SYSTEM APPROACH IN CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT PLANNING FOR EARTH & ROCKFILL DAMS

Abstract

The proper selection of equipment for a project is of vital importance for economic execution of the project. Use of mechanical equipment offers many advantages, especially when the nature of work is difficult for human labour to cope with and also when time is the essence of construction activity, but without proper selection, these advantages may not be obtained. Equipment planning on major construction projects includes besides its selection, the decision about working shifts, number and size of machines, the matching of units working in a team. The selection of type of equipment usually depends upon soil, valley conditions and upon the characteristics of material to be handled. Whether to use wheeled equipment or track equipment, to use bottom dump or rear dump trucks, to use dragline excavator or power shovel, to use cable ways or cranes and trestles for concrete placement are some of the questions that may have to be answered by the planners of construction equipment after considering the project requirements and site conditions. The number and size of machines selected depend upon the magnitude of work, working days available and number of working shifts in a day. All equipment working in a team must be properly matched in size. The problem of equipment management assume complexity for various reasons. The magnitude of present-day constructions necessitate the fullest utilization of the equipment on projects. The variety of equipment of different makes, offering improved technical features, complicates the problem of selection....