Most construction sites that run into trouble do so for reasons related to managerial factors rather than because of technical problems. The site-based management can make significant improvements in the cost and time savings during the construction process without involving a mass of additional work. The role of site managers is to control and maintain work performance and then taking actions to rectify situations where performance is unsatisfactory. Concepts and Formulas of Construction Site Layout Planning Elements: A well-planned site including all temporary facilities and utilities lead to: 1) increasing productivity and safety, 2) reducing area(s) needed for temporary construction, and 3) maximizing utilization. The following points should be considered in good site layout Site layout planning can affect productivity and is crucial to project success. However, as construction is heterogeneous in the nature of its organizations, project designs, time constraints, environmental effects, etc., site layout planning for each project becomes unique. Affected by many uncertainties variables! And variations, site layout planning is a typical multi objective problem. Problem solving requires representing the problem in a language that problem solvers can understand. However, solutions of most construction problems rely on empirical Knowledge about the site layout that can be as a site space allocation for material storage, working areas, units of accommodation, plant positions, general circulation areas, and also access and egress for deliveries and emergency services. Furthermore, conflicting objectives and the uniqueness of construction projects like bad site layout make the problems difficult to conceptualize and define.

1. DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
B TECH 8th
SEMESTER
01 1827 CONSTRUCTION PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
L-T-P: 3-0-0 Credit: 3
Site organization: layout: work study: Decision making processes: CPM and L. P. Project
monitoring.
Total number of Lecture: 10
Lecture No. 25, 26 and 27
Introduction:
Most construction sites that run into trouble do so for reasons related to managerial factors rather
than because of technical problems. The site-based management can make significant improvements
in the cost and time savings during the construction process without involving a mass of additional
work. The role of site managers is to control and maintain work performance and then taking actions
to rectify situations where performance is unsatisfactory.
Concepts and Formulas of Construction Site Layout Planning Elements:
A well-planned site including all temporary facilities and utilities lead to: 1) increasing productivity
and safety, 2) reducing area(s) needed for temporary construction, and 3) maximizing utilization. The
following points should be considered in good site layout
Site layout planning can affect productivity and is crucial to project success. However, as
construction is heterogeneous in the nature of its organizations, project designs, time constraints,
environmental effects, etc., site layout planning for each project becomes unique. Affected by many
uncertainties variables! And variations, site layout planning is a typical multi objective problem.
Problem solving requires representing the problem in a language that problem solvers can
understand. However, solutions of most construction problems rely on empirical Knowledge about
the site layout that can be as a site space allocation for material storage, working areas, units of
accommodation, plant positions, general circulation areas, and also access and egress for deliveries
and emergency services. Furthermore, conflicting objectives and the uniqueness of construction
projects like bad site layout make the problems difficult to conceptualize and define.
Significance of Site Layout Planning
Site layout shows the relationship of the proposed site with its surroundings with respect to
communication, approaches, and existing facilities. Good site layout planning assists in minimizing
the traveling time and movement costs of plant, labor, and materials, activity interference during
construction work, and site accidents, and ensures that work on buildings and other construction

2. positions is not impeded by the thoughtless storage of materials on these locations. So site layout can
thus either enhance or adversely affect construction productivity and progress. It is important to
acquire the knowledge of the project site before setting out the site layout. The knowledge about the
project site can be obtained from:
Site Investigation (SI):
Site investigation is a process of site exploration consisting of boring, sampling and testing so as to
obtain geotechnical information for a safe, practical and economical geotechnical evaluation and
design. Generally it is an exploration or discovery of the ground conditions especially on untouched
site.
In other words the main purpose of site investigation is to determine within practical limits, the
depth, thickness, extent and compositions of each subsoil stratum, the depth and type of rock, the
depth and composition of groundwater, the strength, compressibility and hydraulic characteristics of
soil strata required by geotechnical engineers. Sometimes it is also known as geotechnical
investigation.
A site layout plan shows a detailed layout of the whole site and the relationship of the proposed
works with the boundary of the property, nearby roads and neighbouring buildings.
Most applications should include an existing site layout plan and a proposed site layout plan. For
simple applications the existing and proposed site can be combined and shown on one plan so long as
what is existing, what is proposed and what is to be demolished is highlighted and annotated clearly.
Safety:
 Fire prevention: Fire is a major cause of damage on construction sites. So that, fire
extinguishers are basic requirements on a construction project.
 Medical services: On construction project a first aid kit is a must. In remote projects a well-
equipped medical room with a doctor and nurse is important.
 Construction safety clothing: Basic safety supplies like safety shoes, hard hats, gloves, and
goggles must be used by workers.
Site Accessibility:
Easy accessibility will keep the morale of the equipment and vehicle drivers high, minimize the
chance of accidents, and save time in maneuvering to arrive at and leave the project. In case of large
projects, proper planning is required to layout the roads leading from the nearest highway. Internal
roads are necessary for easy flow of work. Also, Parking Lots are provided for the owner, office, and
craft personnel, but this facility must be planned where space does exist.

