ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
MCI260S
FINAL PROJECT
By
GROUP NAMES
RIPFUMELO ZITHA 240324862
NONGCEBO LUBISI 240310373
MUDODZWA RASIWELA 240082931
Lecture : Mr [Link]
Date : 2025
Page 1 of 15
Table of Contents
PRE-TENDER AND TENDER PHASE ...............................................................................3
PROJECT DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................3
CONCEPT DRAWINGS .................................................................................................4
PROPOSED SITE LAYOUT ...........................................................................................5
SITE VISIT REPORT.....................................................................................................6
METHOD STATEMENT ................................................................................................8
SITE LAYOUT PLAN .................................................................................................. 10
PRE-CONTRACT PHASE ............................................................................................... 11
GANTT CHART .......................................................................................................... 11
CPN ............................................................................................................................ 11
CONSTRUCTION PHASE ............................................................................................... 12
LABOUR HISTOGRAM .............................................................................................. 12
CASHFLOW ............................................................................................................... 13
PERSONAL REFLECTION AND LESSON LEARNED ..................................................... 14
REFERENCING ............................................................................................................. 15
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PRE-TENDER AND TENDER PHASE
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project focuses on the development of a substantial below-ground reinforced concrete
water reservoir designed to enhance water supply services for the surrounding neighborhoods
in Bellville, Cape Town. The primary goal of this reservoir is to significantly increase the
region’s water storage capacity, thereby providing a more consistent and reliable water supply
to support local infrastructure and community needs.
The estimated total cost for this tender stand at R1.75 million, with an expected project timeline
spanning 7 months. The project will be executed from the contractor's viewpoint, emphasizing
meticulous planning and management from the initial pre-tender stage to the completion and
close-out phase.
The main people involved in this effort include:
➢ Client: City of Cape Town – Water and Sanitation Division, responsible for overseeing
municipal water services and infrastructure.
➢ Consultant: AquaStruct Engineers, who will provide expert design and engineering
solutions for the reservoir.
➢ Contractor: Makavely Holdings Group, tasked with the physical construction and
implementation of the project.
The scope of work includes several important tasks, such as:
➢ Excavation and Earthworks: Involves significant site preparation, including the
removal of existing earth materials to create the foundation for the reservoir.
➢ Construction of Reinforced Concrete Tank Structure: This key phase entails
building a robust tank designed to withstand internal water pressure and environmental
conditions, utilizing high-quality materials and advanced engineering techniques to
ensure durability.
➢ Installation of Inlet and Outlet Pipework: This involves the careful placement of
plumbing infrastructure to facilitate the efficient flow of water in and out of the
reservoir, ensuring it meets operational requirements.
➢ Waterproofing and Testing: A crucial step to prevent water leakage, involving
applying specialized coatings and conducting hydraulic tests to guarantee the reservoir's
integrity.
➢ Backfilling and Landscaping: Once construction is complete, backfilling around the
tank will occur, followed by landscaping efforts to restore the site and enhance the
surrounding area.
We will prioritize following standard civil engineering practices to ensure we meet all local
rules and environmental requirements. We will focus on hiring local workers, maintaining strict
safety standards, and effectively managing resources. This will help us complete the project on
time and within budget.
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CONCEPT DRAWINGS
The image below shows a typical design of an underground concrete water reservoir. This
structure has reinforced concrete walls and a slab. It contains separate sections for storing water
and for easy access. The tank is built to be strong, watertight, and stable to handle ground
pressure and the weight of water. Important features include a system for water to flow in and
out, drainage for overflow, and a shaft for maintenance access.
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PROPOSED SITE LAYOUT
The site for the new below-ground reservoir is in the Bellville campus area of Cape Town. We
chose this location because it is close to existing water supply lines and is easily accessible
from main roads.
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The site has flat land with few obstacles, making it easy to move around. The soil is good for
digging, which helps with excavation work. There is also enough space for temporary
structures and storing equipment, ensuring everything needed is organized and accessible
during the project.
