Luis,
I am currently at a <g class="gr_ gr_156 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="156" data-gr-id="156">jobsite</g> as a Project Engineer and I experience the issues you describe every day. I concur with Yance in having PreCon meetings is vital for the success of a project. I am also bi-lingual and this has certainly helped with getting some details <g class="gr_ gr_564 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="564" data-gr-id="564">accross</g> the table. However, regardless of the language barrier, we all think, communicate, and process information differently.
If you are on the site, paper and pen are a great first tool. Don't be afraid to sketch a lot and markup your drawings as required. It's better to ruin a $1 piece of paper than a $10,000 concrete pour. However, a lot of the <g class="gr_ gr_3243 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="3243" data-gr-id="3243">times</g>, you can take it a step further by taking pictures and using the markup tools in your phone or table to overlay information on the actual site conditions. I have found this to be really useful. When possible, I also like to do paper or virtual mockups. For example, if you are trying to example to someone how to <g class="gr_ gr_1573 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="1573" data-gr-id="1573">lay out</g> a complex pattern of tile, print pictures of the tile, and do a mockup in <g class="gr_ gr_1804 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="1804" data-gr-id="1804">paper</g>. Alternatively, if you have 3D modeling skills, you may be able to do a quick model with simple shapes that explains what you want.
If you are <g class="gr_ gr_2088 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="2088" data-gr-id="2088">off site</g>, use Facetime or other <g class="gr_ gr_2138 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="2138" data-gr-id="2138">videoconferencing</g> tools or get as many pictures as you believe are necessary. Remember that pictures are free.
As <g class="gr_ gr_2476 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="2476" data-gr-id="2476">engineers</g> we are always pressured by tight deadlines. However, always remember the Navy SEAL saying "Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast". Rushing someone to do something they do not understand is a sure way of asking for rework. Share this idea with your contractors.
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Carlos Zuluaga Ph.D., EI, A.M.ASCE
Ph.D. Student, Civil Engineering
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-23-2019 09:29
From: Luis Duque
Subject: Miscommunication at Construction Sites
This past summer I have been going to construction sites more often for several of the projects I have worked on. One project, in particular, has been challenging for several reasons. The project is a high-end custom residential structure with multiple structural and construction challenges. The contractor has not worked on too many of these project types and has had many problems understanding the plans as well as supervising the subcontractors. We have been called several times to check something they did that was not on our plans because they could not find the information or simply went ahead without really understanding what was going on with the structure.
Another challenge is the language barrier as many construction workers (at least in this part of the country) speak mainly Spanish. Some of you may know that I am a native Spanish speaker but sometimes is hard for me to transmit the technical concepts as I learned all of them in English.
There are a few ways I believe we can do to minimize these problems:
- I generally like to get feedback from contractors in terms of how hard the drawings are too read. Sometimes we miss information or there are not enough details in the drawings to fully transmit the message. Think of your structural plans as an essay, sometimes you need to provide a little "backstory" to explain why you are doing something from a structural standpoint for the contractor to understand your the meaning of a complicated connection or detail.
- Always bring a notepad and pencil to the job site, sketch what you are thinking from different views in order to better explain what is going on to the contractor, especially if he/she is having problems understanding how everything comes together.
- Finally, if possible, have someone with less technical knowledge than you review your plans and details, they will be able to point out what they do not follow. We know exactly what is going on with our engineering plans, but it may not be obvious to some one else.
What have been some of the challenges you have faced at constrcution sites and how did you deal with them? Do you have some advice for all of us on how to prevent misscommication at the construction site?
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Luis Duque EIT, A.M.ASCE
Structural Engineer
Broomfield CO
<maskemail>luis@...</maskemail>
[Phone][Phone2]
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