Storage Management For Construction

Materials On Site In Sulaimani City

Prepared By

Karukh Hassan Mohammad

Advisor:

Dr. Atta Shekh Karim Abdullah

The University of Sulaimani

Department of Civil Engineering

November, 2017
Content
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Key words: ...................................................................................................................................... 3
1.Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 4
1.1 Importance management material ......................................................................................... 4
1.2 Storing material on construction site ..................................................................................... 4
1.2.1Climatically Sensitive Materials ...................................................................................... 4
1.2.1a Cement........................................................................................................................... 5
1.3 Durable materials ................................................................................................................... 6
1.3.1 Steel Bars ........................................................................................................................ 6
1.3.2 Bricks and Masonry Blocks ............................................................................................ 7
1.3.3 Aggregate ........................................................................................................................ 8
2.Objectives:.................................................................................................................................... 8
3.Methodology ................................................................................................................................ 9
4.Results discussion ...................................................................................................................... 13
5.Conclusion.................................................................................................................................. 14
References ..................................................................................................................................... 15

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Abstract

Materials management is a critical constituent in any construction project. The total cost of
materials may be up to 60% or more of the total cost incurred in construction project dependent
upon the type of project. Effective construction materials management is a key to success for a
construction project and is an important function in order to improve productivity in construction
projects. It is included Defining material requirements for the project, planning, purchasing,
stacking and storage on site and site distribution. When these functions are not properly managed,
materials shortages, surpluses and cash flow problems are likely to occur. Materials required in
construction operations shall be stored, and handled in a way to prevent damage to the materials,
ensure safety of workmen in handling operations and non-interference with public life including
safety of public, prevention of damage to public property and natural environment. This study
carried out into the current practices of stacking and storage management materials on site
including cement, steel, aggregate and brick in the sulaimani city. Two case studies investigated
in this research, identified storage management faults in both projects and compared with standard
storage methods. Ranked the most important factors correlated to material storage on site, the
following problem and remedies are highlighted (1)Lack of adequate site storage space for
stacking materials,(2)Work place becoming over-crowded due to small loading area, (3)Tower
crane distribution problem due to adjacent buildings,(4) Lack of adequate room for the climatically
sensitive materials.

Key words:

Materials management, Storage materials, Stacking handling materials

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1. Introduction:
1.1 Importance management material
Materials management purposes include planning and taking off materials, vendor evaluation and
selection, purchasing, expenditure, material receiving, stacking and storing material and
distribution [1]. Materials constitute a major cost component for construction Industry. The total
cost of construction materials may be 60% or more of the entire budget expensed in construction
project dependent on the type of project [2]. Materials management is an essential function that
improves productivity in construction projects. Therefore, the efficient use and management of
material have an important effect on a company's revenue and can avoid delay in construction
[3].Estimates of increased productivity and revenue due to materials management vary from 8%
[4] up to 12% [5]. This is mostly due to the availability of the right materials prior to work
beginning and the ability to plan the work activities according to the availability of materials [5].
Construction materials storage management on site is a part of materials management, and
construction materials need protection against several dangers. Material such as aggregates,
bricks/blocks may not require enclosed storage protection than appropriate outdoor positioning
and stacking. However, other materials such as reinforcement bars and cement must be covered
against contact with water and humidity in order to avoid rust/corrosion and lumping.
1.2 Storing material on construction site
Site manager must take all reasonable steps to ensure that all goods, materials, substances and
equipment in workplaces are so stacked, stored, secured. Stored materials shall be separately stored
under following classifications, with appropriate care necessary precautions to each Classification:
a) Climatically Sensitive Materials
b) Durable Materials

1.2.1 Climatically Sensitive Materials

Such material shall be stored in properly constructed cabins which must be stored in cool dry and
well ventilated and confines, ensuring its storage without corrosion and without contact to ground
and structural members, without contact to moisture and heat, and away from direct sun. Materials
requiring breathing. Materials subject to deformation under stress shall be supported uniformly so
as not to subject it to bending load or excessive vertical load. Materials subject to loss of quality
through moisture shall be kept within impermeable packaging.

