CAREER EPISODE 1

a) Introduction:
CE1.1
In my first career episode I would like to describe my current working position. I have been working a
Assistant Engineering Manager at L&T Power, Chennai, India, since February 2011. My role as a Structural
engineer, I perform various tasks such as administering a group of people, designing and implementation
projects. Currently I have been leading of group of people who are engineers, builders and contractors. I
co-ordinate with this group to perform the following tasks:
the design of connections,
Review of the Design Drawings and
the developing of fabrication drawings for the approved design drawings for the
Turbine Building, Central Control Building, DM Plant building etc., which is a part of
the Thermal Power Generation Plant.
Coordination with client and third party consultant for the approval of drawings.
Recommendation of changes, if any, during the fabrication at site and
Customer satisfaction

Dates : 12.09.2014
Duration : 10 months
Location : Chennai, Tamil Nadu. INDIA
Name of the organization : Larsen & Toubro Power Limited, Thermal Power Plant
Construction Business Unit (TPPC BU), Engineering Design
Research Center (EDRC).
Position Title : Assistant Engineering Manager

b) Background:
CE1.2 Nature of the overall engineering project

It involves the design projects Viz., Feasibility Study, Preparation of Detailed Project Report or
Detailed Engineering Projects undertaken from the Government and Private clients and Pre-bid
projects undertaken mostly for private clients.

It also involves the Project Management Assignments Viz., Construction Supervision

Consultancy Assignments and Independent Engineer Assignments for Lenders. The scope of

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Construction Supervision is Quality Assurance, Project Monitoring and Contract administration with
adequate control on all aspects of the Project. Though objectives are same in the Independent
Consultancy Assignments, the Independent Consultant has lesser control on the above aspects. The
Consultant assists in Quality Assurance, Quantity Control and Contract Administration as required
under the Contract. The scope of the Lenders Independent Engineer is to visit the site periodically
and submit a progress report and certify the disbursements to be made to the Concessionaire, as
and when required.

CE1.3 Objective of the project

Close to 80 per cent of all the mining in India is for coal, by far the most abundantly available fossil
fuel in the country. About 75 % of all that coal is consumed by the power industry to drive more than
50 per cent of the country's total installed capacity.

L&T apart is its all-encompassing capability, extending from conceptualizing to

commissioning power plants. This is because of the company's formidable in-house engineering and
manufacturing capabilities, its experience in executing power plant packages and its renowned
integrated project management capabilities.

To meet the nations need for electricity as per the end users requirements in the most
time bound and in cost effective manner, within the strategic policy framework set by the
Government of India and thus promote economic well being and quality of life of the people.

CE1.4 Nature of your particular work area

As an Assistant Engineering Manager, I am responsible for recommendation of connections
for the Turbine building structure and the detailing of the fabrication drawings. Also I am
responsible for the deliverables as per the site requirements by giving them the inputs for
procurement to the Supply Chain Management (SCM) team. This team will further initiate
the process of procuring the structural steel elements such as steel plates of Built-up
sections and Rolled sections which are in line with the Engineering design drawing.
The structures are for the additional Unit of already existing power plant. I am involved in
Planning, co-ordinating and monitoring of all the Investigations and pre-bid assignments
pertaining to project.
I led group of engineers and CAD draftsmen. The engineers will design the connection and
splice details for the various locations at beams and columns. I will check the interpretation

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 of test results, make remarks and corrections wherever necessary and co-ordinated the
same to the engineer for the modification of the design.
I analyzed the mistakes and inaccuracies made in the design and also investigated their
causes. After completion of every design I discuss with my team engineers the methods to
design for the projects based on the requirements. This has helped me as well as for my
engineers to have expertise in the design aspects. I have also used this expertise in making
decisions which I have implemented and applied in the other design projects.

CE1.5 Organisation Structure: (EDRC division)

EDRC Head

Engineering Manager Engineering Manager

(civil/structural) (Mechanical)
Sh

Asst. Engineering Manager

Asst. Engineering Manager
(Myself)

Design Engineer Design Engineer

Design Engineer Design Engineer

CAD CAD CAD CAD CAD CAD CAD

CAD Draftsmen Draftsmen Draftsmen Draftsmen
Draftsmen Draftsmen Draftsmen
Draftsmen

CE1.6 Statement of your duties

Based on the details of the structures provided by the client, I performed the calculations
wherever necessary to meet the accurate engineering standards. Based on the design
calculations, I had to co-ordinate, discuss with the customers and take decisions on the final
design.

