Brief History....................................................................................................

2.2 Main Products............................................................................................

2.3 Main services..............................................................................................

2.4 Main Customers..........................................................................................

2.5 End users of Company’s products................................................................

2.6 Overall Organization....................................................................................

2.7 Work flow.....................................................................................................

CHAPTER THREE

3 OVERALL INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

3.1 How I got into the company.............................................................................

3.2 Section of the company I have been working in..............................................

3.3 Work flow of the section..................................................................................

3.4 Work task I have been executing....................................................................

3.5 Procedure I have been using............................................................................

3.6 Challenges I have faced....................................................................................

3. 7 Measures I have taken................................................................................

CHAPTER FOUR

4 OVERALL BENEFITS...................................................................

4.1 Practical skills...................................................................................................

4.2 Theoretical knowledge..................................................................................

3.3 Interpersonal communication skills...............................................................

3.4 Team playing skills........................................................................................

3.5 Improving Leadership...................................................................................

4.6 Understanding about work ethics...................................................................

4.7 Entrepreneurship skills..................................................................................

CHAPTER FIVE

5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION............................

5.1 Conclusion........................................................................................................

5.2 Recommendation..........................................................................................

REFERENCES.................................................................................
CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Engineering is the profession in which knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences,
gained by experience and practice, and applied the efficient use of the materials and forces of
nature. In one way or another way, human life is not far from different types of problems.
These problems must be solved by scientific way; engineering is among the solution of these
problems. Engineering is central to understand the challenges and the solution facing in the
world. To respond, engineers require understanding the problems facing the society and build
up on existing resources and know how.

These problem solvers are trained personals with different engineering courses in
universities and colleges. The knowledge and ability of these engineers is more dependent on
the theoretical method of teaching in universities. But the responsibility of engineers is to
solve practical problems. So the new curriculum of Ethiopia for engineering and technology
students are developed to include sufficient practical knowledge together with theoretical
knowledge that learns in the classroom. Due to this, the ministry of education programmed a
fourth month internship program for engineering and technology students.

Based on the new curriculum, we were doing internship for one full semester at
SAYLEM private limited company in Madawalabu University construction of multi purposes
building. We have gained a lot of understanding and experiences on practical application of
construction in a well-organized and effective manner. In our stay, we have got several
opportunities to visit project frequently to observe the progress and to see the related
activities. Besides this, with in a fourth month stay in this organization, we have spent ample
time with site advisor, office engineers and Forman’s with orientation and practical
involvement on the site and office work.

In this report, we have included insights that we have gained during the internship time
both site and office work knowledge.
AMBO UNIVERSITY, Civil Department 2015

FINAL INTERNSHIP REPORT 2015

CHAPTER TWO
2 ABOUT INTERNSHIP HOSTING COMPANY
2.1. Background of the company and its brief history
Saylem engineering and construction plc is a privately owned construction company that
base in Ethiopia. It has a reliable accomplishment and bright prospect that match its high
aspiration. The company has been undertaken various projects in different part of
Ethiopia, such as Dilla, Hawasa, Ambo, Adama,Addiss Ababa and Dire Dawa specialized
service in building construction and planned to extend its service range road, and etc. The
company has completed many projects in the past and continues to play its prominent
role for the development of construction industry of Ethiopia.

This company constructed varieties of structure in different regions of our country. It also
implements according to the vision and agendas of the government. It service the people
according to the system provided the government.

Saylem engineering and construction plc is currently a general class 2contractor. Since its
engagement in the construction center, the company has involved in a wide range of civil
engineering construction such as high rise building, complex educational establishment,
hotel construction, school construction, gas station construction and many other
engineering construction. This company has its own experienced engineer, skilled labors,
different equipment and more organized.

The company strives to continually implement a systematic organizational development.

In this respect, it regularly selects a management advise from professionals, reviews its
polices, procedurals, systems and undertakes human resource development activities. Its fact
growth in the sector and ability to gain high reputation is an indication of its organization
development effort. Recently the company carried out a strength, weakness, opportunities
and threats analysis to improve its operations. The outcome of the analysis is being used as in

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put to the strategic planning process. The strategic plan will develop for the coming five years
and will indicate the directions of the company.

Although the company head office is located in Addis Ababa Bole friendship on
G+1building and its construction project are spread through different parts of the country.
Since its establishment the company has successfully constructed and submitted different
construction project for the government bodies and private sector in Ethiopia. Currently
the company is under taking a number of construction activities in different part of the
country.

VISION, MISSION AND VALUES

Vision
Saylem engineering construction plc is working to five years goals of transformation and
growth of our country. By adopting quality based workmanship and technology in
construction and becoming internationally competitive contractor in Ethiopia. Generally
the company has a vision to:-

 Be the most organized, reliable and respected construction company in the

society
 Work team sprits
 Be consumer oriented
 Continuously getting better and show visible progress in the sector
 By adopting quality based workmanship and new technology in construction and
becoming internationally competitive construction company.

Mission
Developing, monitoring and implementing new techniques and methodologies for our
company’s financial managements, procurement, procedures and construction
managements plan and evaluate the proper implementation of this technique. By
providing quality service to the society and ensuring continuous improvement of the
company in all aspects. So this company has a mission to:

 Provide high quality and reliable products or service in the sector

 Improve the satisfactions of customer and employees continually
 Meet the requirements and expectations of its customers through scientific
attitude, expertise and professionalism.
 Motivating the peoples for common development

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 Making suitable connection with each governmental organization and

nongovernmental organizations.

