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.

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, follow this page.

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.

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 similar reads, visit this page.

What makes a good leader in the engineering industry?

September 25, 2019UncategorizedEngineering, innovation, leadershipReddy Kancharla

Aside from gaining technical expertise, developing leadership skills can benefit engineers. For senior manager and civil engineer Reddy Kancharla, a project manager should set up the team toward success. Engineers who want to become respected authorities in the industry must possess the following leadership qualities:

pexels-photo-583393 — Image source: Pexels.com

Effective communication skills: Engineers must know how to communicate with the people they work with such as fellow engineers, contractors, suppliers, construction workers, and all others. Through every stage of the project, engineer-leaders must be able to communicate their expectations as well as articulate progress and setbacks. Mastering communication allows engineers to lead everyone in the same direction.

Expertise in the field: Good leaders know what they’re talking about and what they’re asking others to do. Industry leaders like Reddy Kancharla are also experts in their respective fields in engineering. With many years of experience under their belt, they execute plans and lead others with confidence. Incorporating innovations and following trends are no longer a challenge because of their extensive engineering know-how.

Efficient problem-solving abilities: No engineering project is without problems. Leaders in engineering must possess problem-solving skills to usher their teams to the right direction. Aside from having this ability, they must also be quick to think on their feet to prevent further delays and damages. In honing this skill, it would also be good for a leader to be self-motivated. Having the drive to get things done will encourage others to take on their roles and fulfill their duties.

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. For more updates like this, follow this page.

Three ways to ensure a safe construction site for workers

August 29, 2019Uncategorizedconstruction, Engineering, safety, workplace safetyReddy Kancharla

Health and safety must be top priority in construction sites. Those who are working in these areas face potential hazards such as falls, collapsing structures, electrocution, and other injuries. As a civil engineer who has worked on numerous projects, Reddy Kancharla believes that implementing strict safety measures speaks volumes about a firm’s management practices. Below are three ways to ensure a safe workplace for those in the construction industry:

Require employees to undergo health and safety training

Health and safety training is necessary, especially for those who are always on the field. Employees will be taught first aid and basic life saving steps that will empower them to respond properly when problems arise. During the training, employees must be taught how to properly operate machineries. Trainers should also reinforce the use of personal protective equipment.

Create a safety plan

Civil engineer Reddy Kancharla and other workers in the construction industry are always exposed to risks in project sites. Having a safety plan in place will guide everyone in times of disasters. Though different projects require different safety plans, the management must ensure that the plan is systematic, understandable, and doable.

Maximize the use of technologies

Availing the latest technologies can be a costly but worthwhile investment. These innovations can help make construction processes more efficient. Maximizing the latest tech can also reduce safety risks especially with tasks involving heights and electricity. The use of drones, for example, no longer requires engineers and project managers to climb up structures, as they already provide accurate information and images. Automated systems can also be programmed to perform potentially hazardous tasks.

The qualities of a dependable construction team

August 29, 2019Engineering, Uncategorizedconstruction, leaders, managers, teamsReddy Kancharla

Reddy Kancharla knows just how important a dependable construction team is to the development of a project. For a construction team to hit its deadlines and goals, some qualities should be present, from professional leadership to reliable workers.

Here are some of the qualities of a dependable construction team.

The team practices safety above all.

While efficiency is important, it’s only secondary to safety. The best construction teams are always governed by safety above all. Since construction sites are extremely hazardous work environments, workers are always at risk. Any injury can deal a severe blow to the advancement of a project.

The team should be able to collaborate fluidly.

Reddy Kancharla notes that as soon as the project is underway, members of the construction team should be able to fluidly work with one another. As in any endeavor in life, members of a team work closely with one another, even if they come from different backgrounds. In construction, this is true as well.

The team’s leaders always foster constant communication.

It’s the role of foremen to oversee the progress of the team and to relay whatever issue there is with the higher-ups. This is fairly simply with smaller projects such as houses. But with bigger structures, the moving parts are multiplied. The team’s leaders should always be aware of everything that’s happening. And this can be done – through constant communication.

Reddy Kancharla has more than 25 years of experience in civil construction, geotechnical consultation, and construction QA/QC, and more than a decade in senior management for civil engineering firms. Subscribe to this Twitter page for more updates.