C E 417 - Homework 1
pdf
keyboard_arrow_up
School
University of Mississippi *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
417
Subject
Industrial Engineering
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
Pages
4
Uploaded by ProfessorDinosaurMaster18
1.
Research only one of these engineering accomplishments on the Web and write a one-page
paper (about 400-600 words) about the construction of the project. Include information
regarding equipment used and costs. (1 Point)
The Hoover Dam, the highest concrete arch dam in the US, is located in the Black Canyon along the
Colorado River [1]. Construction took off in 1930 with over 21, 000 men working ceaselessly till 1936
[2]. Three main purposes the structure serves include controlling seasonal flooding of the Colorado
River, production of hydroelectric power, and provision of irrigation water. The Colorado River begins
high up in the rocky mountains, so when the snow melts, it causes flooding in settlement regions below.
The dam holds water in place making settlement downstream possible. As rivers rise behind the dam,
reservoirs (artificial lakes) form which store water that can later be used for irrigation purposes. The
dam also creates a renewable source of energy by harnessing the power from moving water to produce
electricity [3].
The planning process was conceptualized by Engineer Arthur Davis in 1902. By 1922, Davis outlined a
plan before congress for the dam with a proposed price tag of $165 million [4]. While some of the
lawmakers were concerned about the high cost of construction, others worried that the floods will just be
redirected to California. After much deliberation, President Coolidge authorized the project in 1928 [5].
Hoover Dam is as tall as a 60-story building, 726 feet high, 1,244 feet long at the crest, 660 feet thick at
the base, and tapers to 45 feet thick at the top [1]. It contains 4,400,000 yd
3
of concrete [4]. The Hoover
Dam employs a gravity-arch design. It is held in place by the weight of its concrete and the pressure of
the water it holds [5]. The dam controls 17 hydraulic turbines which rotate 2,080-megawatt electric
generators [4].
Construction began by using explosives to blast away the sides of the canyon to build four
17-meter-wide diversion tunnels, using dynamite and pneumatic jackhammers to redirect the water [4].
Because the dam is in the middle of nowhere, much of the labor like moving debris, drilling holes for
explosives, and leveling the foundation was done manually.
The Hoover Dam was built for a cost of $49 million (adjusted for inflation to $760 million). There were
additional power plants and generators available at the site of construction which cost an additional $71
million [6]. The construction requires about 5 million barrels of cement, 45 million pounds of
reinforcement steel, and over 5 million pounds of miscellaneous metalwork, all costing over $30 million
[4]. Laborers also worked constantly earning an average of 62.5 cents an hour. Information about the
detailed cost of materials used is not readily available online, references online just estimate the total
cost of construction as described above.
Today, the future of the Hoover Dam remains bright with future plans for an electric power plant and
storage plant. The Hoover Dam was a game-changing construction project that still stands as a beacon of
innovation and infrastructure design causing it to be a major sightseeing destination with over seven
million visitors per year.
References
[1]
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.).
Hoover dam
. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February
6, 2023, from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hoover-Dam
[2]
Anna. (2014, July 7).
The Building of Hoover Dam Begins in 1930
. Maiden on the Midway.
Retrieved Feb. 6, 2023, from
https://warriorgirl3.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/building-of-hoover-dam-begins-1930/
[3]
Construction on Hoover Dam Begins - History
. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2023, from
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/building-of-hoover-dam-begins
[4]
Building the Hoover Dam
. DOZR. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2023, from
https://dozr.com/blog/building-the-hoover-dam
[5]
Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, December 30).
Hoover Dam
. Wikipedia. Retrieved February 6,
2023, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoover_Dam
[6]
National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.).
The Hoover Dam
. National Archives and
Records Administration. Retrieved February 6, 2023, from
https://hoover.archives.gov/hoover-dam
2.
What is the function of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (www.osha.gov)?
Also, does the state of Mississippi operate an occupational safety and health program in
accordance with Section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970? (0.5 Point)
The OSHA assures safe and healthful working conditions by setting and enforcing standards and by
providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. It was created in 1970 to protect the rights and
safety of workers [1]. OSHA’s responsibilities include encouraging employees and employers to reduce
workplace hazards, improving existing safety, and monitoring job-related injuries/illnesses [2].
Section 18 of OSHA: Nothing in this Act shall prevent any State agency or court from asserting
jurisdiction under State law over any occupational safety or health issue with respect to which no
standard is in effect under section 6. While some states have their own occupational health and safety
regulatory programs known as state plans, Mississippi does not. Rather, the state of Mississippi falls
under OSHA jurisdiction instead [3].
References
[1]
Department of Labor Logo United States Department of Labor
. Law and Regulations |
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2023, from
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs
.
[2]
Department of Labor Logo United States Department of Labor
. About OSHA | Occupational
Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2023, from
https://www.osha.gov/aboutosha
[3]
Heartsmart. (2023, January 31).
How to be a heart-safe environment: Heartsmart
. Blogs.
Retrieved February 6, 2023, from
https://www.heartsmart.com/blogs/how-to-be-a-heart-safe-environment/
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
3.
What PDM(s) are Popular in Mississippi? Search online to find the popular PDM(s)
considered by one of the public sectors or departments in the state of Mississippi (such as
MDOT) in past projects. • At least mention two projects and provide some information for
each.
Generally speaking, design-build projects take less time to complete than traditional design-bid-build
projects, especially with government projects which need to be completed quickly and effectively. Upon
checking the MDOT website, there are a couple of projects listed there that utilize the design-build
project delivery method. With the design team and the contractors working under the same umbrella, it
is easier for the project to be managed and streamlined by the government.
Some of the projects that utilized design-build:
-
MDOT Project No. Db/Im-0059-02(111)/107695-301000 And 302000 - Proposed Improvements To
I-59 In Jasper And Jones Counties, Mississippi
https://mdot.ms.gov/portal/design_build_view/7
-
MDOT Project No. Db/Im-0059-03(099)/108158-301000 - Proposed Improvements To Interstate
59/Interstate 20 Lauderdale County
https://mdot.ms.gov/portal/design_build_view/24
-
MDOT Project No. Sp-2833-00(002)/105094301 -
Propose Improvements To State Route 9
Pontotoc County, Mississippi
https://mdot.ms.gov/portal/design_build_view/11
References
[1]
Benefits and pitfalls of Government Design-Build Project Delivery
. Oles Morrison Rinker &
Baker LLP. (n.d.). Retrieved February 6, 2023, from
https://www.oles.com/blog/benefits-and-pitfalls-of-government-design-build-project-delivery/