1.
Aramco Standards & Procedures:
o SAES (Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards): These are paramount.
SAES-Q-001: Criteria for Design and Construction of Concrete Structures
(VERY IMPORTANT)
SAES-A-114: Excavation and Backfill
SAES-L-series: While for pipelines, often have civil interface aspects (e.g.,
thrust blocks, supports).
SAES-H-series: Often relate to coatings and civil structures.
SAES-S-series: Often relate to structural steel which has civil foundations.
o SAMSS (Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications): What materials are
acceptable.
o SATIP (Saudi Aramco Typical Inspection Plan): Understand the structure and
purpose of ITPs.
o SATR (Saudi Aramco Test Report): Familiarity with standard test report forms.
o GI (General Instructions): Especially those related to quality, safety, and work
permits.
GI 2.100: Work Permit System (essential for site awareness).
GI related to Quality Management.
o Project-Specific Specifications & Drawings: Ability to read and interpret them.
2. International Codes & Standards:
o ACI (American Concrete Institute):
ACI 318: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete.
ACI 301: Specifications for Structural Concrete.
ACI 304: Guide for Measuring, Mixing, Transporting, and Placing Concrete.
ACI 305: Hot Weather Concreting.
ACI 306: Cold Weather Concreting.
ACI 308: Guide to Curing Concrete.
ACI 211.1: Standard Practice for Selecting Proportions for Normal,
Heavyweight, and Mass Concrete.
o ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials):
Soils: ASTM D1557 (Proctor), ASTM D698 (Standard Proctor), ASTM D1556
(Sand Cone), ASTM D6938 (Nuclear Gauge), ASTM D422 (Particle Size
Analysis), ASTM D4318 (Atterberg Limits).
Aggregates: ASTM C33 (Concrete Aggregates), ASTM C136 (Sieve Analysis),
ASTM C127/C128 (Specific Gravity), ASTM C29 (Bulk Density).
Concrete: ASTM C31 (Making and Curing Test Specimens), ASTM C39
(Compressive Strength), ASTM C143 (Slump), ASTM C172 (Sampling), ASTM
C173/C231 (Air Content), ASTM C1064 (Temperature).
Cement: ASTM C150 (Portland Cement).
Rebar: ASTM A615/A706.
o AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials): For
roadworks, pavement.
o BS (British Standards): Sometimes referenced, especially on older projects or if
specified.
3. Material Knowledge & Testing:
o Soils & Earthwork: Classification, compaction, field density testing, backfilling,
excavation safety.
o Aggregates: Gradation, cleanliness, soundness, deleterious materials.
o Cement & Admixtures: Types, properties, storage.
o Concrete:
Mix design principles and review.
Batch plant inspection.
Fresh concrete testing (slump, air, temperature, unit weight).
Making, curing, and testing of concrete cylinders/cubes.
Rebar inspection (size, grade, spacing, cover, cleanliness, laps).
Formwork inspection (dimensions, stability, cleanliness, release agents).
Concrete pouring & placement techniques.
Curing methods and duration.
Hot and cold weather concreting.
Concrete defects and repairs.
o Asphalt: Mix design, temperature control, laydown, compaction. (If roads/paving
are a major part of your scope).
o Grout: Types, mixing, placement, testing.
o Waterproofing: Materials, application, inspection.
4. Construction Processes & Inspection:
o Excavation, shoring, and trench safety.
o Backfilling and compaction in layers.
o Foundation inspection (footings, piles).
o Reinforcement placement and tying.
o Formwork erection and striking.
o Concrete placement, vibration, finishing.
o Curing procedures.
o Road construction (subgrade, subbase, base course, asphalt layers).
o Surveying basics (understanding levels, coordinates, benchmarks).
5. Quality Control & Documentation:
o ITP (Inspection and Test Plan): Understanding hold points, witness points, review
points.
o RFI (Request for Inspection): Process, timelines, response.
o NCR (Non-Conformance Report): Identification, documentation, disposition, close-
out.
o Method Statements: Reviewing for compliance.
o Material Approval Submittals (MAS): Checking for compliance.
o Calibration of testing equipment.
o Maintaining daily inspection records, logs, and reports.
o Checklists.
6. Health, Safety & Environment (HSE):
o Basic site safety awareness.
o Understanding of Aramco's Work Permit System.
o JSA/JHA (Job Safety Analysis / Job Hazard Analysis).
o PPE requirements.