Values
Saylem construction values its solid commitment to quality, schedule and safety. They
strive to deliver the best values in all our services by ensuring all projects are completed
on time with quality products and workmanship. They are proactive in finding the best
solutions for their clients in a cost effective manners with compromise on safety. Their
values of quality, integrity and hard work remain the benchmark of each project they
undertake.

The core values of this company are:-

Work productively and motivate employees

Perform economic and quality works
Lead the way to innovation and open to criticism
Develop the sense of competition in terms of quality and cost.
Ensure success all time, in all circumstances
To serve the society on basic development of the country
Effective and faithful management of the project
Safety

Goal and Objective of the company

 Goals of the company

Saylem construction is established with an ultimate goal of generating optimum profit from
the provision of an efficient and quality construction and consultancy services.

In doing so, Saylem utilizes competent caliber professionals from multi-disciplinary field
who are equipped with necessary knowledge and skills. Although it is a profit oriented
organization, in doing so it has a far reaching development objective for its clients and the
country in general.

Objectives of the company

The objectives of the company includes, among other,

 To provide quantity service using recently innovated technological construction

materials, well experienced and professional manpower’s.

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 To maximize their construction grade and return on investment of the firms

through satisfying their clients.
 To actively and vigorously engage in the transfer and sharing of knowledge and
information with likeminded organizations, government, nongovernment
organizations. Individuals and other relevant institutions and personalities.
 To pragmatically work towards helping create and develop a network with various
engineering and construction center of excellence and research organizations in the
quest to encourage knowledge development, documentation and dissemination.
 Achieve maximum customer satisfactions.
 Build the capacity of employees through training
 Become leader in delivering quality, timely and cost effective service

 Ensure continual improvement of services, products and management system

 Recycle construction wastes as much as possible and ensure that disposable
wastes are disposed without causing adverse environmental effects.
 To implement leadership based management system.
 Etc.

Strategic Objectives
The strategic direction of saylem construction PLC engagement in the country’s development
includes, among others

 To undertake projects and invest the development of the basic infrastructure in

Ethiopia, like in universal testing machine, fuel station, livestock farming sector,
construction machine rental, transport and etc.
 To invest in develop and the manufacturing and service industries that enhance the
economic competitiveness of Ethiopia and add values to local based resources.

Human Resource

Saylem construction utilizes competent and caliber professionals from multidisciplinary

fields who are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and experience.

Saylem currently has a total of 99 staff members out of which 4 are members of the firms.31
are permanent and 64 are temporary staff members including advisers who provide technical
back stopping to the management/governance of the firms. Out of the 35 permanent staff
members, 10 are high caliber professionals in various construction field of study. The

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remaining 25 personnel are administrative staff. It’s worthwhile mentioning that Saylem also
deploys additional professionals on temporary basis and as deemed necessary.

Saylem construction is currently on the way of facilitating training for its staff members as a
part of its interest and commitment to built-up the capacity of its technical or professional
staff. In addition to developing the cares of the professional staffs the training is a key strategy
for organizational development for their institute. To this end, investing on human resource
development is believed augment the firms capacity to the delivery of high quality
construction services to their stakeholders and ultimately to the emergency as a vibrant
private sector institution in Ethiopia.

In view of the above Saylem is planning to make preparation of the participation of its staff
members in the upcoming training program that might be given at national and international
level. There for after completing their section of the training center, the training will probably
be given with in the coming six month.

Equipment

This company has its owns various equipment including construction machineries,
vehicles, survey equipment, computers and laptops, basic filed testing and all the
necessary construction equipment’s that are needed to perform all its activities. These
different types of vehicles, machineries and other equipment’s are used to perform the
tasks effectively and economically. Some of the vehicles and machineries are the
following:-

 Back loader
 Excavators
 Wheel loader
 Bull dozer
 Roller compactor
 loader
 Dozer
 Vibrate
 Plate compact
 Mixer
 Pulley and etc

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This company also has equipments like generator, welding machines, leveling
instruments, Theodolite, grade and different trucks:-

 Carrier trucks
 Water trucks

2.2. Main products and service of the company

Saylem plc has been constructing different construction for the last years.

It has a solid reputation for completing project on time within budget and with high
standard quality. It has scored remarkable achievement in building construction area.
This company aim to exert its out most effort in the coming years to excel their past
achievement and diversity their products and services to include the following:-

 Bigger and complex building

 Highways
 Etc.

The company has the aim to diversity its customers so that they penetrate the private
market sectors. Therefore the company has great role in promoting national economic
growth and improve living standards of the customers.

Some of the projects the company has built are:-

 Dila building construction

 Hawasa building construction
 Addis Ababa building construction
 Ambo building construction
 Adama building construction
 Dire dawa highway construction and
 Etc.

Currently this company is constructing different building in Madawalabu University in Bale

zone. Such as Store, Injera maker room, and sport field in Madawalabu University.

Thus, construction of Restaurant, Cafe, Bank and Shower Rooms for different exhibitions for
small enterprises are also the products or services of Saylem engineering and construction
plc.

