SAMPLE CDR CIVIL ENGINEER
Career Episode -1
Company : XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Task : Civil Engineer
Period : July 2000 – March 2002
XXX is one of the ten largest and most successful architectural and engineering consultants in EGYPT. The head office is in Abu Dhabi, UAE and it has branches in Cairo, Alexandria, Al Ain, Dubai and Berlin. APG, Architectural and Planning Group, with combined offices operating internationally can call upon over 400 ( four hundred ) professional staff to service any project worldwide. Architectural and Planning Group are able to offer the full complement of comprehensive services such as architecture design, engineering design, urban planning design, landscape design, quality management, interior design, on-site inspection, on-site design liaison and maintenance inspections. In this career episode, I am detailing my work with the above company.
1.1 I was a fresh engineering graduate at the time of joining XXX. I had already completed the 4 year full-time course in Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. The first year of the course includes some papers in Mathematics, and also provides a basic knowledge of physical sciences underpinning Engineering. It also provides an overview of other disciplines of Engineering. The later years concentrate more particularly on the various aspects of Civil Engineering. I joined the above company in 2000. Initially there was a training period of two months . On the completion of my training period, which was my probation period as well, I was given the post of Civil Engineer and joined the company as a permanent employee.
1.2 As trainee engineer (July 2000 to September 2000) I got training as a site engineer. Initially I was responsible for supervising the contractor’s work for a small villa. I was reporting to a project engineer who was providing me with the necessary training and guidance.
1.3 During my tenure with the above organization as a Civil Engineer, I was responsible for planning, organizing and overseeing the construction and maintenance of various structures such as villa complexes, various building projects and renovation of different structures throughout Egypt. I also did the structural design for a group housing project, during my tenure with the above organization.
1.4 My work mainly involved the following:
• The overall supervision and execution of works.
• Review and approval of shop drawings.
• Conceive, transfer and execute variation to designs, scopes and standard work methods.
• Preparing progress spread sheets, and updating MS Project schedules.
• Project progress monitoring and submitting periodic reports to Project Manager on a weekly and
• Implementing and monitoring QA/QC and safety procedures.
1.5 I am detailing below my work involving a villa complex in Alexandria, Egypt, consisting of 24 villas, with a project value of approximately 29 million Egyptian Pounds.
1.6 I had an initial discussion with the client so as to determine project requirements. Then I established and monitored the construction work schedule.
1.7 On the site, I was responsible for supervision of site and maintaining a field diary to make notes of the site activities. I conducted site meetings to discuss important issues to be taken into consideration. I ensured that the quality of work at the site was in compliance with the contract requirements that only approved materials are used in compliance with shop drawings and specifications. I used to liaise with the government authorities regarding the work execution, and follow up on approval.
1.8 I was also responsible of Reviewing the contractor’s transmittals for site activities. After the completion of the structural work, I was responsible for all the finishing work, especially the doors, windows, balcony, aluminum and stainless steel work such as cladding, flashing, soffit, reynobond panels, gutters, etc.
1.9 I always follow the concept of value engineering, which involves providing necessary functions at lowest cost, and the identification and elimination of unnecessary costs.
1.10 I used to submit detailed feasibility report for all projects. All the documentation work used to be prepared in MS-OFFICE, and I achieved an excellent working knowledge in MS-OFFICE.
1.11 As mentioned above, I have also done the structural designing of a group housing project. I had undergone a course in the structural analysis and design package, SAP 2000, earlier in the year and I was able to put it into practice. I developed a framing plan with approximate sizes of beams and columns. After drafting the framing plan, I discussed about the architectural views with the concerned architect. I then started modelling the skeletal structure with the sizes and dimensions as per architectural drawings. For the foundation of the structures, I designed a raft foundation using finite element method of designing. The model was created in space as per the design specifications.
1.12 The loading calculation is also an important part for analysis and design. Every structure is subject to different loading. After completing the modelling part , I started the loading calculations for the structure. Along with dead and live loads, seismic loads also play a significant role. Though those loads depend on geography and location of the structure , design is always done on worst load combination. In some case, earthquake load pre-dominates, and in others, wind load. The project on hand
was in earthquake prone zone and it was a concrete structure, so earthquake loads and their combinations were the critical loads to be considered in the analysis and design.
1.13 After entering the loading data in the computer, the final step is the design criteria. In this step, information regarding design code, type of reinforcement, concrete strength, whether earthquake reinforcement is required or not, have to be entered in the system. Once all the required data is fed, SAP 2000 does the analysis of the structures and the results are given.
1.14 After completion of the programmed run, the beams and columns are checked for safety. If some members do not meet the safety criteria, I have to find out the reasons for this and make amendments accordingly. Then checking of bending moments, shear forces, and deflections for the whole structure and individual members are done.
1.15 After applying all the above mentioned checks, the design results are then transferred to the draftsmen for preparation of detailed drawings. During the whole of the design process, I ensure that proper documentation is done.
1.16 I am very particular that all my work is professional and ethical.
1.17 During my tenure with Architectural and Planning Group (XXX), Cairo, Egypt, I got a lot of practical experience regarding design of structures, site supervision and coordination. I also became familiar with various materials used such as : aluminum extrusions, aluminum alloy sheet , mild steel sections & sheet , stainless steel sheet , waterproofing membrane, various types of sealants, rockwool insulations, etc. Working with this company has taught me the practical aspects of Civil Engineering, and I have been able to successfully apply my theoretical knowledge in the work place.