X STEEL VS CONCRETE
PAGE .......................... 1
X CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT: A PROFESSION
IN DEMAND
PAGE .......................... 2
X DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
PAGE .......................... 2
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Steel vs Concrete
The best structural system for multi-story
(three or above) residential, high-rise
office buildings and parking garages is
steel and is often the best value on the
basis of cost per square foot, scheduling,
useable space, and design flexibility.
Steel offers benefits of improved time
schedules due to its quicker frame
construction time. Steel also offers more
useable space and broad flexibility. Pipes
and ducts can run easily through joist
webs and stanchion webs. Steel
construction is easy to inspect because it
is exposed.
Design flexibility of long spans is
possible with steel construction. Spans of
over 100 ft are not uncommon. This is
also an important factor in remodeling.
The greater number of support columns
needed in concrete construction often
limits the moving of walls and partitions,
and they reduce the amount of useable
square footage.
Cantilevering with concrete is expensive,
demanding form set-up and carpentry to
hold the concrete until it cures.
Cantilevering with steel means only
specifying an extended end.
The intended use for a building will also
influence whether steel or concrete is the
best choice. In general steel buildings
ISSUE 5 July YEAR 2006
Sorellnews
work very well for storage buildings,
indoor sports facilities, work shops, and
aircraft hangers, but they are less suited
for higher-trafficked buildings.
Comparatively speaking, steel walls are
less durable than concrete walls. This
holds true in the face of natural forces
(hurricanes, earthquakes) as well as for
truck or forklift accidents. For owners
who want to build a warehouse or other
facility where trucks or forklifts will be
used, this can be a very important
consideration.
While steel is reasonably durable,
concrete remains the material of choice
for buildings that require less upkeep and
maintenance over the years. Concrete is
less pervious to corrosion than its steel
competitor. Hence, the reason that the
majority of buildings found in the
Caribbean on the windward coastline are
in concrete. The dominance of single-
story commercial projects in the
Caribbean indicates that concrete
buildings are cost-competitive and
extremely durable.
When factoring in potential repairs and
ongoing maintenance, the added fire
safety and durability of a concrete
building will usually be reflected in lower
insurance premiums.
If the owner decides to sell the property,
they will most likely find that a concrete
building depreciates less and than a steel
building will. The location of the project
will also influence whether a steel
building is even an option. Buildings in
lightly populated areas generally have
fewer code restrictions placed on them.
The closer a building is planned to a
densely populated area, the more
stringent the fire codes, and building
permitting requirements become. In some
cases steel buildings can not be used in
certain areas for this reason. Other times,
fire codes may require steel buildings to
be built further apart than concrete
structures, requiring a larger plot of land
for the project. The availability of steel
and concrete has sparked much debate. In
our region there are few steel mills so
getting steel on to a job site in a non-
manufacturing territory like Dominica
involves some process. However,
concrete is readily available across the
region and projects in concrete tend to
involve much less material procurement
stage.
1

Every firm, government
agency, or other type of
organization must have some
sort of management
structure in order to function
effectively in the competitive
marketplace. Over the years
managers have proven to be a
crucial part in the execution
of business development
strategies and problem
solving techniques. The
construction industry offers
similar challenges to its
managers.
A construction manager is a
person who plans, directs,
and coordinates a wide
variety of construction
projects from residential to
commercial to industrial.
Construction managers have
the ability to oversee a
construction process from the
conceptual development
stage through to final
construction.
Construction managers, who
are often engineers or
architects, work with owners,
and others who are involved
in the construction process to
evaluate and design
appropriate construction
delivery systems, such as,
SADICK EUSTACHE, TECHNICAL ASSISTANT - SORELL CONSULTING LTD.
MESSAGE FROM DIRECTOR’S
In April 2006, Director Alistair Grell was elected President of the Dominica Association of Professional Engineers. Sorell congratulates
Mr. Grell on his appointment. Staff of Sorell also congratulates Director Clive Sorhaindo on his recent marriage. Sorell is expected to
undergo staff changes toward the end of 2006 with the departure of some staff and the addition of others.
Construction
Management:
A Profession in
Demand
A skillset in management
cost-effective plans and
project schedules.
Management of resources
(both equipment and labour)
and time is crucial to the
successful outcome of
construction projects. The
construction manager must
measure long term success
through achievement of short
term calculated goals.
In addition they oversee the
selection of general
contractors and trade
contractors to complete
specific pieces of the project
which could include
everything from structural
metalworking and plumbing
to painting and carpet
installation. They determine
the labour requirements and,
in some cases, supervise or
monitor the hiring and
dismissal of workers.
Further, Construction
managers watch over the
delivery and use of materials,
tools, and equipment; and the
quality of construction,
worker productivity, and
safety. They are responsible
for obtaining all necessary
permits and licenses and,
depending upon the
contractual arrangements,
direct or monitor compliance
with building and safety
SORELL
CONSULTING:
Engineering &
Architecture
codes and other regulations.
The increasing complexity of
construction projects is
boosting the demand for
Would you go shopping and
management-level personnel
purchase half of what you
within the construction
want. Well why be satisfied
industry. Sophisticated with only some technical
technology, increased
services.
competition, and the
proliferation of laws setting
Come to SORELL we are
standards for buildings and your one stop
construction materials, Engineering/Architectural
worker safety, and full service store.
environmental protection
have further complicated the AT SORELL SOLUTIONS
construction process. Many ARE OUR BUSINESS
construction firms are now
equipping their team with
construction managers to de-
mystify this process.
Ironically, the complexity in
the process is not eradicated Sorell Consulting Ltd.
for firms embarking on small
projects and so all firms alike 6 Fort Lane
must engage in hiring P.O. Box 1232
professional staff to provide Roseau, Dominica
the competency required to
become competitive. (767) 449-9030 phone
(767) 448-1733 fax
SORELL has realized this
info@sorell.dm
need and offer construction
www.sorell.dm
management services to
firms not having proper
management structures or
not being able to afford these
professional services on a
fulltime basis.