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2.3. Main customers or end users of company’s products

Saylem Construction PLC has constructed different kinds of construction projects throughout the
country. These are like Universities, colleges, Schools, Health centers, Roads, etc. After completion
of these projects, they will give a variety of services for different bodies. The service to be provided
from completion of these projects is for people, i.e. directly or indirectly the main customers or end
users of the products are all people of the country. Based on the direct service the end users can be
generalized as:

 Institutions Governmental
 Universities
 Colleges
 High schools and elementary schools
 Health centers
 Ethiopian road association
 Individuals
 Residential building
 Investment like to construct industry factory
 Etc.

Saylem construction gave services for governmental institutions like university’s constructions of
class rooms which very important for students to learn without crudeness. In addition, increase
construction of dormitory, will increase by increasing number of students so the construction of
educational buildings will give importance services for the teaching learning process.

Also in health center construction, the number of patience’s will be treated by getting service
from it. This plays a great role to people by increasing health center facilities in their vicinity
instead suffering from a long distance walk to get medication access.

Construction of roads is very important for the country to facilitate over all economical
development. The main end users of the roads are:

 Drivers
 Passengers
 Pedestrian
 Cyclist

Generally the main end users of the product

 Governmental and non – governmental organization

 Peoples who live in the city
 Etc.

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2.4. Overall organization and workflow of the company

The organizations of the company fulfilled class 2 contractor rules. According to its
organization, it enjoys a remarkable reputation in the construction industry. Having started with
regular staff members, it has been now able to create job opportunity for many permanent
skilled personals and daily laborers. Excellence or success of this company is due to:-

Having better managements

Having enough financial budget and building machineries
Planning and programming for each specific tasks
Giving priority in avoiding obstacle and providing an appropriate solution to the
problem on time.
Good time management
Work respect from both all management and employees.

Saylem engineering and construction plc has the following organization under strong
managements.

 Office

 Administrator
 Finance
 Purchaser

 Engineering

 Project manager
 Office engineer
 Site engineer
 Surveyor
 On construction area
 General Forman
 Steel or bar bender
 Mason
 Electrician
 Daily labors
 Etc.

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Generally overall organization structure and work flow of this company is shown in the
hierarchy chart shown below.

Both general manager and deputy general manager of the company is also the owner of
the company.

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FINAL INTERNSHIP REPORT 2015

General Manager

CHAPTER THREE Deputy General

Manager
3 OVERALL INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES

3.1.Technical
How I got in to the company Administration
manager and financial
Firstly, Ambo University prepare a letter internship placement and given to the student
manager
through our department after the completion of second semester of third year class
Taking the requestHuman
Construction
schedule. letter,resource
we have asked different construction companies and
operator manager Finance Supply manager
organization.
department
manager
All these companies and organization who we asked were not allowed us to take part in
Public relation Purchase
their organizations. What we have seen here is that to attend this organization, you need
Accountant
to have a person who relate with them. But Saylem General Construction plc accepted my
Industrial Store year
request and gave me confirmation. After the completion of second semester of fourth
relation
I have started my internship practice by attending in Saylem General Construction.
Project
manager
manager
Then I made a contact with General Manager of Saylem engineering and construction plc
Material
and he allowed to me tocoordinator
take part in this company. . Using this chance I prefer to join Fiche
Project
site because this site is huge among the other to get more practical experience. On the next
operation
day I went to the site work and introduce myself to the site project manager, Site Forman,
General store
Staff member and other subcontractor.
Health safety
environmental
and already I started myProject
After they oriented me about work tasks Project internquality
practice.
relation manager coordinator control
3.2. Section of the company we have been working in
Quantity control Project
The company that I was practicing in is participated in building construction in
manager engineer
different region and area. Practicing in building construction was my choice because I
want to know every activity doing in building construction activity.
Site
In this company I have seen each ways of supervisorHere I was intensively work on
workflow.
supervision area of some activities. In general as an intern student I engaged in different
activities to improve my practical skill, upgrade my theoretical knowledge, improves my
practical communication and team playing.

3.3. Workflow in the section we have been working in

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AMBO UNIVERSITY, Civil Department 2015

Good project management has many advantages. Some of them are the following

 Maximizing efficient utilization of resource

 Develop effective communication among workers or employees.
 Create mechanization to resolve conflict among workers and employees.
 Bring proper coordination and control of the entire process and etc…
In general the workflow in the section I have been working in can be described as
follow using hierarchy diagram.
Project
manager

office Engineer

Site
engineer

General
Forman

Head Carpenter

Head Bar Benber

Head Mason

Finance
Department

Store
Keeper

Administration

Chart 1 Work flow of the section

Here I have been following every work tasks that has been done in the construction site.
Generally, work tasks that have been executed in the site are the following.

Grade beams
Grade beams are a type of beam which constructed over compacted earth or foundation
walls. In our case it is constructed over foundation walls. It is constructed following its
dimension according to structural drawing. Form works for grade beams are placed at a
distance and alignment specified on the drawing that is grade beam layout. After every is
done properly reinforcement bars with dimension and arrangement specified on
structural drawing of grade beams are placed and casted with required concrete cover

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AMBO UNIVERSITY, Civil Department 2015

using spacers. Cutting, bending and placing in position of mild steel reinforcement
provide cut and fix in position structural wood or steel form work (panels) is placed
appropriate for concrete casting.

The main purposes for the construction of grade beams are:-

- To avoid slenderness of footing columns and elevation columns together.

