Project Report: Analyzing Soil Erosion in Civil Engineering and Design

This individual report examines the critical issue of soil erosion within the context of civil engineering design and construction. The report begins with an introduction highlighting the significance of soil erosion as a common problem in the construction industry, emphasizing its potential to cause structural damage and project failures. Task 1 focuses on project identification, research methods, and feasibility studies related to soil erosion, including an overview of the problem, research methodologies, and the assessment of project viability. Task 2 delves into the scope of the project, identifying potential resources, costs, personnel, and timelines, alongside an exploration of various techniques for potential solutions and cost planning. Task 3 evaluates project management solutions, such as PERT or CPM, to assess the project specifications, justifying the chosen solution and comparing the planned resources, timelines, and costs with the actual outcomes. Task 4 presents a comprehensive report of the project, detailing each stage of the processes and providing recommendations for selecting an appropriate audience for the final project results. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of addressing soil erosion in civil engineering to ensure the success and quality of construction projects. The report also provides the project aim, rationale, and objectives along with the specifications of the project.

INDIVIDUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
a) Project identification................................................................................................................1
b) Research methods....................................................................................................................1
c) Feasibility studies....................................................................................................................2
d) Brief specification...................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
a) Scope of project and identifying potential resources, costs, personnel and timescale
involved.......................................................................................................................................4
b) Range of techniques for potential solution..............................................................................5
Indication of cost and cost planning............................................................................................5
c) Prepare and update the ongoing project management plan and standard system....................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
a) Evaluation of potential project management solution with the help of PERT or CPM state
the current project specification...................................................................................................7
b) Justified the solution with refer to initial state project............................................................8
c) Comparison of result or outcome of initial planned resources, timescale and cost with
proper outcome............................................................................................................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
a) Produce the report of project stating with each stage of processes.........................................9
b) Representing the final project result or outcome that recommendation to select an
appropriate audience....................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REREFENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Soil Erosion is one of the most common problem in construction industry. Many times,
construction of buildings and roads churns up the ground and exposes the soil to erosion. In
some locations forest, grassland is cleared that results in soil erosion (Demirkesen and Ozorhon,
2017). Due to this it becomes important for civil engineering and construction to focus upon soil
erosion problem as it can result in demolish of building. For construction industry it is one of the
most important and vital process which helps the organizations in this industry to manage all
kinds of problems associated with construction projects, their resources, workforce etc. and
further helps decision making associated with the company. It is important for construction
organizations to manage all kinds of problems at construction location. This project will lay
emphasis upon soil erosion problem in civil engineering design and construction.
TASK 1
a) Project identification
Overview
Soil erosion is one of those problem that can be faced by people working in civil
engineering design and construction. Management of this problems at different phases of
construction within designing phase, operational and construction phase has become extremely
important for organizations. Soil erosion can result in failure of construction project.
Problem area
Due to soil erosion problems it becomes important for engineers, architects and other
important stakeholders to focus upon their designing and plan in such a manner that this problem
can be minimized. For this many times stakeholders perform a land and soil test upon the land on
which construction will take place so that strength of the land can be identified. But still many
times this issue in civil engineering cannot be eliminated completely because soil erosion of both
construction site (Fang, 2017). Due to these factors it becomes important for construction
organizations to focus upon soil erosion problem in civil engineering design and construction.
b) Research methods
According to the view of Fjordholm and et. al., (2017) Soil is a crucial and important part
of civil engineering and construction industry. There are various kinds of technical examinations
that can help in examining soil erosion problems and methods through which such kind of
problems can be avoided. Fjordholm and et. al., (2017) examples that site damage from sediment
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is the most important and crucial problem which is faced by construction sites. These sediments
are created because of soil erosion when soil is disturbed, exposed and left bare. If this problem
is not resolved then it can not only damage quality of soil bot can impact overall quality of
construction and can result in failure of the project. Construction activities such as grading and
filling, drastically reduce soil quality on construction sites. Due to this soil quality management
on construction sites for protecting both on- site and off- site damage after increasing soil
strength.
