Welcome back to the AKN Construction Strategies blog, where we delve into the intricacies of site engineering and construction management. Today, we address a crucial aspect of the industry that can make or break a project: service strikes.

With an estimated 60,000 accidental utility strikes per year, causing injuries, project delays, disruption and increased costs, this is an area of construction in desperate need of better practices and education awareness amongst workers and contractors.

In this post, we'll explore strategies to avoid service strikes and keep your construction projects on track, from utility work to highway maintenance to water companies, these types of work all involve extensive excavation making them prone to utility strikes.

Our sustainability ethos is built on the pillars of efficiency and precision. By meticulously planning and executing construction tasks, we substantially cut down on material wastage and energy consumption. This approach not only lessens the environmental impact but also boosts the overall efficiency and quality of our construction projects.

Topographical surveys, often known as land surveys or topo surveys, are critical in obtaining detailed information about the natural and manmade features of a land area. These surveys provide a 3D representation of the terrain, crucial for project managers, supply chain managers, and contracts managers in construction. By accurately depicting elevations, gradients, and boundaries, topographical surveys ensure informed decision-making from the project's outset.

Today, we are exploring the core elements of Highway Construction. At its essence, Highway Construction is the meticulous process of conceptualising, planning, and crafting road networks that link communities, cities, and regions. It's the backbone of transportation infrastructure, facilitating seamless connectivity and fostering economic development.

As we look further into this field, we also discover the crucial role played by site engineering services, such as setting out, machine control, volume analysis, topographical surveys, as-built surveys, and piling setting out and how these are incorporated into highway construction projects.

The Arlesey Relief Road project stands as a testament to strategic urban planning and collaborative engineering efforts aimed at easing congestion and enhancing connectivity in the heart of Bedfordshire. Spearheaded by Central Bedfordshire Council, this initiative sought to alleviate traffic woes along Arlesey High Street while fostering improved access to the A507. At the forefront of the project's execution was our AKN Engineering team, known for our expertise in site engineering, surveying, and precision construction solutions.

Welcome back to the AKN Engineering Construction Strategies blog, where we continue our journey through the intricacies of site engineering services. In this instalment, we look into site engineering by addressing some of the more complex questions that often arise in this field. Whether you're an experienced professional or a newcomer to the construction industry, we're here to provide clarity and insights into the multifaceted world of site engineering.

Welcome to this week's AKN Construction Strategies blog post. As you will be aware, in any engineering project, the importance of precise site setup cannot be overstated. It lays the foundation for success, ensuring that subsequent construction phases proceed smoothly and accurately.  This article covers the critical role of control points in helping to achieve this goal.

Setting out for deep drainage is the process of translating design drawings into physical points on the ground. Accurate setting out is essential to ensure the drainage is constructed in the correct location and at the correct gradients. Errors in this phase can lead to ineffective drainage, increased costs, and potential project delays.

White lining is the final, crucial stage in many construction projects, especially in highways projects and carparks, where it provides essential visual guidance and safety information. The accuracy of white lining can greatly influence the functionality and safety of the finished project. This guide is tailored for construction project managers, engineers, and students looking to gain a better understanding of the process of setting out for white lining.

Highway construction projects require meticulous planning and execution to ensure success. As a site engineering company based in Hertfordshire,we specialise in providing comprehensive geospatial engineering services. In this AKN Construction Strategies blog post, we'll discuss the essential competencies geospatial engineers bring to highway construction, ensuring projects are completed accurately, efficiently, and safely.

Welcome to the AKN Construction Strategies blog, where we share with you a multitude of resources based around highway construction and Site Engineering. Today, we’re diving into the essential competencies for specialist engineering surveying. Engineering surveying is the measurement, definition, and portrayal of physical features and structures on the earth’s surface. This can be done digitally or graphically through maps and plans. The main goal is to provide dimensional control at all stages of construction. Let’s break down the key competencies required for this vital function in construction.

Planning a construction project can feel like solving a complex puzzle. Whether it’s a new highway, residential development, or commercial building, every successful project starts with a solid foundation. And by “foundation,” we’re not just talking about the structure but the accurate understanding of the land itself. This is where topographic surveys play an essential role—providing insights into the lands contours, boundaries, and features. At AKN Engineering, based in the South East of England, we specialise in site engineering services, especially highways construction, and our expert topographic surveys have proven invaluable in saving time and preventing delays for projects across the region. Check out our website for more information

Nighttime highway construction is a common practice due to the reduced traffic and the need to minimise disruptions. However, working at night introduces unique safety challenges. At AKN Engineering Ltd, based in the Hertfordshire, we specialise in highway construction and are dedicated to implementing stringent safety protocols to protect our workers. This AKN Construction Strategies Blog post will outline essential safety protocols for nighttime highway construction.

Graduate Engineers are important to any construction team, bringing both technical skills and practical problem-solving to complex projects. At AKN Engineering, based in Hertfordshire, our Graduate Engineers work closely with experienced site engineers and surveyors on major highways construction projects, helping to keep each stage of the project on track. Today, we’re giving you an inside look at a day in the life of one of our Graduate Engineers on a highways site, where responsibilities like setting out, monitoring progress, and quality control make a big impact.

When it comes to road construction and pavement surfacing, precise setting out of tarmac is essential for achieving smooth, durable, and visually appealing surfaces. Whether you're a project manager, engineer, or student, understanding the techniques of tarmac setting out is imperative for the success of highways construction projects. In this guide, we'll explore the key steps and best practices for setting out tarmac.

Traverse surveying is a foundational technique in the field of construction and engineering, the main purpose of traverse surveying is measuring and mapping the land. This surveying method is instrumental in creating accurate maps, planning construction projects, and even in the legal definition of land boundaries. Its application is vast, touching various aspects of engineering and construction management. This week's AKN Engineering blog post aims to guide project managers, engineers, and students through the fundamental steps of traverse surveying, ensuring a solid foundation for anyone looking to apply these principles in the field.

Welcome back to the AKN Engineering blog, where we unravel the intricacies of site engineering services. In this edition, we've compiled a comprehensive set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to support our wider network in understanding more about what we do and why we do it. This may be a helpful guide if you are in the construction industry, perhaps you are a trainee site engineer, a project manager, a contracts manager, or even a supply chain manager. 

Let's explore the world of site engineering and address your queries…

In the construction industry, where every day brings new challenges and triumphs, the humble construction site diary stands as a silent sentinel, capturing the essence of progress, setbacks, and everything in between. In this week's AKN Engineering blog post, we delve into why construction site diaries are indispensable tools, exploring their purpose, key elements, best practices, and the evolving landscape of digital versus paper diaries.