Case 4: Lyudmyla Ivanova, Chief Engineer, Ukrenergobud
Company profile
-The company currently employs 650.
Since its founding in 1995, the company has been mainly conducting civil engineering and assembly work. In 2001 it is building two dwelling houses in Vyshgorod and several facilities at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and “Sarcophagus” Unit. The company has its own laboratory which runs quality control of all the construction operations and production of concrete at three factories. “Ukrenergobud” Collective Enterprise produces concrete of different grades, reinforced concrete products, mortar and metalwork.
Lyudmyla Ivanova presentation
My impression of the study tour is that most things in the U.S. are done in a more progressive way than in Ukraine. It is much easier and more interesting to work in the U.S. since the system works for them. This is helped by the availability of product information, equipment, and supporting devices. It was disappointing to see how far behind Ukraine is.
I am the head of a testing lab and I was greatly impressed with the testing labs here, especially the testing equipment. I liked the variety of re-enforced cement blocks at the sites we visited. Such blocks are really needed in Ukraine. In the U.S they build more construction with blocks than we do in Ukraine.
I have special feelings connected with the visit to the H.C. Nutting lab. The first was the original design of the building itself. The good working atmosphere of the lab also had a big effect on me.
I felt that the staff of the lab was highly qualified. There was definitely mutual trust, understanding, respect, team-work, and order there. There was also a great variety of high quality test equipment. In Ukraine we do not have such a large number of methods and equipment in our construction labs. I saw work on a high scientific level here.
There was a great variety of applications including soils, concrete, asphalt concrete and all the basic analysis. There was a large volume of accompanying express method analysis. My dream and goal is to apply as many express-methods as possible in the operation of our lab in Slavutych.
The equipment in the lab impressed me with its variety and number of laboratory tools, devices, and instruments. The main disadvantage of a lab in Ukraine is the lack of modern high-tech equipment and devices.
I was impressed with the approach to the storage of cylinder samples according to the requirements of international standards. I also saw an automatic sprinkling system for concrete samples, with its stacking, transportation, age control, etc.
I also noted the availability of devices which help to conduct testing during the early periods of concrete formation (up to 28 days) using destructive and non-destructive testing methods. For the first time I saw cylinder shaped concrete samples (we use cubes in Ukraine), when they test the strength of concrete. In Ukraine we use cylinders only to test water penetration. Besides, in Ukraine we have single, double and triple cell metal forms, and in the U.S. they are made of plastic instead of metal, so it is much easier to work with them.
The concrete formulas are very similar in both countries in their basic components such as plasterers, air insertion, and other chemical add-mixtures.
As for the work done in H.C. Nutting in terms of steel and welding joints, I was also impressed by the variety of methods, equipment, accompanying devices and chemical materials for the lab tests.
I was interested in the method of testing for magnetic particles. I have not seen this method used in Ukraine and I would like to purchase such a device and master this application.
It is obvious that good working and financial conditions are created for the personnel of the lab. Unfortunately the situation in Ukraine is far different.
I liked the fact that U.S. manufacturers are not afraid to share information and some were interested in building a relationship with us. I learned much from the visits to Florida Tile, the University of Cincinnati round tables, Formica, the Block Styrofoam system, and J & J Carpeting.
I want to have my own independent testing lab and they have agreed to establish it when we return to Slavutych. I plan to talk with the Mayor about this. A testing lab would also help reduce construction costs in Slavutych.
Right now I work for a closed joint stock company that operates on the nuclear waste from the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. I want to increase the variety of concrete blocks. We are planning to get a Reading Rock catalogue to facilitate this.
A testing lab in Slavutych would help reduce construction costs in Slavutych. Financially it would help since all of the money would stay in Slavutych.
Dissemination
All the workers in the testing lab are interested in what I have learned so I will make a presentation to all of them. This is going to include about 500 people.