CDR Report Sample For Civil Engineering Discipline – ANZSCO CODE: 233211

Sample Career Episode for Civil Engineer

(a) Introduction

CE1.1

At the time when this career episode happened, I was involved in the construction of Building XXX located at XXX (Address of Company) in Delhi, India as a Structural Design Engineer (Designation) for XXX (Company Name). The head office had commissioned our office to complete several complicated elements of the structure. I was particularly endowed with the responsibility of designing a complex suspended ground floor slab in detail. I undertook the project in September 2014 and it was to be completed by November 2016 (Duration of the Project).

(b) Background

CE1.2 (Introduction about the Company/ Organization)

“Company” was established in 20** by Mr. XXX who was a Civil Engineer with over two decades of experience in the field. The company has successfully built several residential and commercial societies and architectural projects, including the Commonwealth Games Village in New Delhi and IIT Ropar. The “Company” is founding member of Indian Green Building Council and is one of the pioneers of ‘Green Building’ technology in India. It was both the owner and contractor of the XXX project. The project was about Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) of high-density low-income East Delhi, and I was involved in completing an apartment building which was planned to have 30 storeys with 4 basement floors. The construction area of the building was 12,000 m² (Introduction about Project).

CE1.3 (Job Description)

My key responsibilities and the role I played in the project were:

• Analysis of structural systems for loads (static as well as dynamic),
• Assessment of present and future patterns of flow of traffic and make required changes in line with the specified standards,
• Design structures that are sturdy and do not bend, twist, vibrate or collapse easily,
• Ensure supply of concrete, steel and other materials in adequate amount,
• Interpret drawing plans, specifications, construction methods, and procedures appropriately and use them,
• Measure, define value, and negotiate variations in building designs,
• Monitor design changes and assess their effects on costs,
• Responsible for construction of structures according to contractual requirements, design requirements as well as specified standards, and
• Supervise all structural works and submit all the related reports to the Project Manager.

CE1.4 (Organogram/ Organizational Hierarchy)

Below you can see the organizational structure for the engineering project at the time:

(c) Personal Engineering Activity

CE1.5

Once the Chief Project Engineer briefed me about the project, I was assigned the task to break down the entire floor into different design-able elements such as slabs, transfer beams, and bands. I used the RAPT computer program (software I used) to make a detailed design of about forty elements that I had identified. This included measuring and uploading their span, dimensions, and loading into the program to come up with models that are practical, accurate, and flexible enough to incorporate changes in the future.

CE1.6

When I re-assessed the specified design criteria, I realised that the reinforcement cover I had used did not satisfy the durability and fire resistance requirements (Issue faced). However, it was comparatively easier to change the covers and modify designs as each design element was already part of the computer model I had made earlier. To ensure that others understood the design as well, I documented everything and ordered the computer output and the calculations in a lever arch file. This included the assumptions I made and the summary pages.

CE1.7 (Designing Jobs/ Tasks)

I maintained all the documentation through the designing process (Designing Component), including computations and reinforcement drawings. I arranged the calculations (that ran in about 1000 pages) based on the site grid system. Each element that was designed had a RAPT output sorted in this system – along with their summary pages of inputs and conclusions. In the beginning of the documentation, I added design concepts and philosophies used in the project and outlined the content pages clearly. The documentation included all the verification documents and superseded computations too.

CE1.8 (Designing Parts, Issue n Solution)

As expected from me, I considered various design possibilities for the building I was responsible for. In one particular possibility, I found that retaining walls was the best answer to cover the height difference between the external ground level and the internal slab finished level. Retaining walls were more cost effective than the fill that would be needed to import to raise the external ground level. So, I introduced concrete ramps and steps to the entrance, and made sure that the concrete design I undertook satisfy the Australian standards AS 3600 (important to mention standards used).

I also noticed while checking drawings that some area of the added mezzanine floor was being used jut for structural framing and could potentially be used as extra storage space. I performed design checks for a storage imposed load on related structural elements to avoid any potential risks before making final designs.

CE1.9 (Job Tasks, Independent working, issue faced and solution)

Since I was the one responsible for drawing and updating the reinforcement drawings, I produced a sample markup first and got it checked by the Chief Project Engineer and the clients to ensure that its format is acceptable and can be used for rest of the drawings. Once the sample markup was issued, the Chief Project Engineer went on a long vacation that extended to several weeks. Hence, I had to manage the production of rest f the drawings with minimal supervision. I drew up all the detailed reinforcement plans according to the original design computations I had done earlier, allowing me to check and verify my computations as I went about completing and updating my drawings.

CE1.10 (Issue while performing tasks and solutions provided)

When we re-issue altered drawings, we had to show them as a revision with copies of relevant calculations to show the reason why the revision was needed. Since my workload was light at the time, I pushed the drawings ahead and had my first revision ready before time. In the middle of the process, the client advised us to issue the pile-capping drawings earlier than the due date. Hence, I diverted my time and resources to complete the task by the pre-poned deadline (Issue and solution). I was able to prepare the key documentation by the new deadline, and added the supporting section drawings to it a few days later.

CE1.11 (Issue and Solution)

The client was uneasy that the deflection of the suspended ground floor slab under load would prove to be disastrous for the building. I discussed my computer model results with him and showed him that some design-case deflections were acceptable and safe. I also showed him how modifying the design to make way for less deflection would added to the construction costs considerably.

CE1.12 (Issues faced and solutions provided)

Another engineer did independent verification of the ground floor structure I designed. I then went through his review and addressed all the issues raised successfully – making changes to my design plan wherever necessary. I was also given the task of responding to the queries the head office sent to our Chief Project Engineer based on their reviews. The design review was then shared with the client who advised whether the design brief had been met or not.

CE1.13 (Involvement in OHS, Planning, Approvals, Communication, etc.)

Apart from making and modifying designs, I was always involved with planning health and safety considerations during and after the construction work, obtain appropriate approvals, and communicate them effectively to various stakeholders. A couple of months ago, I visited Delhi on a holiday and contacted the head office to send me on a site visit to the project with one of their engineers. I saw that much of my design is still being worked upon. I discussed my designs with the site engineer and learnt about his views on how things could have been done better.

(d) Summary

CE1.14 (outcomes/ professional benefits achieved: practical knowledge, project management, management, analysis, design, communication skills, engineering, building construction, appreciation and recognition)

This episode is from my first job where I gained hands-on experience of working as a qualified Civil or Structural Engineer. I learnt about the practical application of various aspects of the job such as how to read a project, how to deal with workers and lead them effectively, do price analysis, handle purchase of material, do the designing work, and communicate with people. I also gained knowledge about other related fields such as project management – which helped me in my growth as a Civil Engineer. I learnt a lot and gained new skills during my time with the “company” and I think I was quite fortunate to have led such a big project at such an early stage of my career. I particularly felt very honoured when my manager praised me and recognised me for the role I played in the completion of the project.