- To carry and transfer loads of hollow concrete blocks to the footing columns.
- To support super structure and etc…

Fig 4. Grade beams

1.1.1.1. Hard core filling

It is a crushed stone provided under ground floor slab on the compacted backfill to give
them support for the slab and to attain more strength. Before filling the hard core, the
selected material should be well compacted on the excavated soil for bulk.

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Hard core is constructed or filled with the thickness of 25cm at our site and the area of
hard core and ground floor slab is just equal. Hard core is constructed with basaltic or
other equivalent stone and blinded with red ash or scoria.

After the hard core is constructed, lean concrete is laid on it to level and protect the
structural element from extra moisture.

1.1.1.2. Ground floor slab

This floor is located at grade beam level. Its construction starts with compacted of
selected backfill materials that have to be compacted at every 20cm thick to attain
maximum density. The purpose of compaction is to avoid settlement and is done using
plate compactor of high vibration frequency. After this hard core of required thickness is
placed and blinded with bounders and then C-5 lean concrete is laid on this blinded
hardcore to resist effect of moisture on mesh and mesh are placed as per the design.
Finally concrete of required grade is laid to a depth specified, in our case it is C-25 of 10
cm thick. Recall that the size of ground floor slab is just equal to the size of hardcore
including expansion gap between grade beam and ground floor slab.

(a) (b) (c)

Fig.5 (a) Backfill (b) Hardcore (c) Ground floor slab

1.1.2.Super structure construction
Construction of super structure involves all structure located above grade beam structural
element. It is part of building above ground surface that is giving the service the building
is designed for the main construction works done in super structure were:-

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Construction of elevation columns

Beams and slabs
Stair case construction
Mullions
Concrete gutter
Etc

1.1.2.1. Elevation columns and mullions

Elevation columns are structural members which are commonly vertical subjected to axial
load with or without bending moments. As per the specification of our site all columns are
square. Its construction is carried out following some steps.

 Reinforcement bar of required dimension and arrangement as per design are

prepared and fitted to bars already available on footing columns to provide
sufficient overlap.
 The well tied stirrups are placed around 20 and 15 cm gap.
 Next form work of required width, length and height are painted by oils and
erected around reinforcement bars with spacers tied to them.
 Each formwork (panels) placed or properly aligned by using plumb bob (Tumby)
or water balance level.
 After proper formwork wood or steel panel is placed, checking its alignment
distance from adjacent columns it will be casted with required concrete grade in
our case c-25 and well vibrate.
 After 16 hr, the formwork should be dismantled or taken off from the column for
watering schedule at morning and afternoons. It must be noted that covering the
concrete columns with cloth type material will reduce evaporation of water. Each
column should be well aligned with beam.

Mullions: - are structural elements similar to elevation column that differ only by their
thickness and which are thinner than elevation columns. They are commonly known as
sun breakers for their use to change direction of sun light from direct entrance to the
rooms.

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AMBO UNIVERSITY, Civil Department 2015

Fig.6 Elevation columns and mullions

1.1.2.2. Intermediate beams

1.1.2.3.

Beams are horizontal load bearing members which are transmitting floor loads to the
columns. Intermediate beams are type of beam constructed to brace long elevation
columns. It is also used to carry and transfer load of hollow concrete blocks to elevation
columns. Its construction is as follows. First vertical supports are erected to prevent it
from sagging after it is casted due to its self weight until it cures for a minimum of 21
days. Then painted formworks are placed following dimension and alignment from
structural drawing. Finally after reinforcement bars of required dimension and
arrangement are placed it will be casted with required concrete grade in our case C-25
with adequate concrete cover.

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Fig.7 Intermediate beams

1.1.2.4. Stair case

Staircase that is constructed in this site is a 90∘ staircase which is commonly used in many
buildings. With the absence of stair case a building can’t be named as one. Stairs need a
carful construction. If slight mistake occurs while doing so it can be felt to whoever using
it. It is constructed following the same procedures as other structural elements as per the
design. During construction soffit angle, height of riser, width of thread and landing and
their reinforcement bars dimension and arrangement should be checked with design. The
bent bars are aligned with a shape of ramp and tie it with the bar coming from the
adjacent slab. The bottom formwork is placed and then develops the side formwork and
mark the riser and threads with nail. Put the reinforcement bars of a riser. Finally C-2
concrete is casted

Fig.8 Staircase

1.1.2.5. Slab construction

Slabs are categorized in to two, Ground floor slab, that we seen under sub structure and
upper floor slab.

Upper floor slabs:- This is slab located at G+1 level and above. The construction of solid
slab is as follow the following steps.

- Vertical support erection which is complex and time consuming

- Formworks for slab and beams supporting it are laid as per floor plan
- Reinforcement bars of dimension and arrangement specified by structural drawing
are laid

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AMBO UNIVERSITY, Civil Department 2015

- Finally after necessary checks are done concrete of required grade are casted
monolithically with beams supporting it. For our case concrete grade of C-25 is
used to cast 15cm thick slab.

Fig.9 Upper floor slabs

1.1.2.6. Top tie beam and concrete

Top tie beam

As its name indicates that, it is a beam constructed at the top of elevation columns. It is
proposed to carry and transfer loads acting on the roof and self weight of the roof. Its
construction is in the same way as that of intermediate beams.

