4/21/09 Site Visit Comparison

On 4/21/09 (Tuesday) we were paired up and revisited two site here on campus, the basketball facility and the New Res. Hall.

Similar:
One major similarity was the site layout utilization and its housekeeping. At both sites, there was parking on site for laborers. The area was fenced off, trailers were on site, and work was in progress.
Another similarity dealt with the materials on site. On both sites, there was plenty of materials which were eventually going to be used on the project (both sites had mortar mixers and other materials and equipment). Also on both sites, equipment was sitting idle. These both would fall under management of the project manager and under cost control aspects.
A more general comparison would be the overall design commonality. Both projects, yet different, were following the typical Virginia Tech design which includes Hokie Stone. Both sites had mock panels for quality and construction purposes.

Differences:
One of the first major differences I noticed was how each site was organized. At the New Res. site, materials were just piled on top of each other and in the way of workers. There was not nearly as much organization as the basketball facility. This would fall under site utilization of the project.
I also noticed at the New Res. site that there was plenty of still water sitting in the strip footing ditch, which is not a good thing. They type of building that is under construction also has an effect on the means and methods in the different construction practices.
Another difference was location. Most importantly, the location of the New Res. building was in the middle of major pathways right on campus, therefore space was limited. The basketball facility is still on campus, however in the back of campus where students are farther away from getting in the way, therefore allowing more space for the construction site. This all allowing different practices in handling materials and equipment.