Civil Engineering

The Department of Civil Engineering organized a professional talk on "Details of Construction and Quantity Surveying" on Thursday, July 3, 2024, in room 2A06 at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST). Mr. Rashed Ahsan, Executive Engineer (Civil) at the Public Works Department (PWD), served as the keynote speaker, adding significant value to the event. He is a certified Engineer with extensive experience working in organizations such as a ready-mix concrete company, World University, UITS, and WaterAid. The event was attended by course instructors of "Details of Construction" and "Quantity Surveying" for the Fall 2023 semester, along with faculty members and second-year students.

Mr. Rashed Ahsan delivered a comprehensive presentation on construction materials and processes, focusing on coarse and fine aggregates, admixtures, and various types of concrete, such as reinforced, prestressed, and fiber-reinforced concrete. He underscored the critical aspects of concrete workability, proper handling, and testing, including the slump test and on-site compaction techniques. The discussion extended to concrete curing, where Mr. Ahsan introduced new technologies such as self-curing admixtures and outlined the factors influencing concrete's durability over time. He further elaborated on the various types and grades of cement, specifically Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Portland Composite Cement (PCC), and their respective applications in the construction industry, drawing attention to the different preferences of government and private sectors. The presentation also highlighted the significance of aggregate shape in concrete production and addressed challenges related to maintaining construction joints in compliance with government regulations.

In his subsequent presentation on "Quantity Surveying," Mr. Ahsan drew from his extensive field experience to discuss different types of estimates, including preliminary, approximate, and detailed estimates, as well as various methods for estimating building quantities. He covered both traditional and modern approaches to quantity surveying and emphasized the importance of the 2022 PWD Rate Schedule, which provides standardized rates for materials, labor, and services in construction projects. Mr. Ahsan also addressed common challenges faced during the estimation process, offering practical solutions and best practices for overcoming these obstacles.

The session concluded with a formal expression of gratitude to Mr. Rashed Ahsan for his expert contributions, which significantly enriched the success of the professional talk.