As per the view of Morgan and Nearing, eds., (2016) there are various kinds of tools and
principles that can be applied in construction projects for Construction Erosion Control. Some of
the most common principles that can help in controlling soil erosion control are: division of
project into smaller phases by clearing small areas of vegetations, covering disturbed soil as soon
as possible, minimizing length and steepness of the slope, preventing sediment moment off-site.
There are many other principles that can help in reducing soil erosion problem in civil
engineering and engineering.
c) Feasibility studies
Feasibility study is one of the most important things which is required to be focused upon
within every project. Feasibility study of this project will help in examining separate areas of
civil engineering project, alternative approaches that can be used within this industry for
management of problems associated with soil erosion problems because of this problem in
construction industry. There are many problems in civil engineering design and construction
processes can be identified and categorised into two categories: First is the category which is
described as threat that can impact a project in a negative manner and in a drastic way. For
example, continuous raining in nearby construction place where changes of soil erosion are high
can increase flooding or demolishment changes of building other accidents can increase. Another
category is opportunity category. These are kind of problems that can help in increasing chances
of success of construction projects. For example, Changes of soil erosion on local near by area
can increase opportunity of agriculture for nearby farmers which will not only help in increasing
soil utilization but also help in reducing soil erosion chances. Increasing soil erosion chances at
construction site has increased management chances of soil erosion because of which it becomes
important to conduct a feasibility study increases where all kinds of conditions in which this
problems can occur can be analysed so that success chances of the project can be increased
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(Ivanov and et. al., 2019). For this there are various areas that are required to be studied such as
technical feasibility, legal, economic, operational and scheduling feasibility of the project is
required to be done. Feasibility study of the project helped in identifying that there are four main
types of alternate solutions that can be used for management of soil erosion problem. First
method is to avoid soil erosion problem by conducting a soil test on the construction land.
There are carious kinds of approaches that can be used in construction projects to reduce soil
erosion problems. However, for this it is important to maintained ensure that entire process work
is done properly.
Preliminary design: the main reason because of which many constructions projects fail is
because of failure of preliminary design. It is one of the most important and initial steps of a
construction project which can help in reducing chances of soil erosion problem.
Detailed design: It is another important step of a construction project in which all the
considerations, problems are considered and resolved. It helps in resolving issues such as lack of
stability and durability of project, improper design, overestimation of price of the project.
d) Brief specification
Project aim
The main aim of this project is to analyse ways in which soil erosion problem in civil
engineering design and construction can be reduced.
Reason of selecting Aim
The main reason because of which this aim has been selected is to reduce this soil erosion
problems in civil engineering and construction. It is important to be considered in order to
increase success chances of a project and maintain overall quality of the construction project.
Project rationale
This project will focus upon exploring soil erosion problem at construction site and ways
in which it can be resolved this is because in this industry more than 25 percent of project fail
due to soil erosion problem (Schaufelberger and Holm, 2017). No only this it further decreases
overall quality of the building.
Project objectives
Main objectives of the project are:
 To identify reasons that causes soil erosion problem to occur civil engineering design and
construction sites.
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 To analyse different kinds of threats that can increase because of soil erosion
Specifications of the project
Specifications of the project helps in describing product, materials, work which is
required to be carried out in construction. These specifications do not include quantity, cost or
drawn information, in fact, it is related to quality, drawing and schedules. Clear specifications of
a project help in achieving successful outcomes. Not only this, defining clear specifications can
help in understanding dependability of each stage clearly. Specifications of a project are
described in two categories: performance specification and prescriptive specification (Mesároš
and Mandičák, 2017). Performance specifications mainly includes type of construction and
product or building which is being constructed. Performance specification are majorly written on
projects that are straight. These types of specifications are important to be discussed and
specified especially if there are certain chances of soil erosion problem so that chances within
building design, material used can be brought in a timely manner. whereas perspective
specification is majorly written for more complex building. Specifications of a project helps in
identifying type of problems associated with a project and ways in which it can be managed in a
proper and appropriate manner.
TASK 2
a) Scope of project and identifying potential resources, costs, personnel and timescale involved.
