Week 2: Day 8

Block-work at the Four Villas

On Sunday morning, both teams returned to the site of the Four Villas to learn about and complete block-work. Our first practical experience of the day was making mortar by mixing dark sand, light sand, cement, and water in appropriate ratios. There are three main steps in conducting block-work: first, you must closely examine the construction drawing, then mark out the dimensions of the walls and partitions, and finally you may lay down the mortar and blocks. We learned that for every other layer of block-work there needs to be a galvanized mesh placed in a layer of mortar for added reinforcement. We toiled in the heat for nearly two hours to complete a small portion of the block-work. Mr. Hallak told us that the project would never be finished if we worked on it alone; we definitely need more practice laying block-work, but this was definitely a great hands-on experience. It gave us an insightful perspective on how difficult and exhausting this part of the job is, and accurate you have to be.

Bushra and Sarah mixing the mortar

Rami checking the drawing with the foreman

The team marking the block work

Mr. Hallak explaining construction drawings to us.

Laying block-work.

Placing galvanized mesh.

Lecture no. 6, part 1: Financials and Accounting in Construction

Mr. Kareem Abughazaleh spoke to us in the early afternoon about why it's important to follow appropriate accounting methods. He discussed income statements, balance sheets, cash flows, and metrics. He then expanded on financial products which include guarantees, bonds, letters of credit, and facilities and overdrafts.

Lecture no. 6, part 2: Project Insurances

Mr. Khaldoun Khartabil from Alpha Lloyds Insurance Brokers LLC., accompanied by Mr. Ibrahim, elaborated on the importance of having insurance due to all of the risks that accompany a construction project. Their lecture was very detailed. We learned about how the insurance market works and the different parties involved. In addition, they explained the claims procedures and actions.  Many various types of insurances were explained. They covered the Professional Indemnity Insurance and the Contractor's All Risk Insurance, among others.

Basketball Practice 

The evening finished off with several games of basketball in preparation for the upcoming tournament. Everyone played really hard and had loads of fun, and Mr. Yabroudi took us out to Johnny Rockets as a late-night dinner treat afterwards.