Concrete gutter
Concrete gutter is structure used to collect rain water from roof cover and transfer to the
ground through down pipe. It is casted with top tie beam with depth and width sufficient
to carry water during highest rainfall period. The inner surface of the gutter is treated
with water proofing materials.

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AMBO UNIVERSITY, Civil Department 2015

(a) (b)

Fig.10 (a) Top tie beam & (b) Concrete gutter

1.1.3.Concrete works
Concrete is the most crucial part of any project. All constructions work greatly needs
concrete. Concrete is material obtained artificially by hardening of mixture of cement,
Sand and aggregate in a pre determined amount.

The strength of concrete depend on the quality of its ingredients their relative quantities
and the way in which they are mixed, compacted and cured. Concrete is material that
formed by the proportioned and well monitored mixing of aggregate, cement and water.
Concrete is known for its high compressive strength.

Concrete is selected because of its unique advantage such as

 Concrete is highly resistance to compressive force

 It is highly resistance to fire
 It is good insulator
 Easily molded into any shape
 Water proof, if it properly mixed, vibrated, chiseled and plastered

Type of concrete
During the site work we have observed that there are two types of concrete used for
the construction purpose. These are:-

1. Lean concrete and

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2. Reinforced concrete

2.3.4.1. Lean concrete

Lean concrete is, a concrete of 5 cm thick, c-5 with minimum cement content. It is crucial
work because water and soil are the main deteriorate agents for bars used the structures.
To avoid any contact with such material this concrete type is needed.

At the site we used lean concrete under footing pads, foundation walls and ground floor
slab.

Advantage of lean concrete

- It protects all structural elements from extra moisture
- It acts like hard stratum
- It levels the ground and detaching the structures from organic soil

2.3.4.2. Reinforced concrete

Reinforced concrete is, a composite material made of concrete and steel. It is more
advantageous than lean concrete due to its high strength in both tension and
compression. In RC the steel provides the tensile strength and concrete provides the
compressive strength.

The tensile stresses developed in the section are transfer to reinforcing steel by bond
between the interfaces of the two materials. On the site, reinforced concrete class C-25
cast into formwork and vibrated around steel with cement: sand: aggregate ratio of 1:2:3,
in footing pads, footing columns, grade beams, elevation columns, slabs, mullions and stair
case.

At the site, I have been understood identifying the material quality only seen by eye
before taste, which gravel and sand have good quality or not. As well as the concrete
quality whether a concrete is good or not only seen by eye its color. For example, If a
concrete has gray color it has a good quality.

Mix (concrete preparation)

This is the process of combing the ingredients of concrete to give the required property
like: strength, durability, workability and others. Mostly it is done by mixers and hand
mixing depending upon the capacity of the contractor and size of the executed work.

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According to the material specification provided the ingredients of concrete are mixed
with a certain ratio for different concrete works. They are of different grade (i.e. their
strength, durability) are different. Hence they are used in different structure according to
the structural requirement.

CURING OF CONCRETE

In a simple term curing is watering of concrete. It is necessary to have strong

concrete. If concrete is cured to 21 days, it will be strong enough. But if
properly cured it will lose its strength.

Curing is very important for the completion of reaction in the concrete to

exothermic and release heat. This released heat will evaporate the moisture
in the concrete. But if the curing of water is lost, the concrete will make
cracking and weak.

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Materials used on the site

There are different kinds of materials which used on my site. From these I would like
mention some of them:-

Batching Box
Batching box is used to measure the amount of sand and aggregate. This method is highly
practiced on site and is seen to be widespread on the project sites. In applying this
method it is usual to see people in the construction world use boxes made either from
wood or metal of various sizes.

Example size of boxes strength of concrete

50*40*20 C-20
50*40*18 C-25
50*40*16 C-30

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Mixer
It is a machine used for mixing concrete. There are two types of mixer according to the
material used for operate its motor these are:

i. Those used benzene and

ii. Those used electric

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Vibrator

Vibrator is an electronic machinery which is used to vibrate casting concrete

of Slabs, Column, Beams, and Shear Wall in order to avoid the vapor or air
which is found in the voids spaces of concrete.

The presence of air voids in the concrete reduces the strength of concrete and
when dry it will create cracks.

Activity to vibrate

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 Insert vibrator vertically and allowing it to penetrate rapidly to the

bottom of the lift and at least 6 inches into the previous lift.
 Hold it at the bottom of lift for 5 to 15 seconds.
 Pull vibrator up at a rate of 15 seconds for a 4 footing or about 3 inches
per seconds.

Stop vibrating when

 The concrete surface takes on sheen.

 Large air bubbles no longer escape.
 When you hear the vibrator change pitch or tone.
 When you feel a change in vibrator action.

Spacers

Spacer is a small thickness of concrete which is used to separate or make gap

between the reinforcement bar and the form work in order to have a concrete
cover for the reinforcement bar of the slab, Beam, Column, Shear wall,
Foundation and etc.

In my site they used three different kinds of thickness of spacers. Those are;-

 1.5cm thickness for the Slab.

 2.5cm thickness for Beams, Stairs and Column which have
thickness of below 80cm.
 5cm thickness for Column which have thickness of below 80cm
and Foundations.

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Formwork
Formworks are materials used as temporary mould for concrete until it hardens. In
construction formwork is crucial because besides concrete placing it used as to check
dimensional errors that occur. When the concrete has reached a certain required strength
the formworks are unnecessary and are removed. All formworks should be removed
without any shock or vibration as this may damage the concrete.