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SITE VISIT REPORT
SITE VISIT REPORT
TENDER:
CONTRACT:
DATE: 20 April 2025
INFORMATION AVAILABLE
1. Location of the site, position relative The site is located near Robert Sobukwe Road, 5km from the N1 highway.
to main roads, rail & airport facilities. Cape Town International Airport is 12km away. Bellville train station is
within 3km
2. Local authorities & contact names City of Cape Town municipality – water service
3. Local quarries, sand suppliers etc. Durbanville Quarry (sand and stone)
Tygerberg Bricks (bricks and cement)
4. Public transport & transport services Taxis, Golden Arrow buses, and local minibus taxis are available
5. Other contracts in the area There is a nearby ongoing contract by Belhar Constructions which is
regarding a road Construction service approximately 3km away.
Additionally, there is a renovation project for a school behind CPUT. The
project is 4km away led by TTB constructions.
6. Suppliers and sub-contractors Buildit Bellville, PPC cement, Mr. Fix plumbing
7. Access to the site Through the main Bellville campus gate and temporary contractor access
along Voortrekker Road.
8. Soil & ground conditions Sandy clay over weathered granite – suitable for excavation and support
9. Rainfall & climatic conditions Winter rainfall; moderate with occasional storms from May to August
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10. Temporary works Portable offices, chemical toilets, material stores to be installed on-site
11. Sources & geology of borrow Borrow material will be sourced from Durbanville Quarry ,8km from
material proposed site. The quarry has high-quality sand and gravel and the area
is known to be predominant in terms of weathered granite and shale(ideal
for base layer applications)
12. Sources of spoil sites & royalties Spoil material will be disposed at the Vissershok landfill site, 12 km away
from the proposed site . The landfill has disposal fees of R75/ton and it is
in compliance with environmental regulations. The spoil site is licensed
to handle construction waste.
13. Local labor & rates of pay Local labor will be readily available from Bellville or the surrounding
Cape Flats. Our general workers /laborers will earn close to R300/day
while the skilled tradespeople will earn from R600 to R1000/day. Due to
the region’s ongoing infrastructure development, workers in the Cape
Flats have prior experience.
14. Security and fencing 1.8m steel palisade fencing with 24-hour security guards
[Link]:(water ,electricity
,telephone etc.); sources of Water Supply: sourced directly from CPUT Bellville campus’s municipal
construction water connection, which is managed by the City of Cape Town.
Electricity: accessed through the campus’s existing Eskom Supply or the
local grid movement (arrangement made via campus facilities
management).
Telephone: Telkom and Vodacom will be utilized due to good coverage
in the area.
Construction water: delivered by Bellville Bulk Water suppliers, 5km
away from campus. Cost at R40/kiloliter.
16. Existing services to be relocated Shallow drainage pipes are to be relocated before excavation
17. Competition Medium competition specialized tank contractors in the immediate area
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18. Questions raised & answers given Access clearance confirmed; storage yard approved by campus
management
METHOD STATEMENT
1. Earthworks (Excavation)
• Activity: Excavation of below-ground tank pit
• Method: Use of excavators and tipper trucks to remove soil to the designed
depth. Manual trimming for precision.
