The Chronicles of a Structural Engineer in Times of Covid-19

Someone ate a bat somewhere in China and the construction industry in India had a meltdown. Sites were shut, labourers started fleeing and construction activities came to a screeching halt. Since the last 3 months of Covid-19 pandemic, clouds of uncertainty are hovering over everyone involved- right from Client, Contractor and Engineers to the Labors. Only the sites related to essential services (https://www.building.govt.nz/covid-19/essential-business/) and those in green zones were allowed to continue. As we are slowly moving towards the ‘unlock’ phase of the pandemic, it is imperative to share our experiences of growth and change.

Being Structural Engineers, a site visit is an absolutely essential part of our duty to supervise and ensure everything is being carried out as per drawings and designs provided by us. Also, a site visit is something that ‘work from home’ cannot accommodate. This is a brief account of how a perfectly normal experience of a site visit for supervision has changed and how we dealt with them.

Behind the Scenes

Managing Anxiety- Structural engineers do get their share of adventures on site, but this situation was different, given the invisible and deadly nature of the virus. Naturally, our own as well as family’s anxiety was anticipated. Taking it into consideration, we explained to them the significance of our duty and re-assured regarding the precautions that will be taken to our level best. We had to keep the mental preparedness of a soldier, and they had to keep the mental preparedness that of a soldier’s family.

Safety precautions- We were equipped with masks, sanitizers, gloves at all times. As an abundant precaution, we inquired the whereabouts and health of the people we were about to meet and whether they have been following the necessary precautions.

Site accessories- We were better prepared than ever with essentials like drawings, stationery, food, etc (because no one would be willing to even share a pen), to carry your duty without trouble on site.

Adapting to changes encountered on site

Sanitization measures- Temperature checks, passing through sanitization units and sanitizer stands at regular intervals on site had become the new normal. It was observed that many guidelines issued in public interest by CPWD in Delhi were being diligently followed here too.(https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cpwd-to-observe-guidelines-at-construction-sites/article31536210.ece)

Safety measures- Apart from Covid-19 precaution measure, site safety measures like helmets, jackets, shoes, etc were also taken. It goes without saying that one doesn’t want to trip, tumble and end up in a hospital during these times.

Economical Structural Modifications- In these times, when each party involved is economically vulnerable, many design aspects of the structure had to be re-imagined from an economic perspective. As structural designers, we had foreseen this problem and were prepared with alternative design suggestions. Keeping in mind the portion of structure already executed, revisions were made in the remaining structure. The key to re-imagining a design is to consider the aspects like minimum use of materials, without compromising in strength and safety, making it least troublesome for contractor to work upon as well as accommodating scope for any future expansion.

Material management- Construction industry is grappling with two grave problems such as manpower and material shortage. One may be expected to make the best out of the available resources and think on feet while dealing with the 5Ms of management- money, manpower, material, minutes, machinery and methods more than ever now. Certain structural elements had to be changed based on the materials which were readily available and designs were modified accordingly.

Sustainability- An aspect which was otherwise compromised is now under limelight. The construction community is looking at sustainability as an alternative to economize construction. The client inquired with us and the Contractor regarding re-utilization of some structural elements from debris of demolished adjoining shed which were lying around unused on site. It was suggested that the materials undergo strength tests and other material quality tests to validate their use in structure and only those fit be utilized.

In short, a visit to the site now is a lot more sanitized and radicalized experience for an engineer. A lot other changes like working from home, realizing how much this industry depends on site labourers and honoring their needs, increased reliability on software and technology are also observed. It is rightly said by the great scientist Stephen Hawking that-

“Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change”

– Stephen Hawking

We have now dealt with the fact that we can’t escape the storm, but only learn to adjust our sails while it is here. After all, the show must go on..