Industrial Experience Report: MEng Program at Western Sydney Uni

This industrial experience report documents a student's internship at Hexima International Construction Ltd., undertaken to fulfill the requirements for a Master of Engineering degree at Western Sydney University. The report outlines the company's background, objectives, and organizational structure, detailing its involvement in infrastructure development and civil engineering projects. The student's internship experience is thoroughly described, including tasks such as reading engineering drawings, participating in tendering processes, overseeing excavations, managing concrete and steelworks, and supervising masonry. The report also highlights the benefits gained during the attachment, such as practical experience, moral education, and professional networking, and concludes with recommendations for future improvements. The student actively participated in site meetings, inspections, and preliminary design work using AutoCAD, enhancing their communication and technical skills.

Industrial Experience Report
Submitted for partial fulfilment for the degree of
Master of Engineering
School of Computing Engineering & Mathematics
Western Sydney University
24/February, 2018
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First, I send my appreciation to Hexima International, Construction Ltd. Board for offering me
an opportunity to undertake my industrial attachment from its sites under construction.
Secondly, I send appreciations to the director of the company Mr. Wachira who took his time to
welcome and assign me pertinent tasks. He was a mentor for consultations with relevant
information regarding structural works and construction management.
Thirdly, I take this opportunity to thank my family for the financial and moral support they
accorded me during the attachment period.
Finally my sincere gratitude goes to Almighty for granting me good health throughout the period
of the industrial attachment.
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ABSTRACT
The attachment report contains four chapters. The first chapter elaborates the details of the
company: background including its objectives and its hierarchy structure. This chapter describes
the organization of the company and the role in civil engineering works. The second chapter is
the most hunted chapter which explains my overall internship familiarity in the last successive
weeks. The third chapter explains the benefits of the field attachment and lastly the conclusion
and recommendation chapter.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...................................................................................................2
ABSTRACT........................................................................................................................3
TABLE OF CONTENTS....................................................................................................4
LIST OF FIGURES.............................................................................................................6
1.0Background of field attachment..............................................................................................7
1.1Objectives of the field attachment..........................................................................................7
1.2Background of the organization..............................................................................................7
1.3Structure of the organization...................................................................................................8
CHAPTER TWO: INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE..............................................................9
2.1 Reporting date........................................................................................................................9
2.2 Section of the company worked.............................................................................................9
2.3 Flow in the section.................................................................................................................9
2.31 Site Engineer........................................................................................................................9
2.34 Foreman.............................................................................................................................10
2.35 Masons and labourers.........................................................................................................10
2.41 Reading and interpretation of engineering drawings......................................................10
2.42 Setting out..........................................................................................................................10
2.43 Excavations........................................................................................................................10
2.44 Concrete form work and concrete works...........................................................................11
....................................................................................................................................................11
Figure 2.18.1: concrete form work........................................................................................11
2.45 Steel fixing.........................................................................................................................11
Figure 2.19.1: slab, beams and columns reinforcement steel bars........................................12
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2.46 Masonry work....................................................................................................................12
CHAPTER THREE: BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES..................................................13
3.1 BENEFITS TO STUDENTS
...........................................................................................................................................13
3.11 Experience
...........................................................................................................................................13
3.12 Moral education.
...........................................................................................................................................13
3.13 Network with professionals in your field, for references and future job opportunities.
...........................................................................................................................................13
CHAPTER FOUR: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS..............................15
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2.18.1: concrete form work....................................................................................12
Figure 2.19.1: slab, beams and columns reinforcement steel bars...................................13
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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background of field attachment
Western Sydney University is a public chartered university that offers engineering courses with
relevant training. To realize the Master’s Degree necessity at Western Sydney University,
engineering students are required to proceed on industrial attachment for a minimum of twelve
weeks field. The industrial attachment provides exposure to the engineering students to hands-on
experience and provide the student an opportunity to put into practice the skills learnt in the
university.
1.1 Objectives of the field attachment
The purpose of an industrial attachment at Western Sydney University is to expose the
engineering student to hands-on experience and provide the student an opportunity to put into
practice the skills learnt in the university. The university attaches great importance to the
practical training and it accounts towards the award of the Master’s degree. Additionally, it
serves as a linkage between the students and various relevant industries who consume services
and/or products offered.
1.2 Background of the organization
Hexima International, Construction Ltd. is an International company. The company was
established in Australia in 2008 as guiding project directors and engineers. This company
partakes pronounced understanding in infrastructure growth, construction works, civil
engineering and electrical mechanical atmosphere not only in these but also in railway, bridge,
and solar project. For any most important expansion, this corporation offers an extensive and
excellence variety of expertise to evaluate the projects. Hexima International, Construction Ltd.
has a joint venture with Build works Building Pty Ltd, K.J. McCracken Pty Ltd, Dynatron
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Building Services, M.D.G Builder, Technik Haus Planners and MLEI Consulting Engineers Pty
Ltd (Adelaide based Company).
