IStructE Core Objective 07: Construction

To pass this objective, candidates need to demonstrate that they have practical experience on a construction site, not just working in an office environment.

This is easier for site-based engineers, and is just a simple cae of documenting the work you do everyday. For those based in the office, it is a bit more difficult since construction site opportunities may not arise very often.

Of course, the fact that you are not spending a continuous period of time on site is recognised by the IStructE. Instead, you should be aiming accumulate about 3 months worth of site experience through your project work and site visits. For one project you may visit site multiple times, and this can be grouped into a single item together with a description of what you did.

Experience you gained by working or visiting somewhere other than a construction site can also be sued to contribute towards this objective, including precast (or other) manufacturers, steel fabricators, structural labs, site surveying, timber workshops and more.

What to say in your Final Report

A few things to list in your final report forms are listed below. Also refer to the portfolio evidence below for more useful ideas.

• List all the site activities you have been involved in
• Describe some examples that you think best demonstrate your site experience
• Describe other activities related to construction site management you have been involved in

What to Include in your Portfolio

• Contractor RFIs
• Review of Contractor Submittals (e.g. connection calculations)
• Temporary works sequencing (or review thereof)
• Site visit reports
• Site visit follow up emails
• Structural surveys you undertook or supervised, incl. survey notes
• Site management plans you have produced 
• Site experience record
• Movement and Tolerances reports you have produced
• Any site monitoring or testing you have undertaken or supervised
  (e.g. timber moisture monitoring, pile testing)
• Inspection record
• Outline method statements
• Demolition drawings

What kind of questions to expect in your Interview?

Here are a few example questions which you might be asked for your Professional Review Interview:

• Have you spent any significant amount of time on site?
• What type of headings would you consider key in a concrete or steel specification?
• What is your approach to temporary works? And do you specify them?
• How do you report on site visits and H&S concerns?

Some specific questions depending on what kind of projects you have in your portfolio:

• Difference between slip-formed and jump-formed cores
  
• What alternative basement excavation technique would you consider for this situation?
• What piling technique would you use for this project in the middle of a town?