Project can be defined as a clear document in which boundaries of the project are
described in a clear manner. it involves gathering information at the start of the project which is
required to be consisted while doing or completing a project. Project scope of this project will
help in identifying potential resources of a project, cost associated with a project, time scale
within which it is required to be completed.
Potential resources
Defining resources of a project is one of the most important things which is required to
be focused upon within construction projects as it helps them in understanding types of
researches that are required within the project. Defining potential resource also helps in reducing
issues or problems associated with the project and resolving problems that might occur within a
project. Potential resources required for this project are: workforce who will be working on the
project, project management software for planning of whole project and for keeping a track of
whole project and its pre- defined deadlines (Kozlovska, Mackova and Spisakova, 2016). Civil
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engineer who can identify main causes that can result in soil erosion and changes required to be
brought within construction design in order to deal with it. Project manager for analysis of
resources requirement by each task so that whole project can be completed in a proper manner.
main resources that are required for this project are human resources.
Project Cost
Cost is another most important aspect of project scope as it helps in identifying overall
budget of the project. Project manager majorly focuses upon determining and maintaining actual
cost associated with the construction project. Cost associated with the project in which this
whole project will be completed is £10,000.
Timescale
Another important part of project scope is timescale. Timescale of a project helps the
project manager to identify time duration within which a project is required to be completed.
Time duration required for completion of this project is 140 days which is approximately 4.6
months.
b) Range of techniques for potential solution
It has been identified that there are various reasons because of which soil erosion problem
can occur in civil engineering and construction projects. There are various kinds of potential
solutions that can help in resolving this problem:
 Articulated concrete blocks acts as a revetment system that can be constructed in different
variety of shapes and thickness. It is majorly used for erosion control by managing
waterways and manmade water drainage channels.
 Geotextile is another method which is used for controlling soil erosion problem by improving
soil for roads, pipelines etc. Type of geotextile used is completely based upon carious
criteria’s, filtration, drainage, sealing, reinforcement and protection.
 Dust control methods can be used at any construction sites where there is potential for air and
water pollution from dust travelling though the air. Common methods of dust control in soil
includes misted water, silt fences and polymer additives.
Indication of cost and cost planning
Overall cost estimated of a project is always based upon planning, designing and other
stages of a construction project. Overall budget for this project is £10,000. This budget is
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calculated on the basis of site engineering, site plan, designing, architectural design, control
measures etc.
c) Prepare and update the ongoing project management plan and standard system.
Gantt chart, PERT and CPM can be used to track overall progress of a project and can also
be used for tracking overall progress of the project and milestones achieved till now and
milestones required to achieved.
 Gantt chart is a kind of graphical representation of overall project schedule that helps in
explaining dependencies between all the task or activities of a project. It is also used for
identification of start and competition time and date of a project.
 PERT chart is also known as Project evaluation and review technique which is used for
identification of identification of time intervals so that a particular task or activity can be
finished within defined time period.
 CPM is also known as Critical path method which is used for identification of critical path
using which a project can be completed within a shortest possible time period.
Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Site planning engineering
and desing 10 days Fri 7/10/20 Thu 7/23/20
Site plan Approval 10 days Fri 7/24/20 Thu 8/6/20 1
Authorization to proceed 5 days Fri 8/7/20 Thu 8/13/20 1,2
Land distribution and
planning 15 days Fri 8/14/20 Thu 9/3/20 3
Architectural design 12 days Fri 9/4/20 Mon 9/21/20 4
Temporary Stockpiles 10 days Tue 9/22/20 Mon 10/5/20 4,5
Stabalizing exposed area 8 days Tue 9/22/20 Thu 10/1/20 4,5
Installing perimeter
control 10 days Tue 9/22/20 Mon 10/5/20 4,5
Employing detention
devices 10 days Tue 9/22/20 Mon 10/5/20 4,5
Construction 50 days Tue 10/6/20 Mon 12/14/20 9
Gantt Chart
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TASK 3
a) Evaluation of potential project management solution with the help of PERT or CPM state the
current project specification.
