The world’s biggest dam: China’s 3 Gorges Dam

September 21, 2020UncategorizedReddy Kancharla

Image source: interestingengineering.com

China hosts some of the world’s biggest structures like the Great Wall of China, the world’s largest sea bridge, the world’s biggest telescope, the world’s largest wholesale market, among many things. One of the most recent addition to this is China’s 3 Gorges Dam which spans 1.4 miles wide, 630 feet high. Experts even claim that the 3 Gorges Dam slows down the earth’s rotation by microseconds because of the amount of water it suppresses. Engineering expert Reddy Kancharla takes us through this amazing and unique megastructure.

The construction of the 3 Gorges dam began in 1994 and finished in 2009. An estimated $25 billion was spent by international companies, export credit agencies, as well as banks from Canada, Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and France. Besides becoming a sustainable source for energy, the dam also serves as a vanguard for people living near the Yangtze river which is historically known for floods which have killed thousands of people and destroying millions of dollars’ worth of properties over the past few centuries.

While this dam generates about 22,400 megawatts of energy, the project had been plagued by controversies throughout its construction. According to reports, an estimated 1.3 to 1.9 million people have been displaced or forced to relocate. There were also unwanted environmental impacts which includes triggering landslides, altering ecosystems, and disrupting livelihoods along the river.

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In spite of leading engineering knowledge and technology used to construct the 3 Gorges Dam, structures like this will always be tested by nature. Just last month, water levels rose to near catastrophic levels. Some people even think that the pressure from the river would soon lead to a major collapse. Reddy Kancharla believes that if such an event would occur, we would be looking at millions of lives affected, and billons worth of property damage is expected.

Reddy Kancharla is equipped with a comprehensive knowledge on engineering theories, principles, and practical solutions of engineering problems in civil engineering and the construction industry. He has more than 25 years of experience in projects involving civil construction, geotechnical consultation, and construction QA/QC. Visit this website for more discussion reads on engineering.

What is soil engineering and why is it important?

July 31, 2020UncategorizedReddy Kancharla

Image source: rcengineeringconsultancy.com.au

Reddy Kancharla has surely kept himself busy during the current global health crisis by writing and releasing more blogs about engineering and construction. For today, he reviews an incredibly important aspect of construction, which is soil engineering or geotechnical engineering.

Anyone who is familiar with construction and engineering knows that one of the first things to consider is the foundation. Without a solid foundation, a structure would, in all probability, not stand against anything that exerts force on it such as weight or even wind.

Soil engineering is the process that ensures a future structure will have the best foundation available to it.

Through soil engineering, geotechnical engineers study the ground upon which a structure will be built. The soil has a number of characteristics, and engineers make sure that all these meet the requirements of a solid foundation. Tests are conducted to see if it is safe to build a structure in the area.

Reddy Kancharla explains that there are a number of tests which analyze the soil. For the moisture content, permeability, and compressibility, there’s the soil compaction proctor test. For the cohesion (or non-cohesion) of the soil, there are the dry strength, dispersion, and dilatancy tests.

And there are a lot more similar processes conducted to ensure that the soil is ready to support structures that often weigh hundreds of tons, according to Reddy Kancharla.

Reddy Kancharla is equipped with a comprehensive knowledge of engineering theories, principles, and practical solutions to engineering problems in civil engineering and the construction industry. For more updates like this, visit this blog.

Seven tips for better construction management

June 30, 2020Uncategorizedconstruction industry, construction management, construction manager, development, Engineering, project siteReddy Kancharla

Challenges in the construction site are inevitable. In order to complete projects on time and within the budget, a construction manager must be effective in their job. The difference between a good manager and a bad one is the way they respond to circumstances that surround the construction project.

Plan with passion; get the big picture and diligently put them into writing for the rest of the team to follow. An extensive plan includes a construction schedule, with daily objectives, including potential outcomes and their long-term impact. Make sure all the people, equipment, and materials are ready way before hitting ground. Delegate wisely. According to Reddy Kancharla, an effective construction manager knows their team and is aware of what they are capable of. Let senior members of the team handle client transactions, and allow junior members to do menial duties.

Become familiar with the contract document. Before a project starts, learn the ins and outs of the contract. Avoid making the mistake of referring to it only when an issue comes up. Get better at time management. Write down everything that transpired in a work day and file every important document. Doing this enables a construction manager to know which tasks to prioritize and which ones to delegate.

Reddy Kancharla shares that communication is key even in construction management. Give clear instructions and avoid giving answers that might divide departments. Lead with the team in mind and be responsible at all times. Delegating tasks doesn’t mean you get to dodge the bullet when something fails. As the head of the project, be sure to be mindful of the potential dangers on site, and proactively manage such.

Reddy Kancharla has extensive knowledge of engineering theories, principles, and practical solutions of engineering problems relating to civil engineering, and the construction industry, and the development of quality systems in the construction industry per various codes and standards. For more construction management tips from Reddy Kancharla, visit this page.