At the site engineers have their own check list in which they check the quality of
formwork. Good formworks have the following characteristics:

Cheap and reusable as long as possible

Practically water proof so that it will no absorb water from concrete
Strong enough to withstand all loads from concrete and live load during pouring
and compaction
Stiff enough so that deflection is minimum
As light as possible
Have smooth surface and afford easy removal or stripping

Type of formworks
Formworks can be prepared from wood or steel.

Wooden or timber formworks

Advantage

- Mostly useful for low ranking contractor due to its low cost to purchase relative to
steel formworks.

Disadvantages

 Absorbs moisture from concrete if improperly oiled

 Short service time
 Needs more props for making it strong enough

Steel formworks
Advantages

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 Durable
 Easily erected
 Easy to handle
 Creates good surface for the structural elements

Disadvantages

 Once its face is deformed it is difficult to maintain

 Higher cost to purchase it

Formwork surface in contact with concrete should be clean and treated with oil. Its
removal period differs for different structural elements. Minimum time to remove
formworks for different structural elements is:

- Soffit, slab and beam ……………………………………….21 days

- Footing pad and footing column ………………………16 hours
- Grade beam and elevation column …………………...16 hours
- Side formworks of intermediate beam, top tie beam and slab
………………………………………………….16 hours

HOLLOW CONCRETE BLOCK (HCB) WORKS

Hollow Concrete Blocks are used for the construction of both internal and external walls.
Based on their thickness there are different types of HCB AND IN OUR SITE THEY USED
40cm*20cm*20cm of dimension.

Materials used for HCB are, Cement, Sand, Aggregate and Water. Mixing activity is
performed by mixing cement with sand, aggregate and water by the cement to sand ratio
of 1:3. This means one bag of cement for three box of sand.

Hollow Cement Block shall be free from laminations, cracks and other defects that would
damage the proper setting strength of the construction. They shall be well compacted,
properly cured and shall uniform color and texture.

PLASTERING

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Plastering is the process of covering various surface of the structure with plastic material
such as Cement mortar, Lime mortar or composite mortar, to obtain an even , an even
smooth, regular; clean and durable surface. Concrete surfaces are plastered for the
following reasons:-

 For aesthetical purpose

 To receive finishes like paint and decorative tiles
 To protect the surface from dampness, because it is relatively impermeable
 To provide insulating non absorbent washable surface

Plastering material used in the site was mortar with cement and sand mix in 1:3 ratios. Sand
also reduce shrinkage 0f binders and should like be free from organic matters and silt.

Plastering is classified into three types of coats.

1 First coat
First coat is the first step of plastering.

 It is directly attached on the chiseled exposed beam or column to some

millimeters.
 It is the process of making rough for the surface.
 Its thickness should not less than 0.5cm.
 Its mix proportion, cement to sand by volume is 1.5.
 It needs at least 24 hours for the second coat.

2 Second coat
This is the second step of plastering with the cement to sand ratio of 1:3.

 Its thickness is around 1cm and it needs 21 days for curing water before
adding third coat.

3 THIRD COAT

This is the last stage of plastering.

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 It is ready for painting and it should be smooth and level.

 Its mix ratio is 1:3 (cement: sand).
 Its thickness should not less than3mm.

Office works

Preparing takeoff sheet and bill of quantity

It is done for two general purposes. The first is to know the amount of materials
consumed and the other is to give payment for sub-contractors such as mason and
carpenter.

Preparing bar schedule

It is done to know quantity of reinforcement bars used and required for the next tasks. It
is done by identifying length, number and diameter of the bars to know its total amount in
kilogram.

Hourly output

It is done when it is required to check the performance of workers.

Payment certificate

This is prepared when it is required to know the amount of work done in terms of money.
This helps to ask the client for that amount of money and give payments for the
subcontractor.

Preparing weekly and monthly report

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This is prepared at the end of each week and month to evaluate whether the works are
done beyond or below the plan. After evaluation it will be used as guidance for the work
to be done in the next week and month.

1.3. Work tasks I have been executing

Building construction involves a number of steps both in office and construction site.
While I have been staying there I used to practice every activity of site engineers like as
Supervisor and Site Engineer

As supervisor I have been checking:

Diameter, length, number, arrangement and overlap of reinforcement bars

Alignment , number, arrangement and position of columns and beams
Concrete mix ratio
Work tasks are done following required steps
Etc

As office engineer I have been preparing

 Takeoff sheet and bill of quantity

 Payment certificate

As site engineer I have been doing the following

o Check the actual works on the site with plan

o Check that all structures are built according to their structural design
o Controlling Forman’s works

1.4. Procedures I have been using while executing those work

tasks and how it is good
To do any work tasks there is pre-requisite that have to be known. In the someway to do
all the above work tasks I have been using certain procedures. Those are:-

 Referring the material or hand out what we have learned in the previous class.
 Understanding the plan that is architectural and structural design or drawing.
 Taking orientation from the project manager on how to prepare takeoff sheet and
payment certificate

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 Contacting data collector to obtain data of work done

 Combining data from data collector and the plan

Following this procedures properly I have been performing my duties timely and neatly.