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1.2.1a Cement
Storing of cement on site guidelines

Store cement in a cabin which is dry, leak proof and as moisture proof as possible.
There should be least number of windows in the storage cabin.
Stack the cement bags off the floor on wooden logs in such a way, so that it is about
150 mm to 200 mm above the floor.
The floor may comprise of lean cement concrete or two layers of dry bricks laid on
well consolidated earth.
Keep a space of 600 mm all-round between the exterior walls and the stacks.( figure 1)
Stack the cement bags nearby to each other to decrease circulation of air.
The height of stack should not be more than 10 bags to prevent the possibility of
lumping under pressure.
The width of the stack should not be more than four bags length or 3 meters.
In stacks more than 8 bags high, the cement bags should be arranged alternately length-
wise and cross-wise, so as to link the stacks together and minimize the threat of
collapsing over.
Stack the cement bags in such a manner so as to facilitate their removal and use in the
order in which they are received.
Put label showing date of receipt of cement on each stack of cement bags to distinguish
the age of cement.
When it is required to store cement for a long period of time or during the monsoon;
completely enclose the stack by a water proofing membrane such as polyethylene.
Different types of cement must be stacked and stored separately [6].

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 Fig 1 Storing cement on construction site

1.3 Durable materials

1.3.1 Steel Bars

Steel reinforcement bars shall be stored in a way to avoid distortion, corrosion, scaling and rusting.
Reinforcement bars shall be coated with cement wash before stacking, especially in humid areas.
In case of long time storage or storage in coastal areas, reinforcement bars shall be stacked at least
200 mm above ground level. Bars of different types, sizes and lengths shall be stored separately to
facilitate issues in required sizes and lengths without cutting from standard lengths. Ends of bars
and sections of each type shall be painted with separate designated colors [7].

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1.3.2 Bricks and Masonry Blocks

Stack the bricks near to the site of work so that less energy is required to unload and transport the
bricks again by loading on pallets or in barrows. Different types of bricks (such as clay bricks, clay
fly ash bricks etc.) shall be stacked separately. Bricks of different strengths and sizes (i.e. modular
and non-modular) should be stacked separately. Bricks of different types such as solid bricks,
hollow bricks, and perforated bricks should be stacked separately. While stacking the bricks,
following guidelines must be followed for easy quality inspection and counting.

Stack the bricks on dry firm ground.

Stack should be 50 bricks long, 10 bricks high and not more than 4 bricks in width.
Clear distance between adjacent stacks should not be less than 0.8m.
Put bricks of each truck load in one stack.

Storing concrete blocks at site, following guidelines should be followed.

Do not dump concrete blocks at site.

Store the blocks close to the site of work so that least energy is required for their
transportation.
Unload one block at a time and stack it in regular tiers to minimize breakage and
defacement.
The height of the stack should not be more than 1.2 m. the length of the stack should not
be more than 3 m. and width of the stack should not be more than 2 to 3 blocks.
If blocks are cured for less than 28 days, then stack these blocks separately [7].

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1.3.3 Aggregate

Store aggregate at site on a hard dry and level area of ground

If such a surface is not available then prepare a platform of planks or old corrugated iron
sheets, or a floor of bricks, or a thin layer of lean concrete so as to prevent contamination
with clay, dust, vegetable and other foreign substance.
Maintain adequate distance between stacks of fine and coarse aggregates to prevent the
material at the edges of the stock piles from getting intermixed.
If possible then construct dividing walls to give each type of aggregate its own
compartment.
Stack the fine aggregate in such a place where loss due to effect of wind is minimum.
Stacking of the aggregates should be carried out in regular stacks. The suggested sizes for
stacks are as follows [8].

2. Objectives:

The purpose of material management is to assure that the right material are in the right place, in
the right quantity when needed. The objectives covered in this study are as follows: (Case study:
Buildings in Sulaimani city)

1. Investigate the existing materials storage management processes on site in construction projects
2. Identify problems in stacking and storage materials and compare with standard methods.

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3. Methodology

As the first stage of the research, a comprehensive literature review and a field study were
conducted to learn how materials are currently store and handled in construction projects site. The
purpose of the field study was to determine the state of practice managing and stacking materials
in sulaymani and to complete the literature review. The study was conducted among two
commercial projects it consist of identify the major problems in stacking and storing materials on
construction site so as to reach maximum productivity and minimum waste. Two sites of
commercial projects were observed and carried out to identify storage management problems on
construction site, both the sites were under construct.

