Civil Engineering Project Management (4th Edition)

The resident engineer’s office records 161
The question can be asked – need the RE keep such a stock register if the contractor
supplies the pipes and valves, etc.? The answer depends on the method
of payment to the contractor. If he is paid unit rates for ‘supply, lay and joint …’
pipes and valves, then it is not necessary for the RE to keep a stock record – but
the contractor will be wise to do so for the reasons given above. If, however,
the contractor is to obtain the pipes and valves from nominated sub-contractors
whose charges are reimbursed to the contractor, then the RE should set up the
stock-book to check that mismanagement of items and unnecessary wastage
does not occur.
Any materials left over on completion of the contract remain the property
of the employer if supplied by him. This is another reason why control via a
stock-book should be exercised by the RE, so that the employer does not get
returned to him a miscellany of cut pipes of little use to him, but as many
whole pipes and undamaged specials as possible.
13.13 Registers of test results
Test results on materials should normally be recorded on special forms to a
format supplied by the engineer. A file for each type of test should be kept on
site, copies of the tests being sent to the engineer. A general classification of
tests for filing would be as under.
• Borehole logs, trial pit results, etc.
• Foundation material tests: grading curves; sample tests; analyses, etc.
• Earthwork tests: Proctor compaction tests; in-situ density tests; etc.
• Concrete tests: aggregate gradings and tests; cement tests; cube and beam
tests, etc.
• Pipeline tests.
• Miscellaneous tests.
• Other manufacturer’s tests.
Files should be fronted by a register of all tests taken. The particulars on the
register must show where the sample is taken from, the date taken, date tested,
and nature of test. Reference numbers for all samples must be given, and indelibly
written on the sample packaging. Simple errors in labelling concrete test
cubes, for instance, can lead to time-consuming, expensive and unnecessary
alarms.
The position of all foundation or earthwork investigations, inspections,
probes, samples, etc. should be marked on a plan. It is essential to keep a
second up-dated copy of this plan since loss of it can greatly reduce the value
of such investigations.
On many civil engineering projects equipment installed of various kinds
may need to undergo performance tests, some of which may be extensive lasting
several weeks. Also logs of various observations of the performance of the
works may be needed, such as movements of a dam during filling or settlement