1.5. Challenges I have faced and measures I have taken

At the beginning it was hard to introduce myself with the working area and conditions.
Some of challenges I have faced are:

- Lack of construction safety wears in the site

- Lack of awareness of local words used in the site
- Lack Computer Office
- Lack of experience
- Absence of Site Engineer

The words they use on the site are new and which are Italian for the first few weeks of my
internship period it is confusing and hard to memorize.

- Having no tasks to do in the site work which made me very boring for the first and
second month of my internship period.

Some of measures I have taken to overcome those challenges are

 I told to my Forman and Supervisor as computer office is important for themselves,
for intern students and for other subcontractor those working on the site and etc.
 I convinced them as Site Engineer is important for construction engineer to avoid
errors made during construction activity.
To avoid risk of stepping on nails and other sharp materials I used to be careful
while moving in the construction site
 To aware myself with local words I asked them to show me what they are referring
and try to memorize
 Assigning myself with some job tasks to make me busy during the observing
process.

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CHAPTER THREE

3 OVERALL BENEFITS THAT GAINED FROM THE

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Introduction
This internship program was a bridge (ladder) for a better understanding in construction
technology and management field from theoretical concept (the knowledge that is in
closed box) to practical application (real world experience). There is a big gap between
the university life and professional life. So, during I was stayed at the site on my
internship program of the past four months I was able to minimize the gap between this
university life and professional life. This internship program makes me to understand
what and how my professional field and differentiating the staffs and inter related
professionals those exist circumscribing the work and provided me a plat form to
introduce myself in professional field.

The company that I was stayed provides not only my professional field but also the
management; how the managers treat the workers, the duties of professionals, the respect
given for each worker based on hierarchy, makes me how can ask things that I want to
know in my work field and etc.

This has opened doors for me to understand what is waiting for me when I finish my
graduate studied at this field. We have a great career goal for the future when we graduate
from this university to move one step forward the construction industry and for thus, this
internship program has a vital role. This internship experience has made me respect the
construction technology and management stream more and more throughout this six
months.

This internship program makes me being familiar with office work as well as site works
and to inform them behaviors of each job. Each organization has its own rules and
regulation; for instance during supervision of project there is basic technique that has to
be known and there is other rules and regulations that used on works so, I will be aware
this on my internship.

In overall within these four months I had the opportunity to improve my practical skills,
theoretical knowledge, my interpersonal communication skills, team playing skills,
leadership skills, entrepreneurship skills and etc. this program gave me many

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Opportunities to test and refined my skills. All in my learning years starting from lower
grade up to university level my knowledge has been theoretical this program has changed
this and now I have developed practical knowledge which helped me to build and improve
my confidence.

3.1. Practical skills

When I assigned to make a practical work of my internship program in this year I was
plan in what manner shall I engage on the practical skills. During the past six months of
my internship program I was able to got the opportunity to learn different aspects foe
practical skills.

These practical activities are:-

 How to the profile boards are fixed and its appropriate divisions.
 Laying of the formwork for footing pads and checking the alignments of columns.
 Mixing of concrete with different ratios according to its necessities and working
drawing
 How to bend reinforcement bars using the drawing given from the engineers.
 Construction of masonry foundation wall and hollow block concrete (HCB)
 Improving my abilities of understanding and reading working drawing
 Calculating the number of different categories of works that are to be employed to
complete the work with the schedule time of completion.
 I have been able to observe the works concerning
Construction of structural parts like beams, columns
Construction of formwork and standing of false work Christy as the support for
the beam
- Etc

3.2. Theoretical knowledge

During our internship program, some tasks need to read references from the course we
took, from different manuals and written materials, so without any boring I refer and read
different materials of my last courses and others.

At the site, my supervisor given us the documents of the company that used us and I have
been able to gain a great knowledge in this internship experience.

I also develop my theoretical knowledge by asking the professional and laborers on the
site specially the words that they used on the site (most of them Italian words)

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Generally, among the theoretical knowledge that I gained from the internship programs
are:-

 Learning the steps and methodologies used in construction of whole working

procedure of the structure.
 Learning different workers and their respect passion
 Understanding how management works look like for example:-
 How I should ask the things that I want
 How the work tasks were transferred from hierarchy to hierarchy
 How I should introduce myself with the professional
 Differentiating different kinds of construction machineries and their and their use in
the real life.
 Differentiating different types of construction situation, such as:-
Ways of construction
How to solve the problem face to the project
How to get the raw construction material with less cost from different
suppliers.
How the material used on the site.
Removing all rubbish from the interior of the formwork and oiling so that
removal of formwork after casting will be easier
Use of water in thin plastic tube to obtain point of equal elevation and
sprit level to check horizontality.

3.3 Interpersonal communication skills

Communication is the most needed and crucial part of any project construction workers.
This internship program gave the chance to me to join lots of professional peoples. I got
the chance to join with different contractors, Foremen, different skilled and unskilled
workers and others. Since construction work is a team and systematical work by its
nature will face different individual with different professionals and personality come up
together and communicate with each other to solve different problems and run the whole
works.

During I stayed on the site I was connecting specific working class day to day. This
improves understanding the thinking of people and how they are motivated on their
works.

