CABRERA, JAMES V.

BSCE - 5A

SET A 1. In writing contracts and specifications, everything should, if necessary, be sacrificed to clearness. In reports and papers, for sake of euphony, it is frequently desirable to use different words more or less synonymous in order to avoid repetition. In contracts, this should be avoided; words are almost never exactly synonymous, and in contracts and specifications the words having the exact meaning should be used as frequently necessary. In such papers, it is also desirable to express the idea to be conveyed in the clearest possible way; and repetition of the idea in different words, if it ads to clearness, is not regarded objectionable. 2. In practice, the meaning of every term or expression should be analyzed to determine whether or not it may have meanings other than the one which it is intended to convey. Not only is this analysis necessary, but is it also desirable to consider whether under the contingencies of construction, where perhaps unforeseen conditions arise, the terms may not still other meanings or perhaps prove quite inexact and indefinite.

For example: the word day mat mean the calendar day of 24 hours, the working day, omitting day, omitting Sundays and holidays, or the working day of 8 hours. The term ton may mean ton of 2240 pounds or short ton of 2000 pounds. The term cord commonly meaning 128 cubic feet may, by local usage, mean 100 cubic feet. The term perch as applied to the measurement of stonework varies radically by local usage from place to place.

3. While it is important that every element of the contract shall be clearly, and exactly describe, it is also important and essential for clearness that such description shall be as brief as is consistent with completeness and exactness. A specification is not a treatise on the subject under consideration, and should not be used to try to impress the client or contractor with the profundity of the engineers knowledge of the subject. Only those characteristics or features should be specified which are essential in order to secure the results desired. Any paragraph, sentence, or word which can

be omitted without material effect on the complete understanding of the subject should be omitted.

4. The writing of a definite specification, however, is not as easy as may be assumed. A specification which may seem entirely definite may prove indefinite through the various conditions under which it may be exercised. Example: Instead of concrete should be made quantities by volume is much better if it has well-proportioned with exact units and numbered quantities.

5. A specification is indefinite and open to controversy because a volume specification for broken, granular, or powdered solids is far from precise. The same amount of material will occupy different volumes when fluffed, when packed by ordinary handling, and when vibration packed.

6. When the amount of material to be furnished or the labor to be performed under a contract is not great, it is customary with some engineers to cover the work with only a brief clause in which the labor to be performed and material to be furnished are to be as the engineer shall direct. this practice is less-objectionable when only a limited quantity of such labor or material is to be furnished, but as in most cases there is an uncertainty as to the amount, the practice seems entirely inexcusable.

SET B

1. The most important qualifications for the person who is selected to write technical specifications are his wide range of knowledge and experience. He must be prepared to write suitable specifications for all the multitude of engineering and architectural works, machines, materials, and processes for which such specifications are needed.

2. The best source of information for a person who is starting to write a technical specification are his comprehensive and detailed knowledge of the qualities and characteristics of various materials, methods of performing the work, and methods ordinarily employed by the mechanics

in the manufacture of the product. Systematic study, including observation and investigation are other source that without systematic study such specifications cannot be properly prepared.

3. It is necessary to draw up a complete outline of a specification before beginning to fill in the details to cover all ordinary conditions and requirements, and in their use they should carefully scrutinized to see that they include every item necessary for each particular case.

4. Working from previously published specification is good because wellestablished precedent is a safe guide to follow but as a disadvantage it is essential to determine that a precedent is well established to avoid poor specifications.

5. Such specification require no elaborate special knowledge in their preparation, but such knowledge may be required when bids are received in order that an intelligent choice may be made as to the manner and method in which they will be best fulfilled.

6. As a design becomes more elaborate and the individual parts of a structure become more numerous or complicated, it becomes more and more essential that the specification shall be completed and that the materials and methods of construction of each part shall be described in detail.

7. Yes, because any modification of the engineer in the strict requirements of the specifications may subject him to severe, although possible unwarranted, criticism. It may also alter the cost of the work.

8. Engineers use materials, products, and methods which are usual and available in small works. The manufacturer who offers a material or a machine which is not up to standard requirements must sell to the ignorant or to the others at a considerable advantage, for a reduction in

price and sometimes compensate for a lack of a higher degree of perfection.

9. The more the general the specifications, the greater the degree of responsibility which the contractor should be required to accept. As the details are defined by the specifications, the contractors responsibility must be necessity decrease, for neither morally nor legally can a man be held responsible for results which are entirely beyond his control.

10.The standard specification and its equipment are usually widely known to manufacturers and contractors, and the cost of material, as subject to such specification, is readily determined.

11.Mechanics in the various trades are more productive when permitted to do the work in accordance by the methods with which they have become familiar by repeated usage. If other methods are specified, the mechanics must be retrained and the cost will be reflected in the price which is bid for the work.

12.The time of good engineers and architects are valuable, and therefore well-developed designs will involve substantial cost to the owner.

SET C

1. The character, qualities, and the physical conditions of such materials should be determined so far as practicable. It is often the case that the decision to build or to carry out an improvement is followed immediately at such an early date that a proper examination of the conditions is not possible. Preliminary information will permit plans to be drawn to fit the actual local conditions. It will save needless expenses. Such haste in construction entails extra expenses.