A beginner’s guide to construction engineering management

May 29, 2020UncategorizedConstruction engineering, construction engineering management, development, project, structureReddy Kancharla

Construction engineering management is among the five types of civil engineering projects involving the application of technical and scientific understanding of infrastructure construction developments. It deals with the creation of roads, railways, bridges, and buildings.

The primary focus of engineering is the design, while construction engineering management is in charge of the supervising of the actual project. The latter often stands for both engineering and construction management, acting as the bridge for the design and the project execution. The goal of construction engineering is to develop projects in the most efficient, effective, sustainable, safe, and environmentally friendly manner. Reddy Kancharla mentions that asset management comes after construction. Construction engineers define the maintenance, operation, and renovation concerning the lifespan of the structure.

A construction engineering manager plays a major role in the completion of a project. They may specialize in a commercial or housing construction, HVAC or mechanical, electrical system design, and highway, or heavy construction. Construction engineer managers must have technical and leadership skills to facilitate successful projects. They need to carry the knowledge to direct estimation and plan associated costs for developments.

Reddy Kancharla notes that construction engineering managers work in central offices but often visit job sites to see to it that proper standards in construction projects are being enforced and maintained. Construction engineering managers are requested to visit development sites to survey the location, focusing on environmental issues, local laws, and codes that must be complied with.

Reddy Kancharla has more than 25 years of experience in projects involving civil construction, geotechnical consultation, and construction QA/QC, including 10 years of senior management experience. For more updates from Reddy Kancharla, visit this page.

PSA: A review at spotting construction defects at home

April 29, 2020Uncategorizedconstruction defects, home, how to spotReddy Kancharla

Reddy Kancharla continues his series of blogs to help inform and educate readers. On this blog, he does a quick review of ways to spot construction defects at home. He aims to help new homeowners who have just moved in, those who are seriously contemplating putting their home on the market, and everyone in between.

However, before continuing, Reddy Kancharla wants to remind everyone that though some of these construction defects may seem repairable via DIY methods, he still urges people to contact professionals just in case there are more serious underlying problems with the structure.

Windows: There are times when windows and windowsills are either installed incorrectly or have aged leading to small openings at the sides. What happens is that during rainy days, water can seep through these openings, enter a home and deal much more damage than just a faulty window.

Cracks: Not only are wall cracks on walls or columns quite an eyesore, but they can also be signs of a fundamental flaw in the structure. This is one of those crucial times when professionals at home repair should be called in, Reddy Kancharla explains.

Electrical: Problems with electrical systems at home can be very dangerous. For starters, a lot of electrical issues are not obvious right away. Reddy Kancharla mentions that a wall or a floor where there are damaged wires or shorting circuits underneath may hide the damage, but homeowners may feel the heat emanating from the area. If that happens, electricians should be called in to inspect.

A civil engineer with more than 25 years of experience in civil construction and geotechnical consultation, Reddy Kancharla has worked in various companies, having served different positions. For similar reads, follow this page.

Marvels of engineering series: America’s mammoth stadiums

February 4, 2020UncategorizedEngineering, stadiums, United StatesReddy Kancharla

With extensive and vast experience and knowledge in engineering and construction accumulated over years of service, Reddy Kancharla has the utmost respect and appreciation for astounding buildings and structures. In fact, his reverence for feats of engineering can be seen in his series of blogs.

On this blog, Reddy Kancharla looks at some of the most famous football stadiums in the United States, structures which are for all intents and purposes, mega in stature.

Arrowhead Stadium

Found in Kansas City, the Arrowhead Stadium is home to the Kansas City Chiefs. Aside from being a marvel of construction, this particular stadium has one jaw-dropping claim to fame – having the loudest crowd roar in a stadium, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

CenturyLink Field

The CenturyLink Field in Seattle is a stadium with a lot of state-of-the-art features. Accommodating tens of thousands of screaming Seattle Seahawks fans, this stadium is nothing short of inspiring for architects, engineers, and construction teams everywhere, explains Reddy Kancharla.

Lambeau Field

The Green Bay Packers have been one of the most successful franchises, not just in the NFL, but in all of the American professional sports. This makes their very own gigantic fortress, the Lambeau Field stadium one of the most intimidating places for opponents.

What are your favorite stadiums? Feel free to share them with Reddy Kancharla in the comments section below.

Reddy Kancharla has extensive knowledge of engineering theories, principles, and practical solutions of engineering problems relating to civil engineering and the construction industry, and the development of quality systems in the construction industry per various codes and standards. For more updates, head over to this page.

An introduction to quality assurance and quality control in construction

January 10, 2020Uncategorizedassurance, control, difference, quality, quality assurance, quality controlReddy Kancharla

The realm of construction and engineering is quite an exciting one as it deals with the creation of structures in which people can do all sorts of things. Civil engineer Reddy Kancharla has, through his series of blogs, shared the many aspects of engineering and construction. For today, he discusses two very important terms in the industry, namely quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC).