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 able 1 compare current practices in storage management on site with standard method
Materials Fault in materials storing case Fault in materials storing Standard method for storing
study 1 case study 2 materials on site
Cement The cement Bags did not covered. The bags are stacked next to the Stack the cement bags should 150
The bags stored on nylon without wall without providing adequate mm to 200 mm above the floor.
distance to ground soil. space. Cement shall be stored in shed
The bags are stacked in center of work which is dry, leak proof and
All cement bags storing directly on
space. Figure 1a moisture proof
the ground floor without any
insulation material. Cement shall be stored in shed
which is dry, leak proof and
Stack more than 10 bags it possible
moisture proof.
of lumping under pressure.
Keep a space of 600 mm all-round
Figure 2a between the exterior walls.[6]

Aggregate Fine aggregate directly stacked on
irregular ground over a piece of woods
and broken blocks without parameter.
Fine and course aggregate stacked close
to each other without dividing wall.
Figure 1b
Fine and course aggregate spread on
the floor beneath workers foot ,and
the worker cross over apart of fine
aggregate to the another floors.
Figure 2b
Aggregate should Store on a hard dry
and level area of ground.
Fine and course aggregate should
store in its own compart.[8]

Brick Stacked the bricks on wet soil. Stacked blocks on the first floor Bricks should stack the on dry firm
and block The bricks stacked beside the wall becoming overloaded and damage ground.
without regarding distance between structure. Keep at least 0.8m distance between
stacks. Figure 1c New received blokes did not adjacent stacks and exterior wall.
separate from blocks age over 28 Blocks are cured for less than 28
. days. Figure 2c days, should stack these
separately.[7]

Steel Stacked the reinforced bars on soil and
did not separate deferent size and length.
Stored the steels beside wall. Figure 1d
Stored the steel bars on the public
way and did not separate deferent
size and length. Figure 2d
Reinforcement bars shall be stacked
at least 200 mm above ground level.
Bars of different types, sizes and
lengths shall be stored separately.
Non-interference with public life
including safety of public.[7]

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A-Cement bags B-Fine aggregate

C-bricks D-Steel bars

Fig-2 stacking material on site (case study 1)

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A-cement bags B-fine aggregate

C-block D-steel bars

Fig 2 storing and stacking materials (case study 2)

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4. Results discussion

Many materials management problems in storing and handling on project site were identified in
the construction industry in the sulaimani city. Site observation carried out to determine faults in
storing and stacking cement, reinforcement bars, aggregate, block and bricks during construction
process on the work space area summarize in table 1. Two sites of construction projects had been
selected for this study, questionnaire interview with their managers were conducted and pointed
out factors became obstacle in front of storage management materials. Small loading area for
workers and lack of adequate site storage space causes work place over crowded. Adjacent
buildings prevent tower crane distribution, Problems on logistic and sequence of materials or
receiving materials before required, it become accumulate materials on storage space. Lack of
adequate room for the effective handling and storing of materials and Difficult to transport
materials around site. Remedies regarding the material management on site is providing an
adequate storage and work space scheduling, in the case of small loading area Just-In-Time
material delivery techniques should provide.

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5. Conclusion
This study has shown a summary overview of current materials storage management practices on
construction Projects. Poor storing and stacking of construction materials on project site affects
the overall performance of construction projects in terms of time, cost, quality and productivity.
Site investigations has shown that both of the projects were absence of proper materials storage
management. Methods were used in storing and handling materials are almost completely wrong
comparing with standard methods.

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References
[1] L. C. Bell and G. Stukhart, Attributes of materials management systems, Journal of
Construction Engineering Construction Engineering and Management, vol. 112(1), pp. 14-
22, 1986.
[2] P. K. Dey, Re-engineering materials management: A case study on an Indian
refinery , Business Process Management Journal, vol. 7(5), pp. 394-408, 2001.

[3] H. Abdul-Rahman and M. N. Alidrisyi, A Perspective of Material Management Practices in

a Fast Developing Economy: the case of Malaysia, Construction Management and Economics,
vol. 12, pp. 412-422, 1994

[4] Akintoye, A. _1995_. Just-in-time application for building material management.

Constr. Manage. Econom., 13_2_, 105113.

[5] Bell, L. C., and Stukhart, G. _1987_. Costs and benefits of materials management systems.
J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 113_2_, 222234.

[6] https://civil-engg-world.blogspot.com/

[7] http://civilblog.org/

[8] Bangladesh National Building Code 2012

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