PERT and CPM are used within various kinds of projects for understanding start and end
date of a project and time duration required to complete each and every task in a proper and
appropriate manner. In this project both PERT and CPM can be used for management of all the
main operations of the project in a successful manner. in civil engineering and construction
projects it helps in reducing complexity of the project and also helps in completing the project in
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defined time period. Not only this, it further helps in controlling overall budget and schedule of
the construction project as well. PERT can be used in any kind of project including construction
projects as well. In this project it can be used for monitoring problems associated with the
projects (Arefazar and et. al., 2019). Most of the CPM are developed on the basis of log book in
which all the main task their inter- dependencies and overall duration which those activities will
be completed are explained in a brief manner.
PERT is a Program evaluation and review technique which is a kind of statistical tool
which is majorly used for designing and analysing all the task involved in a given project. In the
above PERT diagram, all the main task of the project duration which within all the task will be
completed individually with their start and end date have been explained in a clear manner.
PERT clearly explains that overall time duration required to complete the project is in 140 days.
Whereas, critical path method is a kind of method which is used to select critical and most
optimum path with the help of which whole project can be completed in least time period. Above
critical path clearly explains the critical path using which project can be completed in the
shortest duration or time period is 90 days.
b) Justified the solution with refer to initial state project.
Both PERT and CPM are one of the most suitable project management methods or
techniques that can be used for proper project planning. Usage and implementation of these
techniques at the initial stage of a project can help in defining overall scope of the project. Both
the techniques can be used for evaluation of final results and outcome of the project and can also
help in identifying resources, time and cost required for completion of a project. This is because
of all the sub- task of a project require different time- period for completion and different
resources and cost for completion. For this project according to critical path method this project
can be completed within 90 days’ time period Whereas overall time required for completion of
this project is 140 days.
c) Comparison of result or outcome of initial planned resources, timescale and cost with proper
outcome.
There is a lot of different in final and final plan for the construction project. If both the results are
compared then it has been identified that at initial level, time duration required for completing
the project was 140 days and cost required for completion was $10,000. Whereas according to
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final plan overall duration required for completion of the project was 90 days and cost required
for completion of the project is $8,000.
TASK 4
a) Produce the report of project stating with each stage of processes.
Project introduction: At this stage introduction of the overall project is provided with main aim
and objectives of the project. The main aim of this project is ‘to analyse ways in which soil
erosion problem in civil engineering design and construction can be reduced’.
Setting initial project scope: in this stage overall project scope is identified so that overall budget
of the project can be identified, time duration required to complete the project and resources
required for completion of the project in a proper and appropriate manner.
Data collection: In this stage all the primary as well as secondary data required to gaining
understanding of the project is collected. Secondary data is collected in the form of literature
review so that understanding of the project can be gained and a base can be developed for the
project.
Data Analysis: At this stage all the data collected is analysed so that desired aim and objectives
of the project can be achieved in a proper and appropriate manner. Analysis of data can also help
in identifying appropriate solutions for resolving soil erosion problem in civil engineering and
construction project.
Actions taken: one the basis of data analysis proper and appropriate and required actions can be
taken for mitigation of increasing changes of soil erosion problem. Some of the most common
actions
Summary: Lastly on the basis of data collection, analysis and actions taken proper and required
recommendations and actions taken are defined and conclusion is defined in which learning from
the project is identified.
b) Representing the final project result or outcome that recommendation to select an appropriate
audience.
Recommendation that can further help in management of a proper in a much appropriate
manner have been defined below: It has been identified that it is important for site manager and
other construction site workers to have wide knowledge of reasons because of which soil erosion
problem can occur and ways in which this problem can be resolved. So provision of training,
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knowledge of site location and ways in which soil erosion problem can be resolved. Provision of
training can help in enhancing knowledge of workers related to the project.
CONCLUSION
From the above project it has been summarized that project management is one of the
most important part of a construction project which can help in reducing soil erosion problem in
civil engineering and construction projects. it can help in enhancing success chances of a project
and can also help in enhancing overall quality of the construction project. It has been identified
that there are various kinds of methods or techniques that can be used for reducing chances of
soil erosion problem in construction. It has also been analysed that Gantt chart help in identifying
overall time duration required for completion of a project. Whereas, PERT and CPM can help in
identification of smartest time required for completion of the project. It further helps in reducing
overall cost and resources required for completion of a project.
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