Best Practice

BEST PRACTICE:

E1−8: Employ a Contractor to Assist Designers and to Perform Constructability Reviews

DESCRIPTION:

An engineer with over 35 years of experience in construction, retired from a local contracting company with extensive bridge building experience in the region, is available on a part−time basis (approx. 20 hours per week) to review plans; discuss economical design and detailing; recommend methods of repairs, construction staging, scheduling, and traffic control phasing; estimate costs; provide time schedules; and assist in resolving field problems.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING:

To provide the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) Office of Bridge Development the benefit of an individual experienced in the construction industry, in general, and bridge construction, in particular. Frequently, designers, especially young engineers, do not have the benefit of actual construction experience and may not be aware of the implications of their design decisions on the contractors who have to build them. Prior to the employment of this retired contractor, SHA design engineers had to rely on their own, sometimes limited experience or had to seek advice from active contractors willing to assist. This practice was not always in the best interest of the State.

PRIMARY BENEFIT(S):

The benefits being realized include: avoidance of design details which are difficult and expensive to build; development of economical methods to build, rehabilitate or repair structures; valuable assistance in the more efficient and economical resolution of field problems; reduction in the number of field problems and construction claims; insight into the contractor's point of view regarding methods and sequences of construction; and the development of the importance of the concept of design constructability in the minds of bridge design engineers. An added benefit is the reduction of inconvenience to the traveling public.

MOST APPLICABLE LOCATION(S)/PROJECT(S):

This practice can be used on all structure projects, regardless of size or location.

STATE(S) WHERE USED:

Maryland

SOURCE/CONTACT(S):

Mark Glass, Chief Bridge Inspection and Remedial Engineering Division, Maryland State Highway Administration
Phone: (410) 545−8439
E−mail: mglass@sha.state.md.us