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 I elaborated the design taking into consideration of type of connection, the sections to be
used for the connections, and the requirements for the operation.
I prepared current and final support documentation.
I analyzed the data to carry out a design, inquiring about data which was required for the
design either from another In-house division or from a customer.
I carried out all the necessary calculations as per the Indian Standard design codes
applicable for the project and interpreting with the specification for the validation of all the
designs
I recommended the appropriate type of connection and methods for fabrication, such as
type of weld, thickness of weld, and erection.
I designed and fulfilled an explanatory note with supplementary alternatives.
My team at site carried out the template before the start of work, and problems has been
notified to me for clarifications and suggestions.
I was responsible and involved in all the tests carrying out in laboratory for welds and splice.

c) Personal Workplace Activity:

CE1.7 Technical details of the work
I describe every part of my work in detail as below:
After a task/project is allotted, I had to understand and identify the clients requirements and
search for the possible ways to meet them as per standards and their specifications.
Analyzed the best option and planned my activities accordingly. As a part of my activity
schedule, I analyzed the data carefully which would allow me to define the following:
a) Interpretations of the data as, the section properties of beams/ columns are interlinked
with each other.
b) Selection of the type of weld and its connections
c) The necessity of using a particular type of connections is based on load on beams/
columns.
d) The necessity of the material to be replaced or strengthened for a particular location based
on the requirement of erection.

CE1.8 How you applied your engineering knowledge and skills;

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I selected the connections, such as bolted or welded, and the type of weld whether it to be site
welded or shop welded. Considering the safety of the laborers working at height, I try to
accommodate the maximum possible welds to be done at shop and minimal to be done at site level.
All the connection design has been done as per Indian Standards (IS 800: 2007). During the design
phase, I paid great attention and ensured complete protection measures for natural and other
disasters according to the subsidiary legislation.

CE1.9 The tasks delegated to you and how did accomplish;

The task given to me is accomplished by carrying out all the necessary calculations as follows:

Selecting the type of sections for Splice and connection design;

Ensure whether the Fabrication drawings contain all the details required for the
fabrication.

Calculations of splice levels and connection are done as per the standards and validating as
per the project specification.

Checking for feasibility of calculated Splice level is done as per the availability of plate
sections in market.

Calculation of capacity is done as per the criteria specified in standard specifications.

All the checks such as shear, block failure etc., has been done during the design.

Suggesting plans for the erection team during the post fabrication at site.

After the design is complete, handover the supporting documentation to the client for the
approval.

CE1.10 Any particular technical difficulties/problems and how you solved them;

With respect to my calculations and analysis, I had to choose appropriate plate size, based on the
available plate sizes at site/market. Also I have to consider the surplus material from the previous
project which has to be utilized so that I can minimize the quantity to buy from the manufacturer.
This requirement made me to limit the quantity for each section as per the design. The total quantity
for the turbine building has been limited to 6000MT of structural steel and till now I have utilized
approximately 5500MT of structural steel. This has been possible with the help of the economical

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designs for the Gusset plates, stiffener plates, moment connection plates, splice connection plates
and shear cleat angles. At the preliminary stage, the design drawing for the columns was provided
with stiffeners at 1500mm center to center(c/c). This design was discussed with client and the
columns were designed as an unstiffened section. This made me to reduce the stiffeners by
considering the basic requirements. Hence the stiffeners were reduced by increasing the spacing to
3500mm c/c. This design made a reduced in the quantity for approximately 4 MT per column.

CE1.11 Strategies devised by you including any original or creative design work:

I had prepared the standard design sheets for the following:

The calculation of Shear connection for Built-up and Rolled sections for the all Shear
locations.
The calculation of Moment Connection designs at locations where the beam has been
considered as fixed to the column.
The calculation for Splice Connection at locations where the joints of different sections to
be made.

This finally led to cost saving of the entire project and also made this project possible in a short
duration of time.

CE1.12 How you worked with other team members:

During the project, I had the opportunity to work with the team of specialists. I worked as a group
leader representing my department & organization. I carried out all the primary design developments
with the help of my team members, and also supervised my team for this project. Based on my
professional expertise, I was able to achieve trust and respect among my colleagues and team
members. I conducted interactive sessions regarding the challenges faced in the projects and their
remedial or precautionary measures. I am approachable to the team for their queries and questions
that are in my competence. I often consult with other engineers in the fields outside of my
competency which helped me in solving various complications.

d) Summary

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CE1.13 your view of the overall projects

1. I was able to understand the various standards of detailing activities. This has provided me a
great learning aspect.
2. Each and every Project was a great learning experience which helped me to involve and
study the diversified ways of Engineering.
3. There was difference in all the structures and the technical challenges were good and
handled by me successfully.

CE1.14 how the project fared in meeting the goals/requirements;

1. I achieved all milestones dated as per the schedule.
2. I maintained schedule and controlled Budget as initiated.
3. I met my deadlines on time.

CE1.15 How your personal role contributed to the project.

1. My role was as a Project Engineer from Engineering Department.
2. I was involved in the Design as well as investigation work of the project. With the co-
ordination of all the departments and my own experience I was able to progress as per the
Schedule.

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