Quality Assurance

QA is very process-oriented. The accepted definition of it in the fields of engineering and construction go along the lines of planned and systematic activities, which are performed to meet the quality requirements of a product, service, or project. Having said that, QA has very little to do with the evaluation of the finished product.

Reddy Kancharla explains that QA is overseen by owners and developers to ensure the quality of the construction process. The evaluation of contractors and their construction teams often takes place before and during construction.

Quality Control

Whereas QA looks at the process of construction, QC focuses on the finished product. There are several points in which QC experts evaluate a structure, such as specifics in the contracts, plans, standards, and overall results. Sometimes, these results are even compared to those of other projects.

QC can be considered as the final quality check of the project, as it is a deep analysis of the final outcome, Reddy Kancharla adds.

A civil engineer with more than 25 years of experience in civil construction and geotechnical consultation, Reddy Kancharla has worked in various companies and served different positions. For similar reads, go to this Twitter page.

Megastructures: Tallest hotels in the world

December 4, 2019UncategorizedEngineering, hotels, megastructuresReddy Kancharla

There are a lot of ways one hotel can be distinguished from another. It could have superior room quality, amazing customer service, astounding facilities, and a great balance between price and what customers get in return. For other hotels, it’s all about standing out. According to Reddy Kancharla, some hotels cling to certain claims to fame to attract customers. And for the world’s tallest hotels, standing tall is the primary statement. Here are just some of the tallest accommodations that money can get you.

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Dubai
The JW Marriott currently holds the record of tallest hotel in the world, standing at 1,165 ft. Designed by Ashok Korgaonkar, the hotel first opened in 2012 and keeps with the 5-star status of a Marriott hotel. It has over 1,600 rooms, 8,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as 14 dining options to choose from.

Park Hyatt, Shanghai
While the building which houses the Park Hyatt stands at 1,614 feet tall, the hotel itself is only available from the 79th to the 93rd floor. And while it only has 179 rooms, its location is prime, with a fantastic view of the Huangpu River and Pudong.

Baioke Sky Hotel, Bangkok
Standing at 1,014 feet, Baioke Sky Hotel is the tallest hotel in all of South East Asia. Considering its upscale accommodations, the hotel is surprisingly affordable. Non-guests can even enter the observation deck on the 84th floor for free if they happen to dine at the restaurant below the deck, adds Reddy Kancharla.

Reddy Kancharlais equipped with a comprehensive knowledge of engineering theories, principles, and practical solutions to engineering problems in civil engineering and the construction industry. Visit this websitefor more reads and discussions on civil engineering.

The greatest engineering and construction feats in New York City

November 18, 2019Uncategorizedconstruction, Engineering, New YorkReddy Kancharla

For people who love to marvel at, witness, and experience extraordinary feats of construction and engineering, Reddy Kancharla highly recommends visiting New York City. The Big Apple is filled with structures and areas that showcase the best construction engineering has to offer. Here are three examples of such places.

The Public Library

One of the most underrated places to visit in New York, the New York Public Library is as classy and accommodating as its contents are impressive. The Library contains many of the oldest written pieces in human history. The place itself is well-maintained and a beacon of knowledge of the western world. It’s also nearly 100 years old.

Chrysler Building

There are dozens of notable high-rise structures in New York City, but the Chrysler Building is an all-time classic. The building, almost made entirely out of brick, combines both timeless design and state-of-the-art engineering (at the time). It still stands today as a favorite for architects and engineers to study.

Grand Central Terminal

What can anyone else say about the undisputed king of train terminals? Yes, the Grand Central Terminal is the largest terminal in the world. In fact, people have been known to get lost in it. This leviathan of a structure feels magical as if one area always leads to another in an endless labyrinth. Chalk that up to insane engineering and architecture.

Five traits of a highly effective foreman

November 1, 2019Uncategorizedcareer, construction, development, foreman, workforceReddy Kancharla

Generally, a foreman is a worker who has emerged from the levels, coming from a humble position in the management. A foreman oversees the daily project output of the construction team, making them the link between management and workers.

While a foreman may feel as if they are still a part of the workforce—having come from the low ranks of the team—they must remember that he now represents the company to employees under his responsibility. A competent foreman knows the job better than nearly anybody else. Reddy Kancharla says that successfully climbing the ladder is a testament to one’s excellence in their job. Maintaining a good knowledge of machines and tasks will have one gaining the respect of others.

Impartiality may be challenging to practice, especially when one is friends with the rest of the team. Instead of building up a single person, an effective foreman develops a team that knows how to work in one accord. Work toward supporting weak points to keep the production running. As the leader, part of building an effective team is motivating them and listening to their concerns.

According to Reddy Kancharla, an effectual foreman is consistent. One should have integrity, saying one thing, and meaning it. Trusting the crew is integral for them to also trust in their foreman. This kind of confidence requires proper communication with each, which enables a foreman to do everything within their responsibility to support the workforce.