Kanga Metrics
PROJECT PARTICULARS
Project: construction of a brige
Location: kitwe, Zambia
A contractor constructing a bridge across a muddy stream hired an excavator to help with excavation. It ended up getting stuck in the mud.
HOW IT GOT STUCK
The stream has a lot of sinking silt and clayey soil and as the operator heaved the machine in the stream for better coverage, it started sinking. Instead of professionally maneuvering around the situation to get the machine out of the mud, the operator panicked and jumped out to safety.
WHAT THIS OCCURRENCE AFFECTED
The excavator being stuck caused project delays of over 3months as it took around that time to be able to get it out and continue with the project. This is because a stable platform had to be designed and built to accommodate a crane that would lift it off the stream.
Because the excavator was hired, it also incurred considerable costs on the contractor. Had to pay hire rates for the 90 days it was stuck. The hire rate per day was roughly .
HOW IT WAS REMOVED
A Stable platform was designed and built by clearing on side of the stream and excavating unsuitable soil, damping imported base material (laterite) and compacting to the desirable ratio, damping waste rock and compacting to the desirable ratio. A bearing capacity test was conducted in intervals until a stable base was formed.
Then a crane was hired and erected to heave the machine from the stream.
LESSONS
Site investigations are imperative before project commencement. It’ll serve you a lot of money, a lot of frustrations and a lot of delays.
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