Aptitudes of this business are Project Construction and development. The range of the project is
well-defined by execution and implementation of engineering practices and as per client
requirements and preferences, they formulate a budget. To assess the diverse processes of
construction of infrastructure by carrying out technical and ecological studies and to recommend
the superlative design to the customer. When there is an ambiguous condition they offer
framework and methodology for rational decision making.
The managing director of Hexima International, Construction Ltd. is known as Mr. Wachira, He
holds a bachelor degree and Masters of Administration too from NSW. In addition, Mr. Wachira
tracked MASCE. (USA) Chartered Professional Engineer and Fellow associate of The Institution
of Engineers, Australia over 30 years of knowledge in Structural Design and High-ranking
Project Director. Mr. Wachira has productively achieved the finishing point of developments
both in Australia and Internationally including Dubai, India and Nortth Korea.
1.3 Structure of the organization
Managing Director
Site engineer
Contractor
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Site agent
Foreman
Masons
Labourers

CHAPTER TWO: INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
2.1 Reporting date
The industrial attachment commenced on 31st of October 2017 at Hexima International,
Construction Ltd in Thindigua construction site. The project is purposed to construct residential
apartments. The University attachment letter and insurance cover were given to the director for
documentation. Since the site had started I was assigned a small task as well keep learning from
other activities by asking questions or simply observations. I was presented with the company’s
Rules and regulations and code of practice. I was presented with Hexima’s International,
Construction Ltd occupational Health and safety plans to familiarize myself. I was also given
logins credentials to the company’s website to go through the completed projects and upcoming
projects.
2.2 Section of the company worked
Tasks were assigned at Thindigua construction site in Sydney. The tasks involved supervision of
the tendering of the upcoming projects, construction works, learning and taking part in the site
meetings.
2.3 Flow in the section
In order to work easily and enhance working flow, the following protocol was observed.
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2.31 Site Engineer
A site engineer offers guidance in the scheduling, co-ordination and regulation of technical
features of building projects. A site engineer's starring role is critical to a building project: they
partake an amount of accountabilities comprising solving technical issues, offering advice,
formulating reports, reviewing design and overseeing construction progress
2.32 Project Manager
A Project Manager is a specialized in the field of Management. Project managers have the
accountability of the scheduling, obtaining resources and implementation of a project, in any
field of engineering.
2.33 Site agent
A site agent is a representative of the service provider in a construction site. He/ She supervises
the overall construction works. The site agent carries the survey works, read out and interprets
the engineering drawings and gives instructions to the foreman.
2.34 Foreman
A foreman is a skilled supervisor responsible working with site engineer, the contractor, the
project manager and the client. The main task is to employ skilled workers for definite work and
the laborers. The foreman focuses in overall management of all activities on site for timely
project completion.
2.35 Masons and laborers.
The group encompasses of masons, carpenters, steel fixers and daily laborers and are out sourced
by foreman and work under strict instructions.
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2.40 Areas explored during the attachment
2.41 Reading and interpretation of engineering drawings.
Engineering drawings are graphical lingos applied by engineers and other mechanical personnel
linked with the engineering line of work. The tenacity of engineering drawing is to send in detail
the concepts and data required for the construction. Engineering drawings available in the
Thindigua construction site includes; Structural drawings, plumbing drawings and Electrical
installation drawings. The site engineer provided assistance in reading and interpretation of the
engineering drawings. This task was carried out during the construction of the columns, beams
and slabs. The drawings aided in steel fixing, a critical stage during construction of a structure.
2.42 General Tendering
Hexima International, Construction Ltd regularly bids for projects. Although I was not familiar
to tendering, the project manager procured keen attention in administering out necessary backing
to comprehend conception of e-tendering. There after I actively took part in tendering process of
the upcoming project alongside other senior members of the company. Later then, I prepared
questionnaire regarding design, time delivery and scope of work. Moreover, I attended the
meeting with prominent companies where the council briefed about the tendering process and
things to be included while lodging tendering. The main point raises at tendering is that the
company has to validate three other alternative bridge designs along with respective assessment
report.
2.43 Excavations
Excavation is the paramount phase of construction. It denotes to the practice of getting rid of soil
or rock from its original location, typically in preparation for construction foundations,
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basements, and underground utility lines and for grading of the ground surface. Excavated
material required for backfill and the grading fill is stockpiled on the site for subsequent use. The
unwanted soil was removed from the construction site.
Excavation works were carried out by the laborers under the supervision of the site agent. The
depth of the foundation was determined by the engineer in the site after the inspection of the type
of soil. The depth of the underground tank was 3350mm.