• Sequence: Surveying → Site-clearance → Excavation → Soil stockpiling
• Resources: 1 x 20-ton excavator, 2 x Tipper trucks, 4 x general workers
• Output: 100 m³/day
• Duration: 7 days
2. Formwork and Reinforcement
• Activity: Setting formwork and installing steel reinforcement
• Method: Use of shutter panels and tying of rebar cages as per design
• Sequence: Cleaning → Shutter setup → Rebar placement → Inspection
• Resources: 2 x Carpenters, 4 x Steel fixers, Site foreman
• Output: 20 m²/day
• Duration: 10 days
3. Concrete Works (Slab and Walls)
• Activity: Casting concrete for base slab and vertical walls
• Method: Ready-mix concrete is placed using a chute and vibrators
• Sequence: Pouring → Vibration → Screeding → Curing
• Resources: 1 x Concrete pump, 5 x General labourers, 1 x Supervisor
• Output: 30 m³/day
• Duration: 5 days
4. Waterproofing and Backfilling
• Activity: Application of membrane and backfilling around the tank
• Method: Torch-on waterproofing membrane and staged backfilling
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• Sequence: Surface prep → Apply membrane → Testing → Backfill
• Resources: 2 x Waterproofing specialists, 2 x Labourers, 1 x Roller operator
• Output: 25 m²/day (waterproofing), 80 m³/day (backfill)
• Duration: 6 days
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SITE LAYOUT PLAN
Construction area
Abutment Construction
Equipment and materials materials
Motor parking
Abutment materials
Exit road
Construction
materials
Stock material storage
Tools
yard
Finished member
Storage area stores office
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PRE-CONTRACT PHASE
GANTT CHART
CPN
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CONSTRUCTION PHASE
LABOUR HISTOGRAM
Labour Histogram for Scheduling Resources
This histogram shows how we plan and use labour resources for building the below-ground
concrete reservoir over 30 weeks. It displays the number of workers needed at different stages
of the project, organized by construction activities labelled A to Y.
Labour demand is based on the expected workload for the project:
➢ Weeks 1–5: As we set up the site and complete preparatory work (Activities A–E), the
number of workers gradually increases.
➢ Weeks 6–15: This is the busiest part of the project, requiring the most workers because
of heavy structural and formwork activities (Activities F–Q).
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CASHFLOW
[Link] PROJECT INCOME STATEMENT
Total Project Value (Sales): R1,750,000
Minus Direct Project expenses:
• Labour: 45%
• Material: 30%
• Plant: 25%
This gave us:
• Labour Total ≈ R668,625
• Material Total ≈ R446,250
• Plant Total ≈ R372,625
• Overheads: R175,000 (10%)
• Retention: 10% of each month’s value
• Net Profit: ~R87,500
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PERSONAL REFLECTION AND LESSON LEARNED
Personal Reflection - RIPFUMELO ZITHA
This Engineering Management course has been transformative for me. It provided practical
tools like Gantt charts and cash flow analysis to effectively manage projects. Working on group
projects taught me the importance of communication and teamwork, despite some challenges
with differing work styles.
The course improved my ability to think critically under pressure, helping me prioritise tasks
and manage project risks. Although balancing the workload was tough, I persevered and
finished strong, boosting my confidence in my capabilities.
Overall, I have a better understanding of engineering management that goes beyond grades,
preparing me for my future career. I am grateful to my lecturer for connecting theory with real-
life applications; these skills will enhance my competitiveness in the workplace.
Personal Reflection and Lessons Learned – NONGCEBO LUBISI
The Engineering Management course significantly improved my skills in project management
and teamwork. Our final project on an underground concrete reservoir taught me to apply tools
like Gantt charts and cash flow forecasting, emphasising the importance of careful planning. I
learned valuable lessons in stakeholder management and effective communication while
working with a diverse team. In hindsight, I would start data collection sooner to avoid delays.
Overall, I feel better equipped to manage real-world engineering projects with confidence and
a strategic approach.
Personal Reflection – RASIWELA MUDODZWA
Working on the Engineering Management project was a valuable experience that applied my
classroom knowledge to real-world challenges. Planning the concrete reservoir in Bellville
taught me the importance of pre-construction planning, time management, and teamwork.
Creating Gantt charts and method statements highlighted effective communication and
resource allocation. Balancing this project with other studies improved my time management
skills. Overall, this experience has boosted my confidence in managing construction projects
and has inspired me to pursue leadership in the engineering field.
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REFERENCING
➢ Hendrickson, C. (2008). Project Management for Construction. [online] Carnegie
Mellon University. Available at: [Link] [Accessed 30 Apr. 2025].
➢ [Link]. (2020). Concrete Tanks for Water Storage. [online] Portland Cement
Association. Available at: [Link] [Accessed 30 Apr. 2025].
➢ City of Cape Town. (2024). Water and Sanitation Department Infrastructure Guidelines.
Cape Town: City of Cape Town.
➢ South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). (2020). SANS 2001-CC1: Construction
Works – Concrete Works. Pretoria: SABS.
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