Generally during this time I have upgrading my communication skill on how

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 To ask different questions

 To make discussion
 To answer question when asked
 To respond what I understand and I asked
 And etc

3.4 Team playing skills

Construction works needs group works rather than individuals. Normally to get that you
work in team work is crucial. I have learnt how can play as a team play with different
staffs and how a good team workers be sometimes where there are problems we discuss
and solve it in group. At this time there is flow of knowledge between us. To improve my
team playing skills I have been:-

 Respecting other’s contributions

 Encouraging others for their suggestions
 Having clear communication
 Making persuasive and responsible speech

3.5 Improving leadership skills

Leadership is the responsibility for directing and coordinating the activities of sub
ordinates in order to achieve the objectives the leader should understand the needs and
aims of everyone in the site and respond according as required. I gained the following
benefits considering leadership.

How I can guide, control and monitor the laborers

How method of controlling the working time
How I can address commands those come from managers and site engineers
Understanding how good management skill look like
Having the ability to listen the others and good speaking ability.

3.6 Understanding about work ethics

Work ethics are necessary in any given field of work especially in construction industry
where every work requires constant continuous supervisions minor errors can cause

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severe damages if not properly handled. During my internship period I have learned that
regulating the work ethics and regulations of the company. I also upgraded my work
ethics like:-

 Punctuality
 Work respect
 Showing respect to workers
 Accountability
 Responsibility
 Impartiality
 Honesty

3.7 Entrepreneurship skills

During my internship program I improved my entrepreneurship skills using knowledge
and experience I get from this site I decided to be entrepreneur by improving the
following behaviors that make one entrepreneur.

 High confidentiality
 Risk taker
 Thinking logically
 Impartiality
 Motivation and discipline
 Ability to look for available market, supply and competition
 Financial literacy
 Independent and team working skills
 Good management skills
 Communication skills to express ideas and persuade others
 Etc

Generally this internship program made me to look back on my disciplines which one
to keep and which one I correct it. I also get how it is rewarded (entitled to a good
position) being active and willingness in all works and accept construction criticism.
Strong employer will get better managerial position.

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CHAPTER FIVE

5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1. Conclusions
The whole process of building construction needs more cares and should be checked at
each level especially at the beginning from subsurface investigation to final building set
out. Because error made at this stage will affect the whole structure. Therefore the
process and activities mentioned above in the report should be done properly and
accurately following the design and controlled strictly.

By studying company’s organizational structure and work flow I would like appreciate
Saylem Engineering and construction plc on its good side. The company employees
professionally skilled man powers. This enables the company to finish the projects on
time with quality. It also uses modern machineries and equipments which helps the
project to end on time and save time and man power that is cost of hiring labors. Supply of
construction materials is also continuous which reduce unnecessary delay of works.

Saylem Engineering & Construction plc participates in different construction activities

which are important for the development of our country. It has good respect for its
workers and employee and the workers have respect for each other and their works. This
shows how they respect work ethics, rules and regulations of the company. The
construction projects of this company are spread throughout different part of the country.
Since its establishment the company has successfully contracted and submitted different
construction project for the government bodies and private sector in Ethiopia. Currently
the company is constructing of Fiche teachers training center in North Shoa and 40-60
Condominium in Addis Ababa and also some of the projects the company has built are:-

Dukam, Galan, Modjo TVET college

Woliso City TVET college
Etc

This internship program serves as a bridge between the student life and professional life
by connecting real world to the theoretical. The various types of orientation, activities and
observation or supervision that I have been undertaking during the industrial attachment
enhanced my knowledge in building construction. This has opened doors for me to

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understand what is waiting for me when I finish my graduate studies by this field. We
have a great career goal for the future when we graduate from this university to move one
step forward the construction industry and for thus, this internship program has a vital
role. It made me respect the construction technology and management stream more and
more throughout these four months.

This internship program makes me being familiar with office work as well as site works
and to inform them behaviors of each job.

Each organization has its own rules and regulation; for instance during supervision of
project there is a basic technique that has to be known and there are other rules and
regulations that used on works. So I will be aware this on my internship.

Generally this program laid a sound foundation for me to start my life. I gained different
benefits from this program. These are:-

 How to deal with problems that arise in the construction site

 How to design different construction network
 How to relate drawing with site activities
 How to manage the overall activities of the work site
 How to communicate with workers
 How to prepare takeoff sheet and bill of quantity that we learnt in previous class to
upgrade it.
 Understanding about working standards
 Etc

Therefore the gap between the things which we know in the class without side
environment is become narrowed. Lastly during the internship time I had completed my
duties and responsibilities effectively and efficiently with a good work habit.

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5.2. Recommendations
In the construction process there are defects and problems that may arise due to defect in
machineries use, problem from the way of construction and etc. These problems should
be properly handled for better results. Thus, during my stay at the construction site, I
have gained a lot of experience besides all the merits. I would like to recommend my
internship hosting company, Saylem engineering & construction plc, the following.

 To wash the aggregate and check the quality of aggregate when it is mixed with soil
due to poor handling
 To select sources of sand that has no or minimum silt
 To use design water cement ratio to achieve better quality of concrete mix
 To handle the reinforcement bars properly by preparing shade to prevent rusting
that may reduce its strength.
 To arrange company’s meeting at some interval to improve interpersonal
communication between employees.
 To construct a temporary toilet to the workers and supply of clean water for
drinking.

These are all points what I recommend Saylem engineering and construction plc and
when they fulfill these things I hope it may a super company in our country.

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REFERENCES
1. Previous course material
2. Company’s profile
3. Professionals and labors on site
4. Different professionals outside the site
5. Web site
 Material used for construction.com
 www.yahooanswer.com
6. EBCS 1995

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