2.44 Concrete form work and concrete works.
Concrete formwork is a subordinate building, cast-off as a mould for a structure. Fresh concrete
is caused to flow into the mould to let it set in the required shape and size. The formwork
erection is detached when the concrete, strengthens and gains satisfactory métier. In Thindigua
construction site, formworks were laid by use of both steel sheets and timber sheets. The size of
the formwork depended on the size of the structural elements such as beams, columns and slabs.
Formworks were erected using plumb bob, try square and spirit levels for accuracy.
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Figure 2.18.1: concrete form work
Concrete is a uniform mixture of cement, sand, ballast and water at a constant rate. Fresh
concrete is malleable and is able to be moulded easily into whichever shape. Concrete utilized in
forming structural components was class 25 (Ratio 1:2:4) 1 bag of cement, 2bags of sand and 4
bags of ballast and coarse aggregate. The mix was prepared using a concrete mixer and
transported using cranes, steel basins and wheelbarrows.
2.45 Steel fixing
Concrete is considerable weaker in tension than in compression. Its ductile strength is roughly
10% of its compressive métier. This means that concrete is usually cast-off in unification with
steel strengthening that offers the tensile strength in concrete member. The flawless
amalgamation between steel and concrete is owing to the thermal increase of both materials
being the same.
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Figure 2.19.1: Founidations, floor slab, beams and columns reinforcement steel bars.
The steel bars used in construction of in the construction site were round high yield steel main
bars of Y16 while Y8 for links for the slab work.
2.46 Masonry work
Masonry are works that are executed by laying building material units such as stone, brick and
mortar as the binding material. Supervision of laying masonry was done to ensure that the mortar
was in the required ratio and the wall was at the required level. Distribution wires were placed at
alternate courses to ensure even distribution of stresses in the wall.
2.47 Site Inspection and site meetings.
During the entire period of the internship, I attended site meeting and was involved insite
inspection exercises. The site meeting were meant to update the client on the progress of the
project, review of the timelines and project evaluations. The site inspection exercises were
carried to ensure that the project was being undertaken as per the stipulated requirements as per
the Engineering drawings. These practices equipped me with communication and interrelation
skills of the field work.
2.48 Preliminary Design and Drafting.
In addition, I Took part in preliminary design and drafting on Auto CAD of the upcoming Dam
construction project. In order, to outshine on this expertise I applied utmost of the understanding
from recovery route design of structures learnt during my third year of the undergraduate study.
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CHAPTER THREE: BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES
3.1 Benefits to Students.
The industrial attachment seek to offer students a practical translation of the theory they have
been taught. It has also got individual benefit of liaising the university to the industries, hence
brightening the employment chances of the students in the university. Through this attachment, I
have generated a good interpersonal relationship through my interaction with my supervisors and
colleagues. This has assisted me to interact confidently with people irrespective of the position.
Industrial program has offered many advantages in relation to real time situation. At the end of
internship, I progressed a lot and was able to apply learnt subject into practical scenario. Though
it was difficult to work under pressure. My supervisor held me to tackle things in an appropriate
and gave the best solutions. Nonetheless, improved great ability towards conveying and
communicating things in a way ac knowledgeable by the client. There by, reviewed the
communications skills that I learned from unit Professional practice and communication
3.11 Experience
Through my attachment, I have gained some new experiences in the construction industry. I have
also learnt construction workers are struggling their daily tasks which has aided me to improve
on my social life through interaction with construction workers either working under pressure
with or without.
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3.12 Moral education.
Working in the company exposed me to various learning environment or conditions. It has
thereby inculcated in me sympathy for the poor and above all the will to acquire myself from
improving my practical knowledge.
3.13 Network with professionals in your field, for references and future job opportunities.
It’s all about who you know. As a student intern, you are surrounded by professionals in the
industry that you are seeking access to. It’s more than just about getting a grade, earning credit,
or making money. This gave me an opportunity to learn from everyone around me, ask
questions, and impress them with my eagerness.
3.2 Challenges
 Drastic Weather changes disturbing the objectives of the day
 Shortage of knowledge in some portion of work at the site.
 Unsatisfactory answers for questions from construction workers
 Insufficient safety preconditions hence prone to hazards.
 Working under high conditions pressure.
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CHAPTER FOUR: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1.1. Conclusion
The industrial attachment was successful despite the challenges faced. Theoretical skills learnt in
class were practiced in the construction site. Vast experience was successfully gained during the
attachment period. Skills such as setting out, reading and interpretation of drawings, general
tendering and supervision were acquired during the period. I was able to acquire high level of
confidence to deal with problems that arise in a building construction.
Generally, the industrial internship was of assistance to me in understanding all engineering
expertise pertinent to civil engineering. In addition, it boosted the aptitude of intellectual and
managing. On the other hand, internship helped to advance great experience in surveying and
Civil works.
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