3. Information Signs:
 Site map: It should locate details of the project, and displayed in the office of the site
superintendent or project manager and posted at the entrance gate.
 Traffic regulatory signs: For large projects, traffic regulatory signs help in guiding the traffic
on the site and avoid accidents to a considerable extent.
 Display of labor relations’ policy and safety rules: This will help in eliminating disputes
between labor and management.
 Emergency routes and underground services: It is important to display the emergency escape
routes on every floor as the building progresses. Locations of underground services should be
marked to prevent its damage.
Security:
 Entrance: It is necessary to have a proper guard entrance to the site provided by a booth. Also,
it is necessary to keep track of all visitors to the project.
 Lighting: It is necessary to have a standby generator to maintain site lighting.
 Fencing: The boundary should be fenced off from a security point of view.
Accommodation:
On large construction projects, it is necessary to provide camp accommodation for all type of staff
involved in the project.
Offices:
The offices should be close together, close to the site, and in a safe area. Also, provide the offices
with proper office equipment. The offices at the site may include job office, general contractor office,
and sub-contractors and consultants Offices.
Water Supply and Sanitation:
It is necessary to have water and toilet facilities in convenient locations to accommodate the work
force.
Material Handling:
One third or more of all construction operations can be classified as material handling. The use of
proper equipment for material handling and advance planning for minimizing multiple handling will
result in direct cost and time savings.

4. Storage and site cleaning:
It is necessary to plan and reserve storage areas for materials so that multiple movement of material is
avoided.
 Laydown areas: Areas reserved for storage of large materials and equipment and it can be
short-term or long-term.
 Warehouses: They are sheltered storage facilities where materials are stored until they have
disbursed to the job.
 Material staging areas: They used when materials are stored near the work on a short-term
basis. They are generally as close to work as possible.
 Site cleaning: It is necessary at a work place and especially where the extent of debris
produced is high. Regular disposal of debris is necessary.
Craft Change-Houses:
Craft change-houses provide sheltered space for craft personnel to change and store clothes, wash,
and rest during waiting periods.
Batch plant and Fabrication Shops:
Batch plants are provided on projects where it is more economical to produce concrete on site than to
buy a ready mix. Aggregate storage piles, cement silos, and admixture tanks will accompany an on-
site batch plant. Shops are used where materials and equipment are fabricated on site. This includes
electrical, mechanical, carpentry, and paint shops. Also, testing shops used to house the necessary
testing equipment and personnel for the project.
Wok Procedure for SI:
Steps of work involved in site investigation:
1. Desk study to collect all the relevant data and information,
2. Reconnaissance of site works,
3. Planning program after reviewing the above,
4. Ground or soil exploration includes boring, sampling and testing,
5. Laboratory testing (also field if necessary),

5. 6. Preparation and documentation of SI report,
7. Engineering design stages,
8. Review during construction and monitoring.
Steps of Soil Exploration
Soil exploration consists of:
Boring: Refers to drilling or advancing a hole in the ground. The test would include hand auger,
motorized hand boring (wash boring), deep boring (rotary drilling), and/or trial pits.
Sampling: Refers to removing soil from the hole. The samples can be classified as disturbed or
undisturbed sampling. Disturbed samples are usually used for soil grain-size analysis, determination
of liquid limit, specific gravity of soil as well as compaction test and California bearing ratio (CBR).
The undisturbed samples are collected at least every 1.5 m and if changes occur within 1.5 m
intervals, an additional sample should be taken.
Testing: Refers to determining the properties from the soil. The test can be performing either at
laboratory or at field. Laboratory testing would normally be moisture content, sieve analysis, liquid
limit, compaction test, CBR and so forth. Field test would include Standard Penetration Test (SPT),
Cone Penetration Test (CPT) and Vane test.
Record of Soil Exploration:
It is important to keep complete and accurate records of all data collected. Boring, sampling and
testing are often costly. A good map giving specific locations of all boring should be available. All
boring should be identified and its location documented by measurement to permanent features. And
all pertinent data should be recorded in the field on a boring log sheet. Soil data obtained from a
series of test boring can best be presented by preparing a geologic profile:
Arrangement of various layers of soil,
Ground water table,
Existing / proposed structures,
Soil properties data (e.g., Standard Penetration Test values).

6. The profile was prepared with data obtained from the boring, sampling and testing of each borehole
from selected points.
Decision Criteria and Site Facilities Adopted in Site Layout Planning:
Although each site layout is unique, site layout planning can be resolved into a repetitive selection-
evaluation process. Several analysis techniques can be used for the selection process for example, the
dominant factor analysis and Parker s judgment technique, which can be used to screen out available
decisions in choosing facilities, and identify key decision factors and locations for each particular
facility.
All space-planning problems consist of a set of activities to be located and a space in which to locate
them. Site layout planning consists of identifying the facilities needed to support construction
operations, determining their size and shape, and positioning them within the boundaries of the site.
So, the most temporary facilities are classified into six important categories.
Temporary facilities
Description
Access road and exit
Needs vary with the type of project and the stage of the job. It will normally be linked with the plan
of construction and in some cases may actually control the progress of construction. Ideally, short
direct routes and one-way traffic are encouraged.
Location of plant and equipment
Choice of the major items of the plant is of real consequence on most sites. Correctly chosen and well
operated and maintained equipment enables a construction project to be completed efficiently and
economically.
Material storage and handling area
Areas must be set aside for the storage and handling of material. The objective here is to minimize
waste and losses arising from careless handling, bad storage, or theft, and to reduce costs by
obviating double handling or unnecessary movement.
Site accommodations and welfare facilities

7. Consideration should always be given to the possibility of ensuring that the site accommodations are
kept at a suitable distance from the construction work and are in such a position to enable the site
staff to conduct their duties (welfare facilities also)
Temporary services
This includes water supply, electricity supply, gas, telephones, and drainage the requirements of
which may vary between different projects.
Workshop position
Position should be indicated to enable the site supervisor to arrange for the erection of the following
types of workshops: 1) fitter s shops and work area; 2) joinery shop and machinery area;
3) Reinforcement and bar bending areas; and
4) Concrete mixing.
Bad site layout planning
Bad site layout is usually a multi criteria problem involving in construction site without any or less
temporary facilities regarding to the type of project.
Examples of Site Layout Planning
Example 1
Figure 1 illustrates the layout of building materials and access roads for the purposes of servicing two
hoists for the erection of a low-rise building. Comment on and criticize the present layout in relation
to the positioning of both the materials and hoists.

8. Fig.1: Existing site layout
Criticism of existing site layout:
- Both hoists have separate scaffold staging, causing increased costs.
- Materials are not stockpiled near hoists.
- Entrance to the site is too narrow for truck to pass.
Stores are located behind the batching plant so obscuring storeman's view and check point is
separated from the stores.
- Concrete and mortar mixers are located too far from the hoists.
- Stockpiles are dispersed and hinder unloading.
- Temporary roads are long and narrow.
- Some stores are difficult to reach.
Example 2:

9. Fig. 2: Improved site layout
Suggested improved layout:
- Both hoists are housed in a common scaffold.
- Batching plants have direct discharge into dumpers.
- The access has been widened near the site entrance.
- The stores are located to give a good view of all materials stockpiles, and are sited near the
temporary road.
- Concrete and mortar mixers are located near the hoists.
- The temporary road is shorter and wider.
- A compound is provided to police non-bulk materials.

10. Fig. 3: Existing site layout
Criticism of existing site layout
- In general, the working area is too spread out, making control more difficult and increasing
travelling time about the site which will lead to reducing productivity.
- Site latrines and canteen are too far away, causing loss of time due to unnecessary travelling. There
is no apparent supply of drinking water on site.
- No security fencing is shown.
- Temporary access road should follow the line of the proposed station access road to avoid
duplication of work.
- Surplus excavation should have been led directly to the erosion site to avoid double handling.
- Pylon girders have been stacked over foundation bases, necessitating double handling.
- Site office is wrongly located. As the building rises the view of the site will be blocked.
- Cement store is too far from the mixer.
- Hoist is on the wrong the side of the building, too far from the work areas.
- Mortar-mixing and block-making areas are too far from the building.
- Temporary buildings and storage areas are sited over the line of the sewer. The sewer should be
constructed early to free the ground.
- Steel is laid on the ground and not stacked in an orderly manner. Bending and fabrication benches
are wrongly placed.
- Timber storage area is unorganized.
- Sanitary fittings, pipes, and frames are stacked too near to the access road violating safety.

11. Suggested improved layout:
Fig. 4 shows the suggested improved site layout planning to offset the drawbacks recorded from the
previous site plan given in Fig. 3.
Fig. 4: Improved site layout
Summarizing:
Site investigation product plane such as space allocations and material transportations need a lot of
experience and knowledge. The planning of a site layout in practice will depend upon a number of
factors such as the time and money. The need for careful site layout and site organization planning
becomes more relevant as the size and complexity of the construction operation increases, and
especially where spare site space is very limited.
Scope of site investigation works when planned by different engineers tend to be varied because there
are an infinite number of conditions to be met and the process of planning also leaves many areas
where individual judgment and experiences must be applied. It is also impossible to attempt to
provide an exhaustive step by step guideline applicable to all possible cases. It should be realized that
there is a possibility that any site investigation may leave some area unexplored or overlooked. The
main risk in foundation design is the uncertainty involving in predicting soil conditions which may
change with environment. The more site investigation the more it will reduce the margin of
uncertainty but the time and cost requirement will be exorbitant. Therefore the extent and the cost of
Site Investigation should be such that risk is at an established acceptable level to the designer and
also comply to the accepted code of practice.